With the more recent laws pasted over in Europe on monitoring internet use and with the reticent Pirate Bay trial that just went on in Sweden there is no better time then now. In June European Parliament will be holding elections and this time they will have a modern day pirate running. Last year a law was passed that Sweden can wiretap any internet activity that crosses their boarders, that did not sit well with alot of folks. So why not put a modern day pirate in office? Its not like he is some drunken smelly pirate with a hook for a arm but modern day pirates look very much like everyone else.

Meet and read about Christian Engström the modern day pirate running for office

The Pirate Party Makes a Bid for the European Parliament

Activist Christian Engström looks more like a engineer than a buccaneer. But in June he'll be one of 20 candidates running for seats in the European Parliament under the skull-and-crossbones flag of the Swedish Pirate Party.

"If politicians want to prevent ordinary citizens from sharing files, they will constantly have to expand their ability to monitor," Engström said in a telephone interview. "It's necessary to reform the copyright legislation to ensure that citizens' right to privacy is respected."

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So any European geeks here or even if your not what are your thoughts? Do you think that the laws need to be looked more at as far as internet privacy or that once online you really give up your rights to surf freely? Where does privacy end and how much should they be allowed to view of your activity?