European election reform

The election of anti-democratic misfits and loonies to the EP, like Nick Griffin and Geert Wilders, is futher indication that European nations are long overdue for election reform!

If you want to argue a waste, and and outrageous waste of European taxpayers' money at that - look to the money, office space and other perks that will be given to the pack of anti-democratic misfits and lunatics who have been elected to the European Parliament. The idea that racists that want to deport black people, Hitler admirers, religious bigots that want to ban religious books and deny the Holocaust, people that think that migrants should be killed and their corpses sent back to the home countries -all are about to be endowed with EU money, office space and other perks to spread their hatred and bigotry far and wide - especially if this vicious pack of anti-democratic rats can form a political grouping

Misfits and Looney Tunes on £1million a year from the EU

While a common message of this pack of rats is "the Islamization of Europe" a group that is rather scared to death are Europe's Jews. Part of the fear is that the make up of the European Parliament can have an effect on the EU's ability to engage in meaningful international partnerships, including Israel, but quite likely Russia, China, the African Union and the like...

QUOTE: “We have a growth in certain countries of extreme parties, but they only got a few seats and the growth is very much marginal,” O’Donnell said. “People feel the European Parliament does not count, so they feel more tempted to vote extreme, often electing candidates they would never think of choosing for their national parliaments.
But they occasionally make policy -- such as when the European Parliament froze a planned upgrade of EU relations with Israel during Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza in January. They also may have a hand in setting European rules on shechita, Jewish ritual slaughter, which is banned in some European countries." (JTA June 9).

Besides the concerns in the Jewish Community, there is the prospect that the EU is actually going to fund anti-democratic MEPs and groups that seek to deny others citizens political and civil rights based on their religion, ethnicity and the colour of their skins. This situation, as described by a European Jewish leader, was not surprising:

QUOTE: "The problem is that we are too far from our last tragedy. These tendencies to go to the extreme-right or extreme-left is a very cyclic phenomenon. Just now we are on a bad cycle. That’s why we have to increase our efforts to fight against all forms of racism, xenophobia, extremism and the most historically part of all this, which is anti-Semites"

Perhaps this would be a good time try to get Europe's Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders together, along with advocates for the Roma and the Christian Churches to combat this rise in extremism.

But throw in an economic crisis, loss of jobs, "illegal migrants" and the most anti-democratic misfit and lunatic candidates in Europe can win seats in the European Parliament. The good people of Europe MUST now stand up and demand that this rat pack of anti-democratic misfits and lunatics do not receive any funding of their hateful and bigoted messages from the European Union. TALK ABOUT A WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY!

I am well aware of the "anything goes" mentality in the contexts of European multiparty systems. One can create a political party for absurd and criminal reasons (the Pirate Party) and then run in an election. Usual such parties do not win seats, either in national or European elections. I understand that "anything goes" in these multiparty systems - and "democracy" is only about elections and "political freedom" now means the ability to be elected to the European Parliament and national parliaments, receive EU funding - so as to advocate positions that are anti-democratic and seek to destroy the political and civil liberties of minorities and other citizens based on racism and ignorance. EU funding will be used to spread ignorance and hate...tragic!

There should not be a "Pirate Party MEP." The idea that criminal activity can be codified into a political party is outrageous - and it seems that either Sweden probably has lax election laws too, like the Netherlands and the UK, among others or --- cannot have meaningful access and debates for those that think parts of intellectual property law are unjust!!

So - why not a "Pedophilia Party?"

Or a "Sex Tourist Party?"

Why not a "People Traffickers' Party?"


YES - there are enough people traffickers in Europe to build a party, run some candidates in national and local elections...and win some seats for the People Traffickers' Party! YES -in five years - the People Traffickers' Party can win several seats in the European Parliament in any Member State!

Get MODERN election laws in the Member States that keep anti-democratic misfits and loonies off the ballots. There should should have been legal hurdles and barriers in place years ago, prior to the emergence of Le Pen, to prevent anti-democratic misfits like Nick Griffin and Geert Wilders from being on the ballots in Member States in the first place. Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked There are, apparently in some Member States, some election laws against anti-democratic lunatics misfits from the election ballots, but apparently not in the Netherlands or the UK. French election officials nearly succeeded in keeping an anti-Semitic party off the ballot. In some Member States, Holocaust denial is criminal, as it rightfully should be - but why are these rats still legally capable of being elected to the EP?

