Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sweden could be paying a tough price for its policies on immigrants and multiculturalism. A Stockholm suburb erupted into violence for a few hours, as crowds of angry, masked youths from migrant families burned cars, smashed windows and hurled stones at police officers.
What's believed to have fueled the riot was the death of a 69-year-old man, allegedly shot by police in the area last week. The chairman of Sweden's National Democrats Party Marc Abramsson told RT this new trouble highlights old policy flaws - READ MORE here
Cardinal Joachim Meisner compared Angela Merkel’s government’s family policies to Communist East Germany, when he said women who stayed at home were considered “demented”.
Germany, which has the lowest birth rate in Europe, is seeking more workers from crisis-hit countries including Spain to solve its shortage of skilled labour.
In unusually direct criticism of the German chancellor, Cardinal Meisner said: “Where are women really publicly encouraged to stay at home and bring three or four children into the world? This is what we should do, and not – as Mrs Merkel does now – simply present immigration as the solution to our demographic problem.”
In an interview with the Stuttgarter Zeitung the archbishop said Germany should not take away the “youth and future” of Spain and Portugal. » | Jeevan Vasagar, Berlin | Wednesday, May 22, 2013
STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG: „Große Reformen wird es kaum geben“: Köln Die Wunden der Missbrauchsopfer soll ein Glaubensfest Anfang Juni in Köln heilen, sagt Joachim Meisner. Der Theologe beklagt die Gotteskrise und kritisiert die Familienpolitik. Deutschland sterbe aus, habe aber zugleich eine perfekte Gesetzgebung für Abtreibung und dränge die Frauen aus den Familien heraus, um die Produktion zu sichern. » | Michael Trauthig | Montag, 20. Mai 2013
My comment:
The cardinal has spoken an uncomfortable truth. This applies not only to Germany, but also to the West in general. Without more babies, the West will forever be dependent on immigrants, often Muslim immigrants, to fulfil our economic needs. This, in turn, will change the demographic make-up of our countries. It is already happening. We are already being outbred. In the UK, the baby name Muhammad (in all its various spellings) is now more common than Thomas, Richard, or Harry. This is a ticking time bomb. At last someone in the public sphere has spoken some common sense. – © Mark
GATESTONE INSTITUTE: In March, the Swiss Federal Intelligence Service announced that a growing number of jihadists are being recruited in Switzerland. The number of robberies and assaults on Swiss trains has skyrocketed to such an extent that the Swiss government recently opted to equip transport police with firearms, and at least 1,400 women in Switzerland have been victims of forced marriages.
A controversial new report by the Swiss government claims that Muslim immigrants are so well integrated into Swiss society that no further federal policies or programs are needed to promote Muslim integration or to counter Islamic extremism.
Published by the Swiss Federal Council [Bundesrat] on May 8, the 102-page study -- known by the short title, "The Situation of Muslims in Switzerland" -- so completely downplays the countless problems associated with Muslim immigration in Switzerland that the report has been ridiculed as being worthy of a "case study in political correctness."
The report was first commissioned by proponents of multiculturalism within the Swiss Cabinet shortly after Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum in November 2009 to ban the construction of minarets, the tower-like structures on mosques that are often used to call Muslims to prayer.
The surprise outcome of the referendum, which passed with a clear majority of 57.5% of the voters, represented a turning point in the debate about Muslim immigration in Switzerland.
Among other matters, the referendum exposed the growing gap between Swiss multiculturalists and ordinary Swiss voters on the issue of Muslim immigration. The Swiss Federal Council had campaigned hard against the ban, arguing it would "endanger peace between religions" and "hinder integration." After the ban was approved, the government launched a multi-pronged effort to "educate" the Swiss populace through taxpayer-funded pro-Islam research.
The latest report estimates the Muslim population of Switzerland to be between 350,000 and 400,000, or around 5% of the total population of 8 million. The vast majority of Muslims in the country originate from the Balkans, Turkey and North Africa, and roughly one-third are Swiss citizens. Many of them are second- and third-generation immigrants firmly establishing themselves in Switzerland. » | Soeren Kern | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
MAIL ONLINE: Photo found of her as 17-year-old marching with East German officer / Released as she is forced to play down new book which alleges communist past
German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced fresh speculation over her supposed links to hardline East German communists today after a photo emerged of her marching with the kommisars as a teenager.
Mrs Merkel, who was 17-year-old Angela Kasner when the picture was taken in 1972, is shown in fatigues marching with a group of friends and an East German officer as they prepared to take part in a civil defence exercise.
