International DUers check in...

[Longgrain]

It's almost midnight here on the east coast of the U.S. yet I know from the time I spent here, there are DUers who post from all around the world.

Where in the world are you?

Are you a U.S. citizen living abroad?

If you are not a U.S. citizen, what brings you to DU?

Anyway...:hi:

[CanuckAmok]

1. checking in from "America Junior".

BC Canada...where it's 8:56pm and windy.

I signed up on DU to secretly infiltrate the US Communist Party.

[MrModerate]

2. Getting ready to go to work . . .

(On Saturday, yet) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Deep in the heart of Transylvania, where we're building a big highway. I'm a US citizen, but I've lived maybe half my life outside of the States.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. So very cool!

I clicked on your website! I officially...HATE YOU! Well, not really. Your house is beautiful, only because I can't think of another word that is sufficient to describe it! I am very jealous...such a bad thing to be, I know. I wish I could see what you are seeing.

Out of curiousity...why will it take Romania two more years before they can try to join the EU?

[MrModerate]

20. Thanks for your kind remarks . . .

I haven't kept the site as up-to-date as I should, but it's been a very busy time for me.

The house shots were originally the way I showed my wife the houses I had been scouting out before she joined me here. There were a couple of other places that she rejected outright. I like the house too -- it's much nicer than my dull WWII-era bungalow in California, where I was living before starting this assignment.

With regard to Romania's accession to the EU, it's really a very complicated process. Romania began negotiations in 1990, right after the revolution. The EU requires that countries meet some basic standards (rule of law, economic soundness, human rights guarantees) before accession can take place, and Romania was only able to make its formal application in 1995. There's still quite a long way to go -- particularly on the issue of public and private corruption -- before the EU will accept Romania.

This isn't just the EU being snooty. Joining the EU is a real shock to the system of countries without robust economic underpinnings. Unless they are prepared, there's the chance they'll experience inflation, dislocation, unrest, and potentially can become a burden to the EU rather than a benefit.

It's exciting to watch the process -- don't let anyone fool you: the next superpower is being born here, and before long the EU will rival the US as a continental, highly integrated power.

[mr blur]

3. South coast of England here

watching my government starting to show the beginnings of the kind of stupidity and arrogance that you in the US are familiar with. I thought we already had Freedom and Democracy here but it seems I was wrong.

I come to DU because it's full of people who represent the things which we always admired about the US and which are no longer represented by your government. It reminds me that there's intelligence and common sense everywhere.

[realisticphish]

7. i love watching your parliament

on cspan, when it's on. the prime ministers questions, or whatever it's called, is fascinating. i cant begin to imagine a similar thing with shrub

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Anarcho-Socialist]

10. If you're interested in UK politics, come check out the UK forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=191 :)

[enigmatic]

5. Edmonton

Doing my overnight radio show; just played "Western Skyline" by Richmond Fontaine, and now playing "Smile" by onelinedrawing..

[Allenberg]

6. It's 8:20PM here in northern Japan.

And I'm oh so bored.

(active-soon-to-be-seperating Air Force) :hi:

[realisticphish]

8. you realize

that milk is going to turn to butter eventually if it keeps jumping around :shrug:

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Art_from_Ark]

19. Misawa?

Must be pretty cold up there at this time of year

:scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared::scared:

[Anarcho-Socialist]

9. A British DUer checking in from Co. Durham, UK

I'm married to an American, so an interest in US politics comes with it :)

[non sociopath skin]

11. Me too ...

... although I have to admit that I've always been fascinated with everything American. Growing up in the 50s and 60s in small-town, blue-collar England, the American dream was a very potent one.

The Skin

[ConcernedCanuk]

12. My nic indicates where and why -

.
.
.

DU helps me keep tabs on the progress of the worlds greatest terrorist,

who reigns south of our border

(sigh)

[CanuckAmok]

15. Mmmm....Sibel Edmonds....

:loveya:

[ConcernedCanuk]

21. Don't tell me - tell HER - there's an e-mail addy on her home page there

.
.
.

I wonder how many admirers she has in different countries

sure doesn't have enough in Murikka -

and Murikka can sure USE more people like her

More like Sibel would keep peeps like boosh & gang outta the WH

[Feathered Fish]

13. Another Canuck

:hi:

[Longgrain]

14. Hey FF, G'day hoser.

How are things north of the border...:hi:

[Feathered Fish]

16. no bad, no bad

It's chilly here in TO today - but not too bad, and it's my first real day off in month!! :bounce:
I am going to sit and read, play on DU, watch a movie (I need to see Ray before the oscars tommorrow) and just laze around the apartment. I am contemplating laundry, but I'm not sure yet.
How's you doin' longrain?

[Longgrain]

18. Cool!

Seriously it's cool here, not cold but cool!

I got to run some errands, do some housework, maybe do some painting, but I'll be Lounging around DU through out the day... (as usual) :7

[neweurope]

17. Germany... Wanted to see what the Democrats said about the "election"

They didn't say anything whatsoever so I came here. Since I think that you're a beautiful bunch of people I've stayed :) DU is great!

:yourock:

----------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Longgrain]

22. We are honest around here ain't we?

I've spoken to a couple of other DUers posting from Europe...some American citizens abroad, some not...

It's always great to see ya and to see you're taking an interest in us...:hi:

[Kellanved]

23. Another Kraut:

A general fascination for US politics, believing in the "Atlantic Alliance", certain connections to the US and Americans - I had to end up here.

:hi: