Monthly Archives: December 2018

A Cornucopia of European Cultural Enrichment, Advent Edition

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1. A hot time at the asylum center in Bamberg

Eight culture-enriching “youths” were arrested after causing a bit of a rumpus in an asylum facility in Bamberg. In their boyish high spirits the mischievous lads set the building on fire, and then threw rocks and other implements of destruction at the police. All eight suspects are from Eritrea.

Many thanks to MissPiggy for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

2. Three stabbings in Nuremberg

There’s no indication in this news story that the attacker who stabbed three women in Nuremberg is a culture-enricher. But would anybody want to bet against it?

Many thanks to MissPiggy for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

3. The father of the Strasbourg terrorist speaks to the press

The elder Mr. Chekatt sports a full Salafist beard dyed red with henna. He may also have a biscuit-sized zebiba on his forehead, but we can’t tell, because he’s wearing (of all things) a Che Guevara retard-hat.

What’s the likelihood that he shares his late son’s religio-political opinions?

Many thanks to FreeZoxee for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

Video transcript #1:

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Oppression

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Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff sends her thoughts after the conclusion of her most recent American tour.


Oppression

by Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff

Oppression is felt differently in different places and at different times. There are degrees to the level of one’s feeling of oppression. I know what I’m talking about: I’ve experienced it numerous times in my life. Let me explain.

When I lived and worked in Kuwait in the late 1990s, I already felt somewhat caged. I always like telling the story of how in pre-Amazon days I would visit Kuwait’s bookstores and marvel at the censorship imposed by the Kuwaiti (likely religious) authorities. There was little to no variety in the books I could buy, and many of those that made it onto the bookshelves were hopelessly outdated. For a committed bookworm, this was an oppressive feeling.

Oppression in Kuwait manifested itself not only in the lack of knowledge in the form of books, but also in the prohibition of alcohol and pork. Freedom to me means the freedom to live, eat, read, think, and speak as I wish. In Kuwait I was unable to eat, drink or read what I chose. I want to make my own choices, just as I do not choose to eat dog or roaches, but should be free to do so.

So, when I boarded a plane to Dubai or Oman I always breathed a sigh of relief. Mind you, freedom is always relative. Compared to the United States, Dubai is still a repressive society, but the contrast with Kuwait’s situation is staggering: parties, booze, pork, and other “vices”, as long as you as a non-Muslim follow certain rules. If not, and you are caught, you’d better have your passport and a fast airplane at hand or you’ll wind up in jail. Just check your local sob stories in the papers.

Fast-forward a few years to Tripoli, Libya. Seldom have I felt more caged, more jailed than in Tripoli at the beginning of this century. There was no way to spend money or free time, both of which were at hand in some abundance: no shopping centers like in Kuwait or Dubai to spend one’s hard-earned shekels — pardon, dinars; no movie theaters, even if censored; no decent restaurants; no beach clubs. Just a lot of socialism, Islam and sand.

So driving those three hours from Tripoli across the border to Tunisia was a relief: freedom! — to a degree, of course. Not the kind that I was looking for, but at least I was able to breathe freely, buy some beer and enjoy a beach club on the island of Djerba.

And so it was when I finally left the Arab world that I thought I had left Islamic-style oppression behind me. I settled in Vienna, my hometown, hoping to regain the freedom to move about, to eat what I wished, to read as much as I could (thank you, in this case, to the Internet and Amazon), to dress as I wished, to speak my mind, in short, to live my life in freedom. You see, one only realizes what freedom means when it has been taken away. In our circles, this statement is considered a platitude. It’s not really, however. And this is what I felt during my recent travels to the United States.

Living in today’s Europe, I never fully realized just how constricted my freedom has become in recent years. Of course, I KNOW that my freedom is being reduced on a daily basis by the European Union’s useless and annoying data protection regulations, which were tightened to the extreme this year, but I never really felt it as strongly, as overpoweringly, as I did at the end of this year. I actually found myself breathing a deep sigh of relief upon entering the United States, knowing that what I would be telling Americans would be protected by the United States Constitution and its First Amendment. One really does speak a different language if one doesn’t have to self-censor all the time.

