Danish Affairs

Ancient Troy was excavated by the famous german archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s´ Ottoman empire. Troy is located in today´s Turkey.

Many Americans hardly understand, why Turkey isn´t embraced as a dear member of the European family. To most Europeans modern Turkey is a cheap tourist destination, a NATO ally but also a large scale exporter of under-educated Muslims to the European welfare states. Kemal Atatürks western styled secular republic has not inspired the emigrating masses to wholeheartedly join Europe´s core values and ethics.

Instead we are witnessing self-chosen segregation, spread of sharia law in communities, extensive welfare dependence, disproportional crime rates combined with higher reproduction rates than the European aboriginals. Turkey´s contribution to the european community until now is by all means negative.

And the demographic/islamic threat is nothing compared to the frightening political power, Turkey would be able to impose on European legislation if accepted as a member of EU.

This drawing illustrates the general opinion wery well.

Yesterday the Danish parliament approved the Lisbon Treaty without much media attention or debate, with 90 votes in favour and 25 against. The approval was based on the conclusion of the Ministry of Justice, that the treaty did not force prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen´s government to hold a referendum which could have raised debate over the - from a national sovereignty perspective - controversial treaty.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen was not even present yesterday at the final debate before the ratification election, despite the fact that he actually was in the parliament building Christiansborg on that day. Boersen and Politiken [in Danish]

That´s how business-as-usual rubber stamp politics is carried out in the small province of Denmark.

It was Silvio Berlusconi who called Anders Fogh Rasmussen “the most handsome prime minister in Europe”.

In a political sense the approval of the Lisbon Treaty makes the potential president of the European Council almost beautiful.

The European Voice obviously thinks that Anders Fogh Rasmussen deserves a reward for saving the treaty from the threats of public debate, EU-scepticists, referendums and the extremisms of the nation state´s liberal democracy in general:

Denmark’s handsome prince of Europe?

Those who object to former UK prime minister Tony Blair as a potential first president of the European Council often argue that someone from a country which is not in the eurozone or the Schengen area of border-free travel could not be credible at the head of Europe. At first sight, insisting on these criteria would also seem to exclude Anders Fogh Rasmussen (pictured), the prime minister of Denmark – which is not only outside the eurozone, but also has opt-outs on defence policy, European citizenship and justice and home affairs. But this year could change that perception.

Fogh Rasmussen may be on the brink of removing as many as three of these opt-outs. He has hinted that a referendum on the opt-puts could be held this autumn, once the Lisbon treaty is ratified by the national parliament, the Folketing. If he manages this feat, the Danish prime minister would significantly boost his chances of becoming Council president.

Update:

For a brief summary of the current danish political situation read the analysis at Gates Of Vienna by Zonka.

Which European city will be the first with a Muslim majority? Stockholm, Malmö - or maybe Amsterdam? What we know for sure, is that these numbers matter.

The Islam In Europe blog has done some research.

Statistics on Muslims in Europe

Marseilles – 25% (200,000 of 800,000)
Malmö - ~25% (67,000 of 270,000
Amsterdam – 24% (180,000 of 750,000)
Stockholm – 20% (>155,000 of 771,03
Brussels - ~20% (some say 33%)
Moscow - 16-20% (2 million of 10-12 million)
London – 17% (1.3 million of 7.5 million)
Luton - 14.6% (26,963)
Birmingham 14.3% (139,771)
The Hague - 14.2% (67,896 of 475,580)
Utrecht - 13.2% (38,300 of 289,000)
Rotterdam – 13% (80,000 of 600,000)
Copenhagen - 12.6% (63,000 of 500,000)
Leicester – 11% (>30,000 of 280,000)
Aarhus - ~10%
Zaan district (Netherlands) - 8.8 percent
Paris - 7.38% (155,000 of 2.1 million)
Antwerp- 6.7% (>30,000 of >450,000)
Hamburg - 6.4% (>110,000 of 1.73 million)
Berlin - 5.9% (~200,000 of 3.40 million)

World Economic Forum held a meeting with 30 leaders of business, politics, religion, media and civil society in London March 25th. The report WEF is called “Annual report on the state of dialogue”.

Religion has invaded political and economical spheres, where it wasn´t supposed to be few years ago.

American readers might be familiar with “political correctness”.

In the European public “religion” does not mean Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism or Christianity.

Religion or culture is the “politically correct” term used on any political issue that relates to Islam. When religion is mentioned in european main stream media, everybody knows it´s all about some conflict with Islam. The new-speak is similar to the use of cultural diversity, multiculture and multiculturalism, which always refers to an islamic agenda confronting the traditional western views and values. More accurate would be bi-culturalism.

Quote from the report:

Many dialogue efforts are designed to demystify, enlighten and build knowledge of the unfamiliar. Others seek out areas of common ground anchored in core religious and civic values. Some involve pragmatic, material efforts to identify and help address specific problems. Common to many of them is the vision of a common future grounded in ideals of equality and respect.

The oftenly misused word “dialogue” should also not be understood in its original meaning. “Dialogue” means submission under Islamic law and traditions without compromises. Not an open-minded discussion.

We are supposed to respect the values of those individuals, who really needs enlightment.

Quote from the report:

A better future necessitates equal citizenship for Muslims and non-Muslims in Europe,

So what do they want? They´ve already got more than equal citizenship.

The report after all brings something useful. It makes some evidence for the fallacy of multiculturalism. The Muslim population of the nations correlates with level of antipathy towards the Islamic world.

Quote from the report:

In sharp contrast, clear majorities in all European countries surveyed – including Denmark (79%), Italy (67%), theNetherlands (67%), Spain (68%), Sweden (65%) and Belgium (59%) – see greater interaction between the West and theMuslim world as a threat. This reflects a growing fear among Europeans – driven in part by rising immigration from predominantly Muslim regions – of a perceived “Islamic threat” to their cultural identities. A recent poll found thatonly 21% of Europeans supported Turkey’s bid to become anEU member20, and Nicolas Sarkozy’s successful presidential campaign in France included strong opposition to Turkish membership

Quote from the report:

Cultural diversity is not necessarily a source of clashes and conflict. In fact, the proximity and cross-cultural encounters very often bring about creative change – a change that is made possible by well-organized social collaboration.

I don´t exactly know what “well-organized” social collaboration means here. But I´m sure I would be happier without it.

The report is downloadable here (PDF).

Update - A couple of interesting figures from the report:

Danish Euro-referendum already next autumn (Die Presse). PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen is considered a strong candidate to the position as President of the European Union.

But since the president must come from the Euro- and Schengen-zone, Denmark cannot keep the Crown as its own currency and fulfill Fogh´s career goals.

Selfish reasons camouflaged as statemanship? Wouldn´t be the first time.

Via Hodjas Blog