Comment below: " Afghanistan even had the gall to demand payments to all of these illegal migrants Germany wanted to send back. And they got it." Actually this is probably the easiest and least costly solution for Western Europe, and the least likely to result in violence. The migrants never assimilate or repudiate customs like wife beating, polygamy, and 1st cousin marriage, which are detrimental to any civilized country and illegal in most. Nor will they ever use birth control, which is what allowed Europe to be a decent place to live. Pay the migrants what they need to leave and it will be a bargain.
8
They will come back for more payment. Like feeding a stray...
4
True, without effective fencing. Maybe the Hungarians can teach the West how that is done.
4
Already, a construction crew was clearing space for a playground near a makeshift clinic, a food hall and a worship area. The accommodations would keep women and children — who now make up around 60 percent of incoming migrants — separate from the men “in order to respect their culture,” Mr. Thanos said.
Really ? Have not heard that these migrants respect our culture based on reports coming out of various European countries. Why is it what we respect their culture and go out of our way to provide for them? This only leads to the migrants wanting further entitlements, exemption from our laws - due to their religious beliefs - and less integration with their host countries.
Enough is enough .......
Really ? Have not heard that these migrants respect our culture based on reports coming out of various European countries. Why is it what we respect their culture and go out of our way to provide for them? This only leads to the migrants wanting further entitlements, exemption from our laws - due to their religious beliefs - and less integration with their host countries.
Enough is enough .......
17
Tusk did the right thing today by finally announcing that economic migrants - all those except Syrian and Iraqis - will not be allowed into or to transit any EU country. It's up to migrants now to spare themselves the effort and money of coming to live for a short time in a Greek refugee camp. This is the law.
12
Judging by many of the comments here, one would think this site was FOX News.
The talk of the superiority of European culture is horse dung, for many a century it has been Europeans that have been behind other civilizations. The only reason Europe is classy, safe, and technologically advanced today is because it has relegated unto the rest of the world the violence that had beseeched the European empires of old. Instead of making Europe a battleground, the Europeans have wasted the rest of the world with the ideals of superiority, and of course the robbery of materials & wealth.
Don't be fooled by the babble of the fools who want you to think that Europe is incredibly far ahead of the Middle East in terms of rights, especially for women. Remember that it was only 20 years ago that Germany, the industrial leader of the continent, banned rape within marriage.
Islam does indeed have a culture of suppressing women, just as Christianity had and still has to this day. But do not allow that to justify the actions of the clearly racist, xenophobes of the far right, which has suppressed many woman's and gays rights. Remember that Germany is still the same country that hosts Oktoberfest where the crowds get wild, and where inevitably, someone gets raped.
People say that the media has a bias in favor of the immigrants (showing photos of women and children only). But when the skinheads protest violently, these same people want the media to give the impression of a peaceful protest.
The talk of the superiority of European culture is horse dung, for many a century it has been Europeans that have been behind other civilizations. The only reason Europe is classy, safe, and technologically advanced today is because it has relegated unto the rest of the world the violence that had beseeched the European empires of old. Instead of making Europe a battleground, the Europeans have wasted the rest of the world with the ideals of superiority, and of course the robbery of materials & wealth.
Don't be fooled by the babble of the fools who want you to think that Europe is incredibly far ahead of the Middle East in terms of rights, especially for women. Remember that it was only 20 years ago that Germany, the industrial leader of the continent, banned rape within marriage.
Islam does indeed have a culture of suppressing women, just as Christianity had and still has to this day. But do not allow that to justify the actions of the clearly racist, xenophobes of the far right, which has suppressed many woman's and gays rights. Remember that Germany is still the same country that hosts Oktoberfest where the crowds get wild, and where inevitably, someone gets raped.
People say that the media has a bias in favor of the immigrants (showing photos of women and children only). But when the skinheads protest violently, these same people want the media to give the impression of a peaceful protest.
So I guess all of the migrants are pouring into Europe because its society is no better than Middle East? You should move to Syria, and see how you like it.
15
Do you always do False Comparisons much?
Women in Germany are not required to wear black bed sheets covering them from head to toe or wrap tablecloths over their hair
Women in France can use birth control -without needing male permission
Women in Belgium can hold jobs and go to university -without needing male permission
Women in Netherlands can travel alone and do what they like
ANd as far as culture goes, the Mideast a hasn't contributed anything to international culture since the Romans pulled out. That areas only achievement in the past 1500++ years has been to have the longest running religious wars in recorded history. Then there is Afghanistan- it has never moved beyond the Bronze age.
How about we sum up your "comparisons" as flat out lies.
I agree with Laura. GO move to Iran, Syria or Afghanistan or any o those Muslim countries and then tell us how it isn't really any different than being a woman in Sweden.
The apologists for Islam need to go get a new bunch of lies - this one is too obvious for words.
Women in Germany are not required to wear black bed sheets covering them from head to toe or wrap tablecloths over their hair
Women in France can use birth control -without needing male permission
Women in Belgium can hold jobs and go to university -without needing male permission
Women in Netherlands can travel alone and do what they like
ANd as far as culture goes, the Mideast a hasn't contributed anything to international culture since the Romans pulled out. That areas only achievement in the past 1500++ years has been to have the longest running religious wars in recorded history. Then there is Afghanistan- it has never moved beyond the Bronze age.
How about we sum up your "comparisons" as flat out lies.
I agree with Laura. GO move to Iran, Syria or Afghanistan or any o those Muslim countries and then tell us how it isn't really any different than being a woman in Sweden.
The apologists for Islam need to go get a new bunch of lies - this one is too obvious for words.
20
Its the height of entitlement for these migrants to demand that the borders be opened. The Northern countries are sovereign and are buckling under the intense economic and social pressure this crisis has brought. They have every right to either close their countries completely or accept a reasonable quota. I applaud Austria. The migrants need to be held in Greece (with aid from the EU, the US and the UN) so an example can be set and migrants stop venturing out on this dangerous route.
18
Poor Greece! Throw them out of there too.
8
This will continue for as long as Greece continues to welcome everyone who comes ashore. The idea of this wide open border is just baffling to me. What would happen if we emptied out all the border controls with Mexico and welcomed everyone who wanted to cross with free transportation wherever they wanted to go, free accommodations and food? Of course thousands of people would come... It just does not make any sense.
15
Most of the refugees claim they want to return to Syria even if to a different area.
Most are only saying this because the conditions in Macedonia are so abysmal. No doubt if you held a ticket to Germany in front of them, they would all probably leap at the chance...Not that I blame them, of course. But this massive influx has got to stop. NO country can withstand the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of refugees and migrants arriving daily.
4
Why can't Greece provide that fairly large uninhabited IslaND across from Syria and the world countries fund or supply a refugee camp until a safe sanctuary area can be established in eastern Syria?
