Abandoning the Euro

Brendan Keenan makes a good case for why Italy won't be getting the lira back anytime soon.

Despite much talk to the contrary, the departure of some countries from the euro would not necessarily be bad for the currency itself. By reducing the gap between member states, it might even make the euro more credible. But it would have dreadful consequences for the country which left if - as would almost certainly be the case - it was heavily indebted.

The debt is in euro. This would become foreign debt for a departing country, which would be crippling. Almost certainly, it would be converted into the new national currency at a lower exchange rate, thereby depriving the citizens of a goodly chunk of their savings. Future borrowing by government and business would be a lot more expensive.

Adam Smith

Biggest surprise to me in Edinburgh was the emphasis placed on Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson compared with the neglect of Adam Smith. I'm not saying that those two literary men don't deserve a mention, but Adam Smith surely deserves more than a throw away remark on a bus tour? I know it could be just me, but I really think Adam Smith would be more well known to the average American tourist (the target market for much of what's offered on those bus tours) than either Scott or Stevenson. Sure, Ivanhoe and Kidnapped are great books, but the Wealth of Nations, was more influential and has a much greater effect on the everyday life of Americans (and others, obviously) than anything written by Scott or Stevenson.

Edinburgh – sum up

When we (the whole family) visit a city we like to be sure to see the those places that others don't see. We get off the beaten path and get the "real" experience, meeting "real people" and experiencing life in the city as those who live there experience it.

Okay, all of the above is a load of hooey, but it's the kind of thing I read or hear all the time. In fact, I often get the feeling that there's a very well worn path on the way to "off the beaten path" these days.

No, when we go somewhere we tend to see those places that (to paraphrase Yogi Berra) nobody goes to nowadays because they're too crowded. Now, thanks to the range of ages and interests in our group, we try to find things that will appeal to everyone.

The highlights of our time in Edinburgh were:

• Edinburgh Castle: Of course. This is simply fantastic. Fantastic history (with a small error in the presentation on John Paul Jones during which we were told that the American War of Independence began in 1776, but all Americans know the war began in 1775 even if Independence was only declared in '76.), a good show when the gun is fired at 1pm and sturdy enough to withstand the assault of the four old male. We spent hours there.
• The old town: I just loved walking around. Maybe if I had done more traveling around Europe this sort of thing would impress me less, but anything more than 300 years old always impresses me.
  
• The Museum of Childhood: This was really good, better than I expected, with something to appeal to every one of us.
• Edinburgh bus tours: I'm sure I'm not supposed to admit this, but I love these. We got the ticket that allowed us to hop on and off any of the 4 main tours wherever we liked. These buses are a great way to get a quick potted history and also provide you with a good guide to what the locals consider important. In Edinburgh, 'pride' is too tame a word to describe what they feel about Scotch whiskey whisky.
• The weather: Does it ever rain in Scotland? I have a sunburn after my two days there.

I don't get traveling often, so these little trips are a treat. Still, there are things I'd love to see and a return trip to Edinburgh (without children would be ideal) would give me a chance to see some of those things that I missed.

Edinburgh

My impression of Edinburgh is that it's a city that's not as well off as Dublin. Looks more frayed around the edges, but still it's a great town. I'd love to spend more time here, but not going to happen this time.

Only down side to this trip is that my hotel has internet access that's out of the dark ages. It would cost me around €10 ($12.50) for an hour's access at 56k. Fortunately, I found a WiFi enabled hotel (Best Western) down the street where I can drink coffee and do what I have to do.

Dublin airport WiFi

Thanks to Richard's tip, I was able to get some of the Newshound done in Dublin Airport this morning. Great that they provide free wireless access. And, thanks to all the lengthy security line stories I've heard, I was at the airport at 5 for my 6:40 flight, which meant I had plenty of time to surf. (Also good that I found a plug I could use because my battery's not that healthy nowadays.)

Tax & Insurance

On my way to the airport this morning at 4:15 I was stopped at a police checkpoint. They checked my tax and insurance. However, the fact that there were two armed, plain clothes policemen on the sidewalk staring in at me as the uniformed officer was asking the mundane questions makes me think that my tax & insurance were not the sole motivation. You don't see armed cops here that often, so it was a little odd.

Flags protest

Sounds like the Palestinian flag protest was a complete bust at the match the other night. Good sense prevailed, even if the result didn't suit the home team.

Holiday

Today is a holiday in Ireland and I'll be away tomorrow and Wednesday. Therefore, posting will be light around here the next few days.

Der Euro macht uns Kaputt

Now that the EU Constitution has been shown to be a step too far too soon, the question as to whether the Euro was also a step too far too soon is being asked. In Ireland, the question is barely considered, but in Germany and Italy there is growing anti-Euro sentiment. This week Stern magazine published an article with the headline "Der Euro macht uns Kaputt", which roughly means 'the euro is making us broke'. The article revealed that a meeting attended by Germany's Finance Minister and the head of the Bundesbank considered the possibility that the euro would collapse.

