Nosemonkey's EUtopia

In search of a European identity

July 20, 2005
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments

Smoking and the EU

Yet another reason to love the EU: “a holidaymaker going to Spain, can quite legally bring back into this country 160 packs [of 20 cigarettes]. “If they are a smoker that is enough to keep them going for six months … Continue reading

July 19, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Turkey

Turkey

My brain’s still not back to normal, but it’s good to see that the UK isn’t letting recent upsets shunt us down a more Islamophobic line – Britain is still defending potential future Turkish entry to the EU. This kind … Continue reading

July 18, 2005
by Nosemonkey
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Migraine ctd.

My right eye still feels like it’s wrapped in absinthe-soaked cotton, which is hardly conducive to wit and/or insight, so have some more reading: Curious Hamster on defining terrorism – an oft-fogotten point well made. Tim Ireland is rather convinced … Continue reading

July 17, 2005
by Nosemonkey
14 Comments

Sunday reading

Newsweek – why doesn’t Chirac step down? Chirac acts like a man who doesn’t know his wife has moved out. Asked last week who he thought was most likely to succeed him, the president smiled widely and replied, “I think … Continue reading

July 16, 2005
by Nosemonkey
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Zombie

The EU constitution is dead, if not yet buried, and often doing a fairly good zombie impression staggering around the continent looking for spicy brains, so this may hold rather less appeal now than it would have done a couple … Continue reading

July 15, 2005
by Nosemonkey
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France better than Britain

France better than Britain – official! (Or not, as the case may be…) Plus some Chirac interview goodness.

July 6, 2005
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments

EU software patents

The European Parliament has rejected the software patents directive by 648 votes to 14 with 18 abstentions. This is apparently a good thing, but as I’m not a geek (much) I wouldn’t know. (Via) Update: Samizdata has more, as does … Continue reading

July 5, 2005
by Nosemonkey
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EU tax and growth

Handy EU tax/growth comparison charts courtesy of John B. Find your own patterns. I reckon it looks like a velociraptor though, and you’ll never convince me otherwise.

July 4, 2005
by Nosemonkey
10 Comments

Farm subsidies

OK, maybe I was being a tad harsh… Via Andrew and Tim Worstall, President Bush offers to scrap US farm subsidies, as long as the EU scraps the CAP: “Let’s join hands as wealthy industrialised nations and say to the … Continue reading