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Passport-free zone envelops Europe

DOUG SAUNDERS

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 2:35 PM EDT 21/12/07

Expansion of Schengen zone to include eight former Eastern Bloc countries expected to create economic boom ...Read the full article

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  1. Slippery Slope from Canada writes: Wait until all the Africans, Ukrainians, Turks and other countries flood into the new Socialist Republic of Europe.
  2. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: And NO CANADIANS ALLOWED TO SEEK WORK AND REAL WAGES AND BENEFITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Wake up, Canuckistan. The idea that we are viewed as polite, nice, and rich is a myth. We are the 'money-seekers.'

    Break free.
  3. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: Canadians are viewed as wage suckers internationally.

    All the commie press in country will never talk about it....
  4. harvey jingley from United States writes: Counterspinner,
    Your passport will still be checked when you enter anywhere in the European Union. It is just that once you start travelling IN Europe, crossing old borders, you won´t have to show your borders.

    Clark The Mighty,

    What is a "wage seeker" and a "wage sucker". Could you be more specific in your rants?
  5. harvey jingley from United States writes: I meant to write "show your passports", of course. Long night for me. Ha!
  6. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Well, it's not like the border controls will be removed, just relaxed.
  7. Othello Leblanc from United States writes: Meanwhile back in North America we have a progress report on fence building.

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/12/06/national/w172327S88.DTL
  8. Andrew R from Poznan, Poland, Poland writes: Counterspinner, you only need to show your passport when you arrive at the EU border. Once you're inside, you can travel without border checks.

    As for the security on the external border, there's an EU-wide SIS system, which connects the police, border officers and the justice systems of all Schengen members to one database.

    As for the internal border control, even though there are no border checks now, there still may be random checks on major highways near the borders.
  9. Jack Aubry from Canada writes: Although there are no border patrols between provinces I feel like I am in a foreign country when I drive into British Columbia. I am an Albertan. To fish in the southeast part of B.C. I have to buy a yearly license which is over $50 and then on top of that I have to cough up another $20 a day to fish. In Alberta, Canadians are treated like Albertans and can fish for $20 dollars for the year. Maybe negotiations should commence to establish that we are part of one nation, but again there is Quebec, but B.C.?
  10. Robert Boyd from Windsor, Canada writes: I'm in a 'passport free' zone at the moment.
    Like a good peon, I thought I would renew my passport early at the local office.
    Turns out they destroy your valid passport and you wait weeks for a new one in the mail.
    When I asked the bilingual robot how I travel in the interim, I was told "tough t!tty" - you can't have a two passports.
    When I pointed out that I had no passports, it got huffy.
    Turns out if you have applied for a passport your not allowed to carry a passport - what a country.
  11. Simon Garth from istanbul, Turkey writes: Many sicko boarder guards can be relocated into the US airports to be recruited as security staff from now on. Those guards may be underachievers in many aspects but in terms of sniffing, they are better than dogs.
    After all, Europe is the centre of civilisation as well as fascism. Today the western part is so prosperous and well-educated that, they understood security is not a problem to solve by increased level of security checks. Fascistic ideas do not bring money there anymore, so the system does not reward individuals like Slippery Slope of this paper. The eastern part on the other hand, highly stratified within itself, takes care of the human and drug trafficking business and this is why they are the ones afraid of possible newcomers from the really source countries of their current jobs.
    Most of the terrorists did not need a passport at all to do what they have done. Anyway, this security idiocy is a war strictly among creationists, sounds like Martians and Venusians figthing each other to me. My only concern is that, their battlefield is the earth and those stinky jihaders or medieval psychotic crusadors think you are either Martian or Venusian.
    Let's keep on sharing the same sun if we should but I suggest to live in different planets.
  12. Brian Marto from Derby, writes: Living in Europe the big concern is security Britian is going to limit non eu vistors to just 3 months and a bond of £1000 per guest , this will effect Canadian families , it is fine to have a open border but they have not though about security one bit , you need border controls that is just the world we live in after 9/11 ,
    The UK will be saturated low skill migrant workers from the poorer EU countries ,
  13. L.B. MURRAY from Canada writes: Attention all Canadian passport holders! Be ''vigilant'' when the time comes to renew your passport, especially if you need it to go back and forth across the Canada-U.S. Border.

