Europe, Thy name is coward.

[PJgunner]

A friend sent me this in an E-mail. At least one european gets it right.
Paul B.

Interesting perspective from a European...

The piece below is by Mathias Döpfner, CEO of the German publisher Axel
Springer AG.

For a European businessman and head of a publishing conglomerate the
size of Axel Springer AG (http://www.axelspringer.com/), this is pretty
blunt language.

You may hear something in Döpfner's piece of Churchill's vision and
writings, when he was languishing in the "out years" between the World
Wars of last century - before the "Gathering Storm" he prophesied had
achieved cyclonic force.


EUROPE - THY NAME IS COWARDICE
Commentary
by Mathias Döpfner
Chief Executive Officer, Axel Springer AG
[translated from "Europa - dein Name ist Feigheit" as it appeared in the
newspaper "'Die Welt", 20 November 2004]
http://www.welt.de/data/2004/11/20/363020.html

A few days ago, Henry Broder wrote in Welt am Sonntag [the 'World on
Sunday' section of 'Die Welt'], "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 toothless
agreements.

Appeasement legitimized and stabilized Communism in the Soviet Union,
then East Germany, then all the rest of Eastern Europe where for
decades, inhuman, suppressive, murderous governments were glorified as
the ideologically correct alternative to all other possibilities.

Appeasement crippled Europe when genocide ran rampant in Kosovo, and
even though we had absolute proof of ongoing mass-murder, we Europeans
debated and debated and debated, and were still debating when finally
the Americans had to come from halfway around the world, into Europe yet
again, and do 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 nearly
500,000 victims of Saddam's torture and murder machinery and, motivated
by the self-righteousness of the peace-movement, has the gall to issue
bad grades to George Bush... even as it is uncovered that the loudest
critics of the American action in Iraq made illicit billions, no, TENS
of billions, in the corrupt U.N. "Oil-for-Food" program.

And now we are faced with a particularly grotesque form of
appeasement... how is Germany reacting to the escalating violence by
Islamic fundamentalists in Holland and elsewhere? By suggesting that we
really should have a "Muslim Holiday" in Germany.

I wish I were joking, but I am not. A substantial fraction of our
Government, and if the polls are to be believed, the German people,
actually believe that creating an Official State "Muslim Holiday" will
somehow spare us from the wrath of the fanatical Islamists.

One cannot help but recall Britain's Neville Chamberlain waving the
laughable treaty signed by Adolf Hitler, and declaring European "Peace
in our time".

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, directed against our free, open Western societies,
and intent upon Western Civilization's utter destruction.

It is a conflict that will most likely last longer than any of the great
military conflicts of the last century - a conflict conducted by an
enemy that cannot be tamed by "tolerance" and "accommodation" but is
actually spurred on by such gestures, which have proven to be, and will
always be taken by the Islamists for signs of weakness.

Only two recent American Presidents had the courage needed for
anti-Appeasement: Reagan and Bush.

His American critics may quibble over the details, but we Europeans know
the truth. We saw it first hand: Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War,
freeing half of the German people from nearly 50 years of terror and
virtual slavery. And Bush, supported only by the Social Democrat Blair,
acting on moral conviction, recognized the danger in the Islamic War
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 those
"arrogant Americans", as the World Champions of "tolerance", which even
Otto Schily [German Interior Minister] justifiably criticizes. Why?
Because we're so moral? I fear it's more because we're so materialistic,
so devoid of a moral compass.

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 unlike almost all of Europe, Bush realizes
what is at stake - literally everything.

While we criticize the "capitalistic robber barons" of America because
they seem too sure of their priorities, we timidly defend our Social
Welfare systems. Stay out of it! It could get expensive! We'd rather
discuss reducing our 35-hour workweek or our dental coverage, or our 4
weeks of paid vacation... or listen to TV pastors preach about the need
to "reach out to terrorists. To understand and forgive".

These days, Europe reminds me of an old woman who, with shaking hands,
frantically hides her last pieces of jewelry when she notices a robber
breaking into a neighbor's house.

"Appeasement"? Europe, thy name is "Cowardice"

[Brithunter]

Hi There,

Hmm well Bosnia and Kosovo, now how come the Muslim there thought it was OK to attack the non Muslims then when they got their arses kick started screaming for aid. They wanted to make Pristina an Islamic city and attack any non Muslims who were not wearing Muslim dress especially the Women. We should ave kept out and let the natives deal with the Muslims as they saw fit.

