Posted on 06/15/2008 9:30:13 AM PDT by WesternCulture
Could US-European relations be restored?
We both wish to lead the world, but Americans and Europeans seldom reflect upon WHAT we actually wish to accomplish and how we want to make Western Civilization to look like.
If I was to answer the question “What is the most distinguishing feature of Western Civilization”, I would answer:
Trust in the individual and individual trust in himself.
So, what is “trust” in the individual?
Let’s examine the difference between “self-confidence” and “self-esteem“.
My home country, Sweden, is an ice hockey nation. But just like Italy, England and Argentina we are also a soccer nation and we love to send squads like these home from the group rounds of big tournaments.
Sweden disposes of two of the best soccer players of today;
Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan, a son of Yugoslavian refugees, is gifted like no one else in the world of soccer and some would say the entire HISTORY of soccer.
Henrik Larsson isn’t “una montagna di muscoli” (a muscle-mountain) like “Ibracadabra” but he sure disposes of an knowledge of how to read his opponents and how to strike decisive goals.
Larsson has scored more league goals than any other active footballer of today.
4 years ago, Larsson stepped back from a penalty shot Sweden was awarded against Bulgaria and handed young Ibrahimovic the opportunity. “Ibra” scored and afterwards Larsson told the media that: “The best thing from a team perspective is if all of the strikers get to score”.
I’d put it like this;
- Both young Zlatan and the veteran striker of Larsson are in possession of immense self-confidence, although Larsson, at that time, was the only one who understood what real self-ESTEEM means and why it goes beyond self-confidence.
Now, if America and Europe are to defeat Islamism, what kind of things should we put our trust in?
Cocky self-confidence or true self-esteem?
We are both magnificent, self-confident, parts of the world, but just maybe we should try and be a little bit more like Henrik Larsson in this war on terror that we both are involved in.
I’m mature and European enough to apologize for not giving America more of support in the aftermath of 9/11.
I’ve met with plenty of Europeans who feel the same.
However, people like us are not exactly favorized by European media and their American counterparts aren’t prone to depict the average European as a friend of the US.
Talk is cheap. The nonsense reported about our two glorious parts of the world by silly reporters is worse and we shouldn‘t bother to much.
Since when did we allow stupid journalists to speak for us?
I’m fully aware there are a lot of people here who don’t like European football, still I’d like to say a man who is 36 years old, has had his splint bone/fibula broken in two, has had his knee completely demolished and STILL is considered one of the greatest names in the largest sport on Earth is worthy of admiration:
If we manage to find inspiration in men like Larsson, who have discovered the true meaning of self-esteem, there is nothing we can’t do as members of great nations!!
Let’s defeat Islamism once and for all!
You might not like soccer, but watch how this guy, Henrik Larsson, uses his head:
http://www.gordoneverett.com/LarssonHeaderComp.wmv
I drive SAABs (and JEEPs). Love em. My current SAAB is a 2007 9-3 Aero Sports Combi. Great car.
My problem with Europe in general is the embracing of atheistic socialism. What I actually feel is that there are two western cultures that are connected but far apart from the other...and at war: liberal/socialist/communist vs. conservative/liberty/freedom.
Any conservative European who embraces conservatism and its ideals is definitely of the same mindset as this American.
For all the wailing and breast-beating over our loss of esteem among the Euros I don’t believe for a moment any “rupture” of any consequence ever occurred. True a few opportunistic pols (Chiraq, Gerhard) took advantage of the moment to score cheap points and the cool people of both continents had something to fellate each other over but none of it added up to anything more substantial than an ever-reliable talking point for office-seekers.
Did it ever threaten trade, military relations? Intelligence-sharing? Not for a moment.
Correction. It inspired a great many American wine aficionados to discover the rest of the world’s output to French vintners permanent detriment.
Not if the EU keeps putting individual freedom in jail. The EU is run by left wingers who do not believe in individual Freedom only the Freedom of the Communist and Socialist or what they call group freedom. We of course are headed that way also, but we may turn things around after the Democrat Socialist cause our country to go to the ducks, or we may not, if so then relationships would be restored and Islam would take over sooner than later.
As of now criminals are running several cities and a few countries in the EU and no one seems to give a crap about it. People are being put in jail for freedom of speech and the criminals are running free so unless the people of the EU take back their Nations there may not be a reason to reinstate anything.
“Any conservative European who embraces conservatism and its ideals is definitely of the same mindset as this American.”
- “A wonderful story is unfolding before our eyes. How it will end we are not allowed to know. But on both sides of the Atlantic we all feel, I repeat, all, that we are a part of it....We may be proud, and even rejoice amid our tribulations, that we have been born at this cardinal time for so great an age and so splendid an opportunity of service here below.” Winston Churchill, 16 June 1941
The world will often appear as a downright mess.
