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wheresmyplacebo
13-08-2007, 02:25 AM
http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,479326,00.html

i always thought i heard wrong, basically every month the EU parliament is moved between france and belgium.... all the paperwork, staff everything part from the buildings

what a waste of time :lol:
katralla
13-08-2007, 02:30 AM
er, wtf?
wheresmyplacebo
13-08-2007, 10:27 AM
er, wtf?

at my post or at what happens
nicolalou
13-08-2007, 11:51 AM
Ha! It's typical French...demanding EU activity on their soil...:lol:
Aladdin
13-08-2007, 12:06 PM
Even though I'm much in favour of the EU the monthly move of the parliament is one of the stupidest things ever and free ammunition for the euroskeptics.
Man Of Kent
13-08-2007, 05:05 PM
Even ultra supporter Clandestine couldn't argue a case for this, if I remember correctly.

Still, nice to know that my taxes are being put to good use :rolleyes:
Kermit
13-08-2007, 05:57 PM
I don't think anyone can justify it, because it is completely unjustifiable.

But it has more to do with the failings of national governments than it does the failings of the EU. They do it because the French will take their bat and ball home if they don't, and the EU is structured in such a way that it is hamstrung by national self-interest.
katralla
13-08-2007, 08:02 PM
at my post or at what happens

sorry, i meant at what happens - tis ludicrous
Flashman's Ghost
13-08-2007, 08:09 PM
I don't think anyone can justify it, because it is completely unjustifiable.

But it has more to do with the failings of national governments than it does the failings of the EU. They do it because the French will take their bat and ball home if they don't, and the EU is structured in such a way that it is hamstrung by national self-interest.

Isn't saying that the EU is humstrung by national self-interest a bit like saying the railways would work fine if if it wasn't for the fact people keep putting trains on it?
Kermit
13-08-2007, 08:40 PM
Isn't saying that the EU is humstrung by national self-interest a bit like saying the railways would work fine if if it wasn't for the fact people keep putting trains on it?

It's more like saying that the railways would work fine if the DfT didn't keep putting their foot in it.

The EU doesn't work because it's been cleverly designed not to.
wheresmyplacebo
13-08-2007, 10:39 PM
Isn't saying that the EU is humstrung by national self-interest a bit like saying the railways would work fine if if it wasn't for the fact people keep putting trains on it?

no, more like that ultra efficient hospital in yes minister, pity it had near 0 patients
stargalaxy
13-08-2007, 10:55 PM
no, more like that ultra efficient hospital in yes minister, pity it had near 0 patients I'm just amazed Labour hasn't yet adoped that as official policy. How to solve all the the problems of the NHS? Ban patients. Doctors can then get on with the job of filling in forms and worrying about being sued. How to solve problems in schools? Ban pupils from attending them. Teachers can then get on with the job of... well, filling in forms and worrying about being sued. Yes Minister is a programme that was well ahead of its time.