Happy New Year

[Michel Ryckx]

Dave Monroe wrote, in mourning,
[snip]

> but I will note that I've long been fond of the EU
> flag, even if does symbolize the reestablishment of
> the Holy Roman Empire, presaging Apocalypse.  Or so I
> hear ...

Even many Europeans have not been aware that the euro was in existence for 3 years now, and that all
currencies had a distinct value that could not be changed; the only difference with yesterday is that your
own currency, is replaced. by the euro

Whatever one thinks about Europe (and many citizens of the community are still, and rightly so, very critical
towards the instiutions and/or their leaders), Otto said something like: nationalism is a bit further now.  I
wholly agree with him.

The underlying reason for the growing integration of Europe is NOT to resist American (or otherwise)
influences; it is not the re-establishment of a New Holy Empire.  The wish for European integration is born
out of the desire of the smaller European countries not to get involved in a new war.  They had known too
many of them.

Today, the European construction is far from perfect: there's not enough democracy on the Euro-level; the
European parliament is a powerless construction; the Commission is not chosen by the citizens, the system of
presiding the union creates chaos; the politics are mainly concerned with economy and agriculture.  The
100,000 protesters a few weeks ago in Brussels were demanding a more social Europe.

On the other hand: for the first time in history, France and Germany together (and that's unique, given the
bloody history of this old continent) are working together on many things, even on a cultural level (result:
a quite unique TV station).  Students from the union can cheaply, and easily go to a university in another
country (which was very expensive at the time).  In my neighbourhood, many social and cultural projects are
heavily funded by the EU.  I could give you many other examples.

At the moment, it is still my personal opinion the union has far more deficiencies than qualities.  But at
least we do not cut each other's throat.  And we talk.  That's a progress, isn't it?

Michel.