Chirac: "Get the Cow!"

I promise this is the only time I'll ever say this about the French, but I'm impressed. French say not "no," but "hell no."

French voters have overwhelmingly rejected the European Union's proposed constitution in a key referendum.

Almost 55% of people voted "No," with 45% in favour, according to final interior ministry figures. The vote could deal a fatal blow to the EU constitution, which needs to be ratified by all 25 member states.

Turnout was high, at about 70%.

True, many voted against the EU constitution because they're extremists of one odious variety or another. But a landslide rejection of 55% suggests that there's also a silent majority that's sick and tired of being pushed around by arrogant Eurocrats.

The Dutch also appear poised to give the elites a black eye:

All 25 EU members must ratify the text for it to take effect as planned by Nov. 1, 2006 — and nine already have done so [ed. note: eight by parliament; only one by referendum, Spain]. The Dutch vote Wednesday, with polls showing opposition to the constitution there running at about 60 percent.

But the rumblings of the aristocracy are edged with forboding:

President Jacques Chirac accepted the voters' "sovereign decision," but said it created "a difficult context for the defence of our interests in Europe."

And:

France's rejection could set the continent's plans back by years. The nation was a primary architect of European unity.

"There is no more constitution," leading opponent Philippe de Villiers said. "It is necessary to reconstruct Europe on other foundations that don't currently exist."

Of course, hyperbole is the only thing at which French politicians excel, and in reality, life in Europe will go plodding right along as it always has. So it's entirely possible that these self-important sophisticates are simply struggling to contain their boiling hostility for the people whose votes they'll still need at some point or other.

While previous EU treaties have often been put to a vote again and again until the plebes give the answer their masters want, I have doubts that the EU constitution, in its present form, will get off the ground before the Nov. 2006 deadline. Without the French on board, or the Dutch, and thus almost certainly not the British, I smell a power vacuum, which tend not to stay vacant for very long.

Given Islamists' means, motive, and opportunity to conquer Europe, could it be that the EU constitution would have been the lesser of two evils? Or just a streamlining of the inevitable? GWOYKW will keep you posted.