Unelected bureaucrats have that power? It's not about the shapes, it's about what people think about the EU, so that power to ridicule the EU should be taken away from them.

But then, maybe I didn't pay much attention whether it was a law or a decreee or whatever, because I don't live there any more and it really doesn't concern me too much.

Look at this :

Treasury suggests that overall contribution to the EU may increase by 12%

The European Commission is due to publish its proposal for the next long-term EU budget, running from 2014-2020, this afternoon. The Telegraph reports that, according to the UK Treasury, if all EU funds are included, the Commission will ask for a 12% increase. Apart from the EU budget itself – which may not be subject to a big increase – member states also contribute towards the European Development Fund and the Globalisation Fund, which are technically separate from the EU budget. The increase would defy the British, French, German, Finnish and Dutch calls for an increase limited to inflation outlined in a recent letter to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Open Europe Director Mats Persson is quoted by the Telegraph and the Mail saying, “Any increase above the rate of inflation would clearly be unacceptable, given the continuous austerity around Europe and the exceptionally poor value for taxpayers’ money the EU budget provides.”

The Independent notes that David Cameron is expected to lead opposition to the Commission’s expected demand for new taxes to fund the EU budget, with options ranging from a financial transactions tax to energy taxes. “We will not be alone in opposing this,” said one Government source.

FAZ reports that eight member states, including the UK and Germany, have sent a letter to the European Commission, calling for cuts to wages, pensions and perks of 45.000 EU officials, given austerity measures in member states. The Commission will today or tomorrow propose concrete changes to the statute of EU officials and a proposal for possible job cuts. An article in Polish daily Rzeczpospolita quotes Open Europe arguing that, should the Commission opt for cutting jobs, it may “be starting to get the message, however slowly, that in the long term the EU will have to make better use of its resources.”

That is a press release from Open Europe (can be found through Google) and identifies the European Commission (unelected) not the European Parliament (elected). When the whole of Europe is streuggling to make ends meet, these fat cats are trying to raise their budget by 12% next year, without any reason. Remember in the late 90's Neil and Glenda Kinnock were Commissioners on a salary of over 150,000 pounds each - non-taxable, with expenses on top and a pension based upon their salaries? Lord knows what the basics are now, but I'm willing to bet that they're going up faster than anyone else in Europe.

The article quoted above can also be found in various newspapers, such as Rzeczpospolita, Mail, Telegraph, Independent, Irish Independent - you'll have to search as it was probably earlier this week.

Quite a number of years ago, I worked for a project that received funding from the EU. I traveled to Brussels every three months to meet with the donor group. We also received funding from the US gov't.

When I traveled to Brussels, there were rather extravagant lunches and after-work parties with some of the finest foods and wine available. These were not working affairs and were purely social in nature. It's not a bad idea, but the food and drinks were of a quality that far surpassed what was necessary. Make no mistake, I enjoy every minute of it.

In the US, there was a very small reception for a rather large group. It included, coffee, cookies and cake as well as an assortment of small finger foods.

When the anti-Christ takes over, Nationalism will be a thing of the past.

Yet, what if such deeper references of a Christ or an anti-Christ isn't viewed as universal or a definitive circle as it might be throughout the Eurocentric world?

That's a gem, even from you, zzaa. Can anyone tell me what he means?

That depends on whether you think he meant what he said, or tried to say what he meant, or if you believe what he said and what he meant are two separate streams from the same watershed.

SC

Unelected bureaucrats have that power? It's not about the shapes, it's about what people think about the EU, so that power to ridicule the EU should be taken away from them.

Power to ridicule the EC should be taken away from them? Now I find that a really odd remark... ridicule is so often the thing most needed when dealing with a bureaucracy (otherwise you just go nuts!).

Perhaps after all it would be better to live in Zug or Schwyz!

The Thai model is not necessarily the best model for every one. Although I have seen Thai models that would suit me fine...

I believe that we have a duty to ridicule our rulers and reigners; that is the only reason they have ears, after all!

SC

Quite a number of years ago, I worked for a project that received funding from the EU. I traveled to Brussels every three months to meet with the donor group. We also received funding from the US gov't.

When I traveled to Brussels, there were rather extravagant lunches and after-work parties with some of the finest foods and wine available. These were not working affairs and were purely social in nature. It's not a bad idea, but the food and drinks were of a quality that far surpassed what was necessary. Make no mistake, I enjoy every minute of it.

