Faux Pas

For John, BLUF:  Turkey sometimes wants to be part of Europe, and sometimes not.  Its great city of Istambul is in Europe, as is Turkish Thrace.  But, much of it is in Asia, including its Capitol, Ankara.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Two presidents visited Turkey. Only the man was offered a chair

From The Boston Globe, by New York Times Reporters Matina Stevis-Gridneff and Carlotta Gall, 7 April 2021, 5:25 PM.

Here is the lede plus two:

If diplomacy is part theater, acted out on meticulously crafted sets, then a protocol blunder this week turned a top-level visit by European Union leaders to Turkey into high drama.

Whether by design or by oversight, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, was left awkwardly standing as her colleague Charles Michel, the president of the council representing the bloc’s 27 members, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey took the only two available seats between the EU and Turkish flags.

“Uhm …” von der Leyen was heard saying in a video as she stood, lingering, in the grand room in the Turkish presidential palace Tuesday while Michel and Erdogan settled in their gilded seats, perfectly centered for a photo op.

To be clear, this was in Ankara, Turkey, not Brussels, Belgium.

The article goes on to explain that Turkey is looking to revive its bid to join the European Union, something which had once been a slow journey forever, slowed, wrongly, by the Europeans early on, when Turkey becoming part or the European Union might have made a difference.  But, no, the members weren't having it.♠  Now we see a more autocratic Turkey, again pushing for entry to the EU.

I used to be supportive, but now I am one of those hesitating.

Keep in mind that current Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, quipped, while Mayor of Istanbul, “Democracy is like a tram.  You ride it until you arrive at your destination, then you step off.”

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  For one thing, European folks hadn't gotten over 1453 AD and the fall of Constantinople, or the more recent Treaty of Lausanne, on 24 July 1923, which resulted in a population exchange, or the turmoil in the Balkins.

The Brits and the EU Cut a Deal

For John, BLUF:  The report is an overly long Brexit agreement with the European Union, but the guarantees of sovereignty are in there.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The small print of Boris’s Brexit deal makes for reassuring reading

From The Spectator, by barrister Steven Barrett, 27 December 2020.

Here is the lede plus three:

The new UK/EU Treaty is needlessly long and turgid in its prose:  this document was not drafted by people who think the law should be understood by all.  Close inspection of the small print reveals that none of the details undermine sovereignty.  It has been restored and the UK has the power to control its own laws.

To understand what’s happened, consider the last two big treaties.  Under the Maastricht Treaty the EU’s ability to control UK law was extended on what came before but was confined to specific areas only. That was called 'spheres of competence'.  The 2007 Lisbon Treaty vastly expanded the EU’s power and the idea of restricting EU writ to areas of its competence fell away.  Marina Wheeler has written in The Spectator about the Lisbon power grab and its huge implications:  it’s worth re-reading for a sense of what Lord Frost was up against.  And what he has successfully uprooted.

The Brexit deal takes things back to where they were before Maastricht.  The EU is limited now in any meddling to very specific areas indeed.  It ends the oddity where because circa seven per cent of UK business trade with the EU, 100 per cent have their laws made by the EU (although that is a bit more blurred in supply chains).

In the small print of the deal, the remnants of failed EU attempts to fetter British sovereignty can be seen.  Consider the ‘precautionary approach’.  This slides in via footnote 49, disguising itself in footnote 52.  But by the time it gets in as actual law (article 1.2 page 179) it’s clear that it has lost the battle; its words have no force. British negotiators seem to have seen to that.  As long as one side has a plausible scientific argument, it may do as it likes.  There are other failed EU power grabs in the text, none carrying force.

This is good news.  I am happy to see Britain free from the Brussels Bureaucracy that runs the European Union.  Power to the People.

Maybe now the Brits will be more sympathetic to the Anglo-Phone People in Cameroon.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Italy Fails to Cope

For John, BLUF:  Italy is showing what happens when you have weak health care and then you get a pandemic.  The example floating around is if the virus victims doubles daily, seven days before it hits 100%, it is less than 1%.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Elderly Will Be Denied Intensive Care as Coronavirus Overwhelms Italy's National Health System, Experts Warn

From PJ Media, by Reporter Paula Bolyard, 12 March 2020.