    Robert Boyd from Windsor, Ont, who writes at 6.10 Am is a good example of the mess we're in thanks to W...and the ''nonchalence'' shown by our Canadian officials.

    Need to renew your passport? You have to send it in and nobody knows when you'll get your new passport. In the meantime, you are in a U.S. created ''passport free zone'', but it's not the EU Schengen-style... You may spend a couple of weeks or a couple of months without any passport, waiting, waiting, waiting for your new passport to arrive. Starting early 2008, you can't even cross the US border by car without a passport.

    My question is: What happens to people who cross the border every day for work, to the truckers, for instance? or the airline employees?? How thick is the pile of applications for passports?? How long is the wait?? Nobody knows. Call your ''muzzled'' MP for an answer and good luck.

    -
  14. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Is this going to attract a lot of the more enterprising immigrants?
  15. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: L.B. MURRAY from Canada writes: Attention all Canadian passport holders! Be ''vigilant'' when the time comes to renew your passport, especially if you need it to go back and forth across the Canada-U.S. Border.
    --------------------

    I understand that there is a 48 hour express service. You just have to pay for it.
  16. Miles Lunn from Toronto, Canada writes: This is definitely good. Last June I vacationed throughout Western Europe and found it very convenient to be able to travel between the countries without having to stop at each border. This doesn't mean Europe has open borders totally. If you use the non-EU passports line when entering the EU, they check you quite closely compared to before Scheghen. And they still have random checks on the major highways. I was stopped by two in France and both times searched, so if you trying to illegally smuggle something you still may get caught, since whenever stopped at a random check they always do search your trunk, whereas between Canada and the US, most times they only ask a few questions and occassionally search you if they think you are suspicious.
  17. Logan Fields from United Kingdom writes: Seems like a lot of misinformation in the comments of Counterspinner, Slippery Slope et al. The point of the article is that the Schengen zone has been expanded to include the eastern parts of the EC, BUT the security of that zone has been enhanced. For my part, I would add that the UK is not part of the Schengen zone, so nothing's changed here, except that I no longer face passport controls once I'm in Schengen. And Slippery Slope, I think the comment about Socialist Republic of Europe is a bit rich (especially coming from a country like Canada, which can be described as centrist at best). Should you like to understand it, the drive to expand the EC into eastern Europe has been promoted by the more business-friendly countries in the EC (primarily UK) over the reservations of the more centrally-planned economies (primarily France). The expansion serves a need for new sources of cheap, motivated labour and, further down the road, new markets to sell into and invest in. The new entrants to the EC are not clambering for French style worker protections and social benefits - they want an opportunity to prosper. We can debate who is more socialistic, Canada or Europe, but it's quite misinformed I think, considering Canada's inter-provincial trade and labour movement barriers and lack of political will to address government duplication, to read an article about trade liberalisation in Europe and conclude there's a socialist agenda behind it.
  18. Tim in Texas from United States writes: It won't last....
  19. L.B. MURRAY from Canada writes: Express 48-hour service writes Tomassi from Belgium.

    Strange, but asking my MP's office, this was never mentioned. Calling the passport office, this was never mentioned. I'm lucky since my passport is valid until 2010 but I was enquiring for elderly friends who spend most of the winter down south and quite worried about the ''new'' passport rules.

    Thanks for telling me all the way from Belgium about this 48-hour service; I know for certain that should a person lose a passport while travelling in the U.K., it is very easy to get a new one through the Canadian Embassy.

    Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, whenever we're going to our ''best neighbour in the world, the USA'', we have to either stand in line forever at the airport, or spend hours at the border if travelling by car. No ''Schengen'' on the horizon for us...

