Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Used Baby Northface For Sale

Europeans are not discriminated against in Maastricht Dutch "? Europe and women

Today I echo a curiosity. Non-Dutch Europeans to visit Maastricht are not allowed in the coffee shops . I invite you to reflect on a story about a legal dispute by the consumption of cannabis in coffee shops Dutch, particularly in the city of Maastricht (what a paradox that is in the city that gave its name to the Treaty which provided for the birth of European Union). Look at this link and read carefully what interesting case of legal interpretation, which, in my opinion, violates the non-discrimination on grounds of nationality in within the European Union.

'll bring not too many elements of my own. Summarize the story and give my point of view. In the same text find relevant case law. This is the case. In the Netherlands there is a great tolerance towards cannabis use, and allows marketing in effect establishments known as coffee shops . The City of Maastricht found that produced an excessive influx of foreigners, which alter the normal functioning of the city. Specifically, according to information provided by the mayor at the hearing of the trial, the 14 coffee shops that exist in the city attract half 10,000 visitors a day, of which 70% are not resident in the Netherlands. This fact justifies the filing of the complaint, arguing that the "drug tourism" is detrimental to Maastricht.

In fact, the case went to trial because the council forbade the owners of the establishments the entry of non-resident in the Netherlands. Then the owner decided to bring a local demand, taking up the EU legislation that requires equal treatment for all European citizens. Do not think that there are European laws governing cannabis. As seen in the same article, referring to EU law which states that narcotics may only be marketed scientific or medical purpose and therefore does not circulate through the normal channels of free markets. Therefore, the Court says, the local owner can not defend the admission of non-Dutch customers on the principle of free movement of goods. The Tribunal considers that cannabis is not good in that regard. However, the applicant goes further and argues that in selling local drinks and food, and thus to prohibit access to the same non-residents, they are being discriminated against and deprived of access to these resources. For the Court, in this particular case the property itself is secondary, and what is the service is offered.
Just
this seems ironic, but it is a clear example of the lack of development of the internal market of services (existing on paper but not in practice ... one day I will talk about the new services directive and how the Commission is literally chasing the Member States for the meeting).

Under the Treaty of Lisbon (art. 18), prohibits discrimination on the basis of nationality. However, the Court considers that this provision would not apply in this case, as it specifically applies only to situations governed by European legislation. The Lisbon Treaty itself (Article 21) establishes the right of all citizens EU to move and reside freely within the territory of all Member States. In this article, as well as the rules governing the internal market, we must infer that there is freedom to provide services, do not you think? I refer to previous irony. Are not fulfilling the mandates of the treaties in the services market.

Do you think it acceptable that a court ruled that a citizen has no right to enter premises located within the Community?

Incredibly, the Court considers that the standard case discrimination is justified because the measure imposed by the City Council is working to end a background of public disruption due to the large number of tourists. It goes further to say that combat tourism "narcotic" is of interest "legitimate" and justifies the restriction of the obligations imposed by European law. The Court considers that the ban on foreigners will eventually solve the problem, "public" that generates a massive influx of non-residents. Moreover, it considers that its decision is not discriminatory, since other non-residents can freely go to other local drinks or food available in Maastricht.

The bottom line is that the European Union is not narcotics can be freely traded (including cannabis), so the city has no "right" to access your consumption as if it were a normal product or service, or subject to the usual marketing channels. Therefore, if the cannabis is tolerated in Holland, not follow that it should be tolerated in other Member States. Although at that point we agree, it also seems doubtful that the decision conforms to the general principles of EU treaties, especially the understanding that the European Union relies heavily on the proper functioning of the internal market , whose provisions guaranteeing freedom of movement of goods, persons, capital and services, do not you think that the four freedoms should prevail? And if that cannabis should not be a product accessible to all citizens, would not it be reasonable to also prohibit the marketing in the Netherlands? Either way, this situation clearly attentive to the equality of market and freedom of movement and services. It is certainly an anecdotal case, but may be an undesirable precedent.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Wisdom Teeth And Sign Of Aging



took place last week in Madrid organized by the European Professional Women's Network. There was discussion about how women set new trends in business management, how to maximize their potential to lead, how they fit the system of rewards and how to design the empowerment . That is, the woman brings a new corporate culture, marked by the feminine idiosyncrasy of responsibility and efficiency.

