Draft of New EU Constitution Now Available

EUX.TV: "Portuguese EU Presidency publishes draft for treaty that will replace rejected EU Constitution" - "Portugal, holding the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union, on Friday published a final draft of the treaty on the European Union that will replace the rejected European constitution. The draft will serve as a basis for further discussions in the coming weeks. Heads of state and government will meet in Lisbon in two weeks time for an informal discussion" ...

... on the Reform Treaty, which in an earlier incarnation was titled 'the EU Constitution', and was rejected by France and The Netherlands. According to the EU's own laws that should have been the end of it, weren't it for the anti Democratic mind set that is prevailing throughout the Union. If a measure is deemed necessary, it is pushed through, albeit illegally and in a new cosmetic coating. It's a insult to our intelligence, but there you are ... such is the legacy of the former European regents.

For the curious and the riotous amongst us, EUX.TV - a faithful mouthpiece - has the draft available at the site in four different languages >>>

Of Empire, Old and New

Today more fascinating old and new current affairs items.

- The irrationality of the Palestinians is sometimes of breathtaking proportions:

PALESTINIANS BACK IRAN BOMB
New poll shows Palestinians are number one supporters of Iran nuclear weapons
"Of 37 populations around the world, Palestinians rank first in their level of support for a nuclear-armed Iran, a new poll has revealed. The survey, taken by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, found that 58 percent of the Palestinian public are in favor of Tehran acquiring atomic weapons, making Palestinians the only Middle Eastern population not opposed to an Iranian bomb."

Do they really believe, that if the Scampy Satrap launches a nuclear attack on Israel (God forbid), the West Bank and Gaza'd remain unaffected by it? Truth is, that a multitude of sacrifices is just part of the Satrap's apocalyptic doctrine; If the survey was conducted in that awareness, is unknown. Here's more analysis on the Savvy Satrap's little science project.

- Defense of Democracies has another in-depth article on the Kosovo question: "The Moral Hazard of Kosovo's Independence" by J. Peter Pham.

- On 20th June we posted "Science as Liberal Ideology and a Puzzle Contest" on the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly's draft resolution on the dangers of creationism in education. Well, here's the good news on Europe: thanks to a few east Europeans who haven't yet been relativised out of existence, as well as due to some Christian Democrats with the pangs of the conscience, the vote never even got off the ground!

The Press from Hell on the whole never even reported the Darwinic bummer, but here's Reuters in a topspin headline: "European rights body calls off creationism vote", being echoed by a sole blogger in "Creationism vote canceled by Council and Europe's Parliamentary Assembly", proving that lack of a scientific attitude doesn't necessarily has to stand in the way of self-development and personal growth.

- For the aficionado who knows how to appreciate the European post-democratic Press from Hell, EUX is commenting that any insouciance in respect of the acceptance of the new proposal for the reform treaty (the erstwhile EU Constitution), is as yet premature ... you know ... there is still the "Risk of Dutch EU referendum": no further comments, except to say we seem to have a political version here of "fog over channel, continent cut off".

- Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission yesterday confessed to the press what others like myself have known for some time, which is why I almost consider this a personal victory! Barosso together with Vice-President Margot 'make-love-not-war' Wallstrom (Let's Come Together) (see her blog) asked by the press what the European Union would be after the new reform treaty has been agreed (and the risk of a Dutch referendum averted), answered: "Europe is an empire, a non-imperial one, must be said. But still, an empire." ... with which video exhibit I rest my case ....

- And if that wasn't enough imperialism for one day, the Ottomans are also experiencing bouts of nostalgia! EUX for the last time: "FEATURE: From Turkey's dreams of empire to the energy Great Game".

It was again an eventful day in the Eurabic Empire of Voluntarily Interconnected States!

The Slow Train to Brussels Redux

Breaking News - Stop Press - Scoop!

A new E.U. treaty is to be drawn up by lawyers and technocrats under the auspices of Intergovernmental Conference for Retired Collectivist Eurocrats Redux. For electoral considerations and as the measure of its unpopularity, this document may emphatically not be termed a 'Constitution', the first one having shipwrecked on French and Dutch No referenda; just how dumb and subsurface do these politicians think their citizens actually are?