Here is the lede plus three:

Health officials in Italy have issued guidelines for rationing care as hospitals there struggle to keep up with the surge of patients infected with the coronavirus.  Doctors are being told that they'll likely need to deny care to senior citizens and those with other health conditions as the virus explodes across the nation.

Italy has been rocked by the still not-well-understood COVID-29 (sic), with more than 1,200 confirmed cases and 827 deaths—second only to China—and 16 million residents currently under quarantine.

An article published by the Italian College of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (translated here by Yascha Mounk) warns that "It may be necessary to establish criteria of access to intensive care not just on the basis of clinical appropriateness but inspired by the most consensual criteria regarding distributive justice and the appropriate allocation of limited health resources."  The report goes on to recommend rationing care to certain populations.

Rationing health care is nothing new in Italy and in fact has become an "established trend" in recent years amid an ongoing economic crisis that has strained government resources, including the government-run healthcare system.

I am guessing Italy is not one of those European nations Senator Bernie Sanders looks up to as an example of universal medical care.

Pr Reporter Tim Pearce, at The Washington Examiner, ‘Not a single EU country’ responded to Italian plea for help with coronavirus.  I hope President Trump is aware of this and doing something to help Italy, so they know WE haven't forgotten them.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Let us hope things turn the corner on this, and soon.  Regards  —  Cliff

Brexit Alive

For John, BLUF:  Brexit, which has been counted down and out several times, and which opponents try to frustrate at every turn, seems to be creeping ahead.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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PUNDITS WERE CERTAIN BORIS WOULDN’T GET A RENEGOTIATION

From Order Order, the blog of Guido Fawkes, 11 October 2019.

Here is the lede:

The state of Brexit negotiations still remains unclear, with only slivers of information leaking to the press, however what does now look certain is Boris has forced the EU to prise open the Withdrawal Agreement and renegotiate – the precise thing we were told by the anti-Brexit punditry and MPs was under no circumstances going to happy.  That was just a Boris fantasy.  Guido thought it appropriate to revisit some of these cracking and emphatic predictions from this country’s top Europe pundits:

And, if you go to Guido's Blog you can see his examples.

Interestingly, this 11th of October is the Anniversary of the Ordinances of 1311, which built on the Magna Carta. The Ordinances of 1311 were eventually overturned some 11 years later.  However, they were an important step toward the idea of a limited monarchy and the rise of the House of Commons.

One of the things that might be helping The Honorable Boris Johnson (BoJo), the British Prime Minister, in his fight with the European Union is his threat to fight from inside the EU, upsetting the current applecart.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Delaying the Inevitable?

For John, BLUF:  The British voted to leave the European Union and the British Elites can't stand it.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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MPs 'checked with EU chiefs over Brexit delay' before passing bill

Here is the sub-headline:

MPs prepare for legal battle in case PM attempts to defy law forcing him to ask for extension

From The Manchester Guardian, by Mr Michael Savage—no, not that Michael Savage—7 September 2019.

Here is the lede plus one:

Senior MPs opposing a no-deal Brexit sought assurances from the EU that their bid for a three-month delay would be granted, it has emerged.

European leaders were sounded out before MPs, including the “rebel alliance”, passed a bill, which is expected to receive royal assent on Monday, forcing Boris Johnson to ask for an extension.  However, those involved said there were no guarantees in a process that was changing by the day.

It comes as the rebels, including former Tories who have been thrown out of the party, prepare for a legal battle in case the prime minister attempts to defy a law forcing him to ask for an extension on 19 October.  The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October, but the new law would envisage a Brexit extension until the end of January 2020.

Opposition parties have agreed to block a general election before a Brexit extension has been agreed.

I especially like the fourth paragraph, where the British Elites, the Remainers, pledge themselves to NOT seeking the will of the people through a national election.  Think of Climate Change and how the Elites of the Democratic Party want you to stop eating cheese burgers and using plastic straws, not through persuasion, but by force.  It’s for your own good.

As Writer Bertolt Brecht wrote of the East German uprising of 1953:

After the uprising of the 17th of June
The Secretary of the Writers Union
Had leaflets distributed in the Stalinallee
Stating that the people
Had forfeited the confidence of the government
And could win it back only By redoubled efforts.

Would it not be easier
In that case for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?

It will be interesting to see how BoJo deals with this problem.  He can't dissolve Parliament, but he can send them home, so they do no more mischief.

