Greece was never known for it efficiency nor stringent government. Like Italy it was always a bit chaotic country of the EU.

But the Greek political class (left and right) has seriously fucked up the countries financial situation – and now threatens the stability of the EURO zone. They even manipulated their financial data back to join the Euro in the first place.

But Greece is not alone with it monetary dilemma: Spain, Portugal and Ireland have blown their finances as well.

The Maastricht Treaty was supposed to protect the Euro against such blunders, but many countries didn’t follow it’s guidelines – including Germany.

It once again shows that politicians love to spend money and they don’t care about the consequences. All the budget deficits were mostly a result of overspending and stupid national budgets.

We need better and different checks and balances to make run the national budgets.

Politicians can’t control politicians.

Even when civil servants from the Treasury, the media and experts ring the alarm bells they are constantly ignored by the politicians …

Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland and Luxemburg want to create a massive new electricity grid in the North Sea.

This grid will collect and share the electricity generated by tidal power station and wind mills.

The 30-Billion-Euro is projected to run over the next 20 years – but it could be a great game changer!

On the 24th of December 1979 the first Ariane rocket took off from the French Guyane Space Centre.

It is one of the greatest space programs so far with a 190 successful launches and only 9 failures.

Yes, Europe can tackle big projects and be a top player in high tech.

Let’s hope that the Brits (who finally get their own Space Agency just recently to replace the old one) rejoin Ariane soon.

We Europeans prefer our politicians weak and not as dashing as the Americans. Oke, Berlusconi is an exception …

But Herman Van Rompuy is a terrible and also fitting manifestation of Europe’s state: old, stiff and without a vision. Just a petty compromise, not a bold direction or force to drive us forward.

He will be a mediator and traffic warden for Brussels.

I don’t like Tony Blair – but at least he stands for something (you can oppose).

Plus our new President is against Turkey joining the EU, which I consider not very visionary.

From Wikipedia:

In 2004, he stated "An enlargement [of the EU] with Turkey is not in any way comparable with previous enlargement waves. Turkey is not Europe and will never be Europe." He continued "But it’s a matter of fact that the universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also the fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey."

His words are once again painfully true –and complements my recent rant on Europe not defending it’s own values.

There was a big public outrage when the British BNP won two seats in the European Parliament in the last election.

The "good" British Public tried to ignore the "problem", but yesterday the BBC had invited the Parties Leader Nick Griffin on Question Time.

Question Time is a big institution in Britain – it’s a long running public forum, where voters and officials can debate and discuss issues.

Many people were angry at the BBC, because they think the Beep gives the BNP a big stage to spew it’s poison.

Obviously this edition of Question Time turned out to be a one sided bashing affair – Nick Griffin had to take a lot of criticism, mostly he had to eat his own words …

It is easy to "beat up" that right wing nutter and his whites-only-party.

But the sad reality is that Britain had racial tensions brewing for a long time. The recent population explosion (the biggest in the UK’s history) is mostly down to mostly "brown" immigrants having way more babies than Brits.

There also another factor: since most European societies are also aging rapidly it is becoming more conservative and protective. Suddenly grey Europeans see only "brown" people having babies – and it’s true: the Muslims / Immigrants birth rate is much higher than the "native" European one.

First of all this is a statistic reality. In same city areas there are more brown, than white people. Especially in harsh economic times this aggravates many people. This kind of Xenophobia is pretty normal and happens not just in Britain. Plus the old argument of "why do we allow immigration, when we have such a huge unemployment rate" always adds fuel to the fire.

Britain – as well as the rest of Europe – hasn’t really faced the reality of a strong and fast growing Muslim part of the population.

Especially Britain has allowed many extreme Muslim activist as well as radical preachers / Imans (often financed by Saudi Arabia) into the country. Often angry Muslims demonstrated violently against British politics. Plus many Muslims call for the introduction of Sharia Law in Britain. The terrorist attacks on London didn’t help either …

There is a Anti-Secular, Anti-Democracy and intolerant movement inside the British Muslim community, which can’t be ignored either. The racism is not strictly a white affair and some Muslims really do believe in conquering Europe via their wombs.

