It had to happen. The Council for Europe has produced a hip hop version of the European Anthem.
"This compilation features the first ever hip hop version of the European anthem, the Organisation’s musical symbol based on the “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The disc, entitled “Variations”, also includes techno, trance and jazz versions, as well as new classical interpretations for piano, church organ and symphony orchestra".
Well I am sure that the 'kids' will be all signing up to the new hip, cool and trendy organisation.
Save us
Update First, thanks to the Dodgeblog for linking to this, especially via Blogcritics - not quite an Instalaunch, but odd to see the hits shoot up, , but prepare yourselves, I disover that some Ausatrian Prof with nothing better to do has recorded a CD with his oown version of the Ode to..., in Latin.
Semper regant in Europa
fides et iustitia
et libertas populorum
in maiore patria
Roughly translated as
May there forever reign in Europe
Faith and justice
And freedom for its people
In a bigger motherland
The old lie, Dulce et decorum est Pro patria laudis
It seems that the French are desperate for that Iraqi money. This news from AFP, via Free Market Fairy Tales, corroberates some gossip doingthe rounds here in Brussels. At a private event in the Parliament last week a senior NATO source was heard to say similar things. That the French were keen to commit 10,000 troops to Iraq related activities. The only caveat was that they could not do anything that would make it look like cow-towing to the States. The source had funny things to say about Wesley Clark, "I remember Clark, but back then he was a Republican" and so on, not a popular man over here it seems.
Forget butter Mountains - Though maybe a new version of Last Tango
Only a couple of years ago, after the introduction of the Fridge Directive the hedgerows of Europe were left awash with redundant white goods. As The Sprout report this month the Waste Electrical Equipment Directive may mean new objects appearing along lover’s lane to accompany cider bottles and decomposing condoms. Over 2 million vibrators, or as the industry winningly calls them ‘vibes’, are sold every year by just one company. Officially they must be returned to their manufacturers when they become surplus to requirements, but the idea of recycling bins in sex shops fills the mind with horror, so the hedgerows it is then.
Spain still eyes Gibraltar - this time they want to use the EU Constitution.
In this report on Falklands-Malvinas.com Spains Foriegn Minister the former MEP and sister to EU transport Commissioner Loyola, Ana de Palacio has made it very clear the direction she would like things to go.
This is the woman that tried to blame the Erika oil slick on Gibraltar and who, with the connivance of HMG has pointedly ignored the referendum in Gibraltar that was very clear in its result.
Her comments suggest that she hasn't given up. She believes that, "the bilateral (Brussels Agreement) talks are being rejected “the picture of the day is one framed by the European Constitution, which is our reference point without losing sight of the bilateral negotiations.” Here we go again
Bertie Ahern was quoted in Monday's Irish Times from Davos (no Link),
"If people just stick totally with Nice and don't move at all, you can't do that because it's not going to be satisfactory to Germany. There's a fair amount of sympathy for the German position because they are a large country, they are a big part of the paymaster. We need to look very helpfully at the German position. I have to try and get movement from those who need to move and at the same time not try to put it in a way that forces them beyond a position they can explain to their own people and their own parliaments."
In a classic example of the phenomenum where you give a little man a uniform he becomes a petty dictator, Ireland - more especially Bertie and friends - has become an enforcer.
What he seems to be saying, and we must remember that at the time of the second Nice referendum he was arguing the that the voting system that was agreed at Nice was essential for enlargement - what he seems to be saying to Poland is, "Germany is bigger than you, Germany pays for you, you must do what Germany says". As Anthony Coughlan, the leader of the Natioanl Platform in Ireland, has pointed out
"If the EU were a single State for a European "super-nation", in which
Ireland, Poland and other member states were provinces, the population-based voting system demanded by Germany and France for an EU Constitution would make sense, for Germany's 85 million people would entitle it to greatest influence. Inside a federated EU State Germany could look forward to being joined in due time by Turkey, with its 100 million population, whose admission to the EU Germany champions. In the meantime Germany and France between them have nearly 40% of the population of an enlarged EU. That would enable them to block whatever EU laws they do not want and, with some allies, to push through whatever EU measures they do want".
