Into the Whirlpool: Europe at the Crossroads, Berlin or London that is the Question.

A meeting in Berlin Friday 18^th November 2011 will decide the nature and shape of Art of Superstate for the coming years if not decades. If reports are to be believed and there is reason to doubt the sources, mainly the British and German press whose job it is to inform the people, then democracy is on the block. There is also no doubt that today's crop of politicians have good intentions for Europe. But give democracy away and it is hard to get back.

Having seen the direct results of communism, politically and economically its is frightening to hear the attitudes of the mandarins and financial inner circles hoping to take power over Europe's future. That's right Take Power not win or represent but take power without proper consultation.

The Brussels unelected elite want to shape Europe in a fashion managed by unelected elite. Europe's future is to be decided by this unelected in time of crisis. But when do they decide a crisis is over. Have we ever known the world not to be falling apart.

From the series November Berlin 1989.
Cameron and Merkel meet 22yr later in Berlin to decide
if new walls are to be placed between their peoples.

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has called for a stronger political union to overcome the debt crisis, which she called "maybe Europe's most difficult hours since world war two. A breakthrough will be achieved not by less Europe, but more." she declares.

But the nice Saxon Queen must take her people with her and those who willingly wish to follow.

In London Mr Cameron said the EU was out of touch and must reform or it would remain “in peril.” He called for less European integration.

“If the whole political establishment is about to disappear into a windowless room in Brussels discussing things that no one understands, it means absolutely nothing to millions of ordinary people who are worried about their jobs, worried about economic security, worried about prospects for their children,” he said.

But Mr Cameron must tell his people what it means to desert Europe at this hour of need. These two leaders must agree to support the ideals of Confederate Nations of Europe while offering hope to the Federalists for a core Eurozone. If they cannot agree they will split Europe along pro and anti democratic factions. This would be disastrous for Europe and the world.

At some point there has to be a Europe wide referendum to offer the people the choice to go euro in or euro out, how to manage the system and who will do it. The unelected,  the voice of the people or a bit of both. November Berlin 1989. "It was all done in the name of the people."

Apache Apache: America should not want to rule the world. America should want to guide the world.

On Thursday 10^th Nov 2011 a US judge ruled Twitter must release details of Icelandic MP Birgitta Jonsdottir's personal account and those of Seattle-based WikiLeaks volunteer Jacob Appelbaum and Dutch hacker Rop Gonggrijp. This follows other rulings in favour of the State Department's pursuit of those involved in the release last year of a video showing a US Apache helicopter unit killing two reporters in Iraq.

The order also seeks records relating to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and WikiLeaks informant private Bradely Manning who is confined in controversial conditions awaiting trial.

Member of parliament Birgitta Jonsdottir pictured at her Iceland home 
2011. US authorities have demanded Twitter to hand over her personal account details.
 The US is investigating the WikiLeaks release of the Apache attack video on civilians in Iraq 2010

Jonsdottir believes the US authorities want to use her information to try and build a case against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The former WikiLeaks volunteer  learned her account was under scrutiny after Twitter challenged the subpoenas and believes the case sets a worrying precedent for private citizens and politicians across the world.  (extracted from the Guardian Nov 12 2011)

The appalling events surrounding the shooting of the journalists and several other unarmed civilians, including medics trying to recover bodies, justifies any breach of confidentially between government authority and the people. The West cannot demand that dictatorial regional regimes fall and disappear under the weight of people power while denying the birth and growth of organisations dedicated to free speech and the pursuit of justice. We must practice what we preach. Torture camps, government assassinations, drone bombing of innocents and the culture of not with me then against me, needs to not represent democracy. This is not a perfect world but it is much easier to wreck the house than to rebuild it. Especially, if pillars of democracy such as whistle blowing and free speech are silenced in favour of a suspected war crime. 

Vive l'Art de l'Etat-Super: DasGrup Frankfurt Takes the Helm; Confederate Nations Sharing Alongside Inner Core Eurozone Federalists.

A new Eurozone leadership has emerged. Das Frankfurt Group, is named after the city housing the European Central Bank and the location for its first meeting. It also has the bizarre trappings of a Chosen Few or Euro Angels secret chapter. Democracy doesn't live there anymore. Well, just until the crisis is over, if ever, or the people revolt, if ever.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy speaks of a confederate group of nations living beside a league of inner core Eurozone Federalists.