Her smile is easily recognisable and her forage cap is set at a jaunty angle as she strides along at the High School Hermann Matern in Templin, where she was brought up behind the iron curtain.
All children in the former German Democratic Republic had to take part in such exercises if they wanted to complete the equivalent of A-levels and go on to university. The drills included preparing for gas and nuclear attacks, how to spot enemy paratroopers and caring for wounded East German soldiers.
Not even illness or a death in the family allowed for the youngsters to skip the martial lessons - they were simply postponed but had to be completed. » | Alan Hall | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
BILD.DE: Diese junge Frau in Uniform ist heute unsere Kanzlerin: Templin – Ein Schwarz-Weiß-Foto aus dem Jahr 1972. Es zeigt Schülerinnen der 11. Klasse der Erweiterten Oberschule (EOS) „Hermann Matern“ in Templin. Sie marschieren... » | Von H. Kascha und B. Kolodziej | Dienstag, 21. Mai 2013
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron’s plan to allow same-sex couples to marry has passed its final Commons hurdle despite an attempt by almost half of Conservative MPs to block the reform.
Two Cabinet ministers, David Jones, the Welsh Secretary, and Owen Paterson, the Environment Secretary, were among the 133 Conservative MPs who voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
They were joined by ten other ministers, including John Hayes, who is Mr Cameron's senior parliamentary adviser and a key figure linking the Prime Minister with backbench Tories.
But the legislation was passed by an overwhelming majority of 205 in the free vote on Tuesday night, winning the support of 366 MPs from across the political spectrum. A total of 161 MPs from all parties opposed the reforms in last night's free vote.
Mr Cameron initially championed gay marriage as a personal cause when he surprised his party by announcing his intention to introduce the reforms two years ago.
But he ultimately needed the help of Ed Miliband and Labour MPs to see his Bill pass. » | Tim Ross, Political Correspondent | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
LE POINT: Selon une source policière, la cathédrale a été évacuée peu après le coup de feu. L'homme, âgé de 78 ans, s'est tiré une balle dans la bouche.
Un homme, essayiste d'extrême droite, s'est suicidé avec une arme à feu mardi après-midi dans Notre-Dame de Paris, provoquant l'évacuation de la cathédrale, haut lieu touristique en plein coeur de Paris, a-t-on appris de sources policières et auprès de son éditeur. Cet homme, Dominique Venner, un essayiste de 78 ans apprécié des milieux nationalistes, s'est donné la mort devant l'autel peu après 16 heures à l'aide d'un pistolet à un coup de fabrication belge. Ancien militant de l'OAS, cet homme était une figure respectée au sein de la mouvance d'extrême droite.
La cathédrale a rapidement été évacuée mardi après-midi, sans incident, selon plusieurs sources, mais on ignorait peu avant 17 heures le nombre exact de personnes qui étaient concernées. Greg, un touriste américain venu de Phoenix dans l'Arizona, a expliqué que la cathédrale était pleine au moment du suicide, mais qu'il n'y a pas eu de mouvement de panique lors de l'évacuation de la cathédrale par les gardes en civil. Monseigneur Patrick Jacquin, recteur de la cathédrale, a précisé que le suicidé avait posé une lettre sur l'autel, dans le choeur, à l'attention des enquêteurs, avant son suicide.
Un surveillant a procédé à un massage cardiaque, en attendant l'arrivée des secours. Les enquêteurs ont trouvé sa carte d'identité sur lui. "On ne le connaissait pas, ce n'était pas un fidèle de la cathédrale", a expliqué monseigneur Jacquin, affirmant qu'à sa connaissance c'est la première fois qu'un suicide intervient à l'intérieur de la cathédrale. Toutes les messes ont été annulées jusqu'à 20 heures, lorsqu'une "veillée pour la vie" sera organisée avec les évêques d'Ile-de-France. "On va prier pour cet homme comme pour tant d'autres qui sont à bout", a ajouté monseigneur Jacquin. "C'est terrible, on pense à lui et à sa famille." » | LePoint.fr (avec AFP) | mardi 21 mai 2013
Related »
Die Führung der britischen Konservativen kommt nicht zur Ruhe. Nicht einmal eine Woche nach einer peinlichen Abstimmung im Unterhaus, in der die Hälfte der konservativen Hinterbänkler einer Rüge über die EU-Politik der Regierung zustimmte, hat die Parteiführung in der Nacht auf Dienstag eine weitere Revolte wieder nur mit Unterstützung Labours abzuwenden vermocht. Diesmal hat sich der Aufstand konservativer Abgeordneter gegen das Gesetz zur Einführung der Ehe unter Gleichgeschlechtlichen ergeben. Ein konservativer Hinterbänkler hatte mit einem raffinierten Zusatz zum Gesetz versucht, jenes zum Entgleisen zu bringen. Als sich im Verlauf des Montags abzeichnete, dass sich erneut etwa eine Hundertschaft von Tory-Abgeordneten gegen die Parteiführung stellen würde, vermochte jene nur dank eiligen Zugeständnissen an Labour die Vorlage zu retten. » | Peter Rásonyi, London | Dienstag, 21. Mai 2013
THE TRENTONIAN: America is desperate to find un-Muslim-like allies among the world’s Muslims. That is, Muslims who believe as Americans do that no particular religion should have the upper hand in politics and government.