3
I've also thought about this as a possible solution....Anyone listening???
The Greeks definitely got the short straw in this game. First the 'Austerity' measures, now hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants piling up on their shores, while the EU in Brussels continues to do next to nothing, as usual.
At this point, the only thing for certain is that this influx into Europe must be contained. Countries are either at their breaking points, or are just closing their gates all together. The Schengen Agreement is on the verge of being repealed, which will have dire effects on the trans-European economy, and right-wing "Nationalist" activity is on the upswing.
Solutions? Cut through the red-tape and grant Greece the immediate help it needs. Crack down on the human-traffickers who continue to make money at the cost of other's misery. And hold Turkey fully accountable for the funds it receives to halt the mass migrations from its shores.
Of course, ending the conflicts in war-torn areas would be the most logical solution, but also the most difficult to achieve. But the hard reality is, you can't force any country to take in any more refugees than they can handle, or want to. Something that Chancellor Merkel is just beginning to realize.
At this point, the only thing for certain is that this influx into Europe must be contained. Countries are either at their breaking points, or are just closing their gates all together. The Schengen Agreement is on the verge of being repealed, which will have dire effects on the trans-European economy, and right-wing "Nationalist" activity is on the upswing.
Solutions? Cut through the red-tape and grant Greece the immediate help it needs. Crack down on the human-traffickers who continue to make money at the cost of other's misery. And hold Turkey fully accountable for the funds it receives to halt the mass migrations from its shores.
Of course, ending the conflicts in war-torn areas would be the most logical solution, but also the most difficult to achieve. But the hard reality is, you can't force any country to take in any more refugees than they can handle, or want to. Something that Chancellor Merkel is just beginning to realize.
10
Europe, after many centuries of famine and bloody sectarian wars, has learned to live sustainably by keeping its reproductive rate to replacement level. This has made Western Europe the most desirable place to live. These migrants are intent on destroying all that. Yasser Arafat once boasted that the womb of the Muslim woman was his ultimate weapon. Europe is now feeling the brunt of that weapon.
16
well Russia also has a very low birth rate but I don't see anyone storming their borders. It's a fine point but pretty simplistic don't you think? The main problem is that EU is clunky, chaotic and weak. This weakness is now being exploited as Europeans watch helplessly and wring their hands.... Too sad for words.
2
Colonization, my friends. I know that it is unpalatable, possibly unrealistic, but I have come to the conclusion that it is the only solution. If these countries can't or won't create viable societies for their citizens, someone must do it for them. Call it empire for self-defence. It would provide something constructive for the massive U.S. military to do, in addition.
For those who say that it has been tried and failed, I say that the aim has never been explicit. The model in Iraq and Afghanistan has been to swoop in, then leave it to the locals to govern. This is what has failed, in my view. It requires a permanent administration.
For those who say that it has been tried and failed, I say that the aim has never been explicit. The model in Iraq and Afghanistan has been to swoop in, then leave it to the locals to govern. This is what has failed, in my view. It requires a permanent administration.
2
Go for it, Canada.
2
For the love of God (and that's not just a phrase) if the United States cannot or will not accept many more of these poor people, then we should at least be willing to provide funds to Greece and other host countries to care for them. At this moment of crisis, we need to act as a field hospital, not a law court.
6
These "poor people" are all packing $5,000-$10,000 in cash for smuggler's fees. Compassion is admirable but this invasion will quickly overrun and bankrupt all of western Europe. Then there will be nothing left to give. Europe is only a decent place because Europeans learned to reduce their birthrate to sustainable replacement level, after 2 world wars. This is a lesson the Islamic world appears unable to accept, and the reason for the misery in the home countries.
17
The US provides more than 50% of all support for the refugees year after year. The most recent tally was $5.2 billion. Obama then pledged another half a billion last month. The US also takes in more than 50% of all UN refugees, year after year. We are more than doing our part to help the world's poor and oppressed. And yes, we should absolutely withdraw from the Middle East and North Africa and let regional nations fight regionsl wars and help regional people.
4
Sorry. These "poor people" are all but draining the life out of Germany. In Berlin they've run out of space of where to put them, the resources are running out, Germans are angry at the continued influx which shows no sign of stopping, and right-wing neo-Nazi parties are gaining in popularity. Of course they don't want to go to Eastern Germany (think Leipzig, Dresden, Saxony, etc.) because refugee's houses there are being fire-bombed every day. And that's only Germany! -- No surprise the borders around Europe are closing. But I do agree. Greece needs help---fast!
And Turkey remains the main culprit in allowing these ruthless human traffickers to operate unhindered.
And Turkey remains the main culprit in allowing these ruthless human traffickers to operate unhindered.
6
It won't stop until life in Europe is worse for them than life under Islamist fanatics in the devastated, violence plagued lands from which they come, in their millions.
17
Here's how Greece can pay off some of its debt to the Germans. As the ecological / population disaster continues to play out in the Middle East the Northern Euros are going to need buffer states to absorb the human tidal waves.
2
Angela Merkel needs some kind of intervention because she has really lost her mind. In the absence of being able to set a cap - and owning her mistake - this is what is unfolding. No doubt there is going to be chaos and violence in Greece. Most of the world is filled with people living in poverty, despotic states, theocracies, and places filled with corruption and greed. Europe can not accept most of the population of Africa and the Middle East. Merkle needs to tell people to stop coming and at the same time - transport Real Refugees from Refugee camps to Europe. Both Sweden and Germany have said that a huge percentage of the those applying for asylum are not entitled to it. They are economic migrants. So, why is the EU letting these people make the journey only to be deported?
Meanwhile, Macedonia is not new to the violence that erupted the other day, ...just google "Macedonia and Migrant Riots" and what you see are riots occurring there in August, September, November and now. Talk about weaponizing the migrants...........maybe the head of NATO is correct.
Meanwhile, Macedonia is not new to the violence that erupted the other day, ...just google "Macedonia and Migrant Riots" and what you see are riots occurring there in August, September, November and now. Talk about weaponizing the migrants...........maybe the head of NATO is correct.
23
I am very sorry for the poor Greeks, who now bear the brunt of this disastrous situation, which is a direct result of the unpreparedness and unhelpfulness of other European nations, including Germany. Where are the promised "hot spots" at the outer borders of Europe to process all the migrants? The EU is lagging behind badly and instead busy announcing meeting after meeting of state heads that lead nowhere. Greece, already dealing with a miserable economy and a mountain of debt, now will probably lose one of its biggest revenue source, tourism! And still there are numerous helpful souls in this suffering little country, with its beautiful islands and fishing villages,who go out of their way to help the refugees and to feed and clothe them. That is true compassion, and Greece deserves to be commended, and to get every financial, logistical as well as moral support available from its EU neighbors and the whole world, in unison with this country which had a big hand in creating this mess.
