The End of Europe?

[Bounder]

I was surprised by the large difference (20%) and the unusually high attendance (75% IIRC) - previous recent referendums had either failed to record the statutory 50% attendance, or had barely made it.

Many voters were disappointed by some Governmental actions - and non-actions. I was in a quandary as how to vote, in the end I opted for a blank ballot - and my intention was punished because on entering my polling station I missed a step and fell flat hurting my wrist, now in a cast for a precautionary measure .

The current Government was asked to remain in charge a few more weeks until the 2017 budget is approved by Parliament. After that, it's in our President's discretion whether to try and appoint a new PM, or dissolve the Parliament and have a general election.

The referendum had a loser - the current PM who instituted it and promoted it relentlessly - and no real winner because the NO front was sponsored by 3 parties who are at odds with each other .

That sounds about right.  Italy has borne the brunt of refugees and other migrants coming to Europe from North Africa and the Middle East.  This has been going on for more years than the Syrian war.  Italy shows the face of humanity by rescuing people in distress at sea.  But much of Europe, not having had to deal with this problem directly (and I mean rescuing humans at sea), simply tells Italy that it's an Italian problem.

[Bounder]

The last time I played golf was 50 years ago on a 9-hole hilly course, and I never tried cricket either, so a left hand/wrist has always been of little use to me .

That's a great photo.  I wonder if that particular golf game played like cricket

[Boethius]

The last time I played golf was 50 years ago on a 9-hole hilly course, and I never tried cricket either, so a left hand/wrist has always been of little use to me .

Very debonair.

[tfcrew]

Isis directs 12-year-old boy to attempt bombing of German Christmas market   Officials say boy planted device outside town hall in second attempt days after first failed
Officials say the child tried to launch the first attack in Ludwigshafen on 26 November, leaving a rucksack containing a homemade nail bomb at the town’s popular festive market.
But it did not explode and days later, he allegedly made a second attempt by planting a device in a bush by the town hall and shopping centre.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/boy-12-directed-by-isis-nail-bomb-german-christmas-market-ludwigshafen-islamic-state-a7479121.html

Nothing will happen to the kid.
Too young to charge w/a crime  

 

[GQBlues]

Apparently there's been a rash of Christian symbols that were being defaced and vandalized in some places in Germany. Unbelievable. The Germans get to feed and house whomever are doing all of these, too adding insult to injury.

Poor Merkel. Your public is reaping what you sowed.

[Larry1]

"The boy, a German citizen of Iraqi heritage, attempted to blow up the device at the Ludwigshafen Christmas market on Nov. 26. When the device failed to detonate he gave up, before trying again on Dec. 5, prosecutors said on Friday."

http://www.thelocal.de/20161216/12-year-old-attempted-to-bomb-christmas-market-report

Even at age 12 they are already planting bombs to kill the people who welcomed them into their country. Congratulations Merkel. Way to protect your people.

[msmob]

Ah yes.. 'the end of Europe' ..


Because of a few 'bad apples' we must treat all refugees from Iraq with suspicion..




Luckily, the Brits didn't suspend immigration from Ireland ( north or South) during 'the troubles' - even when the IRA - often funded by clueless n.Americans - who thought they were 'Irish'  - were only to happy to maim and kill on the 'mainland' of the UK....


Do you know the 12 yr olds background..? What he may have endured - that made him susceptible to being brain-washed into trying to commit atrocities ..?


Having some experience of years of having to be checked, stopped an d searched because of my name / birth place .. I can confirm the smart move is to not let those that seek to polarise us 'win' ..

[Larry1]

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing a backlash after 12 people were killed when an attacker ploughed through innocent revellers at a Christmas market in a truck.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2440378/german-far-right-and-security-experts-blame-angela-merkels-open-door-migrant-policy-for-berlin-truck-attack-by-refugee/

And in other news a Somali asylum seeker frightened small children when he jumped on stage at their nativity play to read from the Koran.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/745789/Asylum-seeker-Somali-Koran-Austria-Oberndorf

[msmob]

Jeez, quoting from comics to try to prove a point, Larry ?

Merkel was quick to remind Germans that if the perpetrator was an asylum seeker ... that while it was upsetting and an insult - that plenty more were prepared to be good citizens ..

Let's stop all immigration from certain nations because of 'wack jobs', eh ?

[LiveFromUkraine]

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing a backlash after 12 people were killed when an attacker ploughed through innocent revellers at a Christmas market in a truck.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2440378/german-far-right-and-security-experts-blame-angela-merkels-open-door-migrant-policy-for-berlin-truck-attack-by-refugee/

And in other news a Somali asylum seeker frightened small children when he jumped on stage at their nativity play to read from the Koran.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/745789/Asylum-seeker-Somali-Koran-Austria-Oberndorf

It's too bad a few bad apples (who rape and murder) are making Merkel look bad.  They should double down and let even more people in. Seems to be working out just perfectly.

