Seems to me it is possible that Europe's newest liberal celebrities are familiar with the Bill stories and albeit short of reality believe that their extrordinary status allows them new privileges in the West.
While thoroughly unimpressed with the mayor's ridiculous comments, I have some questions: what is the norm for NYE complaints of unwanted touching, aka sexual harassment? I'm sure it's much higher that night than most days of the year. I'm also grateful to the NY Times for pointing out some important aspects: that more than 2/3 of the complaints came from people visiting the city on New Year's Eve, that hardly anyone has evidence of actual faces...
From what I know of women 18-25, they don't go ANYWHERE without their cell phones out and on a party night like NYE, they'd be snapping away like crazy. And don't most women go out in groups on a big night?
I'd like many more specific details before I even begin to assume I've got a good idea of what happened at the train station...
From what I know of women 18-25, they don't go ANYWHERE without their cell phones out and on a party night like NYE, they'd be snapping away like crazy. And don't most women go out in groups on a big night?
I'd like many more specific details before I even begin to assume I've got a good idea of what happened at the train station...
Ms. Reker missed the chance to strike a real blow for cultural diversity and multiculturalism. Surely the best way to make these Muslim males feel comfortable in this alien (formerly, the native) culture of Germany is to persuade (or, better still, mandate that) those German temptresses don the full hijab while in public?
We in the west must be sensitive to the cultural needs of others. Otherwise we would be (brutally) asserting our cultural hegemony how can we live with our guilty (collective) conscience?
We in the west must be sensitive to the cultural needs of others. Otherwise we would be (brutally) asserting our cultural hegemony how can we live with our guilty (collective) conscience?
12
Many commenters on the NYT this past summer had instinctively been concerned about these undocumented migrants, so these criminal events would not come to any surprise to such commenters. This is not the first criminal activity carried out by these migrants and will surely not be the last.
German (and Swedish, etc etc) citizens are not served well at all by their current governments. Merkel et al is to blame for opening up the flood gates to the migrants and also for delaying / suspending the registration of these migrants; the Bergermeister of Köln is to blame for essentially blaming the victims instead of the perpetrators; and the police were ineffective in responding to the criminality; and the press has supressed reports that did not fit their activist pie in the sky agenda. It is painfully obvious that some of the politicians still do not understand the gravity of the situation and unfortunately probably never will. Hopefully, a political opposition will soon emerge that will offer policies that will be more friendly to law and order and the will of the vast majority of EU citizens, and hopefully the EU citizens will have the chance to elect such opposition politicians, to prioritize their needs and their security concerns, before it is too late.
If you invite rattle snakes to live amongst you, you should not be surprised when some of them bite.
German (and Swedish, etc etc) citizens are not served well at all by their current governments. Merkel et al is to blame for opening up the flood gates to the migrants and also for delaying / suspending the registration of these migrants; the Bergermeister of Köln is to blame for essentially blaming the victims instead of the perpetrators; and the police were ineffective in responding to the criminality; and the press has supressed reports that did not fit their activist pie in the sky agenda. It is painfully obvious that some of the politicians still do not understand the gravity of the situation and unfortunately probably never will. Hopefully, a political opposition will soon emerge that will offer policies that will be more friendly to law and order and the will of the vast majority of EU citizens, and hopefully the EU citizens will have the chance to elect such opposition politicians, to prioritize their needs and their security concerns, before it is too late.
If you invite rattle snakes to live amongst you, you should not be surprised when some of them bite.
22
America should be at the top of any list of nations not being served well by its president
6
The real scandal is that Cologne's mayor and the police chief were working very hard to cover this up. Even today, they claimed that there was no information about the perps. That's clearly a lie. From a police report leaked to the German press today, we know that 14 out of the 15 attackers arrested that night were Syrian refugees. The fifteenth came from Afghanistan. None of the men arrested had been in Germany for more than a month, some only a few days.
This cover-up will have very serious consequences in Germany. So far, only the newly emerged far-right "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) accused mainstream politicians and public broadcasters like ARD and ZDF of whitewashing the effects of the migrant crisis. Now, this will become mainstream and change Germany's political landscape - hopefully for good. So far, Merkel has always bowed to massive public pressure. Recent polls put the Afd at 9%. That wasn't enough for her to get proactive, but this might change soon.
This cover-up will have very serious consequences in Germany. So far, only the newly emerged far-right "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) accused mainstream politicians and public broadcasters like ARD and ZDF of whitewashing the effects of the migrant crisis. Now, this will become mainstream and change Germany's political landscape - hopefully for good. So far, Merkel has always bowed to massive public pressure. Recent polls put the Afd at 9%. That wasn't enough for her to get proactive, but this might change soon.
20
The mayor is giving good advice. While Ivy League universities cry for safe places, Western leaders who allow these thugs into our neighborhoods are prosecuting the real war on women. Glass ceilings are no problem for the dead.
6
So the Do-gooders of Northern Europe endangers half of their population by welcoming to their countries hundreds of thousands of young men from a culture that have no regard whatsoever for women. How PC is that?
18
In a fair and democratic society, at this point the mayor would have resigned, the chief police officer would have been fired, many arrests would have been made and information about what really happened would be streaming through the media. None of this is happening. What is going on with Germany? It is this how fairness and democracy taken too far looks like? Or something else? all of this is so depressing!
22
Better German politics stop their obsessive patrolling of Facebook for percieved "hate speech", get their act together and address the real problems. Otherwise the country is spiralling rapidly towards Weimar 2.0, with an naive, impotent government, a polarized population and increasing crime and violence. All unneccessarily imported from one of the most violent regions in the world!
29
German public tv has put silence for over 4 days on this massive criminal attack. German newspapers started reporting after 2 days only. Only thanks to social media, enough pressure was created for standard newspapers often owned by left wing SPD associated companies, and public tv controlled by governmental representatives as well, to inform German citizens.
Even the very first police reports, published by top officials of cologne police, reported a silent and peaceful Silvester night in Cologne. Any report by police officials who have been present on the spot, contradict these very official statements completely.
This is a true catastrophy for anybody assuming right of free speech to be lived in German journalism!
As of now, every day we, the German citizens, get informed piece by piece, slice by slice, of even more horrifying facts of this particular night, be it in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne, and elsewhere in smaller cities in Germany as well.
Pre-ordered silence on criminal acts performed by refugees in in complete contradiction of free speech, and it is systematically lived by German government so far.
Mrs. Rekers allocation of guilt towards all those violated women, or female victims by this aggression of men with proven migrant background, is not just another capitulation of governmental authorities - it is a slap into the face of former, and future victims. Where is all this to end?
Even the very first police reports, published by top officials of cologne police, reported a silent and peaceful Silvester night in Cologne. Any report by police officials who have been present on the spot, contradict these very official statements completely.
This is a true catastrophy for anybody assuming right of free speech to be lived in German journalism!
As of now, every day we, the German citizens, get informed piece by piece, slice by slice, of even more horrifying facts of this particular night, be it in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne, and elsewhere in smaller cities in Germany as well.
Pre-ordered silence on criminal acts performed by refugees in in complete contradiction of free speech, and it is systematically lived by German government so far.
Mrs. Rekers allocation of guilt towards all those violated women, or female victims by this aggression of men with proven migrant background, is not just another capitulation of governmental authorities - it is a slap into the face of former, and future victims. Where is all this to end?
44
You know very well where it will end.
7
I would like to thank the many German readers in the NY Times Comments Section who are writing about their government's crackdown on free speech. This is chilling news and far more alarming than even the criminal sexual assaults by the mobs of Muslim migrants. I hope you are soon able to take your country back and restore your rights and civil liberties.
26
I am glad there are a good number of German citizens who have woken up and are now speaking up here in this comments section. I am well aware of the censorship and propaganda that has gripped Germany since the problems in the wake of the refugee influx started.
There is little hope for you to get heard through normal public channels. You will be shouted down and classified as a Nazi in no time. It is almost funny to see how the left has so successfully adopted the very same tools the Nazis used to suppress their opponents back in the 20s and 30s. After all, the left and the right are just mirror images of each other.
Please do not give up!
Call your representatives in Parliament directly. Do not use email, their accounts are probably set on autodelete. Use the phone, use FAX, go to your representatives directly. Only then can they not ignore you.
Democracy works, although sometimes it is a piece of work that requires a lot of work.
Good luck!
There is little hope for you to get heard through normal public channels. You will be shouted down and classified as a Nazi in no time. It is almost funny to see how the left has so successfully adopted the very same tools the Nazis used to suppress their opponents back in the 20s and 30s. After all, the left and the right are just mirror images of each other.
Please do not give up!
Call your representatives in Parliament directly. Do not use email, their accounts are probably set on autodelete. Use the phone, use FAX, go to your representatives directly. Only then can they not ignore you.
Democracy works, although sometimes it is a piece of work that requires a lot of work.
Good luck!
24
People who are surprised at the bad behavior by the crowds and apologist Mayor have deluded themselves. For years, some academics and knowledgeable professionals have warned about immigration, legal or illegal, into Western countries from those where Islamic culture reigns supreme. All cultures aren't equal, despite what prevailing Western scolds tell us.
Those sounding the warning have either been ignored, or ridiculed as 'haters'. For some reason, many in the Western political class seem intent upon cultural suicide. Worse, they implicitly or directly support anti-white, anti-male rhetoric and indoctrination of our children in public schools, at the same time, they 'celebrate diversity', silence critics, and approve curricula which whitewashes some cultures short-comings while exaggerating Western shortcomings.
The above, added with absurd immigration policies, implicit support for illegal immigration, and wholesale importation of 'refugees', when the economy can't support it's own growing work force, is suicidal. PS- look to those 'religious' NGO's for their money-grubbing 'refugee resettlement' profit centers as partners in the absurdity.
Those sounding the warning have either been ignored, or ridiculed as 'haters'. For some reason, many in the Western political class seem intent upon cultural suicide. Worse, they implicitly or directly support anti-white, anti-male rhetoric and indoctrination of our children in public schools, at the same time, they 'celebrate diversity', silence critics, and approve curricula which whitewashes some cultures short-comings while exaggerating Western shortcomings.
The above, added with absurd immigration policies, implicit support for illegal immigration, and wholesale importation of 'refugees', when the economy can't support it's own growing work force, is suicidal. PS- look to those 'religious' NGO's for their money-grubbing 'refugee resettlement' profit centers as partners in the absurdity.
20
The most troubling thing about these predictable incidents is that Merkel is manipulating the law by applying it differently to native Germans and to refugees.
One must know that, although the German Constitution does have an article (Art. 5, paragraph 1) akin to the First Amendment, it is virtually invalidated by paragraph 2 of the same article, which states that the right to free speech can be superseded by other laws.
Merkel has made use of that clause by selectively prosecuting native Germans who have voiced dissent against her refugee politics on Facebook and other social media. Her determination is evident by the fact that the government went to great lengths to identify the dissidents by tracking them down through their IP addresses. Effectively, she is using the German Constitution to employ Stasi tactics to muzzle criticism of her leadership. She is quite familiar with these tactics, having grown up in the East under Stasi rule.
At the same time, she is giving a free pass to criminal elements among the refugee population, since enforcing the law against them would unmask the failure of her policies.
It should be clear that such behavior makes a farce out of the 'Rechtsstaat', i.e. the State of Law. German democracy cannot afford to have a second occurrence of an 'Ermächtigungsgesetz', a law that gives the Chancellor absolute powers.
The time for a vote-of-no-confidence has clearly arrived. Parliament should not delay the inevitable further.
One must know that, although the German Constitution does have an article (Art. 5, paragraph 1) akin to the First Amendment, it is virtually invalidated by paragraph 2 of the same article, which states that the right to free speech can be superseded by other laws.
Merkel has made use of that clause by selectively prosecuting native Germans who have voiced dissent against her refugee politics on Facebook and other social media. Her determination is evident by the fact that the government went to great lengths to identify the dissidents by tracking them down through their IP addresses. Effectively, she is using the German Constitution to employ Stasi tactics to muzzle criticism of her leadership. She is quite familiar with these tactics, having grown up in the East under Stasi rule.
At the same time, she is giving a free pass to criminal elements among the refugee population, since enforcing the law against them would unmask the failure of her policies.
It should be clear that such behavior makes a farce out of the 'Rechtsstaat', i.e. the State of Law. German democracy cannot afford to have a second occurrence of an 'Ermächtigungsgesetz', a law that gives the Chancellor absolute powers.
The time for a vote-of-no-confidence has clearly arrived. Parliament should not delay the inevitable further.
29
Merkell must go, the sooner the better.
8
You described Merkels Germany very well.
15
Yes, governmental thought control has alarmingly increased in Germany under the guise of fighting racism and hate-speech. They might try to keep the pressure in the kettle, but in the end this will blow up in their faces.
17
Can you imagine this sort of horrific thing happening simultaneously in our cities of say NY, LA and SF? We'd be going ballistic.
The fact is that in most of our mainstream press/media these pre-planned attacks, on New Year's Eve in Germany, are going largely unreported. Why is that?
The fact is that in most of our mainstream press/media these pre-planned attacks, on New Year's Eve in Germany, are going largely unreported. Why is that?
26
It is even worse in the German media.
It took 4 days for it to reach the main stream press and media there.
"Spiegel" has found the culprit and leads their website with a dire reprimand for the Cologne police chief. Immediately beneath that yesterday a photo of a starving Syrian child. Far scrolling down was required to still find reporting on the incidents.
My own innocuous comment referring to the NYT coverage to a provincial regional news paper was CENSORED by that news paper.
One must read a multitude of German news outlets to discern what occurred.
It took 4 days for it to reach the main stream press and media there.
"Spiegel" has found the culprit and leads their website with a dire reprimand for the Cologne police chief. Immediately beneath that yesterday a photo of a starving Syrian child. Far scrolling down was required to still find reporting on the incidents.
My own innocuous comment referring to the NYT coverage to a provincial regional news paper was CENSORED by that news paper.
One must read a multitude of German news outlets to discern what occurred.
28
I find it very hard to understand why, in this day of cameras everywhere and phones in everyone's pocket, not a single perpetrator has been apprehended!
10
cameras do not apprehend anyone, you can make some pictures for your collection
1
Ever wondered why it's possible for a mayor of a major German city to say something so ridiculously, obviously and patently false? Well she's following the rules of EU political correctness which can not only socially ostracize but in fact fine and imprison for politically incorrect speech. It's detailed in today's Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/germany-springs-to-action-ov...
23
The mayors comments are the very definition and consequence of multiculturalism.
12
Way to go Merkle not only have you thrown your citizens under the bus you have attempted to cover it up…
Smartest EU Government official in the news… Swiss Lieutenant General André Blattmann the Commander of the Swiss Armed Forces during a radio interview two weeks ago, publically advised Swiss Citizens to arm themselves due to possible civil unrest he sees coming. For this he was chastised by several EU officials for exaggerating yet a week after the interview, New Year’s Eve happens…I’d say the Commander has it spot on.
Most Clueless EU Government official in the news… Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker after dozens of German women are sexually assaulted, she advised German women to follow a “code of conduct” to avoid getting sexually assaulted.The proposed code of conduct includes staying an arm's length away from strangers, remaining within your own group and being aware of and avoiding drunkenness.
The most straightforward EU official in the news… County Chairman of the GdP (The Cologne German police union) said it just like it is “This is a completely new dimension of violence. This is something we have not known”.
Most fake EU official in the news… Ms. Merkle after months of reported cover up after cover up about crimes committed against the German populace and silence on the events of NYE in Cologne only being forced into the lime light days later by the anger on social media, only then does Ms. Merkle expresses her “outrage”.
Smartest EU Government official in the news… Swiss Lieutenant General André Blattmann the Commander of the Swiss Armed Forces during a radio interview two weeks ago, publically advised Swiss Citizens to arm themselves due to possible civil unrest he sees coming. For this he was chastised by several EU officials for exaggerating yet a week after the interview, New Year’s Eve happens…I’d say the Commander has it spot on.
Most Clueless EU Government official in the news… Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker after dozens of German women are sexually assaulted, she advised German women to follow a “code of conduct” to avoid getting sexually assaulted.The proposed code of conduct includes staying an arm's length away from strangers, remaining within your own group and being aware of and avoiding drunkenness.
The most straightforward EU official in the news… County Chairman of the GdP (The Cologne German police union) said it just like it is “This is a completely new dimension of violence. This is something we have not known”.
Most fake EU official in the news… Ms. Merkle after months of reported cover up after cover up about crimes committed against the German populace and silence on the events of NYE in Cologne only being forced into the lime light days later by the anger on social media, only then does Ms. Merkle expresses her “outrage”.
17
You reap what you sow !
9
The Mayor of Cologne has proposed that women maintain an arm's length distance from men in order to protect themselves against inappropriate, invasive behavior, i.e groping, etc. However, such a proposal is as yet still a bit fuzzy. What constitutes an arm's length? And whose arm are we talking about? If a woman's, then assuming that women are shorter than men, it is safe to assume that a woman's arm is shorter than a man's arm and therefore a man will still be able to make contact with the woman in question. It would therefore be logical to assume that the man's arm would be used as a guage. Again, this raises the question of whether we are talking about the man's right arm or his left arm because the right arms of right-handed men tend to be longer than their left arms. This goes to show that a fairly straight forward proposal like the one made by the political luminary serving as the Mayor of Cologne will have to undergo serious consideration, and once measurements of all German men's arms have been taken to determine their average arm's length it will be possible to safely define the mandatory arm's length that must be maintained to ensure women's safety in Germany.
5
The American press continues to try to water down this story or ignore it altogether. Why aren't women important enough a demographic to keep this issue on the front burner? Mass coordinated sexual assaults and rapes also happened on New Year's Eve in Hamburg and Stuttgart? From today's Der Spiegel re the Köln official police report:
"It lists several examples of police officers' experiences:
Officers were hindered from pushing their way through to people calling for help by tight clusters of men.
A man is quoted as saying: "I'm a Syrian! You have to treat me kindly! Mrs. Merkel invited me."
Witnesses were threatened when they provided the names of perpetrators.
People reportedly demonstratively tore up residence permits in front of the police, grinned and said: "You can't touch me. I'll just go back tomorrow and get a new one." The report did not, however, confirm the authenticity of the documents.
Orders for people to leave the premises were ignored; taking repeat offenders into custody was not possible due to lack of resources.
After track closures due to overcrowding, people simply forced their way over adjacent platforms and train tracks back to the closed platform.
Physical fights broke out as trains were being boarded; it was "every man for himself."
How can the world try to silence this issue when women were targeted for violent physical crime in 3 cities right in front of police?
"It lists several examples of police officers' experiences:
Officers were hindered from pushing their way through to people calling for help by tight clusters of men.
A man is quoted as saying: "I'm a Syrian! You have to treat me kindly! Mrs. Merkel invited me."
Witnesses were threatened when they provided the names of perpetrators.
People reportedly demonstratively tore up residence permits in front of the police, grinned and said: "You can't touch me. I'll just go back tomorrow and get a new one." The report did not, however, confirm the authenticity of the documents.
Orders for people to leave the premises were ignored; taking repeat offenders into custody was not possible due to lack of resources.
After track closures due to overcrowding, people simply forced their way over adjacent platforms and train tracks back to the closed platform.
Physical fights broke out as trains were being boarded; it was "every man for himself."
How can the world try to silence this issue when women were targeted for violent physical crime in 3 cities right in front of police?
26
...I am a police officer and the problem was, that there was simply not enough personnel to prosecute and protect at the same time and the officers were attacked by the crowd. Its simply the problem that the cutbacks for personnel bye the government got now there sad effect.
17
Right - let us overlook why you now need so many more personnel and that the whole thing is just a matter of budget cutbacks - instead of who you let into the country from what culture and in such vast numbers. I am sure the women who were assaulted will be so relieved to hear that.
15
It sounds like the German police are very backwards.
These violent assaults in various German cities were not random but had to have been planned and coordinated via the internet or cellphones. Don't the police have Arabic-speaking staff who can monitor social media for potential flash-mob types of attacks?
Why aren't German police using decoys and sting operations to catch street sex offenders and robbers? Technology can help identify and catch perpetrators: there's video surveillance, stun guns, signal-emitting theft-decoy items, exploding dye packs, glow-in-the-dark powders that stick and leave a trail, DNA, fingerprints, etc.
Perhaps the police in Germany are not allowed to stop this new protected class of criminals? Or, are the police too busy monitoring German citizens' social media accounts for "xenophobia"? If so, who is giving the orders?
These violent assaults in various German cities were not random but had to have been planned and coordinated via the internet or cellphones. Don't the police have Arabic-speaking staff who can monitor social media for potential flash-mob types of attacks?
Why aren't German police using decoys and sting operations to catch street sex offenders and robbers? Technology can help identify and catch perpetrators: there's video surveillance, stun guns, signal-emitting theft-decoy items, exploding dye packs, glow-in-the-dark powders that stick and leave a trail, DNA, fingerprints, etc.
Perhaps the police in Germany are not allowed to stop this new protected class of criminals? Or, are the police too busy monitoring German citizens' social media accounts for "xenophobia"? If so, who is giving the orders?
16
I am a police officer and you are right ...we dont have enough personnel and we dont have the right equipment for these situations. We need stun guns and rubber ball guns but what boots it, when there is no will to give us the permission to use it? ....politicians and higher police command are afraid of ending there careers because of making a decision wich is not political correct and to say that immigrants can be also perpetrators and to be violent against them is not political correct.
15
sorry bro, thanks for speaking up
6
You also need a few jumbo jets and aircraft carriers to ferry at least half the numbers you let in back to the shores of North Africa and dump them there. With respect, you are addressing only the short term practical issue - more stun guns, more personnel, more training - not the glaring long term disaster: you are now a society that needs stun guns, more police, more training, etc. - because of you your great leader let in, thinking only about that large cheap labor force and her Nobel Peace Prize and forcing the rest of the EU to give up control of foreign immigration as well as EU migration at their borders on her say-so. Tell me, Alex - will you be voting for Merkel again this spring?
14
Ms. Reker seems particularly obtuse as a female mayor. She should be well aware of the fallacy that women are singularly responsible for their own safety when among males. It's the responsibility of males, regardless of cultural background, to respect women in all ways. Cultural ignorance is not an excuse, and likely invoked is by those who know better and pretend otherwise. Males from other cultures who cannot abide by the need to respect the rights of women should be returned to where they came from. The consequences of this are their problem.
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
Eclectic Pragmatist — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
9
Germany must deport anyone accused of violent crimes, petty theft, selling drugs etc. Security for citizens and visitors is more important than providing refuge for migrants. There needs to be a no tolerance policy for crimes from refugee applicants.
They don't need to offer a trial for people applying for asylum.
Adding one million young males to your country, doesn't help the county economically, since many are totally illiterate. Germany needs skilled workers, which they could find in the rest of the EU.
These people should be housed in the tents Saudi Arabia has for the Haj.
They don't need to offer a trial for people applying for asylum.
Adding one million young males to your country, doesn't help the county economically, since many are totally illiterate. Germany needs skilled workers, which they could find in the rest of the EU.
These people should be housed in the tents Saudi Arabia has for the Haj.
19
They cannot deport who they cannot catch. Those women are just going to have to take what was dished out knowing full well they will never have justice. And Merkel isn't going to deport a singly migrant - despite her insistence that at least 400,000 will not qualify for asylum. She needs that cheap labor. And, as they say: people walk, money talks.
5
Clearly she doesn't follow her own advice because the mayor herself was stabbed just last year at a campaign event. Certainly she didn't mean this comment and knows it is not even close to a solution. I expect she'll come out with a different statement and apologize.
2
The mayor isn't the only one with baffling opinions.
Ralf Jaeger, Interior Minister, North Rhine-Westphalia:
"What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women."
Unnamed Victim:
"I thought to myself that if we stay here in this crowd they could kill us, they could rape us and nobody would notice. I thought we simply had to accept it.
