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MORE THAN TWO decades after his savage murder shocked America and launched a reckoning about homophobic violence, Matthew Shepard was finally laid to rest today at Washington National Cathedral.
There were plenty of tears but also a few laughs — and a few political jabs — as hundreds of people including Shepard’s parents Judy and Dennis gathered to say a final farewell to the Wyoming man, who became a symbol for the gay rights movement.
“It’s so important that we now have a home for Matt, a home that’s safe, a home that others can visit, a home that is safe from haters, a home that he loved dearly,” Dennis Shepard said at the towering Episcopal church.
“Matt loved the church, he loved the ceremony, he loved the fact that it was a safe place for anyone who wanted to enter,” he added, thanking the cathedral for “showing acceptance and inclusiveness”.
Shepard, a 21-year-old political science and foreign languages student at the University of Wyoming who wanted to become a diplomat, was lured away from a bar in Laramie in October 1998 by two young men pretending to be gay.
They stripped him, violently beat him and left him to die, bound to a fence in a field in the bitter cold.
Shepard was found 18 hours later by passers-by, who initially mistook him for a scarecrow. He died in hospital a few days later of head injuries.
The two men, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, were convicted of murder. Each received two consecutive life sentences.
At his funeral, extremist Baptist protesters picketed, brandishing signs that read: “God hates fags.”
Fearing that any final resting place would be vandalised, Shepard’s parents held on to his ashes until today.
They were laid to rest in the cathedral’s crypt — a rare honour — in a private ceremony after the public service.
Shepard is now one of around 200 people interred at the cathedral, including deaf-blind activist Helen Keller and former US president Woodrow Wilson.
‘And Matt? Welcome home’
The remembrance ceremony was presided over by Gene Robinson, the first openly gay US bishop in the Episcopal Church, who is close with Shepard’s parents.
Robinson, struggling to contain his own emotion, paid tribute to Shepard in an emotional homily that had congregants laughing and crying.
“Matt was luckier than most young gay men in 1998. He had parents and a brother who loved him,” Robinson said, hailing Judy and Dennis Shepard for turning “this horrendous event into something good”.
The reverend then turned political, making a plea to those gathered to vote in the country’s midterm elections on November 6.
In 2009, 10 years after Shepard’s death, then president Barack Obama signed a law bearing his name, expanding existing federal hate crimes law to include crimes sparked by sexual orientation and gender identity.
But Robinson warned that the rights of LBGTQ Americans were once again at risk of being curbed.
“Right now, the transgender community is the target,” Robinson said, referring to reports that the administration of President Donald Trump is mulling whether to narrowly define gender as purely biological.
“There are forces about who would erase them from America, deny the right they have to define themselves — and they need us to stand with them,” he added, earning applause.
Robinson finished with a heartfelt message for the slain student.
“There are three things I want to say to Matt: Gently rest in this place. You are safe now. Oh yeah, and Matt? Welcome home,” he said.
Greg Fuller, a resident of the US capital, said he came to Friday’s ceremony to celebrate Shepard’s life, and appreciated Robinson’s call to action.
“There’s too much divisiveness — we need to learn from history,” Fuller told AFP.
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Ahead of the vote, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned “there will be no debate or dialogue with the far-right”. Democratic as always from the EU.
He is only a ceremonial president if he gets in
They have debate and dialogue with Enda Kenny and David Cameron- which shows the EU’s willingness to engage with the far right
Indeed. And the “far-right” as he calls it, has just got 50% of the vote in the Austrian Presidential elections. How democratic of him to refuse to speak to the representative of half of the entire population!!
Very stupid and dangerous thing to do, instead of listening and debating with those on the far right, he has decided to shut them out. All this those is give the far right more ammo to recruit people into their political ideology. It’s ever repeating history at this stage.
Yes, why doesn’t Europe pursue a policy of appeasement with that Austrian-born far-right leader?
“It’s ever repeating history at this stage.”
Oh sweet irony.
The people of Austria have spoken,and they’ve voted Left,common sense prevails and the Far-Right danger has been averted. Now let us respect the will of the voters and their democratic decision.
You would say that!!!
Since when has the Muslim world been democratic?
Delighted he didn’t make it.
