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IN LATE APRIL 2010, an explosion at BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig resulted in the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the industry.
Shortly after the explosion, Greenpeace asked conservation photographer Daniel Beltra to head to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. Beltra contracted a plane to see the real effects of the oil spill.
The work has been collected in the book Spill, which is availabe to purchase on his website. Beltra shared a number of photos from the first two months of the spill…
On 22 April, two days after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, an oil leak was discovered when an oil slick began to spread at the former rig site.
Originally, BP reported that no oil was escaping from the well but, on 24 April, the Coast Guard confirmed that there was a “serious spill” occurring.
With no oil reaching the shores yet, Beltra contracted a plane to take him over the Gulf. Even that task was difficult, with planes barred from numerous areas and unable to fly below 3,000 feet.
Soon he found plenty of oil, with 62,000 barrels flowing from the leak per day.
Meanwhile BP was working to stem the spill. The company sent underwater robots to try to activate the well’s defunct blowout preventer safety valve, but this failed.
Next, BP tried placing a “containment dome” over the largest leak and piping the oil to a storage vessel. That method failed as well.
In mid-May, BP engineers successfully inserted a tube to begin capturing some of the oil, which was then transferred to a drill ship on the surface.
“When I was there working, I was just like, when is this going to end?” Beltra told Business Insider. “It was flowing and flowing and flowing.”
Beltra’s four-day assignment was extended to 28 days. After the first month, the spill showed no signs of stopping.
For part of the cleanup, the Coast Guard would ignite “controlled burns” of oil slicks. This method works, but only in particular situations.
In late May, oil began finally reaching Louisiana shores. According to Beltra, BP and the government began heavily controlling what areas the media did and didn’t have to access to.
“[BP and the government] were trying to minimize what was going on,” Beltra says. “They wanted it to look like it wasn’t as bad as it was.”
Beltra says it was impossible to get access to dead animals, of which there were many. “Every carcass was recovered and quickly put into locked freezers — for the coming lawsuit they told us,” Beltra says. After weeks of trying, Beltra finally got access to an animal cleanup facility for one hour. They showed him these birds.
After nearly three months and 4.9 million barrels of oil, the leak was finally capped on 15 July. In June, BP announced the cleanup complete, after 3 years of working in the area. Questions remain about the long-term effects of the spill.
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Erm, there are over twenty other counties in the EU lads. How about asking us what we think for a change?…Oh right.
The EU has become a joke. It should be a zone of free trade and co-operation. Not the amalgimation of completely different cultures into one country. The EU was set up to protect small nations from war but small nations are becoming manipulated by powerful nations’ diplomacy. IREXIT?
It is a zone of free trade and cooperation.
It is not one country.
There hasn’t been a war between EC/ECC/EU members since the union was founded.
There has to be more than that though.
No good telling people “sure your generation will be the first in human history to be worse off than their parents because of our economic decisions, but at least the Germans arnt dropping bombs on you anymore”
But they are, only now the bombs come through the letterbox
This is the European Parliaments vision for Europe:
http://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/article_small/public/thumbnails/image/2016/08/22/15/top-medal-winners-eu.jpg
@Philblanc Your a little confused The EEC was set up and britain and ireland joined in 1973 as a common market . Between 1945 and 1973 europe was peacefull . Nato keeps the peace
Daniel the EU is a joke. Look at them in Italy building a Mosque at the Tower of Pisa, right at the tower without saying how about building it near it and not at it? The EU are just mad…
https://www.rt.com/news/356708-pisa-italy-mosque-rally/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS
Yes it’s an economic war isn’t it?
@Ryan Carroll First generation in human history to be worse off than their parents – eh no, that’s happened countless times. What a dumb statement.
October 2nd: Hungary’s referendum on migrant quotas is up for grabs. Hint, it will be a “no thanks” and the Austrian re-election is on due to previous vote rigging. Norbert Hofer’s Old Right party are set to win and when they do, Norbert has promised to put to the people an Austrian EU Exit referendum. No wonder the top brass in the EU are showing a bit of mutual solidarity for an EU END-IT is almost here.
The EU is a failure. The sooner it goes the better for us all.I though Ireland was a republic, turns out its a vassal state of Germany, ruled by faceless suits to the determinant of ordinary Irish people.
