Is anybody else just waiting for Queen Amidala to call for a vote of no-confidence in Chancellor Vallorum that will unfold a chain of events leading to a sinister conclusion?? just checking.... Ya know...less than 60 years ago, these countries were bombing the crap out of each other...as they did for a good part of the last century. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentS...y&c=StoryFT&cid=1039524056301&p=1012571727085 UK softens line on European presidency By George Parker in Brussels Published: December 30 2002 21:53 | Last Updated: December 30 2002 21:53 Britain is preparing to back a compromise deal with its European partners on the key question of who runs the European Union, and how it is represented on the world stage. Tony Blair, British prime minister, is set to drop his opposition to the idea that the president of the European Commission be elected by the European Parliament. In exchange, he will demand the European Council - the forum for national leaders - is also headed by a powerful appointed leader. The idea has been discussed privately by Joschka Fischer and Peter Hain - Germany and Britain's representatives on the convention on Europe's future. "We could live with an elected Commission president, provided we also get a strong chairman of the European Council," said a British diplomat. France and Germany are also seeking a compromise to the question of whether Brussels can accommodate two leaders, and aim to publish their proposals in January to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty between the two countries. Paris is a strong supporter of the idea of an EU president, while Germany is a supporter of a strong Commission, and a federal structure. The Franco-German paper on Europe's institutional arrangements could prove decisive. Gerhard Schröder, Germany's chancellor, has indicated he would support an EU president, provided the Commission and its president were also strengthened. Romano Prodi, Commission president, published a paper in early December proposing that his successors be elected in a secret ballot of MEPs, with the choice confirmed by EU leaders. He believes the plan would give Commission presidents more authority and legitimacy, and the ability to stand up to any EU president representing member states - a proposal he strongly opposes. Britain has criticised Mr Prodi's plan, on the grounds that the Commission president would lose impartiality and could become an overtly political figure. London still formally opposes a Commission president enhanced through election but British diplomats admit they are prepared to soften their position. Mr Blair is strongly in favour of a strong president of the European Council - some have suggested he would be a candidate - to become the driving force for Europe, as well as representing it on the world stage. Britain's willingness to strengthen the Commission is seen as vital if it is to persuade smaller member states to drop their fierce opposition to the creation of an EU president which they fear would favour big countries, and disrupt the institutional balance between the Commission and European Council.
I still don't get the paranoia over the EU. I had a Christian friend of mine try to tell me how they were going to be the evil empire, the 7th seal or some other superstitious prophecy from Revelations. Hell, I just saw that end of times nut Jack Van Impy talking about this very thing the other night on TV. If you have that as a belief, I guess you can worry, but, other than that what's the big deal? I'm glad they aren't still bombing the crap out of one another. Millions of AMERICAN lives were lost when that happened, nevermind how many Europeans. Besides, banding together a group of geographically adjacent individual states for peace and mutual economic gain? Never heard of that before.
wait..i think you misunderstand me...my first part was merely a joke. playing on the whole star wars phantom menace theme...it just reminded me of the situation. though i do see some fallacy in thinking you can align such drastically different cultures under the flag of europe, i certainly don't believe the end-times prophecy stuff...at least i have no reason to. and of course i'm glad they're not bombing the crap out of each other...but i don't know how willing i'd be to throw national identity aside to join some loose confederation. and there is a great deal of backlash for that in the UK. that's my interest...i wouldn't say i "care" about this because i really have no emotional reaction to it at all...but i am interested in it.