We true Westerners are here to fix it.
Personally, I’m not afraid of hard work. As a child, I was taught Lutheran work ethics and i don’t exactly apologize for being of Viking stock.
Pointless piece. What Europe thinks of the US is irrelevant.
A) Europe is already in the process of Islamization. Europe has capitulated. Short of the Second Coming, Europe is lost.
B) The only thing the US could do that would soothe the Euro-appeasers is for us to do the same thing.
C) Finally, to ingratiate ourselves with the EU, we would have to sign over our sovereignty and allow the EU bureaucrats dictate our foreign policy.
D) Clincher? European adulation is less than worthless because as noted in (A), Europe can’t help itself, much less the US.
The notion that by somehow pleasing Europe we would be fighting Islamo-Facism is beyond deluded. This is now an “every man for himself” conflict. The only entity that gives a rat’s ass about the welfare of the US, is the US. And the only entity that can do what is necessary to protect the US and its interests is the US.
Things have deteriorated to the point where our survival depends on our ability and willingness to act unilaterally.
“Not if the EU keeps putting individual freedom in jail. The EU is run by left wingers who do not believe in individual Freedom only the Freedom of the Communist and Socialist or what they call group freedom.”
- Well put.
However, we Europeans are far to clever to swallow the Socialist suicide pill.
Europeans once became the rulers of the world through Capitalism and today we constitute a continent of 700 million (including Russia and Turkey) who are fully aware Socialism provides no alternative.
True Americans and sane Europeans of today working in close cooperation is THE only hope for mankind. The assistance of Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ, India and China is of course vital too.
We must conquer evil.
In the year of 2050, no child will ask their parents what a “suicide bomber” is.
"Since when did we allow stupid journalists to speak for us?"
“If I was to answer the question “What is the most distinguishing feature of Western Civilization”, I would answer:
Trust in the individual and individual trust in himself.
So, what is “trust” in the individual?
Let’s examine the difference between “self-confidence” and “self-esteem“.”
I’d like the trust in ourselves, and Europe to take care of their backyard, to pull every single base in Europe out, including S.Korea and Japan and the ME.
I’d like to explore and use our vast resources, yes we have them.
I’d like Europe to deal with Iran since you get your fuel from them and we don’t.
I think we could get along if we moved back to the Western Hemisphere and you all provided for yourselves.
I also think that the US doesn’t need to be overrun by the placating attitude Europe has toward its Islamic advocacy groups (you all are pretty lost as it is), nor the European Union socialist-grab.
We can cooperate in many spheres, but ultimately, Europe is lost.
The Cold War construct is over.
“Europe is already in the process of Islamization”
- Islam has tried to conquer Europe for centuries. It has always failed.
Why do you think they’ll be successful this time round?
At least 90% of the Europeans reject Muslim teachings and many European Muslims hate the intolerant regimes they’ve fled from.
Democracy can not live in symbiosis with theocracy.
On the other hand, there are Muslims who obviously have developed into “agents” of Islam. These people are, of course, dangerous.
Well said.
It’s time we start listening to each other and I’m all ears to persons displaying an intelligent attitude like you.
Greetings from Gothenburg, West Coast of Sweden.
Europe can go stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!
They can take their 3rd world game, soccer, and make it ilegal here as far as i’m concerned.
Because they are already succeeding. But they are doing it without waging military war. Because, as I said, Europe is attempting to appease them. Example? Behavior that can be perceived as anti-Muslim is being criminalized in much of Europe. The converse is not happening.
Incrementalism. And it is succeeding.
And how are you going to deal with China?
Europe? Isn’t that a new Islamic state?
“Europe? Isn’t that a new Islamic state?”
- My home country, Sweden, is home to a bigger Lutheran church (namely the Church of Sweden) than anything found outside of the largest Scandinavian country.
93% of the Swedes are Christians and the reason we are considerably richer than the US and more or less ALL other European countries (no, we don’t have oil like our Western neighbors the Norwegians) is that we have understood Lutheranism like no other nation.
“And how are you going to deal with China?”
- Swedes have often defeated the Chinese in their national sport; table tennis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan-Ove_Waldner
“93% of the Swedes are Christians and the reason we are considerably richer than the US and more or less ALL other European countries (no, we don’t have oil like our Western neighbors the Norwegians) is that we have understood Lutheranism...”
It’s the homogeneity. Your populations are non-diverse. Another example is Japan.
It is much easier in a homogeneous community to build a culture based on a central tenet than in a multiethnic, multiracial society.
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