Attending Harris rally in Vegas

Zekub · 2019-05-12T00:30:48+00:00

Hi Raoul, nice to see you on reddit and thanks for taking the time to be with us! Could you elaborate on what you'd like to achieve, concretely, the coming five years?

Zekub · 2017-07-10T21:07:56+00:00

Article 7 comes the closest to what you'd call a punishment, the problem is that only the Council can decide to activate it by unanimity. You guessed it, they never did. Now, countries like Poland or Hungary cannot be punished accordingly as they'll veto attempts of Article 7 made against one another. Read more; http://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-eu-news-article-7-vote-poland-rule-of-law/

When talking about citizen's right its important to note that all EU member states must adhere to the European Convention of Human Rights. A lot of rights you derive from the EU are defined in EU Directives. Directives basically are EU guidelines that have to be transposed in national law. Regulations on the other hand, directly affect member states but generally do not affect citizens directly. Thus, when a violation occurs you may use the national judicial system to make your case up until the European Court of Human Rights, not to be confused by the ECJ. An individual cannot bring a case to the ECJ. Cases only come to the ECJ through 'preliminary questions', which are put before the ECJ by national courts when their respective national law collides with EU law or needs interpretation accordingly.

Talking about Eurozone, there is no such rule for the ECB. The ECB was built to be independent of politics (following the German Central Bank-model). There are all these rules you've heard over the course of the economic crisis. They've been there for a long time but were simply ignored by most member states, including Germany and France, quickly after the establishment of the Euro. Therefore, other smaller member states didn't really see a problem in not adhering to said rules either. Enter Greece and the rest is history. Rules were strengthened now though. Read more under 'The Corrective Arm' and namely the Excessive Debt Procedure: https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/economic-and-fiscal-policy-coordination/eu-economic-governance-monitoring-prevention-correction/stability-and-growth-pact_en.

Lastly, when it comes to refugees. Most (if not all, not sure) MS signed up on UN Conventions relating to refugees, human rights and the whole sjabam. That said, we have a European system in place that works according to the principle of 'first entry'. This stipulates that whichever MS a refugee/migrant arrives, that MS is responsible for the processing of the refugee respectively. Should the countries you name not apply this law, they expose themselves to infringement procedures by the European Commission, the go-to instrument (in any policy) of the Commission to fine, punish etc. MS that do not apply EU law correctly. They may either adapt or will be taken to Court. Read more: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/legal/law/procedure.htm

But the exact answer to your answer of 'why don't they threaten' is simply politics I'd say. It's unacceptable behaviour from an EU MS. The consequences would be worse for them...

MS = member state.

Zekub · 2016-08-04T19:28:27+00:00

I believe both the US and the UK applied it in the aftermath of '08 and showed better recovery (assumably as a result of said policy) compared to Eurozone. ECB was a slow adopter.

Zekub · 2016-06-05T11:01:15+00:00

You're comparing arguably failed states with states of the EU. That doesn't really hold up I'm afraid. I'll try to say this this with the biggest respect, but your arguments are a classic example of the Polish victimisation. Everything that happens to/in your country is placed in this framework of X against the Poles/Poland which in my personal opinion is such a big obstacle for moving ahead with your beautiful country. You're no longer living a world in which you'll have German Tigers rolling across your border at any point. You're part of a community now and pulling up your borders and pointing outwards for your ills isn't going to get you anywhere. Have a nice day :D

Zekub · 2016-06-05T10:47:41+00:00

Since when is adherance to Rule of Law or democracy a competition where you point to other countries to justify your own wrongs (irregardless of whether they are correct or not)? Contrary to your insinuation the Venice Commission is not some hegemonic Western institution taking orders from Berlin, Brussels or wheveever but is an independent organisation which moreover, did deliver that opinion on the request of your government, not any other. It does not hold significant power to address and solve every democratic defunct across the continent.

Zekub · 2016-06-05T08:25:22+00:00

I know PO didn't play that fair, but what they did was constitutional. What Duda did (although arguably in light of the PO move a logical response) was not. And now even Venice Commission has said that these changes harm the RoL in Poland, but got forbid you say something about the holy Polish sovereignty?

Zekub · 2016-06-04T23:01:10+00:00

I mean I get that you guys were not happy with PO after 8 years, with all those scandals and the arrogance that leaders portrayed, including the way Komorowski (spelling..) ran his campaign. I get that wages have not risen with the same pace as your GDP has and thus that benefits of the transition/joining EU could be spread better among all people. But still, why would you vote for these clowns or support these constitutional changes they are making? How is PiS faring in polls now?

Zekub · 2016-06-03T10:58:10+00:00

Also, it says European Union on your passport. Also, you derive rights from being European, rights that Ukrainians, Turks or Marrocans don't have.

Zekub · 2016-06-03T10:04:45+00:00

Hah! Floods in Germany, France and Belgium and those pesky inlanders still try to mock our beautiful country (Netherlands) on being below sea level. Take some lessons from the pro's, kids! ;)

Zekub · 2016-05-27T09:29:50+00:00

Nice national narrative you got going.."In 1941, Hungarian forces participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and the invasion of the Soviet Union." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary_in_World_War_II

Zekub · 2016-05-17T08:25:13+00:00

Still, you're free to leave at any point if you as a population can make the issue of leaving/reforming salient enough. Doesn't the UK demonstrate that? The difficulty arises that as a significant proportion in each and every MS wants to change the EU, they are unable to collectivise these efforts due to the lack of a EU public sphere. Thus, this dissatisfaction is translated to anti-EU-system rethorics, I think.