    -
  20. Politically Incorrect from Here and Now, Canada writes: Welcome to Eurabia! Orianni Fallaci’s predictions are about to come true. What is to stop would-be terrorists from freely roaming Europe? Nothing. There is far too much freedom of movement as it is and to celebrate the notion that people can roam unchecked from one end of Europe to the other does not make sense. Europeans live in more dangerous and difficult times than when the EU was first envisioned and this removal of security measures is only going to literally blow up in their faces. The message being sent here to terrorists is that we are no longer monitoring your movements as you have been placed on the honour system and you as a terrorist have just as many rights to travel in Europe as any law-abiding citizen.

    http://www.capc.co.uk/viewsandcomments.htm
    http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php
    http://www.iwantareferendum.com/
  21. Luke R from Toronto, Canada writes: Simon Garth from istanbul, Turkey writes: Many sicko boarder guards can be relocated into the US airports to be recruited as security staff from now on. Those guards may be underachievers in many aspects but in terms of sniffing, they are better than dogs.

    *********
    Simon dear, educate yourself before making silly comments. The UK isn't even part of the Schengen Zone so this doesn't affect its immigration policies. Not all EU countries (Ireland, UK) are part of Schengen and some non-EU countries (Switz., Norway, Leichenstein and Iceland) are part of it. The lax British immigration laws are the doing of the British Parliament not the EU.
  22. Farm Boy from Big City, Canada writes: Encouraging to read that no everyone is as totally paranoid as the Americans.
  23. Logan Fields from United Kingdom writes: I wonder if the same people complaining about airport security a couple of articles over are also complaining about an expanding Europe.....?

    You can fight criminals and terrorists, or you can hand them the victory.

    It's about making smart decisions.
  24. Simon Garth from istanbul, Turkey writes: Luke R from Toronto, please tell me:
    Have I written anything about the UK? Could you have perceived US as UK?
    Do you suggest that I educate myself then post silly comments?
  25. bobby boy2 from Canada writes: Wow!

    When I travelled across Europe and the USSR 30 years ago with my parents it was just like the movies. Machine guns at the border, 4 hours of interrogation between each eastern European country, you were only allowed to visit certain "approved" cities, and were you ever glad to get back to West Berlin for a hamburger and fries. At the same time you could easily hop back and forth between the US and Canada, and you encountered a relatively civilized society when you were there.

    Fast forward to today, hmmm... Travelling to the US is like entering a military fortress where you encounter a society that is absolutely paranoid. Robot guards at the border with "a..hole" stamped on their foreheads, leaders that wouldn't know an honest, friendly person from a kangaroo, so they implement policies like "everyone take their shoes off at the airport" - what a bunch of idiots. At the same time, travelling across 24 countries in Europe without a border inspection.

    Hmm... I wonder who's going to be the economic powerhouse 20 years from now? Congratulations - what an enlightened society!
  26. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: Heh. Europe and North America, such a huge contrast these days, eh? On one side, tearing down borders, national boundaries, etc. On the other, talk about ripping up NAFTA, enacting protectionist measures, and building 5000km border walls.
  27. Larry hule from Barrie, Canada writes: THE EU’S DESTINY: A EUROPE WITHOUT BORDERS
    A POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SECURITY MASTERPLAN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

    By
    Larry Houle
    www.godofreason.com
    intermedusa@yahoo.com

    The EU has brought 50 years of peace and security to Europe. In the 36 years between 1914 and 1945 110,000,000 million Europeans were killed, thousands of cities destroyed and entire nations laid waste. There isn&8217;t a European alive today who shouldn&8217;t get down on their knees and give thanks to the courage and vision, the original founders showed by the creation of the EU. For the nations of Germany, France, Italy etc to set aside hundreds of years of war, death and destruction to create a new country called The European Union was indeed one of the most courageous and visionary acts in human history.