Hofer said rapists and those that want to fight for Islamic state arent welcome in Austria…so they branded him as “anti- muslim”….oh how the left love a good label.
He said he wanted to stop “the invasion of Muslims”. Anti-Muslim sounds about right
he brands himself far right
This is the backlash against the crazy left ideals
I don’t consider myself far anything but surely the influx of Muslims has to be addressed. Not because they are Muslim but because A, there isn’t enough work in Europe for Europeans, B, individual countries have had their national identities watered down enough with internal European immigration and other migrants already and C, there is no way of vetting who is being allowed in. None of that makes me far right or even on the right, it’s common sense. The more the EU refuses to listen the more the right will rise and brexit will be followed by other exits. To much nonsense
Does anyone else notice how no politician is ever just right wing? Any talk of right wing and they automatically say far-right or extreme-right, or any talk of not wanting millions of refugees also makes you extreme right.
Heck in THE most liberal country in the world 30% were polling for the freedom party so they were also far-right! I’ve lived there, 30% are not far right. Meanwhile in France, actual far-left protesters are burning the place left, right and centre and blocking people from travelling and attacking police, one protester boxed a female RT reporter in the side of the head. Yet they have never once been called far / extreme left.
Can we please have some balance
Nonsense as usual from you Michael. The Conservatives in the UK are right-wing,Republicans in the US are right-wing,nobody calls either far-right so less of the victimhood and paranoia.
Anton if you are going to vote far right you should own that rather than trying to blame the left Joe I’m afraid I have news for you. When one of your concerns is racial purity you are almost certainly far right
Kal – racial purity? Please stop.
Is that not what he is referring to when he said national identities were being watered down Scarr?
Soon as they jailed David Iriving for thought crimes, I lost all respect for Austria and I’m glad now the ruling class there are getting a kick in the hole.
Hofer brands all Islamic refugees as rapists and IS supporters… if the shoe fits…
Kal – I stand to be corrected, but no, I don’t think so. National identity =\= national ethnicity. I would imagine he’s referring to the rapid importation of an alien, and some would argue, incompatible, inflexible and or contradictory culture, inevitably changes the societal make-up. Not necessarily for the better.
Please provide backup for that Midir, I don’t doubt you I just can’t find it.
@Tariq, apologies I should have said in the European context. It’s a hangover from WWII, in the UK and the US they never felt the full force of WWII so it isn’t such a dirty word. That French example makes the hypocrisy clear as day
Midir – source or GTFO
Scarr – Joe referred to identies being watered down through “internal European immigration and other migrants already”. Seems like a general statement on immigration to me rather than the specific concerns you have interpreted
Kal – maybe, but I would still take that to be akin to a statement on islamization of Europe (a genuine concern IMO) rather than grubby foreigners coming over here and being foreign (a moronic opinion) – maybe Joe will clarify.
Sorry Michael and Scarr, I’m not sure I can provide a direct source for it, I saw him on BBC news last night claiming that he believes that it is right to protect his country from the influx of immigrant rapists and extremists. It’s possible that he only said it last night so it might pop up online later today.
Kal I referred to national identities not individual identities. Don’t be twisting my words
Feel free to expand Joe. How have national identities been watered down in Europe?
I’ll tell you very simply, I can’t give you percentages as I’m at work and limited time, check a census doe Ireland from the 80′s, check the amount of people living in Ireland not born in Ireland, now repeat the same thing for 2016 census, that’s what I mean. No doubt many have enriched Ireland with their culture BUT we are now in a place for the reasons I listed earlier where we don’t need and shouldn’t accept more migrants. That’s what I mean. Now you answer me a straight question, when would you draw the line and say enough ?
In 2012 about 17% of the Irish population was foreign born. Many are highly educated and have skills that we need. Of course there should be limits on the number. What makes you think there isn’t? In 2015 about 30,000 non-EU nationals arrived in Ireland and 18, 000 left. Hardly seems unsustainable
Kal, “Racial purity” ? Another agenda-driven term. Would that be a race other than Human, some sort of mongrelised Human…half man – half biscuit? We are all part of the Human race, not some left-hijacked quasi-race.
I despair.
Michael, well, that’s a first…and quite insulting. The UK never felt the full effect of WWII. Many thousands of corpses might indicate differently.
