slow learners

it is usual practice for the european union to take opposition serenely in its stride. when a country rejects an e.u. treaty or proviso brussels simply makes them vote again. and again. until a "yes" is finally registered. democracy, after all, is a terrible nuisance.

however this happy state of affairs was upset in 2005 when france and holland pooh-poohed the long, illiterate european constitution. this was itself surprising. as it usually falls to england (with the support of poland) to defend the democratic principle in what is a very "do as i say" polity.

is constitutional government like consensual sex? does no mean no? apparently not. because the apparatchiks in brussels are prepared to carry on as if nothing happened.

i guess afterward, as it's zipping up its pants and leaving, brussels can say "it was all a misundertanding" or "europe doesn't know what it wants". and knowing europeans they'll probably lie back and meekly take it.

that sort of thing wouldn't wash here. or in america. we like to have a say about whom we sleep with.