Islam is a major threat and danger, not all the poeple here want it nor will tolerate it or their acts of violence. Just because some Muppet who wangles an election speaks for the people just as Clinton did not speak for all Americans. If I ahd my way Blair and his co-horts would hang for treason.

Yes Britian made mistakes with Germany in WW2, however remember it took 3 bloody years before the great America joined in, nothing unusal there WW1 was about over before the US joined in

Your comments about Europeans are about as true as my saying all Americans are Democrats! There are parties who are being surpressed in Europe because their views are not the same as those in the European Uninio, the courts and every other underhand trick is being used to stop these parties fighting elections or airing their views even if they ar very well supported. The EEC is just about a dictatorship, the commisioners are not elected and cannot be removed. Te quicker the Uk gets out of the EEC the better it will be for all!

[PJgunner]

Originally posted by Brithunter
Hi There,

Hmm well Bosnia and Kosovo, now how come the Muslim there thought it was OK to attack the non Muslims then when they got their arses kick started screaming for aid. They wanted to make Pristina an Islamic city and attack any non Muslims who were not wearing Muslim dress especially the Women. We should ave kept out and let the natives deal with the Muslims as they saw fit.

Islam is a major threat and danger, not all the poeple here want it nor will tolerate it or their acts of violence. Just because some Muppet who wangles an election speaks for the people just as Clinton did not speak for all Americans. If I ahd my way Blair and his co-horts would hang for treason.
____________________________________________________

You won't get an argument from me on this. In fact, I think we are in total agreement one this point. I sometimes think we just might be on the verge of another Crusade not too far down the road. Not a very pleasant thought, is it?
____________________________________________________


Yes Britian made mistakes with Germany in WW2, however remember it took 3 bloody years before the great America joined in, nothing unusal there WW1 was about over before the US joined in

____________________________________________________

Again, not much argument here. However, if I remember my history lesons from school, at the time of WW-1, we were isolationist. We did not want to get involved in what was considered by the American people to be a European war. It wasn't until the sinking of the Lusitania where Americans were killed that we became involved.

In WW-2, Again, we did not want to be involved in a major world war, and stayed out of it until the Attack on Pearl Harbor. That was something I have always felt that Roosevelt knew was going to happen. I think he wanted to get into the war in Europe, but felt it would be political suicide to do so. I've always felt we paid a very high price for his "political correctness" on that issue.

____________________________________________________

Your comments about Europeans are about as true as my saying all Americans are Democrats! There are parties who are being surpressed in Europe because their views are not the same as those in the European Uninio, the courts and every other underhand trick is being used to stop these parties fighting elections or airing their views even if they ar very well supported. The EEC is just about a dictatorship, the commisioners are not elected and cannot be removed. Te quicker the Uk gets out of the EEC the better it will be for all!

____________________________________________________
I'm of the thought that you feel about the EU the same way as I feel about the U.N. My feeling anout the U.N are the U.S. should get out of the U.N. and the U.N. should get the hell out of the U.S.!

I don't think it was so much the Europeans as the people in power that were the cowards. After all, France, Germany and Russia lost a lot of money on their "under the table" deals with Iraq. Russia, from what I understand had several oil exploration deals going with Iraq; Germany was selling certain chemicals to Iraq, and France was selling other materials that could have been used in making certain weapory.
Seems to me these three "major powers" stood to lose a lot of money when we went in there. I wonder how many other European countries were involved and lost money?

I didn't realize how much of a dictatorship the EU was. It makes me wonder if it's not part of the "one world order" the U.N. is so desperately trying to organize? Thanks for the enlightenment on that point.
Paul B.

[fabsroman]

Along with political suicide hindering Roosevelt, I also think that the US wasn't ready to enter into a war right away. I don't know if the US had set up production for a war effort such as World War II. Patton had a plan of throwing as many bodies at the Germans until they ran out of bullets.

I saw the D-Day memorial about 2 years ago and I can tell you that the number of men, planes, and ships sent by the US on that day was a hell of a lot larger than any other country. If I am not mistaken, England was the second largest, but still a far cry from the US.


Brithunter,

I wouldn't say that the post or article itself is directed at any single person in Europe. I think it is directed at Europe as a whole. Of course, you are probably the minority in Europe and I am glad to hear that.