There was no one around us who helped or was in a position to help. All I wanted was to get out. I was scared that I wouldn't leave this crowd alive. I was scared that if someone showed up with a knife I could be raped in the middle of the street."
Jenny, Victim:
Jenny said she believed attackers put a firecracker into her hood to deliberately distract her while they stole her phone. "I heard a sizzling sound in my hood I somehow tried to get it out of the hood. Then it fell into my jacket and burned everything. The scars will stay. I was lucky that it didn't explode."
Busra, Victim:
"They felt like they were in power and that they could do anything with the women who were out in the street partying. They touched us everywhere. It was truly terrible."
Muriel, Victim:
"We were fondled, I was touched between my legs. There were quite a big group of people, maybe 30 or 40. You didn't know who to trust. You tried the whole time to push everyone else away from you."
Evelin, Victim:
"We wanted help. We ran to these police cars but there was no one there."
Ralf Jaeger, Interior Minister, North Rhine-Westphalia:
"What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women."
Unnamed Victim:
"I thought to myself that if we stay here in this crowd they could kill us, they could rape us and nobody would notice. I thought we simply had to accept it.
There was no one around us who helped or was in a position to help. All I wanted was to get out. I was scared that I wouldn't leave this crowd alive. I was scared that if someone showed up with a knife I could be raped in the middle of the street."
Jenny, Victim:
Jenny said she believed attackers put a firecracker into her hood to deliberately distract her while they stole her phone. "I heard a sizzling sound in my hood I somehow tried to get it out of the hood. Then it fell into my jacket and burned everything. The scars will stay. I was lucky that it didn't explode."
Busra, Victim:
"They felt like they were in power and that they could do anything with the women who were out in the street partying. They touched us everywhere. It was truly terrible."
Muriel, Victim:
"We were fondled, I was touched between my legs. There were quite a big group of people, maybe 30 or 40. You didn't know who to trust. You tried the whole time to push everyone else away from you."
Evelin, Victim:
"We wanted help. We ran to these police cars but there was no one there."
28
I am not all all surprised over these attacks from the recent Islamic Immigrants. Did you really think you can take people from a backward society and place them in Europe? I wonder if the same problems are occurring in Canada. Thanks to President Obama, we can look forward to the same thing.
11
It is remarkable that these incidents have happened in Stuttgart, Hamburg and Cologne and that the media in Europe sat on the news and failed to print and in many cases allow public comment. Some of the same media were to the forefront in printing articles in respect of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange and perceived themselves to be champions of free speech. However the suppression of the news and comments now seems to be worthy of East European censorship pre the Fall of the Berlin Wall. The media, the politicians and the police are an embarrassment.
20
The German government has become a criminal entity -- part of the worldwide globalist criminal cartel that promotes genocidal policies of mass Third World immigration to all Western countries. They must be removed from power and punished severely.
13
If it becomes acceptable to manipulate and withhold news and public safety information in Germany, can we call this a truly democratic country? What else have "they" decided we should not learn about. This behavior is expected in places like North Korea -- not in Germany. There is a difference between journalism and propaganda -- are German media outlets aware of this?
27
The Times is already burying this and related stories. Front page two days ago, bottom of the World page today.
17
In Germany "Freedom of Speech" isn't regarded as highly as in the US. This is due to the fear of "hate speech" performed by right wing or Nazi activists.
And you should take into account that Germany has'nt been a sovereign state until The Wall fell. There is a lack of self confidence into our own democratic tradition. So most people and most journalists don't dare to leave the middle ground, which is politically correct multiculturalism and liberalism.
We have a new party here called AFD, which in my opinion covers similar positions as Republicans and to some extent, the Tea Party. Though I don't sympathize very much with them, I can't count how often prominent politicians from the AFD have been called Nazis by representatives of the political mainstream.
And you should take into account that Germany has'nt been a sovereign state until The Wall fell. There is a lack of self confidence into our own democratic tradition. So most people and most journalists don't dare to leave the middle ground, which is politically correct multiculturalism and liberalism.
We have a new party here called AFD, which in my opinion covers similar positions as Republicans and to some extent, the Tea Party. Though I don't sympathize very much with them, I can't count how often prominent politicians from the AFD have been called Nazis by representatives of the political mainstream.
7
What great advice Ms. Reker!! But what I want to know is, how did you ever get stabbed? Did you forget to keep your attacker at arm's length?
11
The mayor was probably not prepared to answer, but she should certainly apologise her comments and possibly resign. Unprepared comments are revealing about basic attitudes and this is appalling.
14
Actually, in a way she has apologized by clarifying her stance. And resigning would'nt solve the issue. It's the whole Cologne/German mindset towards crime commitetd by immigrants. Everyone here is on her toes when it comes to immigration, because you're called Nazi in no time.
Unfortunately, German Nazi fear, guilt feelings and self-hatred is in some way feeded by US culture, which is still riddled with Nazi prejudices towards Germany. Even Stephen Colbert, whom I watch regulary with great amusement, can't refrain from pulling cheap Nazi jokes. I know I should laugh with him, but the jokes are just too rough...
Honestly speaking: After 50 years of Anti-Nazi work in Germany, I think there are more Nazis left in the US than here.
Unfortunately, German Nazi fear, guilt feelings and self-hatred is in some way feeded by US culture, which is still riddled with Nazi prejudices towards Germany. Even Stephen Colbert, whom I watch regulary with great amusement, can't refrain from pulling cheap Nazi jokes. I know I should laugh with him, but the jokes are just too rough...
Honestly speaking: After 50 years of Anti-Nazi work in Germany, I think there are more Nazis left in the US than here.
3
Everyone should get off her toes and start thinking about what kind of country and Europe their grandchildren will live in. The only people who can stop this depredation of your culture is YOU and people like you. Your government and its leader and the news media will only get away with what you let them get away with it. Your history is difficult - so is that most countries. But Germany will not be a better country if its people allow this kind of sellout of a culture that also gave the world many wonderful things. It is up to you to save yourselves with protest and voting out Merkel in the spring. That is the only language that will be heard. If you fail, you can view this as just the beginning of a huge pandering to an ever larger demographic - there is a reason that the Saudis when Merkel asked them for help taking in migrants refused, but offered to build plenty of mosques in Germany for them.
It really is up to you.
It really is up to you.
10
This is sure to have an effect on tourism and I would think twice before visiting this city until this problem is corrected. This is really unfortunate and will hurt their bottom line -- tourist euros. I hope they change their liberal policy of accepting so many refugees from the Middle East countries until they stop these thugs from attacking and hurting these unsuspecting victims.
21
The media 's silence and direct cover up on this unconscionable issue will only further embolden the demographic that committed these violent physician hate crimes. If this ever happens to women in the US, there will be a revolution in the streets.
14
Here comes the "diversity" that liberals and leftists want to "strengthen" German culture. But isn't keeping these people at arms length a form of microaggresssion?
26
“It is always possible to keep a certain distance that is longer than an arm’s length,” Ms. Reker told reporters on Tuesday, January 5, 2016. Was she stabbed on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by a knife thrower? Ms. Reker stated that an activity is “always” possible. Keeping longer than arm’s length was not possible for her. It is not for all. If it is possible for others but not for her, she owes an explanation. Full disclosure, one not in attendance assumes without knowing, that her stabber held a knife or other stabbing tool at the business end of an arm and that she was within arm’s length when she was stabbed. If her attacker threw the weapon from beyond arm’s length, one’s view might require reconsideration. One does not have her telephone number or the telephone number of her attacker and cannot ask.
5
Keeping at arm's length is ridiculous and utterly useless advice, these women were attacked by gangs of men, the police themselves were blocked from getting to the women and girls by these gangs (I have been reading the German press and the emerging details are getting and worse about this horrific event). As terrible as these attacks were against women and girls, equally as concerning was the total lack of authority shown by police during these events. The men simply refused to comply with any police orders, they ripped up their residence papers in front of officers and laughed in their faces and they actively blocked officers from reaching the victims to help them. Basically the police did nothing and apparently couldn't call in backup as so many federal police officers have been diverted to Bavaria to help with border controls of incoming refugees. Police officers have stated afterwards how angry they are that this happened and how they feel hamstrung by general instructions to be very gentle in dealing with any refugees/migrants to the point that they can't they can't enforce law and protect German citizens. Something has to change. Cologne city officials have revealed that tourism in Cologne has been destroyed by this event, unsurprisingly hotels have been reporting mass cancellations. I have attended GamesCon every August for my company but this year I'm pretty nervous about it (I'm female and always attended unaccompanied previously).
41
We do not know if this really happened or if it was the same phenomena that happened here decades ago when day care centers were falsely accused of child abuse. There is, according to papers, a great deal of worry and anger over the refugees in Germany. Because no one could identify anyone, we have no information.
Between firecrackers exploding in public places and the drunkeness of New Years Eve , it must have been a chaotic mess.
Between firecrackers exploding in public places and the drunkeness of New Years Eve , it must have been a chaotic mess.
The female victims' testimony is "no information"? Are we back to believing that women lie about rape, in this case by the hundreds? Read the German papers...the police saw this happening and heard the cries for help from the women.
18
It actually sounded very comparable to mass rapes that were committed in Cairo a couple of years ago - wasn't reporter Lara Logan stripped of her clothing and raped and sexually assaulted in a huge crowd in a public square?
I don't know if anyone was identified and arrested in her case (as well as the many other cases of rape/assault in Cairo during that period) either, so should Europeans just ignore it for now?
Sorry, the techniques used (assaulting women in very crowded, public places in a mob) are the same so rational people will draw their own conclusion.
I don't know if anyone was identified and arrested in her case (as well as the many other cases of rape/assault in Cairo during that period) either, so should Europeans just ignore it for now?
Sorry, the techniques used (assaulting women in very crowded, public places in a mob) are the same so rational people will draw their own conclusion.
9
in this case police lie too, since some people try to push ignorance, everybody lie if it's not what they would like to hear
These are the first clearly visible fruits of the devastating policy of Merkel, which is unfortunately supported by millions of naive, self-degrading Germans. We are actively plotting our own demise. The muslim invaders see this as exactly the weakness that it is, and take full advantage.
Our police are just a joke for them because officers are not even allowed to beat or shoot them like the police in their home countries. The migrants clearly relish the opportunity to spit into the face of law enforcement, coming from chaotic and repressive countries of origin where they could never dare to act in this fashion.
Our police are just a joke for them because officers are not even allowed to beat or shoot them like the police in their home countries. The migrants clearly relish the opportunity to spit into the face of law enforcement, coming from chaotic and repressive countries of origin where they could never dare to act in this fashion.
27
Totally agree with your comment - especially the last sentence.
Also feel that this is likely a chance for these foreign men to basically put Western women in their place so to speak by terrorizing them with sexual violence. (Doesn't ISIS use sexual violence as well as a means of controlling women as well?)
Also feel that this is likely a chance for these foreign men to basically put Western women in their place so to speak by terrorizing them with sexual violence. (Doesn't ISIS use sexual violence as well as a means of controlling women as well?)
7
Police were present and could not stop a single attack?
Europe is not prepared for this new kind of perpetrator. The border patrols and immigrant reception centers were not prepared for the onslaught of immigrants over the summer, as they pushed over barriers and forcefully made their way to Germany.
And it seems no one is prepared for the pushy, disrepectful and criminal behavior of throngs of young immigrants when out on what is normally a celebratory evening. Keeping them at arm's length? What foolish advice. It is not possible, and, the men are in the wrong.
Which means, unfortunately, wherever groups of these new immigrants gather, and women are nearby, police must also be present and attentive. It seems the new arrivals have learned that use of sheer numbers and force will get them where they want to go.
Now, they must be outwitted and stopped. It's a sad commentary, in that what started as a logical and humanitarian outreach has opened a route to economic immigrants with no respect for law, women or the culture they evidently do not want to adopt.
Sexual touching without consent, theft and provoking chaos (by fireworks, in this case) are all illegal. Europeans do not have this mentality, which is probably why the police were ill-prepared for the New Year's Eve attacks.
But now that the immigrants' use of force and their criminal behavior is clear, more police must be deployed, and criminals expelled from Europe. Their egregious behavior is intolerable.
Europe is not prepared for this new kind of perpetrator. The border patrols and immigrant reception centers were not prepared for the onslaught of immigrants over the summer, as they pushed over barriers and forcefully made their way to Germany.
And it seems no one is prepared for the pushy, disrepectful and criminal behavior of throngs of young immigrants when out on what is normally a celebratory evening. Keeping them at arm's length? What foolish advice. It is not possible, and, the men are in the wrong.
Which means, unfortunately, wherever groups of these new immigrants gather, and women are nearby, police must also be present and attentive. It seems the new arrivals have learned that use of sheer numbers and force will get them where they want to go.
Now, they must be outwitted and stopped. It's a sad commentary, in that what started as a logical and humanitarian outreach has opened a route to economic immigrants with no respect for law, women or the culture they evidently do not want to adopt.
Sexual touching without consent, theft and provoking chaos (by fireworks, in this case) are all illegal. Europeans do not have this mentality, which is probably why the police were ill-prepared for the New Year's Eve attacks.
But now that the immigrants' use of force and their criminal behavior is clear, more police must be deployed, and criminals expelled from Europe. Their egregious behavior is intolerable.
54
Police were present and could not stop a single attack?
they could but were not allowed to arrest so called "refugies"
if same thing would happen with germans or white men. prisons would be packed.
they could but were not allowed to arrest so called "refugies"
if same thing would happen with germans or white men. prisons would be packed.
14
There is an interview w/ a bouncer from a 5 start hotel across the street from the Cologne Cathedral with subtitles. Look for it. He ended up on the street trying to protect people and banged quite a few heads. Had women asking to stand next to him, just to feel more protected. He and some other men did subdue and hold some of the perps for the police. Police ended up releasing many because all of the local jails were filled to the brim.
Remarkably, he said he's heard warnings for years and brushed them off as 'right wing' nut jobs...He now says, they were right, he was wrong. He also said he thought the PEGIDA movement was wrong...and now concedes they are right. He was shocked at what he saw. He also said the police were equally stunned and one remarked that it was like a Civil War on their doorstep.
Remarkably, he said he's heard warnings for years and brushed them off as 'right wing' nut jobs...He now says, they were right, he was wrong. He also said he thought the PEGIDA movement was wrong...and now concedes they are right. He was shocked at what he saw. He also said the police were equally stunned and one remarked that it was like a Civil War on their doorstep.
15
Thanks brrr...
SharonInDC said they did arrest a lot, but couldn't lock all of them up because the jails were full. I don't live in Germany, so am not clear about what you mean--that Germans and white men CAN be locked up, but immigrants CANNOT?? That is not logical.
SharonInDC said they did arrest a lot, but couldn't lock all of them up because the jails were full. I don't live in Germany, so am not clear about what you mean--that Germans and white men CAN be locked up, but immigrants CANNOT?? That is not logical.
6
This was so shocking and upsetting to read about. The mayor's remarks may have been intended to retroactively put some power back into the hands of the women, since it is terrifying to realize that in some situations there is nothing one can do. I want to know who organized this quantity of men and why.
When I was a teenager, I worked briefly with my father at the American Museum of Natural History, before there was a rule against nepotism, and on two occasions, I was attacked in two different places in the museum on my way out, before 5pm. I was attacked by a gang of pre-teen boys, at least five or six of them, and I was groped and fondled and sexually molested, within a span both times of no more than 60 seconds. There were no witnesses, there was nothing I could do about it, and I did not report it to anyone- I was embarrassed. Since I already knew not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and knew my way around, I can say with full certainty that at times one cannot do anything to defend oneself. This is a tough fact of life. Those men are obviously very ignorant and behaved like animals. But this brazen assault indicates something is very unbalanced, and education is too slow a process to deal with masses of people who come from a society that allows this behavior to occur.
When I was a teenager, I worked briefly with my father at the American Museum of Natural History, before there was a rule against nepotism, and on two occasions, I was attacked in two different places in the museum on my way out, before 5pm. I was attacked by a gang of pre-teen boys, at least five or six of them, and I was groped and fondled and sexually molested, within a span both times of no more than 60 seconds. There were no witnesses, there was nothing I could do about it, and I did not report it to anyone- I was embarrassed. Since I already knew not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and knew my way around, I can say with full certainty that at times one cannot do anything to defend oneself. This is a tough fact of life. Those men are obviously very ignorant and behaved like animals. But this brazen assault indicates something is very unbalanced, and education is too slow a process to deal with masses of people who come from a society that allows this behavior to occur.
13
As a woman of slight stature, I have been pushed around in crowds by such aggressive young men, guys who are either looking to bully you, sexually assault you, or rob you. I stand in solidarity with these women, and urge them not to back down or put up with the mayor's comments. If women in Cologne stop frequenting popular shopping or entertainment areas because of fear of assault, you can bet the city officials will change their tune. Local businesses will not want idle, horny, drunk, aggressive young men hanging around assaulting women.
30
Obama has the answer: disarm American women!
9
I'm pro gun control but these mass rapes are proof that the police simply cannot be there even in a public place to protect women. Very, very disturbing.
6
Just shows that women can be idiot sexists too. Unbelievable that she would make such a comment. As far as the perpetrators go, deport them all. Every single one of them, drop them in the middle of their war-torn birth countries. They have no interest in assimilating and their view of women and girls is repulsive. Merkel blew this one, big time.
22
arm's length will work fine...when there is a pistol in her hand
11
God created all men, but Samuel Colt made them equal
10
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany's newspaper of record, reports that Cologne police made 15 arrests on New Year's Eve. Of the 15, 14 were either Syrians or Afghans asylum seekers.
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/uebergriffe-in-koeln-eingesetz...
German and French speakers might also find this 2014 video by Der Spiegel interesting. Here, a French speaking "refugee" from North Africa explains how he is robbing people in Cologne. He bitterly complains about the food and shelter he is given, and explains that the 140 Euro he is receiving as pocket money is not enough to feed his family back home. Hence, he became a mobster robbing those German taxpayers who think that they are helping political refugees:
http://www.spiegel.de/video/erst-angetanzt-dann-abgezockt-trickbetrug-in...
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/uebergriffe-in-koeln-eingesetz...
German and French speakers might also find this 2014 video by Der Spiegel interesting. Here, a French speaking "refugee" from North Africa explains how he is robbing people in Cologne. He bitterly complains about the food and shelter he is given, and explains that the 140 Euro he is receiving as pocket money is not enough to feed his family back home. Hence, he became a mobster robbing those German taxpayers who think that they are helping political refugees:
http://www.spiegel.de/video/erst-angetanzt-dann-abgezockt-trickbetrug-in...
20
wow, can't you keep them at arms distance? Just hug them
3
Mayor Reker is obviously an idiot; trying to keep a crowd of molesting men at arm's length is hardly feasible. And what about her bizarre effort to blame women for the dangerous and unacceptable behavior of hordes of men? One hopes Mayor Reker will be removed from office in the next election; that in the meantime she will provide better policing and crowd control; and that Germany and the other EU nations will open their eyes to the danger, extraordinary cost and basic stupidity of admitting unvetted migrants/refugees in unprecedented numbers.
13
Germany, you reap what you sow . . . yet again!
10
Big Government cannot be trusted. Big Government does not care about The People, it cares only about getting bigger. if that means covering up (i.e., legalizing) mass sexual assaults by a favored victim group, so be it
9
How is this not another form of terrorism?
19
Women, arm yourselves.
10
First and foremost it's not the women's fault or problem that they became victims of sexual assault...it's the perpetrators problem and fault and this type of dangerous behavior must be dealt with swiftly and harshly before it leads to far worse crimes and emboldens the perpetrators to escalate their actions.
If the perpetrators are in fact new immigrants or war refugees then they should be immediately deported back to their original country and never be permitted back.
If the perpetrators are in fact citizens then they should be dealt with swiftly and harshly under German law.
This type of illegal, crude behavior can not and should not to tolerated and especially from visitors or new residents to a new country.
If the perpetrators are in fact new immigrants or war refugees then they should be immediately deported back to their original country and never be permitted back.
If the perpetrators are in fact citizens then they should be dealt with swiftly and harshly under German law.
This type of illegal, crude behavior can not and should not to tolerated and especially from visitors or new residents to a new country.
32
The discussion is more and more about, how to prevent those kind of situations from a police and security's perpective.
From my point of view, the discussion should rather be about the backround of the perpetrators and why the only had been recognized as Arabic men.
Believe me or not, but I would say, a normal German man would not participate on events like this. This indeed has to do with the culture and the education of those men. They are a danger for all people in Germany, no matter which skin color or religion they have. It is a threat we are facing, which cannot be handled only by more police. It needs to be solved by the legislative, not only be the executive.
The assoult took place all over Germany. Also in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Bielefeld and so on.
Always by Arabic men. This problem will never be solved by more police and behaiour rules for women.
From my point of view, the discussion should rather be about the backround of the perpetrators and why the only had been recognized as Arabic men.
Believe me or not, but I would say, a normal German man would not participate on events like this. This indeed has to do with the culture and the education of those men. They are a danger for all people in Germany, no matter which skin color or religion they have. It is a threat we are facing, which cannot be handled only by more police. It needs to be solved by the legislative, not only be the executive.
The assoult took place all over Germany. Also in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Bielefeld and so on.
Always by Arabic men. This problem will never be solved by more police and behaiour rules for women.
21
Sad to see a country commit suicide by immigration.
22
Countries, plural, committing suicide. Sweden, once so clean, prosperous, peaceful, coherent, and lovely, is done for. Britain, especially England, also failed to heed the warnings and has neighborhoods full of veiled women, Muslim hate preachers like Amjen Choudary, home grown jihadists, FGM, sharia councils that hand down uneven decisions to women; France, well, you can see what happened to them; Denmark's Jyllands-Posten after the Hebdo massacres caved in and said it wouldn't engage in such free speech about Islam any more - in a country where free speech is far more important than in other places; Switzerland has banned the building of minarets but Zurich and Geneva are full of Saudis in hijabs and niqabs . . .
And as the demographic grows, the politicians to get votes will increasingly pander to them and there will be increasingly less pressure to assimilate - especially as social media will allow migrants to relocate physically just for the money, but thanks to Skype and email and Facebook and Twitter, they can remain psychologically and emotionally still in the culture they left.
This was predicted for a long time - the ideologists drowned out the warnings.
And as the demographic grows, the politicians to get votes will increasingly pander to them and there will be increasingly less pressure to assimilate - especially as social media will allow migrants to relocate physically just for the money, but thanks to Skype and email and Facebook and Twitter, they can remain psychologically and emotionally still in the culture they left.
This was predicted for a long time - the ideologists drowned out the warnings.
4
Dear Ms. Eddy,
I am a lawyer and I miss in your article that in fact it were more than thousnd arabic men who were in Köln, attacking our women whole the Police was helpless. In the meantime - a week!- the speaker of our Police trade Union (who is appreciated as clever and nonpppulistic- revealed that there is no probability that any of the petpetrators will be convicted. There is to less poof of evidences. You can imagine, what this means to us woman.
Our Status of rights and the political attitude as well as that of our mass media gives us no Chance to defend our womens rights especially in the future, because all of them are embellishing our Situation with the refugees. If anyone of us speaks out the truth we are at once told to be xenophobe or Nazis. What in fact most of us are not, for instance I myself took care of a somalish girl and refugee for years and I teached refugees in German language long before it seemed so glamorous to welcome them. Our Police is embellishing the crimes of refugees because of political reasons and all or politicians are bound to that appeasement. Our Police is not allowed to act against the refugees as they ae against our own people. They are spit at and insulted. Our daily newpaper seems to take partially German names when describing crimes to avoid the impression of xenophobia. Not that much the refugees itselves, but the attitude of our politicans who are no able to deal with reality and problems of our real life.