13
When this very situation was predicted by a number of straight thinking individuals a few years ago, and again with greater urgency when Angela Merkel extended her "no upper limits" invitation the the poor and persecuted in the world, those writers, politicians and philosophers were called "Nazis" and "anti-multiculturalists", and accused of fabricating tensions willfully between "us and them" It seems that nobody in government positions cared to study the consequences of the unprecedented migration, that Merkel's invitation would set off, in detail. The migrants' difference in culture and politics, their food preferences dictated by religion, the obvious lack of even most basic skills and education, their immediate medical and psychological needs (coming straight from brutal war zones). What is happening now is, that a potential Muslim army is assembling around Greece and Macedonia, already being supplied with tools to cut the fences down by different enablers who have their own agenda. How long will it take until this stew of false promises, fantastic expectations, cultural incompatibility and refugee warehousing boils over and people get hurt? Europe needs to stand together, secure it's borders, register all migrants, and provide help and information in the refugees' home countries before they make their dangerous journey. And Mutter Merkel needs to stop scolding other EU countries as if they were misbehaving children for not wanting to take on more than they can handle.
33
I can only admire the compassion of the Greeks. For a country so small, so poor, and so troubled recently, Greece is setting an example that the rich nations of Europe refuse to follow. Greeks can barely afford to eat, yet are feeding others who are even hungrier.
I often wonder if there could be a silver lining to the mass numbers of refugees arriving in such an economically devastated nation, if some way the refugees can create economic growth. But I also worry that the ultra-nationalist right-wing parties, like Golden Dawn, that had been on the rise even before this latest influx, are going to become even more prevalent.
Europe should provide more support to Greece and the Greeks.
I often wonder if there could be a silver lining to the mass numbers of refugees arriving in such an economically devastated nation, if some way the refugees can create economic growth. But I also worry that the ultra-nationalist right-wing parties, like Golden Dawn, that had been on the rise even before this latest influx, are going to become even more prevalent.
Europe should provide more support to Greece and the Greeks.
6
I have no sympathy for Greece. The Greek government did threaten to flood Europe with refugees during the Euro negotiations. They got them papers to go to Germany. That has struck back, because now the EU member
states strictly following the Schengen rules.
states strictly following the Schengen rules.
1
Watching Merkel and her misplaced and plan-less compassion makes me fear for ever having a female president here. Why is she so foolish?
7
It's inexplicable that people from cultures that detest the lifestyle of the West would want to immigrate there, except for the free social benefits. Clearly, work is not topmost in their minds, or they would not be satisfied to rest, for years, in Greek immigrant camps or on the dole.
It seems this sea of Middle Eastern and North African immigrants is pushy, aggressive, demanding and not interested in integrating. By the photos, it seems they are slovenly as well, leaving great wakes of trash and feces as they travel. Does the concept, "pack your trash" not apply to them?
Altogether, these hoards paint the picture of undesirable. Yes, they need to be fed and sheltered, but this can be done in or near their countries of origin. No one should be forced to embrace their aggression, demands, destructiveness and filth...or their possible terrorist connections. It is easy to see why they are not wanted in the EU.
One has to ask why Afghanis don't escape to China or Tibet, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan or Russia...they are all closer than Europe. Is it that they have no social benefits?
Syrians could pursue an Eastward path as well, but they choose to push their way into countries that do not want them.
The EU has to get tough. We do have sufficient military and police forces to guard the borders. NATO must help in returning all immigrants to their countries of origin. The UN must provide camps in or near these same countries. Enough is enough!
It seems this sea of Middle Eastern and North African immigrants is pushy, aggressive, demanding and not interested in integrating. By the photos, it seems they are slovenly as well, leaving great wakes of trash and feces as they travel. Does the concept, "pack your trash" not apply to them?
Altogether, these hoards paint the picture of undesirable. Yes, they need to be fed and sheltered, but this can be done in or near their countries of origin. No one should be forced to embrace their aggression, demands, destructiveness and filth...or their possible terrorist connections. It is easy to see why they are not wanted in the EU.
One has to ask why Afghanis don't escape to China or Tibet, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan or Russia...they are all closer than Europe. Is it that they have no social benefits?
Syrians could pursue an Eastward path as well, but they choose to push their way into countries that do not want them.
The EU has to get tough. We do have sufficient military and police forces to guard the borders. NATO must help in returning all immigrants to their countries of origin. The UN must provide camps in or near these same countries. Enough is enough!
39
Thank you, Lilou. I thought, after these murders in Paris, carried out by at least two guys who walked in unchallenged, that Europe would finally act. It didn't. NATO should have started a "deny and destroy" mission operating against these traffickers working between Turkey and Greece last year in November. I am just amazed how weak and timid EU leaders are. Perhaps it is because they have been bureaucrats all their lives and have never had to solve a problem, implement a solution, make adjustments, and continue operations like any elected representative or private company executive. Afghanis probably do go to Tajikstan, Uzbeckstan, etc. but have figured out that naive Europeans will give them all they want if they can pull off a big enough lie. And yes, to get to your first point, there is a mountain of broken rubber boats, discard life preservers and all kinds of trash on any Greek Island they land on. The same goes for places they inhabit on the road north. And "the jungle" at Calais. It is absolutely disgusting to me that authorities in France have let this fester. I thought (and still hope) that Marine LePen can start to fix this and get these people OUT of France. If she must call out the army to do it...I would be happy. Assez!
17
Thanks for your kind words and support, RKMeyer. I do not entirely blame the EU for being unprepared...we have not had such a wave of immigration since WWII, and those immigrants were by and large, Westernized, having been displaced from Europe.
The numbers, the violence and aggression, the air of entitlement and the trash, are dangerous and offensive. Europe is not this way, and the police and military did not foresee these numbers, or these attitudes--aided and abetted by Merkel.
Now, Germany sees they took the wrong path. The idea of closing borders, for so long not desireable (since the EU formed), must be reconsidered. Europeans, in general, are welcoming, and non-violent. We have so much to adapt to, then change our ways to rejection, rather than welcome--to closed borders rather than open. It is not our custom, as I am sure it is not yours in Sweden, either.
So, Europe is taking time to plan...and essentially go against all that is European to reject these strangers and put them in camps.
But no one here wants little Calais, or disasters like New Years in Cologne, repeated all over Europe. It creates an air of danger, disharmony and mistrust. Oui, c'est assez!
The numbers, the violence and aggression, the air of entitlement and the trash, are dangerous and offensive. Europe is not this way, and the police and military did not foresee these numbers, or these attitudes--aided and abetted by Merkel.
Now, Germany sees they took the wrong path. The idea of closing borders, for so long not desireable (since the EU formed), must be reconsidered. Europeans, in general, are welcoming, and non-violent. We have so much to adapt to, then change our ways to rejection, rather than welcome--to closed borders rather than open. It is not our custom, as I am sure it is not yours in Sweden, either.
