A bit of side-slipping. The somewhat ambiguous nature of the lively debates surrounding statements made by Rocco Buttiglione before the MEPs (see this column yesterday) is not a one-off; other cases exist. Certain stances taken by various MEPs to affirm their personal beliefs have, in my view, goen far beyond the exercise of hearing the Commissioners. It is, of course, quite normal, even positive for the political groups to defend their idea of Europe and of society; that is part of the...