German CEO Blasts European Cowardice

[Team Sergeant]

Great read!!

Friday, December 03, 2004 1:53 AM

German CEO Blasts European Cowardice

EUROPE - THY NAME IS COWARDICE
(Commentary by Mathias Döpfner)

Matthias Döpfner, Chief Executive of German publisher Axel Springer AG, has written a blistering attack in the daily WELT against the cowardice of Europe in the face of the Islamic threat. Hartmut Lau translated the article for us.

A few days ago Henry M. Broder wrote in Welt am Sonntag, "Europe - your family name is appeasement." It's a phrase you can't get out of your head because it's so terribly true.

Appeasement cost millions of Jews and non-Jews their lives as England and France, allies at the time, negotiated and hesitated too long before they noticed that Hitler had to be fought, not bound to agreements.

Appeasement stabilized communism in the Soviet Union and East Germany in that part of Europe where inhuman, suppressive governments were glorified as the ideologically correct alternative to all other possibilities.

Appeasement crippled Europe when genocide ran rampant in Kosovo and we Europeans debated and debated until the Americans came in and did our work for us. Rather than protecting democracy in the Middle East, European appeasement, camouflaged behind the fuzzy word "equidistance," now countenances suicide bombings in Israel by fundamentalist Palestinians.

Appeasement generates a mentality that allows Europe to ignore 300,000 victims of Saddam's torture and murder machinery and, motivated by the self-righteousness of the peace-movement, to issue bad grades to George Bush.

A particularly grotesque form of appeasement is reacting to the escalating violence by Islamic fundamentalists in Holland and elsewhere by suggesting that we should really have a Muslim holiday in Germany.

What else has to happen before the European public and its political leadership get it? There is a sort of crusade underway, an especially perfidious crusade consisting of systematic attacks by fanatic Muslims, focused on civilians and directed against our free, open Western societies.

It is a conflict that will most likely last longer than the great military conflicts of the last century - a conflict conducted by an enemy that cannot be tamed by tolerance and accommodation but only spurred on by such gestures, which will be mistaken for signs of weakness.

Two recent American presidents had the courage needed for anti-appeasement: Reagan and Bush. Reagan ended the Cold War and Bush, supported only by the social democrat Blair acting on moral conviction, recognized the danger in the Islamic fight against democracy. His place in history will have to be evaluated after a number of years have passed.

In the meantime, Europe sits back with charismatic self-confidence in the multicultural corner instead of defending liberal society's values and being an attractive center of power on the same playing field as the true great powers, America and China.

On the contrary - we Europeans present ourselves, in contrast to the intolerant, as world champions in tolerance, which even (Germany's Interior Minister) Otto Schily justifiably criticizes. Why? Because we're so moral? I fear it's more because we're so materialistic.

For his policies, Bush risks the fall of the dollar, huge amounts of additional national debt and a massive and persistent burden on the American economy - because everything is at stake.

While the alleged capitalistic robber barons in American know their priorities, we timidly defend our social welfare systems. Stay out of it! It could get expensive. We'd rather discuss the 35-hour workweek or our dental health plan coverage. Or listen to TV pastors preach about "reaching out to murderers."

These days, Europe reminds me of an elderly aunt who hides her last pieces of jewelry with shaking hands when she notices a robber has broken into a neighbor's house.

Europe, thy name is cowardice.

[CRad]

Good article. I read a book about why terrorism works. The author says it works because it's a successful tactic. Europe is more guilty than anyone of fostering those successes.

[CPTAUSRET]

TS:

I hope this guy has good security, he just painted a big target on his forehead!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...1/ixworld.html

Terry

[Airbornelawyer]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Great read!!