I agree race is a social construction Joseph. Not sure I understand what ‘left hijacked quasi race’ means though. Are you suggesting there has never been a call for racial purity from some groups?
@Joseph, and many millions in Europe do not.
The UK and US were not invaded, I’m not saying it was a walk in the park for them but to suggest that civilians of the UK and US suffered the same as those of Central Europe is blatantly false!
Clever Jake I strongly suggest a name change
Micheal, a matter of degree. Whether civilians died from being bombed on a nightly basis…London, Manchester, Coventry et al, or from injuries received, disease, lack of food, bombing of Germany etc…they still died. Yes, the numbers were greater in Europe but there is the matter of degree.
@Joseph,’Agenda-driven term’ because I don’t agree with it. Jesus wept.
It’s not because he doesn’t agree with it, Tariq.
The claim that somehow people who are anti mass uncontrolled immigration are looking for “racial purity” is nonsense of the highest degree.
It’s an agenda driven term because it is trying to brand those who disagree with an ideological position as racist.
Except Malachi I used the term to refer to specific comments by one commenter . To suggest that racial purity has not been a preference of some people past and present seems like nonsense of the highest degree
Yeah, you referred to Joe’s comment, where he said he opposed the influx of refugees. He said absolutely nothing about race and you injected it in there for some reason.
Can you explain why you brought race into the discussion? It’s totally irrelevant and it seems to be a red herring to try and brand opposing viewpoints.
If you read back you’ll see I explained that Joe referred to identies being watered down through “internal European immigration and other migrants already”. This is clearly broader than refugees only stance that you are referring to. He has since stated he was referring to national identities not individual identities but that there are enough foreigners in the country. Still not sure how that doesn’t relate to race/ethnicity /nationality. Maybe you can enlighten me?
Migrants/refugees can be of any race. How do you know he’s not opposed to an influx of White Americans into the EU?
He literally said nothing about race. National identity is nothing to do with race either.
“National identity is one’s identity or sense of belonging to one state or to one nation. It is the sense of a nation as a cohesive whole, as represented by distinctive traditions, culture, language and politics.”
I am still not getting how you jumped to race from any of what anyone on this thread has said. Race wasn’t mentioned once and yet you accuse someone of being a racial purist? Is this not infantile to the extreme?
The suggestion being that someone born in a different country can never sufficiently integrate into a nation that you would hold that national identity. And that their mere presence reduces the national identity of the country as a whole. That is a drive to purity.
Thank you Malachi, some people are determined to twist things to suit their own agenda. It shows how weak their argument is, when they can’t argue with what your saying they twist it into something else so they can find fault.
Rebellion and Revenge will scorch the whole of this Monster European Onion,through no fault of its citizens.This Muslim Invasion of Europe and the Treason by nearly ALL of the political leaders ,who fall to their feet of the US masters. Peter sutherland and his Bilderberg Terrorists reign for now.
KalEll, I noticed you just used “purity” rather than your “racial purity” from earlier. Are you going to accept that race has nothing to do with the conversation? Can we move on after that baseline has been established?
Immigrants that ‘dilute’ national identity can be of any race. So race is irrelevant. I will never understand why race seems to be brought up so often, out of the blue, by proponents of mass immigration.
It’s brought up for one reason, to try and silence your argument by inferring if you are against mass immigration you are a racist or right wing psycho.
Everyone is a Racist,ban Free Speech ,thats the plan guys.
Malachi I can accept race is not necessarily the defining element of national identity in all cases. We can refer to national purity if you prefer. The ultimate aim being the supposed ‘preservation’ of a people. The view expressed by Joe can be as dangerous as superiority based specifically on race
Again, you’ve misrepresented the argument. Nowhere in the thread did I see the idea of the preservation of a ‘people’.
What’s being discussed is the erosion of national identity, which going by the definition I gave earlier has nothing to do with the preservation of certain people.
If immigrants are willing to integrate, they are not eroding the national identity of a country and thus are welcomed (for the most part, within considerate economic boundaries). The problem Europe is facing is the clear lack of integration from many of the refugees (or general migrants), which is clearly what Joe was referring to.
