Blair and his position in Europe: A In-Depth Look

"Tony Blair may not have the intention of ruining the European summit. But he has the power to do so. That's his strength,"- French newspaper Le Figaro

Europe has gotten away with a lot and now it'’s coming back to bite them in the butt. They recognize that Blair has the ability to kill their EU Constitution, Blair heads one of the only European economies that isn't in the... well I'll let you come up with the appropriate allegory, Blair has close ties (closer then all other European leaders, in fact) to Washington. You know, the place that gives European's money when they need it?

They know that Blair can kill what they want to live, they know he isn't going anywhere as long as his economy stays high; they know that he has a close relationship with the strongest, richest, most powerful country in the history of the world.

And what do you think they do to get Blair to see things their way, to get what they want?

They start making demands of him! They want Great Britain to give up its annual rebate from the EU! What is wrong with this picture? Someone has something you want and has the power to keep you from getting it so you start demanding him make an extremely unpopular political move?

Have they forgotten how to treat people that are more powerful then them? (Of course that'’s a rhetorical question, just look at how they treat America)

If someone has something you want and they can easily keep you from getting it, you try to wheedle it out of them, you ask politely if you can have it because they don't seem to be using it, if they say "Jump" then you say "How high?". You grovel, you beg, you plead, but you don't insult them, demand things of them and then expect them to give it to you!

I suppose the question isn't "Have they forgotten?", but when did they forget and why?

Europe has been so safe, secure, peaceful, quiet, inviting and just plain tranquil that they have forgotten a time when heads of state really did demand things and if they didn't get them they invaded your country, killed your people, beheaded you and then took your kingdom.

Heck, there has been wars fought over less then this and they make it seem like, "Oh yeah, we want this and this and oh why not? Toss in that as well."

There was a good quote (Isn't there always?) that covered this territory, "Never give an ultimatum if you can't afford to lose."

With Germany's and France's unemployment rates heading to (Or surpassing!) 15%, can France and German afford to lose more?

***Update: Fixed the French link