Friday, December 03, 2004 1:53 AM

Why is this bylined December 3? Döpfner's piece appeared on November 20.

http://www.welt.de/data/2004/11/20/363020.html?prx=1

Europa - dein Name ist Feigheit
Der Kommentar
von Mathias Döpfner

"Europa - dein Familienname ist Appeasement!", schrieb vor einigen Tagen Henryk M. Broder in der "Welt am Sonntag". Ein Satz, der einem nicht mehr aus dem Kopf geht, weil er so schrecklich richtig ist.

Appeasement kostete Millionen Juden und Nichtjuden das Leben, weil die Alliierten in England und Frankreich zu lange verhandelten und zögerten, bis sie merkten, daß man Hitler nicht einbinden, sondern nur bekämpfen kann. Appeasement stabilisierte den Sowjetkommunismus und die DDR, indem Teile Europas den inhumanen Unterdrückungsstaat zur ideologischen Alternative verklärten. Appeasement lähmte Europa, als im Kosovo der Völkermord wütete und man so lange debattierte, bis die Amerikaner dort unsere Aufgaben erledigten. Europäisches Appeasement, getarnt in dem Nebelwort "Äquidistanz", relativiert in Israel die Selbstmordattentate fundamentalistischer Palästinenser, anstatt die einzige Demokratie im mittleren Osten zu schützen. Appeasement prägt die Mentalität, wenn Europa im Irak über die 300 000 von Saddam ermordeten und gefolterten Opfer hinwegsieht und in friedensbewegter Selbstgerechtigkeit George Bush schlechte Noten erteilt. Und Appeasement in seiner groteskesten Form ist es schließlich auch, wenn man auf die eskalierende Gewalt islamistischer Fundamentalisten in Holland und anderswo mit dem Vorschlag reagiert, in Deutschland doch einen muslimischen Feiertag einzuführen.

Was muß noch passieren, bis die europäische Öffentlichkeit und das politische Führungspersonal realisieren: Es herrscht eine Art Kreuzzug, eine besonders perfide, auf Zivilisten konzentrierte, gegen unsere freien, offenen, westlichen Gesellschaften gerichtete System-Attacke fanatisierter Muslime. Ein Konflikt, der voraussichtlich länger dauern wird als die großen militärischen Auseinandersetzungen der letzten hundert Jahre. Geführt von einem Gegner, der sich nicht durch Toleranz und Entgegenkommen bezähmen läßt, sondern den solche Gesten, mißverstanden als Zeichen der Schwäche, nur anspornen.

Zwei amerikanische Präsidenten der jüngeren Vergangenheit hatten den Mut zu dezidiertem Anti-Appeasement: Reagan und Bush. Reagan beendete den Kalten Krieg, Bush erkannte - unterstützt nur von dem sozialdemokratischen Überzeugungspolitiker Tony Blair - die Gefahr des islamistischen Kampfes gegen die Demokratie. Seine historische Rolle wird in einigen Jahren zu bewerten sein.

Europa macht es sich einstweilen gemütlich in der multikulturellen Ecke, anstatt mit charismatischem Selbstbewußtsein die Werte der liberalen Gesellschaft zu verteidigen und im Spannungsfeld der wirklichen Weltmächte - Amerika und China - als attraktives Kraftzentrum zu agieren. Wir dagegen profilieren uns als Weltmeister der Toleranz gegenüber den Intoleranten, wie auch Otto Schily zu Recht kritisiert. Warum eigentlich? Weil wir so moralisch sind? Zu befürchten ist eher: weil wir so materialistisch sind.

Bush riskiert für seine Politik eine Abwertung des Dollar, eine zu hohe Verschuldung des Staates, eine massive und nachhaltige Belastung der amerikanischen Volkswirtschaft - weil es ums Ganze geht.

Doch während die angeblich so materialistischen Raubtierkapitalisten in Amerika ihre Prioritäten kennen, schützen wir die Pfründe unseres ängstlich verteidigten sozialen Wohlstandes. Bloß nicht einmischen, das könnte teuer werden. Da diskutieren wir lieber über die 35-Stunden-Woche, Zahnpflegeversorgungsansprüche und hören Fernsehpastoren zu, die den "Mördern die Hand reichen" wollen. In diesen Tagen erinnert Europa manchmal an eine alternde Tante, die ihre zittrigen Hände um ihre letzten Juwelen legt, während ein Räuber gerade bei den Nachbarn einbricht. Europa - dein Familienname ist Feigheit.

