Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Self delusion
Reading this on EU Referendum I almost fell off my chair in shock
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA deep breath HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... clunk
No seriously that has got to be one on the most dishonest comments I have heard in a while.
They are sent round the Brit MEPs I think, most of whom do not read them, but the other 700 odd, don't even know they exist.
Self-serving twaddle from somebody who should know better but is paid to put a rosy glow on reality.
"His colleague, Paul Heardman (Head of European Parliament Section, UKRep), told us that the Reports were well regarded in the European Parliament".
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA deep breath HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... clunk
No seriously that has got to be one on the most dishonest comments I have heard in a while.
They are sent round the Brit MEPs I think, most of whom do not read them, but the other 700 odd, don't even know they exist.
Self-serving twaddle from somebody who should know better but is paid to put a rosy glow on reality.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What if they held an election and nobody came?
B. Awareness of the date of election and interestThese are igures from the latest Eurobarometer Report on the forthcoming European Elections that were released today. From these figures it looks like another very low turnout must be expected next June.
QD3 In your opinion, when will the next European elections be held?
2009 26%
Other 7%
Don't know 67%
QD3 Of the respondents who answered with the correct year 2009
June 2009 8%
Others 2009 18%
2009 26%
Others 7%
Don't know 67%
Here you have the probabilities of voting
1. Definitely would not vote 15%
2. 4%
3. 5%
4. 4%
5. 10%
6. 6%
7. 7%
8. 9%
9. 6%
10. Would definitely vote 28%
Don't know 6%
National variations:It just shows how utterly irrelevant the European Parliament is in people's lives.
Calculating voting probability as described (answers 1-8 counted as low probability and 9-10 as high probability) it is highest in Belgium where voting is compulsory (61%), Netherlands (58%) and Denmark (57%).
According to the same criteria voting probability is lowest in Portugal (76% are not likely to vote), UK and Austria (75%).
This week's row
Following my posting of the Farage speech to President Sakozy, I can now show you more of the debate and the way in which the debate was conducted. Democracy, equality, my great fat big toe!
Albanian Greens
What the heck is all this about? It came through the system and I am struggling to comprehend.
OK so the Albanian Green party wants funds (I guess this is the infamous Obama fund raising technique). Fine, no problem there. But what for? To ensure that the Albnanians stay unemployed and that Europe continues to suffer an energy crisis that will leave thousands of people dead over this winter duie to a increased fuel bills (exacebated by the new climate change package) and a cold winter.
Bloody madness
Dear friends, as many of you know already, I have been from 06./07. December at Tirana to support the Green Party at a conference where more than 70 interesting engaged people attended and media paid attention, too. It was agreat success for the Albanian Greens. The main topic of the conference was related to the new electoral code of the country which strikes the possibilities for small parties to run for election (1% of eligiable voters of each region or City have to give their proven signature- otherwise the party cannot have candidates!!) and secondly the "secrete" agreement between Berlosconi and PM Berisha to construct power stations( coal and nuclear!!), raffineries, habours etc. at the coast line of the albanian adriatic and to transmitt the energy by sea cable to Italy. As Albania is not yet member of EU, there will not be the obligation for Environmental Impact Studies etc. ! This causes a lot of concern among the Greens and their supporters and they plan huge campaigning at the whole region. but there is a lack of money for such a campaign! There are also discussion ongoing to involve Greenpeace for official actions.
therefore I kindly ask you to consider YOUR support for them - if you have some Cents left over at the end of the year.
The Albanian Green Party is now full member of EGP and there members have proved themselves as reliable partners.
Let us together prevent that Italy as member State is exploying Albania due to their poore economic situation while destroying the beautiful environment at the Albanian coast!
If YOU- as Sepp Kusstatscher and myself did already- are willing to give some financial support, there are the necessary informations:
OK so the Albanian Green party wants funds (I guess this is the infamous Obama fund raising technique). Fine, no problem there. But what for? To ensure that the Albnanians stay unemployed and that Europe continues to suffer an energy crisis that will leave thousands of people dead over this winter duie to a increased fuel bills (exacebated by the new climate change package) and a cold winter.
Bloody madness
A Curmudgeonly Christmas
Not showing any Christmas spirit I bring you this e-card from the East Midlands Regional Office in Brussels. Given that I am not sue what they are for in the first place these regional offices I maybe shouldn't comment. However, if they exist at all surely they should be promoting the East Midlands in Brussels.
So why the heck have they got a picture of the Town Hall in Brussels on their Christmas card?
There is more joy in heaven...
...over one sinner who repents,I fully understand the argument against both excessive hours and exploitation. I just think that working time is not something that should be regulated at EU level.
Sarah Ludford MEP
(ALDE/UK Liberal Democrats)
I am pinching myself this morning having read thios little note. Is this the first time in history that a Lib/Dem has stated publically that something should not be controlled at an EU level. Is this the crack in the dyke?
Or was the good Baroness lobbied like mad by companies and individuals in her constituency. However it happened I can only applaud.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The elite speak
Jean Quatremer is one ofthe bter French Journalists in town, and his blog 'Coulisses de Bruxelles' is essential reading.
But his comment here on the Czech reatification process spells out his neutral position quite well,
But Jean, if they wanted to leave, they could, after all they don't need permission to go, they would just do so. The famous exit clause in the Lisbon Treaty is not a way pout, but a break on departure.