I am a lawyer and I miss in your article that in fact it were more than thousnd arabic men who were in Köln, attacking our women whole the Police was helpless. In the meantime - a week!- the speaker of our Police trade Union (who is appreciated as clever and nonpppulistic- revealed that there is no probability that any of the petpetrators will be convicted. There is to less poof of evidences. You can imagine, what this means to us woman.
Our Status of rights and the political attitude as well as that of our mass media gives us no Chance to defend our womens rights especially in the future, because all of them are embellishing our Situation with the refugees. If anyone of us speaks out the truth we are at once told to be xenophobe or Nazis. What in fact most of us are not, for instance I myself took care of a somalish girl and refugee for years and I teached refugees in German language long before it seemed so glamorous to welcome them. Our Police is embellishing the crimes of refugees because of political reasons and all or politicians are bound to that appeasement. Our Police is not allowed to act against the refugees as they ae against our own people. They are spit at and insulted. Our daily newpaper seems to take partially German names when describing crimes to avoid the impression of xenophobia. Not that much the refugees itselves, but the attitude of our politicans who are no able to deal with reality and problems of our real life.
26
this is how you fix it, elect more ignorant mayors, and they will tell you how to keep this tugs at arm distance, or simply hug them, and do what you told or shut up
2
I am so very sorry. My ethnic and intellectual and literary roots are European, which I loved with all its imperfections; this is heartbreaking to me and I know to many others even from this far away. Your vote is your only hope.
3
Marine le Pen's Front Nationale fascist criminals and Pegida's Nazi terrorists are rubbing their hands with satisfaction, the ones who put up this horror.
2
Perhaps they recognized something you leftist fantasists refused to see because it didn't fit into your ideology. So far, Pegida hasn't cut off anyone's head: only the Saudis have. And no one in the FN has executed anyone, either. Nor has Donald Trump. Meanwhile, speaking of criminals, the UK despite all its protestations of a moral viewpoint, isn't about to rescind its 60bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia, is it? Perhaps you need some readjustment of your adjectives and nouns?
4
There were apparently at least hundreds of assailants, if not a thousand as has been reported in some places, and the police cannot find even one or two of them with a small measure of conscience to talk about what happened and how it was organized? That would seem to be a mighty powerful code of silence those thugs have in place.
13
In an article of today's Kölner Express (http://www.express.de/koeln/polizei-fuehrer-berichtet-meine-nacht-mit-de... a police group leader who was at the main train station on New Year's Eve reports of 15 temporary arrests. 14 of 15 arrested men where Syrians, 1 was from Afghanistan. All of them were asylum seekers having come only recently to Germany.
The lists with their personal data are now locked away and being conceiled.
Der Spiegel accounts of now more than 150 complaints only for Cologne, of which 3/4 were because of sexual assaults, and of 2 rapes.
There have been incidents like this in other cities as well. In Hamburg, there have been uptil now 53 complaints.
I've read about newspaper and social media reports from Frankfurt, Berlin (Warschauer Brücke and RAW-Gelände), Stuttgart, Bielefeld, and Marburg as well.
Why those 15 arrests were only temporary I can't tell. But I've seen a video of a doorkeeper of a 5-star-hotel opposite of the main train station who observed policemen waiting 1.5 hours in vain for a prisoner transport aside from the fact that all the custody/prison cells were full so that they finally had to release the ones already arrested because they had been called to help elsewhere (https://www.netzplanet.net/koeln-es-waren-buergerkriegsaehnliche-zustaen.... NYT should translate this video!
And I've found accounts in commentary sections that it was neither hundreds nor one thousand but thousands of men.
The lists with their personal data are now locked away and being conceiled.
Der Spiegel accounts of now more than 150 complaints only for Cologne, of which 3/4 were because of sexual assaults, and of 2 rapes.
There have been incidents like this in other cities as well. In Hamburg, there have been uptil now 53 complaints.
I've read about newspaper and social media reports from Frankfurt, Berlin (Warschauer Brücke and RAW-Gelände), Stuttgart, Bielefeld, and Marburg as well.
Why those 15 arrests were only temporary I can't tell. But I've seen a video of a doorkeeper of a 5-star-hotel opposite of the main train station who observed policemen waiting 1.5 hours in vain for a prisoner transport aside from the fact that all the custody/prison cells were full so that they finally had to release the ones already arrested because they had been called to help elsewhere (https://www.netzplanet.net/koeln-es-waren-buergerkriegsaehnliche-zustaen.... NYT should translate this video!
And I've found accounts in commentary sections that it was neither hundreds nor one thousand but thousands of men.
27
"several thousands":
http://www.epochtimes.de/politik/deutschland/erschuetternder-geheimberic...
"mostly Syrians, who had just entered the country":
http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article150735341/Die-meisten-ware...
http://www.epochtimes.de/politik/deutschland/erschuetternder-geheimberic...
"mostly Syrians, who had just entered the country":
http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article150735341/Die-meisten-ware...
16
The two links above won't work because of the brackets at the end, so here they are a second time:
http://www.express.de/koeln/polizei-fuehrer-berichtet-meine-nacht-mit-de...
https://www.netzplanet.net/koeln-es-waren-buergerkriegsaehnliche-zustaen...
http://www.express.de/koeln/polizei-fuehrer-berichtet-meine-nacht-mit-de...
https://www.netzplanet.net/koeln-es-waren-buergerkriegsaehnliche-zustaen...
9
Good God. I have been groped by strangers quite a few times in my life here in America. Once I was standing on the subway and some guy grabbed me before the doors opened and he fled. In college, it would happen many times at crowded parties when you couldn't tell who had done it as you passed by a group. It's ridiculous to blame a woman for being groped, and not teach men that they shouldn't be touching strange women against their will.
19
Were you ever groped by thousands of men speaking a foreign language who had entered your country strictly to take the taxpayers' money?
3
The biggest question that has been unanswered is why this story took several days to become public. Given Chancellor Merkel's stake in the immigrant issue, it raises the possibility (or at least leaves the impression) that the government hoped to avoid the controversy we now see unfolding.
Germans, who traditionally have adhered to the social contract, face a cultural influx they are unprepared for. Generally liberal attitudes toward other cultures and a mild and forgiving justice system will likely be the victims of this clash of values, and the European drift toward the right will be further emboldened.
Germans, who traditionally have adhered to the social contract, face a cultural influx they are unprepared for. Generally liberal attitudes toward other cultures and a mild and forgiving justice system will likely be the victims of this clash of values, and the European drift toward the right will be further emboldened.
19
I was under impression they are welcome in Germany, so they can do anything they want, ups my bad
2
German press did not report on this massive-scale attack for 5 days, because poor things were too preoccupied worrying about freedom of press in one of their soon-to-be-former colonies (Poland)... /sarcasm/.
5
Europe does not seem to comprehend it yet, but this is just one more indication of how far gone the continent is on the trajectory of its demise. The intended niceties of the West's political correctness will be no match for those acting on what they hold as the moral superiority bestowed on them by their beliefs.
23
I am a German police officer and can say, that is starting an all our bigger cities now. The politicians dont talk about the problem and the press will keep it tiny. Everyone who is speak out critics about immigrants especially
from the islamic areas will be entitled as a nazi and a racist. We got a kind of brainwashing from the press wich is controlled by the ruling parties.
Everyday I see the police reports only for my area relating to the refugee quarters, there are knifings and brawlings but the most, you cant read in the news because its not wanted...and the biggest problem is, the lawenforcement is not able to punish the perpetrators. The police only identify them and then they let them go away. Either the court decide to arrest the judgement or because of the immigrant background the offender gets a very low punishment.
from the islamic areas will be entitled as a nazi and a racist. We got a kind of brainwashing from the press wich is controlled by the ruling parties.
Everyday I see the police reports only for my area relating to the refugee quarters, there are knifings and brawlings but the most, you cant read in the news because its not wanted...and the biggest problem is, the lawenforcement is not able to punish the perpetrators. The police only identify them and then they let them go away. Either the court decide to arrest the judgement or because of the immigrant background the offender gets a very low punishment.
29
Germany doomed, so sorry, it was great country
10
"We got a kind of brainwashing from the press wich is controlled by the ruling parties."
The same attempt at brainwashing has been going on here, in these very pages for months, and in Sweden where any discussion of immigration is closed down, and in Britain for decades.
Why do the police not organize their own protest? Is there not strength in numbers?
The same attempt at brainwashing has been going on here, in these very pages for months, and in Sweden where any discussion of immigration is closed down, and in Britain for decades.
Why do the police not organize their own protest? Is there not strength in numbers?
3
The reporting in this story is not up to the caliber of the NYT. The reporter has a byline from another city. Why is she not in the city of the event? This is clearly not up to date, as more information is available on other sources such as the BBC. The article instead of focusing on the incident gives a tangential discourse on the history of sexual discrimination in Germany; which is hardly a pressing issue as compared to a mob committing crimes. The reporter goes to great lengths to not confirm the racial make-up of the attackers. Could she not have gone to great length to interview refugees in the Cologne area to find information on what they say happened? Or direct interviews with the victims to hear their accounts? The reporter emphasizes the idea that it is somehow a difficult crime to investigate and prosecute. Really? Hundreds of individuals are involved and none can be found. It is possible that the phones and wallets that were stolen could be traced and perpetrators easily arrested. This is not a decomposing body found in a lake, it is a typical street crime that cops everywhere are used to investigating.
10
it's copy-paste report, thats why
1
The New York Times now practices narrative journalism. This doesn't really fit into the narrative. So.
6
If 80% of incoming refugees were women, I seriously doubt this situation would occur. The real question is why are 80% of the refugees men? Where are the women? Left behind? Dead? Selectively rejected by the host countries? I strongly recommend to all German women that they show their protest by staging a mass "Arm away day", by creating a hat or backpack that has plastic arms sticking out of it, while still enabling them to have free hands. If it is that easy to maintain arm's length distance, let's see the men navigate this.
10
Strange that there seems to be no surveillance camera footage from which to identify these men.
If this really was an assault by men of a specific foreign ethnic group, then for the sake of German women, the ethnic group needs to be looked into to see if (what) something is wrong with it. The individuals involved need to lose their European residency.
If this really was an assault by men of a specific foreign ethnic group, then for the sake of German women, the ethnic group needs to be looked into to see if (what) something is wrong with it. The individuals involved need to lose their European residency.
10
There is nothing wrong with warning women to be careful, while the situation is not resolved. Nobody said this is the new normal, nobody is blaming the victim. It is like being angry at the police department for recommending to stay inside when there are riots in your street, because people should be allowed to walk the streets.
The German government is doing everything it can to cover up the debacle of letting in these immigrants. Merkel's idea that they will assimilate is laughable. All she has to do is look at other countries to see that they never assimilate. They impose their culture on the host country. The women of Germany should not be asked to change their behavior to protect themselves against predator immigrants.
18
'...the city authorities would provide guidelines for young women who find themselves surrounded by aggressive men trying to grope them.'
How about providing guidelines for young men telling them not to target and assault young women? How about training these young men in respect for women and how to live in an enlightened society? Put the focus on the perpetrators, not the victims.
It is sad to read this because one of the things I loved about living in Germany was the safety of the streets. In any city I lived in or visited - Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg or Munich - it was possible for me as a woman to walk where I needed to at night and use public transport without ever facing sexual harassment. Occasional events would happen but on the whole Germany was a very safe country for women in public. It is sad to hear that this might be changing and all because politicians and the police are too gutless to stand up to gangs of thugs.
How about providing guidelines for young men telling them not to target and assault young women? How about training these young men in respect for women and how to live in an enlightened society? Put the focus on the perpetrators, not the victims.
It is sad to read this because one of the things I loved about living in Germany was the safety of the streets. In any city I lived in or visited - Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg or Munich - it was possible for me as a woman to walk where I needed to at night and use public transport without ever facing sexual harassment. Occasional events would happen but on the whole Germany was a very safe country for women in public. It is sad to hear that this might be changing and all because politicians and the police are too gutless to stand up to gangs of thugs.
14
Guidelines for men about not committing violent physical crime against women? Sure that will work. They just hadn't really thought about whether it might be illegal as well as immoral. Yeah right.
4
My point is that the blame and responsibility should be on the shoulders of the perpetrators, not the victims.
4
We have a proverb in local patios here:"Et het noch emmer jot jejange", which losely translates to "Why worry, everything will turn out all right!" This is the bright side of the local urban culture, which is openmindend and willing to party at the slightest occasion.
The dark side is that Cologne government is notoriously underperforming. Moreover, Cologne is by far the most corrupt metropolis in Germany. Police has had a tendency to look in the other direction for decades.
Given all this, I need to come to Ms. Rekers defence. Even though she is a part of the problem, her 'arm's lenght' advice has been misinterpreted. Ms. Reker was caught off guard when harsh questions from the media arose. She just wanted to give practical advice and used an unclear wording. Rest assured that she is as true a feminist as any other liberal politician in Germany.
The dark side is that Cologne government is notoriously underperforming. Moreover, Cologne is by far the most corrupt metropolis in Germany. Police has had a tendency to look in the other direction for decades.
Given all this, I need to come to Ms. Rekers defence. Even though she is a part of the problem, her 'arm's lenght' advice has been misinterpreted. Ms. Reker was caught off guard when harsh questions from the media arose. She just wanted to give practical advice and used an unclear wording. Rest assured that she is as true a feminist as any other liberal politician in Germany.
6
Beyond her own words, one does not know the character of Ms. Reker’s qualities “as true a feminist as any other liberal politician in Germany.” One does appreciate exigencies of translating and expressing words when answering pointed questions. It is our loss that Herr Sonius, having translated a proverb, did not fairly translate what Ms. Reker said about “arm’s length” so readers might be informed how she was “misinterpreted.”
1
If she sounds out squads of officers to round up these rapists and ejects them from the city, then you're correct. Otherwise....she's a phony.
7
Would that be the same liberal politicians whose true feminism led them to import one million migrants from a culture noted for its misogyny, homophobia, and anti-Semitism, stick the German taxpayer with the astronomical bill for the services those migrants will require for years, and ignore the clear evidence that the voters did not want this? Perhaps the definition of liberal is different in German?
4
Another out of touch liberal politician. The thing even the liberal press are learning to understand is that immigrants from the middle east and north Africa bring their prejudices with them, and if enough of them immigrate to your country ... they will change the way you live. So, if you don't like your country the way it is ... bring on the immigrants!
10
these attacks will be used as fresh ammo for islamophobes like Bill Maher, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins etc
2
Whomever committed these mass violent crimes should be held accountable. If it was 1000 white men, so be it. Or 1000 Arab men, so be it. No criminal should be protected because we feel the need to not shame them. Shocking that any Western male would say otherwise.
11
Is what she said really outrageous? Impractical and foolish, yes, since most attacks were committed in crowded situations. But outrageous? No.
she was pressed to say something but didn't want to say truth, because it's her fault, she brought that gang into city.
6
Her statement is quite newsworthy. It's a striking example of an administrative class that allowed this situation to occur, out of craven self-interest, and then demonstrated that it has no idea how to deal with it.
7
Respecting women at all times is a fundamental value in the West. Germany, like the rest of the West, is not perfect but that core value is central to Western culture. Every man entering Germany and anywhere else in Europe has to abide by Western values, which is to say, European values. Women have the right, in Western cultures, to not be disrespected, abused, sexually assaulted in any way, and not to be raped. Period. Western governments have the duty to protect women on the street, in any situation on the street. The gutless, lame response of the mayor of Cologne to the mass street assaults on women, which included sexual assaults, is profoundly wrong. Playing "let's pretend" . . . .. let's pretend that if we don't blame the perpetrators, this will all go away, is bizarre in the extreme and does nothing to help women in Cologne, or women anywhere else in similar situations.
26
" Every man entering Germany and anywhere else in Europe has to abide by Western values.." Oh come now! What about multiculturalism and the right to one's own identity?
Such blasphemy - and in the Times, yet!
Such blasphemy - and in the Times, yet!
1
An inappropriate "length", from someone whom was stabbed, to suggest that women need only to keep an arms length away, to avoid being assaulted, is what I gathered from the newspapers....an arms length is also within a swift kick to the groin! Maybe that's what she should have added.....(the best defense is a good offense)! CAIO....OUCH!!
4
If you are female and not dressed head to foot in black, or out at night, or driving a car, or doing anything a Middle Eastern male thinks a woman should not be doing you will be a target, no matter what you do to keep the Middle Eastern male at arms length. The Islamists do not respect women and will commit rape at the slightest idea of provocation, ie, not dressing head to toe in black.
13
I would like to see more coverage on this story. What progress are police making with camera footage? I read in a European paper that Germany can't deport unless the crime is murder, is this really true? If so, Germany should consider beefing up deportation laws to include sexual assault.
15
Why haven't we heard a peep from the EU or UN commissions on human rights? Isn't it a fundamental human right that women not be sexually assaulted?
9
Is this mayor clueless? These women were chased down, surrounded and sexually assaulted by groups of "young men" who, for reasons we can endlessly speculate about, have no respect for women. (Hint: which religion treats women like cattle?) The mayor goes on to blame the women. That they somehow didn't do enough to stop their own rape.?.
I have little wonder how a sneaky-pete would have changed that equation.
I have little wonder how a sneaky-pete would have changed that equation.
11
What would men from "conservative societies" think it's right to grope women? That line makes no sense.
2
Refugees: I apologize for the speech of my countrymen.
Best for the women of Germany is the resignation of Chancellor Merkel and close the borders to any more refugees. Sfter the murder in Paris and the Muslim attacks in Cologne, Munich and Hamburg this should be the last straw for ending German hospitality and send these single men under the age of 30 back to defend their country against ISIS
13
Germany is paying the price for replacing their former WWII barbarism with their offsetting stupidity of today. Germany needs to find a happy middle ground between conquering and killing vs. being conquered and killed. I recommend none of the above.
12
If this is how these men act when they are guests in someone else's "home," god forbid how they'll act when they believe it is their homeland.
14
As usual, papers says that perpetrators has “North African or Arabic appearance" but "authorities have offered no concrete evidence". Racism is alive and well in Germany.
1
Read my the German press. Today's Der Spiegel contains quotes from the Köln police reports about those the police apprehended.
8
In no way has the mayor blamed the victims. Instead, she was first to face the public and ask for stringent and harsh punishment. Admittedly, her arm's-length proposal is not practible in agitated crowns. However, I find it highly cynical if advice to avoid injury or damage is interpreted as an assignment of guilt.
2
Ms Reker is some of that special kind of stupid we hear about.
1
I think the Cologne mayor should be let off the hook on this one as I do not believe there is any substantive response that could be made to the question, "How can women protect themselves?"
The possible responses are (1) a platitudinous non-answer, (2) evasion, or (3) a practical suggestion. The mayor chose the third kind. Clearly, politically, this was the wrong choice. What would YOU have said?
It was inappropriate for the NYTimes to omit the context of the mayor's remarks: she was responding to a question on the spot, not delivering a considered and deliberate piece of advice.
The possible responses are (1) a platitudinous non-answer, (2) evasion, or (3) a practical suggestion. The mayor chose the third kind. Clearly, politically, this was the wrong choice. What would YOU have said?
It was inappropriate for the NYTimes to omit the context of the mayor's remarks: she was responding to a question on the spot, not delivering a considered and deliberate piece of advice.
1
The majority of these you single men are respectful, to Muslim women or Muslimah, as they are sometimes known, but all other non Muslims women are fair game. All one needs to do, is go to Bangkok or any city with a large red light district, and watch these men in action. They bring their families and put them up in housing and then go out to the red light district or bath houses, where any thing goes, while their wives sit home with the kids. What these young men need to learn is that when you are a guest in someone else's country you need to treat their people better than you would treat your own....
7
My heart goes out to the victims of these crimes. It will be a very long time, indeed, before any of them feels safe in a crowd again - or in public at all for some.
Yes, the attackers may have been immigrants; however, having had friends who experienced the same thing in France and Italy decades ago, it could also have been native males. It is the age and sex of the attackers that are the most salient, not their native land.
Yes, the attackers may have been immigrants; however, having had friends who experienced the same thing in France and Italy decades ago, it could also have been native males. It is the age and sex of the attackers that are the most salient, not their native land.
7
German natives? No way, it's not part of their culture at all to even "invade" someone's space. Gimme a break.
6
But the attackers of your friends in France decades ago were almost certainly North African or eastern European immigrants.
3
Let's be honest. the Western World is in deep trouble. We only have ourselves to blame for putting up with mediocre people in government, from the top to the bottom.
10
Here is my view from an Indian point of view.
Better than sex is a smile. Better than a smile is love. And better than love is when you do something which improves someone else's life. Groping is pointless because what can you possibly gain?
In the movie Vanaja which is a master's thesis at Columbia university, but filmed in India, a pregnant elephant blesses a pregnant woman. But why does the elephant have this magical power? Because she is kind, she is female and she carries life inside herself, just as the woman does.
The West does not understand such things. Perhaps the French might, but surely not Americans.
I find it hard to believe that love does not exist between Muslim men and women. But there are bad eggs, and alas, in these days of assault weapons and powerful explosives, the bad eggs can be REALLY dangerous.
Better than sex is a smile. Better than a smile is love. And better than love is when you do something which improves someone else's life. Groping is pointless because what can you possibly gain?
In the movie Vanaja which is a master's thesis at Columbia university, but filmed in India, a pregnant elephant blesses a pregnant woman. But why does the elephant have this magical power? Because she is kind, she is female and she carries life inside herself, just as the woman does.
The West does not understand such things. Perhaps the French might, but surely not Americans.
I find it hard to believe that love does not exist between Muslim men and women. But there are bad eggs, and alas, in these days of assault weapons and powerful explosives, the bad eggs can be REALLY dangerous.
3
If it's so easy to keep criminals at arm's length, I wonder how she allowed herself to be stabbed.
10
great comment
1
It appears this world has gone completely insane.
6
"...integrating men from more conservative societies..." How about using the correct adjective, primitive societies where women are treated as property of men. In Germany's attempt to open up to economic migrants they have forgotten to take care of the rights of half of their existing population. How could the government not see this coming? This should be a wake up call for all women in the western world. We do not need to be taken into the dark ages by ignorant men who are alone in a country without anyone but other ignorant men. Women will always be victimized in this situation.
17
At some point the world will have to call the left on their incredible, transparent hypocrisy. In what other context would the burden be placed on female victims of sexual assaults to prevent such attacks.
10
I believe this is how a certain segment of the European elite views the world. The are ashamed of their constituents, their country's history, religion and culture. They view the incoming Muslims as "noble savages" who will save Europe and that is why so many European leaders are eager to receive these refugees and how cold they are to the consequences for their people. In parts of Norway, the police have given up protecting Norwegians; the media never publishes negative news about their new residents. Same in Sweden (even worse there) where Jew are asked to stay away from the annual Kristallnacht commemoration, and in Holland where that commemoration is used to attack Israel as the new Nazis. The French generally do not regard Jews as French. In 1980 a French synagogue was bombed by a Lebanese Muslim. The Prime Minister, Barre, said of the attack, " "This odious bombing wanted to strike Jews who were going to the synagogue and it hit innocent French people who crossed the Copernic street", which tells you what you need to know about France and its Jews. It's worse in Germany, where nearly constant attacks on Jews goes on but....silence. It seems the European elite are quite happy to see the Jews there replaced by Muslims. I'm not so sure the average person is, however.
10
It's always the women's fault, isn't it?
How despicable!
How despicable!
10
A woman ahead of her time. Now if she just suggests all German citizens wear head to toe bullet and knife proof clothing she will have made all the towns people close to safe. Warm in summer but close to safe.
6
she needs to be a president, she is great leader ;) -not
The award for the most politically correct comment goes to the mayor of Cologne, who advised women "to keep men at arm length" in order to avoid getting raped ….
Europe has now completely imprisoned itself into a Stockholm Syndrome of political correctness.
How long until Christmas and New Years Eve celebrations are cancelled due to violence by a certain minority?