So this shift in population and basically reintroduction of strong influences of religion into public life and politics. Many people react negative to these new influences, the reactions range from frustration to outright anger. "So many people feel shutout in their own country." (Quote from Nick Griffin)

Britain’s immigration politics has been a failure in many areas. It has allowed more immigrants than the British Public actually could stomach.

So the BNP simply reflects the fringe racists as well as people who are simply angry about the failed immigration policy. So some of their anger and concern are legit.

As much as many leftist often turn a blind eye to religious fundamentalism and Muslim racism – the right also sticks to their ignorant doctrines as well.

Like I said before: Europe has not really faced it’s identity crises in face of a new religious pressure (which happens to be Islam). Based on the tragic events of racism and genocide during WWII plus the guilt from Colonialism has created a fake openness to other cultures.

It is not just Britain, but almost all European countries haven’t succeeded in integrating immigrants. The beloved idea of a multiethnic society proves harder to form than idealists hoped it would be. But also European politicians and citizens have forgotten to foster and evolve their own culture and historic values. So it’s no surprise that many people feel left alone and even abandoned in face of a new, strong and often aggressive "foreign" culture.

As a final part of the story one has to mention to new lower class and poverty in Europe that adds to that problem. The economic development in the last twenty years – thanks to the Free Market ideas Margaret Thatcher and constant pandering to big business – has eroded the middle class Europe. Poverty is on the rise and a new lower class has been created when the working class disappeared – thanks to the shift of factories to the east and Asia.

Underprivileged people in poverty are rarely tolerant or willing to share. And their anger of being left behind finds an easy target in foreigners, especially when they have to share public purse for social support with big waves of immigrants – as it happened in Britain in recent years.

So booing Nick Griffin on Question Time is so politically correct, but doesn’t solve the problem of racism nor the real concerns of immigration and poverty.

Till the mid 1950’s Britain and several European Countries still were on food rations. During the war years people got used to live on small portions.

With the "Wirtschaftswunder" more and new food arrived: convenience and processed food containing loads of sugar, fat and salt. People loved all that rich stuff after so many years of living lean and mean.

This was the beginning of the obesity epidemic we are suffering now.

Europeans always love to complain about the EU Parliament in Brussels. It seems that this charming Belgian City is the Root of all Evil in the world: ridicules laws and money wasted on expenses of 736 lazy MEPs representing about half a billion people.

The European Parliament is mostly filled with unwanted politicians, discarded by their national parties for various reasons and sent to Brussels for a very nice retirement.

How do my fellow European Citizens combat all that evil and incompetence? By voting for fringe parties who hardly have any political influence (to change anything) and often very questionable party programs.

The British BNP won’t accept coloured members and the Hungarian Jobbik Party ran on an Anti-Gipsy campaign.

I also hate to mention the one seat for the Swedish Pirate Party most nerds rant about: one Geek won’t make an impact in Brussels, especially when most countries have already sided with the big media companies. But at least it’s a weak impulse for good …

So well done Europe! Most of the other Idiots won’t bring sensible politics to the EU – they just create a bigger mess.

But EU elections are always a bit like the EuroVision contest: loads of freaky act nobody cares about. Most voters simply don’t care – turnout was miserable as usual with only 43%. So as usual the fringe parties got a boost, since most sensible voters stayed at home. Only the angry and the old went to do their citizen duty and cast their vote …

Overall I blame the voters for the mess in Brussels. The EU vote is not about punishing your local government for their mistakes (like the British scandals at the moment), but to vote for the best people to take care of Europe.

The EP has serious power – but it won’t act in a serious way unless voters pay attention and also force their local parties to send more competent politicians.

He is the first modern Prime Minister in Britain who wasn’t elected by popular vote. He simply took over from ever smiling Tony.

Gordon was never popular, he simply isn’t the buddy type, but he also always underestimated the need for good public relations.

Now the huge British expenses scandal has broken his back – and it’s actually a scandal he can hardly be blamed for. MPs from all parties did it.

But the Brits are sick and tired of the current political establishment and want their say … or better their vote.

I just hope Gordon is smart enough to call for new elections instead of waiting for "better times".

Is it 20 years already? Wow! Nice video from the EU and a nice reminder that Freedom is not "free".