Hmm. I mean, look how peaceful, democratic, and friendly with its European neighbours Turkey is, what with all the democracy that being a NATO member, umm… hasn’t brought it. Sorry, but it’s not enough to be in a military alliance against Russia to keep European peace. You need countries to be able to work together rather than against each other on common problems (such as, in this age, tax-dodging, environmental protection and protecting refugees), to have strong trade links, to be familiar with each others’ cultures, and to know and be friends with people from different backgrounds and different countries. The EU helps massively to provide these things; NATO, though very important in its own right, doesn’t.
It’s staggering that they don’t realise that people want less European integration and not more! You would’ve thought Brexit would signal that. Also, their comments on defence and security are very unsettling with regard to the security interests of military non-aligned nations within the EU and effectively their (our) sovereignty with regard defence competencies. We are stronger together, but like an overly-attached girlfriend/boyfriend: it can become too much after a while.
I don’t think many care so much about integration level, it’s three big problems:
1. When things go to EU level they’re in the hands of an unelected president leading an executive branch owned by lobbyists
2. This smug attitude of the big 3-4 telling everyone else what to do, they go on as if the German Chancellors the sole leader of the EU, the media plays along with this never questioning it. They appear totally oblivious to how much this angers ordinary away citizens outside the EU
3. The idea of the EU was a social market economy where ordinary joe had a higher quality of life, that’s what made it so attractive to people fleeing the Warsaw Pact back in the day, but since the Euro cos of how it’s designed the EU is basically attacking the living standards of its own people.
Hi Fred,
I would welcome a federal Europe, so am unsure how you have secured the right to rant for me.
I do insist that the building of a social Europe be put back on track and I hope that Brexit will have helped ensure the leaders mind return to that task.
A real federal Europe would be democratic with an elected President to lead the executive branch and a parliament that can propose laws.
What we have now is an undemocratic superstate where they intentionally transfer powers to EU level so they can say “nothing to do with us now talk to the EU!”. But we can’t, because our MEPs can’t propose their own laws and we do t vote for the President, and the only people who have influence on him are corporate lobbyists….don’t tell me that designs an accident
Like an abused woman who won’t leave home, eh Joe? You sit there in your chair and let us know when the ‘great social reform’ happens.
Hi Ryan, I totally agree with your three points, however, integration is another issue facing the EU. Statistics time and time again show higher levels of nationalism than that of supporting their European identity over their country (Google it Joe).
Yes 34% of the voting public in the UK votes to leave lets close the whole thing. Get real!
Welcome to the United States of Europe.
Leave your belief in democracy at the door.
This is not a USE, I only wish it was.
For all their problems they at least get to elect their President, ours is chosen behind closed doors. They get to vote for a congress that can make its own laws, ours can only vote on what the unelected president hands them. When one of their states has problems funding it’s budgets due to federal mandates they get fiscal transfers, whereas we get high interest loans while haughty smug Germans act like they’re cutting us a welfare check totally oblivious to the fact that as they ran large budget deficits in the 90s/00s Ireland ran surplus after surplus and paid down its debts.
IF ONLY we had a bloody USE
We’re moving towards it and I do not want or like it one bit.
They have a choice between Clinton and Trump. Yeah real democracy!!!!
What choice do we have itsonlyme?
Also, the US populace does not elect its President. The Electoral College does, which in many states, is not obliged to vote for whom the populace voted for nor required to state who it voted for. It is fundamentally undemocratic and was precisely intended to be that way.
@KerryBlake
Ireland has the structures and voting system to allow for democracy and an active Republic but the populace refuses to use it.
The US has no such choice.
Not when it comes to Europe Jason…..
True, actually Kerry.
We had in that regard. They bullied us into it and made sure it is near impossible to do anything to go back. No real Euroscepticism in the Dáil. A handful, maybe.
Well said Ryan
How is the EU undemocratic? Honest question.
I’ll give you a short summary of two areas Guybrush, so you get the gist.
First off, it bullied the populations of several countries, ourselves included, into signing over sovereignty to a greater extent each time. France voted against the EU constitution and it was forced on them anyway. It was originally believed to be for a single market. However, it was always intended to become Superstate. They do everything in secret. Countries who are obliged to have referendums, like we do, and vote no are made to vote again until they get it right.
It is all done incrementally. Quite clever. No sane person would vote for the right of Germans or Danish people living in their countries to have a say in the laws of Ireland.
