Posted on 11/08/2004 2:49:03 PM PST by Cutterjohnmhb
THE HAGUE Two facts about last week's Islamic fundamentalist attack on free speech in the Netherlands: the European Union did not come publicly storming to shout its solidarity with the Dutch, and the Dutch government shied away from demanding its partners stand and say this was all of Europe's horror crime. .
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Thet just don't get it.
It sounds like, at the least, a small minority of Euros are having reservations about fundamentalist Islamic influence in Europe. It's a start, but the fun will really begin when French pride trumps French appeasement, and the 21st Century French Civil War breaks out.
The real question is: when will French pride win out over French appeasement? Hmmm.
The French have always been on the side of Islam (except for that one brief shining moment with Charles Martel).
Even during the 16th century, when all of Europe was under seige by the Turks and other Muslim groups, France declined to participate in the fight against Islam, mainly because it was afraid its trade interests would be harmed. In at least one case, when the Spanish conquered a Muslim fortress, they found it filled with cannons made in France. The more things change...
They will go silently like lambs.
The Dutch, in character, quickly did their math and came up with the figure of 50,000 less-than-comfortable neighbors.
My experience with the French suggests that this is a long-simmering problem. So many French do not consider the Algerians to really be "French," and believe me, above all things, the French must be French.
The French were capable of becoming very aggressive and brutal colonial masters when pushed. They also have a very strong sense of belonging to a Western culture. I think that they are capable of action in this matter, and the head scarf ban is just the first shot across the bow.
Then there are the problems that some forms of Islam present to women everywhere, even those who are not of that faith. I know that I'm not the only unescorted female who has had difficulty here with newcomers of the rather aggressive Islamic variety.
Domestic violence is more of a problem with Middle Eastern immigrants, according to a couple of social worker friends of mine, and pederasty is also a greater problem.
I'm sure that there are many reasonable, flexible Muslims who are willing to abide by our legal and cultural norms, and adapt their religion to Western society. However, there seem to be too many who are in the West to enjoy our economies while trying to force us to change and not for the better.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.