This new piece of solidified suspicion must be completed at the end of 2007, as "the new treaty will enter into force ahead of elections to the European Parliament in summer 2009". So far the bad news (and please note the idiom) ... but,


... Not so fast, boys ... here's the good news: Dutch pressure group "We demand a referendum" has just let it be known by press release that parliament has secured a majority in favour of yet another referendum. It's my believe the Government will have to comply if they want to avoid a major popular revolt!

It would appear that the post-democratic, Transnational Empire train stops there for the time being. It will be fun though to see yet a fresh instalment in the series of Eurocrats slithering hither and dither to cunningly push the agenda through, no matter what, at whatever the cost!

Posting is a bit low, for which my apologies. We have a few more chapters of the Straight Red Line series in production, as we find liberty to be in serious existential trouble. Plain air at present measures some 43C/109F. Tomorrow will be a mere 38C/102F, so prognosis remains on the slow side of posting.

Treason (IV): a Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy?

Earlier instalments: Part I, Part II, and Part III

Criticism of the E.U. isn't encouraged by liberal politicians: such would only place the organization in an unfavourable light and create an atmosphere against it. If we do, we mustn't be surprised about the return of a majority of No votes against the adoption of the E.U. Constitution - as was the case in The Netherlands and France. The German chairman is at present looking for Clintonian options around this problem, to get it ratified nevertheless - such is the worth of E.U. legality. Invasive, E.U.-wide policies can hence become a reality by a simple majority vote: no more Maggies about "I want my money back!".

Gradually it becomes apparent how the clever saboteur operates. A clue is provided by Pim Fortuyn's green animal rights assassin. This activist (no doubt government sponsored on the grounds of something or other beneficial to society) made an entire region of Holland a living hell for poultry farmers: law book in the one hand - note book in the other, checking every single piece of fine print against the reality on the ground, and prosecuting any discrepancy, however minor, upto the European Court of Law, if necessary.
It is therefore very important to keep a close eye on the legislators. The more they produce, the more there is to prosecute. Big, bureaucracy producing government is the enemy!

A further example of judicial terrorism is found in the following quote from an American commentator on The Brussels Journal: "It seems we share this trend of the breakdown in trust, especially as some of our own institutions are cleverly used against us; for example, six imams are suing an airline after they started praying and acting like they were going to hijack the plane, and so were thrown off the flight. Not only is the airline being sued, but so are the passengers that reported the suspicious behavior. The meaning of this couldn't be more clear: if you report a Muslim who's acting suspiciously on an airplane, you face a lawsuit. This is leading to an increasing feeling of powerlessness (but, at least we can still own guns)."

The Swedes cloaked their multicultural aspirations in an official Act of Parliament: a horror story of culture assassination of the first order. See here how the state has turned into an enemy of the very population it is supposed to protect. One wonders how we ever got ourselves into such a mess? On the other hand, it's not as if nobody was ever forewarned. It's what you get when you cut yourself off, by the root.

Then why do we accept this treason of the people, by our own elected governments? I think, because we are still prosperous nations. Also we are comparatively free within the constraints of the law: after all, I can still write this, whereas bloggers in Egypt go to jail for insulting Islam, and the head of state. Others have suggested it is, because we are at heart such law abiding citizens? In that case we'd be advised to refer ourselves back to Karl's early work on the revolution, in re of victory, sentimentality, the bourgeoisie, and all that.

And, strange as it may seem: anything becomes normality at some point. Just as Londoners during World War II got used to being bombarded night after night, and Iraqis adjust to IEDs and exploding chlorine trucks, so our minds are set to accept big government, their intrusion into our lives and the 'normality' of political correctness: to express ourselves and act in accordance with the prevailing ideology that is fed by the Unholy Alliance of urban jihadies and the Left, their shared glorification of victim-hood and constructed social identities, their shared love of the collective and 'irrational logic'.

