U
Ulrich
Guest
The German MSM outlet "Sueddeutsche Zeitung", generally one of the more respectable papers in the country, carried a commentary on Wednesday (06 Sept) concerning itself with the speech of the leader of the opposition Left Party, Oskar Lafontaine, saying that he had earned the title of 'the greatest demagogue of all times' by having delivered a "maliciously intelligent and unscrupulous speech turning the war against terror into terror, George W. Bush into a terrorist and accusing (chancellor) Merkel of having committed perjury at her inauguration when she had sworn to avert harm from the German people - as she could be importing terror to Germany by sending German forces to Lebanon.
The commentary also cited Social democrat MP Peter Struck ("trying to keep his cool for reasons of health") saying Lafontaine had made a speech "that has brought shame on this parliament".
- - -
Now that sounds pretty egregious, especially when you were brought up believing that the greatest demagogue of all times had been Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.
Just what did Mr. Lafontaine say to disturb the political and media establishment in Germany ?
Actually, "Sueddeutsche" couldn't tell us. =(
Disappointed I had to turn to Mr. Lafontaine's Left Party's website for the text of his speech.
Let's look at some excerpts from his speech to find out what the fuss might have been about:
- - -
'Terrorism means killing of people for political aims [ ... ] against this backdrop terrorism is not only attacking the World Trade Center and suicide bombing, but also the state of combat in the middle east whereby thousands of innocent people are killed. [ ... ]
You can't combat terrorism through terrorism. Doing that is a grave error of American policy and it is about time for you (Merkel) to be willing to declare how you define terrorism and how you intend to combat terrorism. [ ... ]
You can't fight terrorism by ignoring international law which does not only apply for the war in Yugoslavia, the war in Afghanistan but most of all for the war in Iraq that has been started with lies and the breach of international law and is being continued that way.
We're learning with great interest that a robust mandate should be applied to impede arms deliveries to Lebanon [ ... ] but with Germany simultaneously delivering submarines to Israel which might eventually be upgraded to carry nuclear weapons - that's what we call inconsistent. [ ... ]
On the subject of international law we were delighted to hear government minister (for development aid) Wieczorek-Zeul expressing herself on the use of cluster bombs in Lebanon. Dropping cluster bombs on residential areas violates international law and it is good to know that at least one member of the German government has reminded us of this breach of international law. [ ... ]
You would be well advised to put your policy on Iran on a rational basis. [ ... ]
You can't pursue a policy of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by breaching the non-proliferation treaty at will but when it comes to dealing with Iran demanding the treaty's strict appliance. [ ... ]
Countries possessing nuclear weapons have not only committed themselves to nuclear non-proliferation but also to nuclear disarmament. When they are not disarming they are permanently breaching the treaty. [ ... ]
It is an error to dispatch german soldiers on missions throughout the world. Germany need not be defended in Afghanistan. It is a grave error to send troops to Lebanon. We really have no business being there. [ ... ]
Some people are rightly argueing that the Lebanon Crisis must be viewed in connection with plans to attack Iran. You have stated that the German government is supporting no military options against Iran but you can always stumble into a war. [ ... ]
- - -
It looks to me as if Mr. Lafontaine had plainly stated the truth which seems to be enough for the consortium's shills in politics and the media to break out into a cold sweat.
They know that to retain their jobs and benefits they have to keep the majority of people in the dark.
The puppet show must go on.
On the other hand - if it hadn't been for that Orwellian piece of propaganda and twisting of the truth
I might never have taken a second look. ;)
The commentary also cited Social democrat MP Peter Struck ("trying to keep his cool for reasons of health") saying Lafontaine had made a speech "that has brought shame on this parliament".
- - -
Now that sounds pretty egregious, especially when you were brought up believing that the greatest demagogue of all times had been Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.
Just what did Mr. Lafontaine say to disturb the political and media establishment in Germany ?
Actually, "Sueddeutsche" couldn't tell us. =(
Disappointed I had to turn to Mr. Lafontaine's Left Party's website for the text of his speech.
Let's look at some excerpts from his speech to find out what the fuss might have been about:
- - -
'Terrorism means killing of people for political aims [ ... ] against this backdrop terrorism is not only attacking the World Trade Center and suicide bombing, but also the state of combat in the middle east whereby thousands of innocent people are killed. [ ... ]
You can't combat terrorism through terrorism. Doing that is a grave error of American policy and it is about time for you (Merkel) to be willing to declare how you define terrorism and how you intend to combat terrorism. [ ... ]
You can't fight terrorism by ignoring international law which does not only apply for the war in Yugoslavia, the war in Afghanistan but most of all for the war in Iraq that has been started with lies and the breach of international law and is being continued that way.
We're learning with great interest that a robust mandate should be applied to impede arms deliveries to Lebanon [ ... ] but with Germany simultaneously delivering submarines to Israel which might eventually be upgraded to carry nuclear weapons - that's what we call inconsistent. [ ... ]
On the subject of international law we were delighted to hear government minister (for development aid) Wieczorek-Zeul expressing herself on the use of cluster bombs in Lebanon. Dropping cluster bombs on residential areas violates international law and it is good to know that at least one member of the German government has reminded us of this breach of international law. [ ... ]
You would be well advised to put your policy on Iran on a rational basis. [ ... ]
You can't pursue a policy of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by breaching the non-proliferation treaty at will but when it comes to dealing with Iran demanding the treaty's strict appliance. [ ... ]
Countries possessing nuclear weapons have not only committed themselves to nuclear non-proliferation but also to nuclear disarmament. When they are not disarming they are permanently breaching the treaty. [ ... ]
It is an error to dispatch german soldiers on missions throughout the world. Germany need not be defended in Afghanistan. It is a grave error to send troops to Lebanon. We really have no business being there. [ ... ]
Some people are rightly argueing that the Lebanon Crisis must be viewed in connection with plans to attack Iran. You have stated that the German government is supporting no military options against Iran but you can always stumble into a war. [ ... ]
- - -
It looks to me as if Mr. Lafontaine had plainly stated the truth which seems to be enough for the consortium's shills in politics and the media to break out into a cold sweat.
They know that to retain their jobs and benefits they have to keep the majority of people in the dark.
The puppet show must go on.
On the other hand - if it hadn't been for that Orwellian piece of propaganda and twisting of the truth
I might never have taken a second look. ;)