Secondly, you want your MEP to change a law? Too bad, he/she can’t. They only vote on bills written, initiated and approved by the EU Commission. MEP’s can’t propose, amend or repeal legislation. Each member state has one commissioner. The commissioner swears an oath to uphold the interests of the EU not the interests of his country. They run the show. We do not elect our commissioner.
*Note however that criticising the EU does not mean that I think Ireland is an amazing democracy. The difference is, as I mentioned in a previous comment, has structures in place that potentially allow the people to have a say should they decide to use it. The EU has none of these.
Britain exerted its stronger sovereignty – Ireland continues to be an EU lapdog care of the usual political Mafia, getting screwed over in oil, gas, fishing rights, secret trade agreements that will affect 500+ million more badly than good.
No wonder Merkel and co are pissed. Someone stood up to them and told them basic where to shove it!
“Many thought the EU was finished after Brexit but that is not how it is”.
Well thank you. I guess that can be put to bed now.
And you wonder why they left when these Eurocrats speak in proclamations like this.
Merkel and co are full of sour grapes.
The EU is just exploiting the rest still in it for the gain of itself.
Be it the new EU army or shoving TTIP down throats – its all sickening.
When Putin’s tank arrive in Warsaw in the next 12 months you will be glad of am EU army.
The spokesman, you know so much more than the intelligence and security services.
You need to volunteer your services and sources to the European intelligence services.
@ Michael OLainn
Now that the EU is progressing to with another extra army structure in the world, it means another entrant into the arms race. With people in it that are not citizen democratic elected – thus less accountable as the public cannot un-elect them for any mistakes or bad decisions – they have more of a carte-blanche to do as they see fit, spend as they see it (with public money) and carry on regardless? Now there’s a few points to ponder over?
Ireland being part of the EU, any final vestiges of a once neutral Ireland status, can be thrown out any window of an EU office? Irelands neutrality has been slowly, quietly chipped away? Only fools would espouse that Ireland is still as neutral as the day the state was created?
The above questions arise as its further looked at the direction Ireland is heading to?
Ireland, care of the EU, is being told to spend more of its money buying military equipment including seafaring articles of war. All this while EU chiefs deliberately delayed revealing further details about proposals for a new £1 Trillion budget, for the next seven years to the army that Juncker wanted. Budget plans were put off till autumn 2016 so not to fuel British Eurosceptic arguments their referendum. An attempt at censorship that failed as (a) news got out anyway and (b) the Brexit side won by a two million vote surplus.
Only EU diplomats were quietly shown the EU army plans. The plans are said to include proposals for new European military structures, including a headquarters. The plans for the army could reach further back than anything Juncker desired. One of CIA’s most senior analysts, Michael Scheuer is on past record stating;
“EU leaders suffer from a “hubristic desire” to rival US power.”
On June 12th, 2016 one Dutch brigade, the 11th Airmobile, official joined the German army. The Dutch army is made up of three brigades, plus support staff and Special Forces so they are relinquishing control of one third approximately of their military services to another state.
Die Welt’s political editor Thorsten Jungholt wrote;
“Never before has a state renounced this elementary and integral part of its sovereignty,”
People have asked “What about NATO?” NATO is a relic for the Cold War era. It was a treaty organised so that countries could call on others to quickly later, after some incident to justify coming together, then combine their forces on a European battlefield. NATO is now looked at by many as out of date and might not be quick enough to come to a ‘rescue’. The fact that NATO is three quarters funded by the United States of America is also a factor.
The new EU army will be a pre-existing force, already operating before any war-like incident. One already combined and ready to go. The title of the Die Welt June article could say a lot beyond its seven words; “Germany is driving the European Army Project”. With Juncker pushing it massively forward since he came to EU office, there’s apparently no stopping it now? It appears so. As regards the Dutch contribution, Germany is pursuing a second brigade from them alone.
The German Army’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Bruno Kasdorf, wrote a letter outlining plans for future cooperation. “The integration of the Dutch 43rd Mechanized Brigade into the [German] 1st Armored Division shall be encouraged.”
Kasdorf has added that Germany wants to employ the Dutch model in cooperation with other nations.
“The bilateral cooperation with Austria and Poland is currently gaining much momentum,”
Hans-Peter Bartels via being chairman of the German parliament’s defence committee, is on record to Die Welt saying; “The hour has come, finally, for concrete steps towards a European Army,”
While other countries are joining up with Germany, sacrificing their military and elements of control over their own men and women, it’s vital to take note of one significant legal factor.
