ROUMANIAN "TRAVELLERS" INVADE FRANCE !!!

The national French newspaper "Le Figaro", in an article by Jean-Marc Leclerc dated 31 Jan 2012, entitled " The return of the disgraceful shanty towns" reports that there are tens of thousands of Migrants from Roumania scattered around France in encampments of various sizes.  There are at least 250 encampments in the suburbs of Paris, although none really inside Paris.     

They arrive in caravans, set up home in squalid "shanty towns" overnight and then refuse to be moved, even after court procedures have been ordered.  Their camps become "no go" areas, begging and theft provide their income. Their Human Rights, as members of the EU are carefully pleaded on a regular basis !

This is not a sudden or recent situation.  We live in an upmarket part of Paris and in a previous article ( Few French Tramps left in Paris, dated Jan 10, 2012)  described and lamented the fact that the old style French Beggar had been supplanted and outnumbered.  

There are now "Roms" as they are known, on every key street corner of our area in Paris.  They occupy the same spot every day of the week.

These "beggars" are well organised, they know their rights, but the police and other official authorities condone a situation they cannot really prevent or change.

Only the political Leaders at the head of the EU could change the current rules which permit this situation !!!  Any such change would require changes to EU treaties.        

This problem concerns not only President Hollande here in France but also other south European Countries and  Great Britain too !!!  Since David Cameron wants to propose certain changes to the Treaty of Lisbon, are the "Roms" in France and in Great Britain not the right impetus for some "Entente Cordiale" ? 
.

PROFESSIONAL DRUG USERS STILL WANT TO COMPETE IN SPORT ?

What can one expect next when Armstrong wants to continue competing and "Courts on Sport" seem unable to stop him !!!

Drugs in any sport, not in only Cycling, should be universally banned and the guilty "sportsman" should be banned for life !!!

What is lacking is a universally recognised Court, which can hear an appeal when a national Court has condemned an athlete.  

Cheating in sport, any sport, must be stopped.  Cheats must be made to know that any ill gotten gains will have to be returned, but with interest !!!

Any Cheat must be punished because he negates all the efforts which other honest Sportsmen make to get to the top !!!
.   

CAMERON "WAKE-UP" SPEECH SPLITS EU !!!

The European International Press, Commentators and Politicians have all tried to present the admirable speech by David Cameron on Wednesday 23rd January 2013, as an attempt to ease his political problems at home in Great Britain !

This is why, they allege, he wants concessions not to leave the EU !   They say he wants to renegotiate the conditions of Britain's membership and then organise an "in or out" referendum !!!

This is whishful thinking on the part of "Europeans", particularly MEP's who do not want to recognise that there are many weaknesses in the way EU business is at present conducted. 

Cameron pointed out big flaws.  The lack of Democracy:  electors in the EU seldom have a word to say, as in the case of the Lisbon Treaty which was "waived through" by National MP's in all the EU member Parliaments (except in Ireland) !  

Cameron wants more Democracy in the EU and also a revision of the "Human Rights Act" !  The lack of control and the current overrun of EU overhead costs in Brussels, means that all countries in the EU will have to pay !!!

Cameron did not mention the problems of the Operating Structure of the EU, of the EUROZONE, etc....  There are many matters which must be debated if the EU is to become an Accepted Operating Organization !  The Lisbon Treaty and others must be updated but not necessarily destroyed !!!

One can only hope that EU politicians will now address the real problems Cameron covered in his speech, but  with an honest attitude !
.

  

IS A " U.S. OF EUROPE " (USE) A SHORT TERM POSSIBILIITY ?

Idealogically speaking the creation of a European Block to oppose that of the United States is inviting !  Ultimately the question will be answered positively but on conditions and terms that modern politicians have not yet even considered !!!

David Cameron wants a revision of certain aspects of the EU Lisbon Treaty and many other factors and conditions that he chose not to identify in his delayed speech yesterday.

This revision must at least cover the following weaknesses in the Lisbon Treaty and the way the EU Powers conduct business:

   -   Democracy; at present does an EU elector have a word to say ?  The Lisbon Treaty is "THE" example of political manipulation, where electors had no word to say !!!

   -  MEPs are elected every 5 years, come what may, in their own countries.  Why are MEPs not also elected or re-elected at the same time when there are General Elections in their country ? That would update national feelings in the EU parliament !!!

   -  Closing the borders of the EU to immigrants into the EU !!!

   -  Deciding an EU foreign policy against Terrorist Activities !!!

   -  Giving the EU Parliament a structure where it can decide and vote on what should be done, with an Upper House, a Senate in fact,  where EU leaders vote to adopt laws passed by the Parliament !!!

It is for these reasons that this Blog is of the opinion that a UNITED STATES OF EUROPE is, at present, not a real option.  It will come but not before at least 10 years.

The EU is a basket of mixed countries !!!  Each has its own aims in being in the EU !!!  Some need the support of the "EUROZONE", others are Financially orientated, others are pre-occupied with the Tourist industry.

