Posted on 06/03/2005 2:53:42 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
Liberalism in crisis "Forgive me for making a blunt and obvious point, but events in Western Europe are slowly discrediting large swaths of American liberalism," New York Times columnist David Brooks writes. "Most of the policy ideas advocated by American liberals have already been enacted in Europe: generous welfare measures, ample labor protections, highly progressive tax rates, single-payer health care systems, zoning restrictions to limit big retailers Continues...
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Frog pops the Big Question but she says, 'NON!'
So, the French overwhelmingly rejected the proposed European Union constitution. Must be those tricky Diebold machines again. The vote Sunday dealt the second body-blow to Democrats in a single day -- the first was a report that al-Zarqawi had been hospitalized. On the bright side, the Democrats' perfect losing streak remains intact (although Howard Dean was last seen climbing up a crane in Atlanta). What a difference a week makes. A week ago, Democrats were drooling over half-naked shots of Saddam, now they're back in a funk. With turnout for the nationwide referendum at 70%, the "No" vote got 55%. Clearly, Jacques Chirac took a bath, something he does only rarely.
After its first big test Sunday, the EU charter was off to a flying start this week! (But don't gloat. Results from King County aren't in yet.)
Reaction to the vote around the world was one of shock and disbelief. What? The French didn't surrender? It was the first time in history. On the eve of the vote, I'll confess I got a little worried -- worried that some sort of last minute compromise deal with 'moderates' in France would be brokered by John McCain. French voters withhold using the Nuke Option -- 'Non' to the EU charter -- in exchange for . . . for . . . nothing. The Froggies definitely are not like Senate "moderates."
For the United States, the only downside here is that Barbra Streisand now won't be moving to France, as she promised if "Boosh" won the elections -- though that was five years and several thousand barrels of Bourbon ago.
In a brief statement carried live on TV after the vote, President Jacques Chirac -- or, as Democrats call him, "God" -- noted that the "decision of France inevitably creates a difficult situation for the defense of our interests in Europe." It creates a difficult situation for the defense of Jacques Chirac, too, since being "president of France" is the only reason this pathetic little twerp isn't someone's sex toy in prison, and he staked what little political capital he had left in his petri dish on the vote. Indeed, prominent allies of Chirac, Saddam's former mistress, "have been on trial in France since March," Newsmax reports, and four former ministers are implicated in the trial, which is "expected to run until the end of July." Chirac's allies are charged with "rigging public works' contracts to arrange millions of dollars in kickbacks to Chirac's political party." Chirac may get off scot-free, though, because prosecutors have his former national finance director making incriminating statements on tape about his role in a summer 2000 gala fund-raiser -- oops, that's Hillary's crook, David Rosen. Sorry.
Since all 25 EU members must ratify the treaty, containing 448 articles -- your favorite Helen Thomas columns bound into a book -- the French "no" vote spells doom for the charter, which aimed to strengthen the Eurobloc's voice in world affairs from totally irrelevant to irrelevant. In short, the French brought down the EU treaty. And they did it without firing a single shot of Beaumont Cheese.
But relax. The vote doesn't mean the Froggies are now eeevile Bush/America/Wal-Mart/Halliburton/fake-turkey-loving right-wing Zionist tools either. Experts -- I think some of them are unnamed Newsweek sources, so be careful -- say many French voters opposed the treaty because it would open the door to unfettered 'capitalism', and goodness knows the French wouldn't want to do anything to put their stagnant economy at risk. Euro-unity is all fine and dandy, but if unity means leaving France vulnerable to having its recession stolen, no way baby. And who wouldn't want to preserve France's 'Social Model' of generous levels of poverty, illiteracy and joblessness? Besides, after an exhausting week of 30-minute workdays, French workaholics are ready for another 11-month vacation.
And if you're among the 10% unemployed, and working isn't beneath you, how about that EU charter for some hope and inspiration! Four-hundred and forty-eight bite-sized clauses, annexes to grind any lawyer's teeth into fine particles, protocols and catchy lines such as, "The European Union established by this treaty shall be the successor to the European Union established by the Treaty on European Union and to the European Community." And they kept the whole document light enough to haul around with your forklift.
Mr. Euroloser Chirac gambled everything on the idea of getting voters all patriotically in favor of handing their country over to Eurojackasses in Brussels. Yes, those Euroligarchs are really looking after the folks. The guy in Elysee's Palace is out of touch, so naturally, for help, people turn to those chaps in a crystal palace in Belgium, who promise to revive the Euroeconomy by creating more committees which will work with committees to hammer out policy with committees to draft a 5-year plan -- hopefully duplicating the spectacular success of the Soviet system! It's every Eurocrat's Eurotic fantasy.
In the end, Chirac couldn't get even the French to consider surrender. These voters will stop at nothing to keep their sovereignty! Rearranging the deckchairs on the Eurotitanic, Chirac named Dominique De Villepin as prime minister on Tuesday, vowing in yet another live TV address to keep on doing what he's been doing. If at first you don't succeed, try to fail harder next time! Are you ready?
Bush, through it all, played it brilliantly. Give the Euromoron elite enough Eu-rope and they'll hang themselves. And they did. Heh, think about it: Iraq will have a new constitution before the EU. With Sunday's vote, the EU charter is dead -- and Bush didn't even need to send John Bolton to *do it* (something I was going to suggest, just to keep him busy while he waits to be confirmed ;-). And, finally, the Dutch on Wednesday finished off what remained of the carcass. Life is good.
Anyway, that's...
My Two Cents
"JohnHuang2"
Have yourselves a great weekend, y'all -- God bless.
You too!
Is Barbra turning into Norma Desmond ?
The real issue here is that the people of Europe are not willing to make the sacrifices that their elites will require of them to turn Europe into a military and economic power capable of rivaling the hyperpuissance. This was about laziness and decadence more than about sovereignty.
Isadora Duncan better
Great stuff JH2! Have a great weekend. Rob
Well done, as usual. The Frogs voted against it for the wrong reasons but, oh well. Last I saw too, in England it's looking at 70% opposition. What a waste of so many good trees. Have a great and safe weekend John...
I like reading your " My Two Cents" posts, as always excellent reading.
Congressman Billybob
I LOVE the title!
A week ago, Democrats were drooling over half-naked shots of Saddam, now they're back in a funk.
Isn't that what you call a "double entendre"? {g}
Thanks for the ping, JH2.
Thank your for the excellent essay!!!
One of your best, JH2.........Bravo!
5.56mm
Great title & as usual NOBODY SAYS IT BETTER THAN JH2 !!!
I'll lend her a very long scarf...
Another good one!Thanks.
Poor Froggies ~ Bump!
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