[tfcrew]

It's too bad a few bad apples (who rape and murder) are making Merkel look bad.  They should double down and let even more people in. Seems to be working out just perfectly.

Apples?? Terrorists didn't make her look bad.... she did that to herself.
Merkel should resign immediately.

[Anathema]

Jeez, quoting from comics to try to prove a point, Larry ?

Merkel was quick to remind Germans that if the perpetrator was an asylum seeker ... that while it was upsetting and an insult - that plenty more were prepared to be good citizens ..

Let's stop all immigration from certain nations because of 'wack jobs', eh ?

Lol and if it was "let's stop all gun sales because of a few wack jobs", you'd be absolute giddy at the thought.  Typical liberal "logic".

[msmob]

Lol and if it was "let's stop all gun sales because of a few wack jobs", you'd be absolute giddy at the thought.  Typical liberal "logic".

Let's stop all guns being kept at home - as - in your nation - it is a proven FACT that the right to bear arms results in MORE violent deaths / 'accidents' ... 


Basically, too many idiots are allowed guns....   

[msmob]

''Romania Set for First Female, and First Muslim, Prime Minister''


http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/world/europe/sevil-shhaideh-romania-prime-minister.html?_r=0


'Oh yes', I can hear the gasps of horror   

[Gator]

''Romania Set for First Female, and First Muslim, Prime Minister''


'Oh yes', I can hear the gasps of horror   

Who was her opponent, Vlad Ţepeş from Transylvania?

[msmob]

Who was her opponent, Vlad Ţepeş from Transylvania?

 


Did you know the Romanian flag is VERY similar to the Andorran one ...[ as the Moldovan one ! ) ]

[SANDRO43]

Anis Amri, the 24-year-old Tunisian who carried out the deadly truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin 5 days ago, was killed by the Italian police in a shootout near Milan this Friday, after making his way there through Germany and France.

He was stopped by two patrol officers around 3 a.m. Friday night near a railway station and asked to show his papers and empty his backpack: he pulled out the .22-caliber gun previously used to kill the Polish truck driver and shot one officer, to be in turn shot down and killed by the other, a junior officer still on probation.

“Police bastards,” shouted Amri in Italian before dying.  His fingerprints confirmed his identity.

Fortunately, his small bullet hit the first officer in the fleshy part of his shoulder from where it was easily removed, and the officer will be released from the hospital today.

[ML]

Good work Sandro.  Glad you kept up your firearms skills.

[SANDRO43]

Good work Sandro.  Glad you kept up your firearms skills.

Never touched a firearm in my life , except the rusty 7.45-mm Beretta I found when emptying my dead parents' house. I notified the local police station and asked if I should bring it over. They replied:"No, no, we'll come over and get it", which they did the following morning.

The junior patrol officer must have received a good training, though .

[Brasscasing]

Kudos to the Polizia involved and speedy recovery to the injured officer.

That's how fast it happens - one moment you're on routine patrol checking documents, the next in a shoot out with Europe's most wanted.

Scratch another terrorist scum who won't have the opportunity to kill the innocent again. Chalk one up for the good guys.

Brass

[SANDRO43]

Incidentally, Beretta celebrated their 490 anniversary this year, probably one of the oldest established enterprises in Italy still at work and owned by the same family:

Receipt dated 3 October 1526 given by the Republic of Venice for the delivery of 500 arquebus barrels by Master Bartolomeo Beretta.

[tfcrew]

Let's stop all guns being kept at home.................. 

Where else are you going to keep your gun?

[ML]

Where else are you going to keep your gun?

In classroom at school.

[2tallbill]

Incidentally, Beretta celebrated their 490 anniversary this year, probably one of the oldest established enterprises in Italy still at work and owned by the same family:

You probably mean with the exception of vineyards or olive farmers. The Barone Ricasoli
family invented Chianti back in the late 19th century but have been in business since the
early 12th century.

The Ricasoli family is a really old one and the first documents about it date back to the 800s’
in Florence. They had been involved with wine ever since they became owners of the Brolio
Castle in 1141 and their wines have been exported since the 1600s’.


http://www.baronericasoli.com/winery

Note: I tried to find some old Italian olive plantations, and I know some of them are very
old, with some of the trees well before Christ. Olive Tree of Vouves (in Crete not, in Italy)
might be the oldest among them, estimated at over 3,000 years old. It still produces olives,
and they are still highly prized.

[tfcrew]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that her cabinet wants to accelerate the repatriation procedures for failed asylum seekers from Tunisia. Her statement follows the Berlin Christmas market attack allegedly carried out by a Tunisian national.

http://www.rt.com/news/371529-germany-repatriate-tunisians-attack/

What are these people seeking asylum from..cutthroats and killers?