All of the above may make us liable to accept the treason cloaked as political correctness, but circumstances change. Something dramatic may happen. Tensions are rising, so much is apparent. And it looks like the Left is doing some fundamentalism of their own, harking back to the early works of socialism, as it was supposed to be before it was hijacked by Uncle Joe c.s., who are blamed for the Soviet mess - not the ideology, not the inspirators, nor the earlier apostles. Heaven knows what that may produce!

Or can we just not imagine there's a Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy happening in this place and time - against us and by our own representatives? The generations born in the free world after World War II have known only democracy and steadily increasing prosperity. It's next to impossible to imagine other circumstances. That mind-set, combined with the lack of proper history education, and the postmodern arrogance with regard to all that came before us, makes it hard to see the signs and patterns that Wladimir Bukovsky does recognize, and that sometimes emerge when we read books like The Orientalist, about which I hope to write more soon.

Let me deny the reverse of Hildebeast's product of sleepless, paranoid night sweats: no, I don't think there's a Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy, no Protocols of KGB Elders, but I do believe there is a Vast Totalitarian Pattern becoming apparent!

Note: Just had the afterthought that since treason as a crime seems to have been abolished, or suspended, or whatever it is they've done to it, these heathens currently in charge of our parliaments and governments in all likelyhood haven't the foggiest idea they're committing it, or what the concept is in the first place. Conversely, they'll also have no inkling of the meaning of loyalty.

Update: In this post I answered the question - if we're experiencing today a renewed onslaught of Marxism, or Neo Communism, or whatever you want to call it, negatively. I've changed my mind ... I've discovered the trick ... Eurika! How do I know? Because it's logical but above all, it's dead Boring! The peoples of the West are today living in a crypto, semi totalitarian situation in which taxation, and >>>

God in the Gutter, Allah at the Altar

Despite objections from the Liberal parties and requests not to go ahead with the exclusive meeting of the eighteen "Friends of the EU Constitution", called for by Luxemburg and Spain - the latter currently led by the political and cultural equivalent of Attila The Hun - in an opening speech in Madrid, Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos argued that any revised Constitution should be extended to include more European objectives (?), rather than pared down to just institutional reforms.

Delegates from the eighteen countries that have ratified the EU constitution, plus its strong supporters - Ireland and Portugal - gathered in Madrid to outline their positions on the future of the European treaty and to "help the German presidency to collect the positions, to help finding a way out" of the current limbo. In line with the motto of the meeting and the key idea to be highlighted in the forthcoming statement - "Por una Europa Mejor", for a better Europe - Mr Moratinos reiterated that the current treaty is an "excellent document".

Apart from the usual underhanded way of conducting EU business, the "excellent document" is a re-hash of the existing treaties and charters, plus lots of wool produced by a committee of political has-beens, minus the good proposals and ideas. How the EU deals with its own values is exemplified by the extra-curricular "meeting of the friends" and how they run roughshod over the French and Dutch vetoes. In an EU Observer article the word vetoes is indicated between inverted commas, as if these were not real, but only a sort of constructed coincidence, having no real value in the legal sense. But the contrary is the case and these attempts at invalidating it are an indication of the legal relativism that is current in Brussels politics. I'm still wondering what part of "Non" and "Nee" they did not quite understand.

The vetoes are what the Constitution would make impossible, if adopted: for any one country to obstruct the deals the others make, and an end to (mostly Thatcherite) opt-outs. It is also at this point that the negative side of the EU would start to outweigh the positive: it would no longer be a benign, voluntary "occupation" by foreign powers offset by economic benefits, but a dictatorship by the majority, violating members' principle right to self-determination and sovereignty: it will prove to be self-defeating and its adoption will mark the end of the European Union and its efforts for peace in the absence of power politics on the continent.

The proposed Constitution is also an effort of creating a future in which moral truth has no role in governance. Like the VVD Dutch Liberal Party, it doesn't pass moral judgement, equating Christianity with cannibalism and Colin Powell with Robert Mugabe. It will impose a anti-theist French style laïcité [1] on public life, thereby violating its own declared moral commitment to tolerance.