All Bertie seems to want to do is to bully the Poles into accepting whatever Germany, or a combination of Germany and France want for them.
Euro election watch Though the official launch of the European Election campaign has yet to happen, Parliamentary work in Brussels is winding down as members ponder plot and panic about what happens next. For the Conservatives, Jonathan Evans the Welsh leader of the group and pragmatic Europhile, has set a high electoral bar at 42% of the popular vote. Though this may be seen as a hostage to fortune, it has been chosen for sound psephological reasons , It is generally accepted that if the Tories can pick up that percentage in a general election they will achieve a slim overall majority. This however is complicated by the experimental aspects of this years polls.
In at least three areas, the North West, the North East and Yorkshire, traditionally labour strongholds, the Government is introducing postal balloting. This is expected to increase the turnout in those areas. However the advantage of this to labour may in fact be offset by the fact that most metropolitan areas will also be having local council elections. As one senior Tory MEP, the deputy leader Robert Goodwill, told me yesterday, the net result of that is that Alderman Higginbotham and his wife, aunts and cousins will be trawling round the council estates shoring up their vote. However in the rural areas, the Tory strongholds, there are no council elections so the introduction of postal voting may well push up the expected low Tory turnout. It is all swings and roundabouts. That being said, David Bowe, Labour’s vulnerable number three on the list had an emergency meeting with Prescott last weekend to stop postal votes in Yorkshire due to this fear. He was given a thoroughgoing brush off.
The affable Bowe, who had been safe at number 2 on the list in 1999, was shafted during the re-selection process due to a combination of factors. Firstly the NuLab rules governing women candidates means that there has to be boy girl, boy girl don the list like some superannuated playground, and secondly a deal was stitched up between Richard Corbett and Linda McAven to ensure that Bowe was pushed to third place.
Rumblings of discontent are definately beginning to be heard. My friends Mathew Elliot and Florence Heath have gone and set up the Taxpayers Alliance. A much needed organisation with characters like John Blundell head of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Graeme Leach, Chief Economist, Institute of Directors and Keith Marsden, Economic Consultant to the World Bank on board I can only hope the do well, go visit them and see what they are about.
Due to this weeks question. Which minister told a York audience last week: "Voting in elections, like voting for Pop Idol or Big Brother, can actually change people's lives for the better."? I have been googled more than ever before. Pleasingly it seems that I am above the Guardian in the list. Amused to see a sideswipe at Peter Cuthbertson earlier in the column - or is the writer thinking of another "the 17-year-old would-be Telegraph leader writer".
Oh and if people want to there is a nominate your favourite political blog type competitionthere as well. Get self-publicising boys and girls.
In their editorial on Monday the Irish Independant claims that having a Presidential election would just be, well - read it.
No need for an election
In a series of excellent presidents, Mrs McAleese stands out. It is safe to say that we may have had some equally good, but never a better one. Her dignity, her grace, her poise, are impeccable. She is a brilliant public speaker and a facilitator of worthy causes and useful contacts behind the scenes. And she has the under-stated but impressive support of her husband Martin.
This starting to sound like the famous observation from Sir Bernard Caulfield about Mary Archer "Has she elegance? Has she fragrance? Would she have, without the strain of this trial, radiance?"
Yet the idea has taken root in some quarters that we should have a contest - although the Fine Gael and Labour leaders both dislike the prospect. Fine Gael appear content to let the resident have an unopposed second term, but a body of opinion in Labour favours the nomination of Michael D Higgins.
The idea has taken root that the people of Ireland should have an election to decide their Head of State - Perish the thought!
The net result of such a move for Labour (and Fine Gael, if they put up a candidate) would be to waste time and resources on an election they could not possibly win. A worse scenario would be the nomination by Greens and others of an "environmentalist". That would risk bringing into a presidential election matters which belong properly in the domain of party politics.
Worse no doubt than the Greens would be the likely prescence of Dana Scallon on the list. Dana, now an MEP won 13.8% of the vote last time, on an uncompromising family values/Catholic ticket. - An anathema to the chateratti in Dublin.