He referred to the increase in the number of foreign born people in the country as having watered down national identity. Maybe if Joe could confirm what aspects of Irish national identity have been eroded we can ensure there is no misrepresentation of his views
Superiority ?? More words coming from you alone kal, I try not to look up or down to no man, we are all human. Doesn’t mean I have to be stupid. I made my points in my 1st post, you ignored some and twisted others, I won’t be going any further with you on this as it is clear you are closed minded and desperate to turn people’s comments into something they are not.
Not really. I’ve asked you to confirm what you meant by watering down of national identity by increasing number of foreign born persons in the country. If I had a closed mind I wouldn’t bother asking
It has been explained enough times for you, none so deaf as those that don’t want to hear. From the get go you’ve twisted things I’ve said, added to them, made weird conclusions, take a few deep breaths and read it all again, because I’m not repeating myself
I’ve read it all again. You didn’t explain what you mean by an increase in foreign born residents watering down national identity. Is it tradition, culture, language or politics that has been watered down?
The whole social fabric, which appears quite good at the moment. Doesn’t make sense to contribute with large scale immigration and end up with the problems parts of the UK, France, etc etc have experienced and can’t deal with. Look at most large cities and towns in the UK, from Lecister to Burnley to London. Your idea of keep going until we face the same issues is plain dumb. I’m really not explaining any more as I don’t believe anyone can’t really understand what I’m saying, you appear disingenuous
Contribute = continue
Fair enough. I don’t agree with your estimation of problems that exist (I live in the UK) or their source but I’ll accept I misinterpreted your initial statements. Apologies and thanks for providing clarity.
Europe is a mess..
You mean compared to Africa, the Middle East or South America?
One of main reasons of the rise of the far right (In my opinion a dangerous development) is political debate has become so politically correct. Issues such as immigration, TTPT, Europe have not been addressed sadly the opposite has happened. Issues are been controlled by a specific train of thought, which does not address the every day fears and issues of odinary people, leaving a vacuum which the hard right are and will continue to exploit. Far right groups have traditionally prospered on fear the current vacuum is no different. The biggest problem is the way the elite/establishment have run Europe, it is not just Europe look at Trump in the US, the new extreme president of the Philippines this is a world wide trend. Ordinary people are angry they have no confidence in the elite/establishment and are turning to other options.
@ ktsiwot
This is Austria – the Far Right were the second largest party and were led into Gov by Haider back in 2000.
They have a history of voting far right.
Brinster, pointless comparison…we don’t live in those places. More whataboutery masquerading as debate.
Brinster
Your point is correct and If we go back farther you will discover Hitler was Austrian. It has a history, however the trend is worldwide Trump in USA, Le Pen in France, Holland, Poland, Hungary all these countries have increased there far right vote by multiples over the last few years, Even look at Denmark a go to country for a socialist model is developing a popular hard right.
Trump is not far right – at least not in comparison to Cruz, whom he defeated.
Eastern Europe has always had right wing tendencies. There is an increase now but given an Iron Curtain was in place up to roughly 1990, it is only in their very recent history that there has been the opportunity to judge. Le Pen has taken over from her father – again a long history there.
The problem is that far too many people use “far right” as a synonym for “anti immigration/believe greater immigration control is required”.
Far right is far more about free markets, authoritarian power centralization and nationalism than immigration control.
Those points are correct and i suppose another aspect is where does far right cross over to fascism. It generally happens in a time of fear, uncertainty and where there is a vacuum in the political process. We are moving to that point.
I would not compare a right wing Tory to fascism however many were that way inclined in the 30s.
The current movement is rising from the streets and gaining a euro wide following and the main premises it is coming from is immigration.
If the lefts ideal of a utopia (Denmark) can provide a strong far right wing party, I seem immigration as the main driver. The issue of immigration has not been discussed not to mention addressed and until this happens in volatile political environment expect to see the far right expand.
Maybe Obama can sort the mess out
When over 5 billion people are in poverty and start flooding to Europe it’s not exactly helping solve the issue. Struggling to contain anti immigration parties is like demanding that the European economy collapses. How about the third world nations fix themselves before deporting their people to Europe. It’s pretty blatant that the majority of refugees are downtrodden and uneducated economic migrants. It’s a sad state when the media and government hide the facts. When will they realize that this hurts them and their children. Grow a pair and stop acting like we’re doing great charitable work when the reality is we’re not doing anything at all but driving our ancestors beautiful world into the ground. That being said Europe is waking up. The right wing is our only hope. They aren’t monsters. They want to fix the third world issues not bring them here. The left has done nothing for Europe in recent years but neglect its people in complete ignorance.
