The Dark Side of the Farce.

A farce it is indeed! That's what the campaign for the referendum in France is becoming. After the siege mentality of the "NON" - based on fear and anger wiht a nice touch of that old French imperialism, it is now the "YES" that's using the politics of fear. Well, more exactly, it is what French Prime Minister Raffarin is attempting to do when he prophesizes economic chaos if the 'NON' wins. Given that the economy is doing pretty bad already, that's sort of an easy guess, isn't it? Whether or not he really believes this, it really sounds like a stupid thing to say anyway and it will no doubt feel like emotional blackmail to many people. To which it would be really idiotic to respond one way or the other. He's so good that whenever he speaks, the 'NON' side rejoices as they know it will backfire.

This ‘campaign’ is not about the text of the Treaty any more (Was it ever?), it is now about doomsday prophesized by both sides. Reason and reasoning has long disappeared. The 20 second format of television certainly helps convey fear and what is certain is that it sells better than 'reality tv'.

In the meantime, the media abroad seem to praise France for its democratic approach and for the discussions in every city, village and street corner… Well, frankly, from this end, it looks more like a farce, a sort of cheap drama played for the mob such as there were in Ancient Rome.

In the end, my mind is made up on a practical “OUI”, no matter what stupid argument can be used on either side, and my reasons for the OUI is pretty clear.