Absolutely PRICELESS...

BRUSSELS: Bulgaria is one giant lavatory, France has gone on strike and Spain's construction industry has concreted the entire country.

Britain, meanwhile, has disappeared from the European continent altogether.

When some of Europe's artists were asked to portray their countries and how they see the European Union, organizers hoped for a provocative exhibition. But the results - due to be unveiled here Monday - may have officials choking on their morning croissants.

When they arrive at work, diplomats will be exposed to a satirical portrayal of Poland's Roman Catholic Church and an image of the Netherlands, submerged in seawater, with just minarets still visible. Italy is represented by a display illustrating its "autoerotic" obsession with soccer.

Organizers hope that it will stimulate something rather rare: public interest in the EU.

Never underestimate the cynical nature of the common man...if you can refer to artists as "common."

When the artists weren't poking fun at the stereotypes of their forced neighbors, they were commenting on the cultural issues that have reared their ugly heads as of late. The representation of the Netherlands with only minarets piercing the surface is golden.

In an interview at the Imperial hotel bar in Prague, Alexandr Vondra, the Czech deputy prime minister, said he supported freedom of expression.

"It is a piece of art - nothing else," said Vondra, a dissident in Communist days. "If Europe is not strong enough to look at this, it would be a tragedy. It is Europe through the eyes of 27 artists. It is not Europe through the eyes of the Czech presidency."

And there lies the Achilles Heel of the European Union. So afraid are the elite governmental officials of the opinion and will of the common constituent that they did their best to avoid referendum votes across the board on the approval of the Lisbon Treaty. One country required a referendum vote due to their own 'Constitutional' obligations (Ireland)...and it got shot down.

Personally, I think Europe would be better off with a view from the "great unwashed" instead of the political perspective of those in power. Can Europe stomach dissention in the ranks? Sure...as long as those in power can minimize its exposure...and marginalize the effect.

I don't think they will be doing this again any time soon, however.