A couple of years ago I read an article from a Canadian writer. He was writing about the US and how the US usually takes care of its own problems and the problems of others, and even when the US has a problem it never asks anybody for help. I don't think the US received much aid from other countries after the 9-11 disaster, but after the tsunamis the US sent plenty of aid and I also heard that they sent a carrier group over there to help.

With all that said, my parents are directly from Italy and I really do like Italy. However, the US will always be my country barring some huge disaster.

[M.T. Pockets]

No two countries have done more to preserve the free world over the last century than Great Britain and the United States. Great Britain was fighting for survival from it's own soil. It was a home game for them and any country that could hold off the Nazi war machine's western front by itself deserves credit.

For the US it was a road game, Roosevelt probably crossed the neutrality line more than he was allowed to help Great Britain over the 2 years leading up to official involvement in the war.

It strikes me odd that sentiment in many European Countries today is that America should stay home, when they think we were too late helping out in WW I & WWII.

Another observation, when the former Soviet Union was a threat to the free world the US had many more friends. It was nice to have a friend with the resources and ability to fight the cold war on behalf of every free country in the world.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Yes there are those who do say the US should stay home, however not all the British are like that, in fact I don't think the majority are like it at all. It does still peev some that the US didn't come into the war especially WW2 until so late, there are also those who think that the US won WW2 all on there own

Sorry to say with the pitiful teaching of History now a days in schools a lot of kids will grow up not knowing the real facts

Oh the ones in the EU pwer places really do think that they will rule as one state

As for the Next Crusades well it seems the Ilamics are really pushing for it just as they did for the first one by trying to take over large chunks of Europe. Although this time they seem to be aimng for more of the world

[skeet]

open my big mouth on this issue. Brit..if not for the fear of the retailiation by the US the Germans would have invaded England..and probably would have won the battles...but lost the war. I KNOW y'all wouldn't have left them alone for long. I really do know there were other factors involved in Germany not invading...but the statement above was by far the biggest reason. Also if not for the aid provided by the US ..Britain would not have been able to hold out as long as she did. I really admire that British stiff upper lip. My Father in law fought with some of your commando teams from 1940 to 1943(yes before we were involved and he wasn't alone) and he really liked what they did in France and North Africa...those were some wild people according to him... I know he was. He told me his favorite weapon was a British machete(cut a man clean in half with one of those...his statement not mine). One other little side note about the Brits and the US in WWII...If not for the peevish actions of Montgomery the war may have been shortened by a few months. He really screwed some things up. The US did not win the war in Europe alone...but we could have if necessary!

The big problem now is of course the Islamic fundamentalists..at least in most peoples minds but there are other problems that most aren't seeing!! The Russian bear isn't dead you all know...and the Chinese dragon is dedicated to total world domination. I know it sounds alarmist but it really is true. The Chinese and Russians are doing something they haven't done for more than 50 yrs. Holding joint military exercises. And Russia is hurting for money...but they are spending it on military stuff. While the world turns it's head from them to the Islamics they are working together again. Communism will never be dead as long as those two can work together. And for once in history the Europeans are working together...at least economically....but I really have my doubts that they can keep it together for any real length of time. Too much mistrust among them for each other. Everybody hates every body else. I hope the Brits get out of the EEU and stay out. Seems to me the EEU countries will sell anything to anybody for the right amount of money. I'm not flaming the people...just the leaders. I was told waayy back in the 1960's by a government analyst(CIA) that the next world war would be fought in...if you guessed Europe you would be right. The whole world can't afford that again..not just the US

[skeet]

for Brithunter... Did the Germans invade and hold a couple of British islands in the Channel...something like the Guernseys or what? I really don't remember. Or were they French owned Islands Oh BTW when I said what I did about the Germans invading...they just didn't want to get the US involved in the war. Hitler WAS crazy you know!

[Jack]

Skeet, the Germans did occupy some of the Channel islands, which were (and are) British soil- Guernsey for one, maybe others.
As far as the Germans invading Britain, I doubt the US was a factor- woulda happened in 1940 if it was gonna, long before we were in the war, or prepared to be. But, the Germans needed control of the air to do it.
You may have heard of the Battle of Britain, the RAF, etc. You know, "never has so much been owed by so many to so few" Winston Churchill speaking about the RAF fighter pilots- and he was dead on, IMO.
The Brits stopped the Germans, not us.
Remember, Hitler declared war on us, we didn't declare war on Germany. He was nuts, but I doubt he was afraid of us.
Safe to say he shoulda been.