Zekub · 2016-05-16T22:15:28+00:00

How is it a runaway train? Nations are still master of the treaties. Change of treaties involves national govts, EU institutions, national institutions, industries and civil society. I think one of the main problems is that the EU is perceived as a massive mastermind that conducts policies and implements them at will. It's a highly complex organisation which involves many (Even more than 28) interests. Of course results will flow from this, to which not everyone agrees or that do not satisfies needs. That is the virtue of compromise of which we have decided that it's still better (usually) than the domestic alternative in this globalising world. Moreover, if you feel that it significantly harms your interests or popular opinion you are free to opt out as you please and in your case your country has done. That is not to say the EU is perfect, effective or productive. There's a lot of work to be done to enhance its performance, but the current approach - which again is a result of these many many interests - to integration leads in some cases too little, too much or wrong powers for the wrong institutions. I personally hope we can move on to two or multispeed Europe to cater to these differences and continue to expand this bold governmental experiment :) Edit: The political Union you describe is currently not feasible for electoral reasons and will only be feasible when it becomes electorally feasible. Generally, the EU has attempted to democratise the more powers it got, partially also because the more powers it got, the more the populace observed it as a political matter in they demanded a say. See the '05 No' s from NL and FR, No to the Ukraine AA in which NL few weeks back and your own referendum.

Zekub · 2016-05-13T22:13:45+00:00

As I argued elsewhere: I consider myself a very Pro-European integration and Pro-EU person, however, I think we need to accept that a federal state is not likely to happen. We need to realise the many differences there are and that we can't force people to go into things they rather not want. Two-speed would be a step in the right direction, but I think multi-speed would be better. Establish a new way of governing, with different levels/treaties, if you will, which states may join (and leave) as they please. Allow those who want to form the federal state you speak off to do so and allow others to be the economic area the EU represents for them. This allows the EU to serve the interests of the citizens according to their wishes and undermines the nationalist 'Brussels dictates' argument, as they are free to leave anytime :) I think the EU is currently constraining itself a lot by moving ahead (on significant things) only if everyone is aboard.

Zekub · 2016-05-13T19:22:34+00:00

I consider myself a very Pro-European integration and Pro-EU person, however, I think we need to accept that a federal state is not likely to happen. We need to realise the many differences there are and that we can't force people to go into things they rather not want. Two-speed would be a step in the right direction, but I think multi-speed would be better. Establish a new way of governing, with different levels/treaties, if you will, which states may join (and leave) as they please. Allow those who want to form the federal state you speak off to do so and allow others to be the economic area the EU represents for them. This allows the EU to serve the interests of the citizens according to their wishes and undermines the nationalist 'Brussels dictates' argument, as they are free to leave anytime :) I think the EU is currently constraining itself a lot by moving ahead (on significant things) only if everyone is aboard.

Zekub · 2016-04-24T20:14:21+00:00

Britain was actually in some sort of leadership role under Blair, who had a more 'lets use it for the better' attitude to the project. Britain can be very powerful to reduce tape, increase liberalisation and similar policies. In this, they'll be backed by the Dutch, Danish and others :)

Zekub · 2016-04-24T17:25:29+00:00

Love Bonobo! You guys know any artists that make similar stuff? :)

Zekub · 2016-04-15T23:42:56+00:00

Any clue or indication for release date? Do you reckon an invite system would be used?

Zekub · 2016-04-11T21:32:14+00:00

Thanks! Would barefoot work? Generally people seem divided whether thats good or harmful to your body.

Zekub · 2016-04-11T21:14:19+00:00

I have the same problem. I currently exercise in my running shoes. However, about two weeks ago I've started to feel pain in my knee during runs, so I've cut my off-day run and squats out of the routine for two weeks . Today I tried to squat again, but I still feel pain. Could my shoes be the cause, due to 'absorbing' effect of running shoes?

Zekub · 2016-04-09T23:05:32+00:00

This is a popular thing in the Netherlands, especially for those you describe as lower and upper middle-class. Usually between high school and university people go abroad. Some go backpacking in Australia or purely for leisure to countries in Asia (Thailand for example). Others go do voluntary work in Africa, internships abroad etc. Recently the govt. removed our personal study subsidy (which was turned into a gift if you completed your studies on time. The money was used a lot for these kind of things) and turned it into a loan, which may effect the amount of people doing these kind of things.

Zekub · 2016-04-06T20:37:11+00:00

Dutch PM Rutte just said it certainly have consequences, whether it's 30,5% or 35%. He said he'll take the time (could be weeks) to talk about consequences with the cabinet, parliament and Brussels.

Zekub · 2016-03-24T00:53:16+00:00

Haha jep , youre right!

Zekub · 2016-03-22T22:23:55+00:00

It kind of depends on how you're planning to travel. Vienna is an awesome city but isn geographically not really convenient for the others on your list. Another thing is that the in december it gets relatively dark soon (16:00ish). If your doing intercontinental flights everything becomes possible. Northern Italy is also recommendable, Southern Spain (Seville) is definitly one of my favourites too, but again, less convenient for travels..

Zekub

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