Revolution in the air at the Bastille

The Daily Telegraph ^ | May 30, 2005 | David Rennie

[GSlob]

"It's a beautiful morning in Europe - the French political establishment has been severely bloodied."
But even if the French somehow manage to completely sweep away their current establishment [without guillotining, hopefully] - would the next establishment they'd replace it with be any better?
Do not forget: "no matter whose a**hole fills the chair, the chair is always filled by an a**hole".

[MadIvan]

It doesn't matter who runs France. What matters is that those who ran France were trying to run Europe, and that has been utterly destroyed. The replacements will have a much more difficult time, even if they do harbour the same ambitions - the elite that was destroyed was the one that founded the EU in the first place.

Regards, Ivan

[GSlob]

The [hypothetical] replacements would be bound to have the same French mentality, and hence the same ambitions. And since many people would naturally expect them to have too difficult time at it and could lower their guard, the replacements [or rather their attempts] could even prove more harmful. The best [for the external world] one could wish for would be for the French to remain saddled with their current well known and discredited elites - and to continue composting in their own juices. My condolences in advance to all those downwind.

[Wiz]

The French lost its EU constitution, and Lebanon won its democracy. What a GREAT day! We are viewing a mile stone in history!

[Sooth2222]

"But what made me vote No was, above all, the fact that it gives powers to Europe on social policy. And as the majority of European countries are liberal [in favour of a free-market], that means that France could be led towards policies we don't like."

They actually have to define "liberal" as free market and not as a euphemism for "protectionist" and "socialist"....

Nope, they don't want to vote "yes" and they don't want to vote "no". They want to keep their 10 weeks of vacation and retirement at 50 and they want China and the Asian Tigers to just go away.

If you like French wine, stock up now, because when the Muslims fundamentalists take over France, it'll be illegal! Culturally, old Europe is a "dead man walking".

[Miss Marple]

Well, what good news to wake up to on this Memorial Day! I will be interested to see the outcome of this in France's political establishment and also the ramifications in other countries.

Who else has a vote coming up soon?

[cgbg]

It will not take Europe fifty years to die. The baby boomers are going to suck the health and welfare system dry before then.

These French socialists are so pathetique.

They really believe that material things are provided by the government and that is the natural order.

Such raw stupidity can only end as it has through the centuries--with a knock on the door in the middle of the night as the giver of all things comes to take what is owed. :-(

[Riptides]

"I voted Yes with conviction, because for me the Union makes us strong, it helps us stand up to the United States...."

Wishful thinking you ungrateful frog.

[NZerFromHK]

The European Union in its current form will not survive for long. It may continue to exist, but will become as useless as the United Nations. And France and a couple of die-hard Euro-federalist nations will then form a new federation in place of the EU.

Ping!

[Sal]

The Dutch vote on Wednesday, but the vote is not "binding". The people are being polled at 60% or more for a "no" vote, but in the end the elites will decide.

[Caipirabob]

Definitely. Chirac's ambitions just foundered upon the rocks...there is no chance he will be granted a third term.

GOOD! Dare I hope his next term is served in jail?

[Barset]

Please put me on your ping list. Thank you. b.

[Gritty]

Talk about a confused electorate!

[GVnana]

Looks like Chirac has his arse between two chairs!

[Mr. Silverback]

The EU boosters came to the most prideful population in Europe and said, "How'd you like to stop being "La Belle France" and start being "a large concentration of French-speaking people occupying a certain part of Europe?" No wonder it went down like a rock in water.

[sam_paine]

So I voted Yes, but with reservations."
-and-
"I voted Yes with conviction,....

LOL! Heard from the Indians in Boston Harbor ... "I didn't throw any tea into the water, but I certainly stomped my feet very loudly on the pier to redress my greivances! "

[headsonpikes]

The French 'Non' strikes me as similar to the rejection of the Meech Lake Accord by Canadians, left and right, each for a different reason, with only lackeys of the Establishment voting 'Yes'.

Nothing is to be made of it particularly, except that it confirms the alienation of the led from the leaders, hardly a unique circumstance, especially for Frenchmen.

God save the Queen, and confusion to her enemies!

[MadIvan]

I'm really not going to complain too much about their reasoning. I'm just happy the document has been killed.

Britain will be assuming the rotating presidency of the EU shortly - now, NOW we can end much of the nonsense we've seen out of Chirac.

Regards, Ivan

[fanfan]

Could you please add me to your ping list?

Thanks, Fanfan. :-)

[fanfan]

Thanks for the ping.

:-)