Nosemonkey's EUtopia

In search of a European identity

October 13, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on A bit of breaking news…

A bit of breaking news…

How are they going to get out of this one? Looks like the European Parliament are trying to veto the Italian Commissioner’s appointment after all. If they can’t get Italy (i.e. Buttiglione’s mate Berlusconi) to withdraw the nomination and choose … Continue reading

October 13, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Blair and Barroso

Blair and Barroso

The two somewhat put-upon politicians gave a joint press conference yesterday, taking in a range of European issues but – perhaps unsurprisingly, throwing out little that was controversial or new. Barroso once again defended the Commission’s new Mr Controversy, Rocco … Continue reading

October 11, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Justice Commissioner vetoed?

Justice Commissioner vetoed?

Not quite, and it’s pretty close, but still… As I noted the other day, there was a fair amount of opposition already, but it still didn’t look like anyone would seriously oppose Rocco Buttiglione’s appointment as such a move could … Continue reading

October 11, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Presidential debate

Presidential debate

Just realised I never did anything on the most recent Bush/Kerry clash. It seems a bit late now, and when it’s already been summed up so effectively, there doesn’t seem much point any more… 22 days to go, predictions are … Continue reading

October 11, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Robert Kilroy-Silk: Twat (yet again)

Robert Kilroy-Silk: Twat (yet again)

I thought it was the European Union he wanted to wreck, not the UK Independence Party? In an interview with the Telegraph over the weekend (registration required) Kilroy’s rabid arrogance seems to have finally slipped beyond his limited control. Having … Continue reading

October 10, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on “One of the major figures of intellectual life of our time”

“One of the major figures of intellectual life of our time”

So, farewell then, Jaques Derrida, who has died aged 74. The quote, from Jaques Chirac, is almost an understatement. Derrida’s ideas on phenomenology and contributions to the “post-modernist” and post-structuralist movements (with the likes of Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, Jaques … Continue reading

October 8, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Ken Bigley dead?

Ken Bigley dead?

According to Sky News Well done, Tony. Edit: The Guardian has more and leaves some room for hope. Saturday update: So much for hope… It was pretty much inevitable once he had been captured, and there wasn’t much that the … Continue reading

October 8, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on How valuable is your MP?

How valuable is your MP?

So, how much are MP’s worth? Well, Tony Blair’s �15.75, Michael Howard’s �10.48, while the blogging MP for Grimsby (and good-egg) Austin Mitchell is a bargain-bucket �1.72. Just came across Polidex – apologies if this is old news. Pick up … Continue reading

October 8, 2004
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on A Moment of Repose

A Moment of Repose

So a brief calm between the policy-fest of the conference season and the fluster of the Commons being back in session. The findings of the Iraqi Survey Group. Blair, predictably, has said that war was still justified and – much … Continue reading