So, Europe is taking time to plan...and essentially go against all that is European to reject these strangers and put them in camps.
But no one here wants little Calais, or disasters like New Years in Cologne, repeated all over Europe. It creates an air of danger, disharmony and mistrust. Oui, c'est assez!
9
Tragically the realities of capacities and capabilities has trumped misguided and unsustainable humanitarianisms in the EU.
Fostering and allowing millions of refugees to migrate and self direct their resettlement to the EU will prove in time to be far greater an injustice than an effective naval blockcade and involuntary return to Turkey or Libya.
The border closings and stranding of thousands in Greece is a ticking time bomb because it creats in the minds of millions the increasingly apparent false hope reaching the boundaries of the EU means being able to stay. If EU members have closed their respective borders on land it must follows a naval blockade must be erected at sea.
It will also provide a clear message to the majority of migrants who have reached various EU members they will not be allowed to remain in the EU and shortly will also be returned.
Fostering and allowing millions of refugees to migrate and self direct their resettlement to the EU will prove in time to be far greater an injustice than an effective naval blockcade and involuntary return to Turkey or Libya.
The border closings and stranding of thousands in Greece is a ticking time bomb because it creats in the minds of millions the increasingly apparent false hope reaching the boundaries of the EU means being able to stay. If EU members have closed their respective borders on land it must follows a naval blockade must be erected at sea.
It will also provide a clear message to the majority of migrants who have reached various EU members they will not be allowed to remain in the EU and shortly will also be returned.
27
One issue many do not take into account is - it doesn't matter if they are refugees or immigrants, if we want them to live among us or want them to dwell in the mud. What matters is, that they are here, and that more are coming. And we have to deal with them, wanted or unwanted.
And if we want to deal with them as europeans, we have to take into account some of our common moral achievements - like our claim of civilisation, culture, enlightment. We want to distinguish us from these jihadists and other nihilistic wannabes that represents the dark site of the muslim culture.
It is not helping to take an hard stance and tell them they are illegal - they still will be coming. Spain build a 30 feet high fence around their enclaves in north africa, in three rows, this spells every inch that they shall stay out. It didn't work.
So if we don't want them, we must get them out.
But Turkey doesn't take them back, nor does Pakistan, or Tunesia, or Morocco. And since they destroy their passports, it is also very hard to force them to go into a country which gives them no visa.
So the real issue is, how to to keep them out physically, or to send them back, if the country, to which you want to send them, is not cooperating ?
By the way, does Canada rent out some of their frozen islands in the artic ocean ? Despite some polar bears they should be quite safe.
And if we want to deal with them as europeans, we have to take into account some of our common moral achievements - like our claim of civilisation, culture, enlightment. We want to distinguish us from these jihadists and other nihilistic wannabes that represents the dark site of the muslim culture.
It is not helping to take an hard stance and tell them they are illegal - they still will be coming. Spain build a 30 feet high fence around their enclaves in north africa, in three rows, this spells every inch that they shall stay out. It didn't work.
So if we don't want them, we must get them out.
But Turkey doesn't take them back, nor does Pakistan, or Tunesia, or Morocco. And since they destroy their passports, it is also very hard to force them to go into a country which gives them no visa.
So the real issue is, how to to keep them out physically, or to send them back, if the country, to which you want to send them, is not cooperating ?
By the way, does Canada rent out some of their frozen islands in the artic ocean ? Despite some polar bears they should be quite safe.
3
If you tell them they are all going back to Syria, they will quickly tell you where they come from instead.
13
The migrants who are flooding into Europe have no idea about its economic crisis, mostly as a result of - perhaps - low literacy rate, disinterest in world affairs, government censorship etc.
While they could put up with oppression at home, once in Europe the men seem to give the impression that they won't budge an inch until their demands are met. It looks as though they have been informed of our continent's weaknesses and instructed to complicate our problems.
It is a daunting task for the Greek authorities to accommodate them - "a construction crew was clearing space for a playground near a makeshift clinic, a food hall and a worship area." A "worship area!" I were a refugee, religion is the last thing on my mind.
While they could put up with oppression at home, once in Europe the men seem to give the impression that they won't budge an inch until their demands are met. It looks as though they have been informed of our continent's weaknesses and instructed to complicate our problems.
It is a daunting task for the Greek authorities to accommodate them - "a construction crew was clearing space for a playground near a makeshift clinic, a food hall and a worship area." A "worship area!" I were a refugee, religion is the last thing on my mind.
23
So for any of those kumbayah, one-world commenters out there, please note that no one is afraid of 'people of a different color, who worship a different god'. We don't want and can't accommodate misogynist fundamentalist Islam within Western post-Enlightenment societal norms.
17
Any solution to this problem is inherently inhumane. Billions of people now live in places so beset by poverty and violence, and are well aware of, and capable of getting to more stable an prosperous countries, which cannot possibly allow unlimited migrants to enter and settle there.
Sadly, decades of heartbreak probably lie ahead for humanity. At 7 billion people (with no end to population growth in sight) we've evidently overshot the capacities of our planet's resources, and stage of civilization.
Sadly, decades of heartbreak probably lie ahead for humanity. At 7 billion people (with no end to population growth in sight) we've evidently overshot the capacities of our planet's resources, and stage of civilization.
27
It is written in the book who shall perish by fire and who by the sword, who by hunger and who by thirst, who by pestilence and who by their own hand. That book is climate change.
5
Europe, like the United States, is unwilling to secure its borders.
The only question is why the globalized elite of Europe and the United States are so in favor of open borders. It is interesting that Australia,however, with its "stop the boats" policy is acting in the interests of ordinary Australians, not in the interests of Australia's globalized elite. Why the difference?
The only question is why the globalized elite of Europe and the United States are so in favor of open borders. It is interesting that Australia,however, with its "stop the boats" policy is acting in the interests of ordinary Australians, not in the interests of Australia's globalized elite. Why the difference?
34
They are smaller and more homogeneous than Europe or the US, who can waste a lot of time infighting. This is a sneaky enemy, a Trojan horse of compassion; they don't roll in in tanks, but they are invading nonetheless.
11
Thank you, NYT. You are finally doing some balanced journalism. Or trying. If you do some editing and drop the purple prose--"desperate" "exhausted" "trapped" etc. you might even get more Europeans to read this. For example--these migrants did not cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to arrive at Piraeus. They probably spent some time getting to a Greek island from the Turkish coast, then were given a free ride from Samos/Lesbos to Piraeus on a ferryboat trip that takes at least 8 hours. So, exhausted probably does not describe them. These people are not "trapped". They will not be allowed to go forward--because the EU is finally applying the law--and if they cannot or will not go back that is their problem, their choice. The EU is doing as much (or more) than is required by even accepting their application. I wonder how Saudi Arabia would handle a mass incursion of these refugees coming over their border? Think they would shoot? The EU is not obligated to take care of them. Thank God also that you are finally doing some research and pointing out that the vast majority of these people are from Afghanistan--and have no right to request asylum in Germany. These Afghan migrants have been clogging up the system for months now--intent on getting the welfare goodies and the chance to see Europe--while their women at home have to suffer or other real refugees have to do without. Do they care? Not really.
44
Population growth has out grown resources needed for human life. Too many children conceived, delivered, and surviving can overbalance the ability of a country to support its people. Hundreds of years ago, Malthus found that every twenty years France underwent a war, a famine, or a plague, because population growth over-ran resources for survival. Will these refugees accept the need for birth control to make sure their families will stay within the limits required for actual economically sustainable life in Europe? Their culture has not yet accepted family planning as a legitimate goal. Would these males accept vasectomies as a condition of entering the country of their choice? Similarly would these families accept IUDs for their women? It isn't just the initial influx that threatens the ability of a country to absorb the refugees, it's the future children as well as the future elderly and infirm, that could destabilize Europe. Their countries of origin have more people than that country can support and so the problem is being exported to Europe. Don't forget, the war in Syria originated in the desperation of farmers whose farms were ruined by several years of drought, caused by climate warming. War is usually an indication that a people can't thrive: it's the result of climate change and overpopulation. Destabilization is upon us every where. Can we shoulder these burdens and still remain ethical, moral humans?
33
The Greek people show again their compassion for these helpless migrants who are being ignored by the rich countries of the EU. Greece has become the suckers of the EU whose corrupt and incompetence has started this migrant crisis. Turkey get's 3 billion euros ($ 3,6 bllion) from the EU for supposedly stopping this migrant flow, but it doesn't do anything except for supporting/financing Erdogan's atrocities against the Kurds and shelling into Syria and Iraq.
It shows again the incompetence in Brussels where a member state like Greece is being ignored while a non-member like Turkey gets $ 3,6 billion. Identical corruption schemes we see with Ukraine $ 30 billion and Belarussia $ 4 billion although NOT a member of EU. This is taxpayers money that is being handed out for killing and murdering innocent people.
It shows again the incompetence in Brussels where a member state like Greece is being ignored while a non-member like Turkey gets $ 3,6 billion. Identical corruption schemes we see with Ukraine $ 30 billion and Belarussia $ 4 billion although NOT a member of EU. This is taxpayers money that is being handed out for killing and murdering innocent people.
8
It can not be stressed enough that this Turkish shakedown scheme was started by Merkel. The money has not been delivered yet, but any hopes of this being effective are not realistic. Turkey, before Erdogan, was a solid NATO citizen. I worked there during the cold war years. Now, Erdogan's sleazy politics foul things up. He knows the EU is a ready source of cash--he even threatened to open the land border if the EU didn't pay up. Myself, I think the only solution in the short run is putting this NATO group down there with a REAL mision--capture and kill smugglers operating along the coast (you see a boat being dragged out, you destroy it and the smuggler). I don't understand why this option has not been already started. You might remember how the ship hijack situation in Somali was out of control for some years. This was brought under control by a consolidated NATO mission and they had orders to destroy any of these pirate boats and kill or capture some of these pirates, This area around Lesbos/Samos, etc. is much smaller than the Indian ocean. Whey the hell hasn't NATO planned and mounted a serious operation to break this up? Is Turkey the problem?
20
It is not merely Erdogan. He is popular. The Turks like his strong man Islamic government. They threw away the secular state Attaturk gave them.
6
The children. What will become of these thousands of traumatized children? Where is our Judeo-Christian ethos?
2
Where are the Muslim countries in all this? We are allowed to ask why they aren't helping their npbrethren at all. Having s Judeo-Christian background is not a ground for conducting poor policy.
6
The whole situation is very sad, especially for the women and the children.
However.
I cannot see any good coming out of a situation where the middle east and north Africa is emptied out, their people fleeing to Europe.
Europe cannot handle them economically or socially.
The influx of millions of uneducated, untrained people, who have had a difficult time assimilating to a modern, free non - Muslim culture will only cause chaos.
They are coming from failed, poverty stricken states. And yet they are coming with the same fundamentalist ideals that failed them there. Many are coming with opinions of women that are misogynistic and dangerous. They come with different work ethics and a completely different culture.
Where does it end? When the Libyans, now fracturing, all leave for France? When most of Afghanistan is emptied out and in villages in Italy? When the Pakistanis fill the streets of London?
How many more can Europe take before Europe is no longer Europe?
Like I said, it's a pathetic, horrible situation. I feel terrible writing what I did. But isn't a better solution to house them in refugee camps, deport the people who are coming from simply poor, not war torn countries, and send the people back home from war torn countries when we can help broker a peace.
The refugee camps should be clean and safe, we owe the people running from war that, and the US should contribute, but to allow Muslim countries to empty into Europe is setting the entire continent on fire.
However.
I cannot see any good coming out of a situation where the middle east and north Africa is emptied out, their people fleeing to Europe.
Europe cannot handle them economically or socially.
The influx of millions of uneducated, untrained people, who have had a difficult time assimilating to a modern, free non - Muslim culture will only cause chaos.
They are coming from failed, poverty stricken states. And yet they are coming with the same fundamentalist ideals that failed them there. Many are coming with opinions of women that are misogynistic and dangerous. They come with different work ethics and a completely different culture.
Where does it end? When the Libyans, now fracturing, all leave for France? When most of Afghanistan is emptied out and in villages in Italy? When the Pakistanis fill the streets of London?
How many more can Europe take before Europe is no longer Europe?
Like I said, it's a pathetic, horrible situation. I feel terrible writing what I did. But isn't a better solution to house them in refugee camps, deport the people who are coming from simply poor, not war torn countries, and send the people back home from war torn countries when we can help broker a peace.
The refugee camps should be clean and safe, we owe the people running from war that, and the US should contribute, but to allow Muslim countries to empty into Europe is setting the entire continent on fire.
37
Pakistanis already fill the streets of London. There are more than 1.3 million in the UK. And, yes, they think they own the place. I can only hope that keep out this swarm from Afghanistan, but Italy is already overrun with illegal migrants from Africa. It is a better idea to house them in refugee camps, but the EU waited too long to change its laws and too long to act when the situation was veering out of control. And then there was (is) Merkel. So we here in Europe have to host, pay for, and solve this problem. Yes, we are being swindled and extorted by these illegal migrants and the countries that send them, while we are trying to do good for people who REALLY have a case for asylum.