Alas, the Pew Research Foundation polls keep revealing that this search is a chimerical quest. The Pew polling regularly reports overwhelming support in the “Muslim world” for the rule of Sharia, Islamic law, and for Islam-dominated policy and government.
Which inevitably means that Muslim nations are going to be suspicious of, if not hostile to, U.S. notions of what constitutes Islamic extremism.
This perhaps is why President Obama avoids using the modifier “Islamic” when referring to extremism, even extremism obviously based on interpretations of Islam. He perhaps believes such references would be counterproductive. (Perhaps he’s right, perhaps not.)
Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes has a mantra that goes: “Extreme Islam is the problem, moderate Islam is the solution.” Problem is, our notion of “moderate” may bear little resemblance to the notions prevalent in Muslim countries.
What if Muslims endorsed a particular religious perspective for Christians in American — Gnosticism, say? Not only would there likely not be a rush to embrace is, there would likely be a stampede to condemn it — and demands that Muslims mind their own damn business. » | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
MAIL ONLINE: Man kills himself in iconic Parisian attraction / French media reports say historian Dominique Venner shot himself / He is known to be a virulent opponent of gay marriage / The 78-year-old also fought in a militant paramilitary group / The historic site was close to the public
A right-wing historian shot himself dead in front of hundreds of tourists at the altar of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris today, apparently in protest at France's legalisation of gay marriage.
Dominique Venner, who had recently been campaigning against gay marriage in France, is said to have calmly walked past the crowds milling around the 850-year-old Cathedral, one of the most popular tourist sites in the world, before taking out a Herstal automatic pistol.
The 78-year-old put the gun in his mouth and fired before collapsing on to the altar, according to French media reports.
Mr Venner, who was awarded a prestigious prize by l'Académie française for one of his historical works, was a former member of the Secret Army Organisation (OAS), the paramilitary group which fought against France giving up Algeria as a colony.
He was jailed for 18 months in La Santé Prison as a political undesirable for his role in the ultra-national organisation and was freed in 1962.
A report by Europe 1 radio station reads: 'According to our information, he is Dominique Venner, essayist and former member of the OAS who was close to the anti-gay marriage movement.'
The Cathedral was full of visitors when the horrific incident took place, at around 4pm. 'There was screaming and lot so shouting following a loud bang,' said one witness. 'People were naturally very scared and began to run out in panic. » | Sam Webb | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Dominique Venner »
Biographie »
Alex Salmond was speaking as he launched a paper outlining the nation's key economic strengths.
He said the document offered a consolidated picture of the country's strong financial foundations, diverse economy, ingenuity and natural resources.
Scotland's electorate will vote in a referendum on independence next year. (+ video) » | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
LE POINT: Les cinq hommes avaient commis une série de vols à travers le pays et assassiné un Saoudien en l'étouffant.
Cinq Yéménites, condamnés pour vols et meurtre, ont été exécutés et leurs corps exposés en public mardi à Jizane, dans le sud-ouest de l'Arabie saoudite, a rapporté l'agence officielle Spa. Les cinq hommes avaient commis une série de vols dans le pays et assassiné un Saoudien en l'étouffant, selon l'agence qui cite un communiqué du ministère de l'Intérieur. "Ils ont été exécutés et crucifiés", selon le communiqué. Le terme de crucifixion en Arabie saoudite, peine prévue pour certains crimes, signifie l'exposition en public des corps des suppliciés.