There will be consequences for attempting to bury free speech ….. at the next elections far right parties may well sweep the field in several European countries including Germany and France.
That’s quite a price to pay for maintaining blind political correctness.
Europe has now completely imprisoned itself into a Stockholm Syndrome of political correctness.
How long until Christmas and New Years Eve celebrations are cancelled due to violence by a certain minority?
There will be consequences for attempting to bury free speech ….. at the next elections far right parties may well sweep the field in several European countries including Germany and France.
That’s quite a price to pay for maintaining blind political correctness.
17
Political stupidity - to be correct
5
That mayor must be a republican.
Based on what exactly?
4
I have 2 somewhat contradictory points of view. First, making pronouncements of outrage seems premature when no one who wasn’t there even knows what actually happened. And, even the memories of those who were there are suspect, especially after they have heard and read all the memes floating around.
This event, in many ways, reminds me of the hysteria that has swept societies from the Salem Witch Trials to the McMartin Preschool Sex Abuse scandals. Combined with the mass of refugees from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan that have flooded Europe over the past year, the emergence of faceless, young male marauding Muslim monsters assaulting some country’s women is not unexpected. I’m not dismissing the New Year’s Cologne assaults. In fact, it plays right into my view of much of Islamic culture’s failings.
Which brings me to my second point. Islamic culture has medieval beliefs that are in direct conflict with those held by modern western liberal democracies. Period. The perpetrators should be deposited back into the war zones from whence they came.
This event, in many ways, reminds me of the hysteria that has swept societies from the Salem Witch Trials to the McMartin Preschool Sex Abuse scandals. Combined with the mass of refugees from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan that have flooded Europe over the past year, the emergence of faceless, young male marauding Muslim monsters assaulting some country’s women is not unexpected. I’m not dismissing the New Year’s Cologne assaults. In fact, it plays right into my view of much of Islamic culture’s failings.
Which brings me to my second point. Islamic culture has medieval beliefs that are in direct conflict with those held by modern western liberal democracies. Period. The perpetrators should be deposited back into the war zones from whence they came.
2
Do you have a daughter, Frau Reker? A niece, perhaps? A beloved friend who happens to be female?
Do you live in a segregated area that such acts are unimaginable to you?
Most people want to protect those they love.
Letting masses from barbaric nations into Europe is a disaster that needs to be stopped. Hopefully your lack of thoughtfulness and vision will help persuade the Germans who have been massaged by the media about the beauty of multi-kulti world.
And no, Germans not willing to accept this should not move out of Germany. It is people like you, forcing this culture on Europe, that should move out and perhaps head to the Middle East!!
Do you live in a segregated area that such acts are unimaginable to you?
Most people want to protect those they love.
Letting masses from barbaric nations into Europe is a disaster that needs to be stopped. Hopefully your lack of thoughtfulness and vision will help persuade the Germans who have been massaged by the media about the beauty of multi-kulti world.
And no, Germans not willing to accept this should not move out of Germany. It is people like you, forcing this culture on Europe, that should move out and perhaps head to the Middle East!!
9
Reker does refugees she claim to care about a great disservice by failing to treating criminal behavior as just that. Now the implication is all refugees, all Syrians, or all Muslims are on-board with robbery and sexual assault.
I'm not an expert on Islam or Middle Eastern culture (not like some many NYT readers appear to be), but I have met a few Muslims. I certainly have not gotten the impression that this kind of behavior is acceptable to them. But obviously I met only a few of them, and I do not assume (unlike many here) that all Muslims or all people of Middle Eastern extraction are the same. Maybe there are others that are real jerks.
I'm absolutely prepared to believe there are criminals among Middle-Eastern Muslims, as there are criminals within any group. But I would like more facts about the Cologne assailants before condemning every single Muslim or every single refugee.
I'm not an expert on Islam or Middle Eastern culture (not like some many NYT readers appear to be), but I have met a few Muslims. I certainly have not gotten the impression that this kind of behavior is acceptable to them. But obviously I met only a few of them, and I do not assume (unlike many here) that all Muslims or all people of Middle Eastern extraction are the same. Maybe there are others that are real jerks.
I'm absolutely prepared to believe there are criminals among Middle-Eastern Muslims, as there are criminals within any group. But I would like more facts about the Cologne assailants before condemning every single Muslim or every single refugee.
2
Women have been sexually assaulted in the refugee camps. Husbands have forced their wives to sleep with coyotes in return for passage to Europe. Arab men are repressed and I remember clearly how a female American reporter was raped in Egypt while covering the Arab Spring, in Tahrir Square. No country can take an influx of nearly a million refugees, especially young men, who now have to find gainful employment and education, without suffering the consequences. Apparently some of these young men are looking for trouble. During the Arab Spring, Egyptian women who felt excluded at the political table complained that they were sexually assaulted and groped too. Some of the female protesters who were arrested complained about the police who also sexually assaulted them. Arab countries are still primitive when it comes to women's rights and women are blamed for complaining about sexual assaults. Men act with impunity in crowds where bestial behavior toward women can occur as group fun. Crime for fun is no way to endear yourself to your host country. The acts of a few could turn Germany, in unison, against the refugees and Merkel's policies. If Arab men are indulging in this sort of behavior, they don't sound like folks who escaped a humanitarian catastrophe. They sound like predators on the prowl. As for keeping these men at arms length, that is really telling Germans to stay away from Arabs--a recipe for disaster.
18
You may be the only one who has interpreted the 'arms length' metaphor of the Mayor of Cologne correctly. That is precisely what she meant to convey. Stay away from the foreigners. That that leads to segregation is clear, where it leads is also clear, one only has to look across the border to France where the same groups are sequestered in ghettos, which are the breeding ground for the violence France has to deal with. France is simple a few years ahead of Germany, which will have to deal with the same outcome.
18
Great comment. I agree.
Henriette Reker's remarks contradict Germany's image abroad as a modern democracy. Women should be able to move freely, without worrying about being attacked or harassed.
It looks as though the attacks in Hamburg and Cologne had been well organised. But by whom?
In Hamburg attacks were reported in the "Reeperbahn red-light district." In Cologne, the area around the train-station and the Cathedral is a well-known danger zone when it comes to pickpockets and theft. Thousands of people gather there for the New Year celebrations, and in recent years the police have been grappling with the combination of crowds, alcohol and fireworks. No doubt the planner of these organised attacks exploited the shortcomings. But who are they?
It looks as though the attacks in Hamburg and Cologne had been well organised. But by whom?
In Hamburg attacks were reported in the "Reeperbahn red-light district." In Cologne, the area around the train-station and the Cathedral is a well-known danger zone when it comes to pickpockets and theft. Thousands of people gather there for the New Year celebrations, and in recent years the police have been grappling with the combination of crowds, alcohol and fireworks. No doubt the planner of these organised attacks exploited the shortcomings. But who are they?
11
Quite telling that when British papers like The Guardian finally acknowledge such atrocities after using their power to promote unthinking immigration, it prevents any ability to comment unlike their American counterparts.
30
Agreed. I made a reference to this event in a comment on a related article in the Guardian and it was promptly removed by moderators, first time ever this has happened to me. Trust me my comment was reasonable and in no way offensive, just referencing the events in Cologne was apparently enough to get it removed...
3
As a first-generation American, I have empathy for the refugees fleeing their homelands. But not biting the hand that feeds you is a sentiment that is understood worldwide, regardless of culture. Assuming that the attackers were migrants--and I have no reason not to think this based on all the reports I have read about this incident--Cologne's people and all Germans have the right to be outraged... and be allowed to deliver swift justice to these predators.
35
They should be deported.
7
As these predatorsa appeared in hordes, it will be impossible to identify and arrest any single one of them. If about one hundred hands are touching you, while you are struggling to get away, you can hardly identify any single attacker.
10
Unfortunately, it is just a matter of time before this 'swift justice' is administered en-masse. Even to the innocent.
Merkel may have been able, initially, to persuade the German People with their general 'hair shirt' mentality to welcome these migrants. However, once the euphoria had worn off and they begin to see the reality, their attitude has change diametrically.
Anyone that believed that Merkel behaved out of her proclaimed sense of humanity needs a reality check. She simply miscalculated the numbers that arrived and the resultant effect. The German population is in decline due to the lack of birthrate. Merkel saw a supposed opportunity to not only rectify that problem but also to conform to the wishes of the EU oligarchs to flood Europe with a cheap, homogeneous labour force in preparation for the desired single State. The whole sorry mess is due only to a case of Social Engineering that has gone drastically wrong.
Merkel may have been able, initially, to persuade the German People with their general 'hair shirt' mentality to welcome these migrants. However, once the euphoria had worn off and they begin to see the reality, their attitude has change diametrically.
Anyone that believed that Merkel behaved out of her proclaimed sense of humanity needs a reality check. She simply miscalculated the numbers that arrived and the resultant effect. The German population is in decline due to the lack of birthrate. Merkel saw a supposed opportunity to not only rectify that problem but also to conform to the wishes of the EU oligarchs to flood Europe with a cheap, homogeneous labour force in preparation for the desired single State. The whole sorry mess is due only to a case of Social Engineering that has gone drastically wrong.
7
Either these attacks were coordinated in advance (social media evidence, perhaps?) or the native cultures of these men encourage such opportunistic depravities when in crowds. Either way, there's a clear moral imperative: No men with such attitudes should ever be welcomed into Europe, and CCTV footage should be scoured to find these particular criminals and deport them instantly. The freedom of women is the lynchpin of the West's prosperity and health, and I for one will never, ever give it up.
36
It is hard to identify dark faces in the dark. The system becomes overwhelmed and justice is never done. Many native people are harmed. Mass deportation and border security are the only answers.
8
In Madrid, in broad daylight, two North African men threw small coins at my feet and started working their hands up my legs, presumably about to reach for my wallet. They withdrew when I kicked at them, and I lost nothing. The police shrugged, however, when I reported it. But now, with surveillance video cameras everywhere, I am surprised that the police cannot identify at least a few of the perpetrators. Why are the German police still shrugging?
38
There are none so blind as those that WILL not see. To prosecute would offend Government policy.
8
The "arm's lenght" code is not the only outrageous statement by German politicians; Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia, said: "What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women". So, a massive sexual assault on dozens of women is not worse than a few tweets and facebook posts? There won't be an appropriate response if top politicians play down the scale and seriousness of Cologne incidents. As for Ms. Reker, I was familiar with male, reactionary political and religious leaders telling women, instead of men, to behave; with Ms. Reker, a female moderate politician, we reached a new level where one statement manages to combine victim patronising and xenophobia.
37
That old adage is true: nothing unites like the specter of a common enemy. Looking in this thread, it seems feminists, social conservatives, secularists, isolationists, pro-gun conceal-carry advocates, and anti-immigration conservatives are all on the same side.
6
What is happening in Europe is definitely not "the specter of a common enemy" -- it is a fact. We can all accept the reality of the dangers coming in with unregulated immigration, or pretend that what we see is not what we see. This borrowed quote might be a useful thing to remember: "Conservatives conform their thinking to reality. Liberals and progressives hope they can conform reality to their thinking."
6
In the German news today;
1) Merkel rejects limits on refugee intake for 2016 at CSU meeting in Bavaria today and
2) the reason there were not enough police in Cologne is because many Federal Officers had been deployed down to Bavaria - to deal with.....you guessed it....the refugees.
I hope there is an escape hatch for the German people.
1) Merkel rejects limits on refugee intake for 2016 at CSU meeting in Bavaria today and
2) the reason there were not enough police in Cologne is because many Federal Officers had been deployed down to Bavaria - to deal with.....you guessed it....the refugees.
I hope there is an escape hatch for the German people.
55
"I hope there is an escape hatch for the German people."
There is; but it will not be pretty.
There is; but it will not be pretty.
6
"I hope there is an escape hatch for the German people." Germans will become refugees from Germany
5
Maybe, it's time to toss the preference system from the Kennedy sponsored 1965 Immigration Act, which encouraged immigration from third world nations and curtailed immigration from Western nations.
At least fleeing Europeans would have a place to go, as their home nations, facilitated by idiotic or ideologue politicians, turn their nations into extensions of the 57 Islamic States.
What we are witnessing with this 'fundamental transformation' is the murder of Western Civilization. In the US, the 'progressive' left has aligned, incredibly, with multi-national corporations, anti-American/anti-Western Civ academics, big NGO founders/donors such as 'Open Society' Soros, and Wahabbist/Salafist Nations intent on exporting their Sharia-based ideology. They buy compliant UniParty politicians to execute their plans, which put the interests of the citizenry and USA at the bottom of the priority list. It's a disaster. Vote wisely, my friends.
At least fleeing Europeans would have a place to go, as their home nations, facilitated by idiotic or ideologue politicians, turn their nations into extensions of the 57 Islamic States.
What we are witnessing with this 'fundamental transformation' is the murder of Western Civilization. In the US, the 'progressive' left has aligned, incredibly, with multi-national corporations, anti-American/anti-Western Civ academics, big NGO founders/donors such as 'Open Society' Soros, and Wahabbist/Salafist Nations intent on exporting their Sharia-based ideology. They buy compliant UniParty politicians to execute their plans, which put the interests of the citizenry and USA at the bottom of the priority list. It's a disaster. Vote wisely, my friends.
4
Cologne and Hamburg. Germany now has a new New Years Eve custom, introduced by the massive import of a cultural phenomenon we are used to reading about as occurring in places like Tahrir Sq., not Europe.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/05/egypt-women-rape-sexual-ass...
Marvelous cultural import.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/05/egypt-women-rape-sexual-ass...
Marvelous cultural import.
28
Except that where is the culture in all this?
This sort of thing doesn't happen where people have the Constitutional right to protect themselves with appropriate weapons.
8
The number of sexual assaults that happen in the U.S every year beg to differ.
16
Women don't arm themselves as we should.
2
Pure fantasy.
2
The mayor should apologize. I'm sure she is trying to avoid a backlash against immigrants, but that's the wrong way. i'm glad I don't live in Europe. Hopefully, many immigrants will go back home.
19
she does not want to admit that it's her fault, the fix here is impeachment
1
During WW II, Rosie the riveters on the assembly lines complained of sexual harassment from their male colleagues. It was very stressful to them and it made it difficult for them to do their jobs accurately and precisely. It was a matter of life and death to the initial test pilots and the pilots at war that these planes were in perfect condition. FDR understood this. He laid down the law: men who were harassing women and making it hard for them to do,their jobs were a danger to the war effort and he made it clear to them that they could go back to the Unemployment lines and the soup kitchens if they did not stop. Coming out of the Great Depression, these men well understood what a gift they had with a great job and very good pay. The harassmrnt stopped. Perhaps if these Immigrants were told that they would be sent back to their countries of origin where their safety, their food sources, employment opportunities and medical needs may not be met, then perhaps they too will understand that harassing and groping European women who look 'available' just isnt worth it. Just maybe.
32
Well, it's always the same isn't it? She must have been doing something to make this happen to her. It's called blame the victim and it is frequently used when the victim is female.
26
So let me get this straight. The police in Cologne have been observing known gangs of muggers for months, but never arrest them and cannot even tell us their nationalities or origins. The thieves harass and grope their victims while stealing their stuff, but the police don't consider this sexual assault because the "real" purpose is theft. And it is only the huge scale of the New Year's eve attacks that may prevent them from ignoring the problem this time. Or they may continue to shrug their shoulders and say they can't find any of the perpetrators. And they promise there is no way that any asylum seekers were involved because... they don't want do deal with that possibility either. Wouldn't want to visit this city!
52
It is a known fact that the German government, including the police, have been very actively and intentionally suppressing the facts about immigrant crime in order to prevent a public backlash against their agenda. They have been intentionally keeping the public in the dark. The German media does not cover the enormous amount of crime being committed by immigrants, including "refugees", against Germans. The situation is completely lawless and intolerable. The German government has itself become a criminal entity. It must be stopped--overthrown if need be.
4
I used to travel to Europe a lot. Your last sentence speaks for me! I wouldn't visit that city, either!
I cry for the loss of the Europe I saw in past years, which I still love, and at least it is still in my dream!
I cry for the loss of the Europe I saw in past years, which I still love, and at least it is still in my dream!
8
The apologists for the behaviour of immigrants is endemic and will never be cured until we rid ourselves of the liberal chatteratti. They live in their ivory towers far away from the mayhem experienced on the streets by ordinary, law abiding citizens.
Romanians for example; even before their being allowed to join in the general movement across borders amounted to a little over 100,000 in Britain yet 62% of those already here had been arrested at least once and it is known that Romanians account for over 90% of all ATM crime in Britain. There are no statistics for the numbers that roam the streets of the Cities in pick-pocketing gangs.
Romanians for example; even before their being allowed to join in the general movement across borders amounted to a little over 100,000 in Britain yet 62% of those already here had been arrested at least once and it is known that Romanians account for over 90% of all ATM crime in Britain. There are no statistics for the numbers that roam the streets of the Cities in pick-pocketing gangs.
9
Wait: I thought the real "rape culture" was in Western countries such as the UK, US and Canada, hence the need to teach men there about consent, and all that stuff.
Surely Muslim immigrants are more respectful of women. Western born men are the real rapists. Muslim men are innocent, law abiding folks. There, I've said it.
Surely Muslim immigrants are more respectful of women. Western born men are the real rapists. Muslim men are innocent, law abiding folks. There, I've said it.
16
Yes, indeed, and we must all agree and declare that the Emperor's new clothes are breathtakingly beautiful!
6
Are you serious?
1
I think you right, women need to stay home and close blinds, and everything will be fine, by the way, keep boys at home too because they will get beat up at streets, this is new way of life in Europe. :(
3
Hard to believe there are no pictures of what happened on New Year's Eve. Please install cameras in public places to capture videos that can be used to apprehend future criminals. Unfortunately You will have future incidents like this for sure. Deport the criminals promptly to wherever they came from. Long term solution is try to elect new mayor(s) and chancellor that will put interests of German people first.
21
There are pictures. The articles here and elsewhere indicate that witnesses took photos on cellphones. The Times, The Guardian and similar better angels know that we shouldn't see them.
4
The West has fallen out of Love with Itself. We are buckling under the false accusations that we are xenophobic. None of us want innocent people who arrive on our shores for a better, dignified life to be persecuted or mistreated, yet, what about the way of life we have created, our values, the values we punish our own citizens for violating. Now we must make excuses for people simply because they are immigrants? We have turned on ourselves in fear, the very condition we were told would create hatred and violence unless we reject it. We now fear being called fearful. Lunacy. Enough is enough. Before the extreme right does something crazy, moderates in western counties need to reassess laws and governing to accommodate the challenges we face absorbing decent, law abiding immigrants, and too, people with a sick repression, anger and feelings of inferiority due to a twisted religion. They don't like us.
50
I had a similar response when the Times reported on the poor abused immigrants that were being kicked out of NY illegal basement apartments and who will do jobs no one else wants for less than minimum wage. What, it's okay to go against codes and laws and civil norms that were developed over centuries in our society for such people? So, what such advocates are saying, as you point out, is we need a civil society and a backwards society, and manage both for the sake of immigrants. Who's the bigot here?
3
It is sad to say, but many commenters warned of this last year as the illegal migrants flooded into Europe and many were derided as being Islamaphobic or racist.
This blunder of letting over a million mostly young men flood Europe who do not share culture, religion, ethnicity, history, political outlook, values, a commitment to democracy, respect for the equality of women, toleration for differences with the historic population of Europe. Good luck sending them home.
When the weather warms how many will come in 2016? How much political instability will be introduced into Europe this year and a generation from now? How long before the illegal migrants demand that Europeans change their laws and culture to accommodate their worldview, faith and politics?
Europe has a miserable record of assimilating people of other cultures with few exceptions.
If you ever wanted to see Europe, I recommend doing so quickly. 20 years from now it will be a very different place and not for the better. If Barbara Tuchman were alive today she could add a section to "The March of Folly"
http://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/07/books/books-of-the-times-034849.html showing how the European Union contributed to it's own demise by not controlling it's borders and immigration.
This is not going to end well.
This blunder of letting over a million mostly young men flood Europe who do not share culture, religion, ethnicity, history, political outlook, values, a commitment to democracy, respect for the equality of women, toleration for differences with the historic population of Europe. Good luck sending them home.
When the weather warms how many will come in 2016? How much political instability will be introduced into Europe this year and a generation from now? How long before the illegal migrants demand that Europeans change their laws and culture to accommodate their worldview, faith and politics?
Europe has a miserable record of assimilating people of other cultures with few exceptions.
If you ever wanted to see Europe, I recommend doing so quickly. 20 years from now it will be a very different place and not for the better. If Barbara Tuchman were alive today she could add a section to "The March of Folly"
http://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/07/books/books-of-the-times-034849.html showing how the European Union contributed to it's own demise by not controlling it's borders and immigration.
This is not going to end well.
75
All Germany needs is good leadership. Viktor Orban of hungary has set an excellent example. Merkel must go and those with clarity of mind must take over and completely reverse the current open-door policy. It can be done quickly and without much ado once the political will is there. Germany may require a coup d'etat to wake up from the trance it has fallen into. Those who have promoted the flood of migrants must be prosecuted and punished.
4
Well I'm blue and from New England, but I agree with you.
3
I am a Progressive living in a sea of Red.
1
It seems that German law enforcement is not very advanced, in addition to being hamstrung by their politicians. The police have said that they are in the process of reviewing the footage of the surveillance cameras on the train station but doubt that they will be able to identify any perpetrators because the crimes occurred at night and the smoke from the fireworks likely obscured the perpetrators' faces. Basically, all statements from law enforcement that I've read so far seem designed to lower expectations that any arrests will come out of these incidents.
As a New Yorker, for better or worse, I am accustomed to a police force that anticipates danger. It's hard for me to imagine how Cologne could allow hundreds of young drunk people to congregate in a public place at night and throw fireworks at each other under any circumstances, much less without a significant police presence. The stage was set for mayhem, and, even if the police could not have prevented the marauders, they should have been in the square to stop the madness.
Anyhow, like most of the other commenters, I'm stuck on the Merkel government's lack of foresight in letting a million Muslim migrants (mostly young men) to resettle in Germany, a country of only 80 million people, in such a short period of time; it is truly baffling.
As a New Yorker, for better or worse, I am accustomed to a police force that anticipates danger. It's hard for me to imagine how Cologne could allow hundreds of young drunk people to congregate in a public place at night and throw fireworks at each other under any circumstances, much less without a significant police presence. The stage was set for mayhem, and, even if the police could not have prevented the marauders, they should have been in the square to stop the madness.
Anyhow, like most of the other commenters, I'm stuck on the Merkel government's lack of foresight in letting a million Muslim migrants (mostly young men) to resettle in Germany, a country of only 80 million people, in such a short period of time; it is truly baffling.
70
Yes,the lack of foresight from the German govetnment is appalling. Imagine 6 million Jews swarming these shores, not to mention Catholics, gays, and the Roma. How could anyone have done something so thoughtlessly during peacetime? Your solution, pray, while men, women and children drown at sea?
As an expat American residing in Germany, I am very glad that this affair has more or less exploded in the faces of the powers that be in this country, but on the other hand, experience suggests that after a few days, the machinery of relativism and denial will go into action again and all the platitudes and expressions of outrage that have been spouted prove once agin to be nothing but hot air. Same scenario, over and over again! Blame the victim, exculpate the perps, demand more taxpayers' money for integration courses, etc. When Germany has sunk to the level of a third-world country, no one will help them.
32
they keep talking about women and kids but end up with mostly young men - interesting how that works, maybe media cover up
5
A mayor with an attitude like that spells disaster for the German people. 75 years ago there was deep troubles in Europe and now thanks to the current German Government, they are seeding the land for another.
43
That same attitude is engendered by the German National Government (read the EU hierarchy) who will make any excuse rather than admit a mistake.
3
Not too far into the future in 'Historical time' scale, 'tongue-in-cheek' I can see proper European 'migrating' out of Europe, leaving Europe to the 'migrants' overwhelming majority by that time.