In the US, there was a very small reception for a rather large group. It included, coffee, cookies and cake as well as an assortment of small finger foods.

I'm not following. Are you saying that the Europeans valued your work and your person more than the US people, and went to lengths to make you feel comfortable?

You are not suggesting that the US won't throw parties like that for people who they value accordingly, do you? I mean, were you disappointed that you got only cookies from them?

Intriguing minds want to know, now that you opened that can of worms caviar.

Unelected bureaucrats have that power? It's not about the shapes, it's about what people think about the EU, so that power to ridicule the EU should be taken away from them.

But then, maybe I didn't pay much attention whether it was a law or a decreee or whatever, because I don't live there any more and it really doesn't concern me too much.

Look at this :

Treasury suggests that overall contribution to the EU may increase by 12%

The European Commission is due to publish its proposal for the next long-term EU budget, running from 2014-2020, this afternoon. The Telegraph reports that, according to the UK Treasury, if all EU funds are included, the Commission will ask for a 12% increase. Apart from the EU budget itself – which may not be subject to a big increase – member states also contribute towards the European Development Fund and the Globalisation Fund, which are technically separate from the EU budget. The increase would defy the British, French, German, Finnish and Dutch calls for an increase limited to inflation outlined in a recent letter to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Open Europe Director Mats Persson is quoted by the Telegraph and the Mail saying, "Any increase above the rate of inflation would clearly be unacceptable, given the continuous austerity around Europe and the exceptionally poor value for taxpayers' money the EU budget provides."

The Independent notes that David Cameron is expected to lead opposition to the Commission's expected demand for new taxes to fund the EU budget, with options ranging from a financial transactions tax to energy taxes. "We will not be alone in opposing this," said one Government source.

FAZ reports that eight member states, including the UK and Germany, have sent a letter to the European Commission, calling for cuts to wages, pensions and perks of 45.000 EU officials, given austerity measures in member states. The Commission will today or tomorrow propose concrete changes to the statute of EU officials and a proposal for possible job cuts. An article in Polish daily Rzeczpospolita quotes Open Europe arguing that, should the Commission opt for cutting jobs, it may "be starting to get the message, however slowly, that in the long term the EU will have to make better use of its resources."

That is a press release from Open Europe (can be found through Google) and identifies the European Commission (unelected) not the European Parliament (elected). When the whole of Europe is streuggling to make ends meet, these fat cats are trying to raise their budget by 12% next year, without any reason. Remember in the late 90's Neil and Glenda Kinnock were Commissioners on a salary of over 150,000 pounds each - non-taxable, with expenses on top and a pension based upon their salaries? Lord knows what the basics are now, but I'm willing to bet that they're going up faster than anyone else in Europe.

The article quoted above can also be found in various newspapers, such as Rzeczpospolita, Mail, Telegraph, Independent, Irish Independent - you'll have to search as it was probably earlier this week.

I believe you that the article was published without even googling for your sources.

It is about poltics. In Europe. Man, am I glad to not to have to worry about that any more. At least not in detail. Let's work on ASEAN, and if it turns out to be better and more powerful that the EU, so be it.

When the anti-Christ takes over, Nationalism will be a thing of the past.

Yet, what if such deeper references of a Christ or an anti-Christ isn't viewed as universal or a definitive circle as it might be throughout the Eurocentric world?

That's a gem, even from you, zzaa. Can anyone tell me what he means?

That depends on whether you think he meant what he said, or tried to say what he meant, or if you believe what he said and what he meant are two separate streams from the same watershed.

SC

That's it in a nutshell, SC.

Unelected bureaucrats have that power? It's not about the shapes, it's about what people think about the EU, so that power to ridicule the EU should be taken away from them.

But then, maybe I didn't pay much attention whether it was a law or a decreee or whatever, because I don't live there any more and it really doesn't concern me too much.

Look at this :

Treasury suggests that overall contribution to the EU may increase by 12%

The European Commission is due to publish its proposal for the next long-term EU budget, running from 2014-2020, this afternoon. The Telegraph reports that, according to the UK Treasury, if all EU funds are included, the Commission will ask for a 12% increase. Apart from the EU budget itself – which may not be subject to a big increase – member states also contribute towards the European Development Fund and the Globalisation Fund, which are technically separate from the EU budget. The increase would defy the British, French, German, Finnish and Dutch calls for an increase limited to inflation outlined in a recent letter to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Open Europe Director Mats Persson is quoted by the Telegraph and the Mail saying, "Any increase above the rate of inflation would clearly be unacceptable, given the continuous austerity around Europe and the exceptionally poor value for taxpayers' money the EU budget provides."