......”The truth is that we need to establish exactly the list of those who don't want to be part of the club and those who simply cannot be part." he said speaking to students in Strasbourg on Tuesday 8^th Nov 2011.

Referring to the further enlargement of the EU, he said: "There are 27 of us. "Clearly, down the line... there will be 32, 33, 34 of us. No-one thinks that federalism, total integration, will be possible with 33, 34, or 35 states."

"Clearly," he added, "there will be a two-speed Europe: one speed that moves toward more integration in the Eurozone and one speed for a confederation in the EU."

DasGrup Frankfurt, a poster at Frankfurt train station points towards KaiserStrasse and the route to the ECB. 2011

But clearly, Commissioner Barroso is not in agreement and replied this week, “A split union, he said, will not work. Neither a union with an integrated core but a disengaged periphery; nor a union dominated by an unhealthy balance of power.”

A British from across the channel was dismayed ““I despair of the way in which EU leaders are constantly behind events. I do not think enough people realise how serious this crisis is, and how hard it is going to hit us. This is far worse than the banking crisis of 2008 in its seriousness and, if it is not solved by Christmas, I think the whole of the Eurozone will break up.”

And the Saxon Queen, who is the most powerful in the Frankfurt group commented this very same week in Berlin, “the situation in Europe has become unpleasant. It is time for a breakthrough to a new Europe. That will mean more Europe, not less Europe."

But it maybe very plausible for this French suggestion to actually work beyond the legal mess which will engulf it. Options are fast fading as power houses Italy, Spain and soon Belgium and France get cornered by the bonders.

In the mid eighties China's Deng Xiaoping took a great gamble. As a communist country with designs to unite democratic periphery territories, Deng introduced a one country, two systems policy. (Communism & Capitalism working side by side). Whereas the objectives for China at that time were political, judicial as well as financial, there are some similarities to Europe's present dilemma.

When the dust settles on this crisis Europe will look very different. One possible picture is a group of Confederate nations to include France herself as leader with the UK, possibly the southern part of Italy and those emerging from the meltdown. A two speed alliance working alongside the inner Eurozone core managed by Germania Magna, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark with a number of European Union Capital cities also tied to the Euro. Athens, Lisbon, Prague or Rome could be using the Euro while surrounding country sides could use the local currency.

The Confederate Nations of Europe should be able to survive politically with its partners, compete economically using two currencies and develop Art of Superstate Part IV. Vive l'art de l'etat-super

G 20 Failure, Occupy Wall Street Movements and A Hard Winter’s Tale to Tell

Politicians have again failed citizens in Art of Superstate.  To hear the American president address the Euro Union on how he had been given a crash course in European politics by those whose names were sticking in his throat is disheartening. 

The G20 meeting maybe also have been the last opportunity to avoid mass defections of citizens from passively watching to actively engaging with spreading revolutionary ideas.

Dublin Ireland, JFK poster at a city centre Bank oct 2011

The next step will be not just a wish to change the wrongs of the financial and political sectors but a will to determine the means.  

To-days movements are not those of frightened, dis-enfranchised, poor or desperate sections of society, they are young, educated, determined, and most have the support of their parents.

Distaste of political elites is spreading. It is triggering a whole rethink about government, its function, its value and indeed how we manage our world. Centralised government is now perceived as a seedy club for business interests

The financial sector is clearly a target for evolution. Its revolution during the big bang twenty-five years past became an un-controlled monster, rather than a servant of society. It operates as a power searching animal, feeding on financial greed while harbouring contempt for social or human morality.   

Italy is at the debt Rubicon, Greece has past the point of no return.  It is time to separate financial markets from politics just as we separated religion and state. Straight talking is commencing. The intellectual movements appearing on the streets of capitals across the globe, the social networks and the virtual discussion spaces between those streets is the genesis of new re- order. In this post-Neo Con world it will be a Hard Winter’s Tale to tell the children. Let’s hope it can be told in peace. 

Into the Whirlpool Goes the Ship of Fools: Panic in the EU

Down, down deeper and down into the Whirlpool sinks the EU crisis.

