Hurray For Europe!

How about some good news for a change! 10 Eastern and Central European countries are now officially in the European Union as of today! This is a great step toward ending over 2000 years of division and conflict in Europe once and for all! The last few years have been nice and peaceful so people forget that just 50 years ago most of Europe was a bombed out wasteland because of WWII. And that was only the worst of a seemingly endless string of wars over religion, natural resources, territory, nationalist fervor, mariage contracts or the personal grudges of despots and tryrants. For 44 years after WWII, Europe was divided by the Cold War. But now most of that is over!

So congratulations to all the member states of the European Union! And here's a toast to the French civil servant who came up with the idea, Jean Monet! Peace through trade and commerce! What a great idea!!!!