That's still a remote possibility, but yesterday's intervention by Italian Government Minister Robert Maroni, who said his party is going to join the campaign for a referendum on pulling out of the euro, makes it a little less remote than it was two weeks ago.

Despite what the Wall Street Journal might wish, there's no doubt that what happened in the two referendums this week was more than a rebuke for the proposed Constitution. It was a rebuke for all that the EU has become. This includes the euro.

The euro may be a "liberalizing force in Europe" and a project admired by the Journal, but there are those who don't want the EU to be a "liberalizing force" and many of them voted 'No' this week.

So much to say, but . . .

I had so many gems to share today, but due to a combination of things I just never got back here until this late hour. And, most of what I had to say has gone out of my head. I know this is a terrible blow to you. I hope it'll all come back to me yet, but I'm not hopeful.

Selling strawberries

Seeing as we're supposed to be getting serious about road safety, what about putting an end to the practice of setting up shop along any stretch of road with the intent of selling strawberries. Shoulders on roads have a purpose other than as the location for make-shift fruit stands.

Palestinian flags at Saturday's match?

I heard some guy from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign on the Last Word last night. From what I gather, they're planning on handing out Palestinian flags to the Irish fans as they enter Lansdowne Road for Saturday's game. And, they want to get Irish people to do some pro-Palestinian chanting.

I really hope this is a total flop.

They have also organized an "alternative" international game with some Irish guys playing some Palestinians in Limerick. I can't figure out whether to be annoyed, embarrassed or amused. I think it's a combination of all three right now.

Who armed Saddam?

Great stuff from Carl at No Oil For Pacifists (found through Richard D.) on the source of Iraq's arms during the 70's and 80s'. These two charts tell the story (the details comes from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and cover the period 1973 to 1990). The US was responsible for approximately 1% of Iraq's weapons, about the same as Denmark's contribution. The USSR – 57%, France – 13%, China – 12%.

There is this unspoken assumption today that during the Cold War every dictator was somehow in the pay of the United States. Total nonsense, of course, but a lot misty-eyed Sovietphiles are just incapable of rational thought when it comes to the Cold War.

It's not dead, it's just resting

The EU Constitution is beginning to rival the Monty Python parrot.

"No, no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!"

Czech PM Jiri Paroubek wants the ratification process delayed. EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso "called on member states to proceed with ratification and not preempt their summit meeting with 'unilateral decisions' before then".

What's with these people?

"The plumage don't enter into it. It's stone dead."

Still Undead

Where is the silver bullet? This thing just refuses to lie down.

"Ratification should still continue", said Mr Juncker.

Actually, I fully expect that someone will have a word in Mr. Juncker's ear. Only the deluded and the desperate could hold out any hope for the EU Constitution now.

Where this leaves the Sami reindeer farmers, I just don't know.

Dutch vote 'No'

No surprise, but the turnout was a massive 62%. Way over what was expected.

Watergate revelations

Mark Felt? Have to admit I never heard the name (or it didn't stick if I had heard it) before yesterday. I never knew that much about Watergate. Too young, I guess.

Although there was a kid in my high school graduation class who was a Watergate nut. He used to write to the key people asking them for autographed pictures. He got lots back, even from guys who were doing or did time. I was in his house once and his bedroom wall was covered with autographed pictures of Watergate figures. Where other high school boys had posters of athletes, rock stars of members of Charlie's Angels, he had photographs of Mitchell, Haldeman, Dean and others. I think he had Woodward and Bernstein too. Today I wonder if he had Mark Felt's picture?

Scottish delicacy

I've never been to Scotland, but I've heard about this, one of their more famous dishes – deep fried Mars bars. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, we can now make these at home. An essential part of any calorie-busting diet, I'm sure.

School girls

School girls do make me laugh. The lengths they'll go to for the "right" look. Today I was buying my ticket for the train and a girl whose school day was just finished arrived and went through the turnstile in front of me. She was about 14 and wearing the same uniform my daughter goes out in every morning.

I was standing near her on the platform, waiting for the train. While I'm standing, reading my paper, she's changing clothes. First on came the jeans and then off came the skirt. Then off came the sweater and the blouse revealing the tee shirt she strategically wore underneath (she was never "uncovered" in any way). A little jacket/sweatshirt came out of her school bag and the uniform was rammed in. All within three minutes.

When the train came, she got on, sat down and started doing her make-up. Ten minutes later she's at her stop and dressed for her day of action, whatever that might be.

I thought the whole thing was funny, but if it had been my daughter I'd have killed her.

Robert Rogers (contd.)

The unveiling ceremonies went ahead yesterday. I'm somewhat disappointed that the Times-Union's report doesn't even hint at the controversy regarding Robert Rogers.