Iz niiize

In The New Republic, Andrew Curry reports on the supposedly disturbing trend toward social conservatism in some parts of Europe:

[T]oday, there is a deep divide between Western Europe and the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004--all but two of which were once part of the Soviet bloc. In these states, the idea that EU membership is a threat to national sovereignty and traditional society, rather than an economic boon, is taking hold. According to a 2003 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, roughly two-thirds of Bulgarians, Poles, Czechs, and Slovaks say their way of life needs to be protected from foreign influence. Homophobia, opposition to abortion, racism, anti-Semitism, and nationalism are all on the rise.

In other words, as Borat would say: In my country, there is problem.