[Guy]

Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer

Why is this bylined December 3? Döpfner's piece appeared on November 20.

Great read TS!

[Gypsy]

Great read TS. It will be shared, especially with my lib left "fans".

Last night I came home from a trip to Paris and Strasbourg. We had been to a gathering at the European parliament in Strasbourg, with around 400-500 representatives from schools around Europe.

Among other things, there were 10 questions to be voted on and a time to question three high officials (names and ranks escapes me at this hour).

While the youths appeared a little split on some issues, from the officials it was clear and even an outspoken message that European and American values diverge.

(non-exact quote)
"The USA represents and condones actions/values/things that we in Europe don't. We want to encourage a different order, methods and values than the USA."

The fright of becoming a federal state and unwillingness to call the EU a federal union, in comparison with the USA, was among other things repeated too.

There you have it, from the other side of the fence.

I went and had a beer (legal age 18) and some pasta a la carbonara close to the Eiffel tower. Walking away from the tower with an overcast sky, I lent aid to a couple wanting a photograph of the river, with the sun beautifully breaking through in the distance on one side - glimmering in the water.

From there I, still on a solo recon, went up towards La Musée D'art Morderne, on the top of a hill with a view over the Eiffel tower and Foch's statue at the other side.

I noticed an exposition at the outside of the museum and first thought "Oh, cool". Then I was incredibly dismayed.

Posted on the windows of the two buildings were pictures in a very appalling composition. I took photos of it and left post-haste.

See the links below for high resolution versions.

1. Musée de L'Art Moderne
2. Corner of square
3. Up front of one wall
4. Up front of the other wall (opposite wall one)
5. Detail of Ground Zero picture
6. Muslim Women in Burkha above boots and rifles of US Soldiers
7. US Army Soldiers Crying
8. Four by four pictures

Attachments:
The two walls and their excellent position in the capital of France, Paris.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer

Why is this bylined December 3? Döpfner's piece appeared on November 20.

My guess is that is when it was translated to english so the rest of us could become enlightened.

TS

[Goggles Pizano]

WOW!

Drei hoch Herr Dopfner! Glad they are starting to wake up.

[Airbornelawyer]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

My guess is that is when it was translated to english so the rest of us could become enlightened.

TS

Then you'd be wrong

Hartmut Lau translated this and David Kaspar published the translation on his blog on November 22: http://medienkritik.typepad.com/blog..._thy_name.html

That's when I originally read it. David's Medienkritik blog is a good source for information on what the German media is saying about the US.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer

Then you'd be wrong

Precisely the reason I stated it was a guess.
TS

Sure, I’ve heard of “David Medienkritik” I think my mother has all his albums.

BTW, I’m submitting your name for Jeopardy.

[Roguish Lawyer]

What are the views of BMW's management?

P.S. Goggles: Leaving Philly now. Appreciated your assistance in Wilmington.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by CPTAUSRET

TS:

I hope this guy has good security, he just painted a big target on his forehead!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...1/ixworld.html

Terry

Indeedy-Deed.

Holly

[Goggles Pizano]

Glad to be of service!

[CPTAUSRET]

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

What are the views of BMW's management?

P.S. Goggles: Leaving Philly now. Appreciated your assistance in Wilmington.

Our daughter and son in law live in NewArk, Robin is a Philosophy prof at U. Del., Milo is a Ph.D. Molecular Biologist at Dupont.

We strive to visit them and our Grandkids as often as possible, which usually amounts to 8-10 times per year.

Their address is Delpa drive, front yard is in De., back yard is in Pa.

Terry