Germany’s constitution, and its subsequent interpretation by the Constitutional Court, ensures that the German parliament must remain in ultimate control of its own German Army. How this will further play out, affecting overall matters, remains to be seen! So far decision makers in the German defence ministry have given no indication that they would likewise, be willing to transfer over portions of the German Army to other nations. Once again Germany is on the road to being an even bigger major power in the world – all with the help of its neighbours!
As far back as 2004 concerns were expressed in UK media over the forthcoming plans for an EU army while stating in print that “US officials have worries about the EU force” (Article: Blair told plan for EU army may hit relations with US – The Scotsman, 11/011/04). It appears that the military direction of the EU has been a long time coming and an elite in the American intelligence community have known about such plans for a long time – far more than the public in Europe, that the army is supposed to be serving. Certainly if this is the case, it again shows a lack of transparency and honesty with the EU people for over ten years on this matter alone.
When it comes to the actual use of an EU army, would Ireland try and opt out? It remains to be seen. Currently the Irish army participates in other Europe military exercises besides working alongside other nations armies outside of Ireland. A surprising attempt to opt out from battles would come more of a shock to many other EU leaders, than only to be expected?
Should Ireland opt in or opt out of the new EU army, clarity might be need to be constitution permission refined due to one important factor (that could also affect the TTIP treaty too). The Irish Supreme Court previously was called upon to adjudicate on how the EU affects its Irish Constitution on several occasions. The result stemming from this was that, in 1987, a “Crotty Case” concluding had a ruling that stated major EU treaties required a referendum in Ireland.
If Ireland is to opt in militarily, would this require a change to the Irish constitution to allow this to be legal or would any quiet sections in EU treaties already signed, be overruling of the present Irish constitution, regarding any use of Irish military personnel and civilian people?
Questions… Questions… So far still, very few answers and details coming from Dail elected.
It`s not anEU army that Russia would be fighting if that was the case, it would be NATO,there is no EU army – ye dope ye
Most Irish citizens either don’t know it or it doesn’t enter into their lives any time of any year, but Ireland is signed up to a NATO/Partnership For Peace Agreement (PfP). In PR terms this sounds nice and cosy. In real terms it means that Ireland is also willing to go to war and fight for “peace”. Somewhere in the last sentence there is a touch of irony? Again, Irelands actual supposed neutrality again becomes exposed as just a mere myth that’s just fed to the masses.
Ireland signed up to this agreement alone involves being in joint venture to what’s known as Interoperability. This mouthful of a word is very important to NATO and it’s a task they take very serious and expect Ireland to play its part fully in.
NATO describes Interoperability as:
“The ability for allies to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve tactical, operational and strategic objectives.”
In other words, at times of war (involving also possible foreign invasions etc), individual nations fight for another country as best each can, front-line or providing background support.
In 2015 Fine Gael ex-minister for defence, Simon Coveney, produced a White paper on the matter of interoperability. It stated that “Ireland will continue to engage proactively with the UN, the EU, the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and NATO/PfP and other states”. A section in the White paper with the subtitle “Interoperability” also mentions:
”NATO has become the standard-setting organisation for modern military forces, in effect the de facto ‘I.S.O.’ 28 of the military world …the unique NATO process of achieving full interoperability has been made available through PfP to partner countries such as Ireland.”
Such statements clearly show the real direction that Ireland is being further took – all done through the sneakiness of political parties in government who are not even bothering to tell its nations citizens what elected are doing in their name, what actions and consequences they are signing their nation up to or even explaining why! The same quiet, sly signing up applies to also military agreement’s as under the termed “Common Security and Defence Policy” – in other words, the PR euphemism used for describing the formation of the newer EU army.
Buried deep in government documents, away from public prying eyes – heaven forbid the citizens might find out these things – is the Departments of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy 2015-17. Amid many things detailed, comes the following:
“Ireland’s participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and EU operations, in EU Battlegroups and in NATO/PfP and the partnership goal process has supported the development of increased interoperability with other likeminded and EU member states”
Amid the waffle above, note the use of the word “Battlegroups” in conjunction with “Interoperability” and the new EU army (CSDP) to boot! Does anyone seriously think Ireland is a neutral country still? Would they be that deluded as Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Labour, etc. continues to involve supposed ‘neutral’ Ireland in all the above and more? Seriously?