It does seem a tad disloyal for Members of Parliament to be negotiating with the EU Elites in Brussels in their fight with the Prime Minister.  And careless to let their disloyal actions leak.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

British PM Next Step

For John, BLUF:  The People voted to leave, but the elites are afraid, so a number of weak kneed Conservative turned on Brexit and hung the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, esq, out to dry.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The Prime Minister’s Next Ace

From The New Reform Club, by Mr Seth Barrett Tillman, 7 September 2019.

Here is the lede plus one:

The Benn-Burt Bill goes back to the Commons on Monday morning, where it is expected to be finalized and then receive royal assent—and so become a statute.

Can the Prime Minister (“PM”) stop that process?  Yes, as a formal, legal matter nothing stops the PM from asking the Queen to prorogue Parliament on Monday morning.  It could be a short prorogation—one day.  That would kill the bill, even if it was on its way to receive royal assent.  And if the Commons restarts the process by passing Benn-Burt-Bill-#2 the next day it sits—absent amendments making the bill palatable to the government—the PM can prorogue again, and again, and again.

This is no time for the PM, BoJo, to go weak kneed.  If he does it is all over for him.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

European Economic Success and Failure

For John, BLUF:  Not everything in Europe is perfect.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A European atlas of economic success and failure

Here is the sub-headline:

Economic growth was diverse across EU regions, yet it is crucial to control for region-specific factors in assessing growth performance.  We find that there are rather successful regions in many EU countries, suggesting that the EU can provide a good framework for growth.  Yet the worst performers are more concentrated in some countries, suggesting that country-specific factors can play a major role in regional development.

From Bruegel, by Zsolt Daria’s, Jan Mazza and Catarina Midoes, 3 June 2019.

Here is the lede:

Economic growth has been markedly different across EU regions. The fastest-growing regions of the EU between 2003 and 2015 were in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia the three Baltic countries and in the southern part of Ireland (Map 1).  On the other end, Greece experienced a particularly dramatic recession, while most regions of Italy and many regions in France, Spain and the United Kingdom are also among the slowest growing regions.

Europe is uneven in economic growth and Brussels isn't fixing the problems.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Brexit Moving Forward

For John, BLUF:  Some see the value in big, inclusive, government.  Others want decision making closer to them, made by people they know or they know someone who knows the decision makers.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Boris Set To End Supremacy of EU Law in Days

Here is the sub-headline:

Boris's "Totemic" Exit Plan

From Order-Order, by Guido Fawkes, 17 August 2019.

Here is the lede:

Boris has directed Stephen Barclay to sign the official order to end EU law’s supremacy in Britain, a move that Steve Baker described to The Times as “absolutely totemic”, proving Boris is “willing to leave on a fixed date with no question of extension.  It’s the do-or-die pledge in black and white”.  Just one of the many jobs May never got round to doing…

Eventually a majority of people will believe Britain is actually leaving.

Hat tip to Order-Order.

Regards  —  Cliff

Brexit Update

For John, BLUF:  Brexit is about local communities and customs, as opposed to a homogenized European Union, dominated by bureaucrats.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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BRUSSELS TRIES TO TALK TOUGH ON NO DEAL

Here is the sub-headline:

EU STARTING TO REALIZE BORIS IS SERIOUS

From Order Order, by Guido Fawkes, 10 August 2019.

Here is the lede plus two:

Parts of the EU are slowly coming to the realisation that the UK is serious about No Deal – the Telegraph carries the headline “Brussels expects no deal” while the Guardian has “PM intent on hard Brexit and has no desire to renegotiate, EU told.”  The EU’s previous calculations have centred around the assumption that Parliament will be able to block no deal, and failing that the UK Prime Minister will back down anyway.  They are gradually waking up to the fact that this is no longer the case…

EU officials are now putting out spikey quotes including:  “It was clear UK does not have another plan.  No intention to negotiate, which would require a plan.  A no deal now appears to be the UK government’s central scenario.”  This is not accurate, Boris has made clear he will negotiate if the EU drops the backstop.  Evidently EU officials have forgotten that “negotiating” does not consist exclusively of grovelling for concessions at Barnier’s door like May did…

However, the memo doesn’t appear to have reached as far as stagnating Germany yet, according to Bloomberg German officialsuled are still banking on Parliament blocking No Deal, even as Remainers start to grasp at increasingly desperate schemes.  As the CBI of all people warned last week, the EU is actually less prepared than the UK, while Ireland is continuing to get increasingly jittery.  The EU is finally starting to take its cues from what the Prime Minister says, not Dominic Grieve’s wet dreams…

Brexit was originally scheduled for 29 March 2019, but was subsequently extended to 31 October 2019, to allow further negotiations.♠

The terminology can be a bit confusing.  Here is Wikipedia's explanations.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Although one could argue it was to give the Anti-Brexit folks time to hurl back the Luddites advocating Brexit.