    The present Europeans &8211; their descendents &8211; must find the same vision and courage to bring all the European people&8217;s into the European national family &8211; to complete the national destiny of Europe: A Europe Without Divisions: A Europe Without Borders.
  28. Mark H from Columbus, IN, United States writes: "Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: Heh. Europe and North America, such a huge contrast these days, eh? On one side, tearing down borders, national boundaries, etc. On the other, talk about ripping up NAFTA, enacting protectionist measures, and building 5000km border walls"

    One side of the pond believes in a socialist world government....the other doesn't. In 50 years we'll see which idealogy wins out, eh?
  29. George BrownIII from Christmas Island writes: Man I need a job that pays in Euros! Already noticed that pay in europe is higher that the USA and Canada.
  30. Chris E. from vancouver, Canada writes: Europe has a lot of southern coastline, which cannot be made impenetrable. Human smuggling just got easier.
  31. Nick B. from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada writes: George Brown III - pay is higher in Europe somewhat (and lots more vacation days etc) but taxes are much higher, and the cost of living is staggeringly higher.

    L.B. MURRAY - nice that your MP both failed to mention express passport service, and the fact that you do not need a passport to enter the US by road - IF you have other documents to prove your Canadian citizenship - birth cert and drivers license will still work in a private car. Commercial transport will require a passport IIRC.
  32. Steve *** from United States writes: Mark H from Columbus, IN, United States, Eurpe tore each other apart not too long ago and yet they have found a solution to make them stronger (just look at Euro's value compared to USD). there is no such a thing as absolute security. if border is a major issue, why not setup border checks at every state and province?
  33. Chris E. from vancouver, Canada writes: The EU's destiny is to become a fascist overlord. If its subjects do not consent to its governance, they will feel the wrath of a police state.

    The opposition that the EU is trying to crush is nationalism. Transforming Europe into identity-less territory of whites, Africans, and Middle-Easterners will make its people easier to control.

    The EU will always want more, until they have everything.
  34. Peter M from Miss, Canada writes: Ok Tim in Texas. Nothing like a well thought out and articulated comment. Just like your government's motto, "if it isn't our idea it's not going to work"
  35. Mike L. from Canada writes: Andrew R from Poznan, Poland, Poland writes: "Counterspinner, you only need to show your passport when you arrive at the EU border. Once you're inside, you can travel without border checks. "

    This may be true if you travel by road but it is not universally true. Three years ago traveling from Germany to the Netherlands by train, we were obliged to show our passports to Dutch border guards once the train crossed into Holland. We also flew from Holland to the UK on Ryanair, and had to show our passports at Stanstead airport in the UK.
  36. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: Mike L. from Canada writes:Three years ago traveling from Germany to the Netherlands by train, we were obliged to show our passports to Dutch border guards once the train crossed into Holland.
    --------------------------

    Any Shengen country can slap border controls on at any time without warning for whatever reason. Also, if you take the eurostar from Brussels/Bruxelles to London, one goes through French Customs (and airport like security).

    BTW, Switzerland is not a Shengen country. If you drive through, always plan on paying at the border for the priviledge of driving on Swiss 'Freeways' too.
  37. William Robertson from Hamilton, Canada writes: Once again, in less than 10 years total, Europe shows us haughty North Americans how life can be lived without giving up anyone's sacred "national, or Quebec, identity". That both France and Germany could subjugate the Franc and Mark to the Euro to me was always a watershed event to which we in North America should have paid attention and started working on our own common currency. Now, more open borders to strengthen the European economic engine - bold thinking in light of our North American paranoia and penchant for closing borders and restricting free travel between its largest trading partners. Only after the Americans have caused a North American economic meltdown (Mr. Harper's warning only reinforces my long-held view that America is "going down" and will take us with her) will we ever have the gumption to to boldly talk about a common currency with the U.S. (and maybe even Mexico) and our own "iron ring" around North America where people and goods can cross freely from one country to the other. But in the meantime let's keep tightening those border controls between Canada and the U.S. until the flow of goods, people, and commerce has stopped.
  38. Lowen Wrainger from Canada writes: Something to think about:

    'He will not go behind his father's saying,
    And he likes having thought of it so well
    He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors." '

    from 'Mending Wall' by Robert Frost
  39. Steve *** from United States writes: Mike L., I kind of agree with you over this. My wife is from there and I travel there quite often. The thing is they are a lot more identity and status freak compared to us. Also, profiling is something regular. So, you and I get to show our passports at every corner. But don’t forget to remind them we saved them in WW2. LOL
  40. Politically Incorrect from Here and Now, Canada writes: Larry hule from Barrie, Canada writes: The EU has brought 50 years of peace and security to Europe. In the 36 years between 1914 and 1945 110,000,000 million Europeans were killed, thousands of cities destroyed and entire nations laid waste. There isn&8217;t a European alive today who shouldn&8217;t get down on their knees and give thanks to the courage and vision, the original founders showed by the creation of the EU.