Europe and the EU institutions design and contribute in a constructive manner, through actions soft to rectify the absence, unjustified and chronic, of women leading large corporations and institutions. According to a survey by Russell Reynolds and EPWN between major European companies, the presence of women on the boards is at 12% in 2010, marking an increase in parity from 21% two-year (bearing in mind that in 2004 this percentage was 8%). This pattern marks 2016 as the date for achieving parity. Although only one adapted to the current regulation can ensure that goal.

Is Europe as an ally of women's interests? Not exactly. Everyone has an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat it expects from Europe. In recent times, people experience feelings, somewhere between desperation to improve their personal situation and hope that the structural crisis will happen to a better life, whether or not the hand of the institutions of Europe. Most lack the elements to assess the European dimension of the facts, "beyond the rather brief and not very contextualized-news about the decisions of the Councils sporadic. Even said "Speech State of the Union" address by Barroso, went on tiptoe among some national headlines.

seems clear that this absence and its continuity in time, will eventually reveal that the EU is unable to define a road map or a destination to which you walk. The key issues do not appear or become visible. No relevance is given such a profound connection between national policy and European politics. That there is still no link to the public. There is the key: the link information.

In Italy, this past Sunday, thousands of people demonstrating against the apparent sexism of the leader Italian. Hardly anyone doubts that Berlusconi is a disgrace and an insult to European values. Unworthy to be part of the majority party in the Parliament, the European People's Party (indeed, unable to deliver a kick, even to support in 2010 a media law clearly dyes Italian monopoly, which undermined the plurality of information in Italy). The retention of Berlusconi in power insults, in my of view, the dignity of women. I must say, however, that one of the best battles fought by the European Union's gender policy.

Beyond personal behavior objectionable, we evaluate the impact of legislation on increasing the female presence in managerial areas. The study draws on Norwegian legislation (although not an EU Member State) to be the most demanding quotas, which has resulted in the presence of 37.9% of women on boards of directors this past 2010, predicted line up. In fact, the severity of the law in Norway (which introduced a quota of 40% in 2008) results in the dissolution of companies not complying with the quota. The legislation affects, of course.

However, it is legitimate to ask whether the legislation is the ideal way to increase female presence in leadership positions. Just last week, Angela Merkel called on German businesses to be creative in this field to avoid an "imposition" government of this "creativity." Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding, is in favor of quotas, an issue which was also openly raised in the Davos forum. Reding said that quotas might be needed if the companies do not include women on a voluntary basis. Therefore, the month of March, there will be a meeting between the commissioner and some European business leaders to try to reach a concrete agreement that self-regulatory measures.

words, the Commission, for one, is far from imposing quotas and chooses to bring equality in the field of general policy objectives, with the ambition but not impose. Along the lines discussed in the survey cited above, Reding estimated that by 2015 should increase by 30% the presence of women in governing bodies, simply by corporate self-regulation. Only if these objectives are breached, would begin to consider the legal imposition of quotas held on possible sanctions. I invite

thorough discussions to assess what is substantive reasons for imposing a greater presence of women in the fields of power. Determine whether the justification is economic, political or moral. In the field of statistical studies are for everyone. As usual, there is always some bias in terms of which agency commissioned the study. Of the many that there is often quoted that of McKinsey ( Women Matter ), the last of October 2010, which states that companies with more women economic returns are 56% higher businesses that predominantly male.

As I said, Statistical studies of dye must be quarantined, but a similar report by Goldman Sachs already pointed to the reduction of gender jump in the eurozone could increase GDP growth by up to 13%. To the extent that the firm suggests that multinational enterprises invest in countries where the gender break is less and where the presence of women in economic life is higher. There is no impact on topics concerning the alleged risk aversion of women, the working speed or degree of responsibility, because we enter into the realm of subjective assessments, and run the risk of trivializing The debate, though Reding does not mince words when it says that "The financial crisis May Have Turned Out Differently If There Had Been more Lehman brothers sisters INSTEAD OF".