Two Visions of Europe

For John, BLUF:  The trouble with Britain is not the only trouble the European Union faces.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A feud between France and Italy sums up the deep rift over Europe

From Quartz, by Professor Simon Toubeau, 12 February 2019.

Here is the lede plus six:

France and Italy are in a diplomatic crisis, provoked by a recent meeting between Italy’s deputy prime minister, Luigi Di Maio, and representatives of the French Gilets Jaunes protest movement.

Di Maio has expressed his support for the Gilets Jaunes as they prepare to stand candidates in the European Parliament elections this year.  This has caused so much trouble for the French president, Emmanuel Macron, that the French government has pulled its ambassador out of Rome, accusing the Italian government of making verbal attacks “without precedent since World War II.”

Di Maio’s gesture was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  Tensions between the two governments—over corporate takeovers, policy towards Libya, and an exhibition Leonardo Da Vinci’s works—have been mounting since a new populist “government of change” came to power in Italy last June.  This latest conflict has soured relations to an unprecedented point.  It’s difficult to see how they can improve in the near term.

It is exceptional for two of the founding members of the European Union to have such an open conflict.  But it is also exceptional for Italy to have a government that is so openly hostile to the EU.  This reveals that behind this crisis lies a deeper rift over Europe.

Macron’s La Republique En Marche movement is a newcomer on the French political scene, but it nevertheless represents the mainstream, pro-European liberal center.  Macron poached people from across the moderate left and right to form his new government.  In France, the forces of the populist left (the France Insoumise movement) and right (the far-right party Rassemblement National) are in opposition.  But in Italy, the equivalent forces—the Five Star movement and the League—are in government.  There, it is the mainstream pro-European center that is in opposition.

So the French and Italian governments now have very different visions for the EU.  Macron has ambitions for deeper cooperation in foreign, military, and economic affairs.  In contrast, the League and the Five Star movement have been aligning themselves with fellow populist governments in Austria, Poland, and Hungary, all of which are either promoting eurosceptic views or are in open conflict with Brussels.

These two parvenus governments need to give some credibility to their contrasting visions because elections to the European Parliament are now in sight.

My sense is that the author favors France in this fracas.  The is, sadly, putting one's head in the sand.  Pundits are still learning the wrong lessons from Mr Donald Trump, and others.  Mr Trump represents a shift in the thinking of the People.  The same thing is going on in Europe.  Not everyone, but enough to change election outcomes.

Regards  —  Cliff

Mass Migration Sanctioned?

For John, BLUF:  If you can't control your borders you can't retain your nation.  Just ask Native Americans.  What they did to those before them the Europeans did to them.  Just think about Space Invaders coming here to colonize this planet.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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PC GONE MAD: Criticising migration could become CRIMINAL offence under new plan

Here is the sub-headline:

A LEADING MEP has warned EU citizens they could be “jailed” for criticising migration policies if a new United Nations agreement is acted upon.

MEP is Member of the European Parliament.

From Express (UK), by Reporter Thomas Hunt, 1 December 2018.

Here is the lede plus five:

The United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration seeks to make immigration a universal human right.  MEP Marcel de Graaff said:  “I would like to say some words on the global compact on migration.  On the 10th and 11th of December there will be an international congress in Marrakesh Morocco.  The participating countries are set to sign this agreement and although this joint agreement is not binding it is still meant to be the legal framework on which the participating countries commit themselves to build new legislation.

“One basic element of this new agreement is the extension of the definition of hate speech.

“The agreement wants to criminalise migration speech.  Criticism of migration will become a criminal offence.

“Media outlets that give room to criticism of migration can be shut down.

“The compact for migration is legalisation of mass migration.

“It is declaring migration as a human right so it will, in effect, become impossible to criticise Mrs Merkel’s welcome migrants politics without being at risk of being jailed for hate speech.”

