Posted on 11/11/2004 8:22:23 AM PST by Ardavan Bahrami
Dear Free Republicans,
The following is an article that a friend of mine had sent to various people and copied me on it. He is French, a very pro-Europe and anti-Bush, which makes it refreshing to see my constant discussions and never-let-go attitude on Iranian affairs, does pay back every now and then.
Best regards, Ardavan Bahrami
CONFESSION OF A EUROPEAN
Holland may be showing us what the future holds for the rest of Europe. Let's face it, the European society has never been so tolerant and so all-race embracing. And as if Western Europe wasn't bad enough, just look at the levels of tolerance in the Eastern countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic or Russia: foreigners, particularly those with darker skin, are simply not welcome, period.
So what happened? How come that the European, proud defenders of Human Rights with scores of people in Strasbourg and Bruxelles working diligently on recommendations that may lead to laws for the abolition of any kind of difference between races, genders, sexual orientation, able and disabled people at work etc etc. seem to be failing in the very heart of our Europe?
I fear that the reality is no different to what happened in the 30s in Germany. The general European population is being bombarded with information on issues surrounding the Christian and Muslim communities. A real "mal de vivre" (unhappy living times) has crept upon us and we are not far from a general hysteria that could lead to real violence in our midst. It may not be propaganda, but journalists have their opinions too and support one way, or another, of thinking.
What the general population forgets is that there are major powers at play here. governments, who in the name of human rights (the EU) or in the name of democracy (the US) claim that they are right in all their actions. Of course we know it, at the heart of the policies practiced by the EU and the US there is economical benefit, business and money. The US had lost its stronghold in the Middle East since the fall of the Shah of Iran. The EU had taken those crumbs and established a healthy and unethical business link with the Saddam's of that part of the world and the Mullahs in Iran. it doesn't seem to bother the gentlemen in Brussels that there is a paradox between advocating human rights on the one hand, yet making business with brutal leaders....
Then we have the other power, the media, with politics as complex as those of governments and with often radically opposed views on major issues, such as wars, racism, religion, sexuality etc.
An then there is the average punter, me, caught in the middle of all this. I have friends from all walks of life, from all kinds of nationalities, religions and sexual preferences. I often hear this among them and colleagues at work: "what can we do to stop this madness from escalating to a full on conflict?" It is a shocking message to the rest of Europe to see that Holland, the most tolerant of all countries, is in fact not so tolerant when it comes to certain issues. Can we blame them? Is this simply a reaction from people who do not want to see their right to speak up on any topic being walked all over by radicals? Or are the Dutch indeed just like the rest of us, feeling that foreigners look decidedly different those days, don't speak our language and siphon off our taxes while living on the dole??
So, as a result, me, a staunch supporter of any opponents to Bush, I confess to thinking that (God forgive me for that....) he may have been right in attacking Iraq. He kicked out Saddam, a tyrant and murderer, kicked out at the same time EU businessmen, and guess what? The Iraqi love it. Yes they are dying every day, yes there is fighting going on and yes there is a whiff of chaos. But at least they are free to say what they like in public, to go in the streets and have a cup of tea or coffee and talk about politics without the fear of being arrested, tortured or killed. I am shocked to find that I feel that it was the right thing to do to get rid of the EU's influence in the region and I am even more appalled by myself that I am now hoping, from the bottom of my heart, that Mr. Bush will go and grab the Mullahs in Iran by their turbans and swing them out of that country, bringing multi-billion EU projects to a halt. Maybe he will find the courage to clean up Saudi Arabia, an ally the US do not like to criticize...
You see, the Americans may not be well organized and they have left a messy trail behind them in Iraq. But at least they seem to be doing something for the people in the oppressed countries. Of course they will glean all the business rewards, but then the people in Iraq will be free to vote, laugh, drink and party their ass off. The EU does something for its own people, namely business with the tyrants.
I leave it up to all of us to choose their sides. I also think that we cannot afford to stay neutral anymore in this and that we must speak up and either support or indict our governments.
Wow. He finally gets it. What we are doing, as imperfect as it inevitably is, is far better than what those Euros haven't been doing.
One mind at a time, one at a time......
I think, deep down, even the Europeans "get it"
Great post. W will be remembered in history as one of the greatest. Prayers too that the Iranian people will share freedom soon...
Blind squirrel syndrome.
Why, he's back in the White House, where he belongs.
Europe will make its own destiny. They always have. They will always be our friends. They will always be successful...their way.
I travelled over much of the world. It was all very interesing. I end up revisting Europe. I feel much more comfortable there.
I love it. . They gave us...well, they gave us...US.
Political "Greatness" should be measured based on the strength of the opposition faced and overcome.
On that basis, Reagan and Bush are both "greater" than Roosevelt! Both had to overcome both internal and external opposition.
Anyone who thinks the enemy will cooperate is just fooling themselves. They will fight for their way of life as hard as they can and they have the advantage of not caring who gets hurt.
Yes, the Iraqis DO love it, and when it is over, it's going to be well worth the chaos.
There are alot more getting this...but have been afraid to voice it...you'd or we'd be surprised how many were hoping for a Bush re-election win.
Re#8 Great point. The war raged against W by the left, presstitutes, UN and others has been incredible. The bad news for them: it just make W stronger in spirit and resolve because it makes him all the more confident that what he is doing is the right thing....
I'll wager my right nut that this article wasn't written by a Frenchman.
Only genetically. The people who came here were ejected from Europe as refuse. We have no "nobility" because we are descended from the riff-raff.
I find it amusing when a Euroweenie opens up and admits they can't believe America is successful. They usually cite our 'profound ignorance' as the reason they are most amazed.
There is still an air of condescension towards Americans, the rest of the world simply can not comprehend US.
That may have lost something in translation, but 'cusa me, I been to France, they couldn't find organization with both hands.
As a wild heavily armed cowboy, we knew it was coming. On another thread I stated that the Dutch and the Europeans have forgotten their own history and therefore are will have to repeat it.
In and @850 in the Spanish city of Cordoba, 48 christians were beheaded for statements or something like what happened in Holland a few weeks ago.
It's 2004 and once again the muslims are in Europe as the guest of the Dutch Government and again we have murder and mayhem.
Let's face it people the Socialist way of life, the tolarance can and will be able to go so far. When that point is reached we as people must go back to our own people traditions, ideas of respect and acceptance of other's but in their own country.
There will be some willing to accept the ways of other people, but not all. The muslims were immigrants to Holland, by being Immigrants they, by their actions said we want to move to Holland and become westernized, to give up the ways of our fathers and to learn new ways, the ways of the Dutch people.
The Muslims have broken their word, violated the trust of the People of Holland. The Muslims are trying to impose their ways, their customes and their religion on the Dutch.
I suggest the Muslims return to their own country and if your governments or the Mullahs -- or whomever is running your country, make the changes you want their. Chnage them, change YOUR government in the MUSLIM countryies. We have had our CIVIL wars here int the West to get to this point in our History, go back whence you came and make your own history, in your own country, because here you will become hated and eventually even the most tolarant and loving among us will turn on you. Go home in peace!
The Socialst governments answer to this is to allow more Muslim Immigrants and to try to find a way to asimilate the Muslims into western ways by some sort of training and tolarance course.
BTTT
Awsome! Bump!
by Jimmy Carter
A waste is a terrible thing to mind......
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