This is a remarkable story. Germany has been told it MUST adopt the EU rules on retention of data for law enforcement or face fines:
European authorities have taken Germany to court for failing to implement the EU Data Retention Directive.
The European Commission announced on Thursday that it wants the European Court of Justice to impose a fine of just over €315,000 (US$391,866) a day. The news comes after Germany failed to respond to a warning in March.
I am not sure how I land on the substance of this matter BUT I certainly agree that the EU should NOT have this power over sovereign nations. The Pirate Party has protested:
“The decision to take Germany to court is absolutely ridiculous,” said Swedish member of the European Parliament Christian Engstrom, of the Pirate Party. “They have made a preliminary evaluation of the Data Retention Directive and found with lots and lots of problems with it. I think this shows that Commissioner Malmstrom is driven only by prestige and common sense is not in her vocabulary.”
I suggest thsi is why the Pirates have to take on the EU in a number of areas. Champion national sovereignty and challenge EU elites. Be the true alternative to Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Germans need to say ENOUGH to the EU. It’s a great free trade idea. Break down barriers. Suggest uniform national laws. But no force. No financial power. No bailouts. No common currency. No silly decisions like votes for inmates. Time to say NO. Maybe someone needs to present that concept – a world force for liberty – at the next International Pirate Conference. Maybe even a blogger from Virginia, USA! There’s always Skype or even maybe go in person.
