Germany backs Kerry

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Germany backs Kerry
26
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 1:30am
Here's the original link: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/0b76459e-1c80-11d9-8d72-00000e2511c8.html

Germany in rethink on Iraq force deployment

By Hugh Williamson and Gerrit Wiesmann in Berlin

Published: October 12 2004 22:07 | Last updated: October 12 2004 22:07

Germany might deploy troops in Iraq if conditions there change, Peter Struck, the German defence minister, indicated on Tuesday in a gesture that appears to provide backing for John Kerry, the US Democratic presidential challenger.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Struck departed from his government’s resolve not to send troops to Iraq under any circumstances, saying: “At present I rule out the deployment of German troops in Iraq. In general, however, there is no one who can predict developments in Iraq in such a way that he could make a such a binding statement .”

Mr Struck also welcomed Mr Kerry’s proposal that he would convene an international conference on Iraq including countries that opposed the war if he were to win next month's election.

Germany would certainly attend, Mr Struck said. “This is a very sensible proposal. The situation in Iraq can only be cleared up when all those involved sit together at one table. Germany has taken on responsibilities in Iraq, including financial ones; this would naturally justify our involvement in such a conference.”

Berlin has refused to comment on the outcome of the US election, but Mr Struck's comments are significant as Mr Kerry has argued that he would be able to draw in countries to work in Iraq that opposed the war. Gerhard Schröder, the German chancellor, was a leading opponent of the US-led Iraq war and his re-election in 2002 was secured in part on support for this stance.

Mr Struck and other German officials said developments in Iraq meant the position over troops was under constant review, noting that Berlin was already providing financial assistance to Iraq and training Iraqi troops and police officers in the United Arab Emirates.

A senior official said: “When the situation in Iraq changes, when elections have been held, or there are other developments, then we will make decisions on this basis.” If a democratically-elected Iraqi government were to ask the UN for support, the international community, including Germany, must be in a position to respond, the official added.

Mr Struck said Germany's attendance at the conference proposed by Mr Kerry did not mean Berlin would immediately deploy troops. Analysts in Berlin argue that a Kerry victory would increase pressure on Germany to step up its involvement in Iraq, even though public opinion is still firmly against the US role in Iraq and against any heightened German engagement.

Mr Struck said he could envisage Germany making a larger “political contribution to stability in the region”, building on mediation efforts in recent years by Joschka Fischer, foreign minister, regarding Israel and the Palestinians.

Germany announced last month a shipment of 20 armoured vehicles to the Iraqi military, as part of Berlin's increased involvement in Nato-led reconstruction efforts there.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 2:26am
Read Roger L Simon's take on the United Nations at rogerlsimon.com. Very intresting take on UN as our enemy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:27am
Who Are the Real Nazis in America?

by Cinnamon Stillwell

Oct 12, '04


* Thugs storm campaign headquarters, intimidating staffers and refusing to leave.

* Campaign signs are vandalized, stolen, and set on fire in front of peoples' homes.

* The word "Nazi" is spray painted on the sidewalk in front of a home, along with swastikas.

* Shots are fired through the window of campaign headquarters.

* An eight-foot swastika is burned into a home's front lawn.

If these incidents sound reminiscent of Nazi Germany or the Ku Klux Klan's early rampages, then you're in for a surprise, because they all took place in modern day America, during the run-up to the 2004 presidential election. And instead of Nazis and the KKK, it's the leftist minions who are the perpetrators this time around. In a classic case of projection, they use swastikas to smear their political adversaries, when it is in fact they who have become today's Nazis.

Like so much of America's leftist "cultural heritage", this Nazi-obsession can be traced back to the 1960s. An Australian relative of mine who arrived in America during the so-called Summer of Love, was shocked to hear people using the term "Nazi" on a daily basis. The government, the police and even parents were labeled "fascists" and "Nazis" by hippie youth rebelling against any and all authority.

Years later, not much has changed. Today it's hip on the Left to label Republicans and in particular President Bush "Nazis" at every turn. Bush is routinely compared to Adolph Hitler, most famously in an ad put out by MoveOn.org earlier this year. Hitler mustaches superimposed on Bush photos are popular at anti-war rallies, as are cute little Bush/Hitler dolls. Al Gore's notorious "digital Brown Shirts" comment during a speech at the Georgetown University Law Center implied that the Bush Administration exerted some kind of diabolical control over online journalism. Indeed, such allusions are so widespread that numerous articles and websites have been devoted to chronicling them.

