But that dosn't mean Ireland was wrong to say "no" the first time. It was clearly meant to send a message to that nameless, faceless EU bureaucracy making important decisions far, far away from the Irish people, yet for the Irish people.

It's not easy to say "yes" at first to what is certainly economically advantageous, but at the cost of national pride, culture, and influence.

European Commission President Romano Prodi said last week that a second rejection would be a “disaster scenario,” adding, “We hope the Irish people realize just how important the referendum is.”

How arrogant. Given the dangerous rise in European extremism and the related general cultural malaise and uncertainty over European and national identity, a wiser question would be, "We hope the European Commission realizes how important the Irish people are."

That's what the EU should be very concerned with too, not just economics.

What does it mean to be European?

What common values do Europeans hold?

What is the European committment to freedom, democracy, and capitalism? How is this committment sustained in the face of large scale immigration from regions not committed to these superior ideals?

How will Europe work together with America and other allies to protect freedom and our other shared values, expand them worldwide, and protect them from extremist Islamic (and other) terrorist threats?