what it looks like from Germany

Submitted by myth (Germany), Sep 14, 2010 at 06:25

From the german persepctive until 911 the United States was far away, safe across the atlantic, just in case it was needed. The very second of the terrorist attack in NYC that picture reversed. Suddenly the USA was right here right now, millions of tv screens day and night and it was no longer a safe place, nothing that could be counted on any longer. It even relegated Hollywood's large-than-life, so everyone believed, productions to a boring entertainment experience of the past. The subsequent reaction of public media and politicians was not a step towards the US but a step towards islam and continues to be that way.

The widespread belief was that if Europe would put some greater intellectual and politcal distance between itself and the US it would never happen to us. The credibilty of such a shift would come from approaching islamic governments and muslims in every way. Not to forget, say good night to daddy and criticise Israel before you go to sleep. Nothing has changed since then. The question of islamism is safely dissolved into a never ending discussion about integration of muslim immigrants in Europe, it cannot ever be expected to emerge from this melange of sensitive topics. Western Europe is asleep. Hardly anyone even knows what the islamists want. As for political debate the only subject beyond unemployment and economy that is admitted to the discussion is, you guessed right, global warming. Even if the islamists catapulted us back into the stoneage, wouldn't that be great for the environment ?

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