Trying to explain the "logic" behind this bizarre association, one of the teenagers arrested for spray painting swastikas on a Bush/Cheney supporter's property in Duluth, Minnesota said, "The connection between the Nazi party was Hitler used nationalism as a way to motivate his cause and we feel that Bush is doing the same thing." Having been brainwashed by years of moral relativism, such youth are apparently unable to distinguish between patriotism and fascism. They also have a distorted view of their own behavior. As the same young man put it, "We're anti-fascist."

Leftist Jew-haters joined the crowd when they decided to start smearing Israel with the stain of Nazism. Despite the cruel irony of affixing the symbol of Jewish annihilation to a Jewish state, leftists have taken to this tactic with enthusiasm. Swastikas are now featured prominently at anti-war rallies, usually in combination with a Star of David. Along these lines, Israeli flags are routinely defiled by replacing the Star of David with a swastika. And now that these rallies have been infiltrated by various Islamist groups – with their Palestinian flags, Hamas-style chants, and subtle signs saying "Kill the Jews", among others – the sea of swastikas fits perfectly.

Similarly over the top are the accusations leveled against political foes in general these days. It is now common to label opponents "hateful" or "filled with hate." Apparently, "hate" now describes anyone who holds a political viewpoint contrary to one's own. All this hysteria has the unfortunate effect of trivializing history and depleting language of meaning.

At the end of the day, the simple fact is that the only people in America today (aside from a few neo-Nazis) running around spray painting, burning and affixing swastikas are leftists. In an effort to point out what they see as the fascistic impulses of the right, they have in effect become the Nazis they claim to oppose. Faced with a popular president, the momentum of history, and their own lust for power, the Left has resorted to the tactics of fascism: harassment, intimidation, and violence. Lord only knows what they'll do if Bush wins the presidency come November, but you can be sure it will involve swastikas.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:29am
How many different positions can you people take on the United Nations:

First you're for it.

Then you're against it.

Then you're for it.

Then you're against it.

First it's relevent

Then it's irrelevent.

Talk about sending mixed messages.... If you're against the UN now, then you're against Bush's current so-called plan for Iraq.

What's funniest of all, if you read every statement from France/Russia/Germany/China on WHY THEY opposed the invasion and on what grounds: They were correct in their predictions.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:31am
Oh yeah, this kind of verbal/physical abuse and behavior is simply limited to Democrats or liberals and no republican or conservative would ever stoop to such levels.

Believe that, and I got some WMD in iraq to show you.

Hey Kerry supporters: You notice how all they can do is smear and discredit and have very little at all to say about their own candidates merits?

heheh yes indeed. You reap what you sew Bush lovers :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:33am
"Believe that, and I got some WMD in iraq to show you."

You mean the sarin shell?

I've got news for you. That counts.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-24-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 10:59am


<

Believe that, and I got some WMD in iraq to show you.

Hey Kerry supporters: You notice how all they can do is smear and discredit and have very little at all to say about their own candidates merits? >>

I truly am appalled by it too. I was thinking about your very statement on my way to work this morning- the desperation of these people, to try and frame any non-Bush supporter as "up to dirty tricks", and NOW, as Nazis! .... And to take up so much air space, Web space, etc. smearing Kerry in effort to not face the facts that the last four years of Bush in the White House have been so much less than satisfactory on so many levels and issues.

That THOUSANDS of people have died, THOUSANDS have lost their jobs, THOUSANDS can no longer afford their health insurance. And that's just the tippy top of the iceberg.

FRVT: It is here in Florida that senior citizens with JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT stickers on their cars are getting the name "BUSH" carved into the hood's of their vehicles!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm pretty certain a "leftist" "liberal" "democrat" is not committing that act! HELLO! These people are signing their crimes in the NAME of Bush.

And furthermore, your asinine article does not belong in a post stating that Germany appears to support a Kerry white house.

There's so much hope despite all of these outright nasty efforts on the GOP side- I see it every day. My husband met a woman yesterday at the Boca Hotel & Resort, in Boca Raton, Florida, a very wealthy woman I should add, that was wearing a button upon her blouse that read simply "ABB". He asked her what it stood for and she vehemently answered "ANYone BUT BUSH!"

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 11:28am
Go Kerry!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 11:34am

At the Wiesbaden

Miffy - Co-CL For The Politics Today Board

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 3:23pm
I'm just curious since you live in Germany, do you think the article is true that they'd back Kerry? I'm just wondering since you are there and have a front seat view of what's going on there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 3:34pm
I was in Germany during the last presisdential election, and I know that I didn't meet a single person who was happy that Bush won.

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