It is one thing to have the individual right to believe in such thing as deporting black people, banning religious books, killing migrants, and that the government limit the political and civil rights of certain races, religions and ethnic groups--- but it is an entirely different league to form a party and win seats in a legislative body under the banner of such anti-democratic and anti-European beliefs! Embarassed

The Member States - starting in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands - and Sweden too - need to create election laws that serve to keep anti-democratic and parties advocating criminal behaviour off the ballots in the first place. What if the "Freedom Party of the Netherlands" would be elected to national offices?
What if the BNP would win a future election and could form a government from BNP MPs?

The reality is that, if this trend to far right extremism is not stopped, it could become a security threat to Europe itself. This could be especially true if one of these nutcase parties (the BNP, Freedom Party) gets the regins of a national government. They can make some trouble in the EP - but the prospect of EU funding provided to fruitcakes like Griffin and Wilders can help get anti-democratic hate and racism far afield. Preventing a nightmare scenario in Europe and a return to fascism and mass murder starts with simple election laws that forbid parties and candidate with extremist views off the ballots in the first place.

QUOTE: For the first time since the 1930s, a neo-fascist group in Britain, the British National Party, received enough votes to enter a legislative body. Of the two representatives the party will send to the EU Parliament in Brussels, one is Nick Griffin, a convicted Holocaust denier accused of chanting “Death to Jews!” at a 1981 political rally in Leeds.

“Within the European Parliament, there are people who need to be quarantined," said the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s director for international relations in Paris, Shimon Samuels, “and there are enough centrists who will make sure that happens.”
(JTA - June 9).

Tough times drive European voters to far right
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/06/09/1005768/tough-economic-times-drive-european-voters-to-far-right

The Netherlands is now a polarised country
http://www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2262197.ece/The_Netherlands_is_now_a_polarised_country

European Jewish leader ‘not surprised’ by EU elections results
http://www.ejpress.org/article/37174

Backgrounder: Jean-Marie Le Pen and the National Front
http://www.adl.org/international/le-pen_new.asp

Nick Griffin: profile of BNP leader
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5474620/Nick-Griffin-profile-of-BNP-leader.html

Austrian Holocaust denier gets six-and-a-half years in prison
http://www.ejpress.org/article/23149

The Rise of the Nazi Party
http://fcit.usf.edu/HOLOCAUST/TIMELINE/nazirise.HTM Embarassed

European elections international relations

Committed racists and fascists have been elected to the EP - WE all need to be concerned with how this will affect the EU relationships!

First of all, the "centre right" in European politics is usually Christian Democrats, not the far right. (Although today there is very little "Christian Democratic" about some national parties' with the Christian Democratic label, especially in Germany.) Christian Democrats. represented in the EP by the European People's Party (EPP) group, where involved in the creation of the European Community in the first place. Monnet and Schuman were both Christian Democrats - Christian Democrats remain committed to the European project.

The far right here is the racist-fascist Nick Griffin's BNP party and the "Freedom Party" of Geert Wilders.Fascism and racism in Europe should have been OUTLAWED and criminalized years ago. I understand that in Germany - one cannot possess Nazi parahilia. There should be serious questions about the election of Giffin and Wilders - and if I was a member of an affected group living in these districts - I'd be talking to attorneys and pouring over Dutch, UK, European and European election laws, human rights laws, laws on political equality and anti-racism - this could mean that some citizens living in these districts can be denied various rights due to their skin color, religious beliefs and the like, by ELECTED OFFICIALS of the European Parliament!

How outrageous is that?

The European Union proves to be "hypocrisy of scale."

Why? The Union continues to have the desire to push its as its norms and values in its relationships and partnerships around the global are compromised when these outrageous events occur. The European Union should stop being so ignorant that its friends, supporters and those it deals with outside the Union don't take notice of these events: the Return Detective, criminalization of "irregular migration," continued violence against the Roma in Italy and East Europe - and now - the election of devout racists and fascists to the European Parliament - without any recourse by the Union to stop or censure these events.

What did the European Union do after HAMAS was elected in the Palestinian Authority in 2006? Why is cut off funding ... but the EU probably has every intention of providing funding to fascist-racist British National Party and the "Freedom Party" of Geert Wilders that seek to to even deny political and other rights to members of their constituency!


Again - hypocrisy of scale ...

European elections are not just for European citizens! We here in "third countries" should be VERY interested, and I say that "outsiders" simply do not pay attention to these developments. The European Union has every intention to continue to be a global actor - even if the EP has little impact on CSFP. The European Union should be an independent actor of the world stage and work to support and defend its values in the international community.

HOWEVER - more that xenophobia, fascism, racism advance in the Union, (now to receive funding from the Union itself through racist and fascist political parties and groups in the EP) the more that these developments will present problems in the Union's ability to work as an international actor, spreading and defending its "norms and values" in international relationships.