Where to?
May be to desolate, empty Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, et all.
Where to?
May be to desolate, empty Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, et all.
19
and iraq, Afghanisation, Syria will prosper then:-)
How about Hungary, with the fence?
3
Well, if this happens and the Europeans are anything like the Israelis, those places will bloom into beautiful cities and farms, productive and contributing to the world at last.
I do weep for the inescapable desecration and destruction of the cathedrals, though.
I do weep for the inescapable desecration and destruction of the cathedrals, though.
5
If I keep arm's length away, how can I use my fingernails to mark their faces so that the police can help identify them?
46
Good one, Deb. I like you.
2
Shoot them!
3
The author of the "questionable" remarks was, of course, a woman (not a Roman). There will never again be a public utterance by any member of either gender of any party which will not be dissected for the minutest trace of of disrespect to any person of any gender (or self-identified gender, or gender-like identification) - so help us god-like-gender-indeterminate quasi-deity. Amen.
3
This is disgusting behavior, wherever it happens. I grew up in Brooklyn (before it was chic). From the age of 12 on, I was harassed, groped and threatened, mostly by Latino men. These attacks happened in broad daylight, on crowded subways and even at the ticker-tape parade that celebrated the moon landing. Cultural differences that demean women should not be tolerated anywhere. At least now, we can discuss this. Back in the sixties and seventies, I was too mortified to speak up.
55
I feel enraged at the gross miscarriage of justice that appears to have taken place in Cologne, Hamburg and other places against innocent young women by barbaric, apparently Muslim men. They have gotten away with despicable crimes against women this time, but they have been warned. Their actions warrant immediate cessation of further immigration among this group. And any of those already here, whether recently arrived or not, who ever repeat this type of behavior need to be rounded up and summarily deported back to where they came from, after first being genetically identified so that they cannot get back in again. They have clearly demonstrated they are not deserving of the magnanimous treatment they have been afforded. There are others much more deserving of European generosity. It's the immigrant/refugee's responsibility to assimilate and become a responsible citizen who makes a contribution and gives back, as the overwhelming majority of immigrants from all nations have done in the past. If they can't wholeheartedly and enthusiastically do this then their culture is not yet ready for 21st century western life and they need to survive as best they can in the Middle East.
40
you have a sweet dream, please do not wake up, it's different in reality, just read what german's cop said, sorry for sarcasm, it would be funny if it wasn't so sad :(
This area outside the train station next to Cathedral is reported as a high crime area in general due to the number of people coming and going. As the picture shows, it is well lit. It is time to place 100s of public video cameras at the top of that train station building to cover every possible angle in that area. Once that is done and those cameras lead to substantial arrests 100s of men will no longer feel this is a good place to victimize women. Also outlaw fireworks in this area even on New Years Eve as that caused a lot of confusion with probably part of those 100s of men setting off fireworks to create chaos.
11
I have had the experience in Prague and Barcelona of coming home late at night, and being approached by prostitutes who molested me and my companions, and at the same time attempted to take our valuables. This sounds like a similar operation, an organized attempt to commit crime. It seems to me unlikely that a recent, penniless immigrant would have the connections to profit from such a crime, although a person in desperate circumstances might be coopted into such an arrangement.
5
Sure. In Rome I was surrounded by half a dozen children who tried get at whatever I might have in my pockets. A few kicks and cuffs drove them off. I don't think that is comparable to what's being reported from Germany.
6
These men are not from "conservative societies"; they are from societies that believe in "virgin birth" as all the Cults of ISIS / Abrahamic religions do. This is an override of basic biology and unbelievably aggressive and inane.
One thing that is going on is that Angela Merkel is following, and this Mayor is following (too scrupulously), the Basic Law that the Allies required Germany to adopt in 1948 and which requires it to be welcoming of immigrants makes me nervous.
Do Germans feel they can change this law or are they waiting for the Allies' permission or the Allies to take the lead?
The Basic Law has some problems in it (among other issues it does not consider both sexes equally responsible for children) and needs to be updated, including to reflect that paternity is now inexpensively provable, which will shut down a lot of this harassment, I think.
The English Midlands led this Copernican advance of making paternity as inexpensively provable as maternity (Francis Crick, Honor Bridget Fell et al). And no one of English ancestry is on the US SCOTUS (it is entirely comprised of adherents to the Mediterranean Cult of ISIS / Abrahamic religions), which is causing a lot of distortion of the Constitution (which was written based on systems of the English Midlands, transplanted to colonial PA (especially Philadlelphia) NJ, north of Mason-Dixon).
One thing that is going on is that Angela Merkel is following, and this Mayor is following (too scrupulously), the Basic Law that the Allies required Germany to adopt in 1948 and which requires it to be welcoming of immigrants makes me nervous.
Do Germans feel they can change this law or are they waiting for the Allies' permission or the Allies to take the lead?
The Basic Law has some problems in it (among other issues it does not consider both sexes equally responsible for children) and needs to be updated, including to reflect that paternity is now inexpensively provable, which will shut down a lot of this harassment, I think.
The English Midlands led this Copernican advance of making paternity as inexpensively provable as maternity (Francis Crick, Honor Bridget Fell et al). And no one of English ancestry is on the US SCOTUS (it is entirely comprised of adherents to the Mediterranean Cult of ISIS / Abrahamic religions), which is causing a lot of distortion of the Constitution (which was written based on systems of the English Midlands, transplanted to colonial PA (especially Philadlelphia) NJ, north of Mason-Dixon).
1
What's next? Will the mayor advise women on ways to dress and behave in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to the men from cultures who don't recognize women as equal and free humans. Will these men not stop until all women wear uniformed tents and head coverings? What other parts of our civil rights and right to our individual pursuit of happiness shall we give up in order to appease Muslims? Last time I checked immigrants and refugees sought our countries because there's was so intolerable and dangerous but not enough to leave behind the oppressive parts of their culture rather they want to see western nations adopt their oppressive ideology.
66
If it was head covered, hajib wearing women who were assaulted and robbed by what appeared to be white "European looking" men, do you think the media would keep quiet about it for four days? Do you think the Mayor, Henriette Reker, would advise these women to forgo wearing their hajib or headscarf as a means of avoiding assault? Do you believe the police who were on the scene that night would not have at least attempted to stop the assaults? Also, do you really believe there would have been no arrests to date? I think the New Years assaults were the culmination of a policy to ignore the criminal acts of "North African appearing men" so that the "refugees" would not be targeted. Did it ever occur to German law enforcement that these criminals also prey upon migrants as well as Germans?
111
Bingo. If there's one thing we know, women's safety and justice for women is always the first thing off the table and the last thing on the priority list should they trouble the progress of any other agenda of the liberal left.
23
@renant
Disagree. If there is one thing we know; the safety and justice of Women, (& people of color) especially here in the U.S.-- is the first thing off the table. As well as the last thing on any priority list. Whether Right. Liberal, or Conservative.
Disagree. If there is one thing we know; the safety and justice of Women, (& people of color) especially here in the U.S.-- is the first thing off the table. As well as the last thing on any priority list. Whether Right. Liberal, or Conservative.
2
How right you are! This scenario would have dominated the media for weeks!
1
It's obviously odious that she made these comments. What I'm dying to hear from her is; what are you going to do to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime? What efforts are your detectives making? This action came across as organized and premeditated, these men must have been coordinating their actions through texting or social media. Are there any leads on this front? What will you do with the perps when they are caught? Is deportation a possibility? What are you doing to prevent this from happening again?
37
The local law enforcement agencies (check the late afternoon article on The Guardian) have already admitted that the likelihood of identification of the perps, widespread arrests, and any of the attackers finding themselves either jailed or deported is slim to none.
The assaulted women, including those who were raped, will just have to live with their rage and the denial of justice while the Mayor and Chancellor Merkel lecture Germany about their "commitment to diversity".
I hope Pegida and the AfD do exceptionally well out of this - it is what the authorities in Germany deserve for the way they shoved this down Germany's throat and for their poorly veiled contempt for their female citizens.
The assaulted women, including those who were raped, will just have to live with their rage and the denial of justice while the Mayor and Chancellor Merkel lecture Germany about their "commitment to diversity".
I hope Pegida and the AfD do exceptionally well out of this - it is what the authorities in Germany deserve for the way they shoved this down Germany's throat and for their poorly veiled contempt for their female citizens.
35
The mayor should try to walk down Cologne's Schildergasse and Hohe Strasse from Neumarkt to the Cathedral on any Saturday afternoon of the year. She would then realize how silly this advice is. The crowds are simply too dense to keep anyone at arm's length. She must not get out much, in her own city. The irony, of course, is that in the past fifteen years the crowds shopping on those streets have pointed to the emergence of a more religiously and ethnically diverse Germany. To an observer who remembers concerns the number of Turkish families in some parts of the city 35 years ago, this has been a very happy outcome. Something has, however, changed, and the muddled narratives of recent events that we are getting from the police and the press (including the NYT) are not really serving the cause of understanding. Time for the NYT to get a reporter to Cologne to stop reporting on press conferences and start digging?
31
Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports the mayor's unhappy remark was made in a much wider context. Do'nt forget she was attacked and stabbed last year.
It seems as if these incidents, coinciding and planned in several German cities, on New Year's Eve was attempted to have been covered up by the police and leaders in gov't. But the vast amount of victims and nature of the horror and shock could not be hidden, not with today's social media. Makes one wonder how many other similar attacks have gone unexposed or made unavailable to the media and public in general. I'm only guessing there must be lots.
Daily sexual harassment has become a way of life for women and girls in the streets of many cities in Europe today.
Women and the men who love them, must speak out loudly against this unjustifiable behavior by these shameless men.
Daily sexual harassment has become a way of life for women and girls in the streets of many cities in Europe today.
Women and the men who love them, must speak out loudly against this unjustifiable behavior by these shameless men.
57
There were reports of males not being able to control themselves at a swimming pools in Germany. The media has been complicit in not reporting these events which has led to a delay in dealing with this and has led to more victims. Aiding and abetting?
18
If you've ever gone to a music festival you've run into groups of rowdy young guys. I have vivid recollections of my girlfriends and I having to form circles to keep guys out. My memories are from the 1970s in New York. I really think crowd control is the answer to problems like this. New Year's Eve is all about alcohol so it is up to local authorities to organize security for the event and to provide more than enough personnel to make sure everyone feels safe. It is a crying shame to see something like this turned into a condemnation of immigrants.
4
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
6
After trawling through over 2,000 comments on this and the previous Cologne article, I'm surprised that only a handful have pointed out that many of these men are involved with drugs. Mostly by readers who live locally.
Could the problem be DRUGS?
Could the problem be DRUGS?
1
I will believe the problem is drugs when I hear of a 1000 caucasian men massing to sexually assault and rob non-caucasian women at a public celebration
26
Shhh...stop it! You are ruining the narrative!
@Robin
I don't know about 1000 at a time. That is remarkable. But Caucasian men sexually assaulting women is quite commonplace. Apparently, it happens on college campuses everyday. But I guess maybe those Arabs are just more collectivist in their criminality.
@Robin
I don't know about 1000 at a time. That is remarkable. But Caucasian men sexually assaulting women is quite commonplace. Apparently, it happens on college campuses everyday. But I guess maybe those Arabs are just more collectivist in their criminality.
So only "Caucasian men" commit sexual assaults on college campuses? Good to know.
2
And what of the migrants coming here? Are we just going to let large numbers of people who do not respect women's rights come into a country like ours where those rights are so important to our culture? Are these migrants, at a minimum, being made aware before they come that in America women have the right to wear what they want and do what they want and you have no right to put your hands on them? Are they aware that if they come to America that their daughters and wives don't have to wear the hijab if they don't want to and that it is a personal choice of their own to make? Is that so much to ask before we allow strangers to come into our society that we have worked hard to shape into a better one? It makes sense that we would only allow in people who thirst to live in that better society, too. Not people who don't even respect it.
44
I seriously doubt what happened was some kind of "cultural misunderstanding." The complaints included robbery, and even in the most fundamentalist interpretation of Sharia, thievery is punished by cutting off the hands of the thief. So this is not some clash-of-cultures situations, where the offenders thought what they did was okay. There is way too much fixation on turning this into a cultural issue from both sides of the refugee debate. What happened was just plain old criminal conduct, and should be handled by the government as such.
15
Yes, Sharia law punishes stealing from a fellow muslim, just like it is ok to assult women who are immodest or outside without a male relative.
6
How can we take action to help stop young German women being sexually assaulted in this fashion? How about buying a Cadillac instead of a BMW for your next car purchase.
What about the Jews and gays who are targets of these same throwbacks? How about travel to Hungary instead of Germany on your next European vacation.
Since money is seemingly the only thing that talks for politicians, perhaps once enough people start boycotting Germany, the government will finally start listening to the people.
What about the Jews and gays who are targets of these same throwbacks? How about travel to Hungary instead of Germany on your next European vacation.
Since money is seemingly the only thing that talks for politicians, perhaps once enough people start boycotting Germany, the government will finally start listening to the people.
26
A very smart suggestion: travel to Hungary in stead of Germany in my next trip to Europe!
But I'd love to go to Germany seeing areas not covered by my previous trips.
We shall see what happens in Germany and Europe in 2016. Until then Hungary is a nice choice.
Thank you John for this brilliant advise!
But I'd love to go to Germany seeing areas not covered by my previous trips.
We shall see what happens in Germany and Europe in 2016. Until then Hungary is a nice choice.
Thank you John for this brilliant advise!
3
European and North American citizens especially their leaders have a responsibility to protect and preserve their free societies for current and future generations. Mayor Reker violated that sacred responsibility and she should be removed from office.
If the Cologne police see any man or men groping any woman, the Cologne police should be under orders to immediately slam that man or group of men to the pavement, handcuff them, jail them and prosecute them to the fullest extend of the law. If any of the arrested men are not a German citizen, they should immediately be transported to their former homeland and none of the deported men should never be allowed to enter Germany or any western nation again.
Germany and all western nations should immediately change their immigration policies to ensure only worthy migrants and refugees are allowed to cross their borders - migrants and refugees that demonstrate they embrace gender equality, civil liberties, free speech and the rule of law.
If the Cologne police see any man or men groping any woman, the Cologne police should be under orders to immediately slam that man or group of men to the pavement, handcuff them, jail them and prosecute them to the fullest extend of the law. If any of the arrested men are not a German citizen, they should immediately be transported to their former homeland and none of the deported men should never be allowed to enter Germany or any western nation again.
Germany and all western nations should immediately change their immigration policies to ensure only worthy migrants and refugees are allowed to cross their borders - migrants and refugees that demonstrate they embrace gender equality, civil liberties, free speech and the rule of law.
54
Ah Yes....it was the women's fault. It would appear that the perpetrators/rapists, the Cologne police (an NPR piece this morning mentioned how the police initially would not take the victims statements), and the Mayor of Cologne (with her delusional code of conduct advice) are implicitly all in agreement - violence against women is trivial and ultimately the women's fault.
Yes the "Arabic looking" men probably brought with them their antiquated views on women - but how does that explain the response of the police, and the most thoughtless and clueless statements by the Mayor? At every junction, Germany's response to the ongoing refugee Crisis is baffling. Apparently they will throw anyone (in this case Women) under the bus to keep their refugee dream of "we can do it" alive. If there was any doubt before the Mayor spoke - it is clear now: The German political machine has made a pact with someone (oil rich Arab states? German Industrial companies?) to allow the unfettered entry of predominately unattached, young men from the Middle East ...and sadly German women - (and probably many European women) will be paying the price for many years to come.
Yes the "Arabic looking" men probably brought with them their antiquated views on women - but how does that explain the response of the police, and the most thoughtless and clueless statements by the Mayor? At every junction, Germany's response to the ongoing refugee Crisis is baffling. Apparently they will throw anyone (in this case Women) under the bus to keep their refugee dream of "we can do it" alive. If there was any doubt before the Mayor spoke - it is clear now: The German political machine has made a pact with someone (oil rich Arab states? German Industrial companies?) to allow the unfettered entry of predominately unattached, young men from the Middle East ...and sadly German women - (and probably many European women) will be paying the price for many years to come.
53
Do German and European women vote? They should vote Merkel and all the hypocritical officials out of offices!
Here in the States, we should vote for those candidates who put our lives, safety, values and culture first, not those who promises to bring in 68,000 Syrian "refugees" a year, such as Hillary Clinton did (I was her supporter 8 years ago).
Hillary, please change your immigration policies and win my vote back.
Here in the States, we should vote for those candidates who put our lives, safety, values and culture first, not those who promises to bring in 68,000 Syrian "refugees" a year, such as Hillary Clinton did (I was her supporter 8 years ago).
Hillary, please change your immigration policies and win my vote back.
13
Mrs Reker got stabbed 2 months ago she was in a life threatening situation (artificial coma) for nearly one week and was forced to take over the job as soon as possible because she is the head of a completely new trendsetting green-black coalition. She had to do this regardless of any consequences.
Mrs Reker cannot fire the notorious completely unable police commander of Cologne because he ist approved by another authority (Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, governed by red-green coalition). So she had to sit beside this guy facing the press without any chance to get rid of him. What do you thing in this situation. You goitta help yourself. And then - flashback. Arms lengt princeple cannot avoid the things happenden on New Years Eve but can avoid to get stabbed. If you are ailling, these things can happen even yout have hundreds of microfones in front of you.
You should set sights much lower as you do now.
Mrs Reker cannot fire the notorious completely unable police commander of Cologne because he ist approved by another authority (Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, governed by red-green coalition). So she had to sit beside this guy facing the press without any chance to get rid of him. What do you thing in this situation. You goitta help yourself. And then - flashback. Arms lengt princeple cannot avoid the things happenden on New Years Eve but can avoid to get stabbed. If you are ailling, these things can happen even yout have hundreds of microfones in front of you.
You should set sights much lower as you do now.
7
It is incredibly shocking for the mayor of a major city, Cologne, to advise women to just keep men at arm's length and then they will be safe.
Remember, this is the mayoral candidate who was stabbed in the neck and severely wounded by a xenophobe during the primary elections in October 2015. In broad daylight, with other people around and a table between them, he very nearly assassinated her. Somehow that "arm's length" didn't do her much good.
How can anyone look to her for leadership ?
Remember, this is the mayoral candidate who was stabbed in the neck and severely wounded by a xenophobe during the primary elections in October 2015. In broad daylight, with other people around and a table between them, he very nearly assassinated her. Somehow that "arm's length" didn't do her much good.
How can anyone look to her for leadership ?
25
I keep thinking that politicians in general, Reker in particular, must live (figuratively speaking) far, far away from where the rest of us have to dwell, and must perpetually take action based on abstractions, rather than on reality. Scrolling through the comments, read the ones from Western women who have had the misfortune to encounter Muslim males in various circumstances. Middle-aged female tourists, modestly dressed, who are catcalled and groped on their way to the ancient monuments. And it's not just the uneducated thugs with no experience of Europe: when I was a graduate student in Paris, I was at an academic party where a Muslim writer contemptuously invited a distinguished female anthropology professor to give him a lap dance. No decency, not a shred of humanity, is accorded to non-Muslim women. This is our quotidian reality, and Germany evidently cares more for the PR that comes of unintelligent beneficence than it does for its female, (or Jewish, and gay) citizens. And by putting the onus on the women, Reker has also just given the perpetrators an excuse to believe that their behavior will be tolerated: after all, it wasn't their fault.
55
Mayor Reker's statement was taken out of context. First, she addressed the need to provide security in Cologne's streets and new measures such as more video surveillance and more police on foot patrol. She then pointed out a security program designed for women who attend parties. Reker then commented that women keep a distance to strangers that appear not trustworthy and potentially aggressive. Women in groups should stick together so as to avoid being singled out and accosted. These suggestions repeat what women are told by women's groups and other official communications.
Reker's suggestion to keep the distance of an arm's length is in line with what many recommend for self-protection. However, the situation on New Year's Eve was too chaotic that the women in the throng of revelers did not stand much of a chance to effectively avoid well organized male groups intent on taking advantage of singled out women by separating from their companions or fellow group members and surrounding them. The mainly young attackers did molest and mug them, and the female victims truly could not keep their attackers at arm's length. The kind of violent mobbing that took place can't be evaded or avoided by the behavioral actions suggested on the official websites. More effective surveillance and policing needs to be implemented, but that's something Reker stated right away.
The mayor was quite misunderstood and the NYT article perpetuates the misconceptions, unfortunately.
Reker's suggestion to keep the distance of an arm's length is in line with what many recommend for self-protection. However, the situation on New Year's Eve was too chaotic that the women in the throng of revelers did not stand much of a chance to effectively avoid well organized male groups intent on taking advantage of singled out women by separating from their companions or fellow group members and surrounding them. The mainly young attackers did molest and mug them, and the female victims truly could not keep their attackers at arm's length. The kind of violent mobbing that took place can't be evaded or avoided by the behavioral actions suggested on the official websites. More effective surveillance and policing needs to be implemented, but that's something Reker stated right away.
The mayor was quite misunderstood and the NYT article perpetuates the misconceptions, unfortunately.
2
Please.
Of course she said other things, the arms length comment was ridiculous.
More importantly, and I think the reason people are upset with her, she said very little about punishing the molesters, and said we shouldn't assume they are refugees and that we should educate them on how to behave at carnival.
Really, does she think they don't know it wrong to molest women, steal from them, rape them.
it really seemed to me she was defending her refugees and not caring enough about her citizens.
Of course she said other things, the arms length comment was ridiculous.
More importantly, and I think the reason people are upset with her, she said very little about punishing the molesters, and said we shouldn't assume they are refugees and that we should educate them on how to behave at carnival.
Really, does she think they don't know it wrong to molest women, steal from them, rape them.
it really seemed to me she was defending her refugees and not caring enough about her citizens.
24
I thank you for the clarification. So many of the comments just take the writer's claims at face value. It's been a long time since you could do that for everything printed in the Times.
1
Kind of like President Obama's reaction to the San Bernardino shootings.
1
This article comes on the heels of another NYT story about the high percentage of single male migrants: "Sixty-nine percent are men, 13 percent women and 18 percent children (Oct. 7, 2015). It seems the axiom "No good deed goes unpunished" is playing out as Europe copes with an influx of men from cultures that devalue, objectify, sexualize, and subjugate women—their own, and now, women in the host countries. It's a humanitarian and cultural quagmire. Hope the US can minimize it by smarter, more selective screening and a series of compliance steps for those admitted.
41
The beauty of Trump is that you don't have to be the bad guy, he has no problem with it - for the sake of protecting American citizens. He says all the things you don't want to say aloud, but that need to be said.
What happened in Cologne happened also in Hamburg and Stuttgart. They also burned over 800 cars in Paris the same night. This type of assault has been happening in several of the nordic countries as well. What's more, 1000s of refugees have been disappearing from their camps. They're gone. Even the Syrian Ambassador is quoted as saying that some 20% of migrants probably have ties to ISIS. Much of this is not being reported heavily, of course, just like they tried to keep this story down for several days.
Hillary wants to carelessly bring them in just like Merkel did, without any hesitations. Germany is now paying for that exact thought process. Trump will keep them out 'until we find a better solution.' That's such a better plan than to just accept them and deal with a "small percentage of bad seeds."
What happened in Cologne happened also in Hamburg and Stuttgart. They also burned over 800 cars in Paris the same night. This type of assault has been happening in several of the nordic countries as well. What's more, 1000s of refugees have been disappearing from their camps. They're gone. Even the Syrian Ambassador is quoted as saying that some 20% of migrants probably have ties to ISIS. Much of this is not being reported heavily, of course, just like they tried to keep this story down for several days.
Hillary wants to carelessly bring them in just like Merkel did, without any hesitations. Germany is now paying for that exact thought process. Trump will keep them out 'until we find a better solution.' That's such a better plan than to just accept them and deal with a "small percentage of bad seeds."
