Today Europe is a larger place – the new countries from Eastern Europe are now part of the European Union. Some of us on this board are from these countries; others intend to travel there for the excellent parties that occur.
Britain’s state broadcaster (the BBC) is showing all sorts of images of celebration and jubilation – bigwigs from nations which formerly were at war with one another, or dominated by the Soviet bear all shaking hands, drinking EU wine and celebrating.
But – behind these smmiles not everything is rosy…
The Western european nations are fearful of “hordes of illegal immigrants” attempting to cross their borders and get access to healthcare and welfare services (state provided in most EU nations).
Those in power in the Eastern nations are fearful of “hordes of western european drug tourists and alcoholics” coming over to take advantage of cheaper recreational drugs, more lax controls on OTC pharmaceuticals and the sex industry in the Eastern European countries.
Interior Ministers from old and new countries have been told to “work together to beef up defences against cross border drugs and crime”.
Behind the smiles today are scowls and mistrust behind each border; and the danger of yet more government surveillance and monitoring of “free” peoples movements (all aided by Washington, which is of course fearful of “trrrrrsts”.)
It looks like we are heading towards “middle england / middle europes” new Cold War….
