| crescentx |
07-09-2003 07:28 PM |
OK, no one is allowed to smoke anything illegal (in the US at least) here.
US population : around 290 million
EU population : around 490 million (before the new countries go into effect)
You probably think the whole EU concept is some evil plot...well in part you're right though I don't think it's evil. No way can the international community work with just one major power. The European Union realizes that their *economic bloc* has a potentially significant advantage over the US given the population base (despite the rather unfortunate comments by Berlusconi, which underscores the divisions among Europeans about the EU).
The EU is viewed by many citizens - especially those in poorer countries or former eastern europe in my visit there - is a bad thing. Nevertheless, the impetus of the EU seems to be to create a second superpower to balance out US geopolitics. In Spiegel (major German magazine) I saw a comparison of the EU to the US. What freaked me out was there was a *military* comparison.
If this aspect is even on the minds of a few, it means to me that the US had better straighten up somewhat or risk real isolation at a tremendous cost - economically speaking, without trade, this country will fall apart. Unlike the federal government, the EU is very loosely organized and its rules are more organic and formative than a federal law, which means in the end they can potentially be much more powerful than the US in all arenas.
It's time for the powers that be in the US to apologize for their arrogance in the Iraq War, Kyoto, etc - the very fact they're now thrilled about Polish troops - no offense, they are a minor power - joining in the occupation - is sad because obviously their traditional allies with major muscle are no longer interested in being involved in a war based on..."dodgy" to quote BBC facts.
The big question is, how is it possible given the entire world - even unfriendly countries - gave us huge amounts of sympathy following 9/11, and now our friends are few and far between. The US was a great country. It can be great again. But when Mandela arranges his schedule to leave the country during Bush's visit, that says alot. In 2003 no country can operate on its own economically...
-doug
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