I came for a few reasons, I suppose.  Like many, I got into reading Jerome's diaries at the orange place.  I was also planning to make the move to England.  And, having concentrated partly on European politics at the EU and national levels in college, I was interested in a blog that offered discussions on everything from the big issues facing Europe as well as day-to-day politics.

I think the people on this site are the best one could ask for, both in terms of knowledge and decency.  And the site offers a range of discussion unparalleled elsewhere in the blogosphere, from Jerome's right-on "Countdown" diaries to poemless's wickedly-brilliant "Odds & Ends" to DoDo's wonderful trainblogging to the many exciting adventures of Nomad to Frank's incredibly-enjoyable outside take on the 2008 election and his ongoing coverage of the economic crisis from Ireland.  And much, much more (too much to name).

Shit, who needs the Beeb or the Indie?

And I still want to do a weekly economic news roundtable.  I reckon we could do that with webcams on Skype or something along those lines.  And it would certainly beat the hell out of those idiots on CNBC.  Getting Mig and TBG to debate the merits of Frodo's "stress tests" would be worth it, alone.

I don't always -- hell, not even usually -- have something constructive to add.  But I'd be much poorer without ET.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country.