The Evil European

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suspended the application of a key Cold War arms control treaty.Mr Putin signed a decree citing "exceptional circumstances" affecting security as the reason for the move.Russia has been angered by US plans to base parts of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.The US said it was "disappointed" by Russia's decision but would "continue to have discussions with them in the coming months" on how to proceed.The 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE) limits the number of heavy weapons deployed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Urals mountains.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Russia suspends arms control pact

During my time at High School, I remember a picture from my GCSE History class on the Cold War. Basically it showed a picture of the world with a big crater where Europe was and a joint speech bubble arising from Moscow and Washington with the phrase 'Opps' in it.

I cant help but think that history is repeating itself. Maybe its time for the people who live in this possible future conflict zone to tell everyone to fuck off! Of course, this would mean that European nations would REALLY have to work together and grow a fucking backbone.....hmmm, don't hold you breath.

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via Wired

On the 9th July 1955

'Alarmed by what they considered to be the growing threat of nuclear annihilation, 10 of the world's preeminent physicists (including a few who had worked on developing "the bomb") joined mathematician-philosopher-author Bertrand Russell in drafting the Manifesto, which was built around this basic question: "Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce war?"'

That call seems as relevant today as it did 52 years ago....but it seems even less likley to be listerned to. Its not just the threat of nuclear war and proliferation, but the spetca of environmental degredation and cliamte change that will make war, and nuclear war more likley and nations ifhgt over the scrap heap that we are making of this planet.

Damn the Bishop of Carlisle! It has always bee so nice to be all smug about the fact that the USA is home to religious nut bags and the good old UK was a bastion of the sane and sensible. Seems to be less and less the case these days, what with creationism sneaking into Blairit academies.

"The floods that have devastated swathes of the country are God's judgment on the immorality and greed of modern society, according to senior Church of England bishops.

One diocesan bishop has even claimed that laws that have undermined marriage, including the introduction of pro-gay legislation, have provoked God to act by sending the storms that have left thousands of people homeless."
The Daily Telegraph, 2nd July 2007

What is worth noting is that the Bishop of Carlisle is, surprise surprise, a leading evangelical. What is it with evangelical Christians and such bizarre 'proclamations'!

The only thing I agree with is the fact that the Wests raping of the planets natural resources has been responsible for this flooding, but not through God's will, but more fucking up the climatic engine which powers the planets weather.

Of course, saying things like 'You bad westerners and your greedy ways" aint going to be popular with Westerners as 'lets all blame a minority of the population for our woes!'. The Church has been doing it for centuries!

"Polish gay rights groups claim thousands of homosexuals have fled the country to escape increasing persecution.
Robert Biedron, 27, the head of the Polish Foundation Against Homophobia, said that 'huge numbers' of Polish gays had left the country following the rise to power of the right-wing government. He said: 'It is incredible. The Polish gay community has just left because of the climate of fear and persecution.

'Most of the people I know are now in England because of the current political situation. Not for economic reasons, but because of the persecution of homosexuals going on here. It's impossible for gays to be themselves in Poland.'"
The Observer, 1st July 2007

I can't believe this is happening in that country. Poland is also breaching EU law, and while she wants to be a member of the Union and get billions of €uro's in aid, she should follow the rules. That or leave.

I can't help but wonder if Polish membership of the EU was a good idea. Is this just the actions of a right wing government, do they represent the wishes of the population or both.

While this sort of shit is going on in many other countries to a far greater degree, the other EU member states can actually have an impact on the way the Polish government acts.

PS. Its been a while but I am BACK!