Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Nationalism is on the rise due to several factors. The most important of all, though, is that it's one of our shitty politician's favorite scare tactics: "Spain is strangling us!" / "Catalans want to destroy the country". It's populist and it gives votes (sadly), so they just won't let it rest. And that happens for both sides of the argument. Saddest thing is that it clouds the real issues of unemployment, government waste, infrastructures, etc... Take the recent bullfighting ban, for example (which I supported). It was proposed by an Animal Rights Organization, but Catalan nationalists took it as a banner of their fight against "barbaric spanish customs", while Spanish nationalists parties took it as a Catalan affront to Spanish culture and freedoms. Almost every-f***ing-thing that happens down here is used and distorted by the Catalonia/Spain thing. They are even going to take and appeal the ban to the Strasbourg court as if it was a civil rights issue, FFS. It's f***ing tiresome. The depression has exacerbated nationalist sentiment, since nationalists blame Spain for it. Plus the Spanish Constitutional Court cut down our autonomy this summer which has pissed off a lot of people (me included and I'm not a nationalist). Thanks for the kind words about Barcelona. I personally love my city. It isn't perfect, of course (none is). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 It's a beautiful city for architecture. I haven't been to a city when architects are lauded and their names is common for the buildings in the city. Shame about the result v Mallorca, for the 1st 35 minutes I've never seen a team dominate and generate so many chances. Went to Montserrat for the day as well, very interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 That sucked. But the ball we'll go in eventually. Our treble season started in the same way, actually. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ObiChrisKenobi Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. Nah, its fine with me (though I was the one who asked), as I love the link between Country Politics/Development/History and Football. Hopefully it doesn't affect the football side too much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 That sucked. But the ball we'll go in eventually. Our treble season started in the same way, actually. Have to say, that pitch was a complete disgrace, could see the floodlights on 24/7 through the week while it was being replaced. Pedro out for 2-3 weeks because of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Yes, but also we helped you fight in a war in 16th century when Catalunya was it's own state Unless someone has passed us the wrong information Madrid and the Bernbau are my next visits. Camp Nou looks good, but I think the Bernbau looks a better stadium. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Aye Madrid is on my hitlist of places to go in the next couple of years. Fancy taking in an Atleti game. Shame my two favourite clubs in Spain (Atleti and Atheltic) play in the devils colours though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Valencia i've been told is a pretty damn good party city, so I think that will be on my list for the future as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Yes, but also we helped you fight in a war in 16th century when Catalunya was it's own state Unless someone has passed us the wrong information We were on the same side (enemy of my enemy...), but you hardly helped us. You did more in the War of Spanish Succession (the one where you got Gibraltar), although you ended pulling out. You also helped organize a rebellion against Spain during the Napoleonic wars, but that was stopped when France occupied Spain and the Peninsular War started. Thing is, England and Spain were enemies for centuries and we had a knack for siding with Spain's enemies in most wars Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Valencia i've been told is a pretty damn good party city, so I think that will be on my list for the future as well. Valencia is *fantastic* BUT I was there last week and found out their local government is forcing their bars and discos to close very early, which is a buzzkill unless you know some clandestine places. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Yes, but also we helped you fight in a war in 16th century when Catalunya was it's own state Unless someone has passed us the wrong information We were on the same side (enemy of my enemy...), but you hardly helped us. You did more in the War of Spanish Succession (the one where you got Gibraltar), although you ended pulling out. You also helped organize a rebellion against Spain during the Napoleonic wars, but that was stopped when France occupied Spain and the Peninsular War started. Thing is, England and Spain were enemies for centuries and we had a knack for siding with Spain's enemies in most wars Lets leave it at that then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Aye Madrid is on my hitlist of places to go in the next couple of years. Fancy taking in an Atleti game. Shame my two favourite clubs in Spain (Atleti and Atheltic) play in the devils colours though. They took them from Southampton FC, no Sunderland relation so you can feel fine. Atlético used to be Athletic's B team so that's why they share name and colors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Valencia i've been told is a pretty damn good party city, so I think that will be on my list for the future as well. Valencia is *fantastic* BUT I was there last week and found out their local government is forcing their bars and discos to close very early, which is a buzzkill unless you know some clandestine places. Ahh, shame. If they did that in Newcastle the city would crawl to a death. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Aye Madrid is on my hitlist of places to go in the next couple of years. Fancy taking in an Atleti game. Shame my two favourite clubs in Spain (Atleti and Atheltic) play in the devils colours though. They took them from Southampton FC, no Sunderland relation so you can feel fine. Bilbao was founded by Mackem sailors though, or is someone telling me shit Edit: Wikipedia is telling me Southamption and Mackems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Aye Madrid is on my hitlist of places to go in the next couple of years. Fancy taking in an Atleti game. Shame my two favourite clubs in Spain (Atleti and Atheltic) play in the devils colours though. They took them from Southampton FC, no Sunderland relation so you can feel fine. Bilbao was founded by Mackem sailors though, or is someone telling me s*** Not exactly, they introduced the sport to the dudes that founded Bilbao. There were also Blackburn and Southampton sailors. But Bilbao was a club for the locals, since they used to play the English sailors that moored in the Bilbao port. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Aye Madrid is on my hitlist of places to go in the next couple of years. Fancy taking in an Atleti game. Shame my two favourite clubs in Spain (Atleti and Atheltic) play in the devils colours though. They took them from Southampton FC, no Sunderland relation so you can feel fine. Bilbao was founded by Mackem sailors though, or is someone telling me s*** Not exactly, they introduced the sport to the dudes that founded Bilbao. There were also Blackburn and Southampton dudes. But Bilbao was a club for the locals, since they used to play the English sailors that moored in the Bilbao port. See my Edit for what I've just read. So what is with the St George cross in the FCB logo btw? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also, I don't feel comfortable spamming the football board with politics, but I'll gladly talk about the issue on the non-football one. No problem. I've only got football questions to ask now apart from this, is their an American connection to Barcelona just so many american tourists there (I now know of the English Connection btw) There isn't a connection, it's just that it's a damn popular destination. Spain is the second most visited country in the world and Barcelona the most popular city in it. Gotta say Madrid is a damn fine place too. The English connection I suppose you mean the cross of Saint George? Aye Madrid is on my hitlist of places to go in the next couple of years. Fancy taking in an Atleti game. Shame my two favourite clubs in Spain (Atleti and Atheltic) play in the devils colours though. They took them from Southampton FC, no Sunderland relation so you can feel fine. Bilbao was founded by Mackem sailors though, or is someone telling me s*** Not exactly, they introduced the sport to the dudes that founded Bilbao. There were also Blackburn and Southampton dudes. But Bilbao was a club for the locals, since they used to play the English sailors that moored in the Bilbao port. See my Edit for what I've just read. So what is with the St George cross in the FCB logo btw? Saint George is the patron saint of Barcelona and by association of Catalonia. April 23rd is one of the biggest days of the year down here. Catalan soldiers used to scream "for Saint George!" before battle, etc... and we still do it at Camp Nou. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 With Bilbao and the English connection, from what I heard on our La Liga programme that English players would in some cases be allowed to play for Bilbao, not sure I believe it though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 At the beginning, yes. Spanish clubs started employing English players (mostly sailors or businessmen) since they were better, in order to get an edge in the first official tournaments. Bilbao's whole "only basques" comes from when Real Sociedad (arch-rivals) complained that they were using foreigners in one of the first Copa del Rey and forced Bilbao to expel them. Bilbao felt so slighted that they decided that they would never play a non-local again. The bitterness between those two is legendary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 At the beginning, yes. Spanish clubs started employing English players (mostly sailors or businessmen) since they were better, in order to get an edge in the first official tournaments. Bilbao's whole "only basques" comes from when Real Sociedad (arch-rivals) complained that they were using foreigners in one of the first Copa del Rey and forced Bilbao to expel them. Bilbao felt so slighted that they decided that they would never play a non-local again. The bitterness between those two is legendary Yeap, I've read up on them 2. Btw was interesting to see how much Basketball is supported in Spain, especially with the the Lakers about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Also who was the former player that died, there was a minute silence at the Mallorca game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Village Idiot Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 It's the second sport in Spain. Light years behind football, but still very solid support. My bro works as a basketball journo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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