Of course the average citizens are not told all of this. In fact, they are told very little of it, at all. There might be the once in a ‘blue moon’ mention of abbreviations and RTE quoting “European cooperation” on security matters – but the information meat on the activity bones are left from the eyes and ears of a nation of people. Heaven forbid they might object after they kop on what’s really further going on and how deep is their nation involved via their elected?
The Departments of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy 2015-17 says regarding Ireland and “key strategies”:
“…Continue our positive engagement with NATO/PfP …in order to enhance Defence Forces interoperability in multi-national operations and contribute to the development of military capabilities in accordance with international standards”.
Amazingly, older established parties of Ireland still PR spin about Irelands neutrality still supposedly alive, it being a core value of Irish foreign policy!
There was a NATO/PfP meeting on July 8th/9th, 2016 in Warsaw, Poland which was attended by Fine Gaels Paul Kehoe. By coincidence (or not?) it was at the same place and time as a NATO summit was also occurring. Details of what the further outcome for Ireland from either has not been disclosed to the public and little or no details has even been passed onto the Dail!
Ireland citizens are once again being left in the dark. The public however is once again expected to tax cough up for all this military cooperation and arms spending. They are just not being told why, where and how often where part of their ‘neutral’ money goes!
Distinguish NATO and the lack of a European army.
The point I was making is that there is no evidence that Russia has a plan to invade Poland. I see no rational reason for that but such a wild assertion deserves to be challenge as a specific assertion.
As for the essay on European militarism, it is an interpretation but not one with which I agree.
@ Motherofdivinejebus
There is no EU army?
That’s one of the most wrong statements made all day. Someone is either not well informed of facts that can be verified and on record – some stated above – or they are in denial.
NATO is done. As the US is 75% funding it and show seriously reluctance to continue doing this, Junker and co have long progressed their EU army and nations including Germany have already combined forced to create it.
Someone seriously needs to do their own research!
@ Micheal OLainn
Its no interpretation – the facts are on record as is the Junkers (and other EU heads) statements along with military personnel creating the new EU Army. You and man are just (a) not aware of the facts as you are being kept tin the dark by elected close to home or (b) sadly in denial.
So, Russia is about to invade Poland?
@ Micheal OLainn
Honest answer, no idea – but would love to see some verified proving facts on the matter either way.
The is a build up of Russian troops on the Ukraine border. Also Poland are requesting more NATO bases because the fear Russian will invade. Europe is weak, Russia is aggressive, Obama is weak on Foreign Policy. Putin is hungry for the old Soviet Union and has entered into a pact of steel with Turkey. Be vigilant. War is coming.
If Ireland is drawn into a war in Europe, with the weapons we have I can guess what role we’ll be playing, we’ll be making the sandwiches.
When Putin’s tanks arrive in Warsaw they will be met by NATO.
The EU Commission needs to be eradicated.
If Renzi loses his Italian referendum he’ll have no say in any future Europe. Hopefully the same faith will fall on Merkel when she holds her GE.
..
“The Ventotene trip was the start of an intensive tour for Merkel as she attempts to coordinate a response to one of the EU’s biggest crises in decades and quell fears Berlin wants to monopolise the debate.”
Had to laugh at that sentence. Is that not just what she is demonstrating?
German hegemony in Europe is a reality. That needs to be addressed.
It was the euro which facilitated German hegemony.
France is no longer a countervailing and balancing power against German domination.
All Hail Angela
“the leaders vowed to tighten their grip on the European project following the Brexit vote.” fixed it for you Journal.
It’ll be interesting to see how far King Endi can bend over when he meets his counterparts in the coming weeks, I’m sure he too will have some words of reassurance for us. “Ireland!!… Assume.. the position.”
Three European leaders stuck on a rocky island in the middle of the ocean?
Sounds good.
Lets call it the Devils Island Summit.
I love the way they say we can do without Britain as if it’s their choice and that they’re in control in some way
Ya they’re right to move on from it. UK is a self-aggrandising bore. After the Olympics, if I never hear the words ‘Great Britain’ again, it will be too soon.
Their athletes are a credit to their country, and they’ve right to sing their praises.
But it sung them like the Communist countries in the 80, to prove their defiant seperatism, I’ve never heard anything so OTT, it was like the sentimental parts of the X Factor, commentators were sacked if they didn’t tear up instantly!
Psst. Wanna buy a ticket for the Olympics?
Maximising income from Olympic ticket sales is Ireland’s gold medal event.