There is another danger. Mrs McAleese was first elected as a Fianna Fail candidate. But like her predecessors, she proved herself a president for all the people. A contested election would force her to rely on Fianna Fail for funds and organisation and could take some, though perhaps not much, of the gloss off her image.
It would be another story if she felt she had given sufficient service and wanted to retire. She has, rightly, given no indication of her wishes and intentions, but every sign says she still relishes her job and has more to contribute.
From the viewpoint of the country there can be little or no doubt of the most desirable course of events. There is no need for an election.
In seven years' time, we can have a presidential election on a more level playing field. When the time comes, we will be lucky if we find another president who can compare with Mrs McAleese.
Blech, retch uggh. The Independent calls itself a newspaper. Well I suppose I have always supported a united Ireland, under the crown.
I cannot make head or tail of this, but here goes.
Dread moment I know, but it comes to us all. I am trying to buy a house. Now property prices are very reasonable in Brussels – nobody would live here by choice unless they were…
a) Escaping from North Africa.
b) Working for, or around the EU, or
c) Belgian
Yesterday I went to a house auction. The property was a rather fine turn of the century building in an area that is being gentrified – that is EU types are moving in. There are cars on both sides of the street, badly parked with the blue, tax-free Euro plates (Oh yes, you get a different (lower) tax rate and number plate if you work for the institutions).
Well the auction took place in a dusty small claims court. A reserve price of 60,000 euro was set and the auction started. The auctioneer stayed impassive, it is up to the floor to suggest prices. Slowly the price raised with people shouting out different figures, up it went to 150 – 160,000 and stopped.
Going once, going twice, sold.
Now according to my understanding that is it. But no, this is Belgium. The vendors sidled up to the notaire and his staff. After a five minute huddle the notaire returned to his seat and announced.
“Right there will not be another auction in two weeks if the price goes up”. This is where, I lose track of the system. It appears that if, despite the property raising to 1000,000 above the reserve price and the gavel coming down, if the vendor believes that he can get more then he can organise another auction in a fortnight to get a better price. Or somebody who is interested can offer 10,000 or more above the selling price and gazump. Not only that but the final purchaser has to pay the extra costs of new advertising and the notaire etc.(cost approx 6,000)
The notaire then announced that if the price went up to 175,000 there would be no future auction and, in a little aside the tax rate would drop to only 16% (It can go as high as 22% purchase tax).
Sure enough the price did rise until it hit 175,000.
Can somebody explain to me how a system like this is fair on the purchaser? I have always believed that when the gavel goes down, that is the point where a contract is agreed.
Apparently not.
The miniture for Europe strikes again. What is it about that dreadful man that riles me so? Could it be the inanity and crass popularism that allows him to say things like
'Voting in elections, like voting for Pop Idol or Big Brother, can actually change people's lives for the better'.
That may be gratuitous drivel, but this is, to my mind, mertitricious,
'Europe affects everyone's life every day. From improving living standards to giving us cleaner air, more jobs and greater consumer choice at higher quality and lower prices".
No mention of the poor blightersinthevariousindustries whoseliveshave been made a misery and whose livelihoods sacrificed on the European altar of intolerance. No thought to the millions in the third world who have been driven to desperation by EU trade policy with the developing world.
This morning I sat in the bath, early (well with a small child what do you expect?) in my hand a late Christmas present, now elevated to the best one yet, of the Folio Society’s collection of Kipling poems – illustrated by Heath Robinson. The radio moved from the wonderful theme tune for Radio 4. The tune, an amalgam of Men of Harlech, Danny Boy, Rule Britannia Scotland the Brave and Greensleaves finishes with a trumpet flourish and one is transported into the shipping forecast. Bliss
You will all, no doubt have heard about the spate of bombings that hit the European Parliament yesterday. One went off, one was isolated and the other was a false alarm. At the same time another went of at the home office of an MEP in Manchester.