    The Europeans should get down on their knees and give thanks the the Canadians and the US for saving the them from themselves in two world wars. They do not deserve the right to give themselves a great big hug and pats on the back.
  41. Politically Incorrect from Here and Now, Canada writes: Courtesy of the United Kingdom Independence Party: The heaviest element known to science Tuesday, 18 December 2007 This one, we have to admit, IS made up, but we think it is very funny. It was sent to us by a UKIP member. See if it makes you laugh. In early October 2007, a major research institution announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Eurotium." Eurotium (Eu) has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called "morons" which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called "peons". Since Eu has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Eu causes one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second. Eu has a normal half-life of four years; it does not decay but instead undergoes a reorganisation in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Eurotium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganisation will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming "isodopes". This characteristic of moron promotion leads most scientists to believe that Eu is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass". When catalysed with money, Eu becomes "Administratium" (Am) – an element that radiates just as much energy as Eu, since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons. www.ukip.org
  42. Steve Tatone from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mark H. Oh man, like, wow. The only thing that the Shengen zone does to grow socialism is to increase the tax base of participating countries indirectly by allowing the free movement of LABOUR, CAPITAL and GOODS between these countries. Gee but wait, that doesn't sound like socialism at all! But since we prefer heavy state intervention in our trade and borders, I guess we're like, free market capitalists? Look, even if your highly flawed outlook were true, why wait 50 years for the outcome? Minumum Wage in France is $11.47 CDN an hour, and it is CDN $13.43 in Ireland. The Euro is worth $1.43 or against the Canadian dollar. Europe contains 2 and perhaps sometimes 3 of the largest economies on the planet, at least one, but probably two votes on the UN security council, and contains 4 of the world's top 10 military spenders. The U.S. national public debt is $9 148 025 845 073.43 US. Foreclosures on U.S. homeowners are up 232% from the first half of 2006 because of this awesome free market of ours. At the end of last year there were 2,258,983 prisoners incarcerated in the U.S. As that number approaches a full percentile of the population, think...1 person in 100 will be in jail. The U.S. has competition. The U.S. has money problems. The U.S. has military problems. The U.S. has energy problems. The U.S. has public relation problems. The U.S. has economic regulatory problems. Gosh, what kind of problems DON'T they have? I don't know about you folks, but why wait 50 years to see how this turns out? I think it's time that we all start thinking about joining this Shengen Zone ourselves.
  43. Stephen no last name from The Great White North, Canada writes: Ladies and gents; The New World Order. One world, one government, in one location with one leader. Can there be any doubt anymore? What sway will your meager voice have in such a union? Absolutely none.

    North America is next.
  44. Jondas McHooter from Canada writes: What's to stop the terrorists from moving around Europe unchecked....blah blah blah.

    What's to stop them moving around Canada or the US now???

    9/11

    Boo
  45. Tom Erdman from United States writes: William Robertson from Hamilton, Canada writes: Once again, in less than 10 years total, Europe shows us haughty North Americans how life can be lived without giving up anyone's sacred "national, or Quebec, identity". That both France and Germany could subjugate the Franc and Mark to the Euro to me was always a watershed event to which we in North America should have paid attention and started working on our own common currency. Now, more open borders to strengthen the European economic engine - bold thinking in light of our North American paranoia and penchant for closing borders and restricting free travel between its largest trading partners. Only after the Americans have caused a North American economic meltdown (Mr. Harper's warning only reinforces my long-held view that America is "going down" and will take us with her) will we ever have the gumption to to boldly talk about a common currency with the U.S. (and maybe even Mexico) and our own "iron ring" around North America where people and goods can cross freely from one country to the other. But in the meantime let's keep tightening those border controls between Canada and the U.S. until the flow of goods, people, and commerce has stopped. There is one big difference between Europe and North America. Apparently Europeans like and trust one another. Americans and Canadians don't.
  46. Mark H from Columbus, IN, United States writes: "Steve Tatone from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mark H. Oh man, like, wow. The only thing that the Shengen zone does to grow socialism is to increase the tax base of participating countries indirectly by allowing the free movement of LABOUR, CAPITAL and GOODS between these countries. Gee but wait, that doesn't sound like socialism at all! But since we prefer heavy state intervention in our trade and borders, I guess we're like, free market capitalists"