A Spectre stalks Europe looking for a new Depression  Oct. 2011

Europeans were told yesterday by a Brussels spokesperson that to leave the Euro was to leave Art of Superstate.  It was a sad and un-necessary outburst of anger at Greece from a commission losing its own credibility with Europe’s citizens.

Europe’s leadership is off to the Bric (Brazil, Russia, India & China) countries begging for assistance while fumbling in its own back garden over assistance to a small house member.

 Leaving the Euro is acceptable but expulsion from the Union by the commission is wholly un-acceptable. If that were to happen then Art of Superstate will invite its own nemesis and a place in the history books.

Trouble of the kind witnessed 80 years past is lurching closer. Unity is still strength. Greece must not be coerced into a resentful position to save Brussels pride. Brussels should acknowledge that the mood of citizens is fast shifting towards direct action, social unrest and possibly revolution.  Greek resistance is well documented.

It would pay the Brussels mandarins to think before they send a spokesperson to say the wrong thing.

Art of Superstate: What a Difference a Month Makes

Oct 29 2011 Occupy movement spreads  to capitals over 

US & Europe. Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland.

Last month Art of Superstate slipped into the Whirlpool. Down, down and down it goes. As it sinks to rock bottom, side line events are shaping future battle lines. For Citizens of the Arab Spring, the Eurozone and the newly created Euro exclusion group Occupy, Death to Gaddafi and the first Eurozone Summit was history and leadership.

Occupy is a citizen’s movement in the making, a reaction to authority and the shortcomings of Greed and Banking amorality. In fine form, Christian churches in London closed their doors to the new poor. Wall Street employees flicked champagne over concerned protesting Americans beneath them. To those who think Democracy is week the message is clear. For whom, Power doth Crush. http://tv.globalresearch.ca/2011/09/wall-street-mocks-protesters-drinking-champagne

Oct 26 2011-A summit to provide the basis

 for a Euro Zone members club.   

Oct 21 2011-Gaddafi is unceremoniously executed.

Syrians won strength with Libyan revolutionary success. For Bashar Assad his murderous brother and inner circle, the present era of Dictators is over. Killing Gaddafi was wholly justified. A means to justify the end.

Greece announces a referendum over centrally imposed austerity directing the country towards all out social unrest. Such a referendum will allow Greece to exit the Euro Zone and join the new group of “Euro Outcasts” where countries float freely to adjust economic and political aberrations. It remains to be seen if the Outcasts & the Euroins can suspend political squabbling for joint leadership over the Art of Superstate.

Art of SuperState must not be afraid to test all options vital to its survival. What Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy produced was correct, even, if it falters at insurmountable hurdles and trials ahead. The summit shows a willingness to lead and to try available routes. Courage is rewarded. Inaction is not an action which wins kudos for Art of Superstate or from its citizens.

The Whirlpool is deep and dangerous. Recession hovers on the near horizon. Challenges are great and inspiring. Days ahead are indeed interesting times.

European Unity: A Beacon of Hope or a Warning Light for the Elitenprojekt.

“Goldman Sachs rules the World” says the smartly presented 30 something trader.

Into the Whirlpool.
 The light of European Unity is now seen as
the warning Beacon from a Lighthouse. Groiningen 2010

During a BBC interview, independent city trader, Alessio Rastani advocated preparing for the worst economically and advised how to make money in times of crisis. In a straight talking communiqué with the BBC the trader (actually not a real trader) revealed the nature of the finance industry as one which cared little for anything which does not turn a profit.

He announced “Governments don’t rule the world, Goldman Sachs does.”

The bizarre interview seemed to suggest a view that the worlds citizens are a helpless and powerless group unable to stand up to the almighty markets. Wow has he got that one right.

He drew parallels with the 1930’s great depression and urged those interested in survival to start planning for the next big one. (Depression)

Rastani predicted the next 12 months will see savings vanish and that it is just the beginning. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15059135

Lovely stuff for a mid week BBC yarn about the future chaos. Except this talker on the subject of financial ruin is just like the rest of us. Someone working to keep himself and his family. But does it make the blarney any less true or worrying. Not likely. The Euro and its "Elitenprojekt" is caught in a whirlpool. Like sailors answering the Siren calls Brussels is heading for the light of European unity while Skeptics point out the beacon is in fact a lighthouse warning of rocks ahead.