L'exécution des cinq hommes, dont trois frères, porte à 46 le nombre d'exécutions en Arabie saoudite depuis le début de l'année, selon un décompte de l'Agence France-Presse à partir de communiqués du ministère saoudien de l'Intérieur. Un témoin, qui a vu les corps exposés, a indiqué que l'exécution avait eu lieu sur une place devant le campus de l'université de Jizane. » | Source AFP | mardi 21 mai 2013
The Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph carry extremely critical editorials, as does The Sun. And the Daily Express weighs in with a short rebuff. The Times, more measured as always, advises the prime minister to show greater leadership.
To make matters worse for Cameron, there is yet more favourable press publicity for Ukip, the upstart party now apparently attracting support from disaffected Tories.
I was amused by the Mail's reference to "press baron Lord Beaverbrook" in the intro of its leading article. » | Roy Greenslade | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
THE JEWISH PRESS: Discrimination against Jews and Muslims is on the rise around the world, according to the annual U.S. State Dept. report for 2012.
The report points to growing antisemitism, especially in Venezuela, Egypt and Iran.
The BBC noted that the International Religious Freedom Report noted that in Egypt, antisemitic sentiment in the media sometimes included Holocaust denial or, perhaps worse, glorification of the mass murder of Jews.
The report says that traditional forms of antisemitism, such as conspiracy theories, blood libel myths and cartoons demonizing Jews continue to flourish. » | Jewish Press News Briefs | Tuesday, may 21, 2013
FRONTPAGE MAG: I used to know a man whose family were German aristocracy prior to World War II. They owned a number of large industries and estates. I asked him how many German people were true Nazis, and the answer he gave has stuck with me and guided my attitude toward fanaticism ever since.
“Very few people were true Nazis,” he said, “but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.”
We are told again and again by experts and talking heads that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unquantified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or execute honor killings. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard, quantifiable fact is that the “peaceful majority” is the “silent majority,” and it is cowed and extraneous. » | Paul Marek | Tuesday, May 21, 2013
ISREAL NATIONAL NEWS (ARUTZ SHEVA): Why the Peaceful Majority is Irrelevant » | Paul E. Marek * | Sunday, March 18, 2013
* Paul E. Marek is a second-generation Canadian, whose grandparents fled Czechoslovakia just prior to the Nazi takeover. He is an educational consultant specializing in programs that protect children from predatory adults.
REUTERS.COM: (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged the president of Myanmar on Monday to take steps to halt violence against Muslims in his country and move ahead with economic and political reforms.
Thein Sein became the first head of Myanmar to visit the White House in 47 years, and he and Obama sat down for talks in the Oval Office.
Obama said the Myanmar leader had assured him that he intends to move forward on releasing more political prisoners and institutionalizing political reforms that have already taken place. Thein Sein also vowed to resolve ethnic conflicts by incorporating all communities into the political process, Obama said.
"I also shared with President Sein our deep concern about communal violence that has been directed at Muslim communities inside Myanmar. The displacement of people, the violence directed towards them needs to stop," Obama said.
Sein, speaking through a translator, said his country faces a "daunting task" in carrying out reforms but said for democracy to flourish in Myanmar the reforms must be carried out in the years ahead. » | Paul Eckert | Washington | Monday, May 20, 2013
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of thousands of Christian young people will be put off becoming teachers, doctors, nurses or other public servants once gay marriage becomes law, a coalition of church leaders claims.
They are calling on MPs to make urgent amendments to the Government’s same-sex marriage bill, which will be debated on Monday, to protect Christians and others with traditional views from being punished in the workplace for their beliefs.
Otherwise, it could have a “chilling effect” on young people’s career choices, deterring many from going into public service or charities in case they are branded homophobic for speaking about their beliefs, they fear.
The call comes in a letter to The Daily Telegraph signed by an informal grouping of Christian leaders ranging from the second most senior Roman Catholic cleric in England and Wales to Anglican vicars and independent evangelical pastors.
It follows an unprecedented letter from more than 500 imams accusing the Government of attacking “the cornerstone of family life”.
And it comes amid mounting anger from grassroots Conservatives, which threatens to split the party.
Young people, will be forced to “choose between their conscience and their career”, the church leaders write.
Unless it is amended, the bill will “cause pain for many, without tackling prejudice against the few”, they add. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Sunday, May 19, 2013
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: More than 500 imams in landmark gay marriage protest: More than 500 imams have joined forces to protest against David Cameron’s plans for gay marriage in an unprecedented intervention from the British Muslim community. » | John Bingham, Religious affairs Editor | Sunday, May 19, 2013
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Muslim leaders stand against gay marriage: British imams and Muslim leaders speak out against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill » | Saturday, May 18, 2013
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