Europeans unite against Bush

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/english/article205653.ece

Several European politicians are coming together in an effort to throw Bush out of office, on "behalf of Europe and the world".

A new European campaign against Bush will be launched in a couple of weeks. The founder is the former vice president of the Young Liberals in Norway, Knud E. Berthelsen, and he has joined forces with politicians all over Europe for one reason:

«We cannot just sit back and watch Bush destroy the whole world. If there is only one political issue that we all agree on in Europe, it's this one,» Berthelsen said to TV 2 Nettavisen.

[54anickel]

1. YES!!!!!

[skooooo]

44. How can Europeans come to bear on the election???

This seems like an oxymoron. They're (rightly) not allowed to contribute to anyone's campaign, they can't vote in the election. I don't get it.

[porkrind]

46. What's to get?

I think it's simple: Who in their right mind wants to live in a world controlled by george bush?

[jamesinca]

2. Maybe these are the leaders that Kerry refereed to

who knows, maybe these are in addition to the ones he hinted at.

[Eye and Monkey]

41. it seems that Kerry said "more leaders" not "foreign leaders"

"...Kerry's off-hand remark on March 8 that he had spoken with “more leaders” who hoped he would defeat Bush. Initially, a pool reporter disseminated a misquote of the comment, which reported Kerry saying “foreign leaders."

But the story didn’t switch into high gear until the right-wing Washington Times, controlled by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, blared the results of its investigation of Kerry’s remarks across the front page of its March 12 issue. Though it's been well known for more than a year that many foreign leaders are troubled by Bush's unilateral foreign policy, the Washington Times acted like Kerry's claim was so strange that it merited some major sleuthing.”

http://www.bartcop.com
http://consortiumnews.com/2004/032904.html

[stepnw1f]

3. Here are your Names

If only these pukes knew how much of a minority they really were in the world. The world can not be wrong.

[liberalitch]

4. the world is changing...

amd they aren't

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Names? There's only one

"the former vice president of the Young Liberals in Norway". If Kerry quoted him, he'd be a laughing stock.

I'm sure nearly all leaders of European countries would rather Kerry won, but they just can't say it openly - it would poison relations with the USA now, and if the chimp did win, by fair means or foul, there'd be hell to pay. No-one wants the CIA trying to destabilise them.

[tom_paine]

6. Hurrah for Europe, new home of the Free World!

(well, Canada still belongs, but largely it has left the Western Hemisphere)

I miss belonging to the Free World. You think they can help us rejoin them?

[Mari333]

7. Good. we need saving, because half the US is too lazy to seek the truth

and the rest of us need the help.
Good on ya Europe.

[Malva Zebrina]

8. I would think they have a little experience with fascism and men like

the stupid Bush. It seems to me, they are not going to sit back and let it happen again. I applaud the effort, and that feels sad that I have to say that about my country but there is almost no one here in my country that is showing the slightest bit of alarm or concern to the point where they are fighting for the democracy and for the people--so applauding Europeans is at least a small comfort.

[orwell]

9. Bad Juju

I will be surprised if the Bush junta isn't behind this. American's resent anyone telling them they are full of crap, even if is demostrably true.

This will only send more voters to the regime.

O

[Coventina]

20. I worry about backlash also

I'm not entirely sure this is something that should be put to the American public.

"Vote for Kerry! Europe wants you to!" is NOT something the NASCAR dads want to hear.

[ultramega]

25. Not all Americans.

But I get to thinking things like this when I watch too much cable news and listen to too much a.m. radio. I think I can take it, that I am strong enough to deflect it, but this warped unfair and unbalanced view creeps in...I just don't think all Americans are reactionary redneck blowhards, despite what Limbaugh and Fox say

[Just Me]

32. I am with you, the majority are NOT reactionary "blowhards",...

,...but, they are rightly confused about what the hell is happening and why it is happening.

[Jazzgirl]

26. I wondered the same thing orwell.

I thought at first "this is great" then I thought as stupid as Americans are about NOT paying attention to whats right before their face, they would view this and make it a catalyst to pull together for *shrub. I realize the majority of the world can't stand him (including me) but sometimes thats the way we seem to operate.