But we are all in it together and sooner or later Doomsters and Elitists must put Europe first and decide which light to follow.

The New Jerusalem: Elusive Capital of a Divided Heaven on Earth.

If you are a generation removed from the Holocaust, just seventy years past, then it is understandable why the Jewish/Israeli people are concerned about the preservation of Israel’s  very existence.

It is also not hard to criticise Israeli government’s approach to dealing with Palestinian grievances. Israelis do it every day in political and social life.

Total victory over your opponent requires total destruction. Let one survive and it will re-establish growth to avenge and inflict retribution for past harm and defeats.  Winning contested spaces by military means can attempt to be Machiavellian towards total destruction, or they can be concluded with compromise, and permit communities to move into  a new peace. No country and its people can withstand a perpetual state of conflict with its neighbours.

If you also believe humanity today is a little bit wiser about this path of destruction then peace talks will eventually prevail.

                The complexities of Jerusalem, with its very deep religious and political motivations are often hard to understand.

The New Jerusalem to most is a biblical concept. To others it is a dream and a hope. And to a few, a truth in waiting as the Holy Capital of the Kingdom of Heaven.

“I saw an angel of the Lord coming and saying to me: Trouble not thyself so greatly, concerning the salvation of Jerusalem.” (3 Baruch 1:3)  The New Jerusalem will be the earthly location where all true believers will spend eternity with God. “

Al Quds “The Holy Sanctuary, City of the Temple” or Yerushaláyim  "Abode of Peace" is the closest Humanity gets to Heaven. From the Divided Cities Series. 1991

But for now leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas are focused on Earthly matters. Should the New Jerusalem become the centre of negotiations after contested settlements around Jewish and Palestinian States, it will be difficult for the world not to entrust Israel with a very heavy burden. That burden will be the light Jews have carried for many centuries. It will be upon the rock of tolerance for Palestinian neighbours, Islam and the respect for free worship that Israeli security and ultimately its future will be built. Not missiles or tanks.

Jerusalem should strive like all the divided cities to heal the wounds of their past. It should be given the chance to be unified but with a compassion for Palestinian desires to share this fabled city within an equal desire to make it the unified capital of Israel.

For all the glory of God and his ways there is still the Earthly solution to political failures. What the Lord gives the Lord can take back.

The economic crisis sweeping Europe is producing some serious political questions. One of which is how much isolationism is worth supporting before it becomes a hindrance to economic progress. Israel/Palestine can flourish, but a divided city reflects a divided land. The Levant just isn’t that big to chew it forever.

EU Crisis. The Secret World of Credit Default Swaps. Instruments of Control

What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a happening, what’s the buzz, tell me what’s a happening.

European exposure to the financial crisis is so enormous that a default of Spain alone would easily wipe-out a fist full of banks and pension funds.

But wait a minute aren’t these loans insured and the lenders protected. Isn’t that the complaint of the Piigs that it is way too costly to insure their bonds.

If you crash a car, you claim insurance. That’s what it’s there for, you’ve paid the hefty premium.

There are fancy financial tools around to cover sovereign default claims such as Credit Default Swaps. Except…..no one seems to be very sure about that.

The world of Credit Default Swaps is murky and highly secretive. Apparently, a chosen few Wall Street Bankers keeps the world in the dark about where these instruments are and whether they are actually worth anything at all. Their personal names are unknown to the general public. But they are drawn from the same anti-social and dangerous clique, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley etc. Their function is putting profit before people.

If any Piigs force Credit Default Swaps (loan insurance) to pay out and cover
their Debts, the Swaps may be not worth their Bacon. If this happens then
Piigs at the market go home. 2011

This scenario around CDS is scaring the Euro leadership. Greece can force by default, the Credit Default Swaps to cough up. If they are proven to be inadequate as they were in 2008 when they played a pivotal role in the first meltdown after Lehman Brothers, then European capitalism may take a possible fatal body blow.

The swap part of the name means the policy is traded around the world willy nilly. It seems their locations are vague and no one knows who holds what and for whose debt. Between 2000 and 2008 Credit default swaps traded upward from $900 billion to more than $30 trillion. In contrast to traditional insurance these Swaps are completely unregulated. Theoretically Greece could be holding the Credit Default Swaps (insurance) which cover their own debts to German and French lenders. It looks like a default swap is never going to pay out to the lenders as an insurance policy.