Europe might be bearable if we could exclude Germany. Why do the Germans appear to make all the decisions and have all the power?
Britain’s last aircraft carrier is reliant on the availability of French aircraft when she sets sail.
Interesting times.
Britain doesn’t have an aircraft carrier at the moment. However it is currently building two.
Of course the eu doesn’t need Britain. Turkey will fill the vacancy.
Buster. Do tell when Turkey will join the EU? A side from the fact membership would require a unanimous vote to let them join. Now I can’t see Cyprus, Greece, Hungary or Croatia voting yes anytime in the next century.
Dear Mick, Within Seven years. http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/702009/Turkey-join-European-Union-2023
Buster. As I said it takes a Unanimous vote by all EU members. Now your piece is from the Daily Express during the Brexit debate prior to the vote. And now even the most rabid Brexiteers admit that Turkey has zero chance of joining the EU.
Btw Buster you may have missed this part in your piece. From the Turkish Ambassador to the EU. “ambassador did admit the conditions for joining are not favourable”. And until all members are prepared to vote to let them in it is not going to happen no matter how much Turkey wish it. And with Cyprus with half the Island currently occupied by Turkey and it’s closest ally Greece stating never, it is not about to happen.
Europe is on the verge of war , no tinfoil hat just facts . On Wednesday , the German government will issue an order for all citizens to stock up on 5 days of food and water in the event of a likely attack . Watch this space
Who are we on the verge of war with? Russia?
Jack’s been on the Infowars mushrooms again! http://www.infowars.com/europe-on-the-verge-of-collapse/
Nope I got it from BBC http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37155060
I don’t know , turkey ? Russia ? Last week , the USA nuclear weapon was moved outta turkey to a US base in Romania , closer to Russia . My bet it’s with Russia , odds on NATO will fire the first round
Britiain was always out of place in Europe.
The younger generation may be different but the over 40s still have that nostalgic notion of an island apart, the fortress nation, the odd man out in Europe.
Goodbye Great Britian; hello little England.
British bureaucrats often felt lost in the European democracy.
Now national pride will be restored. It will be a less influential and less internationally engaged nation, more inwards looking, but perhaps happier in the security of appearing to be in charge of its own affairs even though it exists in a global environment.
Britain will be a little more aware of its separate and distinct Britishness.
You mean they will be allowed to make their own choices Michael? Unlike Ireland when we voted no in two referendums who were told to vote again and vote yes???
So right Micheal. It can’t have its cake and eat it. It is a great country for its heritage and traditions, but has little or no power or influence in our globalised world, and that it can never accept
So Stephen, you are happy with rule form Brussels?
I have no problem with democratic choices. Choices have consequences and costs but that is the responsibility of democracy. Democracy is the rule of the people. It’s the least bad option.
I never supported the euro. It was conceptually misconceived.
I believe that European integration is desirable.
It may be that Brexit will give the European movement a renaissance but only if greater democratic accountability is introduced. The flaws in the European institutions are serious. Reform is needed.
So hard to say Buster, I don’t like the EU but I find the British harking back to past glories it can never re-attain equally hard to stomach. What to do?
Going from this article that reform will never will never happen Micheal. As Orwell said “some animals are more equal than others”….
I’m agnostic as to whether reform will succeed. If reform does not take place, the supranational Europe will descend into entropy.
The era of chauvinistic nation states with untrammelled economic or military conflict was not especially healthy for ordinary people.
Britain harking back to past glories? Really?
I bet many Bible Belt ones in the U.S. will see the Brexit as Revelation 13:3, will that effect the US Presidential vote?
In Germany today… http://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-security-stockpiling-idUSKCN10W0MJ Are they planning a nuclear attack or is the Euro nearly worthless after the Brexit?
When people need to do something weird and nasty they spread the excuse first to bring on fear, is this what is happening now? A thought?
While in other news…
https://www.rt.com/news/356734-aleppo-child-image-china/
Better to be rid of them than forever have to put up with their incessant griping and whinging.
You made your choice Britain, so bye-bye and don’t let the door hit you where the sky fairy split you.
Fint , we need Britain more than you think , did you know there’s an agreement in place that Ireland is ever attacked whether terrorist attack or by another country , the RAF will provide us with assistance
Fintan, your ignorance is astounding.
Fintan we will need the UK when the EU collapses in on itself with TTIP?
The main reason the English/British voted to leave was the freedom of movement directive.