Some countries are top heavy in Industry.  However all countries protect their interests !!!  That is, in fact, the real problem !!!  

It will take time to create a "UNITED STATES OF EUROPE" !!!
.   

CAMERON WANTS GB IN THE EU IF THE EU TREATY IS REVISED !!!

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, gave a good "wake-up" call this morning in his speech to the  Leaders of the EU !!!

The one crucial question in fact, to which everyone wanted a clear reply was, will he organise an "in or out" vote concerning the GB membership of the EU.

His answer is simple.  If the EU is prepared to revise the Lisbon Treaty to cover numerous weak points, revise also the obligations of smaller EU members which are not on the same level as the "3 or 4 or 5" big current EU members, discussions must start now !!!

David Cameron did not go into detail.  He did say that the EU was not democratic in its observance of the "rights" of EU voters !!!  The existence of the "EUROZONE" is not a problem for non-Eurozone countries.  Britain will keep Sterling as its currency !

If one has to summarise the Speech David Cameron made, it is clear he has no axe to grinde if the EU modifies the Lisbon Treaty after negotiations.  However talks must begin !  Any British vote on an "in or out of the EU" basis will be organised before end 2017 if Cameron is still in power !

This is a summary of a speech which lasted 50 minutes.
. 
 

EU "WAKE-UP" SPEECH FROM CAMERON AWAITED WITH TREPIDATION !!!

David Cameron's announced speech on the EU has provoked animosity, anti-British comments in the International Press, particularly from EU "high-ups" !!!

The comfortable organisation of the EU fears that some "home truths" will be revealed in his speech.  The reactions from the EU have often been in the style that the British are not "Europeans" !!!

Without in any way knowing what David Cameron intends to say, there are a number of problems that can be pinpointed which reveal the confusion and political obstinance that reigns in the EU at present !!!

1)  The EU is not a "future Federal State".  It is a collection of heterogeneous countries each of which seeks to benefit from its adhesion to the EU.

2)  The EU seeks to impose EU "directives" to further its aims over the heads of EU electors !!!

3)  The EU is not democratic !!! It systematically sidesteps referendums in the EU: (The Lisbon treaty is a prime example !!!) 

4)  The EU avoids changes.  Its' MEPs are elected every 5 years come what may !!!  Should MEPs not be elected at the same time as local MPs every time there is a General Election in the country they are deemed to represent ?  Would this not bring the wind of change to EU affairs ?

5)  Should the EU Parliament not elect its Prime Minister and a Cabinet of Ministers for a period of about 5 years ?  At present key "Officials" (Barroso, Lady Aston, etc.) are "nominated"  by the European Council. 

Treaties, Constitutions and Conventions must be revised.  Old principles of 50 years ago must be updated.  A prime example are the numerous modifications to the European Human Rights Act.  Judgements covered by this Act infringe the Judicial Independence of British Courts and will certainly be covered by David Cameron in his Speech.

The following matters will, justifiably, also be criticized by David Cameron !!!

a)  Not every country wants or needs the EURO as its currency !!!  Saving the EURO at all costs, instead of allowing countries to "opt out", seems to be questionable if not ruinous !!!

b)  The non-control of immigrants into the EU cannot be   tolerated.  The EU must police its borders and other points of arrival like airports and ports !!!  The cost must be borne by all countries on an equitable basis !!!

c)  Imports from outside the EU must be controlled.

d)  Migration inside the EU must be officially controlled.

e)  The EU should determine an agreed Foreign Policy.  The united reaction by the EU to world events (Syria, Terrorist atrocities, etc.) is non-existent at present.

f)  Should the Death Penalty not be adopted for Terrorists who kill haphazardly ?  Likewise should the Death Penalty not be the punishment for murderers who kill again ?

These are but a few of the problems which are creating "bad will" in the EU.  David Cameron will certainly be critical on the ever increasing costs of the EU.  The reality is that every pound extra invoiced by the EU to cover its overspending, is money he cannot spend in Britain !!!

The EU needs a big overhaul.  We shall see how David Cameron attacks this problem !
                

UN HOMME ET UNE FEMME : UN BINOME OBLIGATOIRE POUR LES ELECTIONS CANTONALES?

Le projet de loi du Ministre de l'Intérieur, Manuel Valls, sur les élections locales, vise notamment à instituer la parité dans les assemblées départementales. François Hollande souhaite en effet que chaque candidat aux élections cantonales constitue un binôme avec un candidat du sexe opposé: un homme et une femme obligatoirement. Actuellement,ces Assemblées ne comptent que 13,5% de femmes.

Pour la gestion du département, le Président Hollande montre ainsi une exigence qu'il n'a pas à l'égard de la  famille ! Bientôt le mariage ne sera plus seulement une union entre un homme et une femme puisque deux personnes du même sexe seront  autorisées à se marier et à adopter des enfants...

Le Sénat toutefois vient de rejeter ce projet de loi sur la parité qui doit maintenant venir en discussion à l'Assemblée Nationale.


DML