Jazzgirl :shrug:

[Classical_Liberal]

31. How come there is no backlash against Murdock and Conrad Black

then?

[wildwww2]

45. Americans are going to resent losing their freedom more. I`m afraid.

But it may be too late if they do fall into the Bu$Hitler trap. I`m sure glad I don`t have anyone that stupid in my family. Except for my two brainwashed sisters and one pussy whipped brother. But they live in PA. And no way is PA going for Bu$h Inc. Too many lost jobs. And not enough electronic voting machines by November. The rest of the repukes in my family hate Bu$h and will vote for Kerry or my dog`s poop first. They have told me so.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[iamjoy]

10. Uh, What Can They Do?

I mean, not to knock Europe, but wouldn't it be illegal for them to spend money trying to influence our election?

[joeunderdog]

14. Notice any tarriff threats lately?

At every chance they get, they are either threatening a trade war or boycotting American goods. Europe AND Asia. Think American exporters don't know what's going on? I have a friend who does business in England and he says "everyone hates us." And that's in Merry-ole England. My pal's a Repub, too.

[salinen]

11. ChimpCo

has been predicting this and has made great effort to remind everyone that europe is our enemy.

[Just Me]

34. Richard Perle, "The Prince of Darkness",...

,...along with his mentally disturbed armageddon cabal HAVE been attempting to set the rest of the world up, even the EU, as our enemy. If ever an anti-Christ exists, it is this guy along with his companions. They are truly "beastly" and should be put in a confined space where we all shine our love on them until they choose to see the light or perish.

On the other hand, we could just ignore the assholes and move on with life in spite of their foul hearts and tongues *LOL*!!!!

[izzie]

12. I think that most EU countries are to smart to be named.

After all they have been playing this game a lot longer than we have. Also the people they send around the world usually are people who spend their lives in that work.We all really could learn from them, but then we have a president that is always right.Look at Powell, he seems to have been put on the back burner.

[Just Me]

13. *LOL* What goes around comes back around,...

,...and I'll bet there will be some hissing fits especially by those who have been doing coups for corporatists all these years.

[ElementaryPenguin]

15. Finance a truly independent cable news network in U.S.!

that would go a long way towards ridding the world of ChimpCo!

[BonjourUSA]

16. The French media are used to say already for a long time.

When they talk about the US policy :

"America of Bush's Administration" or "Bush Administration" or the worst "America of Bush"

[Manix]

17. The most detested and divisive American president in history!

[floridaguy]

18. There are a lot of Americans living in Europe, and . . .

there are many who still can vote. In fact, Michael Moore was supposed to be at a rally in Amsterdam recently organized by expat Americans.

Even though they can't vote or spend money here, I think if a huge majority of Europeans come out and voice their disgust for "W", even the thick-headed Bush supporters might take notice. Also, there are a lot of people who go back and forth and they may influence voters, too.

Of course for those xenophobes who started eating "freedom fries", and who think people won't like Kerry if they say he looks French, there's probably not a lot of hope there.

One of my favorite anti-Bush pictures is one of a parade float in Dusseldorf of Bush as pinnochio. You can see it at naplesforclark2004.com.

[Paschall]

43. Point of information

You say: "There are a lot of Americans living in Europe, and there are many who still can vote."

IMPORTANT VOTING FACTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS LIVING OVERSEAS

All United States citizens living abroad who who will be 18 years old by election day--November 2, 2004--are eligible to vote.

You can register to vote no matter how long you have lived overseas. (Your "voting residence" is the last address where you lived in the U.S.)

You can register and vote even if you have never lived in the U.S. (In this case, your "voting residence" is the last address where your American parent(s) lived in the U.S.)

You can register and vote even if you have never registered to vote before.

By law, all ballots cast by Americans resident overseas must be counted.

You must request an absentee ballot this calendar year, or you cannot use the emergency Federal Write-In Ballot if your official absentee ballot does not reach you in time for the election. In other words, even if you are "permanently registered" to vote, unless you specifically request a ballot this year, you have no recourse should you not receive your absentee ballot in time for the election.