The secret cartel (who pontificated some time back they were more capable of running the world than politicians) trade their Wall street invented derivatives for extremely large profits. They earn huge fees insuring for events they believe will never happen or will never be allowed to happen, such as exposing a sizeable number of European banks to total failure. It is called hostage taking and blackmail to some folks. In short they say don’t rock the boat or we all sink. Hence the face down between lenders and debtors. No wonder the Euro-Core vanguard sense shaky ground. They also face potential meltdown if the mountain of debt is no longer covered by dodgy insurance policies. What is at stake is the vast hoardings of the Secret Bankers, citizens pensions and the collapse of world inter banking activity.

The Cult of Secret Bankers needs to finish. They have had a run for more than 300 yrs, They need to be resisted and the boat allowed to sink. We can rid ourselves of this parasite banking cartel. Build new modern structures. Put citizens welfare before reckless selfishness.

Review: Touchdown for KyteCrash at the Rotterdam Schouwburg

Questions around the acquisition of concert tickets come down to a couple of points for me these days. I suppose the first one, is it worth the price and second, how does one establish the price.    

You see some performers make you want to like them and their music. Take the Kytecrash mighty eight for instance.  You stick a bunch of highly tuned motivated guys together and you get a show you want to see again. Except this was the last concert for the group Kytecrash.  Never to be seen on stage as the Kytecrash mighty eight. Well not exactly.  

What I liked about this concert in the Rotterdam Schouwburg hall was its invitation to a sound which I had only heard on disc some weeks past. The disc was good I have to say but it was better at the hall. Much better. In fact, the experience  established the price.

KyteCrash makes its last trip to Outer Space at the Rotterdam Schouwburg Sept 13th 2011

 Trumpet players Colin Benders and Eric Vloeimans got together with  Jasper van Hulten – drums, Neils Broos and Jeroen Van Vliet on keys Guli Gudmundsson bass, Mathijn den Duijf – Dubmachin and vocalist Pax to perform what I can describe as a transport to exotic destinations courtesy of the music.

What sounded like  keys going through a Wah Wah launched the show. Soon Pax’s polished gravel voice was echoing his technique around the hall. Mysterious injections of unsuspecting rhythms solos, duets and audience participation set the ignition for space trips, galaxy observations and back home to Mexican cantinas and romantic melancholic moments.  

During one massive searing crescendo  I felt the music viewing  our chaotic world, crying out for help and understanding. As Pax said during the show “Let it happen, let it breath.”

So this is the End, my friend the End. Not if I see any of their individual names on a billboard touting an up-coming gig. I will remember these musicians as part of those guys who played the last concert in Rotterdam and are worth a visit to hear again.  Manager Eric Benders at Kytopia commented: “Colin and Eric decided to do a limited amount of shows, no matter how big a success the tour would be…. Of course, some elements of the Kytecrash sound or experience will survive although we can't possibly point out which ones.”

E.U. Crisis: Comedy of the Grotesque stares “Dimension,” The Art of Superstate in the face.

A deepening Federalists’ sickness and its claim of ownership over   “Dimension” the Art of Superstate is becoming sad and comical in the face of reality. It comes  as no surprise their responses compare to basic human behaviour facing imminent death. Denial of destruction is shortly followed by acceptance.

“Dimension” the Art of Supersate, the great project, has a fundamental flaw, it didn’t properly prepare for testing its own beliefs.

Far from leading a continent to some utopian or elysian field  under the catchphrase “United in Diversity”  the Brussels Federalists threaten to unleash poison and resentment back into European society.

Seventy years past, Europe ripped itself apart. Its problem then was follow the leaders. Today Europeans will not blindly accept unsubstantiated political mouthing for “More Europe” just so politicians get let off the hook for their historic failures. But there is still time to prevent this outcome.

Citizens are leaving a Euro-Federalist comedy of the grotesque for the “Confederate Doors of Reality.”  2011

Dialogue is everything. Most citizens listen to reason. No one wants a return to the past. A promised future is our gift to our descendents.