38
I hate to agree with Donald Trump about anything, but I think there is something to his idea that women and children should have precedence. They may be fleeing the horrors of their patriarchal societies.
16
Concealed carry, another reason more women are buying guns here, to bad women in Europe are disarmed.
10
If you think we don't have sexual assault problems in the U.S. that are just as bad, you haven't been looking hard enough. And it means the people committing assault (or domestic abuse, or whatever) have just as much access to guns as the people they're hurting. I shudder to think of what would have happened if guns had been present at this incident. There could easily have been blood in the streets, and it would not have necessarily been the assailants'
4
Yes. A shoot-out is the answer.
Uh huh. Right. Because if there is a guy I'm even remotely suspicious about, I'm going to sidle up to him and start chatting. Of course a man intent on assaulting me will respect normal boundaries. It's not like he'll just step closer or something. Or chase after me if I try to move away.
Ooooh, bonus question: how does one keep them at arm's length when there's a whole group surrounding oneself? I'm sure they'll form a circle large enough that I can stay an arm's length away by standing in the very middle!
Ooooh, bonus question: how does one keep them at arm's length when there's a whole group surrounding oneself? I'm sure they'll form a circle large enough that I can stay an arm's length away by standing in the very middle!
28
Spinning around may help?
3
a"code of conduct" proposed for young women and girls that the mayor said would soon be available online,
Hmmmm. that's one way to go Germany.
Hmmmm. that's one way to go Germany.
8
Here's a code of conduct for you: Do what you want! Travel in packs with other women/girls and carry big sticks! If a threatening guy approaches you, poke him where it hurts! Or trip him with the stick so he falls on his face! (Sorry, this gets me really riled)
4
If the mayor of Cologne had been male would he not be accused of "patriarchy"?
I think the mayor is wrong, but I notice also that most of the people condemning her live in the US and not in Germany.
Why are Americans incapable of letting other countries live their own lives as they please? Why is someone in Berkeley demanding that the mayor of Cologne should resign? Leave it to the people of that city.
I think the mayor is wrong, but I notice also that most of the people condemning her live in the US and not in Germany.
Why are Americans incapable of letting other countries live their own lives as they please? Why is someone in Berkeley demanding that the mayor of Cologne should resign? Leave it to the people of that city.
4
We are letting them handle their own lives as they please. That doesn't mean we cannot express an opinion about it. And btw, there were plenty of bitter comments from Europeans complaining about this. Your comments is like asking why someone in NYC thinks that the beheadings in Saudi Arabia are horrible and should stop? After all, why should someone in Brooklyn object if 96% of the girls in Egypt have their genitals mutilated before the age of ten so they can be considered "clean".
Remember what Ben Franklin said? "We must all hang together or we shall surely hang separately."
The same is true for women - globally.
Remember what Ben Franklin said? "We must all hang together or we shall surely hang separately."
The same is true for women - globally.
33
Because the government and the press in Germany are deliberately trying to keep these accounts from being heard.
7
Because the examples set by Muslims in one place will serve as inspiration and guidance for those in another. We've seen this proven over and over again as Wahhabi and Salafist theology -- regarded as the purest form of Islam practiced by the Muslim prophet himself -- has spread like wildfire across the Ummah (the worldwide Muslim "community"). We've seen everything from murderous religious violence against Jews, women, blasphemers, apostates, artists and writers, to the relentless increases in genital mutilation of girls, to gangs of Muslim men grooming and raping "uncovered meat," to demands for censorship on criticism of Islam, to the burgeoning appeal of the dehumanizing and degrading hijab, niqab and abaya in every Western country with Muslim settlements.
What happens over there will happen over here.
What happens over there will happen over here.
5
Anybody who has lived in an urban area knows that it is impossible to be an arm's length away from anyone in a train, subway, in the station and standing on line. I've been told while traveling in Europe to watch out for pickpockets, but obviously this is taking it to a whole new level. Hopefully, some people got pictures with their phones.
67
The criminal German government is working with FB and other social media to suppress any expression or exposure of the truth on this topic.
7
The city of Cologne has had a problem for years: Pick pockets, massive amounts of burglaries, thefts in open spaces (e.g. central railway station, my own experience) and a purpose-full denial of foreign identities of the perpetrators. Even when the criminals are caught, the police lets them run, because the judicial system does not dare to arraign them. The German Association of Journalists recommends strictly to obfuscate foreign identities of criminals: German hypocrisy of unimaginable proportions. Ms. Henriette Reker lacks experience and probably wants to appear "liberal" even in a situation when she has to confront a massive problem. She must have had a total blackout when she offered her advice to traumatized young ladies. Within a month, the Carneval week in Cologne will be an occasion when the Cologne police will get another chance to prove their capabilities, Ms. Reker as well. Good luck. A disaster for the good-will attitude towards refugees in Cologne and in Germany, whose majority must be aghast at the newly-created situation.
4
Carol lee is spot on - I could not say it better. Being safe in the streets has nothing to do with being at arm's length away from people at all times, which is impossible. In fact an attack can be fast and come from nowhere or everywhere. I was unexpectedly accosted in midday, this past August, while standing on a major Platz, in this German university city where I live. It was a classic Roma (Gypsy) approach: First, the diversion: a young boy suddenly ran into me from nowhere, knocking over my parcels and me. Then the attack: a man appeared, to snatch what he could - As I recognized the pattern I was able to thwart it - a very loud yell and a big kick And - by the way - not one person in the busy area paid any attention - just stared - but the two males ran away fast!
Further, the remarks of the Mayor of Cologne are unbelievably naive - even from her own experience. When she was wounded while campaigning, her attacker had certainly been more than an arm's length away from her.
From a former New Yorker
Further, the remarks of the Mayor of Cologne are unbelievably naive - even from her own experience. When she was wounded while campaigning, her attacker had certainly been more than an arm's length away from her.
From a former New Yorker
3
As, in other media accounts, the female victims reported that the groups of men surrounding them seemed very angry, there can be little doubt that these crimes were fueled by hatred and perhaps even racism on the part of their perpetrators. Worth noting also is that they assaulted quite a few men, either restraining them while their female companions were groped or beating/kicking them. One woman sustained severe burns and will be scarred for life after a firework was thrust by one of these thugs into the hood of her jacket.
37
Now I am really seething. When one is surrounded by "several hundred men" who treat women like dirt, HOW on earth is it "always possible to keep a certain distance that is longer than an arm’s length”? Maybe she's planning on providing women with armored cars? Even if the mayor has forgotten what it's like to be a young woman, such an appalling comment from a public official in a Western democracy is shocking. This mayor deserves to lose her job. Now. My heart goes out to the women of Cologne, whose mayor seems indifferent to their safety, and to not comprehend that women have the same right as men to use public spaces. What sort of bubble of unreality does this mayor inhabit?
152
Agree. How do you ride a bus, train or metro and stay an arm
s length away in all directions. Would need some kind on 6' diameter hoop to wear, say hanging from shoulders.
s length away in all directions. Would need some kind on 6' diameter hoop to wear, say hanging from shoulders.
4
A feminist response Ms. Reker's is NOT!
17
A humanist response, Ms. Reker's is not.
9
Thank God for the brave women of Cologne who reported these assaults. Now reports are coming in from every major city in Germany of the same kind of assaults. Thanks Ms. Merkel, see what you have wrought? Not to mention the victim blaming by the female Cologne mayor. This will not end well.
84
I have read several articles reporting on this story, and so far, they've been appallingly vague and misleading. From what I can gather, of approximately 100 criminal complaints (complaints, mind you) two "may" have been rapes, about 20 were sexual harassment or groping, and the rest--the vast majority--were theft. So fewer than 25% of the alleged (alleged, mind you) offenses were sexual in nature, and fewer than 2% involved accusations of rape. Every sexual assault is horrendous, but the language in this article talking about "the scale" of these crimes baffles me!
Furthermore, no positive identifications were made of those accused of sexual assault, so no one can say for sure what the nationality or immigration status was of these alleged perpetrators. Sexual assault is a serious crime. But, sadly, it is not an uncommon crime; nor are sexism and misogyny unique to any one culture or geographical location. What is a "red light district," after all, if not a place where sexism and misogyny are condoned and celebrated? Are those who are expressing outrage over these incidents also campaigning against pornography, human trafficking, and strip joints?
Many of these "defenders of women" seem to me to be just using that as cover for expressing racial and ethnic prejudice and bigotry.
Furthermore, no positive identifications were made of those accused of sexual assault, so no one can say for sure what the nationality or immigration status was of these alleged perpetrators. Sexual assault is a serious crime. But, sadly, it is not an uncommon crime; nor are sexism and misogyny unique to any one culture or geographical location. What is a "red light district," after all, if not a place where sexism and misogyny are condoned and celebrated? Are those who are expressing outrage over these incidents also campaigning against pornography, human trafficking, and strip joints?
Many of these "defenders of women" seem to me to be just using that as cover for expressing racial and ethnic prejudice and bigotry.
2
Victims who have talked to the press have said things like:
""We ran but we couldn't do anything," "They attacked us from all sides and touched us everywhere, between our legs ... and under our jackets. They tried to separate us." (NPR)
A different victim quoted in the UK Telegraph:“Suddenly I felt a hand on my bottom, then on my breasts, then I was groped everywhere. 'It was horrible. Although we screamed and flailed about, the guys didn't stop. I was beside myself and think that I was touched about 100 times.”
There are many, many more like this.
That someone would think that getting justice for these women is really a cover for "Expressing racial and ethnic prejudice and bigotry" is one of the most reprehensible and heinous things I have ever read on this website.
""We ran but we couldn't do anything," "They attacked us from all sides and touched us everywhere, between our legs ... and under our jackets. They tried to separate us." (NPR)
A different victim quoted in the UK Telegraph:“Suddenly I felt a hand on my bottom, then on my breasts, then I was groped everywhere. 'It was horrible. Although we screamed and flailed about, the guys didn't stop. I was beside myself and think that I was touched about 100 times.”
There are many, many more like this.
That someone would think that getting justice for these women is really a cover for "Expressing racial and ethnic prejudice and bigotry" is one of the most reprehensible and heinous things I have ever read on this website.
53
The attacks were violent enough to cause bruising. One of the victims was a female police officer.
And yes, some of us campaign against human trafficking, etc..
And yes, some of us campaign against human trafficking, etc..
11
Right, it's the girls fault for being in this location. Blame the victim.
3
Her comments were not so much victim blaming as they were idiotic. The rush to the language of "social justic warriors" misses her intent. If she had said carry and use mace, that would not have been victim blaming. What it would be is more effective defense than sticking your arm out.
Platitudes of what should be will not protect women on the street.
Platitudes of what should be will not protect women on the street.
18
Neither will the police, apparently.
11
Well said. Indeed the problem is already so dire that she is reduced to trying to help them stay safer. At least 'until their leaders can figure out what's going on'.
3
What is always worse than the crime? The cover-up. Months ago women's groups, child advocates, and police officials in Germany voiced concerns about sex assaults and rapes taking place in refugee designated centers. The NYTimes has begun to cover sex assaults taking place during the migrant crisis (male on male sex assaults haven't been looked into yet, but certainly they are happening). If the men involved in this "flash mob" crime are migrants who entered Germany several years ago, an even bigger issue than the need to educate about western values has developed. There appears to be a new found fearlessness in a small pocket of male migrants in displaying anti-social behaviors, having determined that female citizenry are easy pickings, along with vulnerable refugees. The covering up of criminality, instead of confronting head on unacceptable behaviors with migrants, will drive increasing numbers of German citizens to anti-immigrant groups. The German government, I suspect, will be quite surprised at the diversity of German citizens who speak out against migration continuing unchecked. No citizen, immigrant, or asylum seeker wants to constantly worry over female relatives, children, and vulnerable males being sexually assaulted and robbed while going about their day, regardless of their ethnicity.
123
Well, according to surveys published by the state (!) TV media, Merkel and the CDU still have approval ratings of close to 40%, and since Germany has a coalition government, the party could always find a partner in the SPD, the Greens, or the Left to stay in power - God help us! PC, denial of reality and bleeding-heart liberalism still hold sway, at least in public. Many here are afraid to voice their true opinions for fear of being labeled Nazis, but I hope that this will finally change. In private, folks are more likely to say what they really think. Politics and the media here behave as if it were their job to "educate" the ignorant masses and basically shame them into the correct attitude. I sometimes think that Merkel's GDR background is at least partly responsible.
4
Mayor Reker went further in her recommendations: She also said to the women of Cologne to dress "conservatively" and not to go out alone at night.
This, I believe, is a form of pathological political correctness; to limit the liberties of German women in order to welcome - as mayor Reker and chancellor Merkel have done - hundreds of thousands of young men from a culture where women are considered property, who have ived with violence for a long time, and most of them without education or skills.
These politicians sacrifice their constituents for strangers. It is unbelievable.
If events like this become the norm, we will have the extreme right in power in Germany in 2 years.
This, I believe, is a form of pathological political correctness; to limit the liberties of German women in order to welcome - as mayor Reker and chancellor Merkel have done - hundreds of thousands of young men from a culture where women are considered property, who have ived with violence for a long time, and most of them without education or skills.
These politicians sacrifice their constituents for strangers. It is unbelievable.
If events like this become the norm, we will have the extreme right in power in Germany in 2 years.
202
Worse than what you describe as unbelievable happened in England, where underage girls were systematically raped by gangs of men from another culture. Numerous social workers and other officials knew of this abuse, but it went otherwise unreported/covered-up because, as the officials would later claim, they were afraid of being accused of racism and feared losing their jobs. As you can imagine, the outrage when the truth came out was such that they were only too rightfully dismissed. To allow so-called political correctness to go so far that others are victimized is not only wrong, but a sad example of the bigotry of thinking that because someone looks different or comes from a different culture, that person cannot be expected achieve the same standards anyone else.
64
Well I guess that means the women of Cologne shouldn't participate in Carnivale. Pathological political correctness indeed.
12
@Kathleen In Australia, there is a two-tier child welfare system. Indigenous children are placed in the care of Indigenous family members regardless of dysfunction, and put at risk. Non-Indigenous children have their welfare put first.
It should be beyond obvious who the perpetrators were - in general at least. This didn't happen last year, right? Or the year before that? Etc. What changed? The arrival of thousands, hundreds of thousands, of men from societies with a medieval attitude to women: they are either saints or sinners. How do you tell the difference? The saints are muffled up in black burkhas, because their fathers/husbands/brothers etc. won't let them out of the house otherwise, and they are safe because attacking them would result in honor killings of the attackers. Sinners, on the other hand, are fair game.
Although the reports suggest that the women attacked in Germany were young, age is no protection. I visited Syria in 2009. I was then in my mid-sixties. I wore a loose, long sleeved top and long trousers, but i did not cover my hair. When I happened to be on a street by myself, a young boy, barely into his teens, tried to sexually assault me.
I am one of the commenters who protested the idea that Europe should admit so many migrants from an incompatible culture. I am sorry to see that the situation I feared is already happening.
Although the reports suggest that the women attacked in Germany were young, age is no protection. I visited Syria in 2009. I was then in my mid-sixties. I wore a loose, long sleeved top and long trousers, but i did not cover my hair. When I happened to be on a street by myself, a young boy, barely into his teens, tried to sexually assault me.
I am one of the commenters who protested the idea that Europe should admit so many migrants from an incompatible culture. I am sorry to see that the situation I feared is already happening.
160
I agree in general but these incidents have happened on a smaller scale for years.
It is obviously Immigrants but not neacarikly refugees.
It is obviously Immigrants but not neacarikly refugees.
5
Pat, decent human beings want to sympathise with refugees. However, don't let your sympathy blind you to the fact that the refugees might turn against western societies. To many of them, this is just a temporary harbor. a thief doesn't respect the person he/she is stealing from.
2
The citizens of Cologne should immediately occupy Mayor Reker's office until she is removed from office. If the Cologne police see any man or men groping any woman, the Cologne police should be ordered to immediately slam that man or men to the pavement, handcuff them, jail them and prosecute them to the fullest extend of the law. If that man is not a German born citizen, they should be immediately transported to their former homeland and that man should never be allowed to enter Germany or any western nation never again. Germany and all western nations should immediately change their immigration policies to ensure only worthy migrants and refugees are allowed to cross their borders - migrants and refugees demonstrate they embrace gender equality, civil liberties including gay marriage, free speech and the rule of law. Europeans and North American citizens have a responsibility to protect and preserve their free societies for the current and future generations. Mayor Reker violated that sacred responsibility and she should be removed from office.
74
There aren't enough police. I'm afraid vigilante groups are going to form to solve the problem outside the resource strained law.
16
I have been wondering where the police were on that horrible night.
Was the count 100 or 1000 men? There seems to be conflicting reports.
Even if it was one man it is still and forever horrific.
As much as I hate the police state here in the US it is hard to imagine that in such a public place at a New Years celebration would not be bulging with police.
Was the count 100 or 1000 men? There seems to be conflicting reports.
Even if it was one man it is still and forever horrific.
As much as I hate the police state here in the US it is hard to imagine that in such a public place at a New Years celebration would not be bulging with police.
2
To Steve of East Coast regarding his statement that Cologne does not have enough police and that vigilante groups will probably "solve the problem."
If there are not enough police in Cologne to ensure the safety of its women by instituting an aggressive campaign to immediately incarcerate or deport any man or group of men groping women in Cologne then German citizens of should target its national government's offices for occupation and not leave until the national government re-enforces the local police with army troops groups. The bottom-line: immediately and aggressively incarcerate or deport any man or group of men groping women, as well as immediately changing immigration policies to ensure only worthy migrants and refugees are allowed to cross western nation borders - those migrants and refugees that demonstrate they embrace gender equality, civil liberties including gay marriage, free speech and the rule of law. All European and North American citizens especially their leaders have a responsibility to protect and preserve their free societies for the current and future generations. Mayor Reker violated that sacred responsibility and she should be removed from office. If Merkel does not immediately act to incarcerate or deport the offending men of Cologne, she should also be removed from office.
Vigilante groups will not solve the problem, they will most likely make the situation worst.
If there are not enough police in Cologne to ensure the safety of its women by instituting an aggressive campaign to immediately incarcerate or deport any man or group of men groping women in Cologne then German citizens of should target its national government's offices for occupation and not leave until the national government re-enforces the local police with army troops groups. The bottom-line: immediately and aggressively incarcerate or deport any man or group of men groping women, as well as immediately changing immigration policies to ensure only worthy migrants and refugees are allowed to cross western nation borders - those migrants and refugees that demonstrate they embrace gender equality, civil liberties including gay marriage, free speech and the rule of law. All European and North American citizens especially their leaders have a responsibility to protect and preserve their free societies for the current and future generations. Mayor Reker violated that sacred responsibility and she should be removed from office. If Merkel does not immediately act to incarcerate or deport the offending men of Cologne, she should also be removed from office.
Vigilante groups will not solve the problem, they will most likely make the situation worst.
1
This major should resign and Cologne should elect someone who puts its citizens first.
55
@European
And when she goes, she should take Köln's Police President, Wolfgang Albers along with her.
And when she goes, she should take Köln's Police President, Wolfgang Albers along with her.
18
Seriously. I would love to hear an intelligent defense of this quote from posters on here.
I've got my popcorn ready.
I've got my popcorn ready.
6
Notice that the usual cast of bleeding heart Liberals, always the first to comment here on politically correct thinking, is conspicuously silent.
3
"The mayor’s remarks also reignited a debate about casual sexism in German society."
let's not point fingers at nations or groups of people. individuals, not groups, break laws.
speaking of laws, the best recourse in this case is probably to use them. courts and lawyers are expensive, but maybe nations can channel resources in this direction.
in addition, there are probably some laws in germany that allow self-defense, possibly with weapons. certainly in the US, a fair amount of self-defense is permissible under the law.
let's not point fingers at nations or groups of people. individuals, not groups, break laws.
speaking of laws, the best recourse in this case is probably to use them. courts and lawyers are expensive, but maybe nations can channel resources in this direction.
in addition, there are probably some laws in germany that allow self-defense, possibly with weapons. certainly in the US, a fair amount of self-defense is permissible under the law.
4
Do German mayors not have aides or PR staff? Her comments are idiotic at any time, and certainly not at a time when people should be scrutinizing government authorities for their apparent cluelessness.
There was a massive breakdown in law and order, and generally-speaking, law and order is one of the basic reasons citizens pay taxes. I suspect the residents of Cologne do not pay their taxes for idiotic advice like "it is always possible to keep groping men at arms length."
There was a massive breakdown in law and order, and generally-speaking, law and order is one of the basic reasons citizens pay taxes. I suspect the residents of Cologne do not pay their taxes for idiotic advice like "it is always possible to keep groping men at arms length."
33
Hello... This is a wake up call. Loud and clear. Mass migrations caused by war, anarchy, or mass environmental destruction is not being addressed properly by any nation. The path of least resistance of importing millions of people from areas of the world which are in a state of anarchy is going to fail, and fail bad. The first victims will be the citizens of the receiving nations who have not been exposed to life in a state of anarchy.
The solution is much harder than just letting people into countries. One needs to fix the problem in the regions of the world which are exporting these floods of people to Europe. If we don't solve the problem at the source, this is what is going to happen.
1) In time the few bad apples which have showed will abuse their privilege and take advantage of everything that is given then.
2) Government resource in the hosting countries will be quickly drained, straining resource to the citizenry of the host country
3) tensions will start to boil over leading to a polarization of cultures
4) People will die from the resulting conflicts
A society which enjoys a culture of freedom, in speech, artistic expression, in movement will ultimately be shut down. Focusing on women, they will end up having to be careful of what they wear, they will have to avoid certain areas of the city, and endure sexual harassment, verbal and physical. Basically, stripping women of their freedoms of movement, dress, expression.
This is just the beginning of worst to come.
The solution is much harder than just letting people into countries. One needs to fix the problem in the regions of the world which are exporting these floods of people to Europe. If we don't solve the problem at the source, this is what is going to happen.
1) In time the few bad apples which have showed will abuse their privilege and take advantage of everything that is given then.
2) Government resource in the hosting countries will be quickly drained, straining resource to the citizenry of the host country
3) tensions will start to boil over leading to a polarization of cultures
4) People will die from the resulting conflicts
A society which enjoys a culture of freedom, in speech, artistic expression, in movement will ultimately be shut down. Focusing on women, they will end up having to be careful of what they wear, they will have to avoid certain areas of the city, and endure sexual harassment, verbal and physical. Basically, stripping women of their freedoms of movement, dress, expression.
This is just the beginning of worst to come.
60
Isn't this just an example of "intersectionality" for the multiculturalists? Whom should we hate more: males, or white Europeans?
Such a puzzlement.
Such a puzzlement.
17
Amazing how women participate in their own oppression. Here Henriette blames the female victims to avoid possibly casting any aspersions on young arabic men. If the perpetrators were blond-haired and blue-eyed I imagine her response would be quite different.
46
Just from a physics point of view, how are you supposed to stay arms length from a person or object rushing toward you? Multiple people who rush and corner you, surround you? Someone please educate the Germans advocating this.
42
@pdianek
It's not about educating the Germans, it's about educating the Mayor who said this....or should be.
It's not about educating the Germans, it's about educating the Mayor who said this....or should be.
10
staying arms length away from a molester doesn't help anyway
5
Cologne is no longer a village where it's even *POSSIBLE* for a woman to remain "arm's length" from anyone unless she stays home, doesn't have a daily paid job, and doesn't do celebrations or attend parties. It hasn't been that small a place in centuries.
That said... the idea of packs of roaming men eager for whatever it is that such men want from women (it's not just sex, I can assure you)... well, it's more than just disturbing. It's terrifying, even to a perfectly able man who might be in company for a woman being targeted.
That said... the idea of packs of roaming men eager for whatever it is that such men want from women (it's not just sex, I can assure you)... well, it's more than just disturbing. It's terrifying, even to a perfectly able man who might be in company for a woman being targeted.