The United States has withdrawn from the United Nations efforts, thus safeguarding the right of Native Americans (First Nation in Canada) to criticize Europeans and Asians) for mass migration to their territories.

On the other hand, this is about Europe, where free speech is nearing extinction.

Hat tip to the Drudge Report.

Regards  —  Cliff

Wanting to Breath Free

For John, BLUF:  The Brits have found, once again, that the Continent is not a place that values individual freedom.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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May challenges EU as Brexit talks hit 'impasse', sterling tumbles

"Sterling" is the nickname for the British currency, the British Pound note.

From Reuters, by Reporters Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew MacAskill, 21 September 2018.

Here is the lede plus three:

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Friday that Brexit talks with the European Union had hit an impasse, defiantly challenging the bloc to come up with its own plans a day after EU leaders savaged her proposals.

At a summit in Austria on Thursday, EU leaders rejected May’s “Chequers” plan, saying she needed to give ground on trade and customs arrangements for the UK border with Ireland.

The British media said the response had left her proposals in tatters, and May angrily struck back in a televised address from her Downing Street office, saying neither side should expect the impossible from the other.

“Throughout this process, I have treated the EU with nothing but respect,” May said.  “The UK expects the same. A good relationship at the end of this process depends on it.”

The last paragraph of the article is the best:

“The referendum was the largest democratic exercise this country has ever undergone,” said May, who has repeatedly ruled out a second vote following the original 2016 referendum.  “To deny its legitimacy or frustrate its result threatens public trust in our democracy.”

SHACK!

On the nose!

People calling for a "second" vote are the clueless cousins of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.  Remember his line?

Democracy is like a streetcar.  When you come to your stop, you get off.

We, here in these United States, need to get around this by leaving as much as we can to the individual states.  Then, if you don't like the laws in Massachusetts, or Montana, you can move to another state.  People not all being alike, it is good to leave room for variability.  And for the fabled Rights of Englishmen.

Hat tip to the Drudge Report.

Regards  —  Cliff

Hungary Goes Against Free Immigration

For John, BLUF:  I don't think this has predictive value here in the US, but I am sure it gives the progressives in Europe, the bien pensant, the jitters.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Wins Fourth Term

Here is the sub-headline:

Some opposition leaders criticized the results, saying the election was unfair

From The Wall Street Journal, by Reporters Drew Hinshaw and Anita Komuves, 8 April 2018.

(The article may be behind a paywall.)

Here is the lede plus one:

BUDAPEST—Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a leading figure for Europe's nationalist right, won a fourth term on Sunday, prevailing on an anti-immigration message to carry his country's biggest turnout election in years.

With 93% of votes counted, Mr. Orban's Fidesz party looked likely to win 133 seats in his 199 seat parliament, Hungary's election office said, just enough to rewrite the country's constitution—removing the few constraints on Mr. Orban's growing power here.  At least 68% of the country's eligible voters showed up, many still lined up for hours after polls closed at 7 p.m., and the election was likely to see the post-Communist state's highest turnout since 1994, when the right to vote was still young here.

The issues in the election were stark, each of them galvanizing millions of people to endure lines that surpassed a kilometer in some districts.  On the one side, Mr. Orban pounded away at a promise to keep out immigrants—especially Muslims—pointing to the 2015 barbed wire fence he erected across roughly 100 miles of Hungary's southern border.

Voters on the other side said they were tired of a leader who will have governed Hungary for half of its post-Communist history when he finishes his next four-year-term—one who is accused by the European Union and the U.S. State Department of becoming increasingly autocratic.  Local opposition also hammered Mr. Orban with corruption allegations that ultimately failed to discourage his base from turning out.

Apparently it isn't just the United States where voters are not all that keen on rampant immigration  Germany may like it, but not Hungary.

Here is a hopeful sign, perhaps a trend that might be adopted here:

Instead he won by such a resounding margin that the entire leadership of the socially liberal Together party resigned on live television, as did the head of the socialist party.  The nationalist Jobbik party's chairman Gábor Vona told reporters he refused to congratulate the winner—then he resigned, too.

Oh well, at least I can hope.  And, there is no promise that after resignation they will actually go away, although DNC Chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz seems to have gone away, although her IT folks do keep popping up in the news.

Regards  —  Cliff

Italian Elections In Less Than Two Months

For John, BLUF:  Sure, we can see it as comic opera, but it could be very important for the future of Europe.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Why Europe will be closely watching Italy’s election

This is from the Canadian paper The Globe and Mail, by Reporter Eric Reguly, 12 January 2018.

