Irony of the Year

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: wouldn't it be absolutely entertaining if France rejected the EU Constitution?

President Jacques Chirac has taken part in a live TV debate in France to try to persuade its people to vote in favour of the proposed EU constitution.

Mr Chirac said the treaty was needed to keep the EU "strong and organised" and defend its interests against the power of the US or of India and China.

He was trying to jump-start a flagging Yes campaign in the referendum on the text due to be held on 29 May.

Recent opinion polls suggest a majority will vote No on the day.

Now, there are several things to point out here. First, President Chirac has frequently postured himself in an effort to demonstrate that he's the anti-Bush. His agenda has endeavoured to emphasize the sovereignty and superiority of French culture and policy. He's tried to make France stand out; so why would the French feel any need to be a part of the European Union?

Second, how is France going to defend its interests against China if they're pushing to end an embargo on weapons sales to the Chinese? I think the correct term for this sort of thing is "counter-productive".

The European Union is turning into more of a joke with every passing month, and if France fails to even join the thing after doing everything possible to be its de facto leader, it would be the ultimate irony.