24
Greece appealed to the unity of Europe for that huge bailout last year. And now they are not willing to help out Europe by holding the migrant problem at the point of entry, rather than forcing governments to react to them scattered all through Europe. Maybe their so-photogenic PM needs to be talked to a bit.
". And now they are not willing to help out Europe by holding the migrant problem at the point of entry"
considering Greece's geographic attributes, poor economic condition and worthless civil service, how is this to be done? please tell.
considering Greece's geographic attributes, poor economic condition and worthless civil service, how is this to be done? please tell.
5
What about Russia? It's a signatory to the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees... It's in Europe...
Unfortunately, the Gulf states have not signed the convention...
But then again, neither has Jordan...
Unfortunately, the Gulf states have not signed the convention...
But then again, neither has Jordan...
4
They can go back and should go back.
As for "will not", who runs your country?
These people have become invaders.
As for "will not", who runs your country?
These people have become invaders.
29
This is a textbook example of why the world CANNOT in fact live in peace. You must be able to fight to secure peace. Unless people in the First World realize that they need to defend what they have, they will lose their countries, their culture, their continent. It's painful to see Europe unable to man-up to deal with this huge problem effectively. This is an invasion, and as such it calls for strong military measures.
Sure, the U.S. has destabilized the Middle East with the war in Iraq, but what is happening to Europe with the migrant invasion would happen sooner or later anyway. It was only a matter of time: 3rd World hordes seeing on the internet how the 1st World lives, then seeking their "European Dream", counting on liberal Europe's unsustainable compassion/social benefits - when they should be staying in their lands to fight for their own countries' future.
More than anything, Merkel with her "open arms" policy has caused this. But there is a larger problem. Europe and the U.S. have gotten soft, lost the ability and will to protect their borders and the interests of their own people. Europe will pay a catastrophic price for that.
Many people, liberals in particular, forget that war and conflict are an unavoidable part of human existence. If you shy away from using force when you still have a chance to stop an invasion, you will pay a much higher price later on. I shudder to think what may become of beautiful Europe, the land of my ancestors that I still love.
Sure, the U.S. has destabilized the Middle East with the war in Iraq, but what is happening to Europe with the migrant invasion would happen sooner or later anyway. It was only a matter of time: 3rd World hordes seeing on the internet how the 1st World lives, then seeking their "European Dream", counting on liberal Europe's unsustainable compassion/social benefits - when they should be staying in their lands to fight for their own countries' future.
More than anything, Merkel with her "open arms" policy has caused this. But there is a larger problem. Europe and the U.S. have gotten soft, lost the ability and will to protect their borders and the interests of their own people. Europe will pay a catastrophic price for that.
Many people, liberals in particular, forget that war and conflict are an unavoidable part of human existence. If you shy away from using force when you still have a chance to stop an invasion, you will pay a much higher price later on. I shudder to think what may become of beautiful Europe, the land of my ancestors that I still love.
22
We should take any European sons and daughters of the Enlightenment that want to come to the US and Canada. Thirty or forty years from now, there will be no Europe as we know it, and all of the architecture and infrastructure will have fallen to ruin in the New Caliphate which values the mythical afterlife more than anything we could build in this life.
7
An old saying is that failure to plan is planning for failure. Mrs. Merkel planned poorly and EU didn't gear up for a selective, organized and well managed plan to deal with refugees. Step one is setting the conditions/specifications of who will be accepted and what happens to those that are not accepted. Step two would be the logistics of absorption, education and assimilation including jobs. Obviously, the number of potential jobs to sustain the influx should match the number of immigrants.
As there was and even now there is no plan - failure, probably close to catastrophic for Europe is on the horizon.
As there was and even now there is no plan - failure, probably close to catastrophic for Europe is on the horizon.
12
Most of these people are economic migrants packing substantial amounts of cash. They are preyed on by smugglers promising passage to some non-existent shangri-la. Why can't these people at least pay a minimal daily fee to cover at least part of their food, housing, and medical expenses? When they find money doesn't grow on trees, they may pack up their cash and return home.
11
What a never ending unmitigated disaster this is turning out to be. Immigrants just waltzing into Europe unencumbered with an unbelievable amount of self-entitlement.
Borders exist to protect their populations inside, their way of life, their customs and values and the memory of their ancestors who fought and suffered to give them the life that their descendants enjoy today. The EU, politicians like Merkel and Juncker and countries like Germany and Sweden seem willing to destroy all the reasons that borders were meant for.
Borders exist to protect their populations inside, their way of life, their customs and values and the memory of their ancestors who fought and suffered to give them the life that their descendants enjoy today. The EU, politicians like Merkel and Juncker and countries like Germany and Sweden seem willing to destroy all the reasons that borders were meant for.
33
A refugee who uses force to get into a country illegally is not even a migrant, it's an invader. With invasions two options exist. You can stop them at the border or before, or you can do nothing and be invaded, with the local population losing almost everything they had - their culture, lifestyle, in addition to their possessions. Europe should decide what they want to do and whether they want to end up like native Americans. For Greece it may be too late already. That could be the real Grexit that no one thought about, unless maybe, a very Machiavellian Merkel.
42
Well, Greece has a Navy and they could have stopped many from arriving but they thought they could stick to Germany for the austerity thing and send everybody off to Merkel and make money off it. Yes, Greeks, and I know some of them, make the people coming in pay before setting them off on their way to Germany. So no, Greece is not blameless in the least.
5
One big misconception of europe, and germany in special, is to treat this people like immigrants. Immigration means integration, and we can not ensure to get millions of people get settled and being a productive part of the society.
The statements of the refugees (or immigrants, however you would like to call them) are misleading. Of course many of them want to escape the hell of war and human misery. But next to that they want to build up a new future, there is nothing wrong about that, except for that they can not simply choose a country that suits them.
It always puzzles me that noone asks the refugees what they are expecting to do once they get to germany, if they really think with their qualifications they will get a job. If they think they will get an house of their own, or are allowed to drive on our highspeed highways without any reassurances, that they will cope with the rules. Why no one askes them what they will do if they see all day elegant women and are not allowed to touch, or even to come close. If they are ready to go to school for years, without getting much pay for that.
We should establish refugee camps in europe, that provide the basics - safety, provision with basic supplies and health care, education. But no free movements and only jobs to ensure qualification.
These peoples are naive, they are not realistic about what europe can do, wants to do. Europeans shouldn't pay for their miscalculation.
The statements of the refugees (or immigrants, however you would like to call them) are misleading. Of course many of them want to escape the hell of war and human misery. But next to that they want to build up a new future, there is nothing wrong about that, except for that they can not simply choose a country that suits them.
It always puzzles me that noone asks the refugees what they are expecting to do once they get to germany, if they really think with their qualifications they will get a job. If they think they will get an house of their own, or are allowed to drive on our highspeed highways without any reassurances, that they will cope with the rules. Why no one askes them what they will do if they see all day elegant women and are not allowed to touch, or even to come close. If they are ready to go to school for years, without getting much pay for that.
