Nanny Statism Run Amok in Sweden
Posted on June 29, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, Liberty, Politics | Leave a Comment
This story is messed up. An eight-year-old boy has sparked an unlikely outcry in Sweden after failing to invite two of his classmates to his birthday party. The boy’s school says he has violated the children’s rights and has complained to the Swedish Parliament. The school, in Lund, southern Sweden, argues that if invitations are [...]
Censorship, Islam & “Fitna”
Posted on March 29, 2008 - Filed Under Europe, Freedom, Internets, Media, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Politics, Religion | 9 Comments
“Fitna” is the name of a rather nasty, polemical film by right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders that equates all Islam with violence and, portrays all Muslims as extremists. Or at least that’s what I gather based on the testimonies of those who have seen it. I can’t watch it myself because LiveLeak, the main channel [...]
Expanding the EU beyond Europe
Posted on November 16, 2007 - Filed Under Europe, Politics | 1 Comment
The UK’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband has suggested that besides eastern European countries, the EU should also seek to take in North African and Middle Eastern nations, as well as Russia. His reasoning for this is the capacity of the prospect of EU membership to improve behaviour in aspirant nations, and so the further the [...]
Kaczynski Defeated in Polish Elections
Posted on October 21, 2007 - Filed Under Europe, Politics | Leave a Comment
One half of the Kaczynski comedy duo has suffered a well-earned thrashing in today’s Polish general election, with his Law and Justice party (31%) coming in well behind of Civic Platform (44%). Perhaps this result will teach Law and Justice politicians to conduct themselves with a bit more civility and decorum on the European stage. [...]
A Swiss Election-Winning Poster
Posted on October 21, 2007 - Filed Under Europe, Politics | 1 Comment
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has won the largest share of the vote in the country’s recent general election, taking about 27%. The election campaign focused on immigration, with the SVP proposing measures such as deporting foreigners who commit crimes and forbidding the construction of minarets. While I think that you can argue for or [...]
Europe’s Most Photogenic Politician Triumphs in Ukraine
Posted on October 1, 2007 - Filed Under Europe, Politics | 1 Comment
The Economist explains Yulia Tymoshenko’s popularity: Her speeches are emotional and her message is effective: she promises change to everyone who feels dissatisfied with the Ukrainian authorities, past and present. And that is the vast majority of the population. She promises to rid the country of corruption and offers compensation for the financial losses people [...]