And that is what we do in Europe; we just don’t realize it. Even I don’t. But I recognized the stark difference as I viewed my European self from an American perspective. Believe me when I tell you that I am still in shock, even if I am at the forefront of my fight for the restoration of freedom of speech in Europe. But never have I felt this level of despair at the loss of my personal freedom as well as a profound fear of the future for my daughter.

As the year draws to a close what can we do, what can you do?

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Gaudete Sunday 2018

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Advent is/was a time of somber reflection.

To break the grey, cold monotony of this part of the Liturgical cycle, we come to the third Sunday of Advent, when the altar hangings briefly turn from penitential purple to a lovely rose color.

I had planned to post an excerpt of Bach’s “Magnificat” but came across this in the mix. A cappella voices are always a treat, and none more so than the King’s Singers, here, singing the ancient “Gaudete”:

Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.

Tempus ad est gratiae hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus.

Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

From the wiki entry:

Gaudete (English: /ˈɡaʊdeɪteɪ/; Ecclesiastical Latin: [gawˈdetɛ] “rejoice” in Latin) is a sacred Christmas carol, which is thought to have been composed in the 16th century, but could easily have existed as a monophonic hymn in the late medieval period, with polyphonic alto, tenor, and bass parts added during the 15th century, particularly due to its Medieval Latin lyrics. The song was published in Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs published in 1581. No music is given for the verses, but the standard tune comes from older liturgical books.

The Latin text is a typical medieval song of praise, which follows the standard pattern for the time – a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain (in the early English carol this was known as the burden). Carols could be on any subject, but typically they were about the Virgin Mary, the Saints or Yuletide themes.

Gates of Vienna News Feed 12/15/2018

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A petition calling for a “No-Deal” Brexit is the most popular petition on the UK government’s website, and may now have over 100,000 signatures. However, the British government appears to have rejected it.

In other news, it has recently emerged that of the sixteen lawyers on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s staff, not one is a Republican.

To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.

Thanks to Dora, KS, MB, Reader from Chicago, Vlad Tepes, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.

Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.

Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. We check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.

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Exposing and Slut-Shaming: How to Enforce Sharia in the Netherlands

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The following video describes the way young Muslim women in the Netherlands are shamed by the exposure of intimate information — including nude photos of themselves — that is spread around the Internet via social media. The end result, whether the slut-shamers realize it or not, is to enforce Islamic law as it pertains to women.

It’s worth noting that such behaviors occur within a parallel society that interacts with Dutch culture, but is not part of it. Islamic inhabitants of the Netherlands exist in a separate world that is growing more and more distinct each year from the Dutch society that hosts it.

Many thanks to C for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

Video transcript:

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Brazil Will Withdraw From the UN Migration Pact

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Many thanks to José Atento (from the blog Lei Islâmica em Ação) for translating this article from Istoé:

Future chancellor says Brazil will leave Global Migration Compact

Ambassador Ernesto Araújo, who has been confirmed to take over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said today [December 10] in social media that the government of President-elect Jair Bolsonaro will disassociate the country from the Global Migration Compact. According to him, immigration should be treated according to “the reality and sovereignty of each country”.

“The Bolsonaro government will dissociate itself from the Global Migration Pact that is being launched in Marrakesh, an inadequate instrument to deal with the problem. Immigration should not be treated as a global issue, but rather according to the reality and sovereignty of each country,” the future chancellor said in his Twitter account.

The UN Global Compact for a Safe, Ordained and Regular Migration was approved today by representatives of more than 150 countries at the intergovernmental conference of the organization in the Moroccan city.

Speaking at the conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres drew attention to “the sovereign right of states to determine their migration policies and their prerogative to govern migration within their jurisdiction, in accordance with international law,” insisted the Secretary-General.

Regulatory mark

On previous occasions, the future chancellor had mentioned how the Brazilian government intends to deal with the migratory flow. According to him, the country will seek to accommodate immigrants by establishing a regulatory framework compatible with national reality.

“Brazil will seek a regulatory framework compatible with the national reality and with the well-being of Brazilians and foreigners. In the case of Venezuelans fleeing the [President Nicolás] Maduro regime, we will continue to welcome them, but the fundamental thing is to work for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”

The ambassador added that immigrants are welcome in Brazil and will not be discriminated against. However, he defended the definition of criteria to guarantee safety to all. He did not elaborate on those criteria.

