August 17, 2005

And Now, For Something Completely Different

Okay, I'm exaggerating. But I don't think I've blogged about international news in a while. Here are some random thoughts on what's going on outside of America:

• It seems that having the requisite four or five weeks of vacation time doesn't mean everyone in France can fully enjoy it. With unemployment maintaining a steady ten percent with no relief in sight, it seems Citizens of the Republic who don't earn big bucks...er, francs...er, euros...are spending more of those precious vacation days at home. Heading for the shore during the dog days of August is out of the reach of many. While the idea of abandoning the high cost of employing workers under their current socialist system as a means of spurring economic growth doesn't seem to occur to anyone, at least the elderly must feel safer this summer than they did two years ago.

• Gerhard Schroeder's days as head honcho in Germany may be numbered. Conservative Angela Merkel's popularity is polled at 42 percent, while Schroder's Social Democrats are at 28 percent--a two point gain. [cue party blowers] Merkel, a member of the Christian Democrats, was quoted as saying, "Now the point is to get out of this misery, we need growth, economical growth is the way we need to grow as we are last in Europe. And that is not right," Merkel told the crowd. "That is not adequate for Germany - Germany can do more." Perhaps it can with Merkel at the helm. The world will be watching with interest.

• Here's a shocker: A recent poll of Mexicans (still in Mexico) shows that a whopping 40% of them would like to move to America. Well heck, I'll be the first to welcome them...as long as they don't sneak over the border, but use the proper channels. Unfortunately, the same polls show one in five would do the illegal thing if given the chance.

• And finally, it seems real democracy may be in the grasp of Egyptian citizens, as their first multi-candidate presidential election is set for September 7. Incumbent Hosni Mubarek, who is considered to be a shoo-in for a fifth term, promises the election will be free and fair. Hmph...we'll see.

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