    Steve, I wasn't making any point about labor markets, or trade, or anything like that. I merely was pointing out that this is another step on the road towards a huge, socialist world government, which to me is obviously what Europe (or the EU countries) would like. I'm sure it works for some, but I don't like the idea.
  47. Charles Martel from Canada writes: bobby boy2 from Canada writes:

    Fast forward to today, hmmm... Travelling to the US is like entering a military fortress where you encounter a society that is absolutely paranoid. Robot guards at the border with "a..hole" stamped on their foreheads, leaders that wouldn't know an honest, friendly person from a kangaroo, so they implement policies like "everyone take their shoes off at the airport" - what a bunch of idiots. At the same time, travelling across 24 countries in Europe without a border inspection.

    Hmm... I wonder who's going to be the economic powerhouse 20 years from now? Congratulations - what an enlightened society!

    -------

    Well, in 50 years there will be an additional 100 million Americans, while the population of Europe will contract 100 million. In lieau of those basic demographic trends, I'd say America will be the economic powerhouse. Europe, unable to sustain its population, will be unable to support its social welfare apparatus and will import millions of people who aren't too liberal. Yup, anyone who banks on the EU being the superpower hasn't looked at the numbers.
  48. Charles Martel from Canada writes: Politically Incorrect from Here and Now, Canada writes: Larry hule from Barrie, Canada writes: The EU has brought 50 years of peace and security to Europe. In the 36 years between 1914 and 1945 110,000,000 million Europeans were killed, thousands of cities destroyed and entire nations laid waste. There isn&8217;t a European alive today who shouldn&8217;t get down on their knees and give thanks to the courage and vision, the original founders showed by the creation of the EU.

    The Europeans should get down on their knees and give thanks the the Canadians and the US for saving the them from themselves in two world wars. They do not deserve the right to give themselves a great big hug and pats on the back.

    --------

    Amen. And let's not forget that those Yanks rebuilt Europe (Marshall Plan) after WW2, then prevented the communists from storming in from the East by keeping troops on the ground. Some would say that it was the American military that allowed Europe to spend its money on the social welfare state, instead of defence.
  49. Charles Martel from Canada writes: Mark H from Columbus, IN, United States writes: "Steve Tatone from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mark H. Oh man, like, wow. The only thing that the Shengen zone does to grow socialism is to increase the tax base of participating countries indirectly by allowing the free movement of LABOUR, CAPITAL and GOODS between these countries. Gee but wait, that doesn't sound like socialism at all! But since we prefer heavy state intervention in our trade and borders, I guess we're like, free market capitalists"

    Steve, I wasn't making any point about labor markets, or trade, or anything like that. I merely was pointing out that this is another step on the road towards a huge, socialist world government, which to me is obviously what Europe (or the EU countries) would like. I'm sure it works for some, but I don't like the idea.

    -------

    Neither does Ahmadinejad, who says the one of the goals of the Haj is the establishment of a global government. LOL.

    Ahmadinejad-Hajj-Address
    IRI President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said here Wednesday on Al-Adha Eid Day in Saudi Arabia philosophy of Haj can be defined merely through considering Islam's aim at establishment of a global government.

    http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-24/0712207206000322.htm
  50. J.C. Davies from Canada writes:
    "Well, in 50 years there will be an additional 100 million Americans, while the population of Europe will contract 100 million."

