Read this and see if you have a better reason for not going to Iraq!?

EUROPE - THY NAME IS COWARDICE


(Commentary by Mathias Dapfner CEO, Axel Springer, AG)





A few days ago Henry 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 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 (German) 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 Adolph 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 (Germany's Interior Minister) Otto Schily 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.


God Bless the Americans





---God Bless America---

Read this and see if you have a better reason for not going to Iraq!?
Unless we confront this issue, Muslims will continue to jihad all over the world until we are all slaves to Allah. I wonder how the libs will like the way Muslims deal with homosexuals, and how women will enjoy their loss of freedom? We need to get smart...now.
Reply:What Europe did to Hitler, the liberals want to do to the modern-day Hitlers (bin laden, Armeddinijad). We need to nip this in the bud before millions more Jews and Americans die because of terrorists. God Bless Our Troops.
Reply:That sounds like a reason to go to Iraq... not a reason not to go to Iraq?
Reply:So we should go to war with everyone, at all times - because not to go to war with everyone at all times - can (heaven help us) be defined as "appeasement" by the warmongers?
Reply:Amen,brother!
Reply:I'm wid ya brotha, but dang that was a long question. Ha!!
Reply:Very good
Reply:I'm amazed anyone sees it that way over in Europe. That was heartwarming to read. Thans for posting it.
Reply:I agree with the analysis of Europe, but would like to extend the blessing to all....The whole world needs it.
Reply:yes....North Korea next.
Reply:So True!
Reply:Very nice post. Good to see that all Europeans are not cry-baby cowardly peaceniks.
Reply:could u tell me why USA always were in wars %26amp; oil lands .its abvious maaaaaaaan
Reply:Thanks for your question. It is reassuring to hear some Europeans understand the root of our conflict. Islamic radicals are the biggest threat we face.