English towns are swamped with eastern Europeans ,leaving no work for the locals plus putting a huge strain on the local infrastructure The idea of paying children’s allowance for children still’ in say Poland’ also stuck in the craw,the ECHR also did not help
When that poet-laureate of warmongering and imperialism Rudyard Kipling boasted that the sun never set on the Empire, one of our own, George Bernard Shaw, responded that the reason was probably that God wouldn’t trust the English in the dark. Some of them have still not emerged from that bubble and still harbour the attitudes that prompted the front page newspaper headline in the 1930s: Gales in Channel – Continent cut off”.
Let them go, let them tarry, let them sink or let them swim, as the old song goes.
That would be the island that stood up to the might of Hitler alone for many years Fintan?
The Dutch, French, Poles, Russians and Belgians did nothing I suppose!
USA aided the UK from day 1.
Well those Dutch, French, Poles and Belgians who managed to make it to the island of Britain did play a part during the Normandy invasion which I respect do you?
Never said I didn’t!
Kerry where would the allies be without Russia during WW2, sunk.
Actually it didn’t Proinsias. The USA remained neutral until Japan attacked them. A good two years after the war officially commenced (or four years if you count the Japanese invasion of China). The USSR meanwhile were abiding by a non-aggression pact until Nazi Germany later invaded them. Poland, France and Belgium were all occupied by the Germans. When historians say the UK stood alone, they actually mean it. The only outside help in the Battle of Britain came in the form of foreign pilots volunteering (mostly Poles, Canadians etc.).
Where would they be indeed as Russia & the Germans attacked Poland simultaneously in 1939. Russia started ww2 with the Germans something anyone from Poland will tell you.
@ Kerry Blake You have been reading too many Battler Britain comics, Kerry. Did the British storm the Führerbunker in Berlin? Was Monty in charge at Stalingrad?
Britain was never alone for a moment – with the vast resources of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many colonies at its disposal. One of them was India, where food and materials were ruthlessly collected for the Imperial cause – and three million people died in the Bengal famine.
Then, of course, the Americans were neutral, but when you hear the word “neutral”, the question you must always ask yourself is: “Neutral against whom?”
BTW, only three capitals of the European countries involved in WWII were never occupied. Two of them were London and Moscow. I’m in the third right now, the capital of a prosperous, democratic, socially liberal country that had to fight for its life and at great cost for years against one of Britain’s allies. It’s also an EU member and most people here wish the British would just buzz off to wherever they want and let Europe get on with solving its real problems.
History is far more complex than you could begin to grasp before you educate yourself a little.
UK from day 1 was a reluctant member. The colonial mentality is ingrained in their psyche. They have an undeserved air of superiority I believe the youth will regret not getting off their ass to vote to remain.
FFS give it a rest. I’d rather UK friends than German threats. Wake up to the reality of Ireland’s position as a Provence in the German run EU. Ireland need to follow the UK out.
Why the use of “FFS”? Genuine question.
Would it be simpler if you fukked off over to the UK!
are you a no 2 nice no 2 lisbon SF head??? What a bloody u turn them boys did on opposing the EU.
England were never been able to be controlled , under the Roman Empire they were always causing Rome trouble , they caused the Catholic Church nothing only trouble during the reformations , England are not like the Irish , we fought for freedom against England then handed straight over to Germany
Michael, FFS is… 4 forks ache :)
What was wrong with the Common Market? Why did it have to turn into the current EU monster and who drove that ambition? Third time lucky.
These clowns are living in cuckoo land. The EU is dying and their policies are driving it into the ground. Britain is right getting out and we should give it consideration. We have nothing in common with these countries. Britain is more important for many reasons. Britain will grow now that they are not being destroyed these losers. The EU is dead and that damn currency is dropping like a stone.
I agree Alan but its the direction the EU is heading in that worries people,it should be left at being a trading block,
but it is turning into a vast social experiment.
Who did the RTE say set up the EU?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founding_fathers_of_the_European_Union
Not them but someone else, although I watched a program that put the credit for setting up the EEC at the feet of an ex French Nazi of the Vichy Republic?
The EU is far from perfect but maybe we should remember what Ireland looked like before we joined. A second world country with pot holed roads run by the Catholic Church. If anyone thinks that generation was better off than this one they need to look at what the EU did to help bring us into the 21st Century. Just because we don’t agree with every rule does no mean we are better off alone.
David Cameron is every Poker player’s dream opponent.
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