    If current trends continue in 50 years many European countries will have Muslim majorities, including Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, France perhaps even Germany. Will certainly make things interesting to say the least.
  51. Abe Preisinger from St. Albert AB, Canada writes: Great for Europe, why are we so backwards, we should get rid of the borders in North America. No Canada US border No Mexican US border. The benefits of true free trade outweighs the disadvantages.
    Germany is still Germany, Austria is still Austria and France is still France, nobody lost their "cultural identity". Borders are as useful as the gun registry they are a nuisance to law abiding citizens but they do nothing to stop criminal activity. and illegal immegration, they do create a lot of unproductive paper work , more civil servants and higher taxes.
  52. François Papineau from Montreal, Canada writes: USA got in the WW1 et WW for one thing: Business. They declared war to Germany because Nazies attacked their commercial boats. USA entered the wars years after Canada. If it was to pretect Europeans or jews, they would had jump into that war earlier. USA get a lot from these wars too. Where do you think were spent the money? There was a lot of American soldiers killed in these wars and thank you to them and their families but one of the goal of the USA government was just protecting its business with the blood of its own citizens. Writing this, just remind me the actual war in Iraq. Same patern.

    As for the anti-socialist governement, the top best countries to live in are socialist. So what is the point?
  53. J.C. Davies from Canada writes:
    "Germany is still Germany, Austria is still Austria and France is still France, nobody lost their 'cultural identity'."

    Little premature for any conclusions.
  54. J.C. Davies from Canada writes:
    "USA got in the WW1 et WW for one thing: Business."

    The spirit of PE Trudeau lives on.
  55. Mary Smith from United States writes:

    Let's see:

    Borderless countries, European Union. Sounds like the United States, only we have ELECTED officials.
  56. L Harder from Canada writes: The terrorists have won in the US and they don't know it yet. Paranoia is always a bad idea. There are a few strategic places where the use of a few brain cells will dramatically reduce terrorism. The US had information prior to 9/11 but were insensitive to it. But to impose huge real and psychological costs in an attempt to cover every eventuallity? Its counter to the ideals of democrasy. Sometimes by taking the moral higher ground, one takes it on the chin. But the long term benefits far outweigh costs.
  57. Dave Herzog from Iowa, United States writes: Papineau

    Yes if you want to wear the same color clothes as everyone else and eat the same food as everyone else and hard work counts for nothing then socialism is your poison.

    We were attacked in 1941 you dope. That is why we got into WW2.
  58. Wilma De Bruyn from Toronto, Canada writes: Like a symphony conductor, it is all very well orchestrated since
    the early 1700's.
  59. Steve *** from United States writes: who can judge the borderless continent than people who live there? see it for yourselves. this is from BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7155829.stm
  60. AN Other from Toronto, Canada writes: Go tell the people of Kittsee (on Austrian side of the road between Bratislava and Vienna) how happy they should now be! More thievery and crime from people across the river, They even go through Kittsee garbage now, that everything is locked up tight!
  61. Charles Martel from Canada writes: Abe Preisinger from St. Albert AB, Canada writes: Great for Europe, why are we so backwards, we should get rid of the borders in North America. No Canada US border No Mexican US border. The benefits of true free trade outweighs the disadvantages.
    Germany is still Germany, Austria is still Austria and France is still France, nobody lost their "cultural identity".

    -------

    Really? Been to California lately?
  62. Charles Martel from Canada writes: François Papineau from Montreal, Canada writes: USA got in the WW1 et WW for one thing: Business. They declared war to Germany because Nazies attacked their commercial boats. USA entered the wars years after Canada. If it was to pretect Europeans or jews, they would had jump into that war earlier. USA get a lot from these wars too. Where do you think were spent the money? There was a lot of American soldiers killed in these wars and thank you to them and their families but one of the goal of the USA government was just protecting its business with the blood of its own citizens. Writing this, just remind me the actual war in Iraq. Same patern.

    As for the anti-socialist governement, the top best countries to live in are socialist. So what is the point?

    -------

    Those socialist governments also have the lowest birth rates on the planet, and are destined for extinction. Please tell me how a continent with an average birthrate of 1.3 can survive either culturally or economically?