But his comment here on the Czech reatification process spells out his neutral position quite well,
DE JEAN QUATREMER
Aux Tchèques: ratifiez Lisbonne et utilisez la procédure de sortie de l'UE. Comme ça, le bonheur éternel est pour vous.
But Jean, if they wanted to leave, they could, after all they don't need permission to go, they would just do so. The famous exit clause in the Lisbon Treaty is not a way pout, but a break on departure.
Crocodile tears over Spanish Economic Crisis
According to the IMF ,
Spain's economy will shrink by at least 1.0 percent next year instead of the of 0.2 percent forecast in October, and it risks entering an extended period of stagnation unless sweeping structural reforms are carried out, the IMF said Wednesday.
"The near term prospects are somber and uncertain," the International Monetary Fund said in a report posted on its web site, adding "the medium-term recovery also crucially depends on progress with implementing comprehensive structural reforms."
"In their absence, Spain could get stuck in a low-competitiveness, slow-growth, extended-deleveraging, and high-unemployment equilibrium, from which returning to lower public debt would be difficult," it said.
So in these parlous times where else would the Spanish EPP delegation choose to go for their Christmas extravaganza last night. The Crocodile, that's where. The most famous and expensive restaurant in the city.
No need to tighten their belts then is there Manuel?
For those who wish to dream of the sumptuous repast, paid no doubt by EPP funds, just feast you eyes on the menu, and yes the numbers are indeed the prices,
Les Entrees
Consommé clair de Lièvre, Royale de Foies blonds 16
Carpaccio de Saint Jacques, Salade de Tourteau et Pousses d'Épinards au Citron vert 45
Cromesquis de Ris de Veau à la Truffe, Haricots blancs tièdes en Vinaigrette 56
Foie d'Oie cuit au Torchon, Brioche au Bierewecke 43
Fine Semoule de Chou-Fleur et sa Déclinaison de Légumes à l'Huile d'Argan "Plume" (basses calories) 32
Homard "bleu" et Rémoulade de Céleri au Gingembre 78
Foie de Canard landais grillé aux Pommes, Jus de Maltaise au Porto blanc 44
Les Poissons
Sandre et Laitance de Carpe au Mille-Chou, Beurre blanc au Genièvre 40
Noix de Saint Jacques et Risotto crémeux à la Truffe noire de Forcalquier 61
Turbot rôti, Coulis de Manioc et Laitue de Mer, Tempura d'Huîtres Gillardeau 58
Cabillaud Poêlé en Croûte de Flétan fumé, Purée de Céleri et Salsifis 42
Homard "bleu" aux Vermicelles dorés et Mange-tout, Jus d'Agrumes aux Baies roses 78
Les Viandes
Blanc de Poulette d’Alsace cuit au Bouillon Jus de Carottes épicé, Chicons braisés et Topinambours "Plume" (basses calories) 39
Filet de Bœuf (origine France), Sauce au Volnay, Dauphinois et Croûton de Moelle 47
Noisette de Faon de Biche à l'Écorce d'Orange, Quenelle au Fromage blanc et Fruits rôtis 49
Paillasson de Mignon et Ris de Veau à la Truffe, Fondue d'Endive 61
Lièvre à la Royale, Spaetzle à l'Ancienne et Marrons à la Crème 60
Foie de Canard landais et Écailles de Truffe en Croûte de Sel, Baeckeofe de Légumes (2 personnes) 60 p.pers.
Le Chariot de Fromages
Sélection de Fromages affinés par Cyrille Lorho, Meilleur Ouvrier de France et de la Chèvrerie des Embetschés à Lapoutroie 19
Les Desserts Crocodile
Crème légère à la Mandarine et Volupté de Citron vert "Plume" (basses calories) 18
Larme au Praliné, Glace Arabica et Espumas blanc de Café 18
Vermicelles crémeux de Marrons, Glace Rhum Raisins 18
Trilogie de Mousse aux Chocolats de grandes Origines 18
Millefeuille caramélisé, Mousseline au Vieux Kirsch "Massenez" et Fruits secs de Noël 19
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Diplomatic Language
Further to the great hoo hah over the tawdry behaviour of certain MEPs during their visit to Prague castle the other week comes this little snippet.
Whilst President Vaclav Klaus was visiting Dublin their was an official dinner where he sat with the Irish Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. No doubt they had much to discuss.
Elsewhere the two first ladies were having a discussion. Mary Molloy, a member of the Lenihan political dynasty remarked that the Irish had "voted wrongly" when they rejected theLisbon Treaty.
Livia Klausová, a respected economist, responded, "Well were they wrong when they elected your husband?"
Given that Cowen, like Brown was not elected as PM this was, dare I say it, a little tart.
Whilst President Vaclav Klaus was visiting Dublin their was an official dinner where he sat with the Irish Taoiseach, Brian Cowen. No doubt they had much to discuss.
Elsewhere the two first ladies were having a discussion. Mary Molloy, a member of the Lenihan political dynasty remarked that the Irish had "voted wrongly" when they rejected theLisbon Treaty.
Livia Klausová, a respected economist, responded, "Well were they wrong when they elected your husband?"
Given that Cowen, like Brown was not elected as PM this was, dare I say it, a little tart.
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