European Union? A cartoon?

Abraham · 02-08-06, 04:52 AM

My not too high enthousiasm for the EU has dropped as a result of the "Cartoon-war"
It seems to me that the EU has hardly any sense of what cultural heritage it has to defend.

First the start:
Danmark was (almost litteraly) attacked about old cartoons in a clearly orchestrated way with the help of certain governments. The EU left Danmark more or less in the cold babbeling words of wisdom "Let it be" and "Moderation". This clearly gave the signal that in Europe seperate countries can be singled out for attacks. I predict this will happen in the future.

Phase two:
Several Muslim countries - wanting to show their repressed people how "Muslim" they really are - withdraw diplomats from Danmark and the demonstrations become more violent, including Embassies of other European countries. There are cries by demonstrators to boycott Danish products.
The EU declares to support for Danmark, rejects the violence and urges moderation.

Phase three:
Iran starts an official boycott of Danish products. The demonstrations continue.
The EU Commission launches the suggestion to make a "Code of Conduct" for the press how to compromise between (freedom of) religions and (freedom of) speech.

Disgusting but - sadly - predictable.

All this reminds my of the "MÃ¼nich 1939"-mentality.

I love "What if's", especially this one:
What if in phase one Europe had immediately and univocally responded, together with Danmark, that the one way to do something about these cartoons is to go to court and let the Judiciary decide if religious rights were infringed.
What is in phase two the European Commissionar for Foreign Affairs had called all countries that recalled their ambassador from Danmark that such a step would be considered a diplomatic crisis with the whole EU.
What if in phase three the EU had declared that a boycott of Danish products would lead to a counter-boycott by Europe, and the EU had started an initiative to bring journalists from Western and Muslim countries together to work out a common "Code of Conduct" about the relation between (freedom of) religions and (freedom of) speech. That would give them some time to think...

View Poll Results: The EU has not supported Danmark enough
Not true, the EU handled the crisis just fine.	3	9.38%
True, Danmark could expect more European support.	22	68.75%
I dunno or am not (yet) interested.	7	21.88%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

02-08-06, 04:52 AM	#1
Abraham Eternal Patrol Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	European Union? A cartoon? My not too high enthousiasm for the EU has dropped as a result of the "Cartoon-war" It seems to me that the EU has hardly any sense of what cultural heritage it has to defend. First the start: Danmark was (almost litteraly) attacked about old cartoons in a clearly orchestrated way with the help of certain governments. The EU left Danmark more or less in the cold babbeling words of wisdom "Let it be" and "Moderation". This clearly gave the signal that in Europe seperate countries can be singled out for attacks. I predict this will happen in the future. Phase two: Several Muslim countries - wanting to show their repressed people how "Muslim" they really are - withdraw diplomats from Danmark and the demonstrations become more violent, including Embassies of other European countries. There are cries by demonstrators to boycott Danish products. The EU declares to support for Danmark, rejects the violence and urges moderation. Phase three: Iran starts an official boycott of Danish products. The demonstrations continue. The EU Commission launches the suggestion to make a "Code of Conduct" for the press how to compromise between (freedom of) religions and (freedom of) speech. Disgusting but - sadly - predictable. All this reminds my of the "MÃ¼nich 1939"-mentality. I love "What if's", especially this one: What if in phase one Europe had immediately and univocally responded, together with Danmark, that the one way to do something about these cartoons is to go to court and let the Judiciary decide if religious rights were infringed. What is in phase two the European Commissionar for Foreign Affairs had called all countries that recalled their ambassador from Danmark that such a step would be considered a diplomatic crisis with the whole EU. What if in phase three the EU had declared that a boycott of Danish products would lead to a counter-boycott by Europe, and the EU had started an initiative to bring journalists from Western and Muslim countries together to work out a common "Code of Conduct" about the relation between (freedom of) religions and (freedom of) speech. That would give them some time to think... __________________ RIP Abraham