For the last 8 years we have complacently reproached the Americans for their shortsighted leadership, unilateralism, economic injustice …. and healthy diet. We can’t do it anymore. We have to leave that comfortable position – i can’t stand he who even dares mention the so- called higher moral ground – to acknowledge they have done it again. Leave behind for a while the viola’, they have taken over everybody else with a jump as they did in ’90 with the new economy. This time in politics: after 17 centuries the West has got a black leader again… and what a black dude. I would even forgive Monica this time. Just a bit of culture: do you remember the old roman empire which stretched from Portugal and Morocco to Germany and Iraq for 1000 years? No probably not but you might have seen a TV show on the subject. Anyway, the first and last black leader was Septimius Severus Roman Emperor between 145 – 211 AD after Christ. He was from Libya.
History is always nice but we must stick to reality. The Roman Empire is gone followed by as many centuries of wars between the former citizens of the empire: the Europeans. After the last one that was really excessive and messed around the rest of the world we realized it was time to stop. The new neighbours helped to realize it was the right time. We built the European Union to find alternatives to the old way to handle internal problems. We have stopped killing each other but we haven’t learn to like each other. We just live together.
Since we don’t have the Americans to blame anymore are we going to resume attacking each other for our shortcomings ? Yes, it’s likely since the Europeans are nostalgic and our policymakers have learnt to exploit this sensitivity to get re-elected. very smart!
on Wednesday I was at Westminster for an event on the European membership of Turkey. Government opinion makers and business leaders were gathered to campaign for their friend’s cause . so noble! Turkey’s membership is the best choice because the country is a large undeveloped market, Europe committed to it, and it’s what we want so it has to be done. An interesting event with Brits, Turkish an no other purpose than telling each other how good and right we are. Nobody doubted that 80 more fellows in the Union with some not irrelevant cultural and social differences is news that the actual citizens might not take to easily. Nobody suspected the decision might not be taken just in London although it’s a unique business opportunity. When i dared raising a doubt stressing that the European membership of Turkey is the most important decision for the future of the European project i caused the embarrassment of all participants. I even claimed the need for leadership if we want to bring Turkey on board and Sarko is the only one who has shown leadership so far. Not the UK at all. Unfortunately, he’s not happy with the project. This was too much for the honorable Brits all decorated with a red poppy like old faggots. The entire panel was shocked and the editor of Europe and the Economist grabbed the spear to the defend the honor of the beloved island accusing me to be sneeky Frenchman. This is the worst insult in the conservative circles. I guess he is persuaded that there are two categories of men: the honest Brits inhabitant of the island, and the dangerous French who populate the rest of the continent threatening liberal democracy, free markets and gentlemen clubs!
Unfortunately we won’t get anywhere until we expel these old farts who have infested all Europe with their 20st century mindset and still like playing with with the French, British and the soldiers of all the others nations. They should be kept inside at all costs.
Freedom across borders and boundaries will be enjoyed by the 21st century generations without these silly old-fashion divisions between countries. I must confess that i can’t stand neither the Brits nor the French. The actually mirror each other. One fond of markets the other one for the state. I don’t believe neither in markets nor in the States. We have tried with both. Now it’s time for change. Actually, I’m a third way guy. third way as third sector, civil society. so, stop grumbling and let’s build civil society across the world. Networkers will do it and Obama will give a hand. Perhaps more than an hand…
Cosa fa VITA?
Da 30 anni VITA è la testata di riferimento dell’innovazione sociale, dell’attivismo civico e del Terzo settore. Siamo un’impresa sociale senza scopo di lucro: raccontiamo storie, promuoviamo campagne, interpelliamo le imprese, la politica e le istituzioni per promuovere i valori dell’interesse generale e del bene comune. Se riusciamo a farlo è grazie a chi decide di sostenerci.