EU and NATO, superwonkamania

    I got into trouble at NATO Headquarters in Brussels today,  as I did visiting the Sistine Chapel in Rome a couple years ago.  My faux pas -- Taking a photo.  Oh no! Das is verboten.  "No photo, no photo, no photo" the guards shouted.  We weren't even inside the gate yet, just waiting in the line to get our passports checked to enter the building. (Top photo).

   Oh well, they let me in anyway, after confiscating all the journalists' cameras.  

   We learned a lot about NATO. Its number one priority right now is Afghanistan. NATO used to be known as the "No Action Talk Only" organization, but now stands for "Needs America To Operate."  NATO has 70,000 troops from 40 countries deployed around the world, mostly in Afghanistan.  Of course, America is leading NATO's military effort there and provides nearly half the soldiers in theatre.  The US has 16,000, followed by the UK with 8500, Germany with 3325, Canada with 3297, Italy with 2500, France with 1136 and Poland with 1078.

    Some of the countries have negotiated caveats, or special conditions for their soldiers.  For example, German soldiers must be safely back at base by nightfall.  They don't fight at night!

    We had a full day the European Union yesterday.  No one seems to know much about the EU, and I think I found out why. 

    The day we were there, the EU had a very important press conference attended by dozens of journalists from around the world.  They set it up so that the politicians giving the press conference stood in a hole. Yes, a hole!  They can't be seen by most journalists.  They provide a too-small platform for broadcast cameras,  and everyone else is shoved behind them on a floor 3 feet below, trying to peer through the legs of videographers. It's the worst set up for a press conference I have ever seen!  (bottom two photos, last photo Don Heider, Loyola University Dean and me)

    The EU speakers we met with told us that their biggest problems are "communication" and "image."  Duh!  Learn how to hold a press conference.  Check out bottom two photos on blog.

    We're staying at the Sofitel Hotel in Brussels and it's really really cool.  Tres moderne.  I love the bathroom design, especially the square shape sink, and the comfy cozy bed with strange face pillows.

    The city is beautiful.  The Grand Platz where city hall is located is surrounded by gorgeous old  buildings, outdoor cafes and restaurants.  (Photo of me in Grand Platz). Young and old gather here every night.  One the way back home, many people buy a waffle, a Brussels specialty.  (Second photo).

   Tomorrow we get a break from wonkamania and will take a trip to Bruges, Belgium where we'll shop, eat and drink.