European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

I rather foolishly wrote my car off last weekend, and have spent this week without one.

Not having a car is officially Not Fun when the nearest shop is four miles away.

So far I've learned that:

Walking is very slow, and after dark it gets very cold indeed. A twenty minute round trip with a car is a two and a half hour round trip without one.

Public transport is only slightly less slow. But carrying two big bags and a rucksack of semi-weekly shopping for two miles, because the local bus service only stops in the adjacent village rather than yours, is very hard work.

So far it hasn't rained while I've been out. I'm very grateful for this.

I'm stocked up for the next week or so now, and in theory a new car will arive a week or so from now.

But it's been interesting. (Does anyone have a horse I can borrow?)

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:37:30 PM EST

You can get a bicycle.

Or you can move back to a city. Civilisation has its advantages ;-)

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:40:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Both are excellent recommendations. Now the weather is slightly less rubbish I have been cycling everywhere (I usually walk). I love it, especially since my route to work is dull to walk along. I even cycled home with my manager, chatting along the way as we followed the river down to the Bay. We live in the same area.

I've also started cycling to the gym rather than driving and it isn't as much hard work as I thought. It's even quite peaceful going home at night when the roads are quieter.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:46:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I have a bike, but it needs some attention. And since this is likely to be a passing phase I couldn't quite justify the time spent bringing it back to life.

Also, carrying capacity on a bike can be surprisingly limited.

As for civilisation - I can't even begin to explain how much I hate London, or how much I love it out here, in spite of the many disadvantages.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:55:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Carrying capacity on my bike is limited to two panniers on either side of the back wheel, and a large backpack, and that's because I don't have a third bag to put on top of the back wheel.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:59:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Same here. And that would have been about half the volume I needed today.

I'm not complaining so much as curious how a post-car lifestyle might work. In theory a lot more time would be wasted. In practice that time might well be less 'important and valuable^TM' than it is now. So I'm not sure if it would be a net loss.

Sitting on a bench in the sun waiting for the bus while listening to the birds and looking at the daffodils that are out wasn't a bad experience, particularly.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 03:17:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

As I've pointed out a few times, I can drive to work in 35 minutes or take mass transit and get there in 90 minutes. When driving those 35 minutes are basically lost - I can listen to the radio but can't get anything done I am interested in doing. Using mass transit, I get exercise from walking, and when on the train I can read, sleep, or just imagine. All three of those things are valuable to me. [umm, there is also a higher probability of meeting women when using mass transit]

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 04:20:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

On the idea of time wasted, I can´t remember where I read this recently: Time spent exercising is free time because it expands lifetime, otherwise you would have dead time.

Without a car, you plan your outings/shopping much more efficiently and consume a lot less, besides being a much more social experience.

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.

by metavision on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 04:38:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

For getting the shopping home (if you're thinking about using the car less) I would recommend something along these lines:

Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.

by rg (leopold dot lepster at google mail dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 05:21:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Evening Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

Eek!

Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.

by rg (leopold dot lepster at google mail dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 05:22:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

LOL

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 05:32:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

God, that's just so Brighton. :)

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 06:52:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm still mastering the noble art of carrying four bags on my handlebars--the trick is getting the swinging so that the bags don't graze the tires and rip open...

But, seriously, some kind of trolley on wheels behind...if you have to travel 4 miles to get to a food shop, well that's what I'd do. Save myself a car journey, get to hear the birds, see the hedgerows--and smell 'em (coz you live in the countryside with...I hope....not too many cars zipping down the roads.)

The trailer in the picture looks quite sturdy. With one of those octopus grips things (those bendy things with hooks) to hold everything down, you're free to get off the roads completely, find some cross-country routes.

Well, like I said, that's what I'd do....(I just don't like cars...don't like driving 'em...big metal beasts, always waiting to hit something unless I concentrate. Something about being inside the coccoon. I'd rather have a motorbike if I wuz single and needed something beyond pedal power--or one of those Carver trikes! £23,000 for your own rocket)....

In Brighton, rather than storage trailers, you're more likely to see something like this...

And now, here is our role model for...hmmm...being happy with a trailer.

Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.

by rg (leopold dot lepster at google mail dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 07:32:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

We had one of those bike trailers when we were in California and the child was 2 years old. He loved it.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 07:39:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Unfortunately the main road gets very busy. I might want to risk myself and my shopping. I wouldn't risk a kid. (If I had one.)

There is a very scenic back way, however, on a nearby canal tow path, which leads all the way to Bristol in one direction and London in the other.

I'm going to have to give my bike some TLC and see if I can persuade it to make some local journeys. (Once it's a bit warmer.)

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 08:08:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I thought that the rainy season would be over this weekend just gone and that i would have the bike out, but that looks like it may be put off for another couple of weeks with snow maybe turning up on Monday.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 09:32:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, it seems biking with a kid would be riskier in London than it was in Riverside.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 17th, 2007 at 07:08:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

looking at that sentance i could almost see another paragraph followiung it starting with but... and leading onto an intricate statistical analysis of why in fact it is safer to be on a bycicle in London.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Mar 17th, 2007 at 08:38:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Bike lanes and roads in general were twice as wide, and traffic less dense. Another great thing was that buses had a 2-bike folding rack at the front.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 17th, 2007 at 09:28:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Something like that? (4.00 / 4)

"Ce qui vient au monde pour ne rien troubler ne mérite ni égards ni patience." René Char

by Melanchthon on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 08:34:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What Migeru said. But for shopping, you best get some special bike, say a tricycle.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 02:15:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

US autorities have access to data from European banks

Living ruraly does involve that bit more planning, when there isn't a 24 hour shop to clear up your forgetfulness. Not having any transport just magnifies that. Having lived for several years with no transport several miles from the dubious pleasures of civilisation, you do find that people are much more willing to stop and give you lifts.

At the moment I'm living three miles from work, and end up hitching into work every day (my girlfriend takes my car to go to work during the week) if nothing else it's good for the environment so you can feel smug about yourself.

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 01:27:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Has this been discussed before? (4.00 / 6)

Rabobank has acknowledged that its NY office had had to give data to US authorities, in breach of European and Dutch law.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:51:26 PM EST

Re: Has this been discussed before? (4.00 / 2)

La Banque néerlandaise dément le fait que des informations seraient délivrées "de manière systématique et en dehors de demandes d'entraide judiciaire". Les banques ABN Amro et ING ne font pas de commentaires, mais la Rabobank, en revanche, a confirmé que son bureau de New York avait été contraint de violer les règles européennes et néerlandaises. Les autorités américaines estiment, en effet, que les dispositions légales sur la recherche d'informations s'appliquent aussi aux filiales de banques étrangères établies aux Etats-Unis. Et les établissements européens seraient surtout soucieux de ne pas s'exposer à des ennuis judiciaires qui menaceraient leurs positions outre-Atlantique.

In other words, a Dutch bank would rather break Dutch and European law than "exposing itself to judicial annoyances threatening their trans-atlantic positions".

So Dutch and European authorities should cause some judicial annoyances to said Dutch bank.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 12:58:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (4.00 / 5)

Well; since december 2006 all is "swift-boated" under de radar:

...A report by the European Commission said that Swift had breached its customers' privacy and as such had acted illegally.
As Swift's headquarters are here in Belgium, it was up to the Belgian judicial authorities to act to bring Swift to book.
However, despite pressure from both the European Union and the Belgian Privacy Commission, the judicial authorities have chosen not to take any action.
....
No reason has been given for the their decision.

The struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of memory against forgetting.(Kundera)

by Elco B (elcob at scarlet dot be) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 01:23:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (4.00 / 3)

I think no one is really outraged enough about the subtext here which is - 'We are above the rule of law.'

The one absolutely consistent theme of the last 6 years of Bush, and to a lesser extent the last 50 years of US adventuring, is the narcissistic belief that the usual rules don't apply.

It's what brought down Nixon, killed Enron, and it may yet do for Bush.

But if the EU wanted to make a stand - which it doesn't seem to, particularly - it could do a lot worse than aggressively fine the offenders here.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 03:21:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (4.00 / 3)

I am personally appalled because of the inescapable conclusion that EU (including member states') law is apparently no applied to banks like the three mentioned in the story (Rabobank is only one of them). This is so clear to everyone that Rabobank thinks they can simply admit to breaking EU and Dutch law. In a reasonable world their stock should have dropped by the value of the massive lawsuit they should be facing.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 03:33:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (none / 1)

Just saw the TV-discussion with Jerome; he could have brought this case up to illustrate te fact that our "professional journalists" dont do their job.
There is indeed a confidence-crisis.

The struggle of man against tyranny is the struggle of memory against forgetting.(Kundera)

by Elco B (elcob at scarlet dot be) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 04:05:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (none / 1)

The EU should get aggressive about levying fines on these companies. If they pitch them at the right level they will generate some extra revenue without all that whining about tax rate increases.

And if whining about the fines starts, then at least the underlying issue will get some examination...

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 03:34:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (none / 0)

What else is new? Anything "swifted" since 2001 is netted, but no msm is going to confirm that detail for us.

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.

by metavision on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 01:14:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Has this been discussed before? (none / 0)

Snark directed at msm and 43rds.

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.

by metavision on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 01:16:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Finnish studs (4.00 / 4)

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=1337381

Our recently divorced PM Matti Vanhanen, who, you will recall, picked up a decent ordinary single 30 year old called Susanna via an Internet chat, dated her for nearly a year and then dumped her by text message. She retaliated with a revealing book about their relationship, which appears to have involved a lot of humping.

It was a major blip of the news screens for a while, but then our Matti obviously got the word to lie low for a while.

Unfortunately he has apparently being lying low with a Green politician, Merikukka Forsius, a rather intelligent and stunning blonde. Merikukka (Seaflower - what a wonderful name) has had her own public love spats in the past with other powerful men.

Poor Matti, dull as ditchwater in politics, but clearly a better performer in the horizontal mamba.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 01:27:43 PM EST

Re: Finnish studs (4.00 / 3)

OMG. I'm getting my Finnish gossip from Eurotrib!

Anyway, Merikukka? Oh well, after Hjallis I guess even Matti is okay..

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--

by tzt (tztmail at gmail dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 06:17:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ee/ee_forecast_warnings.html

Nice picture, Fran!

I planned/promised a takeover of the frontpage for today, but then I again had to work (off-line). A condition to continue in the rest of the weekend... but don't be surprised if I invade one evening in pirate fashion!

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 02:20:53 PM EST

Springtime (none / 1)

Lovely springtime weather - it's been alternating between a mix of snow and sleet and sleet and rain all day long. We had low seventies (low twenties) in a spring-like January, October weather in December, low teens (c. -10) last week shifting up to a good fifty degrees a few days later, an arctic February from hell, and now this.

by MarekNYC on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 02:30:38 PM EST

Re: Springtime (none / 1)

Here's our weather forecast for the next few days.

The Met Office continues to predict a change to markedly colder conditions, with periods of disruption from snow and ice. The first of these comes from heavy snow showers on Sunday in Scotland and Northern Ireland, extending south to western parts of England and Wales on Monday morning. Further spells of snow and hail are likely to affect other areas during the rest of Monday into Wednesday, transferring from the north and west, to eastern England by Wednesday. Most central parts should stay dry. Falls of 2-3 cm will occur at lower levels, 10-15 cm mainly over some higher routes, mainly during the night time and early morning periods. Most of the snow at low levels will melt by day but will refreeze by night to give icy stretches on roads. Winds could gust to 60 mph or more in Scotland leading to temporary blizzard conditions. This warning will be updated around 1100 Saturday 17th March 2007.

Issued at: 1228 Fri 16 Mar

Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.

by rg (leopold dot lepster at google mail dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 05:33:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Conseil Constitutionnel closed the lists for the French presidential today at 18:00. Those who filed the necessary 500 supporting signatures from elected officials were (in alphabetical order):

François Bayrou (UDF)
Olivier Besancenot (Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire)
Marie-George Buffet (PCF)
Arlette Laguiller (Lutte Ouvrière)
Jean-Marie Le Pen (Front national)
Frédéric Nihous (Chasse, pêche, nature, traditions)
Ségolène Royal (PS)
Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP)
Gérard Schivardi (soutenu par le Parti des Travailleurs)
Philippe de Villiers (Mouvement pour la France)
Dominique Voynet (Verts)

José Bové arrived half an hour before closing. He says his signatures have not yet been confirmed by the Council, and it seems he is hoping for some to arrive from overseas territories (these may be accepted if they come in tomorrow morning).

So there are eleven official candidates, twelve if Bové is accepted.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 04:16:49 PM EST

Can I ask for a political compass? Pick the two main issues and rank te candidates.

"It's the statue, man, The Statue."

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 04:29:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Friday Evening Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

Left - right :
# Arlette Laguiller (Lutte Ouvrière)
# Olivier Besancenot (Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire)
# Jose Bove
# Gérard Schivardi (soutenu par le Parti des Travailleurs)(Schivardi himself is a former member of the PS, PT is an alliance of Trotskyist, Communist, Anarcho-syndicalists and Socialists ; but most usually associated with the former UCI, i.e. lambertists troskyists of whom Jospin was once a member) (I only know all this because my mother was in the UCI post '68)
# Marie-George Buffet (PCF)
# Dominique Voynet (Verts)
# Ségolène Royal (PS)
# Frédéric Nihous (Chasse, pêche, nature, traditions) (The electorate is often traditionnaly left wing, although the leadership is more right-wing ; the party has caucused with left and right alliances in regions)
# François Bayrou (UDF)
# Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP)
# Philippe de Villiers (Mouvement pour la France)(used to be a mainstream right-wing politician, now pretty much has the same platform as Le Pen, with a traditional catholic - anti muslim bent)
# Jean-Marie Le Pen (Front national)

Position on referendum from strong yes to strong no :

# François Bayrou (UDF)
# Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP) (Chirac-like with regards to Europe. Mostly sees Europe as a way to get benefits for some supporters, and to shift blame)
# Dominique Voynet (Verts) (party divided, but everybody respected the party line after the party vote, unlike PS)
# Ségolène Royal (PS) (party divided, campaigned for Yes)
# Olivier Besancenot (Ligue Communiste Révolutionnaire)(nominally internationalist; doesn't want a liberal Europe)
# Arlette Laguiller (Lutte Ouvrière)(same as above)
# Marie-George Buffet (PCF)(same as above, but the PC has also been more "nationalist" since the 80s)
# Frédéric Nihous (Chasse, pêche, nature, traditions) (ruralist, and feels EU is responsible for disparitions of public service in countryside, and worse, for shorter hunting periods)
# Gérard Schivardi (soutenu par le Parti des Travailleurs) (in order to get its 500 signatures, has a platform defending "mayors" and "departments" against more recent divisions such as intercommunality and... Europe)
# Philippe de Villiers (Mouvement pour la France)
# Jean-Marie Le Pen (Front national)

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Fri Mar 16th, 2007 at 09:21:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ranking (none / 1)

I'd put Nihous right of Sarkozy in terms of policy prescriptions.
As to Europe, I'd rank Besancenot alongside de Villiers and Laguiller below Le Pen in their hostility to Europe.

In terms of personal opinion, I'd rank Sarkozy below Royal. Sarkozy is not pro-European, and he hardly campaigned for the oui last year, even though it was his party in power.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Mar 17th, 2007 at 04:30:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

linca's listing is very useful. I'll do a diary along the lines you suggest, though, taking some major issues and attempting to see where the candidates line up on them. Not today...

The official announcement of the list of candidates takes place on Monday. In 2002, there were sixteen, so, Bové or not Bové, there will not be so many this time.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sat Mar 17th, 2007 at 01:24:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]