Once again every shitty country in Europe sent it’s "best" songs to compete with each other in the Eurovision contest.

And like every year the songs were mostly terrible and the voting was as idiotic as ever. Slavs voted for Slavs, Nordic countries for fellow Nordic countries. The Turkish Diaspora produced a high rank for their nations terribly tittie twisting song – Turkey could put someone like Mr Methane on stage and still score a Top 5 position.

The winning Norwegian Song is mediocre at best and I am sure all of Europe’s 12 year Girls must have voted for that charming übergifted little shit.

I hated it and will so until I die.

Of course I will watch next years Eurovision. I love to hate the trashy competition. And I will once again hate the winner, since only bad songs win – not really good ones. But everyone expects that anyway …

Click for a close-up.

Wild Wonders of Europe is one brilliant website and offers many great galleries (like this one featuring Austria including that lovely bugger from above).

Bring some time to explore all the featured photographers and countries. There is a lot of great eye candy to be discovered!

The Chinese more and more consider Europe irrelevant in the global game. No surprise, since Europe doesn’t speak with one voice. Almost all European leaders are willing to forget about China’s nasty deeds and policies when it comes to generating trade agreements and deals.

On the other side China is getting more and more protectionist about it’s own economy and building barriers to make it harder for any foreign country to do business.

China is closely tied to the USA – it’s biggest market and debtor. The Chinese hold huge amounts of American debt, plus they sit an a huge cash reserve themselves. This binds those two giant closer together – more than each of them wants to.

BBC News: Somali Pirates Q&A

The American’s have successfully rescued one of their own. Hurray! But the battle isn’t over – far from it

Sure, more military ships certainly makes the business of piracy harder for the Somalis, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem: poverty in a failed state.

Somalia has been plagued by civil war for a long time, it doesn’t have a stable economy nor government.

Just like in Afghanistan and Darfur the world community didn’t care or didn’t do much to stop the rot.

But this is the 21st century and even people in shitty places can buy disrupt the sensitive flow of goods.

Rebuilding Somalia will be equally nasty then pacifying Afghanistan. But ignoring the problem or bombing these people won’t make the pirates or poverty go away.

Charming and insightful documentary by Stephen Fry about the machine that changed the world.

And once again Russia finds an excuse to stall. Since Gazprom is under the direct order of Putin and his apparatchiks this is once again a political attack with harsh consequences for millions of people here in Europe.

And so far the EU keeps kissing Putin’s ass.

Europe needs energy independence asap!

One British Pound is hardly worth  one Euro these days. This deeply pisses of many Brits, who have been euro skeptic bunch anyway.

Still most Brits wouldn’t go Euro any day. They simply hate it. I just don’t really understand why the Brits are so euro phobic?

This is becoming an annual ritual: Russia and Ukraine fight over the gas bill – and the supplies for the rest of Europe are cut off or seriously limited.

And once again it happens.

The reasons why Russia fights with the Ukraine are superficial. Russia simply wants to force the Ukraine back under it’s political sphere of influence. The Ukraine is smart enough to getting closer to Europe – maybe a EU and Nato membership. And that pisses of the Russians, who still consider Ukraine a Russian province.

Cutting of the gas supplies is not just a warning to the Ukraine, but to all of Europe: "If you come any closer we fuck you up!"

Russian strongman politics at it’s best and Europe needs to help the Ukraine to stop czar Putin.

I actually SUPPORT these politics. The sooner Europe realized we simply can’t rely on Russia and it’s erratic behavior and childish Hyperpower fantasies the better.

Alternative fuels must be pushed harder and developed sooner to end the dependency on foreign (read mostly Russian) gas and oil.

While almost all of Europe is freezing and under heavy snow there is hardly any here in Munich.

The God finally must have heard my prayers and spared the white curse.

Lucky me.

Alcoholism is hardly a new problem, but binge drinking has become a serious problem in Europe. It’s almost like a sport for most young people. And it’s often supported by pubs and tourist places.

It’s a terrible thing, since being drunk and getting into alcoholism is not considered something "bad". Instead being "pissed at the weekend with your mates" is almost mandatory and hugely supported by very cheap booze.

