Article

2005-05-24 Europe

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Posted by Steve 2005-05-24 08:45|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 But rejection...will be a humiliating personal defeat for President Jacques Chirac
That's not a bug, it's a feature.

Posted by Spot">Spot 2005-05-24 10:04|| 2005-05-24 10:04|| Front Page Top

#2 Um, wasn't this whole trainwreck France's idea in the first place?

Posted by BH 2005-05-24 10:15|| 2005-05-24 10:15|| Front Page Top

#3 I'm not certain the idea need inevitably have become a trainwreck, but that it has is certainly France's doing.

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-05-24 10:30|| 2005-05-24 10:30|| Front Page Top

#4 Nice "Asterix" graphics, by the way.

Posted by Anonymous5089 2005-05-24 10:33|| 2005-05-24 10:33|| Front Page Top

#5 Thankew. I thought that one was particularly appropriate...

Posted by Fred 2005-05-24 10:39|| 2005-05-24 10:39|| Front Page Top

#6 "...the Europe that France played perhaps the most crucial role in building a half-century ago..."
Gasp, gag, gag.

"...inhibit the ability of the EU to project power as a bloc in foreign and economic policy..."
Projecting power in foreign policy? More like projecting inertia or an anchor.

"...I tell them this is a vision for the long-term, for their children and grandchildren..."
And for the King of the Belgians...

Posted by Tom 2005-05-24 11:42|| 2005-05-24 11:42|| Front Page Top

"Our politicians have done a great job of blaming the European Union when things go bad, but never praising it when its money helps build a bridge or a hospital, when it imposes an improvement in working conditions or equal rights for women. The worker, the person in the street, doesn't understand the debate of the elite."

Maybe that's because the money doesn't come from the magical EU money tree, it comes from the oppressive taxes on those workers.

Just a thought, you elitist asshole.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2005-05-24 11:47|| 2005-05-24 11:47|| Front Page Top

#8 Heh, My fondest memories of College was translating Asterix comix from the Original French for my brother (It helped me in French class too). When they came out in English, I got batches of them for my boys.

Okay, let me get the script straight, okay? Voting "Oui" to the EU constitution means that Jaques Beaujolais (France's Joe Sixpack to the uninitiated), in a rare fit of common sense, decided to back away from the ledge instead of jumping off. Commendable, to be sure.

HOWEVER, what EXACTLY was the benefit that offset losing the delight of seeing the French go SPLAT? Pissing off Chiraq? Pissing off Aris?

Pls advise. I am SO confused.

Posted by Ptah">Ptah 2005-05-24 12:22|| http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org]">[http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2005-05-24 12:22|| Front Page Top

#9 A no vote could paralyze decision-making in the EU for months...

I blew root beer out my nose when I read that one...

Posted by tu3031 2005-05-24 12:44|| 2005-05-24 12:44|| Front Page Top

#10 France's version of NAFTA debate.

The elites' dream of an EU superpower is finished. The people are looking inward, not to the world stage. Most want only subsidies and shelter from the big bad world and have no interest in the grand EU project.

Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-05-24 13:08|| 2005-05-24 13:08|| Front Page Top

#11

I'm mad as hell, there's no one to surrender to...

Posted by BigEd 2005-05-24 13:13|| 2005-05-24 13:13|| Front Page Top

#12 My fondest memories of College was translating Asterix comix from the Original French...

Then help me out here. What's Asterix saying? Is it something like, "Have you lost your mind?"

Posted by Angie Schultz 2005-05-24 13:34|| http://darkblogules.blogspot.com]">[http://darkblogules.blogspot.com] 2005-05-24 13:34|| Front Page Top

#13 your brain, eet eez working?

Posted by thibaud (aka lex) 2005-05-24 13:41|| 2005-05-24 13:41|| Front Page Top

#14 Then help me out here. What's Asterix saying? Is it something like, "Have you lost your mind?"

"Tu as offense la memoire de vercingetorix"

You have offended the memory of vercingetorix

"Ca va pas la tete!?!?!"

Basically "is there something wrong with your head? (are you crazy/sick in the head/stupid!)"

Those wacky French. :-)

Posted by Francis 2005-05-24 15:29|| 2005-05-24 15:29|| Front Page Top

#15

The campaign underscores another political phenomenon as well: a vast gap between the French elite and ordinary voters.

No! You don't say.

Posted by someone 2005-05-24 17:23|| 2005-05-24 17:23|| Front Page Top

22:34 DEMOCRAT YES
22:34 VOTE YES
23:52 BH
23:49 Chase Unineger3873 aka Jarhead
23:28 Chase Unineger3873 aka Jarhead
23:26 trailing wife
23:03 CrazyFool
23:03 DMFD
23:00 Fred
22:50 2b
22:41 mojo
22:40 Minni Mullah
22:35 Mike
22:34 VOTE YES TROLL
22:34 DEMOCRAT YES TROLL
22:31 SC88
22:30 Fred
22:28 Fred
22:28 Fred
22:28 Fred
22:27 .com
22:24 Destro
22:24 Omotch Sheasing8304
22:23 Minni Mullah