Voting in federal elections has no bearing on your tax status.

You do not need to have any tie to the U.S. except American citizenship to vote.

[Chicago Democrat]

19. Can Foreigners Donate to Kerry's Campaign? to 527s?

[rinsd]

22. No

Foreign campaign contributions are forbidden. That covers soft money too.

[sixtoes1]

24. Exactly the way it should be....

The shoe could be most certainly on the other foot one day. As heated and divided as the country is, we never want foreign influence ($$$) affecting our elections.

[Classical_Liberal]

29. Then you should be mad about Rupart Murdock(australia) and Conrad

Black(Canada) owning so many US papers. Not to mention all the Russian Oligarch money that goes into the American Enterprise Institue, the Manhattan Institute, and the Heritage Foundation.

[sixtoes1]

42. Yeah. It all bugs me. Just ain't right.

[Classical_Liberal]

28. No but they can donate to Kerry causes

who can put out issue ads. They can also donate to non religious right church missionary efforts so all the spiritually minded don't end up fundypublicans, and they can help us to finance a lefty network to rival faux news owned by foriegn right wing zealot Rupart Murdock, not to mention the fact that they can contibute to thinktank efforts.

[sushi]

21. I'm uncomfortable with this

I think it's meddling in another country's affairs. Only the US voters can throw Bush out. On the other hand, the US likes to meddle in other countries' affairs too, and I do believe that Bush is destroying the whole world with his arrogant, ignorant, and patronizing attitude.

[Classical_Liberal]

30. Right wingers from all over meddle in this countries affairs with

their domination of the US media, and their contibutions to US thinktanks.

[dax]

37. Maybe they are uncomfortable with Bush saying who should run their country

It seems ludicrous to me that we should worry about foreign nations expressing an opinion about our government-our government makes pronouncements on foreign governments backed up with threats to destabilize their economy, send in thugs or use the marines if necessary-every single day. get some perspective. if a foreign government did what the US does to them, to America, it would be world war 3. they grouse about how Castro jailed and even executed some of their operatives. Imagine if Castro sent people here with a cover of journalist, professor community gadfly-and they were getting money to build a movement to overthrow the US government. when their plotting was brought to justice, what kind of justice would they get as "enemy combatants. That is what this is all about. We either stand with Europe as a PEOPLE against OLIGARCHY or we consent to our own enslavement as BushCo moves to crush every movement he can find. When there is noone left to stand up for us, he will crush us as well. One of their goals is to eliminate all unions and basically limit all ways that people in a community can combine to challenge anything the government does. liability caps. eliminate liability altogether. plausible deniability until the next phase when they no longer have to deny. after reading what Dirk said, I am deeply disappointed if it won't be but a handfull of countries or maybe just a couple of minor parties-but surely all the ones who have already been cut off could join up! if even 3 countries could stick up for us it would give people so much hope. I think the world is scared that we will be too stupid to get rid of these monsters.

[freeforall]

40. I understand your discomfort, but...

two points:

1. Will the voters throw Bush out? I'm very surprised that after all the scandals, the polls are still showing a tie with Kerry. No offense, but I thought Americans had more sense. His popularity should be in the toilet right now, and people calling for his impeachment.

2. The US often forgets how meddlesome they are, and have always been, in other country's affairs. I'm an advocate of cleaning up our own backyards, and leaving others to do the same. Live and let live. And enjoy the diversity.

My 2 cents.

[neverborn]

23. He's a uniter

not a divider.

[jmatthan]

35. True, he has united the sane world against America

eom

[Sugarbleus]

27. I've been crying out for help, metaphorically, to Canada and others

for quite some time. I wondered where that world court thingy went. I wondered how Bush would look sitting before such a court... :evilgrin:

I'm glad that the rest of the world is not condemning all of us, Just bushco and his ilk. I'm glad they are, presumably, united against Bush..