Chanzas aside, when one of the problems is the aging of the population does not seem reasonable to exclude 50% of human capital in the productive economy. In this sense, the integration of women itself has a cohesive effect, as well as providing a significant competitive potential, regardless of gender-based assessments. With all that said, I'm betting on a meritocratic culture, and we need women willing to fight for their convictions and transform the concepts efficiency and management in the business world. In a context of power in a male pattern, is not more legislation to help in this transition, because the laws are facilitators of change. Even the change of mentality. European legislation provides a framework of security for women who wish to participate in business management with ambition, and rewards companies that want to innovate, investing in new models of leadership. Institutional support is key. And then the European Union is on our side.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

How Much Calories Does Small Pho Soup Have?

After his first year in office, the Commission for review: Ambitious or effective?

What is expected of the Commission? Do you think that this is a Government European? Would you like to behave as such? Would you be better understand the roles of commissioners? What real power of the president Barroso? Do you have questions about the political competence? "They miss a single voice in the EU? "Transparency? "Accessibility? Does political courage? Is the Commission an effective and useful to citizens? I fear that many citizens, even the most enthusiastic, largely unknown what does the European Commission.

It's time to be assuming that the EU tends to greater uniformity, in a special way in Eurozone. Just today, the press echoes the criticism that MEPs expressed on Competitiveness Pact proposed by the Franco-German axis in the Council is highly relevant to the debate on power sharing in the European Union. Without a doubt, is need for a visible and equipped with autonomy, can gradually develop the skills that states are losing.

Today marks one year of operation of the mandate of the second committee chaired by Portugal's Barroso (more popularly known as Barroso II). We have worked hard. Have continued to issue regulations, in the gap continues to bring forward the new directive on the single market in services. States still lingering on meeting deadlines prescribed whenever the Commission in its Guidelines. Some become eternal in credit and transfer of European laws, the slackers are blatantly ignoring that is in the interests of businesses and consumers, ergo citizens, meet the requirements of the EU executive, and this is especially bloody, unsuccessful in achieving - Single Market and Energy Services already mentioned, great workhorse of this Committee. Is the struggle for visibility. Barroso fights for not get eclipsed by the Council, including Merkel and Sarkozy. Remember doubts that arose at the time of the vote in Strasbourg a year ago. Several observations. To mark this anniversary, we are developing today and tomorrow in Brussels a conference ("Implementing the Lisbon Treaty") involving a large number of commissioners. Precisely which involved adjustments to the Treaty of Lisbon, which takes just over a year in force, have greatly hampered the launch of the Commission. Yesterday, also in Brussels, there was a high-level meeting on the internal market, sponsored by the Commission, which addressed the preparation of the summit on reducing carbon.

These and many other such acts are part of the regular agenda of the EU executive. Their aspirations go far beyond. It is undeniable that some federalists would like to see the Commission less shackled by the Council, more autonomous. But for this, the president should be chosen in voting by all European citizens and address their management in an election. The unreality of this scenario, the desired but unlikely, does not prevent the EU forward.

However, despite uninformed criticism is often expressed slightly against Brussels, there is the strange paradox that public opinion demanding greater visibility and force European institutions, especially the President of the Commission. I imagine that, immediately afterwards, was asked about the role of Van Rompuy as president of the Council. In my case, I have no doubts. Barroso's power spectrum is much higher than that of Van Rompuy, not only by the personal profile of each of these characters, but because the Commission has a mandate of five years, while the permanent president is in two and a half years, and his role has more to do with mediation between the heads of government at the European Council. We must not forget that the Commission has legislative initiative, and is the guardian treaties, so its power is remarkable political surveillance.

know I want to give an assessment of the Barroso II and his team. With a few exceptions. This is a study, however, must be quarantined because it has been made between ordinary citizens, but is selective. Let me explain. Exhibits certain biases, which has developed mainly of politicians, actors and officials from all EU countries. However, it is interesting and so I invite you to read the results of this survey that is rigorous and thorough, despite also present, bias gender, because - "attention" - 64% of respondents were men, although it is fair to recognize that this percentage reflects the glaring reality. Women we have a long way to go to reach for relevance and presence, even in European politics.