But there is more behind it: it seems the only form of a different emotional, mental and even spiritual experience most people can "achieve" these days.

Alcohol certainly changes ones perception of reality and therefore creates an alternative reality. Escapism certainly plays a role, but also the strong sensation of a shared group experience and release of personal / social boundaries.

But alcohol is such a bad way to reach a "different state of mind". Societies should teach more mental, emotional and spiritual ways to reach different "states".

Instead of binge drinking I would rather like to see big meditation places and sacred spaces for proper orgies.

You don’t get a hangover or bad liver from a night of meditation or screwing your brains out.

BBC News:  Eurozone officially in recession

Thank you so much – I have hardly recovered from the dotcom bubble burst! Why can’t there be a new kinda gold rush or green revolution that brings in a lot of money.

Thank you very much America and your unregulated financial institutions!

But Europe really has had a bad economy for some time – and not much growth anyway. So even the slightest wobbles make the EU nation quake in their economic boots.

Britain and Spain have been hit hard by the housing crises. But only British banks crumbled like mad, Spain had much better regulation and oversight. The Spanish bank Santander is currently picking up former competitors all over Europe.

But I am still not sure what to do with these terrorists in Iceland! They still insist they are normal people just like and me.

You sure know winter is coming when the Cows come down from the Alps in Bavaria and Austria. This is called Almabtrieb.

It’s a nice tradition (some images here), but still more than just a tourist attraction like the Oktoberfest.

BBC News: Iceland: Britain’s unlikely new enemy 

The current financial crises sparks the most ridicules situations: under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001 the British Government has seized Icelandic assets in the UK.

You can call the lovely people from Iceland many things, but terrorists?

The Icelanders are not amused (see article above).

It once again proves that governments are only to willing to twist any law and regulation to suit their agenda.

(This is an update to Those evil European Ideas? What does Mike Huckabee really know about Europe?)

Brett Dobbs has send me this clip from McCain from the fabulous Big Think Blog praising Europe. Thanks a lot.

But McCain hardly represents his whole party in this. He certainly formed his ties with many European Leaders in the past. But not many Americans have been in Europe as often as McCain.

Wow, the Huckabee moment just demonstrates perfectly WHY European think many Americans are rather ignorant and stupid.

Huckabee demonizes those “European ideas” which are just waiting to take over America and make Americans poor slave of these “ideas”.

We talk here about old European Communism and Socialism – and we also talk about modern “old” Europe.

Europeans overall enjoy better social systems, better health, better justice system (we don’t kill criminals here and our prisons are far more humane) and actually more civil liberties than Americans – and not just since Darth Cheney and his Chimp killed the last bits of the progressive side of America.

Europe also offers a higher social mobility and better pay. Most people here can afford a good life without working two or three jobs. Europe is certainly NOT perfect, but overall the middle class and the poor are better off here than in the US of A.

We have “the gays” serving in several European armies and we also allow them to marry like everybody else also in almost all European nations. So far God hasn’t killed or punished Europe with a Hurricane.

Now to the ignorant part: especially poor and uneducated Americans have been voting against those evil ideas like a universal health care system by letting the Republicans run the country. Indeed they have often voted in a rather dumb patriotic spirit against their own interests and better lifes.

After WWII we Europeans looked at progressive America to replace the old imperialistic and nationalistic Europe with a more united and progressive version. We learnt a lot from our American friends.

But it is extremely frustrating how a country holds itself back or perverts the very ideas we all admired: liberty, justice, democracy and compassion.

It’s time for America to renew itself – and maybe learn from others …

China likes to boast of it’s long lasting culture and like to claim that they have been at the front of civilization for thousands of years (nice timeline here) (although India has actually the oldest records of culture and cities).

Anyone remotely interested in history and technology knows that the old Chinese seem to have invented almost everything way ahead of Europe or were never far behind: paper, printing, movable type, crossbows, gunpowder, rockets, compass, blast furnace and cast iron – to name just the most important ones.

China with it’s man- and brainpower seemed to be destined to take over the world, but they didn’t. Instead tiny Britain conquered the Chinese giant with ease …

So what went wrong with the old Chinese?

Read the rest of this entry »

Sarko’s start has been … not so good. But France is currently holding the EU presidency and Sarko has developed a lot of hyper-activity he is well know for. France is in dire needs of reform – and his fight against the mighty French Unions is going surprisingly well.

Will we see a new and stronger France in ten years? Will Sarko get his new military and a bigger Mediterranean Alliance he dreams of? Will the French people agree to change? It’s currently a pretty trendy political word … even in Europe …

Click image for more ornaments.

When you visit Europe’s old feudal palaces and houses one is overwhelmed by the lushness and pomp of their interior designs. The Baroque epoch was certainly the most playful period in that respect -  and there were certainly "quieter periods" in European history. Especially northern European protestants dimmed all that crazy ornaments seriously down.

But overall there was never such a thing as "feudal minimalism" in European interior design before movements like Futurism, Modernism and Bauhaus arrived.

I think such a place as the one pictured above would drive any Feng Shui or Zen master mad.

Complete Video here

Complete Video here

The problem is an old one: how many "strangers" can a society digest? Especially in Europe with it’s internal open borders concept immigration is still a problem – and especially Britain – with it’s colonial history – has currently a hard time dealing with all the immigrants.

Britain has seen in recent years a huge influx of Polish workers – and the Asian communities (read mostly Pakistanis – like the London Bombers) have been exploding as well.

Still Europe is struggling to decide what to with all the African boat people and recent wave or Iraqi illegal immigrants crossing it’s many borders.

And there is still the Muslim question: many Europeans feel that it’s immigrated and homegrown Muslims don’t appreciate the humanistic, secular and democratic ideas on which Europe is built.

My hometown and birthplace München just celebrated it’s 850th birthday last weekend. It is certainly not the oldest city in Europe – more like a middle aged one.

BBC News: Swiss hold crunch citizenship vote

Getting a Swiss passport is very hard – especially since the Swiss are very xenophobic and love their harsh and stupid rules to keep those evil foreigners outside.

It’s such a shame for such a rich country to be so ignorant. They Swiss always love to brag about their neutrality and "good deeds" – but overall they seem more like people who only like to get involved on their own terms and when it suits them. Otherwise they don’t care about the outside world and outsiders.

That spirit that rejected Jews at their borders during WWII is still very much alive. So far Switzerland has rejected any referendum to join the EU (and open it’s borders) – and right wing parties still get many votes each election.

Dear people of Switzerland – it’s time for a reformation of your attitude.

France – like Germany – is in dire need of reforms. Sarko started his campaign for his Presidency with the promise of change (sounds familiar). Many French people liked his busy and aggressive style – and had high hopes for some positive change.

But with his ugly divorce and stupid handling of his own affairs he has lost a lot of political capital. In recent local elections Sarko’s party has lost many votes.

France still is in need of reforms, but they new leader has busted a lot of his power for silly personal affairs. Too bad, because I won’t help him and his still necessary task.

Sarko admires the British economy and it’s success in recent years. Tony Blair inherited many necessary – but painful – changes made under Thatcher and built his success on it. France is not in such a bad shape as Britain in the late 1970’s, but still there is a lot to be done.

Sarko is especially fascinated by London’s vitality, something Paris lacks (his won words). In terms of international importance, stock market and political influence London easily beats Paris. Only the number of high ranked restaurants is higher in the French capitol.

So no surprise that this visit to Britain is so important to Sarko, he needs some serious political action to restore his credibility and some backing for his ideas for change. Maybe some serious glamor from the British Crown will rub off and the dry Mr Gordon Brown can add some intellectual spice as well … 

Currently a huge storms blows Europe to bits, stuff got destroyed and people killed. It’s like typical April weather on steroids: storms, sunshine, rain, sunshine, snow and sun again.

Still February was way to warm and March seems to heading the same way. I am wondering if we have another record summer ahead?

Hurray! The American STS-122 has successfully delivered the European Columbus module to the International Space Station. Another piece in the puzzle to our way to the conquest of outer space.

This is a long-term science module supposed to explore the effects of weightlessness for the next ten years. It is installed by  ESA astronauts Léopold Eyharts (France) and Hans Schlegel (a secret Teutonic Overlord) plus five Yankees.