There is a line of thinking I run into every so often in here and elsewhere, that kinda disturbs me. I loathe Bush. I am worried about our country domestically and internationally. I don't want to be the country that conqueors the whole world and dominates etc. In a short: I'm anti-globalist anything. I'm probably in a small minority who feel that way, so be it. So, while I don't want my country driving for a ONE WORLD ORDER under NeoCons; I also don't want a ONE WORLD ORDER under Liberals or foreign powers either. I don't want a one world government/standard of law telling me what I can and can't do. IMO, I think that "one law", "one mind", whether right or left is EQUALLY dangerous. I hope the world doesn't come to that.

Respectfully~~

edit for added text

[Dirk39]

33. Hello America...

I did never hear of this campaign, but I did never hear about the young liberals in Norway, too. It wasn't mentioned in any german newspaper from moderate to the far left. I guess this is just a small party in Norway launching a kind of campaign for themselves.
It would be completely unrealistic and nonsense to expect from any european leader - although there are many "politicians" - to be part of a meeting like this. Or does anyone in the entire world besides Knud and some DUers believe, that Schröder, Chiraq etc. would ever do such a thing? They might be idiots, but they are still idiotic diplomats.
Seems to me that these "liberals" are liberal in the european not the american sense of the word. I just quote one source on the web about the liberal party of Norway from Dec. 2003, which seems to have less support there than Nader in the USA, to bring you back to reality:

http://www.e-norway.com/forums/showthread.php3?threadid=28


"Norway's tiny Liberal Party, which is part of the ruling government coalition even though it has minimal voter support, has been busy dealing with an internal power struggle this week. Now its current leader appears to have won and the prime minister is likely relieved.

Lars Sponheim, who now leads the Liberals (Venstre), and also sits as Norway's Minister of Agriculture, said Friday he'll stand for re-election.

That means he's probably fended off a challenge from party insiders who backed Olaf Thommessen, a Norwegian businessman who clearly seems interested in a political career.

Thommessen, son of a well-known family who's also married to former top model Vendela Kirsebom, had made no secret that he was keen to lead the Liberals, and that he'd like a ministerial post.

Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik of the Chistian Democrats, who's been trying to hold his shaky non-socialist coalition together, was reportedly skeptical because Thommessen has no political experience. But then several of the government's other ministers didn't either when they were appointed.

Now it looks like Sponheim will continue in Bondevik's government. Sponheim said he had "a good meeting, with good dialogue" with his party's election committee on Friday.

Thommessen said he hadn't decided yet whether he now would accept a post as the Liberal's deputy leader. Newspaper Aftenposten had reported Friday morning that he probably would.

The Liberals only hold about 3 percent of voter support in Norway, but because the party straddles the center of the political spectrum, it helped the Christian Democrats and the Conservatives form a government after the last election in 2001. It also laid claim to no less than three top ministerial posts: Justice, Transport and Agriculture.

That appears to give the party a disproportionate amount of power given its minimal voter support. Party politics in Norway, and endless deal-making, makes it all possible."

But on the other hand: if one recognizes what Bush's "coalition of the willing" has archieved...
But me, I don't need a coaliton like this. SHUT THEM DOWN.
Don't bother me with Kerry against Bush. I have more decisions to be made than Pepsi or Coke.
America should import some psychoanalysts from good old Europe, who are specialized in hysteria. Freud already announced "I bring you the pest", but he didn't succeed...


Hello from Germany,
Dirk

[usscole]

36. Change the subject

You would have to be an idiot not to realize that, with very few exceptions, every world leader would prefer Kerry to Bush. Unfortunately, some of those world leaders are not nice people, which makes this a bad issue for Democrats. At every opportunity, Kerry should direct the debate back to a theme of internationalism.

[DulceDecorum]

47. Why?

All those world leaders,
the nice ones and the not so nice ones,
all have red blood, visit the bathroom, worry about their nation's economy
and,
most important of all,
HATE BUSH.

We are united against Bushism.
Poppy can cry all he wants while his wife loses her beautiful mind.

[leesa]

38. Excellent! Get rid of the war-mongering Neanderthals

[nolabels]

39. This could be dynamite also could back fire

Just after the time of reading this story, you be able to bet xenophobic wing nut if foaming at the mouth for such things. This is kind of crazy, and so when you thought things couldn't get more complicated.

This will make people like Mr Pat (sand bag the shores) Buchanan a Hero :scared: