As to the larger point about the EU, I've heard that argument many times, and perhaps the best response would be to simply point out that a "free trade zone with benefits", such as the EC was through the 80s, would have accomplished that goal -- and in fact did. People also point out other positive dimensions of the EU, such as consumer protections, environmental policy, or anti-monopoly measures, which are also undeniable. But the EU of today, anno 2022, is absolutely not the EC of the 80s. A silent slow-motion coup has taken place, and a profoundly anti-democratic technocratic supra-state is being erected. Anyone who resists loss of nation-state and popular sovereignty is depicted as a knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing ethno-centric xenophobe, especially by the woke "Left". However, the internal economic contradictions are growing and it's hard to see how this malignant project can last for much longer. So-called rightwing populists like Victor Orbán are probably our only hope.
Jan 8, 2022·edited Jan 8, 2022Liked by Celia Farber
I don't know why people can't come to terms with the FACT that the greatest common denominator of human misery has been government for all of history. History professor? Left, right, liberal, conservative, communist, capitalist?! I don't care what side you're on unless you're on the side of human liberty and freedom.
It's actually pretty easy to see where anyone is at. Do you advocate for more of what has caused human suffering or the minimalization of it?
I live in Amsterdam and was at that protest last Sunday. It was prohibited in advance by our (ugh) Green Party mayor. The police presence was massive. At precisely 1pm, like clockwork, a massive phalanx of riot police, with two water cannon trucks, cleared the park (Museumplein), kettled some protesters, whereupon the ugly but brief skirmishes took place, then, like clockwork, they packed it up and all drove off in their trucks and vans, leaving the huge crowd further in peace. It all had a theatrical quality to it. This isn't to trivialize the police violence, only to emphasize that they were basically just going through the motions. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes...
This has never been about public health, it has always - from the outset - been a cat's paw for the imposition of totalitarian rule. And the governments engaged in it must be overthrown and driven from power, and never again be allowed to get into a position to do anything like this, period.
I wonder what you friend believes now Celia after witnessing the myth of his original perception?
The EU was the formation of the Fourth Reich according to many who had the insight to realize the dangers of an unelected body taking control and removing the sovereinty of it's members.
This is horrifying. And yes, some of us have good common sense and listen to our gut, and end up being way more aware of events than even the most studied History PhDs. They can't apparently see the forest for the trees, or something.
As to the larger point about the EU, I've heard that argument many times, and perhaps the best response would be to simply point out that a "free trade zone with benefits", such as the EC was through the 80s, would have accomplished that goal -- and in fact did. People also point out other positive dimensions of the EU, such as consumer protections, environmental policy, or anti-monopoly measures, which are also undeniable. But the EU of today, anno 2022, is absolutely not the EC of the 80s. A silent slow-motion coup has taken place, and a profoundly anti-democratic technocratic supra-state is being erected. Anyone who resists loss of nation-state and popular sovereignty is depicted as a knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing ethno-centric xenophobe, especially by the woke "Left". However, the internal economic contradictions are growing and it's hard to see how this malignant project can last for much longer. So-called rightwing populists like Victor Orbán are probably our only hope.
I don't know why people can't come to terms with the FACT that the greatest common denominator of human misery has been government for all of history. History professor? Left, right, liberal, conservative, communist, capitalist?! I don't care what side you're on unless you're on the side of human liberty and freedom.
It's actually pretty easy to see where anyone is at. Do you advocate for more of what has caused human suffering or the minimalization of it?
Reminded me of Birmingham, Alabama in May 1963 when dogs were used to attack civil rights protestors.
I live in Amsterdam and was at that protest last Sunday. It was prohibited in advance by our (ugh) Green Party mayor. The police presence was massive. At precisely 1pm, like clockwork, a massive phalanx of riot police, with two water cannon trucks, cleared the park (Museumplein), kettled some protesters, whereupon the ugly but brief skirmishes took place, then, like clockwork, they packed it up and all drove off in their trucks and vans, leaving the huge crowd further in peace. It all had a theatrical quality to it. This isn't to trivialize the police violence, only to emphasize that they were basically just going through the motions. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes...
Those who allow them selves to be propagandized will often learn a hard truth in the end. The EU is a burnt toast just waiting to pop up.
This has never been about public health, it has always - from the outset - been a cat's paw for the imposition of totalitarian rule. And the governments engaged in it must be overthrown and driven from power, and never again be allowed to get into a position to do anything like this, period.
I wonder what you friend believes now Celia after witnessing the myth of his original perception?
The EU was the formation of the Fourth Reich according to many who had the insight to realize the dangers of an unelected body taking control and removing the sovereinty of it's members.
This is horrifying. And yes, some of us have good common sense and listen to our gut, and end up being way more aware of events than even the most studied History PhDs. They can't apparently see the forest for the trees, or something.