The single thing that the patch-work of member countries have in common - a culture based on the Judeo-Christian civilizational enterprise built on the ruins of classical Greco-Roman values, is being denied to the point of stretching science to prove a rather immature purpose. The question can be asked: are a people who deny their own history worthy of a future? This isn't a time for wisdom and visions, but for polarization and transition. That is why the desert call to shelve the constitutional project for the moment, is wasted on "the friends". European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's EU 50th anniversary birthday list calls for all but roots, although he does invoke the Catholic founding fathers, who we may wonder cover their heads in disappointment over such cultural barbarism.

Thanks to the relativist Christophobia of the anti-theist state [1] and in consideration of a comment yesterday on Dr Sanity's blog: "By all means, accept reality ... your grandchildren will be Muslim. Allahu akbar!" (yes, the gloves are off), the future is likely to be characterised by "God in the Gutter and Allah at the Altar". But we shouldn't despair: salvation may yet come in the guise of two former communist countries and new P.C. irritants, the Czech Republic and Poland. Perhaps after the last Western baby-boomer has packed it in, the New Europe may yet be able to snatch some of the bankrupt assets away from the Gates of Vienna.

I specifically would like to hear the views of new Europeans. They are heartily invited to post their comments.

On Pride, Shame and Debauchery in the Emerald City

- Today I received from the American Jewish Committee an update on the Salah Choudhury situation. Apparently the Moral Courage Award has been handed out to Mr Choudhury. What fills me personally with anger is that my government is lavishing vast amounts of taxpayer's money (called development funds) on a country that abuses its citizens, is stifling freedom and tends to follow the ranks of what is now termed a new political system in the Islamic world that will prove to be every bit as bad as its predecessors. Here's the article in yesterday's Daily Star of Lebanon in re of National Islamism (make a mental note; I don't think we've heard the first and the last of this).
It is not too late to sign the petition for the life of Salah Choudhury! The link can be found here on the left hand side column or see the relevant articles.

Here's the story on the Award:

Shoaib Salah Choudhury expressed deep appreciation to AJC for sending its Moral Courage Award to him through the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh. "When I brought the plaque to my residence, my family was extremely delighted to see it. We have placed the plaque with respect in our living room, where the guests will have the opportunity of seeing it. Each time I see it, it gives me a kind of divine inspiration. And, every time, I remember especially Mr. David Harris and our friend Yehudit Barsky for kindly choosing me as the recipient of the award." AJC had attempted to honor Choudhury at the Centennial Annual Meeting in May 2006, but he was prevented from leaving Bangladesh and is now on trial for sedition because of his efforts to foster dialogue with Jews, to visit Israel and his opposition to radical Islam in Bangladesh. His trial is set to resume on January 22.

- On a similar note how Islamic countries are misusing so-called development funds against their benefactors. Lebanon's Daily Star has a report how Egypt is funding Al Qa'ida's P.R. requirements.

- This post isn't about a so-called "Peace Mum" who is exploiting the death of her son for narrow party political gains in a shameless fashion. Present pastime is proof she's also an activist and is displaying very awkward bereavement reactions.

- Here we have a worthy, except if you happen to be Venezuelan, in which case my commiserations. After Tony Blair's socialism by a third way proved to be unadulterated Tory politics, it seems that Hugo Chavez a.k.a. The Clown of the Caribbean, is now trying to get it done in yet a fourth manner. How many more ways do they need to concede at last that socialism doesn't work?!

- According to the E.U. Observer Spain and Luxemburg are calling for "pride" in the Constitution. They are right: pride is so much more important than acknowledging your religious, historical and cultural roots of two millennia! Pride is P.C., pride is neutral, pride is good (provided it doesn't lead to nationalistic tendencies, in which case we'll break out in a terrible rash: wait till the 21st and you'll see).

- The theme of today's post seems to be shame and pride. Here's one for the shame category: Recently I have been writing how the New Europe, the former East Block, is treated by Old Europe, which is an indecent shame. Al-Guardian provides us today with an excellent example. (What an awful rag is that! And me thinking the New Rotterdam Courant was the pits!)

- Townhall.com's columnist Star Parker is on the case of the defense of Oprah! Good for her! I'm so proud of her!