As is my wont I wandered into Parliament to chat to an Afghan friend just back from Hindu Kush. We were having the meeting so I could commission a piece for the next edition of The Sprout about the new constitution signed last week by the Loya Jirga in a vast tent outside Kabul. Kemal Dallili was delighted to report on the progress in his country. Since I have known him, I met him less than 2 months after 9/11, I have never seen him so positive about his countries future. All this was great news and a tonic. But as we drank our third subsidised coffee in what is known as children’s play area (by dint of its primary colour blob furniture) we noticed a few gun toting police wandering around looking lost. Different from the various degrees of internal security, brown uniformed Group 4 types and the blue-jumpered Pompiers who gather to drink their Stellas at 9am, these were wearing the blue-black flak jackets with flashes announcing BRUPOL. Sensing a moments excitement I wandered back to the Tory press office to find out what was up. It seems that a letter bomb had gone off in the outer sanctum of the leader of the Centre Right (EPP) Group – Hans-Gert Poettering. Some secretary had opened an envelope and it had flared up. A similar package was found in the office of José Ignacio Salafranca, a Spanish nobleman and a leader of Azanar’s group in the Parliament. The Tory press office however were fielding pile of calls from the media – it had been reported that Jonathan Evans the Tory delegation leader had also been the target. Disappointingly it seems this was a false alarm. We later heard abot the bomb that had arrived at the Labour Delegation leader Gary Titley, which sadly did cause minor injuries to a staff member.
Now a couple of thoughts.
First the whole thing was a storm in a teacup apart from the burns suffered by Mr Titley’s secretary in Manchester. And the way that they are described as minor in the press does suggest that they were very minor – but good wishes to her, come what may.
These bombs were it seems sent by the same anarchist group in Bologna – signed in the Name of Emile Henry a French anarchist executed for bombing cafes in Paris in 1894 – who fired them off at Europol, Trichet and Prodi last week and no doubt were sent at the same time. This tells us a couple of things. MEPs offices open later than civil servants offices. And the European Parliament is so damn complacent that they have appalling security.
A few years ago there was a Sarin scare at the EP building in Strasbourg. Suddenly, and understandably security was tightened, but I am told by one of the security guards “We no longer use the x-ray machines for MEPs mail – it is not worth it”. (In fact the only time that anybody has noted the use of these machines was when a large wall powered vibrator came through the post – it was opened and when the MEP recipient received it he found a letter from security suggesting that this sort of mail should be delivered at home).
I suspect that the bombs do however follow a pattern. Prodi is an obvious target – the President of the Commission. Trichet and Europol represent the economic and justice side of the EU. Poetering is a real player in the deliberations of the EU and an unknown, but highly powerful man. Salafranca and Titley, I think are acting as proxy targets for Blair and Azanar’s support for the war in Iraq.
Oh, and finally, as they say the inertia of the Parliament’s normally inactivity was barely affected. Nothing happened before and nothing happened after – they did not even change the alert status which still read Code Black
The roster built up for debates by this lot is impressive in the extreme.
Just go and take a look at the debates themselves and the speakers on offer. My personal favourirtes are
The best way we can help Africa is to leave it alone
Speakers include: Richard Dowden, Matthew Parris, Anthony Sampson and The Rt Hon Clare Short MP.
The British Empire was a force for good
Speakers include: Lawrence James, Professor Niall Ferguson, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Dr Richard Drayton. The debate will be chaired by Richard Lindley.
and
World affairs are too important to be decided by the UN
Speakers include: The Rt Hon Lord Lamont, Devon Cross, George Monbiot, Bob Marshall-Andrews QC, Professor Sir Adam Roberts and Professor Oliver Ramsbotham.
What fun for one and all and for the princely sum of £20 a pop
This is news to me but maybe old hat to the rest of you.
"Two Wimbledon police officers could face discipline over allegations they delivered party political leaflets for a Labour councillor"
"Coun Ramsay (Lab) responded to the accusations by saying: “I meet regularly with PC Waller to discuss local community issues. We agreed that it would be useful for local residents to have PC Waller’s contact details, which were included in my newsletter." Interestingly I have not heard how the proposed disciplinary action went, not has there been any news from the employer of Councillor Allison Ramsay - Graham Stinger a labour MP
This does not happen often, but seriously, words fail me.
Right now that is the vision thing clear, now to practicalities and delivery
I believe It is natural for men and women to want wealth, health and happiness for their families and themselves
it is the duty of every politician to serve the people by removing the obstacles in the way of these ambitions.