“Immigration is welcome, but it should not be indiscriminate. There must be criteria to ensure the safety of both migrants and citizens in the destination country. Immigration must be at the service of the individual’s interests and the cohesion of each society.”

Strasbourg Death Toll Increases to Four

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A fourth victim — an Italian reporter who was shot in the head — has died of wounds sustained in Tuesday’s Islamic terrorist attack in Strasbourg. The following Spanish-language news report has the latest on the case.

Many thanks to FouseSquawk for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

Below is a brief article from ANSA about the death of the Italian reporter:

Italian Reporter Shot in Strasbourg Attack Has Died
Antonio Megalizzi was hit in the head in terrorist attack

(ANSA) — Paris, December 14 – Antonio Megalizzi, a young Italian reporter who was shot in the head in Tuesday’s terrorist attack at Strasbourg’s Christmas market, has died, foreign ministry sources said on Friday. “This news saddens me a great deal,” Premier Giuseppe Conte told a news conference following this week’s European summit.

“Affectionate, emotional thoughts go to his girlfriend.” “We must unite in this pain”.

Video transcript:

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Remember Those “97 Per Cent of Scientists Agree” on Global Warming??

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Or is it Global Cooling? Or is it Peak Oil? A coming famine?

Lord Monckton, always entertaining, lays to rest that hoary prevarication about the “consensus” among scientists. He has the source for that lie, which begins at ~minute 21.00 if you’re in a hurry.

The whole thing is entertaining, but the primary reason for this posting is to have a place to hang the source of such balderdash as was promoted in previous comment sections:

Thanks to RonaldB for his link in the comments on my previous posting about climate shenanigans. His link is a somewhat longer video on the subject, but Ivar Giaever, the 1973 Nobel Prizewinner for Physics, is equally entertaining.

Why is it that the deniers are wittier? Not a sin Al Gore will ever commit. But whatever; that Norwegian speaker is worth your time, too. The graphs (e.g., the one which illustrates where thermometers are placed globally. This was a few years ago, but I doubt poor countries have caught up yet) are illuminating.

In a side note, we have some climate here. Last weekend we got fourteen inches of snow. This weekend it is fast disappearing under an onslaught of warmish (52 degrees F) rain. The B and I are going down to watch the river flood over its banks. Hey, in the boondocks, you take your entertainment where you can find it. Things are melting so fast they’re sending up great wraiths of fog on the remaining snowpack.

Sharia Swimming Rules Enforced Against Native German Family in Bremen

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The video below concerns a father who was denied the right to participate in a parent-child swimming group because Muslim women who brought their children there would be disturbed by his presence.

There are two things worth observing about this incident. The first is the fact that the Muslim mothers had previously accepted the presence of a man amongst them, and then later changed their minds. Presumably they had been enjoying a social situation that functioned according to traditional German norms, where men and women can relax and interact with each other. It seems likely that their husbands then forbade them to engage in such shameful behavior any longer. If the Muslim community in Bremen behaves like Muslim communities elsewhere, there would have been a threat of violence, explicit or implied, against wives who failed to comply. The husbands may even have been the ones who complained to the local authorities, but the report doesn’t mention that.

The second thing to notice is the fact that this incident actually made the news in ultra-politically-correct Germany. Not only was it reported, but the husband was treated favorably, rather than being presented as a WAYCIST and possible AfD voter.

This is because Germans are sticklers for following the rules; it is part of the German character. Forcing the man out of the swim group violated existing codified rules, and was therefore clearly wrong. Until sharia rules are codified in German law — which will probably happen within the little girl’s lifetime — Germans will not easily accept being forced to abide by them.

Many thanks to MissPiggy for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:

Video transcript:

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An Astute Response to “Immigration is a Right”

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From September, speaking at the U.N.:

Promoted by the MSM without any commentary. How refreshing.

The (current) leading comment says:

He protects his own country. Migrants from underdeveloped countries cause only problems. They are not apt to live and work in a highly developed country like the US. They should first start to do something in their own countries. Many migrants come from countries with rich natural sources. Just have a look at Venezuela. It has one of the biggest reserves of oil. There is no reason why Venezuelans have to migrate.

Put your own country in order.

Gates of Vienna News Feed 12/14/2018

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According to reports, French President Emmanuel Macron had a helicopter on standby in case he needed to flee the presidential palace during last weekend’s riots in Paris. Meanwhile, a “Yellow Vest” leader said that the demonstrations will continue this weekend until all of the protesters’ demands are met.

