[Congressman Billybob]

I think y'all will find this interesting.

John / Billybob

[umgud]

60 million Frenchmen can't be wrong.

Wanna bet?

[spokeshave]

"Alistair Cook was a modern equivalent of Alexis deToqueville. He came from another nation, but studied and understood America better than its own residents. "

I got my orientation to America listening to Cook prior to emmigrating.

[The Grim Freeper]

“Article 22 : Sincere Cooperation” which provides that “Member States shall facilitate the achievement of the Union’s tasks and abstain from any measure which could jeopardise the attainment of the objectives of the Union.”

Sheesh. Talk about the Mark of the Beast!

[Cicero]

Good analysis.

I can't resist correcting Alistair Cook, however. The original version of the phrase he ended his program with was: "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." Robert Heinlein popularized that saying in one of his stories, in which he gave it an acronymn: TANSTAAFL.

[6ppc]

Bump!

[Dreagon]

Any number of Frenchmen can be wrong. Never forget that.

[Lurker]

They may not be wrong, but they sure can smell bad.

L

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

60 million Frenchmen can't be wrong.

Ha ha ha ha ha

Thats right just askem they will tell ya they can't.

[usapatriot28]

Unlike most who’ve written on this story, I read that 28-page constitutional monstrosity.

Mmm, everything that I've heard says that the "Constitution" is closer to 500 pages.

[genefromjersey]

Tell you what I like best: The value of the Euro has been declining since France and the Netherlands said "No !"

George Soros,who reportedly has a very strong position in Euros (and has shorted the Dollar),just might be having some digestive disturbances about now.

[BIGLOOK]

Thanks Billybob.

A few years ago I talked with a friend from the Netherlands. It's not just the farmers and workers who are opposed but the top feeders who profit or lose in currency trading.

The individual members (nations) won't risk a bad play or performance by another member.

[eyespysomething]

To know why it failed, you don't have to read past the Preamble. Here's ours:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.


Here's theirs:



HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF DENMARK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF SPAIN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA, THE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE GRAND DUKE OF LUXEMBOURG, THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY, THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS, THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,


Drawing inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, from which have developed the universal values of the inviolable and inalienable rights of the human person, democracy, equality, freedom and the rule of law,

Believing that Europe, reunited after bitter experiences, intends to continue along the path of civilisation, progress and prosperity, for the good of all its inhabitants, including the weakest and most deprived; that it wishes to remain a continent open to culture, learning and social progress; and that it wishes to deepen the democratic and transparent nature of its public life, and to strive for
peace, justice and solidarity throughout the world,

Convinced that, while remaining proud of their own national identities and history, the peoples of Europe are determined to transcend their ancient divisions and, united ever more closely, to forge a common destiny,

Convinced that, thus "united in its diversity", Europe offers them the best chance of pursuing, with due regard for the rights of each individual and in awareness of their responsibilities towards future generations and the Earth, the great venture which makes of it a special area of human hope,

Determined to continue the work accomplished within the framework of the Treaties establishing the European Communities and the Treaty on European Union, by ensuring the continuity of the Community acquis,

Grateful to the members of the European Convention for having prepared the draft of this Constitution on behalf of the citizens and States of Europe, Have designated as their plenipotentiaries:

HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC,
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF DENMARK,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,
HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF SPAIN,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,
THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE GRAND DUKE OF LUXEMBOURG,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY,
THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA,
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS,
THE FEDERAL PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,

Who, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:


Followed by 300+ pages of crap.

[Billthedrill]

I think a reflection on sacrifice illustrates the real problem here. The signators of the Declaration of Independence pledged (and ended up giving, most of them) their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" in support of creating a new political entity. The French voters won't even pledge their cushy August vacations. That, to me, is the difference.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Yes they can.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Can you possibly give any French person any credit whatsoever for the vote (which will help the good people of America), or is your praise so conditional as to be almost nonexistent ?

French bashing is so passe.

[ChildOfThe60s]

It is interesting.

I would suggest that it is certainly not a given that we have avoided, or will avoid the same trap.

I suspect that without some very significant domestic policy successes on the conservative side, in the next few years, the socialist trends in the US will resume as if this republican majority had not happened. We will not be given 60 years to prove that our way works, as the Dems were given.

[TomasUSMC]

You know, lately, the French have been acting kinda right.

First they killed Arafat, then they knee capped the EU.

[NZerFromHK]

A good one, Congressman Billybob. Unfortunately as this foreigner I understand your point will look like alien-speak to Europeans, particularly French.

Their understanding of politics is too different/weird/eccentric/bizzare/deficient/retarded (circle one if you wish).

[sarasota]

ping