105
I am appalled. Any migrant that is caught performing these acts should be immediately deported and if their birth country is a war zone, then they should be immediately imprisoned.
New residents of a country must understand that you either follow the rules that have been put in place by native citizens or suffer the consequences. No one, from anywhere, should ever expect a free ride.
New residents of a country must understand that you either follow the rules that have been put in place by native citizens or suffer the consequences. No one, from anywhere, should ever expect a free ride.
57
I don't care if their birth country is a war zone, drop them in the middle of it. They should be there fighting for their country anyway. What a bunch of cowards.
14
Makes me rethink Germany, a country I love to visit for work and play.
Rape is a vicious predatory hate crime where males have many physical advantages over a typical woman. Under the guise of common sense, women are being asked to adjust. To what? They were in the middle of a global city wearing coats and gloves in the winter and the onus is still on the woman?
Rape is a vicious predatory hate crime where males have many physical advantages over a typical woman. Under the guise of common sense, women are being asked to adjust. To what? They were in the middle of a global city wearing coats and gloves in the winter and the onus is still on the woman?
152
The US had nearly 150 people killed by guns in the first 5 days in the new year.
That puts everything in perspective.
That puts everything in perspective.
I think that instead of letting all the refugees in, the EU should have set up well defended safe zones and camps in those countries where they came from so that presumably they will be able to return when its safer. Or failing that, set up these camps at the borders so the problems could be contained and well thought out flexible solutions developed and tried out.
26
I have read this comment about the 'safe zones' in the home countries before. What does that mean? There can't be any 'safe zones' without military engagement by the EU for which there is no mechanism. There is no joint European army, so if you think the EU countries would get together and organize a joint military operation, dream on! That will never happen, Europe would still be debating this 5 years after after being run over by an army of midgets led by the seven dwarfs.
6
Well, then lets include the US and NATO. They manage to get involved quite easily all over eastern Europe these days almost to the point of starting WWIII .
Or at least I think, the individual EU countries could have set up camps at their own borders to contain and manage the refugees while a workable solution was found.
Or at least I think, the individual EU countries could have set up camps at their own borders to contain and manage the refugees while a workable solution was found.
Within their borders or outside the borders? In the latter case, that would just have meant to prevent the refugees from entering Greece from Turkey or Italy from Libya. That was not successful, the migrants overran the obstacle in between, i.e. the Mediterranean, and piled up on Greek islands.
Or do you mean within their borders? So leave Greece and Italy sweat it out alone? Or have a million migrants piled up at the Austrian/Bavarian border? Where? On fields, in camps, over winter?
Sorry, none of these solutions is workable, except for the US taking the lead and bombing the Islamists out of Syria and Libya. Again, won't work without ground troops. I just don't see that happen either.
I know, your comment is well-meant, copied from Angela Merkel's fairy tale book, but reality looks different. Merkel has lost touch with reality. She needs to be replaced and quickly.
Or do you mean within their borders? So leave Greece and Italy sweat it out alone? Or have a million migrants piled up at the Austrian/Bavarian border? Where? On fields, in camps, over winter?
Sorry, none of these solutions is workable, except for the US taking the lead and bombing the Islamists out of Syria and Libya. Again, won't work without ground troops. I just don't see that happen either.
I know, your comment is well-meant, copied from Angela Merkel's fairy tale book, but reality looks different. Merkel has lost touch with reality. She needs to be replaced and quickly.
Mr. Reker's preposterous reaction is proof of her preposterous deference toward Merkel and her fear to appear un-politically correct with the migrants, which is fascism turned upside down, fascism against the citizens of Europe and Germany in favor of the migrants. It is really sad and telling that a German felt so desperate and hopeless about this situation that he tried to stab his mayor. I reckon, many Americans fantasize about shooting someone too, when they see that the media and NYT are selling us the war in Iraq, un-feathered immigration, their preferred POTUS candidate, a nauseating PC dictate, a culture where the majority lives under the dictatorship of a petulant minority.
Just look at today's Room for debate, about wearing hijab, (what a "timely topic" given what happens in Germany and all over Europe but is under-reported here): The pro -hijab room for debate, has a better page placement than the story of what happened in Germany (which made it to home page after trending for hours in the Europe page, which means that the editors did not want to give it maximum visibility at first), and calls American women and men bigots for being against the hijab, in the introductory sentence.
Just look at today's Room for debate, about wearing hijab, (what a "timely topic" given what happens in Germany and all over Europe but is under-reported here): The pro -hijab room for debate, has a better page placement than the story of what happened in Germany (which made it to home page after trending for hours in the Europe page, which means that the editors did not want to give it maximum visibility at first), and calls American women and men bigots for being against the hijab, in the introductory sentence.
86
The hijab is a piece of clothing. Muslim women have the same right to wear it as I do when I want to wear speedos during my visit to the NYT editorial offices. I am pretty confident the NYT editors would promptly oust themselves as the same bigots as they label those Americans who point to the hijab as what it is: a political symbol and a sign of deliberate segregation from those Americans who reject Muslim oppression and intolerance.
I support the speedo as a fashion symbol and I feel that I should not be discriminated against simply because I am not a Muslim.
I support the speedo as a fashion symbol and I feel that I should not be discriminated against simply because I am not a Muslim.
Far too much attention has been given by NY Times an social media to the groping and rape (which as yet has not been verified as being done by same group that stole money from the revelers). The groping and rape could be separate events by different thugs. The groping sounds like a smart tactic to distract and provide cover for the thefts. On an international train, soon after leaving Cologne, my ex-husband was jostled into group who were struggling with German. As a speaker of many languages, he tried to help them. Bu while he was distracted by trying to be helpful to foreigners, they sole his wallet. They worked in groups ( as they did in Cologne) and as soon as they had the wallet it was passed to another who passed it on to another in the group of many men. The grouping sounds like another smart tactic to distract and then steal. They were very smart!!! The mayors advise sounds not so bad. When thiefs in Italy were stealing purses on their motor bikes, we were advised to put them around our necks and hod onto them.
The rape allegations are something else and shouldn't be confused!!!!
The rape allegations are something else and shouldn't be confused!!!!
6
Using sexual assault as a distraction has been done before.
It is still sexual assault and the public and officials should be outraged.
It is still sexual assault and the public and officials should be outraged.
9
It may very well be. But the problem is, there are very few facts right now. Everybody is just speculating and adopting a narrative that best suits their own political views regarding immigrants and refugees. There is an ideological war right now, and as in any war, truth is the first casualty.
1
So your point is they didn't sexually assault your male husband, hence reports of sexual assault on that night are over blown?
2
Wait a minute. There were young men among the migrants? The photos I saw on this site last year showed women and young children.
Time to dust off that burka ladies.
The only thing surprising about this episode is that anyone is surprised.
You don't import hundreds of thousands of young men from countries with medieval attitudes about women and expect those attitudes to change when they cross the border.
This kind of episode seems entirely predictable except to the politicians who allowed it and the newspapers who supported it.
Time to dust off that burka ladies.
The only thing surprising about this episode is that anyone is surprised.
You don't import hundreds of thousands of young men from countries with medieval attitudes about women and expect those attitudes to change when they cross the border.
This kind of episode seems entirely predictable except to the politicians who allowed it and the newspapers who supported it.
230
You are spot on, G. The compassionate impulse to accept refugees- most of who were young males from cultures where to say women are "second class citizens" would be generous- will probably bear poison fruit like this for decades.
34
It is interesting how the majority of illegal migrants were young men, but what Americans were shown in print, online and on-air were women and children.
Children are more likely to assimilate than an adult- especially an adult male.
I hope Ms Merkel enjoys her remaining time in power as I think Germany will be voting in a very different government should things not get better way quickly.
Children are more likely to assimilate than an adult- especially an adult male.
I hope Ms Merkel enjoys her remaining time in power as I think Germany will be voting in a very different government should things not get better way quickly.
4
I cannot understand why Germany has been so willing to sacrifice the rights and safety of all its women, gay population and Jews to accommodate an influx of Muslim migrants. There is no compassion in that action for Germany's most vulnerable groups. Merkel's destiny is to become one of the nation's most reviled leaders in history, which is quite an accomplishment given Germany's past.
In the insane rush to accommodate Muslim migrants and deny their Islamic ideological prejudices and barbaric practices in order to quell the public's justified fears, Germany seems to have silenced all reporting of mass rapes of women and children even before this which were occurring in refugee hostels.
A German friend of mine is a doctor who volunteered to help refugees early in the migrant crisis and told me then of the dangers of entering refugee hostels for medical staff and social workers who require large security escorts to avoid attack from Muslim men. She also told of the widespread attacks on Muslim women and children and lewd acts committed by male refugees around children.
It was inevitable these attacks and barbaric practices would be committed against German women and erode the freedom and safety of their societies. And still the Muslim opportunists keep pouring in.
Europe is doomed.
In the insane rush to accommodate Muslim migrants and deny their Islamic ideological prejudices and barbaric practices in order to quell the public's justified fears, Germany seems to have silenced all reporting of mass rapes of women and children even before this which were occurring in refugee hostels.
A German friend of mine is a doctor who volunteered to help refugees early in the migrant crisis and told me then of the dangers of entering refugee hostels for medical staff and social workers who require large security escorts to avoid attack from Muslim men. She also told of the widespread attacks on Muslim women and children and lewd acts committed by male refugees around children.
It was inevitable these attacks and barbaric practices would be committed against German women and erode the freedom and safety of their societies. And still the Muslim opportunists keep pouring in.
Europe is doomed.
241
"barbaric practices"
Looks you never visited these countries and see how peaceful they were with no drunkenness, prostitution and gambling.
Looks you never visited these countries and see how peaceful they were with no drunkenness, prostitution and gambling.
We don't know if the perpetrators are refugees.
We are prisoners of social media. Twenty years, I thought Germany would have been less worried about its public image. Granted, Germany is still trying to make amends for WWII and maybe wants out of the EU.
If you want to live in a western culture, then you have to assimilate to that culture's way. You have a right to your religious practices, you do not have a right to the barbaric way you treat women. These young men need to be schooled in what will not be tolerated ASAP.
19
Deport all young men, then take the opportunity to "school" them, somewhere else. If they want back in after, say, two years, consider it depending on the success of their schooling.
19
To say this is a disaster is an understatement, it is a catastrophe.
It turns out that police and press has systematically concealed the rise of gang-robbery by immigrants in cologne and other major towns.
You can here almost feel in the press here the mode swinging by the hour.
Merkels legacy is on the stake. But also the whole refugee crisis. If it turns out, that even the best intentions have such an unbearable backlash, the refugees have lost a mighty advocate. Than europe is indeed raising up the walls. And no one has any rationales to counter this.
I really feel sorry, i once had been thinking we germans had been onto something - i was wrong.
In one month carneval is beginning, cologne is a stronghold. Three days of barely dressed women and much alcohol. This is a last chance to turn things around. If carneval gets spoiled, you will hear very ugly news from germany - and europe.
And i am now really curious, how all this idealist want to justify, that we have to dismiss out cultural traditions out of safety issues because of the flaws of other cultures.
It turns out that police and press has systematically concealed the rise of gang-robbery by immigrants in cologne and other major towns.
You can here almost feel in the press here the mode swinging by the hour.
Merkels legacy is on the stake. But also the whole refugee crisis. If it turns out, that even the best intentions have such an unbearable backlash, the refugees have lost a mighty advocate. Than europe is indeed raising up the walls. And no one has any rationales to counter this.
I really feel sorry, i once had been thinking we germans had been onto something - i was wrong.
In one month carneval is beginning, cologne is a stronghold. Three days of barely dressed women and much alcohol. This is a last chance to turn things around. If carneval gets spoiled, you will hear very ugly news from germany - and europe.
And i am now really curious, how all this idealist want to justify, that we have to dismiss out cultural traditions out of safety issues because of the flaws of other cultures.
147
The challenge is to separate the riff-raff from the good and decent refugees who need to be protected. I am not sure the 'Rechtsstaat' will be up to it. Let alone protect its own citizens. Ugly times ahead, indeed.
6
Doc o.n. Holiday, you are right on this.
We could handle a few thousands refugees, but now we got more than a million. And we have barely the resources to deport them, for many we even do not know where to deport them.
We have no exit strategy - except voting for some weirdos.
And with the prospects of the far right gaining, Merkel must unfuse this bomb asap.
We could handle a few thousands refugees, but now we got more than a million. And we have barely the resources to deport them, for many we even do not know where to deport them.
We have no exit strategy - except voting for some weirdos.
And with the prospects of the far right gaining, Merkel must unfuse this bomb asap.
21
Welcome to the club, Mathias. I and most people I know were shocked from day 1 after Merkel uttered her infamous "Wir schaffen das" invitation. But I think most perpetrators in Cologne were not even recent refugees, instead, most were probably migrants that had already come in during past years. Either way, that goes to show how "well" cultural and social integration is working. Given that we are now taking in vastly larger numbers and that a large proportion of them will soon feel bored and disenfranchised, I'm afraid what happened on New Year's eve will seem like a minor incident in a couple of years.
14
If the official response, from a woman no less, is for women to curtail themselves in any way as a solution to the problem, then these new additions to society need to go somewhere else. The cost is too high. There's no end to that kind of accommodation. It's as simple and as politically incorrect as that.
67
Men in packs are very dangerous and keeping a safe distance from them means being in a bigger pack of humans or not being in sight, at all, and the Mayor should know that. The city needs more police to control predatory human beings when the appear in significant numbers as reported. As for the origin of these low life male predators, they can arise from any community, but it's plausible that they could be from the amongst the refugees.
17
The people of Koln (Cologne) should require the mayor to immediately resign as mayor. Her behavior is just as detrimental as the behavior of the men who assaulted the women. Perhaps Germany and other countries will have a better vetting method prior to taking on refugees.
65
Perhaps Germany and other countries will have a better vetting method prior to taking on refugees.
How? The only solution is to take none. Problem solved.
How? The only solution is to take none. Problem solved.
22
These criticisms of the mayor may be somewhat unfair. The mayor's comment is being reported as though she issued it as official policy. According to reports I have seen, however, it was in response to a reporter's question about what women should do to avoid this sort of thing that caught the mayor a bit by surprise. Clumsy response, but hardly a cause for crucifying her.
6
No, yoda. The solution is to admit women and young children but bar Arab men.
16
Shame on the mayor of Cologne for blaming victims for what perpetrators did. They could not possibly know these men would behave in this manner. She has further traumatized women who were already harmed.
The incidents were bad enough, without the mayor adding to them.
Meanwhile, certainly Germany must make Herculean efforts to teach these newcomers Western manners and values. Otherwise, this will happen again and again as Western women act in accordance with Western values.
The incidents were bad enough, without the mayor adding to them.
Meanwhile, certainly Germany must make Herculean efforts to teach these newcomers Western manners and values. Otherwise, this will happen again and again as Western women act in accordance with Western values.
22
I don't understand how so many people choose to ignore the cultural repercussions of migrations coming en-masse. It would be fantastic, in a way, if these migrants were the unwashed masses of lore who are thankful every day for there new welcoming country. But that is far, far, from what is happening here. First of all, Germany is not America, founded by immigrants, that historically has as part of its culture bringing in new cultures to the melting pot. And second, I doubt most in the current migration are looking to become German.
46
look at the Turks in Germany. They have been there 40-60 years yet still live in self-enclosed communities, do not marry outside their religion (or ethnos) and speak Turkish better than German. Edrogan even praises them for not assimiliating. It is as if he expects Germans to assimilate them (as if they were Christians in Turkey).
19
Yoda,
Definitely not true of all the Turks in Germany! The educated ones by now are well adjusted and assimilated. The problem are the uneducated poor, but there is little difference between Turks and native born Germans in the problems they are causing. I would not encounter either kind at night, alone. Definitely not as a woman.
And there is nothing wrong with keeping the essence of their culture alive. Just as the cultural habits of Bavarians and Friesians are quite different. Germany would be much poorer without them.
Similarly, here in the US different immigrant populations also keep their cultures alive. Just think of Chinatown in NY or SF, or little Italy. In the South, there entire parts of cities where nobody speaks any English. Still the majority are decent people.
Definitely not true of all the Turks in Germany! The educated ones by now are well adjusted and assimilated. The problem are the uneducated poor, but there is little difference between Turks and native born Germans in the problems they are causing. I would not encounter either kind at night, alone. Definitely not as a woman.
And there is nothing wrong with keeping the essence of their culture alive. Just as the cultural habits of Bavarians and Friesians are quite different. Germany would be much poorer without them.
Similarly, here in the US different immigrant populations also keep their cultures alive. Just think of Chinatown in NY or SF, or little Italy. In the South, there entire parts of cities where nobody speaks any English. Still the majority are decent people.
5
@yoda
Your comment betrays the fact that you have not been to Germany recently. And your generalizations about the Turks living there, is incorrect and misguided. If anything there are Turks who are born, and have lived there all their lives-- and speak German better than they speak Turkish. I have family and friends in Berlin, I know what I'm talking about.
Your comment betrays the fact that you have not been to Germany recently. And your generalizations about the Turks living there, is incorrect and misguided. If anything there are Turks who are born, and have lived there all their lives-- and speak German better than they speak Turkish. I have family and friends in Berlin, I know what I'm talking about.
2
Our press are withholding many details. Yesterday the BBC reported that a policeman had detained eight suspects on the scene -- and quoted the policeman as saying all eight carried current asylum-seeker papers. Yet this New York Times article maintains authorities have yet to identify any suspects as migrants. The BBC also contained horrifying details, including one man whose partner and his 15 year-old-daughter were surrounded and attacked -- genital groping -- by swarms of North Africans and Arabs while he was restrained and powerless to help them. This is the future for America if we permit unrestricted Moslem immigration. There is a tipping point, after which the new arrivals impose their norms on the host nation, instead of assimilating to its values.
162
Strange how the headline does not indicate the ethnic nature of the sexual assailants. When will Chancellor Merkel and the other politically correct officials in Germany start standing up for ethnic Germans instead of pandering to predatory illegal aliens from the Middle East who have invaded their country? It better be soon, or the German culture will disappear as Islamic fundamentalists take over their society. Close your borders now or face the consequences. I witnessed this culture clash on several business trips to Stuttgart 10 years ago. I can only imagine how much it has worsened today.
57
Readers may recall the incident last year at Columbia of an alleged assault for which the young lady carried a mattress for months around campus. There was only, several months prior to that, the now debunked Rolling Stone article about a rape.
American newspapers ran article after article about "a campus rape culture".
President Obama and the Justice Department spoke out about it.
And yet, these events in Germany, the tardy German and international media response to them, seem to place that world light years away.
American newspapers ran article after article about "a campus rape culture".
President Obama and the Justice Department spoke out about it.
And yet, these events in Germany, the tardy German and international media response to them, seem to place that world light years away.
18
Norway is paying their immigrants to leave. Free airplane ticket too.
43
The Norwegians are smart enough to recognize the error of their ways. Unlimited emigration of people who have no cultural allegiance to your home country is nonsense. Close your borders, Norway, or you will suffer the fate of Germany, France, and England.
38
Not only free air ticket, but also a sum of money, large enough to be considered a small fortune in some backward nations. However, the majority of immigrants are not tempted to axcept. They have come to stay. And as soon as stay is granted, the road is open to invite wife and a number of children from the fatherland.
15
It's not only Norway that is closing borders and limiting access. But Sweden and Denmark, too.
8
Give them an inch an they'll take a mile.
Too late for Germany. the rest of Europe should be falling like Dominos by Spring.
Too late for Germany. the rest of Europe should be falling like Dominos by Spring.
30
The Europeans should treat these so-called asylum seekers like Israel treats its Palestinians! Then the problem would be solved! They would know their place!
6
Finally we realize that Europe, starting with Germany Angela Merkel, is incompetent and constantly putting their head in the sand. They are falling apart because of emotional fear and lack of courage. I'm glad to live on this side of the Ocean - things will only get worse.
17
Markell reminds me of Sarumen in the Lord of the Rings, who sold his people down the drain. Perhaps, the NYT editorial board will apologize to all of their readers who pointed out time after time that the Germans, led by Merkel, were on a very dangerous path, and that multiculturalism is not necessarily a good thing. What these readers got were accusations of being all sorts of vile things, when all they were trying to do is point out the obvious.
50
8 years ago I was a huge fan and a supporter, in my small way, of Hillary Clinton.
This year I'm not so sure as I heard her saying the U.S. will bring in 68,000 Syrian and other Muslim "refugees" on the Friday night of the Paris terror attack.
I can't vote for her if she insists taking this kind of "refugees" to our soil.
I always believe that rich countries should donate money, if they can afford, to UN refugee organizations to help real refugees re-settle in regions near their home countries (Arab and North Africa). When the civil war ends, they can all go home.
If these "refugees" don't embrace Western culture and values, why we welcome them?
Politically correct politicians: please wake up and listen to your voters!
This is from a longtime NYT reader and a liberal!
This year I'm not so sure as I heard her saying the U.S. will bring in 68,000 Syrian and other Muslim "refugees" on the Friday night of the Paris terror attack.
I can't vote for her if she insists taking this kind of "refugees" to our soil.
I always believe that rich countries should donate money, if they can afford, to UN refugee organizations to help real refugees re-settle in regions near their home countries (Arab and North Africa). When the civil war ends, they can all go home.
If these "refugees" don't embrace Western culture and values, why we welcome them?
Politically correct politicians: please wake up and listen to your voters!
This is from a longtime NYT reader and a liberal!
54
I don't think the two situations are comparable. Applicants for refugee status here are put through a long background check that can take anywhere from one to two years. The recent wave of immigration into Germany and other EU states had no such system of checks. Those countries were overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees on their borders and had neither the time nor the organizational infrastructure to subject each applicant to a detailed check.
We have thousands of Muslim refugees living in the US today. Have you ever heard of events similar to those in Cologne taking place in American cities?
For some details on American refugee resettlements, particularly Syrian refugees, see http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/19/syrian-refugees-in-americ...
We have thousands of Muslim refugees living in the US today. Have you ever heard of events similar to those in Cologne taking place in American cities?
For some details on American refugee resettlements, particularly Syrian refugees, see http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/19/syrian-refugees-in-americ...
3
@ Peter
The Boston Bomber's family passed all those background checks with flying colors. All lies, of course.
And while the US has not had' events similar to those in Cologne', one would think that the 'events' we have suffered, which have been much, much worse, would make even an ardent 'open border' Liberal think twice about our immigration policies.
The Boston Bomber's family passed all those background checks with flying colors. All lies, of course.
And while the US has not had' events similar to those in Cologne', one would think that the 'events' we have suffered, which have been much, much worse, would make even an ardent 'open border' Liberal think twice about our immigration policies.
3
US Code on refugees actually mandates what you suggest: refugees should be placed, temporarily, in countries near the areas of conflict. Why is the current (and even previous) Administration not following the law?
The collusion of various vested interests from multi-national corporations, to 'refugee resettlement' NGO's, to leftist academics, Saudi Arabia and Gulf States intent on exporting their brand of Wahabbist/Salafist Islam, to donor dependent politicians have created an insidious cabal, represented in DC by what many call the UniParty. Left and Right, Democrat and Republican. The Bush and Clinton clans are the figureheads of the UniParty. It's coupled with a stupidly hawkish belief in 'regime replacement' and 'nation building'. Hence Iraq under Bush, and Hillary's Great Libyan Adventure. The latter was more than Libya. It encompassed much of MENA, with Syria and a crumbling Iraq creating a flood of 'refugees' and opportunists from other Islamic nations who purchase bogus Syrian passports.
When voting, ignore the D/R affiliation. Look for the pro-American candidates who put the interests of the citizenry and nation first.
