Europe

[Kralizec]

For example, the Dutch Socialist Party thinks that Dutch judges should cast aside EU rules if they conflict with national legislation- they either have not thought this one through or are not honest enough to admit that they think there should be no EU regulation at all

Say that 3 times out loud

There are a number of things that I don't want the EU to interfere with, but regulations that already exist should be respected. Otherwise, what's the point?

There were two cases over 40 years ago versus the Dutch and Italian governments when they raised import tarrifs and nationalized an energy company respectively - both were blatant violations of a treaty they signed voluntarily and of the regulations that resulted from it. If national governments were given unlimited freedom to abandon agreements they've previously entered, then the EU would be the useless institution it's often made out to be.

[Fragony]

There are a number of things that I don't want the EU to interfere with, but regulations that already exist should be respected. Otherwise, what's the point?

Yes, what's the point? The SP are a creepy bunch but I am on the barricades with them on this one.

[Kralizec]

Yes, what's the point? The SP are a creepy bunch but I am on the barricades with them on this one.

If the SP, or any other party feels that the Netherlands shouldn't give a rats ass about European regulation then they ought to be consistent and say they intend to leave the EU entirely. Staying a member and acting as if you're not bound by past agreements (wich is pretty much what they're advocating) is like immigrating to a country and then breaking every law there whenever you feel like it.

The SP and the PVV are only against integration and "meddling from Brussels" if it doesn't suit their own agenda. Wilders said he would like to see something like the American 1st amendment to be adopted everywhere and I expect that they'll try to get something along those lines implemented now that they're in the EP, thus further limiting what national governments can do when it comes to free speech. If implemented, I'd expect Wilders to change his opinion as soon as he's told that it means he won't be allowed to ban the Qu'ran.

That is not common sense - it's ignorance at best, and hypocricy at worst.

[Fragony]

The SP and the PVV are only against integration and "meddling from Brussels" if it doesn't suit their own agenda. Wilders said he would like to see something like the American 1st amendment to be adopted everywhere and I expect that they'll try to get something along those lines implemented now that they're in the EP, thus further limiting what national governments can do when it comes to free speech. If implemented, I'd expect Wilders to change his opinion as soon as he's told that it means he won't be allowed to ban the Qu'ran.

I don't understand you here, how would that limit national governments? Not clawing just asking.

[Kralizec]

I don't understand you here, how would that limit national governments? Not clawing just asking.

There's an example right there in my post. The USA's first amdendmend reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It would mean that a national government wouldn't be able to outlaw the qu'ran for example, or that the German ban on swatsikas and whatnot would have to be lifted.

...wich is perfectly okay with me. But since Wilders wants to ban the Qu'ran and keep Mein Kampf permenantly out of circulation, he's an incredible dumbass and/or a hypocrite to have suggested anything of the sort. PVV politicians feel perfectly okay with all sorts of bans and restrictions on freedom as long as they don't affect them personally.

[Fragony]

...wich is perfectly okay with me. But since Wilders wants to ban the Qu'ran and keep Mein Kampf permenantly out of circulation, he's an incredible dumbass and/or a hypocrite to have suggested anything of the sort. PVV politicians feel perfectly okay with all sorts of bans and restrictions on freedom as long as they don't affect them personally.

lol he was just setting a trap and it worked brilliantly, oh the squirming under his mighty boot

point = taken though.