- Back to shame (and a bit of fun thrown in): journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran, former Baghdad bureau chief for The Washington Post has published a book. It's all about the debauched life of the Americans in the Green Zone in Baghdad during the first year of the U.S. occupation. It's called Imperial Life in the Emerald City. In a recent interview on CNN he clarified the trouveille as follows: 'emerald' refers to the Green Zone (emeralds are green, you must know) and the Americans were displaying 'imperial' attitudes: they were sitting in Saddam's palaces, eating pork in the middle of an Islamic capital!

The Last Stand of the Baby Boom Empire and other bed-time stories

The last few days provided us with the following news worthies:

- Here's one of the simple European multi-culti variety: Beate Winkler, director of the 'European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia' in an article on the website of Deutsche Welle is making remarks about humans not having roots, but boots ... Now I wonder where does this piece of rhyming relativism stem from? My conclusion: scientism ("humans are at root nomadic") dressed up as a sneer at Pope Benedict's and Marcello Pera's book "Without Roots", in which they make mincemeat of multi-culturalist balderdash like Ms Winkler's. Well, let's leave it for the time being for what it is: the last throes of a generation of wreckers. More later on in this post.

- Al-Guardian's columnist Timothy Garton Ash is wondering how come Europe hasn't a story for the future. Could it perhaps be that a people who deny their own history aren't worthy, or perhaps are simply incapable of envisioning a future? Sad indeed.

- Speaking of sadness: Al-Guardian goes on to call Somalia, now almost free of Islamist terrorists ... America's new puppet, which just goes to show what deep feelings of blind hatred can do to a psyche. This is why Christianity doesn't encourage it. And that is why the Left's gathering averseness of Christianity is almost on a par with their hatred of George Bush (and democracy) (see paragraph down on The Last Stand etc.).

- Back with the boys in Brussels it transpires that Mr Verheugen, Germany's Commissioner for Industry, is advocating moving the E.U. goal posts by unearthing proposals to give small countries less influence than larger ones. They don't really need commissioners, minor functionaries would be sufficient (whatever). You'd almost think he's doing it to please the Turks who are very fond of power politics, but this is probably not the case. He's just trying to set the tone for the German presidency, lowering expectations of the small fry in re of the Constitution talks.

- Elsevier was for-seeing it and warns that "the Constitution is back on the agenda". As did I (which is not that difficult once you understand how their manoeuvrings work) and wrote in this blog just how utterly untrustworthy and tricky these boys in Brussels are. Because officially they have no business at all to bring back a subject that has been voted down by two member states. The veto still being in place (this is what the constitution proposes to change and why the Dutch have voted it down), even one would have been sufficient. Real role models for ethics and observers of the rule of law, these boys in Brussels.

- And while Muslims are screaming for attention and everybody is looking that way The Last Stand of the Baby Boom Empire is upon us (see also the first item in re of Ms Winkler's roots versus boots and the para on Al-Guardian's opinion on Somalia). Just mark my words, these are their last throes before they're pensioned off. Upon growing up in or just after World War II, all their lives they have done their damnedest to wreck the West's collective, cultural memory that has been built up over the better part of two millennia. First we had to turn communist, then broody post-modern deconstructionists and live through the sexual revolution, then became socialist squatters on their behest, then Maoists, back to trying socialism yet again, this time by a third method and all the while also being progressive, pacifist feminists.
I tell you, the last thing still standing and gathering strength, is Christianity. This is the last asset they'll try their hand at wrecking before packing it in. However obnoxious and tiresome, after going through hell yet again in engaging them in public discourse, after they've failed at that too, perhaps the rest of society can re-find their inner strength and construct something positive and lasting for the future, at long last. And they can go and enjoy the benefits of the old people's paradises they've constructed over the years to be rid of their own elderly parents.

About historical mistakes casting long shadows

I'm looking forward to goodbyes to my long-term subscription to Time Magazine. I got it when I was still living in the old country, which is so left-leaning that journalism like Time’s, seemed from that vantage point a pretty neutral sort of rag. But that's not the point. As I am impatiently waiting for my next Amazon shipment to arrive, I got hold of a few random articles in Time and stumbled upon “Slow train to Europe; With controversy over Cyprus, Turkey’s membership on the E.U. fades further into the future”. This is of course in the light of E.U. Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn’s recent recommendation and subsequent acceptance of eight chapters of the 35 of Turkey’s membership talks, to be suspended, just 13 months after they started; all in reaction to Turkish intransigence to opening up its (air)ports to Cyprus carriers (the official half of that island state, that is).