The grassroots hard work to build a United Europe was ignored by the current Brussels bubble in favour of a dictate policy.

 Vote again till you get it right  is no longer an option. Federalist Elites had this chance and they didn’t get it right either.

“Dimension,”  the Art of Superstate may be changing its spots for the coming times ahead. It may be weakened but it is not finished.  It will survive and evolve under a new stronger direction.

National politicians who are the leaders of citizens will resolve this crisis in building stronger pillars on which to expand the European Dimension. Brussels should recognise its Federalist Dream is over for now and Confederate with those who are prepared to work for true European stability and not a paper tiger.

Let Europe breath to provide resolutions to the crisis. Even if this means tearing up the Catchphrase “United in Diversity.”  

E.U. Crisis: The Euro Café with different Views Sees a Federalist Illusion

A view from the Place de Luxembourg café sees a picture

European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso, told the European Parliament in Strasbourg 14 the September 2011.

"We are confronted with the most serious challenge of a generation. This is a fight for the jobs and prosperity of families in all our member states. This is a fight for the economic and political future of Europe. This is a fight for what Europe represents in the world. This is a fight for European integration itself. The whole vision for a united Europe is at stake. “

"Federalism is back, we can talk about federalism again." says Guy Verhofstadt, a former prime minister of Belgium "A European fiscal union, an economic union, a political union, this is what the markets want."

EU President Herman Van Rompuy when asked last week "Is it possible for a member to leave the euro?" Said, "No there isn't. Eurozone isn't a cafe." He is also credited with saying “In the EU we are taking unpopular decisions in an age of populism. We will do what it takes, step by step.” 

Not a distorted vision: Cafe Dusseldorf, Euro citizens view
 Frank Gehry buildings from the Hyatt hotel terrace. 2011

A view from the street café sees a different picture

“The problem lies in the fact that the plan put forward to remedy the Eurozone crisis is designed to protect banks and major financial institutions first and foremost. Not the taxpayers. And this plan is partially funded and fully endorsed by the IMF. What makes it worse is that these economic interventions are often justified in profoundly arrogant ways.” Austerity programme protester Ireland

A view from the BBC economics café offers a reason.

“Right now, Greece's fate hangs in the balance. It has already received what economists called a "haircut". That is a voluntary agreement from its creditors to take 79 cents in the euro and extend the loans for up to 30 years. Ninety per cent have signed up to this.”

“Anything more than that should trigger a credit event allowing those who have insured themselves against losses on Greek debt to start calling in their money. That is what politicians fear will shoot the Greek debt issue like a sabot anti-tank round straight through the hull of the global economy.” Paul Mason Newsnight.

The citizens view is why follow the Federalists now when they can’t provide unity, leadership or vision at this first major problem. “Dimension, The Art of Superstate” may be just an illusion for the moment.

E.U. Crisis: Weg.de: Exit through the Parthenon, Anticipation included for last minute Greek flight.

Speculation is rampant across Europe Greece is about to Exit through the Parthenon.

Officials are making it clear the game is over and the only thing that matters now is saving the rump core vanguard known as The Fang Gang  (Finland, Austria, Netherlands and Germany).

A bitter pill for the Federalists and a clear win for those who see Europe as a Confederacy of Nation states.

The rot set in by allowing Banks to call the shots for their reckless casino playing.  

Now it’s the banks who are about to take a super hit from Greece. A victory for common sense. A well planned retaliatory ambush Or a complete defeat for Europe’s leadership. Citizens confidence in those elected and appointed to steer the ship is almost over.

I'm a German, get me outta here. Eurozone tilts on the brink of a bigger crisis as Greece looks for an Exit through the Parthenon. picture Frankfurt 2011

What we are left with is a setback to European goals. A setback which will claim some scalps but to many they are expendable.

This crisis was perceived by some as an opportunity for more Union. It was presented by Federalists as a chance more Europe can will be forged from any crisis. However the Federalists miscalculated  their ability to control the financial Bond markets, the superguns of money and financial power while underestimating the backlash of an angry  populace.

The real question is will there be an orderly evacuation onto the lifeboats when the Euro ship hits the iceberg.  Can RMS Carpathia be ready this time. There is no reason to doubt the collective ability of those who put reality before ideology.    

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.