Let me take a brief break from the "Texans Tour of Germany" for a comment on a news story I saw in Germany this week. Before I do, let me provide a definition for an EU term used in the article.
The 1985 Schengen Agreement is an agreement between European states which allows for common immigration policies and a border system. A total of 26 countries - including all European Union states except the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, but including non-EU members Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland - have signed the agreement. Fifteen countries have implemented it so far. Border checkpoints, controls, and posts have been removed between Schengen countries and a common 'Schengen visa' allows access to the area. However, the agreement does not cover residency or work permits for non-EU nationals.
OK, with that grounding....
News item: Germany to tighten border controls
German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has revealed that the German government is considering overruling the Schengen agreement for the duration of this summer's World Cup and reimposing border controls to combat hooliganism. The Schengen agreement allows travelers to cross certain borders without showing their passports and Germany is one of 15 countries to sign the agreement. Germany has borders with six Schengen countries. Speaking at a World Cup security meeting in Berlin, Schaeuble said the country was well-equipped to protect the safety of the players and spectators when the finals begin on June 9.
Question: Since one still has to use a passport at airports (but not on train travel), regardless of where one is travelling from, how exactly does showing a passport cut down on hooliganism? Is the box entitled "I'm a Hooligan" checked inside of all passports of these hooligans, thereby clearing identifying known hooligans from the non-hooligans of the world? Well then, I feel much safer now... knowing this....
Sometimes, I just ask too many questions.
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