In Time’s words, the accession train isn’t wrecked, but it will be slowed considerably. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that this is the consequence of Turkey not fulfilling its obligations.
It so happens I saw a news item the other day (don’t remember where), which made my hair stand on end. In the manner of current affairs programs passers-by in Ankara's high streets were surveyed about the E.U. membership talks. The figures pro went from 64 percent at the start of the talks, to a mere 32 percent at current levels. I actually heard someone commend on how the E.U. dare put forward all these demands, "after the Turks have given Europe its civilization"!'* What, darned tulip bulbs?! Apparently they are having strange ideas about what it is exactly that constitutes civilization. Unless, of course they mean this big, gaping black hole, right in the middle of Greek national history, which isn't mere bulbs, I can tell you!

With these reactions and others the Turks are unwittingly offering proof of their unreadiness to be a part of Europe. They simply don’t get lots of things. For example that the accession talks aren't a “bazari”, a series of negotiations in which both partners personally give and take, but instead a basic set of laws and regulations that each and every member state must implement and adhere to. Because of this attitude it feels to them as if the E.U. is piling demand upon demand on Turkey personally and that they personally have to “give in” time after time, which is very degrading to the proud Turkish nation!

Just like the old mentality of power politics, on which I have commented before in these pages. The mentality of a big country, that is no party to a dwarf state like Cyprus. They don’t understand that the E.U. is made up of any number of small countries (founded in fact by the three miniature BeNeLux countries), each of which has about the same weight in the decision making process as the bigger ones. This principle was on the point of being somewhat undercut by the proposed E.U. Constitution, reason why the Dutch have voted it down. It will of course be brought again to the table in another guise, but that’s another story.

But, Barroso doesn’t want to close the door to the proud Turkish state just yet. On the other hand there are a number of prominent European politicians, not all at ease with the Turkish membership. German Chancellor Angela Merkel for one. She’s not alone either. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French Interior Minister and presidential candidate, and Bavarian Governor Edmund Stoiber have also voiced criticism, as have Austria, Greece and Cyprus (no surprises from the Eurovision axis as yet).

Other problems lie in the areas of minority rights, freedom of speech and faith and the press, apart from that ridiculous law against insulting Turkishness, of which so much is being said, but is still not revoked.
I understand the atmosphere in Turkey is leaning towards actually ceasing accession talks from their end, but we're not to hold our breaths yet. But they won’t go back on Cyprus! Really, how can you expect to become a respected member of a club, saying simultaneously that another member, albeit a small one, will be either ignored or bullied into submission? Basis their geography Turkey may be a key player in many regions, there’s a reason they are friendless, apart from the few relationships of convenience they are involved in.

As long as Turkey is drawing for its mentality on traditional Middle Eastern political attitudes of power play, diplomatic bullying, driving excessive bargains, negotiating over absolutes coupled with an obnoxiously arrogant attitude in general, it will culturally and mentally be part of the east. It will not understand Europe, nor will it be ready to become a part of it. Europe we must accept has a Judaeo-Christian history and mind-set (which among other things made modesty a kind of chic trait).

That particular European mentality has been undercut of course by the latter day relativist generations and the multi-culti "Down With Us" deconstructionists. Thankfully a few generations not a barbarian make.

* N.B. I'm adding this note as a precaution, as it occurred to me that some victims of relativism might actually be persuaded to believe this remark, made by an anonymous Turkish woman in the program. No relativism on her part, of course.

Why the European Union will never be loved

It is on the day the Dutch ambassador's wife to Indonesia announces she will no longer serve pork sausages, I discover a blog entirely devoted to the early destruction of the Restoration, that the shameless Anti-Holocaust conference opens in Tehran. Not a good start, so to speak.

