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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Tony Blair, President Of Europe?

It could be so.  It certainly seems as though Blair himself is interested in it.

Speaking in Paris this morning, the former prime minister called for a “strong and united Europe”, adding that members fail to deliver what their citizens want when they act as individual nations.

Blair said: “Europe is not a question of left or right, but a question of the future or the past, or strength or weakness.”

“Terrorism, security, immigration, organised crime, energy, the environment, science, biotechnology and higher education… In all of these areas, and others, we are much stronger and able to deliver what our citizens expect from us as individual nations if we are part of a strong and united Europe.”

The speech, delivered in French to members of the ruling centre-right UMP party, will be seen widely as Blair’s calling card for the new post of President of the European Council.

Blair is no conservative, so from that perspective it’s hard to get terribly excited about this.  But he does understand the threat of Islamic fascism, and he’s been a staunch ally to America over the last several years.  From the American perspective, we could do a lot worse than having a Tony Blair play a prominent role in Europe’s new government.

Comments

Avatar for brenarlo

Rob, I think you miss the larger point… a President of Europe?  That can’t be good for any European.  If you think a bureaucracy for a Homeland Security Dept. is bad… just think what it would be like for an international regional supranational government.

No matter what Blair says… it was HIS England that was taken over by terrorists, Iraq support or not.

brenarlo on January 13, 2008 at 04:43 pm
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If I were European I wouldn’t like the European Union.  Since I’m not European, I don’t care much one way or the other.  That’s their thing, not ours.

Though I wonder why you’re so concerned, Mr. Non-Interventionist.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

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Rob on January 13, 2008 at 04:54 pm
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Isn’t the neo-con philospohy to make sure democracy exists everywhere?  If that’s the case, then neo-cons should be very worried about the European Union.

I’m not concerned. I was just responding to your post.  It is their country… or whatever you want to call it, so, yes, they can do whatever they want.

brenarlo on January 13, 2008 at 05:02 pm
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Isn’t the neo-con philospohy to make sure democracy exists everywhere?  If that’s the case, then neo-cons should be very worried about the European Union.

It seems to me that the EU is still a democracy of sorts.  It’s not what I’d want for America, but you’re stretching reality a bit if you’re expecting me to believe that Europe’s leaders aren’t elected any more.

I don’t know much about being a neo-con, but I know I support the aspirations of free people anyway.  Which means that, unlike people like Ron Paul, I cared about the people being oppressed by Saddam Hussein.  But I don’t especially get my panties in a twist when the people of Europe choose to vote away their sovereignty to some international union.

Of course, if that were a movement afoot in America, I would be very concerned.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on January 13, 2008 at 05:07 pm

The E.U. is nothing but an economic monopoly that’s doomed to fail, in my opinion.

The statement “No matter what Blair says… it was HIS England that was taken over by terrorists, Iraq support or not.” contains more holes than a vegetable strainer.  Their immigration policy existed prior to Blair, however, for some, he’s to blame for his predecessors mistakes due to the problems occurring during his term in office. Much like those of like mind blame Bush for 9/11 even though Bush only held office for 9 months and had yet to establish policy prior to the event.


"we should select our leaders on principle first, electability second.”

A young man whose wisdom far exceeds his years

Spartacus on January 13, 2008 at 05:09 pm
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Spartacus, I agree that it was an overstatement to suggest that Blair had a lot to do with England’s immigration policies.  But he certainly didn’t do anything to stem it or help it.  He just kept on giving the English the same PC crap that seems to be the rage in Europe.  You’re also kidding yourself if you think the EU is only economic.  That’s how it started, but it is definitely a political union.  They have their own legal system for crying out loud.

Rob, democracies are more than voting.  Not to nit-pick, but the head of the EU Commission is the head of the rotating country, which means the head of the council is subject to time not to voting.

I agree with you that Europe is still a democracy, but the path they’re headed down is worrisome.  And, I don’t want to open a can of worms, and keep in mind that I was in favor of going into Iraq, BUT, weren’t we once teammates with Saddam? 

I don’t really care one way or another whether Europe keeps giving up their democracy, but they are headed down an undemocratic path.

brenarlo on January 13, 2008 at 05:24 pm

Not sure of the terminology, but the EU has a “President”. The office is filled on a rotating basis, from one country to the next through some sort of electoral process within the EU Parliament. The seat changed not long ago.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on January 13, 2008 at 06:41 pm
Avatar for James D. Burke

A Tony Blair presidency of Europe would have immediate cosmic implications.  Put on your thinking cap and answer the questions: Where is the world heading? How does the “Global Ecnomy” fit in with th EU and the North American Union. Why is China’s GNP soaring and ours flagging? Yes, there are cosmic implicatons tied with a Tony Blair EU presidency.

James D. Burke on March 10, 2008 at 06:32 pm
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