Farage beneath contempt - Peter Valentine

I usually say how proud I am to be English and British and also to be a Citizen of the EU with its great diversity proving to be one of its strengths - well at least to those who embrace the matter, if not to the little Englanders who still seem to think everyone is out of step except the English. But today I am confused and angry following the antics of the stupid Farage and the shame he has brought down on this nation by his attack on Mr Rompuy. I am confused as I am not sure how to refute or apologise for Farage's studied and highly explicit stream of insults, or just ignore him or even support his attempt to become an MP and leave the European Parliament.
 
Of course we can all have our opinions about the EU and its leadership or lack of leadership but, Farage excepting, these debates usually take place among well meaning people in a spirit of debate not gutter insulting. Back to our Parliament laid out to 3 sword lengths and the abandonment of a sound principle that goes back to King Arthur of discussing policy in the round or nowadays in a hemicycle. And the Lisbon Treaty has only just come into force and I accept that the early appointments of President Rompuy and High Representative Ashton should be compromise choices of sensible and diplomatic people to over see the growth of these new institutions. Such matters are too important for ego trips by power hungry politicians.
 
Secondly may I refer you then to a major article in today's Independent, in which Adrian Hamilton reviews the dwindling position and power of the UK in this modern age and invites us to make up our minds about where we are going and who with? Although he mainly explores our military position his call for us to "Perform or vacate the Toilet" is even more important politically. Of course as long as UKIP and similar are armed with their absurd understanding of what the EU is, and more importantly is not, and publish the same nonsense at the drop of a hat; getting the English to realise that the old days of certainty which taught that Continentals were not to be trusted has long gone and that our true position was to be at the centre of a united Europe guiding the EU and other European bodies to make better and more pragmatic decisions will not be easy. But that is why we have representative government and not mob rule! Apart from Farage and crew of course.