Some stats from Germany. Most migrants are from Pakistan, (Syria ranks 3rd), 22% have primary school education. Only 18% have uni. Can anyone say quotas? https://www.rt.com/news/343753-germany-refugees-males-statistics/
Some people hate facts? Odd. :D
Is this the ancestors “beautiful” world that has been at war with itself for most of the last three centuries at the cost of millions of lives?
The problem with suggesting that Third World nations fix themselves is that we First World nations were the ones that broke them to begin with, and then kept them broken because it suits our interests to have a supply of cheap labour, not to mention all the natural resources we would have to pay for if they got their act together. To slightly paraphrase Ambalavaner Sivanandan, “they are here because we are there.”
@Midir,
Rubbish, Ireland never had an empire.
Ireland is a third world country along with Switzerland, Sweden etc… You must mean the developed world.
Eamon, Ireland as a nation might not be directly responsible for the actions of Britain (of which Ireland was a part during the colonial times) or the other European powers, but we benefit from the domination of the Third World countries just the same.
@Midir,
You couldn’t be more wrong, we give the Third World €670 million aid every year, as well as taking in tens of thousands of their migrants.
Shane, you are working with one particular definition of Third World as being those not aligned with either NATO or Communist countries. The definition which I am working with is the Third World as periphery countries which are dominated by the core countries of the First World. Calling it the developed world implies that we are somehow ahead on a linear path of development. Both terms admittedly have their problems.
@ Right Human – well said. This is possibly one of the biggest cons ever instigated by the governments / media against their own people in the history of time.
Scarr, I’m not sure that I would call RT News a credible source. They are funded by the Russian government and has been called a propaganda outlet for the Russian foreign policy by news reporters, including former RT reporters. They have also been accused of spreading disinformation, Ofcom has repeatedly found RT to have breached rules on impartiality, and of broadcasting “materially misleading” content.
@ Midir – i would definitely not call the BBC, Irishtimes, CNN and NYTimes credible, neutral sources of information about this migration farce / con job.
Much of the aid provided is to the corrupt governments of those countries and even the aid that is distributed directly to the people can often have a detrimental effect on local producers. We (the First World, Developed World, Western World, or whatever you want to call it) have made a mess of Africa, now we are suffering the consequences of our actions.
Fred, I agree that most, if not all, news outlets are low on credibility. That does not make RT News more credible. To put it into perspective, just because CNN is biased does not mean that Fox is trustworthy. I try to judge things for myself based on the information I have available.
@Midir Ireland has never had a hand in what Britain did with the Empire or Europe .To suggest that is rubbish .The only reason Ireland takes in these migrants is beacuse of the Eu .
“When over 5 billion people are in poverty and start flooding to Europe”
66% of the global population are coming to Europe are they? I hear it’s 200 billion. And 300 billion of them are Muslim extremists! Just think, 400 billion immigrants! How is our welfare system supposed to cope with 500 billion people?!
Very well said!!!
@JayK,
Your figures all wrong, you don’t have a clue.
You say that now Eamon. Just wait until 600 billion immigrants are knocking on your door.
Midir is wrong in blaming Ireland for the ME mess but very right in blaming the West for it’s current state. Facts are facts. If you build a treehouse in a forest and mess with the wasp’s nest already in the tree, and every tree in that wood has it’s own nest, well, you’re going to be stung.
John, I don’t blame Ireland, I blame the western culture of which Ireland is a part. When I say “we” caused the pronlems, I’m not talking along nationalist boarders, I’m talking about cultural borders. That Ireland didn’t directly create the problems in Africa does not stop us from benefiting from them.
Midir, It’s not up to us to sort out Africa – they have to do it themselves. I’m not exactly sure what “cultural borders” Ireland has helped create that makes us somehow culpable for Africa’s problems?
The reaction has begun. If he gets pipped at the post this time, there’s always next time. Funny world we live in when so called “Far Right” has become the party of common sense and self preservation.
The far right has always promoted itself as the champions of common sense and self preservation. The question is, do we go with the emotional response? Or should we go with the intellectual response?