Here is the lede:

Fans of wild and nasty election campaigns will enjoy the spectacle of Italians going to the polls on March 4.  The wide-open election could see the comeback of Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister whose outlandish mix of politics and "bunga bunga" partying almost landed him in prison.  The other outcome is the election of the populist, anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), led by firebrand comedian Beppe Grillo.  This week, with voters in mind, each party has been fine-tuning its position on Italy's place in the European Union and whether to use the euro.  Mr. Grillo is dialling down his euro skepticism and Mr. Berlusconi is embracing the EU, the opposite of their previous stances.  Entertainment value aside, all European eyes are on the Italian election, the continent's biggie for 2018.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Strangling the Future

For John, BLUF:  The ability to innovate is critical to economic growth and increased services for customers.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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In a big loss for Uber, European Union court says it must follow taxi company rules

From The Old Gray Lady, and Ms Liz Alderman, via The Boston Globe, 20 December 2017.

The lede:

NEW YORK — The European Union’s highest court on Wednesday declared that Uber is a transportation business, not just a technology platform that connects drivers and riders.

The ruling, a significant setback for a company that’s grappling with a string of scandals, will force Uber to comply with the bloc’s transportation rules.  It is also likely to restrict the company from expanding services that allowed nonprofessional drivers to offer rides to clients.

While the ruling focused on these so-called peer-to-peer operations, it will most likely be scrutinized by regulators looking more broadly at the so-called gig economy, a growing part of the workforce, in which people operate as freelancers or on short-term contracts, as opposed to holding permanent jobs.

Policy makers around the globe have been struggling with how to frame rules for a new style of employment as rapidly shifting business models outpace regulations that for decades were formulated around traditional 9-to-5 jobs.  Legislation in many countries has not kept up with the trend toward atypical work arrangements that companies use to cut costs.

Trying to force new businesses into the forms of the past is really just feather bedding, and is bad, in the long run, for both citizens and governments.

Regards  —  Cliff

"Merkel-Dämmerung"

For John, BLUF:  The question in the subject is "twilight for Chanellor Merkel of German?.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The slipping crown of Angela Merkel

The sub-heading:

Ask a European about strong and stable leadership and, up until this week, they'd have pointed the finger at Germany.

Ms Katya Adler is the Europe editor for The Beeb and her article is dated 22 November 2017.

The lede plus three:

A country proud of its post-war record of political stability and careful consensus-building.

Until, that is, Angela Merkel won the dubious honour of becoming the first German Chancellor since World War Two to fail to form a government.

"What next, Germany?" is the favourite screaming front page headline of the moment here; the question ricocheting across the country from the federal parliament to queues at local bus stops and on endless TV chat shows.

Germans have been rubbing their eyes, still not quite able to believe that their normally staid mainstream politicians may now be hurtling towards an unruly, unexpected snap election.

This doesn't raise much dust in the US, but it could have major consequences in Europe and thus for the UK and the US.

Hat tip to El Supremo.

Regards  —  Cliff

EU Struggles in Brexit Negotiations

For John, BLUF:  This could ripple through to jobs in the US.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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EUROPEANS PUSHING BARNIER FOR MORE SENSIBLE STANCE

That would be 66 year old French politician Michel Bernard Barnier, who is the European Union Chief Negotiator for Brexit.

I ripped this off from Guido Fawkes at the Blog Site Order-Order.♠

Two interesting quotes on Newsnight suggesting that at least some Europeans are pushing Barnier and the Commission to take a more reasonable negotiating stance.  Geert Bourgeois, the head of the Flemish government, stressed the need for trade talks:  “I’ve met twice Barnier.  I brought him to Zeebrugge.  45% of the trade of the export from Zeebrugge is to the United Kingdom, so that’s why I do my best to influence all the people, the ambassadors of the surrounding countries, to work together”.  Xavier Bertrand, the influential French politician who runs the Hauts-de-France region, says Brussels’ tone should change:

“I know one thing for sure – nobody has the right to punish the UK and the British people.  It was a sovereign choice… punishing and looking to punish is a terrible mistake.  It would be a bad message to send.  It was the will of the people who voted, regardless of the consequences.  It would give rise to the feeling that there’s something with more power than the will of the people, or wanting to go against the will of the people. That would be a terrible error.”