In other news, an American student named Sarah Papenheim was stabbed to death in her apartment in Rotterdam, allegedly by her male roommate. The suspect fled the scene, but was later caught and arrested.

To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.

Thanks to Dean, Dora, MB, Reader from Chicago, SS, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.

Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.

Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. We check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.

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Who is AKK and Where is She Taking the CDU?

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The CDU (Christian Democrats) in Germany recently elected Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to succeed Angela Merkel as party leader. In the following report JLH draws together material from various German-language outlets to help non-German readers understand what the change in leadership portends.

Who is AKK and Where is She Taking the CDU?

by JLH

The new leader of the party and successor to Angela Merkel is not well-known outside (and to some extent inside) Germany. Here is some background from different (MSM) news sources.

While Die Welt speaks of the “cultural catastrophe” of Merz’s defeat, the article below clearly approves of “AKK.” The triumphant feminist satirization of the “old boy” network of the past certifies the (male) author’s sympathies. The theme seems to be that a major problem neutralized by Merkel’s rule was “toxic masculinity.”

From Der Spiegel:

CDU under Kramp-Karrenbauer — the end of the Union[1] (as we know it)

Nightmare of all manly men — the election of Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer brings the CDU irretrievably into the present; even though AKK is, if anything, more conservative than Friedrich Merz and Jens Spahn put together.

by Stefan Kusmany
December 10, 2018

So, are you already a member of the CDU? No? Why not? Could it be you haven’t heard yet? It is now a democratic party! Not just true to the constitution (it always was) but — this is new — genuinely super-pluralistic, even internally. Anyone who followed the gripping electoral battle for the leadership, a competition of three extraordinarily able candidates, could see that. As every CDU functionary can attest without a further thought, they all deserved the position. It was great the way the battle was waged. Fully transparently. A real decision about direction.

That is what actually happened last Friday in Hamburg — a decision about direction. And it has been made, after a strenuous contest. With Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer’s close victory, the CDU is irretrievably changed. Better said: with the non-election of Friedrich Merz. It has finally arrived in the present. There can be no going back.

The Hopes of the Lords and Masters

The return of Friedrich Merz was a seductive call from the past. It affected the movers and shakers, not just in the CDU, but all over the country, like a dose of Viagra. Traditional manly men are turned off by Angela Merkel, not just because of her refugee policy, but also because of her political style. They cannot stand her reserve, her refusal to provoke or be provoked. Their revenge was supposed to come on Friday.

For reactionary authoritarians, the social conditions before Merkel are an almost forgotten goal. When you could still pound the table. When a pact was a pact, sealed with beer and schnapps. When no one interrupted. When a decree instilled fear, not amusement.

Their great time had seemed to be behind them. Now, here was the chance to shape the future according to the rules of their glorious past. The perpetual shadow chancellor, Wolfgang Schäuble, was pulling the strings in the CDU. Only late in the game did he strike the supposedly decisive blow with the interview in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Meanwhile, BILD was backing Merz with enthusiasm. The Handelsblatt saw the apocalypse of the CDU written on the wall, if he wasn’t elected: “Merz or Downfall.” Its former editor wrote by podcast and print as if he had been paid to do it: “Merz must become chancellor.” Roland Koch, long forgotten by the new generation, sent a breath of the Andean Pact[2] wafting through the SPIEGEL.

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Jordan Peterson on Global Warming

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Lots of people won’t like his answer:

Obviously, we at Gates of Vienna – Baron the mathematician and statistician, and Dymphna who has looked at clouds from both sides now – are not fans of imposed “consensus”. The kind of consensus that, unless you agree with it, makes you thuggishly deplorable.

Good for you, Dr. Peterson. I almost didn’t watch you on this video because I thought you’d be predictable. I should know better by now, eh?

Why Did Angela Merkel Push so Hard for the UN Migration Pact?

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The video below is a German commentary on the UN migration pact that was originally posted on the channel “Ebola — Virale Lügen”. According to the commentator’s analysis, the pact was at least partially designed to retroactively provide legal cover for Chancellor Merkel’s opening of the borders in 2015, which otherwise was illegal under current EU laws.

Many thanks to Oz-Rita for the translation and subtitling:

Video transcript:

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