The Independent notes that David Cameron is expected to lead opposition to the Commission's expected demand for new taxes to fund the EU budget, with options ranging from a financial transactions tax to energy taxes. "We will not be alone in opposing this," said one Government source.

FAZ reports that eight member states, including the UK and Germany, have sent a letter to the European Commission, calling for cuts to wages, pensions and perks of 45.000 EU officials, given austerity measures in member states. The Commission will today or tomorrow propose concrete changes to the statute of EU officials and a proposal for possible job cuts. An article in Polish daily Rzeczpospolita quotes Open Europe arguing that, should the Commission opt for cutting jobs, it may "be starting to get the message, however slowly, that in the long term the EU will have to make better use of its resources."

That is a press release from Open Europe (can be found through Google) and identifies the European Commission (unelected) not the European Parliament (elected). When the whole of Europe is streuggling to make ends meet, these fat cats are trying to raise their budget by 12% next year, without any reason. Remember in the late 90's Neil and Glenda Kinnock were Commissioners on a salary of over 150,000 pounds each - non-taxable, with expenses on top and a pension based upon their salaries? Lord knows what the basics are now, but I'm willing to bet that they're going up faster than anyone else in Europe.

The article quoted above can also be found in various newspapers, such as Rzeczpospolita, Mail, Telegraph, Independent, Irish Independent - you'll have to search as it was probably earlier this week.

I believe you that the article was published without even googling for your sources.

It is about poltics. In Europe. Man, am I glad to not to have to worry about that any more. At least not in detail. Let's work on ASEAN, and if it turns out to be better and more powerful that the EU, so be it.

OK. Can you identify the specific things you want me to address on ASEAN. Its outside my normal scope, but I'm always glad to help.

I am sure it could not possibly be as corrupt and ineffective as the EU, as the members are all so much more progressive and direct and co-operative and open.

SC

Definition of the restriction?

High tide plus ten metres?

High-high tideline?

Low tide?

Low-low tideline

Mean water line?

Difficult to define when there is a big variation in high/low tidelines.

In the UK places like Weston Super Mare and Lytham St Annes have very large differences between high and low tides - depending on the time of year the difference can be well over a mile.

As regards nationalities - I believe that latent nationalism will eventually destroy the concept of the EU. The politicians like it, but the average voter wants to be able to have a say in the laws of his/her country, not have regulations imposed by a non-elected, faceless set of bureaucrats in Brussels. And the Euro is out of favour with the majority of French and German citizens (and probably the Greeks as well).

I cannot see the ASEAN group following the EU pattern when it is so obviously a disaster. The will make their free-trade area, already have good travel-visa set-up (visit for up to three weeks as an Asean citizen without visa) and keep their political differences low-key. But political union? No. Economic union? No.

All saltwater frontage land I have owned is demarcated on the water side at "mean high tide". As you say, different areas can have extraordinarily different tidal ranges.

Definition of the restriction?

High tide plus ten metres?

High-high tideline?

Low tide?

Low-low tideline

Mean water line?

Difficult to define when there is a big variation in high/low tidelines.

In the UK places like Weston Super Mare and Lytham St Annes have very large differences between high and low tides - depending on the time of year the difference can be well over a mile.

As regards nationalities - I believe that latent nationalism will eventually destroy the concept of the EU. The politicians like it, but the average voter wants to be able to have a say in the laws of his/her country, not have regulations imposed by a non-elected, faceless set of bureaucrats in Brussels. And the Euro is out of favour with the majority of French and German citizens (and probably the Greeks as well).

I cannot see the ASEAN group following the EU pattern when it is so obviously a disaster. The will make their free-trade area, already have good travel-visa set-up (visit for up to three weeks as an Asean citizen without visa) and keep their political differences low-key. But political union? No. Economic union? No.

All saltwater frontage land I have owned is demarcated on the water side at "mean high tide". As you say, different areas can have extraordinarily different tidal ranges.

Yeah, mean high water mark is what I have always understood it to be (Australia, Fiji, NZ.....so probably most countries whose laws have evolved from Westminster).

There's also a thing called the Queen's Chain for matters of access....and Queen's Chain applies to all bodies of water, not just salt water.

Quite a number of years ago, I worked for a project that received funding from the EU. I traveled to Brussels every three months to meet with the donor group. We also received funding from the US gov't.

When I traveled to Brussels, there were rather extravagant lunches and after-work parties with some of the finest foods and wine available. These were not working affairs and were purely social in nature. It's not a bad idea, but the food and drinks were of a quality that far surpassed what was necessary. Make no mistake, I enjoy every minute of it.

In the US, there was a very small reception for a rather large group. It included, coffee, cookies and cake as well as an assortment of small finger foods.

I'm not following. Are you saying that the Europeans valued your work and your person more than the US people, and went to lengths to make you feel comfortable?

You are not suggesting that the US won't throw parties like that for people who they value accordingly, do you? I mean, were you disappointed that you got only cookies from them?

Intriguing minds want to know, now that you opened that can of worms caviar.

I doubt very much that the treatment had anything to do with the value of the work done. Receptions were nice at both and I didn't feel slighted at either. It was just a different in the level of expenses. The EU seemed to have no limit on their expenses. The US seemed to try to put on the most reasonable affair at the least cost. I do know that there were/are watchdog groups that check on extravagance in the US gov't.

It could also be cultural. Perhaps Europeans find the fine wines, champagne and gourmet food to more important.

Quite a number of years ago, I worked for a project that received funding from the EU. I traveled to Brussels every three months to meet with the donor group. We also received funding from the US gov't.

When I traveled to Brussels, there were rather extravagant lunches and after-work parties with some of the finest foods and wine available. These were not working affairs and were purely social in nature. It's not a bad idea, but the food and drinks were of a quality that far surpassed what was necessary. Make no mistake, I enjoy every minute of it.

In the US, there was a very small reception for a rather large group. It included, coffee, cookies and cake as well as an assortment of small finger foods.

I'm not following. Are you saying that the Europeans valued your work and your person more than the US people, and went to lengths to make you feel comfortable?

You are not suggesting that the US won't throw parties like that for people who they value accordingly, do you? I mean, were you disappointed that you got only cookies from them?

Intriguing minds want to know, now that you opened that can of worms caviar.

I am drawing no conclusion. I certainly did not feel slighted or more appreciated by one or the other. Perhaps it was culture. Perhaps it was competition between the countries in the EU, or maybe they had to have some food items from each country. The cost was significantly higher at the EU. Both were nice. I do know that there are watch-dog groups in the US that would have sharp words about an extravagant affair.

Quite a number of years ago, I worked for a project that received funding from the EU. I traveled to Brussels every three months to meet with the donor group. We also received funding from the US gov't.

When I traveled to Brussels, there were rather extravagant lunches and after-work parties with some of the finest foods and wine available. These were not working affairs and were purely social in nature. It's not a bad idea, but the food and drinks were of a quality that far surpassed what was necessary. Make no mistake, I enjoy every minute of it.

In the US, there was a very small reception for a rather large group. It included, coffee, cookies and cake as well as an assortment of small finger foods.

I'm not following. Are you saying that the Europeans valued your work and your person more than the US people, and went to lengths to make you feel comfortable?

You are not suggesting that the US won't throw parties like that for people who they value accordingly, do you? I mean, were you disappointed that you got only cookies from them?

Intriguing minds want to know, now that you opened that can of worms caviar.

I am drawing no conclusion. I certainly did not feel slighted or more appreciated by one or the other. Perhaps it was culture. Perhaps it was competition between the countries in the EU, or maybe they had to have some food items from each country. The cost was significantly higher at the EU. Both were nice. I do know that there are watch-dog groups in the US that would have sharp words about an extravagant affair.

On the one hand, one might conclude that the EU didn't concern themselves adequately with cost control; or that they had higher expectations for standard of living for staff on business. Or that they were wiling to generously compensate staff for being away from home.

In my experience, I do not drink more whether I pay myself or the company pays; I don't drink because its free - how sad would that be? So whether the comapny paid, or I paid, I was equally hung over in the morning; on the other hand, if the company was paying, I doubt I would know so many sleazy back-street dives. But I have never got into trouble in such places ... with relatively few exceptions...

Anyway, back to the front...