The suggestion in today’s papers is that May’s speech will aim to go over the head of Barnier and appeal to the EU27 to break the deadlock.  Clearly it is in the interests of EU politicians like the two above to do that.

You say, so what.  The so what is that a too arrogant approach on the part of the European Union toward Brexit would mean a disruption of trade, with resulting reductions in jobs and wages in both the EU and the UK.

Selfishly, I hope it means that the US capitalizes on this EU faux pas and develops stronger relations with the United Kingdom.

Hat tip to Order-Order.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  When the Speaker of the House of Commons wishes to bring order back to an unruly house she or he says "Order, Order".  The best in my living memory was The Right Honourable Betty Boothroyd, MP for West Bromwich West

Government Employees as Fifth Estate

For John, BLUF:  Should Government Employees get a veto?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Federal employees step up defiance of Trump

From The Hill, by Reporter Deven Henry, 5 August 2017.

The lede plus five:

Government employees are growing increasingly willing to criticize or defy the White House and President Trump’s top appointees.

A handful of current and former career staffers in the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have openly shredded their superiors within the last several weeks, continuing a trend that has developed throughout the government over the course of aTrump’s tenure in the Oval Office.

The growing opposition in the executive branch comes as the White House’s legislative agenda has stalled in Congress and Trump turns to his Cabinet agencies to change course in several policy areas.  It also is emanating from career staffers or political holdovers whose resistance to Trump has, at times, been rooted in deep opposition to the president’s agenda.

“From our point of view, it’s kind of obvious,” said Jeff Ruch, the executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), when asked about staffers’ growing pushback.

“You have Donald Trump, who ran and said he would drain the swamp, meaning them.”

Trump’s allies have often cast the president as the victim of the “deep state,” an entrenched liberal bureaucracy bent on damaging his agenda through leaks and resistance.

Hat tip to the Drudge Report.

Regards  —  Cliff

Forget Putin, Juncker is the Threat

For John, BLUF:  What did he expect?  They are our political and economic cousins.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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EU could BREAK UP the US: Juncker in jaw-dropping threat to Trump over support for Brexit

Here is the sub-headline:

EUROPEAN Union boss Jean-Claude Juncker this afternoon issued a jaw-dropping threat to the United States, saying he could campaign to break up the country in revenge for Donald Trump’s supportive comments about Brexit.

How could the Democrats, Senator Schumer, Minority Leader Pelosi, gadfly Senator Warren not have seen this coming?  Is Rep Seth Moulton outraged?  What about Rep Niki Tsongas and our junior Senator, whatever his name is?♠

I am looking forward to reading Reporter Joshua Miller's "Political Happy Hour" report for tonight, to hear if any of our local politicians have grasped the seriousness of this situation, the threat to our democracy and to our unity.♥

Forget Russian President Vladimir Putin.  European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is the real threat, and he is no friend of President Trump.

The linked article appeared in the Daily Express, out of London.  The Reporter, their Brussels Correspondent, is Mr Nick Gutteridge.  The dateline is today.

Here is the lede plus one:

In an extraordinary speech the EU Commission president said he would push for Ohio and Texas to split from the rest of America if the Republican president does not change his tune and become more supportive of the EU.

The remarks are diplomatic dynamite at a time when relations between Washington and Brussels are already strained over Europe’s meagre contributions to NATO and the US leader’s open preference for dealing with national governments.

On the other hand, maybe our Congressional Delegation doesn't care about Ohio and Texas.

Hat tip to the Drudge Report.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  I looked it up.  Senator Ed Markey.
♥  You too can subscribe to Josh's daily insights.  Send them an EMail

Britain to Declare Wednesday a Week

For John, BLUF:  A move for freedom.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Theresa May Will Trigger Article 50 On March 29, Starting Brexit Process

That would be Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.  The get out of jail card of the European Union.

The source is Mr Tyler Durden, writing for Zero Hedge.

It appears that the long-awaited Article 50 trigger, officially beginning the Brexit process, will take place next Wednesday, March 29, because moments ago a Theresa May spokesman confirmed a report in the UK's CityAM, reporting that Article 50 will be triggered next Wednesday.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has been taking her time, methodically working through the wickets to get to this point, dotting her "eyes" and crossing her "tees".  She has done a good job so far.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff