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Is anyone following the strange case of the German Strangeloves?

Unless this is a hoax (I don't have free time for serious snopesing these days), it sounds eerily familiar:

Germany's most influential political think tank is demanding the comprehensive disempowerment of smaller EU member states in questions of foreign and security policy, as shown by the newly published strategy report of the Bertelsmann Foundation. The report promotes "Europe's" development of global power and contains numerous suggestions for the EU's formation, including the demand to establish an "EU Security Council" to supervise all of the EU's security policies. Only those seven countries with the largest military budgets will be permanent members. All other states, according to the Bertelsmann document, have to content themselves with a temporary and rotating membership. It is proposing comprehensive arms programs and is calling on the EU to compete with US power policy. Because the population of the EU is more concerned about the fight against poverty than the development of global power, the document's authors are calling for concerted propaganda measures and determined leadership.

Now, if the EU thinkers were proposing to contain US power, or to challenge US policy, that might be heartening.  But the word "compete" here is rather frightening:  what are they thinking, that the EU should be invading Iraq and stealing its oil?  That the EU should be nuking Iran?  Are they really trying to compete with -- outdo? -- the Yanks?  Heaven help us.

Perhaps our German correspondents can interpret this oddball position paper...

The difference between theory and practise in practise ...

by DeAnander (de_at_daclarke_dot_org) on Sat Jan 26th, 2008 at 02:16:42 AM EST
This is just what the Irish 'no' campaign needs.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jan 26th, 2008 at 03:38:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]
No hoax. The Bertelsmann Foundation was the foundation of the owner of a big media conglomerate, and long promoted conservative insanities and free-market capitalism.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Sat Jan 26th, 2008 at 07:38:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Fron DeAnander's above-referenced article:
"too many of Europe's leaders seem only willing to follow public opinion, rather than lead it."
"

Holy cow, does this (and the rest of th3e article) have a familiar, "Reichean" ring.

Capitalism searches out the darkest corners of human potential, and mainlines them.

by geezer in Paris (risico at wanadoo(flypoop)fr) on Tue Jan 29th, 2008 at 09:12:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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