In the darkness of the current EU crisis, there are at least a few moments for me to enjoy.

I'm particularly fond of the comment of the Irish Commissioner Charlie McCreevey in the most recent issue of European Voice:

"For the great majority of people, transatlantic dialogues, inter-institutional committees, gender institutes and the like hold little interest. They are people who just want to earn a decent living, be able to afford a few pints, go to a game of football and have a bit of sex."

And, enjoying that particular press freedom that not even politicians would dare entertain, the Guardian says that:

"the European democratic deficit is not only a matter of secret or unresponsive leaders but of muddled and unrealistic citizens."

This is not something that any politician could get away with saying, even if some of them no doubt think that!