Outsiders have every right to pay attention and be alarmed by developments in the EU. This could do with the inability of outsiders to be able to donate and provide funding. The "Pirate Party" ran and won a seat under the desire to eliminate copyright laws. Why did the recording and movie industries take notice? These industries should demand that the Pirate Party not receive any funding....If Turkey is so interested in the far right's election- and funding by the EU - there should be some interested taken by the government of Turkey, and perhaps action, beyond just statements out of Ankara.

And again - hypocrisy of scale ...

I have noticed during my research work into the EU as a "normative actor" in its relationships to especially Russia these demands that Russia adapt "European norms and values." Often - the adaption of certain norms and values of Europe (human rights, rule of law, good governance). The focus by the EU of values over partnership then leads to deadlocks in what should be a meaningful relationship. There is a chasm of difference between the Union's demands for respect and adaption of its values with actors outside the Union --- but a horrible lack of enforcement of European values, norms and laws INSIDE the Union itself. The situation of the continued violence against the Roma is the most glaring example. The Union needs more vigorous enforcement for its values and norms in and among the Member States and EU citizens!

In February 2009 - Vladimir Putin rightfully pointed out to President Barroso the situation of the human rights of Russian minorities, the situations against migrants in the EU in a "hockey puck" reply to Barroso's attack on Russia's "human rights situation."

QUOTE: Putin than irritably accused the EU of human rights abuses within its own territory, referring to the mistreatment by EU states of migrants and prisoners, and to the rights of the Russian ethnic minority in the Baltic states. He remarked that "the full range of problems should be discussed in order to solve them". Barroso’s reaction was that although things are not perfect in Europe, at least criticism is accepted. He also stressed the fact that the Baltic states - EU members - are democracies that respect the rule of law.

Yes, Mr. Barroso - but without any real method to vigorously enforce "respect for the rule of law" against the Member States...Italy is STILL persecuting the Roma...notice also the election of racists and fascists - who will almost certainly deny access to the European Parliament representation to members of their constituency who are the "wrong race and religion." Why will you do about that, Mr. President?!

The NEXT TIME the Union wants to talk about "human rights, the rule of law and good democratic governance" to Russia, China, the United States and perhaps Iran -- remind them of the abuses of migrants, the Roma, the election of racists and fascists to the European Parliament - and tell the EU - CLEAN YOU OWN HOUSE FIRST!

America and Somali pirates

First of all, it is nice to see the American captain of a hijacked ship released and about to go home to his family.

However, this incident must not be allowed to be an excuse to now launch invasions of “pirate lairs.” As I explained in the paper, these pirates are very popular fellows, as they improve the lives of their starving families and villages. Also, the displacement of the fishermen has lead them to turn to piracy after the inability of the country to patrol its own shore has allowed foreign fishing vessels to pillage Somali waters and largely European ships have dumped toxic wastes, including nuclear wastes.

But – it is typical for Americans to not be able to see solutions to issues beyond the barrel of an M1 Abrams. To call now for the invasions of “pirate lairs” will result in the deaths of vastly more civilians, many of whom will see the military force as invaders that are attempting to take away what has become a necessary way of life. The international community should oppose and land operations against “pirate lairs” and work instead for stability in the country.

“Taking out pirates” will only result in more people to take the place of the “pirates that have been taken out.” The situation is very much like street gangs, who come from poor situations and have no other way to earn a living other than criminal capitalism. The solution is for the Somali government to be put on it’s feet so it can put up a coast guard to not only fight piracy, but to fight illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping. The fishermen need to feed their families and earn a living in safety – without illegal foreign fishing vessels cutting their nets and ramming their ships.

The problem now is that America will “take over” the situation – and a non-military solution, which saves lives and property – will not be allowed. Rather than the US Navy interdicting illegal fishing and toxic waste dumping – we will see “land operations” in which numerous civilians will die in defense from American invading forces. This is also part of the continuous American expansion of a world that is divided into “good guys and bad guys” where some human beings can never be rehabilitated and will be permanently excluded from being considered full human beings again. Americans simply cannot think of solutions to international problems that do not have military solution and bombing the problem into submission – which often makes the problem worse or impossible to solve. Americans should be kept far way from resolution of the piracy problem in Somalia.

We must vigorously oppose any attempt be the US Navy and other military forces to engage in land operations against pirates – and in its place advocate a land invasion of aid to rebuild the “pirate lairs” so that the fishermen don’t have to become pirates in the first place.

