I hate the European Council.

The European Council chose to overrule the European Parliament.

I'm outraged. Not just because they oppose my position on software patents; also, and most importantly, because they blatantly ignored the the parliamentary vote on this subject, and indeed chose to make a decision directly against its intent.

I've always been told in school that the basis of democracy is the diversion of the three powers. If the European Council, a group of just a few ministers, can directly ignore and oppose a parliamentary vote, voted upon by 787 MEPs without any problem, then why do we still need a european parliament?

Today is a black day for democracy in Europe. There's only two positive bits in this news:

1. It happened the day after my birthday; that way, I don't have to hate my own birthday
2. I don't have to be ashamed of the country I live in: together with Germany, Belgium opposed this vote

My first thought in reaction to this news was about some sort of violence. Like, going to Brussels and throwing some stones through some windows. After all, if they don't need to respect structures and institutions, why should I? But that, of course, doesn't help. Better to do what the FFII suggests, and to write to representatives. Again.

Europeans, unite against patent terror!