The Wave

http://www.thewave.tk/

So I found this website, I would like to believe it is being honest but I don't know for sure.

"Police blame anti-fascists for violence"

Saw this headline today and I thought it was relevant to Die Wielle.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-blame-antifascists-for-violence-1925038.html

Read this article...it is slightly ironic if you think about it. An anti-Fascist protest against Islam turns violent. Do these people even know what they are fighting/protesting for? Or are they caught up in the "wave" of the cause and community feeling?

The Greek Economic Crisis Continued

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/world/europe/18euro.html?ref=global

The above article is about the financial crisis in Greece and what the rest of Europe is going to do as a solution, namely Germany. Many people are looking at Germany to step up and use its surplus to help Greece, but is this Germany's responsibility? It is the European Union, not the German Union, right?

This paragraph comes from the article:

"The debate is partly about economics — what steps European countries need to take to tackle their demons of high debt and slow growth. But it is also about leadership, as the European Union struggles to define its mission during the deepest economic crisis in its history."

How will this financial crisis affect the overall identity or perception of the EU? Any solution will not come overnight, therefore, this will be a long haul for EU member states as they are forced to take cut backs as a unit. This is the problem with having joint economic systems.

If you want to read further, this following article talks about how the signs indicate that the IMF may need to get involved in the crisis. According to this article, receiving aid from the IMF can sometimes be seen as embarrassing, so how will this further affect the perception of the EU as a whole if it comes to this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/world/europe/18euro.html?fta=y

Independence from Spain?

In our trips across the country of Spain we have experienced different cultures, each a product of Spain's diverse history and system of autonomous communities. In our studies we have looked into the causes of such intense regional identity, such as language, culture, geography, and even food. In Granada we experienced a culture that combined the rich in the history of a powerful Moorish Caliphate and the triumph of the Catholic Kings, Ferdinand and Isabella, to become very pro-Spain In Barcelona, we witnessed a booming metropolis with a powerful economy and devotion to industry. The regional pride of the Catalans runs deep. The residents prefer to speak in Catalan, and feel more allegiance to the Community flag rather than the flag of Spain. There is no doubt that a profound rift exists between the different people's of Spain. Even in casual conversation with our Spanish friends Poncho (from Cordoba), we can not mention anything about Barcelona or Catalonia without him getting profoundly upset and angry.

But my question is not what this rift means for Spain, but rather what it means for the E.U. as a whole. Should a powerful Province such as Catalonia be pushing for independence when is holds so much control over national politics? Maybe they should first look at the implications of a federalized system. Would the people from Barcelona benefit on the European stage from independence? or will the community fizzle into nonexistence without the support of a central government in Madrid? If not, will the stronger independent communities use their industrial capacity to become (more) legitimate players in European politics? Regardless, the actions of Catalonia will be closely monitored in the coming months and years, and the final outcome will certainly set a political precedent.

Recent military arrest in Turkey

In late February the Turkish government arrested 49 active and retired military officials. The government has accused the military officials of alleging plotting an overthrow of the government in 2003. These arrested have heighten tensions between the Turkish Military and the Islamic based ruling party, AKP. Since taking power in 2003 AKP and its reforms have weaken the Turkish Military's influence in politics and brought the military under civilian control in an attempt to become more 'Eurocentric.' The Turkish military sees itself as the last guard of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's principles, specifically that Turkey stays a secular state.

My Question is: Do you believe that these arrests are a move in the positive direction for modernizing Turkey? Will Brussels and the EU look upon these action positively or do you think that these arrest have a more sinister intention, some have labeled these arrest as payback or political witch hunt?

Article: http://www.cfr.org/publication/21548/weakening_of_turkeys_military.html

Take a Bow

Hola chicos

There has always been cynicism towards politicians as far back as history goes but with the crisis that the world has seen in in the past few years, high profile elections, and prevalence of terrorism there have been more political messages in our every day lives than we can count.

Listen to this song by the British rock band Muse. Knowing what you do about modern day politics, who do you think this song is about? Do you think it is open to interpretation? Do you think Matthew Belamy had a specific message about a particular person? Also, do you share his cynical viewpoint and feel his frustration? Do you think we need to just accept the fact that "politicians will philander, as a certain inalienable truth"? to quote "Everybody's Free (to wear suncreen)" How does this make you feel?