Embarassing Slackers

German Minister of the Interior Hans-Peter Friedrich is not bringing many concrete answers along from his trip to Washington. German dealings with Edward Snowden are embarrassing; without him, they would know nothing of the investigations of the American and British intelligence agencies.

The German minister of the interior is not bringing much from his Washington visit, but is bringing some answers along — to questions no one is asking. The U.S. security advisor promised Hans-Peter Friedrich to better inform the federal government of American intelligence services’ knowledge in the future. But the problem is not too little communication, but instead far too much acquired knowledge.

Obligated to Protect

That U.S. Vice President Biden assured Friedrich of respecting the “balance of security and freedom” in the future is as charming as Lucifer’s assurance of maintaining a pleasant temperature regulation in hell as in the past, but also in the future. More embarrassing than Friedrich’s U.S. trip at the present is only the dealings with whistle-blower Edward Snowden, cast away to Russia. Without him, the Germans and other Europeans would know nothing of the investigations of the American and British intelligence agencies. They are obligated to thank and protect him.

Yet none of them is willing to accept him. Now he will probably receive temporary asylum in Russia. Ruprecht Polenz complains that asylum in Russia is “shady.” What is correct: No asylum in Europe has the miasma of decaying morals.