The collusion of various vested interests from multi-national corporations, to 'refugee resettlement' NGO's, to leftist academics, Saudi Arabia and Gulf States intent on exporting their brand of Wahabbist/Salafist Islam, to donor dependent politicians have created an insidious cabal, represented in DC by what many call the UniParty. Left and Right, Democrat and Republican. The Bush and Clinton clans are the figureheads of the UniParty. It's coupled with a stupidly hawkish belief in 'regime replacement' and 'nation building'. Hence Iraq under Bush, and Hillary's Great Libyan Adventure. The latter was more than Libya. It encompassed much of MENA, with Syria and a crumbling Iraq creating a flood of 'refugees' and opportunists from other Islamic nations who purchase bogus Syrian passports.
When voting, ignore the D/R affiliation. Look for the pro-American candidates who put the interests of the citizenry and nation first.
1
It is very sad, that such a statement is made by a woman. An arm's length isn't going to prevent a (probably) stronger person to do harm to you, no matter how hard you try. There's no doubt that the people, who did this should be punished very hard and deservingly.
However, people need to be careful blaming the new refugees in this country just because the assailants looked "arabic". They might as well have lived in cologne for a few years and still do certain horrible things. The masses of refugees are not per se the cause, when it comes to crimes especially against women. Those statements are being made by the german right-wing "politicians", creating an even bigger outrage on Ms. Merkel's asylum-policies, despite not having any valid proof to do so.
Those acts - especially in a (fully) developed country - are showing that there are still some steps to be made towards fully emancipated women.
Comments like Ms. Reker's make those steps seem to be pretty big...
However, people need to be careful blaming the new refugees in this country just because the assailants looked "arabic". They might as well have lived in cologne for a few years and still do certain horrible things. The masses of refugees are not per se the cause, when it comes to crimes especially against women. Those statements are being made by the german right-wing "politicians", creating an even bigger outrage on Ms. Merkel's asylum-policies, despite not having any valid proof to do so.
Those acts - especially in a (fully) developed country - are showing that there are still some steps to be made towards fully emancipated women.
Comments like Ms. Reker's make those steps seem to be pretty big...
10
"are showing that there are still some steps to be made towards fully emancipated women"
did i miss something ? is this a flaw of germany, or a flaw of these muslim immigrants. As far as i know we have emancipated women.
did i miss something ? is this a flaw of germany, or a flaw of these muslim immigrants. As far as i know we have emancipated women.
10
Sure thing, we did in general. Although we need to admit that such incidents, whether being committed by a refugee or a german citizen show that there are still enough people, who don't accept women as equal to theirselves.
With my comment, I just wanted to imply that we haven't reached the finish of the emancipation process, since those ideals haven't gone through to all social classes.
With my comment, I just wanted to imply that we haven't reached the finish of the emancipation process, since those ideals haven't gone through to all social classes.
I'm sorry but this is outrageous. Having been attacked in a smiliar way as happened in Cologne as a young woman 1991 in Instanbul and in a lesser way in Tunisia, the moment our chancellor opened the borders - or worse, respectively - declared that there could be none, I knew, I feared for my two daughters what was to come. I have been a constant voter for the Social Democrats and the Green Party but now this will change.
I might not like it but I cannot NOT vote the AFD. There is no other alternative to stop this madness, this nonsense babbling of demographic problems long foreseen but not fighted, of integration having to be both-way (why?), the idiocy of UNHCR refugee camps funds having been stripped-down to one third one year ago, of head scarves being the new freedom like a fellow student of mine who wrote a book about it, of pork-free meals for all, of concealed facts like that two thirs of prisoners are Muslims (they don't have statistics on religious beliefs, but on halal food orders!), of muzzles for police officers and of people who work in civic administrations concerning refugee crime (yes, that exists!), etc. etc.
I'm more than fed up with all that relativistic whataboutism "the masses of reffugees are not per se the cause" - it simply leads us nowhere. What we need is facts, not ideology, I beg you.
And this is what I recommend you to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcV6F9BEbJw (Sat.1-Frühstücksfernsehen, interview with Claus Strunz)
I might not like it but I cannot NOT vote the AFD. There is no other alternative to stop this madness, this nonsense babbling of demographic problems long foreseen but not fighted, of integration having to be both-way (why?), the idiocy of UNHCR refugee camps funds having been stripped-down to one third one year ago, of head scarves being the new freedom like a fellow student of mine who wrote a book about it, of pork-free meals for all, of concealed facts like that two thirs of prisoners are Muslims (they don't have statistics on religious beliefs, but on halal food orders!), of muzzles for police officers and of people who work in civic administrations concerning refugee crime (yes, that exists!), etc. etc.
I'm more than fed up with all that relativistic whataboutism "the masses of reffugees are not per se the cause" - it simply leads us nowhere. What we need is facts, not ideology, I beg you.
And this is what I recommend you to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcV6F9BEbJw (Sat.1-Frühstücksfernsehen, interview with Claus Strunz)
3
Amazing! Frau Reker's statement is stupid enough to be mistaken for something said by one of our GOP presidential candidate. It's positively Trump worthy!
So madam, when you loose your current position in the next election, I suggest you emigrate to America and become a speech writer for prominent Republicans. Or, if your blond and cute, a Fox News reader.
So madam, when you loose your current position in the next election, I suggest you emigrate to America and become a speech writer for prominent Republicans. Or, if your blond and cute, a Fox News reader.
13
This story was reported yesterday on ARD (the First German Channel), and no one was more dismayed by the Mayor's comments than those the women in Köln who dared to speak about the incident onscreen. What's apparent here is the inability of several German politicians (Merkel, Reker, etc.) to face the problem head-on; namely "Wir schaffen das" and instant integration isn't working. And it's through no fault of all the women who simply want to live their lives, instead of fearing for them.
50
Wow, would not have happened, I think, when I lived there in the late 1970s. So, um, how's that multi-cultural experiment working out over there? From reading this article, it's even worse than here.
19
The mayor's advice was truly foolish and counterproductive. But as for the even bigger story about the assaults themselves, let's wait for more information to come in before jumping to conclusions about whether the perpetrators were Arabs, whether they were refugees, how many of them there were and what this incident portends for Germany and Europe.
3
It's clear Ms Reker fears pigeonholing refugees for sexual assault. This is understandable. We all know perfectly well that sexual assault occurs on a daily basis with perpetrators of every ethnic and religious background. But this does not excuse her ridiculous 'advice'. We ostracise perpetrators as they are the ones with a problem, not the victims. Under no circumstance should a victim or potential victim have to placate misogyny. But the dilemma in this case is that the perpetrators may not even view themselves as perpetrators at all. The accused perpetrators come from societies where women's agency is not accepted or viewed as normal. Is Germany willing to spend the resources needed to make such people think otherwise? And if so how? That's the question the German government needs to answer. Preferably sooner rather than later.
10
How does a nation "make such people think otherwise"? All tortured cultural relativism aside, those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.
4
Blaming the victims only compounds the problem. These particular immigrants are a special case, because the simultaneous timing of the attacks and the number of men involved clearly points to what, by any other name, would be organized crime. The bottom line, however, is that no group for which apologists must constantly step in to rationalize frankly unacceptable behavior can ever achieve equality, so the sooner these immigrants assimilate to Western ways, the better. Anyone who doesn't wish to do so always has the option of returning to his or her home country or to parts of the world in which like-minded persons are in the majority, and usually lacking tolerance for the freedoms that women in our Western culture enjoy. In other words, if they don't like the way Westerners do things, then they shouldn't move to the West. Western countries must learn to differentiate between true refugees and those who wish to live in the West only to take advantage of its general tolerant attitude and magnanimity toward anyone in a recognized minority.
56
Ms. Reker deserves all the ridicule that civilized society can give her. Keeping an arm's length away—hard if you're being surrounded—may not suffice. Does she think women should take to wearing hajib to be less enticing? Never go out after dark? Never go out at all?
139
I am beyond shocked and appalled. Shocked at the mass predatory behavior of the men, especially the men who evidently should consider themselves blessed to be living in Germany. Appalled at a Mayor who seems to be incapable of understanding what personal abuse amounts to for a man or a woman, and especially what abuse of masses of women amounts to.
What a nightmare for the victims, for those who will feel vulnerable, for Germans who have cared to be generous and kind.
What a nightmare for the victims, for those who will feel vulnerable, for Germans who have cared to be generous and kind.
309
I agree with you totally. I am German born, but I have lived in the US for fifty years. I cannot believe what is happening to my native country. At this point I would not want to live there anymore. I feel much safer at Time Square than I would in Cologne. The area around the cathedral has always been a major trouble spot; all sorts of hoodlums have found their haven there. The German police is very "soft", to say the least, and so are German laws. Criminals have almost nothing to fear, and with the influx of foreigners the situation was bound to get worse. How dare they think, they can abuse a country that has been so generous to them? Obviously they believe, that, in total contrast to the countries they come from, that German women are "Freiwild" (free for all). As far as I am concerned, the offenders should be deported immediately!
12
Nancy, I'm glad you are horrified by this. However, this is exactly the reason why many people have been fighting unrestricted entry to millions of refugees from cultures where this is acceptable behaviour. However, the left shut down all discussion by branding any reasonable opposition as xenophobic or racist. It was a legitimate discussion to be had..
4
Ms. Reker has been stabbed during an election rally in the throat and had to struggle for her life for some time. She was elected mayor being in an induced coma after the attack. This happened last fall. She could take her office only in the beginning of January of '16 a couple of days ago.
Maybe her remark about arm-lenghth has to do with this personal situation ?
We will see how her being Mayor of Cologne will turn out.
xx
Maybe her remark about arm-lenghth has to do with this personal situation ?
We will see how her being Mayor of Cologne will turn out.
xx
It now appears ill-considered on Merkel's part to have agreed to take in such an enormous number of refugees from a country whose norms differ considerably from Germany's, without presenting the question to the broad German public. Was this not even considered? Perhaps these "gropers" were from other places than from Syria, but it will surely all end up conflated. I'm sympathetic to the refugees, especially the women and children, and perhaps that is where the admissions should have begun. But it's too late now, is it not?
43
It now appears ill-considered on Merkel's part to have agreed to take in such an enormous number of refugees...? Only now? You clearly have not been reading the comments section of any major world newspaper including the NYT because from the start of Germany's "Big Welcome" the percentages have run about 90% to 10% in predicting just this type of disaster. Yes, it is too late to shut the barn door now. By the way, many if not the majority of the million who have recently migrated to Germany were not from Syria but from elsewhere in the Middle East, North Africa, and even Eastern Europe. Come one, come all and they did.
2
Merkel and her enablers are directly to blame for this madness, make no mistake about it. And what else to call it? It is clearly a form of sickness when a mayor says such shocking and disgusting things. leftists are finally seeing the result of their naive advocacy: western women being assaulted in public by men who have and will always dwell in the 7th century. And you invited them in. I demand an explanation from those who desired this. This is just the beginning. Deportations must begin immediately.
130
Yes, deportations, as well as criminal proceedings against the politicians and media establishment enablers, must begin immediately.
4
Yes, the remarks of the mayor (who is new to the office and has been attacked herself while campaigning--as an independent BTW) were ill-considered, but frankly, I consider it ludicrous to make them the headline of the story reporting on the New Year's Eve attacks in Cologne, which were unprecedented and took everybody by surprise. Does the reporter really think that this is the most news-worthy aspect of the event?
5
I am pretty sure that reporting the Mayor's strategy for dealing with these "unprecedented" attacks is indeed a very important part of the story. On the other hand, I don't see what the fact that she stabbed while campaigning has to do with anything. Her attacker was promptly arrested, no?
13
There have been numerous attacks on women and children, including in the refugee centers, schools, etc...
The way this attack was more appalling is that it seemed to be coordinated locally using social media. In addition, this happened in other cities in Germany.
The way this attack was more appalling is that it seemed to be coordinated locally using social media. In addition, this happened in other cities in Germany.
18
Why does a certain segment of the German population look at this event as a surprise? There are many that have been predicting things like this to happen for months now. But I guess they are all nasty, ugly and ultra right wingers. And mayor Reker tops it all off with her helpless and shocking remarks. This right now is a headline story around the world. Have the political powers in Germany overplayed their hand? Looks to me like a creeping loss of government control with no end in sight. Enjoy carneval with the new guests.
14
Her comment is shocking, and serves as a perfect illustration how incredibly far from the mainstream of society and from basic human experience high-ranking politicians find themselves. Keeping safe and keeping everyone at arm's length isn't as easy as that only when you have platoons of armed bodyguards keeping away the riffraff, Ms. Merkel.
67
It wasn't Ms. Merkel. It was the Mayor of Cologne. This is the kind of developing crisis that can bring out the worst in people. The least we can do is get our facts straight.
2
The mayor should be talking about apprehending these men and what can be done in the future to prevent hundreds of men from encircling and sexually assaulting women. Women should not have to fear for their safety in a crowd or anywhere else. Very often when in a crowd it is impossible to be an arm's length away from anyone so does that mean a woman should be expected to be sexually assaulted in this situation? This is absurd. It is the responsibility of our governments to keep us safe from those who wish to do us harm.
243
They need to be in jail. They are criminals.
18
Of course. What is WRONG with Merkel and these German officials?
2
The police have already admitted that none of these men will be apprehended, let alone convicted and-or deported. There will be no justice. And next summer, when the next 3 million stream across the Mediterranean and the Balkans to get into Europe, the re-elected Merkel will let them in, too, and shriek that the rest of the EU has to do what she has done and ruin what is left of their countries, too.
1
All cultures are not equal, and all people are not equal. "Human relations commissions" and civil rights groups can suppress speaking about this fact, but they cannot change it. Immigration is a big source of strength for a country that is willing to be discriminating about who it takes, about what their culture, work history, education, and even religious beliefs are. it can be a big source of weakness for those that don't, that would rather give in and take the most aggressive migrants rather than be accused of various "phobias" and "isms".
111
Wow, this is outrageous. However, it isn't surprising since the majority of "refugees" are young unaccompanied single men unaccustomed to respecting women. However, isn't Henriette Reker's, Cologne's mayor, advice tantamount to blaming the victim? It appears there is a hierarchy of victimization in her mind and obnoxious refugees are accorded greater victimhood status than the female German citizens victims of sexual assault. Would she be issuing the same advice if the perpetrators were native Germans. I suspect she'd be demanding the police to tear up the city to find those that accosted the women in the central square.
328
The issue isn't "blaming the victim". The whole issue of self-protection is just that, self-protection.
You don't advise somebody not to engage in self-protective behavior because to do so would be to blame them for not doing so! This is just ridiculous.
You tell your sons and daughters how to protect themselves, because you don't want them hurt. There are evil people out there. Would you withhold protective advice from your child, because that would suggest "blaming" them were they to become a victim?
'
You don't advise somebody not to engage in self-protective behavior because to do so would be to blame them for not doing so! This is just ridiculous.
You tell your sons and daughters how to protect themselves, because you don't want them hurt. There are evil people out there. Would you withhold protective advice from your child, because that would suggest "blaming" them were they to become a victim?
'
4
Her advice was idiotic, and yes, she appears to think that the burden of prevention is on German women rather than on the criminals.
24
A: It is not tantamount. It is blaming victims. As we occasionally say, where did that come from?
1
Perhaps instead of the useless, blame-the-victim "arm's length" advice, the mayor should have recommended that women keep a can of Mace-like spray handy when in crowds or questionable areas.
203
To have them strip her of the mace, or gun, and use it on her? This escalation could result in the woman's death.
2
tornadoxy,
Guns! Now there's an original idea! I have been waiting for a long time for Germany to adopt the Second Amendment into its Constitution. As is, that is the only major part of the American Constitution that is not part of the 'Grundgesetz'.
Perhaps one way to speed up solving the problem is for all German women to apply for a gun license. Then see them being denied that license. Then getting attacked again. Put some pressure on the politicians to deal decisively with this untenable situation.
Perhaps the best way is to have Angela Merkel go out at night in Cologne, alone and without her body guards. That would get things changed in a hurry.
Guns! Now there's an original idea! I have been waiting for a long time for Germany to adopt the Second Amendment into its Constitution. As is, that is the only major part of the American Constitution that is not part of the 'Grundgesetz'.
Perhaps one way to speed up solving the problem is for all German women to apply for a gun license. Then see them being denied that license. Then getting attacked again. Put some pressure on the politicians to deal decisively with this untenable situation.
Perhaps the best way is to have Angela Merkel go out at night in Cologne, alone and without her body guards. That would get things changed in a hurry.
2
Perhaps she should say, she will work with the police to bring these men to justice and protect all citizens in the future.
Ironically arms length doesn't stop molestation anyway.
Or stabbing as she herself knows as a victim.
Ironically arms length doesn't stop molestation anyway.
Or stabbing as she herself knows as a victim.
5
The mayor of Cologne I'm tried to offer the best advice she could to the women who live in and travel through Cologne. But when you take in a million immigrants from a different culture, one where women are often veiled and women going out alone is seen as a violation of cultural norms, then she should have thought about the nuances involved in her telling German women to change their behavior. It is the immigrants who need to change their behavior. Germany has 1.1 million new immigrants from a non-European culture. Denmark has already put up barriers between the two states. I think that this could blow over, or it could blow the chancellor over, depending on what happened and how it was and will be dealt with. It is a dangerous thing when you accept a million refugees and they in turn allow a tiny, infinitely tiny group of thugs to tar the rest of them. Because where were the men in all this, both German and foreign (of course nothing is foreign anymore in PC English)? Carnival is coming up in Cologne and the other Rhine cities in a couple of months and I imagine the Germans will try to micromanage this kind of thing out of existence between reaching out to immigrants and getting out the word that they need to watch over their bad dogs and a hefty police presence during the pre-Lenten Carnival.
32
"Carnival is coming up in Cologne and the other Rhine cities"
It is well known in Germany that divorces soar after these Carnivals. Can you guess why?
It is well known in Germany that divorces soar after these Carnivals. Can you guess why?
Incredibly irresponsible of Ms. Reker to suggest that "It is always possible to keep a certain distance that is longer than an arm’s length." It is clearly not always possible when her city just experienced a mass sexual assault.
Any man entering Germany should be made well aware of their expectations vis a vis how they treat the women they will encounter in their host country. Anyone victimizing people in their new nation should be faced with prompt deportation.
Any man entering Germany should be made well aware of their expectations vis a vis how they treat the women they will encounter in their host country. Anyone victimizing people in their new nation should be faced with prompt deportation.
312
Why should German Tax Paying citizens keep a arms distance in their own country? Get these rabid dogs out Macht Schnell! Germany you do not need to care about these 7th century Barbarians send them back...
113
Deport all young men right now until we can develop a strategy, if there is one, to avoid these problems. At least two years of schooling, somewhere else, would be a good beginning to determine their amenability to conforming with western culture. Barbarians at the gate? Seems like they're through the gate.
4
If these attackers are muslims they usually do not attack women which is unheard of in Muslim countries. They probably misled by the Germans who, usually, and especially in Fasching festivals, take liberties which would be unacceptable in the other parts of the world.
Merkel can not be that naive. She's certainly not a good-hearted person, when it comes to setting governmental policy. She proved that by her unbending attitude to Greek loans, even though Germany has a moral responsibility to Greece, due to the damage caused by WWII. The only reason she was so welcoming to the migrants is because that was her dictates from the industrialists. They needed cheap labor, no matter what. The fact that the majority were young men, did not faze her. When you have such an influx of men, with no family or women to hold them back, they will rob and rape at will. The Muslims are known not to respect the infidels. Raping a non-Muslim woman is considered non-sinful. This is what the future holds, for Germany, Sweden, Norway and all the other do-gooders.
167
Agreed.
There's an ocean, literally & metaphorically, between North America & the Muslim problem - - let's realize that & make sure we utilize it as the natural barrier that it's intended to be.
There's an ocean, literally & metaphorically, between North America & the Muslim problem - - let's realize that & make sure we utilize it as the natural barrier that it's intended to be.
15
I suspect Merkel is just following the Basic Law, a type of fundamental rights constitutional document that the Allies required Germany to adopt in 1948 and which requires it to be welcoming of immigrants.
Do Germans feel they can change this law or are they waiting for the Allies' permission or the Allies to take the lead?
The Basic Law has some problems in it and needs to be updated, including to reflect that paternity is now inexpensively provable, which will shut down a lot of this harassment, I think.
It was the English Midlands that drove this effort to make paternity as inexpensively provable as maternity. The English and the US need to update their laws, I think, and take the lead. Both the 1689 English Bill of Rights and the US Constitution imply equal parental responsibility for children, regardless of sex, but this could not be legally enforced until now.
The international human rights treaties, the new constitution of Tunisia, the British parental responsibility law all have this standard of "equal rights and responsibilities regardless of sex" but they don't give every child the self-executing right to have his/her bio parents identified at birth, which costs less than $100, with the price rapidly dropping.
This right of the child also needs to be added to the Baslc Law in German as well as a general "equal rights and responsibilities regardless of sex" provision, and the gender sterotyping removed.
Do Germans feel they can change this law or are they waiting for the Allies' permission or the Allies to take the lead?
The Basic Law has some problems in it and needs to be updated, including to reflect that paternity is now inexpensively provable, which will shut down a lot of this harassment, I think.
It was the English Midlands that drove this effort to make paternity as inexpensively provable as maternity. The English and the US need to update their laws, I think, and take the lead. Both the 1689 English Bill of Rights and the US Constitution imply equal parental responsibility for children, regardless of sex, but this could not be legally enforced until now.
The international human rights treaties, the new constitution of Tunisia, the British parental responsibility law all have this standard of "equal rights and responsibilities regardless of sex" but they don't give every child the self-executing right to have his/her bio parents identified at birth, which costs less than $100, with the price rapidly dropping.
This right of the child also needs to be added to the Baslc Law in German as well as a general "equal rights and responsibilities regardless of sex" provision, and the gender sterotyping removed.
1
The path to hell is paved with good intentions!
4
She's saying government cannot solve all problems, and who would disagree?
3
But government should make an extra effort to solve problems it helped to create through hasty and ill-advised public policy, and who would disagree?
21
Government cannot solve all problems, but it has a responsibility to protect all of its citizens, and in this case that would mean apprehending and punishing/deporting those responsible, as well as ensuring that such assaults do not happen again.
25
I'll have to reserve judgement on this one until more facts surrounding the attackers comes out. Everybody has dark skin when its midnight.
37
Believe me, when you watch the videos in german tv or on youtube - these men were arabs and africans. not even our most leftist politicians doubt this fact - and this means a lot!
173
Construction Joe, denial and political correctness will not take away the pain, shame and future stress these women now have and will experience. Unfortunately the Cologne police appear to have taken your attitude as well. The women were clear about who harassed them . You weren't there. So your opinion pretty much irrelevant and moot.
89
Er, actually quite the contrary. At night, only light skinned people are visible. Black faces are difficult to see in the dark. Just look around you next time you're in the dark.
17
http://www.politico.eu/article/europes-man-problem/
Below is the intro-which contradicts all the propaganda photos of women and children, how there are no barbarians at the gate, there are no cultural or sociological downsides to letting them all, etc., that the media have fed us since June:
"The recent surge of migration into Europe has been unprecedented in scope, with an estimated 1 million migrants from the Middle East and North Africa this past year alone, making for a massive humanitarian crisis, as well as a political and moral dilemma for European governments. But one crucial dimension of this crisis has gone little-noticed: sex or, more technically, sex ratios.
According to official counts, a disproportionate number of these migrants are young, unmarried, unaccompanied males. In fact, the sex ratios among migrants are so one-sided — we’re talking worse than those in China, in some cases — that they could radically change the gender balance in European countries in certain age cohorts.
As many governments, including in the United States, debate how many migrants to accept onto their shores, they would be wise to take gender balance into consideration. That might sound sexist on the surface, but years of research has shown that male-dominated societies are less stable, because they are more susceptible to higher levels of violence, insurgence and mistreatment of women."
Danke, Frau Merkel.