When the weapons of the far left are name calling, censorship and misrepresentation of the facts (pretending it’s mostly Syrian women and children when it’s mostly men from elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East) it’s clear who is basing their arguments on emotion rather than logic.
I consider myself to be far left, I believe more in collective rights than individual ones, I believe in the nationalisation of resources and industry to benefit the public rather than the capitalist class. And I have never claimed that the refugees were from Syria, all of the arguments I have made have been about Africa. I also have not read a single comment from anyone here claiming that they are Syrian. Your suggestion that the left claims this has no merit.
I hope he wins and I also hope the journal stops reposting AFP propaganda.
Sorry a little green here! who or what is AFP.
Associated Free Press
It’s actually Agence France Presse. But don’t let facts worry you.
Far rights rise can be attributed to Merkel alone
Wanting to protect the integrity of your borders and preventing mass economic migration is apparently ‘right-wing’ these days.
Jason – the media asserts that wanting to do what you describe is “far-right”…by asserting it, they label it. So it becomes the case. Apparently.
Sometimes i think the media are actually more to blame than the politicians for this mess.
The media as well as the politicians are part of the same globalist “club”. Bilderberg guest list would explain a surprising synergy between the stance of “traditional/non populist/not far right” politicians and “mainstream” journalists. It would also explain a large gap between official policies and views of the silent majority, also called common sense.
The left and centrist parties of Europe have a choice; listen to the people of Europe on the mass immigration of economic migrants or get replaced by right wing parties who do. It’s as simple as that. They only have themselves to blame.
But tolerance, acceptance and social support for all (including immigrants) is a fundamental left wing philosophy.
I don’t see how you say you’re anti-immigration and claim to be on the left.
I support freedom of speech, lgbtq rights, gay marriage, women’s rights, a woman’s right to choose, secular government including schools, public healthcare, I’m anti-gun, anti-corporatist, anti- war (or at least the needless ones like Iraq), pro environment/a firm believer in climate change and pro scientific progress. I oppose unchecked illegal immigration on humanitarian, political and economic grounds. Our infrastructure simply can’t handle millions of unskilled/uneducated immigrants. Schools, hospitals and transport are already at breaking point in many European countries. Levels of unemployment are still too high in Europe, especially amongst the young. An economic migrant takes the place of a genuine refugee when countries have specified an exact quota. Lack of integrating of the current European Muslim population has led to huge social and security issues. The average Muslim from North Africa or the Middle East is more far right than the average Europeans and not just by a little bit. Islam is a far right ideology. They are pretty much against that long list of liberal principals I prescribe too that I gave at the beginning of this comment. And finally, rewarding people who come here by boat or other dangerous means encourage more to do so and more people end up dying needlessly. Genuine refugees should be cared for but sometimes in makes more sense to care for them in a safe place like Turkey rather than ship them all to Europe or let them make the journey themselves.
You should check out the Rubin report podcast.
So you believe that Turkey should keep all the refugees? Does their infrastructure have some power to deal with them that ours doesn’t?
Midir, 80% of the migrants are not genuine refugees. Only one in 5 are Syrian, the rest are economic migrants using a crises to ride coattail into Europe.
I don’t think Turkey should take all the refugees but it makes more sense to support most of these refugees closer to their home in well funded, supplied and organised UN camps rather than spread them out throughout Europe. It makes economic sense as the cost to support a refugee in a country with a lower cost of living will obviously be less. Then when’s it’s safe for them to return home they can do so more easily.
So if you love your country and don’t want to see it taken over by 7th century barbarism, that makes you “far right”?
Now you’re getting it.
Mental isn’t it Eamon.
I love my country and want to rid it of the last vestiges of a barbarism that began in the Middle East in the first century, but I don’t consider myself right-wing at all – or indeed even particularly left-wing.
It’s almost like we’re witnessing some obscene, grotesque social experiment. Throw millions of young Muslim males into Europe, almost all of whom are 100% dependent on the taxpayer, and many of whom either despise the west culturally or actively seek to harm it, and then see what happens politically. Its a Frankenstein style experiment, and we are the guinea pigs, and they are studying us like rats in a lab.
Austria hasn’t a great track record when it come to rearing right-wing despots.
What do you mean ?
Where was Hitler born, Larry?
