Comments on: Live-blogging the referendum in the Netherlands

By: eulogist

eulogist — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 13:36:48 +0000

@Mark: I fully agree (with your last reply, that is).

By: Mark Giebels

Mark Giebels — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 13:25:05 +0000

BTW, if the EU supporters like you and me are not jumping on the No bandwagon right now, this train is going to be hijacked by the nationalists. As democrats it’s our responsibility to connect this clear No from the people with a pro Europe vision. European integration should be the goal, not this specific constitution.

By: versac

versac — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 07:54:50 +0000

Oh, non, I don’t really like my president that much, as you can see. I don’t know that much of Balkenende, but he looks “average” to me, where Chirac is a ‘miserable failure’. 10 years president and still nothing but a major political and social crisis in the country. His only reaction being ton nominate Villepin, his fellow lieutenant, in PM’s office. Nice, isn’t it ?

Sorryy for the monty python reference, I took it from Kenvin Drum’s blog. I know you say “n�”, after all, I have a Dutch name, but I couldn’t resist the image of these fool knights.

By: Mark Giebels

Mark Giebels — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 05:26:42 +0000

No, no, no, the political parties that have asked the government to withdraw the ratification law are the ones that play procedural games. Why not just vote? Why do they want to avoid it? I’m pretty sure they have a good reason for that…. :-(

By: eulogist

eulogist — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:33:58 +0000

@Mark: I’m flabbergasted at your flabbergastedness! The answer is clear, what is the point of having a formal vote? Procedures over substance? (Hey, that sounds familiar… which party did you say you vote? :-P)

@Versac: Balkenende a better leader than Chirac? Ouch, you really don’t like your president very much, do you? :D
(PS: Loved the “Knights who say nee” reference, can’t believe no one came up with that over here! Perhaps because the pronunciation is like French ‘n�’ rather than English ‘knee’)

By: versac

versac — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 22:00:32 +0000

Thanks for the live blogging. I was confused with the time on afoe.
Looks like Balkenende still is a better leader than Chirac, who still hasn’t saif a word about what he will do about the european constrcution. Neither did our new PM this evening. In the french government, there is a new taboo : europe.
We’re going to have a big struggle between Blair and other continental leaders. we’ll see in 2 weeks.

By: Mark Giebels

Mark Giebels — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 21:56:25 +0000

I’m flabbergasted that you don’t press for a vote in parliament. The Dutch parliament asked the people of the Netherlands by way of this referendum how they should vote regarding the ratification of the EU constitution. The answer was clear. And now you want them to ignore this answer and not vote at all?

Mark

By: Pascal Van Hecke

Pascal Van Hecke — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 20:25:48 +0000

I can’t believe my ears while listening to the debate… yes yes, people of URK, you’ll get them, referendums on

- lower taxes and better welfare at the same time
- speed driving fines
- abolition of nuclear energy and fighting the greenhouse effect

you really live in God’s own country!

By: Pascal Van Hecke

Pascal Van Hecke — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 20:07:21 +0000

Dear people of URK and the wider Netherlands,

I just saw the results for your vote: 75% turnout, 92% NO, 8% YES.
http://www.urk.nl/index.php?simaction=frameset&mediumid=1&pagid=37&rubriek_id=43&stukid=9865

Great!
You just gave an overwhelming majority to a coalition of far-right Wilders, LPF, far-left SP and the christian-fundamendalists. Could you please be somewhat consistent in your voting behaviour in the next national elections so you REALLY can experience what you’ve been voting for?

We’ll speak again afterwards. Please don’t bother us before that time.

Regards,

Belgium, still not plagued by ridiculous referendums