People are most likely to be happy when they are masters of their own lives, when they are not nannied or over-governed.
That the people should be big. That the state should be small.
Red tape, bureaucracy, regulations, inspectorates, commissions, quangos, czars, units and targets came to help and protect us, but now we need protection from them. Armies of interferers don't contribute to human happiness.
That people must have every opportunity to fulfil their potential.
There is no freedom without responsibility. It is our duty to look after those who cannot help themselves.
In equality of opportunity. Injustice makes us angry.
Every parent wants their child to have a better education than they had.
Every child wants security for their parents in their old age.
I do not believe That one persons poverty is caused by another's wealth.
That one persons ignorance is caused by another's knowledge and education.
That one persons sickness is made worse by another's health.
Importantly I believe the British people are only happy when they are free.
That Britain should defend her freedom at any time, against all comers, however mighty.
That by good fortune, hard work, natural talent and rich diversity, these islands are home to a great people with a noble past and exciting future. I am happy to be their servant.
Now can anybody tell me what is wong with that lot?
Higher Education Watch Part 1 For reasons of my own I am doing some research into all higher education establishments that run courses funded, fully or partly by the EU. Once in a while as I trawl through all the departments of European Integration something catches my eye. This one is pretty good
BSc (Hons) International Culinary Arts (Pastry)
I kid you not, in the course modules
Year 1, includes Portion Control
Year 2, Advanced Decoration Work
Year 3, Strategic Hospitality Management
If I find any other crackers I will, of course, let you know.
Musing A letter from my father-in-law started me thinking the other day. It came in a package accompanied by an African brass balancing dancer and a packet of letters from my wife’s grandfather.
The letters were written from Africa in 1924-5, where he, a military doctor was posted. The first retells his return to Africa after a while and recounts the first month after arrival where he discovers his posting is 180 miles inland from Lagos. There is no transport, so he collects a cook, some bearers and walks. The cook is castigated for being unable to bake bread without yeast, meanwhile the bearers are lauded for trekking upwards of twenty miles a day in heats of 110ºF. At one point he comes across a large town where his arrival is announced and he is greeted by the local king, Runkali “complete with red blanket, white clothes, large turban with a helmet on top, a finely caparisoned horse, sword bearer and big noise maker. The latter made a song about the king and about me, saying what a hell of a lad I was”. The next day the king, horrified to see the English officer walking, sent over a horse and a mounted guard to guide them to the next town.
The second letter is about an elephant hunt in which he could see a herd 200 strong, “half a mile of solid elephant moving slowly”. The very thought of sights like these send me reeling. His evident joy at taking down a massive tusker cannot be imagined in today’s world no can much of his gung ho enthusiasm of life.
Dr Philip Hugh Rawson MC had served with the South Staffords in Flanders where he had won his gong. His citation in the London Gazette is short in words, but between the lines what can one imagine. “On several occasions he rescued wounded men under very heavy fire”.
On her mother’s side Joslin’s grandfather was also a doctor. But for him it was a very different war. A brain surgeon with a practise in Hamburg he was in a restricted profession. He and his wife were collectors of ‘degenerate art’, and were under suspicion. I once met the old woman before she died and was perplexed by a collection of no less than nine copies – all pre war, in English, of Laurence Stern’s fantastical novel, Tristram Shandy.
I asked why she had so many. Her reply was enlightening. During the Nazi period it was hard enough to trust friends and family let alone newcomers. She would lend a copy of the book to new acquaintances and question them about the book after they had read it. If they liked the book and understood its weird complications then, so she reasoned they could not support the Nazis. Thinking of the novel and the mindset required to enjoy it then I can positively support her approach.
Finally Dr Bach was sent to the front, the Eastern front. He survived for three years before returning to Germany, and attributed his survival to an extent to a crucifix that he carried the entire time in his back pack. That crucifix, which he had looted very early on now sits upon our mantelshelf lacquered brass it makes a neat counterpoint to the dancing African.
These two men both military doctors who served on different sides of the front line are now united in my wife and my daughter. The horrors that they experienced are inconcievable. The joys they took are also now verboten.