We should establish refugee camps in europe, that provide the basics - safety, provision with basic supplies and health care, education. But no free movements and only jobs to ensure qualification.
These peoples are naive, they are not realistic about what europe can do, wants to do. Europeans shouldn't pay for their miscalculation.
43
Yes, a bit like having your neighbor's goat eating up your vegetable garden.
1
Thank you, Herr Weitz. I had the opportunity to talk to an illegal migrant from Pakistan ("refugees" do not really exist--as soon as they arrived in Turkey, safe haven, none of these people can legitimately be qualified as refugees). He had given up his job in the IT sector in Lahore, got a few friends together to come illegally to Germany last year, because he wanted to be an electrical engineer for Siemens. He had not finished his abitur, didn't speak a word of German and was 23 years old. While this might be admirable ambition, I had to tell him the chances of this happening-even for a German student-are pretty slim--without years of hard work, study and training. I asked him why European taxpayers (German specifically) should have to pay for his dream when other, more needy people could use the help more. He had obviously never even considered the question. All of this government money being just mannah from heaven. Anyway, he had lied about his nationality and thrown away his passport to get into Greece--the rest...getting into Germany...was easy. After 8 months of this charade, Frau Merkel mentioned (in passing) yesterday that "refugees can not just choose their asylum application country". Finally. But she mentioned this only in passing, very quietly-so she doesn't get pinned down by the statement. I noticed that a lot with her.
16
I agree with your comments. Well said. As far as I am concerned, these are key issues that are not being addressed.
The top NATO commander in Europe, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove of the United States Air Force, stated the obvious to those who have been following this situation, that the mass migration will totally destabilize the EU. He went on to say that the likelihood of ISIL infiltrators with the migrants is also a very real and actual danger to the EU and also the US.
The EU needs a bold and humanitarian solution, and fast, where is the leadership? If the EU is not competent to lead, why can't NATO? Or why can't the US come to assistance to support its EU allies? The NATO boat patrols are obviously not helping and are only window dressing. The EU cannot possibly handle this unabated migration on the long term, a 38X increase compared to the same time last year! This will obviously break the back of the EU. Why can't the EU and US negotiate with other countries in the region, rich Gulf states, etc, to accept the refugees? Greece is not the closet safe haven country for the economic migrants from Iran and Afghanistan, or even for the war refugees from Iraq and Syria. The Australian policy of boat interception worked for Australia, a US and EU ally, why can't this be applied here? Why can't NATO ships be deployed to intercept the migrants in the Aegean and ship them to reception centers in rich safe haven Gulf countries?
It is in the national security interests of the US to boldly assist now.
The EU needs a bold and humanitarian solution, and fast, where is the leadership? If the EU is not competent to lead, why can't NATO? Or why can't the US come to assistance to support its EU allies? The NATO boat patrols are obviously not helping and are only window dressing. The EU cannot possibly handle this unabated migration on the long term, a 38X increase compared to the same time last year! This will obviously break the back of the EU. Why can't the EU and US negotiate with other countries in the region, rich Gulf states, etc, to accept the refugees? Greece is not the closet safe haven country for the economic migrants from Iran and Afghanistan, or even for the war refugees from Iraq and Syria. The Australian policy of boat interception worked for Australia, a US and EU ally, why can't this be applied here? Why can't NATO ships be deployed to intercept the migrants in the Aegean and ship them to reception centers in rich safe haven Gulf countries?
It is in the national security interests of the US to boldly assist now.
41
What is a "competent lead" ? does this includes the overriding of national autonomy ? you know this won't work, this is as unlikely as asking the US to take in some thousand syrians.
If the US want to assist, they would take in more refugees than just a few thousands. But on the other side, the US has already their own problem with illegal immigration.
So face it, there will be no leadership, there will be no fairy with a magic wand to make this problems go away. We need to support national solutions. Like refugee camps run by the UN in the middle of germany, camps that people are not free to leave, camps that are temporarily run by international troops and organisations.
If the US want to assist, they would take in more refugees than just a few thousands. But on the other side, the US has already their own problem with illegal immigration.
So face it, there will be no leadership, there will be no fairy with a magic wand to make this problems go away. We need to support national solutions. Like refugee camps run by the UN in the middle of germany, camps that people are not free to leave, camps that are temporarily run by international troops and organisations.
10
"Why can't NATO ships be deployed to intercept the migrants in the Aegean and ship them to reception centers in rich safe haven Gulf countries?" Great idea, one minor difficulty. Gulf states won't take the migrants. Wonder why?
5
Let's not forget *who* created all this mess. The United States of American and its ill conceived wars
1
After Greece's financial struggle years ago, a major influx of immigrant may be Greece's solution to create a sustainable long-term solution to make the country more profitable. While this number of immigrants at such a sudden rate is causing an economic strain right now, Greece can use this surge of immigrants to their advantage by extending citizenship to many of the foreigners and giving them access to many jobs in the recovering country. While Greece can not do this for all immigrants, granting some citizenship now can get many immigrants back on their feet and help support Greece's economy while they work towards resolving the immigrants' situation.
4
It looks like you have found the solution, except that it is of course totally unrealistic; Greece is suffering its worse economic crisis ever and having trouble taking care of their own. You''re basically recommending that those who have nothing share nothing with even more, Oh yes, and you're forgetting the cultural gap that exist between Greeks and Afghans, that is extremely large, but visibly not large enough to be seen from Beaumont, Texas.
It looks like you don't know anything about the situation in Greece. Your so-called 'financial struggles' were a deadly collapse that lead to a bail-out that is still going on. 35% unemployment rate (50% of younger people up to the age of 30). Greece is a failed state. The EU pays the rent. Without its sponsorship Greece breaks immediately. Besides the fact that none of the 'prospectors' wants to stay in Greece - they are heading for Germany, Sweden and the UK - the country cannot accommodate, feed or dress the surge of immigrants - and the Greeks even don't want to as the majority of them know that the so-called refugees or immigrants are invaders.
There is no human right for a better life, abroad. Yet, they followed the mating call of Angela Merkel, the German chancelor. These people are goldseekers like the gold diggers of the Californian gold rush 1848 to 1854. Maybe you know what happend to the natives. Half of the population died: murdered or killed by foreign diseases.
There is no human right for a better life, abroad. Yet, they followed the mating call of Angela Merkel, the German chancelor. These people are goldseekers like the gold diggers of the Californian gold rush 1848 to 1854. Maybe you know what happend to the natives. Half of the population died: murdered or killed by foreign diseases.
