[MadIvan]

This is an interesting philosophical debate, but the "Europeans" happen to be wrong. Evil men understand nothing but brute force. And that is the beginning, the middle and the end of the discussion.

Regards, Ivan

[marsh2]

There is a basic difference between our traditional concept of power and the European's. America was formed on the notion of a "bottom-up" delegation of authority. Power eminates from the citizen and is doled out in pieces to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. Some is retained and never doled out.

Europeans, as exemplified by traditional French democracy, delegated all their power to government to make decisions for the common good. Individuals retain very little power. Power eminates downward and the individual is a subject of it.

In the two, sovereignty resides in very different places. The Europeans are historically used to the concept of one national sovereign competant to make international agreements with the authority to implement same. International law moves into and through these systems with comparative ease.

In America, the Executive negotiates the treaty, but the Federal and State legislatures must implement them. This causes a bunch of problems - particularly as affects internal affairs. The power eminates upward, but the International model expects it to flow downward.

The U.N. is replete with International policy and "programmes." Agreements like the Biodiversity Treaty hit a roadblock in our federal system. Treaties also hit roadblocks in similar system like Australia. The International Community is not patient with our incapacity to dictate internal law.
We should be impatient with their insistance that we scuttle our sovereignty so our system integrates with theirs.

We are indeed from Mars and they are from Venus. Perhaps, for this reason, we are more acclimated to operating in two worlds.

[Mr. Mojo]

What this means is that although America has played the critical role in bringing Europe into its paradise.......

What paradise is this guy referring to? The "paradise" of a Europe becomming increasingly Islamicized?

[Mr. Mojo]

Thanks for the article, Ivan. The author was all over the map, but he did have a few good insights.

[JavaTheHutt]

Not all Europeans are from Venus. France comes from Uranus or at least someone's anus. Maybe from a cow's anus.

[lavaroise]

This is an interesting philosophical debate, but the "Europeans" happen to be wrong. Evil men understand nothing but brute force. And that is the beginning, the middle and the end of the discussion.

I would add that open warfare has this ability to bring truth to the table and frank exchanges. The Euro's shyness to thugs is sinister.

[ffusco]

Another great post, Ivan.
Kids in america still play games like cops and robbers (moral absolutes), I'll bet they play UN Inspector in France. (moral ambiguity).