E.U.Crisis: Eurozone Break-up commences. Cracks in European solidarity widen.

The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte  has suggested the core vanguard group dubbed FANGs (Finland, Austria, Netherlands & Germans) should get powers to knock around the PIIGS club kicking them out of the Eurozone if they don’t play ball. Whether or not this was thought up all by himself is not so relevant.  What is relevant is Dimension: the Art of Superstate is failing.


A coffee shop in Mark Rutte’s home town Leiden,
 a venue for some to chill out in times of stress.

Insults are now being traded. Rutte’s plan and the outburst  of Guenther Oettinger who said flags of the "fiscal sinners" should be put at half mast outside EU buildings got a laugh from the PIIGS.  Although some might put this parlance down to what the Dutch refer to as Cucumber Time similar to the British Silly Season there is an underlying sinister tone to it all.

Does Mr Rutte extend this courtesy to mess countries about to his own Netherlands or even to Germany should they fall on future hard times, or is it only an Us and Them one way offer.

 It is also relevant that the British are now openly discussing distancing themselves from this type of nonsense.

P.M. Mark Rutte should apologise or at least clarify his objectives. If he doesn’t he should step aside as leader of a country once fabled for its tolerance and Socialist principles.

9/11 Review: Seraphim Visions of a Crusader.

Lone Star Rising: It was surprising to see the National Geographic  George Bush interview advertised in Dutch language and in Dutch cities. Especially as it was unlikely it would get many if any viewers. An exercise in excuses for the man perhaps! However 2.6 million Americans tuned in to listen.  

The Bush legacy is not one to be proud of. It is a shameful reflection on how a great country was betrayed by lone Crusader who professed to defend it and its people. In fact,  American was devalued by the Bush “War on Terror.” 

The war resulted in the exposure of a society confused about its role within the global order. Ten years after the declaration of the 10^th Crusade, America  is riddled with internal remorse over the actions of those politicians elected and appointed to champion its social and political achievements.  And, in whose name they perfected the practice of torture to the very limits of acceptance.

 Despite this sinister approval of torture by the Neo- Cons and the then White House War machine, doors have  opened for those with intellectual honesty to come forward and speak out against  wrongs during  “The War on Terror.”

Bush and the Neo-Cons, moved with astonishing immediacy to engage the “ War on Terror”  ignoring all warning pitfalls about an ill advised military adventure . The Crusader army moved fast. But fighting for God is not the same as fighting for Wealth. The Neo-Cons made sure their companies and their interests were well taken care of.

The distress caused became uncontrollable and resulted in moral corruption and the loss of humane passion towards each other.

Advertising billboard in Leiden for the National Geographic Bush interview

Baroness Manningham-Buller,  chief of MI5 during the “War on Terror” recently said it was a question of ethics and morality…. "It is a sadness and worse the previous government of our great ally, the United States, chose to waterboard some detainees”….. “Torture is illegal in our national law and international law. It is wrong and never justified...."

It is ofen said victory can be secured not by those who inflict the most but often by those who suffer the most. This is very true of the victims of 9/11.  Their victory was betrayed by the Bush torture programme.

The Neo-Cons may have won the lion’s share of the $3 trillion spent on the “War on Terror” but history will give first place to the Hermes of communication, integration and universal knowledge.

It must be bitter for the Neo-Cons to watch the success of unarmed People Power across the Arab Spring eclipse the massive firepower of the military complex. “People Power” epitomises the spirit of present time in human achievement not Torture.  

“Either we all live in a decent world, or nobody does , the whole idea of revenge and punishment is a childish day-dream. Properly speaking, there is no such thing as revenge. Revenge is an act which you want to commit when you are powerless and because you are powerless:  As soon as the sense of impotence is removed, the desire evaporates also.” Revenge is Sour" by George Orwell , 9th November 1945        

E.U. Crisis: Chancellor Angela Merkel looks Vulnerable; Democracy Flexes its Muscles over Fiscal Union.

Some observers, such as they are, say it was a dumb idea to begin with.  An exercise in political prestige to sweeten Elitist ego at numerous dinners and banquets. History, which is so often  conveniently ignored tells the story. Poverty breeds discontent whether it be personal,  community or national. Ask any old Viking, Vandal or Visigoth.

Anarchy rules when politicians leave the building. The Great Summer Debate of 2011 has concluded with a victory for those who tested a European dream.  This fiscal and political union dream maybe delayed for the present but Europe still goes marching on. 

After three years of crisis, disturbances, austerity threats and serious doubts about the quality of the top down approach, arguments are switching to implementing a two speed Europe.

Historian Hans-Joachim Voth during an interview with  Der Spiegel remarked... Austerity and anarchy are closely linked. We've been able to establish that with looking at the period between 1919 and 2009.

“I believe that the consequences of ending the euro have been overstated. Not every dumb economic idea needs to be defended to the bitter end. Europe is infinitely more than the European Union, and the European Union is infinitely more than the euro.”

Chancellor Merkel said after the court announcement "The euro is much, much more than a currency. The euro is the guarantee of a united Europe. If the euro fails, then Europe fails."

What did I do, what did I say to turn your angel eyes my way? Political tensions are rising as the debt crisis enters its third year. With no end in sight chancellor Angela Merkel’s popularity in Germany is sinking as love for Europe gets more and more negative.

Schroder said:  “A two-speed Europe is a reasonable concept, not a German concept. This is not a German concept. Look at Scandinavia, where you see good Europeans, and look at the Netherlands and Austria. They're all good Europeans. “

He added “We should stop dithering and get serious with the idea of a core Europe. Otherwise Europe and its countries will sink into irrelevance between Asia under China's leadership and America... Europe has to wake up.”  .............................

Saying Rome wasn’t built in a day really means why again follow leaders into uncertainty. Wasn’t that the problem before. Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy and Germany, and most of Eastern Europe  are one generation removed from the dictator disaster. And what defines a Schroder style good European.  Cries by Brussels for more Europe needs to be sold to citizens and not imposed.