But there's no day so bad that there's no good news at all, albeit minor. A Dutch-Moroccan organisation in one go proves quite a bit, namely that,
1. faith has nothing to do with brain-cell count (contrary to what some believe),
2. there are other means of pressing a point than blowing people to smithereens (but most of us knew that already, so no news there) and
3. it pays not to give in to blackmail and threats (ask Geert Wilders: try the search button or the tag list).
In the recent past I already commented that the Iraqis are hugging each other to death; now this Dutch-Moroccan organisation is going to try to do the same with Geert! I don't think it will last long though, as they really hate his guts for taking a stand, contrary to their own!

Contrary to my activist colleague at One Cosmos Blog (this is the last time I am linking to him) I believe in The Truth. You see, I don't place myself in "one camp" which is hence pronounced infallible and devote myself to publicly saying the "other camp" consists entirely of brainless morons who are wrong ... even if what they say is actually true and/or of some value (so much for modern tribal warfare, of which I want no part). What relativists don't get is, that for too long we have let people like them tell us we are the bad guys and should therefore get deconstructed by a philosophical parlor trick. Their logic is also badly flawed: "us" being bad, doesn't make "them" (whoever they are) good, and vice versa. In other words, if we are proud of our culture, it doesn't mean automatically that "theirs" should be confined to the cultural scrap heap!

So, knowing there is such a thing as The Truth I have been pondering a bit about something I have written about the Dutch Prime Minister, Jan-Peter Balkenende (JPB) in relation to a remark he made in the press about his personal relationship with God. Here's the link to that post for easy reference.

The point is the following: France, the country of the The Revolution and laicite (can anybody tell me where those @#!* accent keys are hiding?), is a neutral state: it is faithless, it is secular (about which the Pope today had a few words to say, by the way). I haven't read the now brain-dead draft E.U. Constitution on this point (although we do know that the preamble in respect of Europe's Judaeo-Christian roots, hotly advocated by the late Pope John Paul II, was regretfully rejected by the Europarls), but what it does look like is that the French concept has been given unofficial E.U. policy status.

It is not a minor point we are discussing; it is on the contrary a basic issue of utmost importance, which nobody is asked about, citizen nor member-state is democratically consulted: it just becomes a point of policy, secretly pushed through. Where the members of Parliament are on this point, or what it is exactly that they are doing, is unknown. Because it is debatable if the French concept of the neutral state is the one we need or indeed want for the E.U. as a whole, let alone if it isn't a subsidiary matter (for the individual states).

Why it struck me that JPB was making the comment that he did, was not because in his Calvinist tradition the relationship one has with his God is a personal one, but because this is not per se true for Holland is a whole. The Dutch state guarantees its citizens freedom of faith (among other relevant rights, about which more later in a post dedicated to the separation of Church and State), but is not in itself "neutral". For example the rim of the Guilder bore the text "God zij met Ons" (God be with us). Under the influence of relativism in the guise of multiculturalism this was abolished with the introduction of the ... Euro.

I say the guise of multiculturalism, because this abolition ostensibly took place in order not to upset the Muslim emigrant population (who aren't dominant at all and wouldn't have let this happen in the first place). You see, they call their God Allah, which is of an entirely different concept ... sounds a bit lame and construed, doesn't it? That is perhaps because it is and the whole issue was done under E.U. policy pressure. This would be vintage E.U., typical of its secretive modus operandi. When nobody happens to be watching, or those who should aren't alert enough, a major policy decision is taken en commission and suddenly implemented.

While the Iraq Study Group's Report was officially presented "to the American people", Europeans are treated like mere subjects, if as much! Which is why the E.U. will never be loved.

News bits and ... the season is upon us!

It's true, honestly! They've been spotted ... the big red glossy ones ... and the little golden tinkles: Christmas ornamentation!!!! And if that's not enough, Jingle Bells and I'm dreaming ... have also been heard and not that faintly at that, but at full blast: try this one if you don't believe me. It's really far too early, but I'm such a sucker for the season, so you won't hear me complain.

Also some news items that cannot go unmentioned:

- The Vatican press office has made it known that the website for the second time in two months has been attacked by a group called "The Electronic Jihad"; No, I'm not joking! See for yourself. Being an optimist by nature hopefully this is the last bit of belligerence over "Regensburg", you remember that speech of Pope Benedict's delivered in that nice, German university town in re of Christianity's roots lying in Classicism ...?

- Here 's a good one as well: the Argentinian government has ordered the arrest of the former President of Iran, Rafsanjani. This in re of an unspeakable deed of state sponsored terrorism some years ago.

- The Vatican has released the full schedule for the visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey, set for 28th November until 1st December. Let's pray he'll survive the gamble. Like the exsession of Turkey to the E.U., I suppose this one cannot be put off either?

- Elsevier is echoing my fears that somebody may try to reanimate the deceased "European Constitution"; you know, the one killed off by the recalcitrant Dutch and free-market phobic French between them. In Europe you never know what trick they'll be up to next, so the utmost vigilance is indicated, especially during any given holiday season!

- MI5 is at present following some 1.600 persons at risk of committing terrorist attacks inside the U.K., up by 50 percent since last year. BBC's Newsnight last night produced a self-confessed representative of the group, who uttered the usual crap ("the 7/7 attack came after Iraq"); S o o o ?

- One would have thought that in Europe they've got other problems to think about - what with the entire continent on the brink of cultural suicide - but in France they have identified a really pressing problem: the official EU logo for the 50th anniversary is found not so aesthetic. I think they have a pressing point, actually. What kids think up this kind of stuff?

- Some people's vistas are limitless ! I think he'll do it too!

Well, it's long past my bed-time (again) and I have to get up early. I'm going for an Ahmadinejad jacket ...!

Monday, 13th June 2005

A usual boring Monday, but with lots of news. Let's start at the home front.
Producers of soap series see no problem in cash for influence: the Dutch Muslim Broadcasting Club (or whatever they call themselves) is going to participate financially in the production, so as to secure influence on the content in an "advisory" role. How ordinary fidels look like in the real world and so on.

The police has made it known they are going to undermine their own authority once again by doning silly hats in demonstrations for a better salary. They haven't had a raise in two years, which amounts to sheer exploitation!

Apparently they're surprised about their lack of authority! The same holds true for other occupations and vocations of a certain standing, like doctors and paramedics: they're being bashed about by the public who by now have no respect left for them whatsover.

Once again a dangerous criminal is on the loose: the psychiatric ward apparently let him visit his elderly mom and at the train station he absconded from his guard (singular). The Ministry of Justice initially refused to inform the public who, as a result, was not on their guard for any danger. This is how serious the Dutch government is taking their number one duty, the protection of its citizens. They prefer to protect dangerous criminals instead. The Lower House is up in arms, not for the first time, as Breaking News, he's murdered an old man on a boat. This is a developing story ...

In another incident in a rural area, a weekend mob have encouraged a would-be suicide to jump off a building. Who'd require any more proof of the depravity of this country, consider yourselves hereby served.

The EU ministers and/or secretaries of Foreign Affairs are debating the new budget. Propped up by a resounding Dutch (and French) NO against the proposed E.U. constitution our minister is playing hard ball. The time is apparently over that it was normal in this country to buy foreign influence and/or positions with development and/or defence money and/or assets (read Srebrenica, U.N., World Bank posts, etc.).

Participation in the Italian referendum on IVF has remained under 50 percent. The Vatican can rest peacefully tonight (bless Pope Benedict and all of his cats!).

The Baghdad Tribunal has released recent pictures of Saddam. The government is pressing the tribunal to get on with it. But they are an independent court (contrary to the Saddam days) and pressure works contraproductive. Last week another mass grave has been opened, but this is of course hardly mentioned in the press, who are only interested in one thing and one thing only: to make the coalition look as bad as possible and blame George B. for everything: apparently he has now even given democracy a bad name (democracy: so overrated!). The Left as always show their ability of distinguishing good from bad, by aligning themselves and defending the worst dictators in human history, rather than to allow George Bush some credit. This, is nothing new in the history of right-wing American presidents and The Left, who are: against fascism (long live dear Uncle Joe!), against Vietnam (long live the VC!), against cruise missiles (long live the Polit Bureau!), against nukes (long live Pol Pot!), against apartheid (long live Mao!), the list is endless ...