European Parliament elections

Anxious wrote:
I just find it a bit odd for a man to say that another man is handsome.

What exactly has he done for Spain?

While I don't follow Spanish politics, particularly, I realize that the economic crisis has hit Spain hard and recovery will be slow, as for most of Europe.
But I particularly appreciate Zapatero's positions on these points, for example:
a) withdrawing troops from Iraq
b) supporting gay marriage
c) taking a bolder stance on the separation of church and state
d) defending a woman's right to choose
e) taking stronger measures against domestic violence
f) upholding workers' rights

And as for Chucky, I think it takes a confident, self-assured man to so easily appreciate another man's good looks!

Anxious, I am not gay. I am 100% sure that I am heterosexual. I am just comfortable with my sexuality and can recognise a handsome man when I see one. It comes with age too: Hasn't your grandfather or an older person ever told you that you look handsome or something? They do that because they've cut through the #######4 'uptightedness' around seeming gay and feel comfortable saying when they think a man is handsome. That's what's happened to me now, but a little earlier than most guys (I'm 26).

Zapatero is cool because of point 'a)' listed by mindful there. He was the second 'ally' to reject George Bush Jnr., after Jacques Chirac (and subsequently Nicolas Sarkozy) did for France. I want to remind everyone that Ireland had no troops in the war either. We are officially a peaceful nation and take no sides in wars.

Well, guys this thread it had only the objective to see how european people in the forum were worried about European events. Since I know, many countries citicizens of the European ECONOMIC Community are disconnected from the labour our europarliamentaries do every day.
I really don´t want this was a discussion about politicians in my country.
The previous post is right is relation to the withdraw from Irak, but what about Afghanistan? In relation to women freedom, Ithink Rodríguez hasn´t give me any right I haven´t got yet. In gay marriage, you´re right. Very well for him, but there was already a law about partners, where no dictintions of sex was made.
Yeah, Our goverment thinks each problem has a solution with a new law, the problem is that they don´t have the resources to for accomplish these laws. Ex; the domestic violence law.
The best support for workers is to place the right context to decrease unemployment. And we have 3.5 millions of unemployment.

I´d like to say something different. I´d like to say that my President is doing well, but...
And, Anxious I don´t see any bad when a man (hetero or homosexual) recognised that another man is handsome.

Other men that I think are handsome include: Ashton Kutcher; Josh Hartnett; Kaka (jugador/footballer/soccer player); and Christian Bale. Politics will always be a topic that causes debate because that is what it is inherently about (i.e. - debating ideas).

Do you think in Spain are there a real ideas debating? No, at all. There is a fight to get power. The worst is that people follow and believe there are real ideas behind it. But, I preffer don´t talk about it. I think the real politic and where decisions are adopted are in the European Union but here in mass media, this information are on 3rd or 4th place.
My man was a Zapatero´s supporter, now he has realized the real nature of this gentleman. And, don´t gonna believe that Pablo is a man who change his mind easily. He has his own ideas. But the reality is the reality.
I could give you some examples of the brilliant economical and social decissions that our President took and I´m sure you laught at hell. (I don´t know if this las sentence is correct) How do you say in English "descojonarse"?

Chucky wrote:Other men that I think are handsome include: Ashton Kutcher; Josh Hartnett; Kaka (jugador/footballer/soccer player); and Christian Bale. Politics will always be a topic that causes debate because that is what it is inherently about (i.e. - debating ideas).

Saying those kinds of things in public might give people the wrong idea. Anyway, I only know of one handsome man... me.

Zahra wrote:Do you think in Spain are there a real ideas debating? No, at all. There is a fight to get power. The worst is that people follow and believe there are real ideas behind it. But, I preffer don´t talk about it. I think the real politic and where decisions are adopted are in the European Union

That's the problem. Decisions for Spain are being made in Brussels when they should be made in Spain. The same goes for other members of the European Union. The EU should be done away with.

Zahra wrote:but here in mass media, this information are on 3rd or 4th place.

The media will take a story that is unimportant and talk about that while neglecting what is really important. It's the same in many countries.

Zahra wrote:My man was a Zapatero´s supporter, now he has realized the real nature of this gentleman. And, don´t gonna believe that Pablo is a man who change his mind easily. He has his own ideas. But the reality is the reality.
I could give you some examples of the brilliant economical and social decissions that our President took and I´m sure you laught at hell. (I don´t know if this las sentence is correct) How do you say in English "descojonarse"?

I've heard that word but I don't know what the English translation would be.

Anxious, this is the good thing. At least for me. Saying what I think with respect, of course, and don´t worry about other people opinions. I respect all the opinios and I know I´m puting my nose in a conversatition between my dear friend Chucky and you. But, listen you really can´t recognise that a man is handsome or attractive. In my opinion, it´s a kind of men liberalization. Women have made our job. Now, it´s men´s turn.

Anxious wrote:

Zahra wrote:Do you think in Spain are there a real ideas debating? No, at all. There is a fight to get power. The worst is that people follow and believe there are real ideas behind it. But, I preffer don´t talk about it. I think the real politic and where decisions are adopted are in the European Union

That's the problem. Decisions for Spain are being made in Brussels when they should be made in Spain. The same goes for other members of the European Union. The EU should be done away with.

Zahra wrote:but here in mass media, this information are on 3rd or 4th place.

The media will take a story that is unimportant and talk about that while neglecting what is really important. It's the same in many countries.

Zahra wrote:My man was a Zapatero´s supporter, now he has realized the real nature of this gentleman. And, don´t gonna believe that Pablo is a man who change his mind easily. He has his own ideas. But the reality is the reality.
I could give you some examples of the brilliant economical and social decissions that our President took and I´m sure you laught at hell. (I don´t know if this las sentence is correct) How do you say in English "descojonarse"?

I've heard that word but I don't know what the English translation would be.

Are you an Euro- Skeptical? Since Spain was in the Union there are lots of advantages for my country. We were practical a country for develop and all this change for a while, you know. Then, we are the best throwing our accomplishments overboard.

Zahra wrote:Do you think in Spain are there a real ideas debating? No, at all. There is a fight to get power. The worst is that people follow and believe there are real ideas behind it.

But that's what politics IS!! the negotiation for the allocation for common resources, real, or abstract. Good ideas are ultimately compromised, in the political arena, because others, with other "ideas" and needs must be contended with and included.
Good ideas are TOO EASILY compromised, I agree, maybe because power corrupts, or because inevitalbe compromise, in a democracy, inevitable dilutes..

I live in Europe, but "my" president is Obama, and we are seeing again what happens when bold, intelligent ideas look for survival in an existing power (democratic?) structure. Fascinating to observe. Don't become too cynical, Zahra!

Zahra wrote:) How do you say in English "descojonarse"?

(to loose one's balls?) Perhaps the American equivalent would be to 'wimp out' !