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Europe
Merkel's fantasy land
2006-01-14
Good morning, Madame Chancellor. Here you are, Germany's Angela Merkel, on your first trip to Washington, D.C., preparing for your meeting with President Bush. As you look out of your Blair House window over Lafayette Square toward the White House, consider the historicity of the era: the beginning of Mr. Bush's sixth year leading his country, and the beginning of your first year leading your country in the so-called war on terror. Or is that the war on Guantanamo Bay? I get them confused.

That's because in just about every account of your American trip -- biggish news in Europe -- it is prominently mentioned that Guantanamo Bay is prominently high on your list of, well, prominent concerns. Trouble spots. Global things you lose sleep over.

This is, with due respect, bizarre. Iran is going nuclear, Europe is going Islamic, Russia is going off the reservation, China is a fearsome thing, and your big concern is sending what is called a "clear message" to Mr. Bush about Guantanamo Bay, the tropical jail where the United States keeps jihadis on ice -- and keeps the rest of the world safer as a result. But that's not what you say. "An institution like Guantanamo can and should not exist in the longer term," you told the German news magazine Der Spiegel this week. "Different ways and means must be found for dealing with these prisoners."

I have a suggestion: How 'bout if we ship all these guys, unflushed Korans and all, to Germany? Maybe 72 Virgin Air would cut us a deal. Then you -- Germany -- can parole them to Lebanon.
More at the link...
Posted by:ed

#8  Darn, no politician in Europe has really balls. Even the symbolic ones. Like Iron Lady Margaret once upon a time. I did not like much her personality, but did not care about that, she had her head screwed on right.
Posted by: twobyfour   2006-01-14 20:05  

#7  Good lord, another few years of an irrelevant Germany. She will be singing a different tune in three years when she is begging the CIA for help in solving her little Muzzie problem in Germany. I only hope that this was a propaganda effort to apease the left.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-01-14 14:25  

#6  I agree with Merkel.
We should immediately execute all of the prisoners and close the prison.
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2006-01-14 11:55  

#5  I think all the inmates at Guantanamo should be put in one big remote-controlled airliner, and flown directly to Frankfurt. On the way these same inmates should attempt to seize control of the aircraft and, all chanting "Allahu Akhbar!", fly it straight into the middle of the Atlantic with the loss of all on board. But then, what do I know?
Posted by: Whutch Threth6418   2006-01-14 10:10  

#4  Bush is a nice guy. Really. However, who do you think is going to be around when he's no longer President. Like maybe a few million Americans who's view of Ms. Merkel's country is not ever going to raise above the basement its now in. Just think happy thoughts Chancellor because the damage is structural and unlikely ever to be repaired. You're best bet is to play nice with the Poles and have them represent your interests for a generation.
Posted by: Slatle Slinelet1894   2006-01-14 05:59  

#3  TGA has have ulcers by now over Merkel. I'm sorely disappointed that she's a twit - he must be crushed. Sigh. Wotta total fucking Schröderific moron she's turned out to be.
Posted by: .com   2006-01-14 01:17  

#2  
I have a suggestion: How 'bout if we ship all these guys, unflushed Korans and all, to Germany?
I've got a better suggestion: How 'bout if we shoot all the illegal combatants at Gitmo and then just don't take any more illegal combatants as prisoners. Shoot them on the battlefield, as required by "international law."

I'm sure the Euros will be impressed by our following the Geneva Conventions to the letter.

And if is will make the Germans happier, we can ship the corpses to them and they can parole the corpses to Lebanon.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-01-14 00:43  

#1  this is disappointing. But I am somewhat suspicious as the entire article reads like nasty blog entry. While the facts presented here are disheartening, I hope this is just an attempt to smear her with a narrow focus on specific events that don't reflect her overall direction.
Posted by: 2b   2006-01-14 00:40  

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