Who's ugly now? Mark Steyn argues that Americans are more compassionate than Europeans

Spectator ^ | May 4, 2002 | Mark Steyn

[dighton]

... if you can pick only one place to be out of step with, Europe’s an excellent choice.

[Common Tator]

Was Mussolini a European? Was Hitler a European?

I thought so. Europeans don't change much over time... do they?

[egarvue]

LOL! Don't hold back, Mark - tell us how you really feel.

[Orual]

But look on the bright side: Europe may be ‘mean-spirited and violent’, but at least it’s not American.

Loved this article.

[Mike K]

I wonder if The Economist would publish this?

[Snake65]

I'll have to review my bookmarks but this may be Steyn's best yet. Well done, sir!

[aculeus]

Steyn bump.

[Agent Smith]

Mark Steyn my hero. This guy is GREAT!

Hannity wake up you booker and get this guy on the air now!

[eureka!]

Steyn bump...

[KC_Conspirator]

This is a effin great article.

[Mike Darancette]

Bump and Booknark

[skeeter]

Satisfying read. I don't know if I can agree with all of Steyn's assertions, however.

For example, I do think the current tilt to the right in much of Europe is legitimately self defensive.

[Nonstatist]

In the land of the bland, the one-eyed man is king.

Noone can say it like Steyn..

[Nonstatist]

For example, I do think the current tilt to the right in much of Europe is legitimately self defensive

Steyn's point is that "The right" in Europe, is a wacky fascist right, not the Constitutional, rationalist right of America. Imagine.. any discussion of reducing the "generous" welfare benefits (stay home and collect a paycheck) is out of bounds in Europe. As well as cutting almost any handout, or dealing with immigration rationally, or crime, or taxes , or almost anything. Fact is, Europe's democracies are not particularly democratic. The mainstream is about 6 inches wide.

[Dales]

Get me Steyn's phone number, the freaking plaigerist ;-)

‘As crime has dropped in the United States in recent years, it has worsened in much of Europe, despite generous welfare states designed to prevent US-style inequality and social conflict.’

‘Despite’? Try ‘because of’

That's my line!

As crime has dropped in the United States in recent years, it has worsened in much of Europe, despite because of generous welfare states designed to prevent U.S.-style inequality and social conflict.

[USAF_ret]

That’s the trade-off: a slightly increased risk of gun death in exchange for a dramatically reduced rate in everything else — hot burglaries, street crime, sexual assault, fatal stabbings.

Back in the mid-90s, I was told of an FBI crime report that stated that if you only count crimes committed by white Americans, the US crime rate would be lower than any European country...Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, the lot. The report was supposedly killed by the Clinton Administration for obvious polital reasons. Has anyone ever seen the report?

[okiedust]

"Perhaps you'd like to protest this rising tide of anti-Semitism by, say, wearing skullcaps in solidarity with your Jewish brothers? Don't all raise your hands at once."

I love Steyn when he just drips venomous sarcasm on his target. This is the best.

regards

[RobbyS]

Of course, the "Eurodefiles" will never read this piece. They have him on their Index.

[Paradox]

your enemies will be funding their own downfall — ON HER MAJESTY’S SOCIAL SERVICE

ROTFLMAO!

This has got to be one of his very best. Homour, mixed with biting sarcasm, and, most of all, common sense. Lets draft this guy into the Bush cabinet, somehow..