You can read more on the mission blog here or watch some current transmission on NASA TV.

Isn’t it great to live in the 21st century? Remember the few and fuzzy images from the Moon landings? Now we have almost direct access / transmission from these space adventures.

More? Video of the takeoff, inflight video (heading to ISS) and flying over Japan.

Most of the (continental) old Europe was either killed in Word War II or demolished to make way for modern car-based cities.

Even big cities like Paris, Warsaw, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Berlin had many almost medieval city centers and places. Only a few survived – most of those old building are recreations.

But maybe it’s a good thing – if you travel to Switzerland (a country so neutral it doesn’t know what war means – apart from ripping off fugitives) – everything there feels like Disney Land, because most of it’s old buildings are still there. Renewal often means destruction – and destruction of means war or a mad emperor burning down your city.

Since 1st January of 2002 the Euro is the official currency for most members of the European Union. After a lot of protests and grumbling it is now widely established, loved and a very stable currency. A true competition for the American Dollar.

I think it’s still a great idea to have different backsides for each coin and country. There are many great designs out there – and some new ones will be coming some day (I am talking to you – you lousy and hesitant Brits and Swedes):

Click image to get a MUCH larger collection.

Did the Euro hurt Europe and it’s economies? So far nobody has a definitive answers. Germany is slowly recovering – but not from the Euro, but the cost of reunification. Italy is down, but because of Berlusconi’s bad  economic policies. France is picking up speed, Spain is doing well, so are Austria, Holland and Belgium.

The strong Euro helps European to cope with high oil prices and cheapens import. But it doesn’t help exports much. Still Europe is doing well …

Happy Euro-Day everyone! Collect as much Euros as you can – there is is only a limited supply … good thing European don’t get their money from a private institutions like Americans and their privately held Federal Reserve Bank.

I am not a 100% sure but I think this is evening in Europe. Since the planet rotates counter clockwise this should be the transit into darkness.

Click image for a larger version.

Such images give me the shivers – a mixtures of oneness with the universe and pride that some of my tax money is well spent*.

*actually in this case that of my American friends. The image is from NASA.

BBC News:  Armenia welcomes ‘genocide’ vote and BBC News Video plus the response of the Turkish President

Almost all countries have their dark spots in history: America’s decimation of native Indians, Belgium’s brutal rule in the Congo and Turkey’s slaughter of Armenians.

Some countries like Germany went through a long and painful process of understanding it’s own history and apologizing for it. Some countries like Japan or Turkey seem to be in eternal denial.

Especially the Turkish macho attitude to national pride and identity are more a curse than a blessing. Yes, you can go to jail for any crime or insult against ‘Turkishness’ (whatever that means).

How dare the US to speak truth to Turkishness?!

Back when it all happened it was the US who condemned and reprimanded Turkey for it’s bloody deeds. Until this day the US congress and many American and of course Armenian NCO’s kept the memory alive. Turkey hasn’t moved an inch since the first Armenian was killed.

Nationalism is always in the way of truth. Being a modern country means also to accept your own dark spots and simply asking for forgiveness for things that went wrong.

Denial in the age of information looks rather stupid and backward, no matter how much pride a nation can muster.

Some more background: Turkey’s Armenian dilemma and BBC Q&A about the Armenian genocide.

BBC News: Dollar hits new low against euro

What did people expect to happen? The ever growing American trade deficit, the costs of the War on Terror and simply bad fiscal policy will weaken the Dollar more and more:

The dollar has been weakening for some time.

The fundamental problem is the growing US trade deficit, now more than $700bn, as the US economy has imported far more goods than it has exported.

This has long been seen as unsustainable, and in the long-run some kind of currency adjustment has been seen as both inevitable and desirable.

But the recent change in policy by the US central bank has accelerated the decline, because people who put their money in dollars no longer get such a high rate of return.

So it will be only a matter of time until some oil nation will trade only in Euros instead of Dollars. China won’t be so stupid and ruin it’s big market and put pressure on the Dollar as well, but I am sure they will diversify their cash reserves as well.

If there is going to be another recession of black Monday or something the reason will be most likely bad American monetary policy.