Comments on: EU Constitution in Trouble in Holland, France

By: cornelius byzant

cornelius byzant — Fri, 10 Jun 2005 16:52:26 +0000

"Professor" Baum clearly has not caught on to the essential objection of most Europeans against further legal and institutional integration when he advises those who use historical arguments to "update" ones "info". It is history and the awareness of this history, with a shared language and culture, which defines a nation. However, even a presumed American would do well to respect European history as it is part of the history of the Americas. Much of the Dutch opposition against further European integration can be explained by the fact that there are one million muslims - who do not share our history, language and culture - within our borders. This "new reality" has changed our everyday reality in such a way that a new conservatism has found its way in to the political arena and it is about to be inside the institutions of our representative democracy. The electorate has spoken now by means of an element of direct democracy - which was a hobby horse of those parties who were in favor of the European Constitution Treaty. The outcome has shocked them into a new awareness and makes them question their role. Let us remember our history and not make the same mistakes, especially when dealing with the new reality of an agressive culture within our society.

By: Prof. Baum

Prof. Baum — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 01:03:01 +0000

Just a quick comment that Poland maybe has potential to become a very important actor in the unified "Europe". However Turkey not only will not have a chance for at least 10 yrs to be allowed in. Even if debates on Turkey will begin in October it is highly unlikely that Turkey will ever enter the EU as an official member. C.F.J Ooijevaar you need to update your info because you are looking to far back in history rather than adapting to a new reality which exists today.

By: stefan

stefan — Sat, 28 May 2005 01:55:10 +0000

China had unified politics before anyone else. They
are playing catch-up. Ashoka unified India over the
countless rotting bodies. Both of these places
seek to adopt more or less european models, a region
divided by water, mountains, and language. The
chinese kids in the school touch my sister's
daughter's hair to see if the red stuff is real.
I will never believe in a Europe of a uniform shade
of gray. Let us welcome the Poles and one day even
the Russians but let us not create another
Washington in Brussels.

--Transplanted European

By: cornelius byzant

cornelius byzant — Mon, 23 May 2005 08:46:54 +0000

We already have a constitution. We don't need to give up even more souvereignty. I am a 'European' because there are 'Americans', 'Asians' and 'Africans'. Inside Europe being a European means nothing. 'Europe' is a badly marketed product that nobody really needs, except for the thousands and thousands of euro-civil servants. The political elite of Europe will at some point find itself enforcing laws nobody understands by means of violence because the populace does not recognise its legitimacy. Nobody in Europe other than the political elite really wants a United States of Europe or any other 'super state' the whole idea is a farce it will end in tears. We are selling our souls to the devil for greed and out of fear.

By: denzer

denzer — Mon, 23 May 2005 04:55:20 +0000

many people is rigtly thinking that there is not a hope or motivation for a united europe.its just another forum for national lobbyists and international strateigists to play their games.these games are full of hidden agendas and not always for the benefit of europeans.
denzer

By: C.F.J. Ooijevaar

C.F.J. Ooijevaar — Sun, 22 May 2005 22:21:01 +0000

I am Dutch. I am proud to be Dutch. I will be Dutch as long as I live. I do not like "Europe". From 1568 till 1648 we struggled to be a free nation, free from our "Lord of the Netherlands", better known as Philip II, king of Spain. In 1672 we had to defend ourselves against France and some German states. In 1789 we were invaded by the French and ultimately became part of Napoleons French imperium. In 1945 the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada had to come over to free us from the Germans. And now we should voluntarely vote for giving up our selfdestination and be some unimportant part of "Europe", were France, Germany and Spain, Poland and within 10 years even Turkey will take the lead? NEVER!!!

By: Ralf Goergens

Ralf Goergens — Sat, 21 May 2005 14:10:33 +0000

There are rational reasons for deepening the EU's ties across the continent.

Won't work anyway, you can't enlarge the EU and increase inegration at the same time.