    As for the U.S. entering WW2, don't you remember Lend Lease or Pearl Harbour?
  63. Rob V. from Vancouver, Canada writes: Wow, I am amazed at the amount of fascist, rightwing people in this discussion board who have no idea of what is happening in the rest of the world. Socialist Europe?? Where the f... do they get that idea. There are no socialist countries in the EU. There are extreme right, war mongering governments in the US and Canada. Bush and Harper are comparable to Le Pen, all scared of people they do not know. The fact that they don't have extreme right governments in Europe doesn't make them Socialist. Stop listening to FOX news. It's rubbish! Afraid of muslim majorities?? Wow, some people are racist in this conversation. Besides, its completely untrue. Please go and check the Statistics on these issues before you make such blatently untrue and racist remarks. Europe should be thankful?? What makes you think it isn't? Just go to The Netherlands and find out how much people love Canada for freeing their country. It's extraordinary! And be advised that the Marshall plan is now being topped by the amount of money that is sent to develop Eastern Europe. Why? Because it is in the rest of the EU's best interest. Like the Marshall plan was in the US's best interest as well as in the interest of Europe. Lastly, I have lived in several places in Europe and traveled all over. It is more expensive to live here in Vancouver than it is in a comparable city in the Euro area. It is true that the UK is extremely expensive though.
  64. François Papineau from Montreal, Canada writes: The commercial route of USA were attacked. USA government just thought to protect its own a$$. And this is OK. But to say that they were there to protect Europeans is untrue. Canada was there more for that than USA.

    I agree with Rob. Marshall plan was in the best interest of USA. The countries who do something just to help are rare. Do the comparison with Iraq. you will see. Are they there to protec Iraquis, to topple a diactator, to spread democracy? give me break! they were able to do that from Afghanistan. They were there because they thought it was in their best interests. period. they are spending billions in Iraq. Who do make profit of that? Iraquis? No, it's more American companies. It's OK. This is their money. But that doesn't change them in uninterested country which just want to help.

    UK, France or whatever would just do the same.
  65. Gary Thomson from Surrey, BC, Canada writes: This is news?! I'm pretty sure that Attila's Huns and all the other hordes over the centuries didn't have to show passports either. If you can't control your borders, you can't control anything.
  66. Pohaku Pohaku from Hawaii, United States writes: If Euroland is " one big country now" as some like to say, then why do they still have indivudual seats at the UN for each " old" country, when Canada and the US have only 1 each? That is going to become an issue in the near future, brought up by the US. By these standards, Canada and the US should have a representative for each state or province. The North American Union is creeping up on us, whether we in North America like it or not. The world is gravitating to trade blocks. 400 million Euros vs 300 million Americans or 33 million Canadians. When you add Canada, the US and Mexico, we total about 400 million also. Now that both US and CDN $ are close to par, the corporations will start a " ledger" currency to account with. ( the Amero). Then they will introduce the Amero as an " alternative currency" that will be valid in the US and Canada along side the respective currencies. The US tightens the border with Canada so people will want a looser border.... Canadians still havent figured out how the Republican mind works. If they deny you access to the States by tighter border controls , then you will whine for easier access sans passports. Take away the right of easy passage and you will beg for it. You want sovereignty? Then you wait at the border. no " special " rights because you are a good neighbor. Imagine the screams if the US gave Canadians a special "ID" to enter the US, because you are " friends" Guam, Puerto Rico,,and the US Virgin Islands, all either territories or commonwealths of the US, only need an ID to get to the mainland. See the slippery slope? Is this what Canada wants?
  67. Logan Fields from United Kingdom writes: Sadly, a lot of hugely ill-informed, xenophobic views on this board.

    Socialist paradise here in Europe? I'll take my 40% top marginal tax rate over your 46%.

    State-managed economies? The London exchange raised $28 billion in 2006 - $10 billion more than New York. 419 listings in London; 36 on NYSE; 138 on NASDAQ. There are a few reasons for this but it's hard to overlook the paranoid, nanny-state interventionist attitude of the SEC as being a key part.

    Socialist tea party?.... Or the sound of somebody quietly eating your lunch?

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