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| Europe |
| Price for Rasmussen appointment: Obama "guarantees" apology for Danish cartoons |
| 2009-04-05 |
| Posted by:Harcourt Spineger9876 |
| #8 "Obama guarantees..." Ladies and gentlemen, we are well and truly screwed. |
| Posted by: SR-71 2009-04-05 20:15 |
| #7 The same Turkey which proved "so helpful" in our second Iraq invasion. F*ck em |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-04-05 20:03 |
| #6 Thinking back a few decades, Kennedy was threatening the USSR with nuclear war to defend western freedom in that strange, militarily indefensible and strategic island of West Berlin. Khrushchev and his successors adopted the principle of "Peaceful Coexistence" and respected freedom of speech in western countries. When the SU tried to challenge international press freedom by way of UNESCO's "World Information Order", the US and the UK didn't acquiesce Reagan and Thatcher withdrew from the UNESCO. And now, in the face blatant disrespect for the freedom and sovereignty of every western democracy by So NATO ends not with a nuclear bang in Central Europe, but with a whimper in Turkey. BTW, if this apology really should happen, maybe some American Rantburgers should call the White House and their congressmen to demand an apology for / repeal of the 1st Amendment as a gesture for peace, to support Obama's outreach. It would only be consequential and might provoke interesting reactions. |
| Posted by: Bertie Omons1077 2009-04-05 19:42 |
| #5 hmmm. Bowing and scraping to the Saudi King, and now this? Islamic political appeasement seems to have a toehold on his soul, eh? A very easy, perhaps willing, mark, perhaps |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-04-05 19:09 |
| #4 Poligazette To become NATO secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen will apologize for the Mohammed cartoons. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark’s leader, was one of the few European politicians who refused to give in to pressure from fundamentalists in the Middle East when a Danish newspaper published the now infamous “Mohammed cartoons.” His attitude was welcomed by may Europeans, especially by conservatives. He was quickly promoted to “hero of the freedom of speech,” and became one of the old continent’s most popular politicians. But then something changed. Rasmussen set his eyes upon NATO. He wanted to become the organization’s next secretary general. An ambitious man, he proved willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals. One of those ‘things’: apologizing to the “Islamic world” for the cartoons. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip does not like Rasmussen very much (among other reasons because Rasmussen is anti-Turkey). So when the latter appeared to be the man most likely to succeed secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the former put up a fight. Turkey would not agree to let Rasmussen accomplish his goal, Erdogan said, unless Turkey got something in return and unless the prime minister would apologize to “the Islamic world.’ Rasmussen agreed. Dutch magazine Elsevier reports he will do so tomorrow, in Istanbul. If true, it’s a major blow to the freedom of speech the prime minister said he held so dear. Rasmussen should have stuck to his guns and defended Western principles. This is not about whether one agrees with him on every single subject, nor about whether or not one is a fan of his (country’s) policy towards Turkey. It’s about the freedom of newspapers to publish whatever cartoon they want, no matter how controversial they may be in some quarters. It is not only a sad day for those who love the freedom of speech, but also for Turkish secularists; Erdogan presented himself once again as spokesman for the “Islamic world,” which would have been unthinkable only ten years ago. Lest we forget, Turkey was, for over 80 years, a proud secular country. Erdogan has done everything in his power to end that beautiful streak. The negotiations over NATO’s next secretary general are yet another step in the wrong direction. Lastly, not all news is bad: a Turk will be appointed vice-secretary general (which is not a problem at all of course) and its generals will enrich NATO’s top command with their knowledge and experience. These are rather obviously good results, both for Turkey and for NATO. The cartoon-deal, on the other hand, is terrible for all involved. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-04-05 19:06 |
| #3 So Rasmussen is to apologize at Obama's behest and perhaps with Obama's blessing. Shouldn't Obama then take the opportunity, as Head of State of the strongest country in the And shouldn't he make a solemn promise to the dignitaries of the OIC that he will spearhead a political initiative in the US to repeal the 1st Amendment and henceforward to criminalize any speech contrary to Islam as well as conversion from Islam? Just to be consistent. |
| Posted by: Bertie Omons1077 2009-04-05 19:01 |
| #2 Not his to guarantee. Denmark is an independent nation not dependent on the U.S. for anything. At this rate it won't be long before they start openly admitting to missing George W. Bush's tact and knowledge. |
| Posted by: trailing wife in Buffalo 2009-04-05 14:13 |
| #1 I gotcher apology right here: I'm sorry you're such a bunch of wussy-assed weasels and your moon god is so fragile he gets his feewings hurt if somebody even looks at him cross-eyed. Loser pansies. There - satisfied? |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-04-05 14:02 |