The Somali Pirates and the European Union: What is wrong with Operation Atalanta by European values - http://www.yellow-stars.com/operation.atalanta/EU.pirates.Atalanta.htm

NATO's encumbrance of the European project and ESDP

Without question, the NATO Alliance is the most successful Alliance in history, having kept the advancement of the Soviets out of Western Europe. At the time of the creation of NATO’s founding document Western Europe and North America shared the same interests of rebuilding Europe after WWII and how to answer the “German question.” Also, Western Europe and North America shared the same security dilemma of the Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe and the threat of war again in Europe after WWII.

After the end of the bipolar West-East system, the world became a much different place. It can be said that different viewpoints emerged about the nature of this emerging global system, about questions of international relations, the role of the United Nations – and Europe’s “place in the world,” along with America’s place as the “lone military superpower.” Along with different perspectives on the emerging world order, especially different was that between Europe and America, came instability in various parts of the world, which spawned security threats, and how to deal with them.

The European project has been said to be a project that learns from Europe’s past of wars and conflicts, murderous nationalism, and other mistakes, such as when genocide and horrible wars broke out in the Balkans in the 1990s. Yes, Europe learned from these mistakes and shortcomings and has evolved its European security and defense policy (ESDP) very much “under the radar” ever since. The European Union has a military committee and other organizational structure, such as EU Battle Groups. The product of this evolution of European defense and security independence was seen with the 2003 Operation Artemis in the Congo, other recent operations, such as in Chad and the EU NAVFOR operation off the coast of Somalia. Part of the European efforts usually include the financial aid, police and civilian rebuilding efforts of civil society, and usually with involvement of some kind with the United Nations.

However, this evolution away from the old Atlantic system has not gone unnoticed by Washington. Every step of the way, there has been protests from the Americans, some times London, and sometimes Washington-based, think tanks. For example, there were American protests when the EU under took the Operation Artemis, there were also American protests when the Union undertook also the Chad also in support of the United Nations. The placement of missiles in Poland could now be an attempt to make the “transatlantic partnership” a permanent American fixture in Europe. NATO‘s new mission is “to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Europeans down.”

When Europeans cross the American –drawn line and either “duplicate NATO,” undertake independent missions without “consulting NATO or Washington,” or otherwise advance ESDP independent of NATO – they are put through the “acknowledgement drill” where they are made to say that “NATO is the premier security organization in Europe-and nothing else is…”

The reality is that NATO is now useless and is even an encumbrance to the European project. My personal belief is that the European project can never be said to progress and come to an eventual conclusion without an independent-from-NATO and Washington European defense and security created by Europeans, operating under European values and for European collective interests only. The emancipation of European security and defense from American entanglement and meddling is the lynch pin to a truly free and independent European Union.

The European Union as a peace broker ...

"The EU could do more," said Martti Ahtisaari. Yes, reconciliation is a European value, but the Union needs to clean its own house first...

The former Finnish president, Martti Ahtisaari, believes that the European Union does not do enough to promote peace. A European Institute for Peace could go a long way toward giving the Union the needed expertise it needs. Mr.Ahtisaari said to the European Parliament that the Union has the machinery to be a peace maker.

"We have to develop professional expertise in mediation and also in mediation support, like the other actors in this field are doing – like the UN at the moment. “ The diplomat was surprised that the EU was surprised that the EU has been less active in the field of international peace mediation.

“The EU is not impartial in that it does have its values, policies and can be an honest broker…”

Let me now also say two things in response to the Finnish diplomat’s viewpoint. First, we need to remember last August, when there was a short war between Russia and Georgia. A large reason why the war as short was that the European Union, led by the French Presidency, brokered the cease fire and the peace between the two combatants. It truly was an hour for Europe, especially France, which knows about war, especially against Germany, which fills my second point below.

Also- the European Union was called upon to take the lead by Human Rights Watch in placing observers in Georgia. There was a certain legitimacy that the Union had before the conflict – and it gained even more afterwards. Mr. Ahtisaari and his European Institute of Peace should take a look at how the peace was brought in the Russia-Georgia conflict for “lessons learned.”

Second – the peace brokering is what could be said as a theme in the backdrop of the Schuman Declaration. However, reconciliation as a European value is neglected and forgotten, especially as Member States use past grudges and conflicts against aspiring and deserving candidates to block association agreements and accession treaties. This is unacceptable for a European Union Member State to do and the petty land conflict between Slovenia is not an excuse to block Croatia’s membership, nor is it acceptable for the Dutch to use their humiliation at Srebrenica to maintain the anti-Serbian policy to keep Serbia out of its rightful and hard earned place in the European Union.

The European Union defending its values in the world and becoming a peace broker is absolutely needed – but the Union must first put its own values up at home before it can bring them to a chaotic world where they are also badly needed.

Article: EU could do more for peace, Ahtisaari says: http://euobserver.com/9/27893