A Record of Horror

Ever since the existence of calendars, most things are easier to describe and evaluate. An example: On Dec. 27, 1979, the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan. On Feb. 15, 1989, the last Soviet soldier crept out of Afghanistan with flags furled and his tail between his legs. The carnage lasted nine years and 50 days. Then on Oct. 7, 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan. As of yesterday, they were still there — nine years and 50 days later. A new record in political insanity has now been set.

Unlike the years between 1979 and 1989 — when the East German Democratic Republic stood in solid political alliance with its big brother to the east — we reunited Germans are now sending soldiers to that war, a war that in no way serves Germany’s best interests. We owe our thanks for that to the Christian Democratic Union and Free Democratic coalition government along with the Greens who have also long since supported the export of our soldiers, as have the Social Democrats who have meanwhile miserably betrayed Willy Brandt’s belief that war should not be a political policy. The results? Terrorists spread their fear and horror because they believe we will have to defend Afghanistan’s freedom at the Brandenburg Gate and Defense Minister zu Guttenberg meanwhile now gives out combat medals. The first was awarded yesterday to Corporal Sergei Motz. His father, a so-called “ethnic German immigrant,” fought for the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s.