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Posted Wednesday, August 01, 2007 3:26 PM

Down the EU-Tube

Stryker McGuire

Here's an item Newsweek's Malcolm Beith wrote from New York:

In its 14 years of existence, the European Union has earned the derision of its citizens and skepticism from the United States. Now it seems set to get more of the same with a new Web video promotion. It's on YouTube and called ... EUTube! The video is a carnival ride through the continent's confused self-image. These 50-odd clips will stun you with the effort made to make bureaucracy foxy, or simply bore you to death. In "Flying and the Environment—The EU Leads the Way," a narrator tells us that the European commissioner for the Environment wants to see the aviation industry help combat climate change. But the most risible effort focuses on the movie industry. Never have European films looked more Eurotrashy than in montages in which all the finest clichés of many national cinemas receive an enthusiastic airing. If it can't even get a few promotional videos to fit together, no wonder the Union's in trouble.

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