Select some striking details. For example, only 5% of respondents felt that relations with third countries are relevant ... my immediate thought leads me to wonder where are the cries against the slow continuous Ashton, not to mention the complex network of European External Action Service, which have poured so much energy and so many broken dreams left between officials of the former Relex. Unfathomable mysteries. So is that just stop Ashton out pretty well on the exam, and some excuse their profile blurred by the dual mandate, the famous double-Hatting (as is Vice President of the Commission but also represents the interests of the States).

Similarly, many opinions are demanding more political courage to Barroso, who they accuse of being too cautious and gray, is criticized for abusing over the showcasing of their tongues, while schizophrenia-en-le strange value better than their own national governments. No surprisingly, very active (and sometimes controversial) Rehn, Reding and Kroes appear well scored, while the blurred Tajani is located in the tail ... concern, given that manages jobs and growth, although in his defense we should recognize that this is a somewhat empty wallet real expertise.

The general feeling among respondents is that Barroso is starring in the presidential mandate in history, even over Delors. Is a statement that is damaging interpretations. To what extent is questionable presidential profile? If something is clear is that Delors was a key to European integration and their relevance places him at the level of the "fathers of Europe." Barroso do not know if you can achieve this level of historical importance, but it is not ruled out that the presidential mandate is a direct consequence of having to deal with a government too big. This is leading and coordinating an Executive of 27 ministers / commissioners, something worthwhile that appeases the intensity of the daily work of the Europe and work inaccessible to despondency.

A mid-term (summer, 2012) to perform a new survey. I hope to go further and involving also the citizens of the street.

I think this type of concrete (beyond the cold Eurobarometer) also contribute to creating public awareness of European policy. If we want a Europe with a visible and responsive president electorally, we must first create such a European public space where they germinate the political interest of Europeans and their leaders. We need to know to be critical. This is an area where we have some margin pressure and acting as civil society.

Until then, much has to rain on a European Union must overcome the confusion in its power structure, as well to forge closer cooperation between their institutions with greater ambition and clarity. I harbor no doubt that the Commission has to exercise that leadership, strengthening its ability to influence and monitor (and possibly expand) the achievement of common goals enshrined in our treaties.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Backyard Makeover Suppliers

Fieldwork UNE to Coche Island, Students of the School of Tourism visit this island paradise


Field Work UNE Coche Island, Students of the School of Tourism visit this island paradise

Car Island is known worldwide for practice center for kitesurfing and windsurfing, as well as its heavenly beaches, constitute a fascinating tourist attraction. Of particular note, La Punta, El Amor, El Coco and La Uva. Wild beaches are a haven of tranquility for visitors. The average annual temperature is 27 º C Length: 55 Km2 10 º 46 '30 "North Latitude 63 º 56' 45" West Longitude. In this field study students Tourism 30 2 A-B, is monitored by Prof. Maite Abasolo are organized in committees: Finance. Check-out inn. logistics, transportation, food and beverage, security, theme nights, Public Relations students work is developed on the island of Coche in an all inclusive package at the Hotel Coche Paradise, where we will use services that give us special rates. Location: Coche Island, just 20 minutes by boat from Margarita Island, is located the Hotel Coche Speed \u200b\u200bParadise on the shores of Playa La Punta, 3 km of white sand and crystalline waters that adorn the paradise sailors and windsurfers from around the world. Rooms: There are 65 cabins equipped with air conditioning, hot water, safe, color TV with remote control, telephone, private terrace, mini refrigerators and room service daily. Facilities: Restaurant, hut for all kinds of events and bar.

Fieldwork UNE to the Isla de Coche, Students of the School of Tourism visit this island paradise