22
Giving them jobs? Have you been reading the paper? The unemployment rate in Greece, outside of Athens hovers at around 47%... There are no jobs in Greece... a huge uneducated, unemployed foreign population is the last thing they need. The only answer is to keep the migrants from reaching Greece in the first place.
34
From the article: "On Tuesday, the top NATO commander in Europe, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove of the United States Air Force, warned lawmakers in Washington that Russia and the Assad government in Syria were “deliberately weaponizing migration in an attempt to overwhelm European structures and break European resolve.”
That really sums it up. It's irreversible and our world as we knew it, has shifted. And as Nero fiddled, so is Putin. With a grin on his face.
That really sums it up. It's irreversible and our world as we knew it, has shifted. And as Nero fiddled, so is Putin. With a grin on his face.
39
The hypocrisy of the EU and America can no longer be avoided. They talk of human rights, helping those who cannot help themselves, and lands of opportunity and then slam the door in the refugees face leaving them in the country (Greece) that cannot care for their own country men much less the refugees. We live in a time of short memories. Please remember: I may have no shoes, but the man next to me has no feet.
10
And what to do with the millions of poorly educated immigrants who arrive here? Set them to work with all those manufacturing jobs that have left the country? There is a point when idealistic humanitarian instincts become just plain suicidal, especially when that agenda is pushed by people who won't live in areas inhabited by the hordes of immigrants (initially) and who expect somebody else to take care of the problem. And, above all, who essentially are advocating making life even worse for the millions upon millions of poverty stricken people already in our country. The answer to this massive crisis is to provide humanitarian aid *there*, not here.
78
You're quite right. But: The answer to this massive crisis is NOT to provide humanitarian aid there. Take Africa for example. It's a very rich continent with lots of resources (oil, gold, uranium, zinc, copper, even diamonds, etc.) and the possibility of a sufficient agriculture. But nearly every African nation seems to be more interested in slaughtering each other - religiously motivated (mainly because of Islam) or because of trivial political power struggles. I think the only answer is to help the 'good willing' ones to help themselves. Unfortunately there are so few 'good willing' people. Nevertheless, care Packets are no solution...
8
Not just poorly educated but also with a completely different understanding of what is right and wrong. A democratic society functions because the people in it share a common belief in how things should be done - they don't need to be forced to accept the rule of law. Without that shared outlook society can only function through the use of force and it degenerates into a hierarchical dictatorship.
13
For all the blame Western leaders have looked to heap upon themselves for the fate of Afghanistan or Syria, the trouble with those countries has been that they are full of Afghans and Syrians.
Europe is soon to find that they, too, are full with too many Afghans and Syrians, and their leaders will legitimately have something to blame themselves for regarding the fate of their own countries.
Europe is soon to find that they, too, are full with too many Afghans and Syrians, and their leaders will legitimately have something to blame themselves for regarding the fate of their own countries.
73
Chris Brady, thank you for saying what is politically incorrect, but so very true. Americans are finally fed up with being politically correct. Free speech returns! Hurrah!
12
This is too true, sadly. If everyone in Europe is prepared to believe the sob stories that Afghans throw around..."They would rather brave problems here than face danger and conflict,” said Jamshid Azizi, 24". I have no doubt that this migrant lived in Kabul or some other safe place, but, like all these Afghans puts up a big sob story whenever the western press shows up. Notice also, "more than 1,400 migrants, all but three of them Afghans". The EU has to close its exterior borders IMMEDIATELY, and allow this NATO contingent of ships to shut down these boats ferrying people from Turkey--by any means possible. Then, the EU has to start, immediately, to move these Afghans out of Europe--they have no qualms about swamping the EU with illegal migrants and really think they deserve everything they can wheedle from the west. The EU has to make forced repatriation of these people NOW. Or be ready to feed and house them forever, like Palestinians. I note also that 60% of these migrants are women and children--now suffering while horde of MEN (80% or more last year) who came last year sit in relative comfort in housing in Germany. So, that shows you how much respect Afghans have for women in their society.
9
Agree 100%. As a German resident and Swedish taxpayer I have had to witness (and pay for) this on-going extortion for a year now. Finally, it seems that the EU is, at least, standing up to these irresponsible Islamic countries that have refused to take their citizens back after they have been denied asylum. Afghanistan even had the gall to demand payments to all of these illegal migrants Germany wanted to send back. And they got it. And Germany had to threaten to withhold Moroccan development aid if they did not take back the thousands of their citizens who crowded into Germany at the end of last year and committed a majority of the offenses (molestation, theft) on New years Eve. Germany has to put up with a lot of exploitation right now. I fervently hope they can bolt the door into the EU and pay these shysters and scammers back when they come looking for money again.
11
“We won’t go,” said Ahmed, a teenager from Afghanistan. “We don’t want to go anywhere until we know whether the borders will open.”
Well that about sums it up. So the only ,sad, solution is to keep them from arriving.
Well that about sums it up. So the only ,sad, solution is to keep them from arriving.
67
Brilliant. It should be obvious that the best solution for Europe is to keep the migrants from coming in the first place. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States do not have the problem of being overwhelmed with migrants. They are also not signatories to the Geneva Refugee Convention of 1951. That is a document that needs to be revisited in the context of todays world.
11
The mass influx of people into Greece could very well be another critical point for the economy, not of just Greece, but of The EU. Having this many migrants without means to help themselves will definitely put a large burden on Greece and surrounding European nations. However, after the situation is over, even if it is safe to return back their homeland, there will be a growing community of these people as they will have found means to sustain themselves where they are now. Many manual labor or low income job roles will be filled with previous refugees, business will start going again, and Greece will be back on its feet, possibly stronger than before. Of course this is an optimistic way of looking at it, I could very well be wrong and the situation will grow worse as discrimination and poor humanitarian failures result in riots and possibly civil atrocities worse than the previous ones. I do hope that in the next few weeks, months, and years we can provide them their needs properly without incident.
3
The current unemployment rate in Greece is about 25%. Explain how adding a million poorly educated immigrant laborers will help their economy when the problem is jobs, not an insufficient number of people to work them. If your answer is an economic stimulus from the EU, why not apply that stimulus first to their own unemployed citizens?
16
Your head is in the sand.
1
(1) The European countries are sovereign nations and can decide whether they want to accept immigrants or not. They need to take into account the cultural, social, and economic impact of doing so. It has been well-documented that Arab culture does not blend well with Western culture; having grown up in Kuwait, I can vouch for this fact first-hand.
(2) The male immigrants chose to run from their homelands rather than stay and fight the forces that are destroying their countries. Would you want to someone like that in your country, someone who is going to flee instead of fighting?
(3) If you start accepting the illegal immigrants, that's only going to encourage more people to make the perilous journey to Europe. At what point does Europe draw the line? They cannot absorb most of the Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan, and sub-Saharan population without a meltdown of their own economic and social infrastructures.