I read a cartoon many years ago, depicting federalists merging their nations, only to turn around and find that nationalists had balkanised them into separate countries. I am as Scottish and British as the next man, though I have realised now that nationalism was helping neither country, nation, nor state. When one assesses how many English friends one has, maybe one has to rethink how honest - heartfelt - are one's prejudices and bigotries. Maybe if the Pope drank in the Royal Oak, we'd get on just fine.

SC

Quite a number of years ago, I worked for a project that received funding from the EU. I traveled to Brussels every three months to meet with the donor group. We also received funding from the US gov't.

When I traveled to Brussels, there were rather extravagant lunches and after-work parties with some of the finest foods and wine available. These were not working affairs and were purely social in nature. It's not a bad idea, but the food and drinks were of a quality that far surpassed what was necessary. Make no mistake, I enjoy every minute of it.

In the US, there was a very small reception for a rather large group. It included, coffee, cookies and cake as well as an assortment of small finger foods.

I'm not following. Are you saying that the Europeans valued your work and your person more than the US people, and went to lengths to make you feel comfortable?

You are not suggesting that the US won't throw parties like that for people who they value accordingly, do you? I mean, were you disappointed that you got only cookies from them?

Intriguing minds want to know, now that you opened that can of worms caviar.

I am drawing no conclusion. I certainly did not feel slighted or more appreciated by one or the other. Perhaps it was culture. Perhaps it was competition between the countries in the EU, or maybe they had to have some food items from each country. The cost was significantly higher at the EU. Both were nice. I do know that there are watch-dog groups in the US that would have sharp words about an extravagant affair.

I am sure also the US (like any country) will invite for an expensive dinner if they see it beneficial to the cause. But the point is that both apparently wanted to make you feel good, and you describe the dinners both as nice. So all is well.

Look at this :

Treasury suggests that overall contribution to the EU may increase by 12%

The European Commission is due to publish its proposal for the next long-term EU budget, running from 2014-2020, this afternoon. The Telegraph reports that, according to the UK Treasury, if all EU funds are included, the Commission will ask for a 12% increase. Apart from the EU budget itself – which may not be subject to a big increase – member states also contribute towards the European Development Fund and the Globalisation Fund, which are technically separate from the EU budget. The increase would defy the British, French, German, Finnish and Dutch calls for an increase limited to inflation outlined in a recent letter to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Open Europe Director Mats Persson is quoted by the Telegraph and the Mail saying, "Any increase above the rate of inflation would clearly be unacceptable, given the continuous austerity around Europe and the exceptionally poor value for taxpayers' money the EU budget provides."

The Independent notes that David Cameron is expected to lead opposition to the Commission's expected demand for new taxes to fund the EU budget, with options ranging from a financial transactions tax to energy taxes. "We will not be alone in opposing this," said one Government source.

FAZ reports that eight member states, including the UK and Germany, have sent a letter to the European Commission, calling for cuts to wages, pensions and perks of 45.000 EU officials, given austerity measures in member states. The Commission will today or tomorrow propose concrete changes to the statute of EU officials and a proposal for possible job cuts. An article in Polish daily Rzeczpospolita quotes Open Europe arguing that, should the Commission opt for cutting jobs, it may "be starting to get the message, however slowly, that in the long term the EU will have to make better use of its resources."

That is a press release from Open Europe (can be found through Google) and identifies the European Commission (unelected) not the European Parliament (elected). When the whole of Europe is streuggling to make ends meet, these fat cats are trying to raise their budget by 12% next year, without any reason. Remember in the late 90's Neil and Glenda Kinnock were Commissioners on a salary of over 150,000 pounds each - non-taxable, with expenses on top and a pension based upon their salaries? Lord knows what the basics are now, but I'm willing to bet that they're going up faster than anyone else in Europe.

The article quoted above can also be found in various newspapers, such as Rzeczpospolita, Mail, Telegraph, Independent, Irish Independent - you'll have to search as it was probably earlier this week.

I believe you that the article was published without even googling for your sources.

It is about poltics. In Europe. Man, am I glad to not to have to worry about that any more. At least not in detail. Let's work on ASEAN, and if it turns out to be better and more powerful that the EU, so be it.

OK. Can you identify the specific things you want me to address on ASEAN. Its outside my normal scope, but I'm always glad to help.

I am sure it could not possibly be as corrupt and ineffective as the EU, as the members are all so much more progressive and direct and co-operative and open.

SC

Thanks for your offer, but at this moment I will pass. No need to address anything on ASEAN for me.

By the way: What is your "normal scope"?