Where did Hitler spend the vast majority of his life? What nation did he fight for during WW2? Anyone who studies Hitler knows that he despised Zurich and was ashamed of his Austrian heritage.
Anyone who studies geography knows that Zurich is in Switzerland, not Austria
@j j riordan
Hitler was born in Austria, but of course Hitler was left-wing, so what do you think he is referring to ?
I meant Vienna obviously, one of the dangers of posting comments this early in the morning. I just finished a biography on Hitler and what’s clear is that he hated Austria with a passion.
I bet you did. Larry doesn’t know Hitler was Austrian,Jason thinks Zurich is in Austria,that’s what happens when you get your information from far-right blogs.
Jason I’m no fan of Zurich either. You should have seen the quote they gave me for car insurance. PS. Zurich isn’t in Austria.
Refresh button, lads. Point has been clarified almost 30 mins ago. :D
I always smile at those who think Hitler was right-wing as it is usually at odds with their agenda of name-calling and criticism.
That you think I didn’t know Adolf Hitler was Austrian is simply silly and I won’t dignify it with a response.
It’s funny because Tariq is the closest one to a fascist out of any of us!
He just wraps it up in Islam to hide it!
Islam is as fascist as an Ideology can get.
I’m guessing you meant Vienna?
@Midir We aren’t responsible at all. Europeans learned to make use of their land and they didn’t. That is what happened. Have you seen the mud huts we used to live in? Well we didn’t get help from them that’s for sure. Can you tell me exactly where we are stealing all these resources from because as far as any sane person is concerned Ireland is very self sustainable unlike them. They have failed and it’s ridiculous to think Europe is in any way responsible for their failed society.
We Europeans conquered and divided up all of Africa. The countries that exist there were created by Europeans, the borders drawn for our economic reasons rather than the interests of the indigenous people. Since then the west has supported dictators guilty of horrendous human rights abuses because those dictators are amenable to our economic interests. We sell them weapons to subdue the people, we fund revolutions when they don’t support our interests. As for the resources we take from them, cobalt is essential to the production of many of our technologies. The largest producer of cobalt is the DRC, they produce nearly 8 times as much as the next biggest producer. Similarly tantalum which is also used in technology is found in Rwanda, Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. 40% of the oil production in Africa is controlled by China. In these cases, and many others, it is Europe, China, Russia, and America who benefit most from the extraction of these resources. We are dependent on them to maintain the standard of living which we have beck e accustomed. If economic refugees are the problem, then all we need to do is to help them gain control of the natural resources of their homeland and in a few decades we will be flocking to them instead.
The problems of Africa are entirely due to Africans. Even if the countries were divided by perfectly along ethnic and cultural lines, as you seem to suggest, there might be slightly less warfare but Africa would still be as poor as it is now. Corruption is the key. Mis-management of resources, overpopulation, disease, the list goes on. Nothing to do with the white man.
Corruption is the key, corruption which is supported by the west, mismanagement which benefits the west. We get just enough involved in Africa to mess the whole thing up. I advocate either more direct involvement, by upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in Africa, or less involvement. Either fix the problem, or let them sort themselves out. Without the supply of weapons the west provides, many African dictators would be ousted in no time.
Austria is pretty insignificant. What will really matter is this is just a warm up for France’s lurch into the far right.
It’s The Wonderfully progressive Liberal Left,despite themselves that allows the far right to flurish by talkin down to or dismissing Centre Right Conservative Views. .
The chap supports pan germanism which is largely unheard of in contemporary German and Austrian politics, so yes he’s far right. It’s not just about his immigration rhetoric that he’s branded as far right.
What’s wrong with pan-germanism?
I support pan-celticism where we forge closer cultural ties with our Celtic neighbours… What’s wrong with that? The Slavs do it too, all of their flags are similar, so do the Nordics.
So is it just that Germanic people aren’t allowed to because Hitler was fond of it, because that seems like a pretty bad reason to deny cultural cooperation.
I think you’ll find that pan slavism failed utterly. Yugoslavia broke up amid bloody nationalist tensions. Czechoslovakia also broke up without the bloodshed thankfully.
So now your saying than “pan” movements mean that people want their culturally similar countries to become one country?! That was never my understanding of it, I understood it as independent countries with a shared past culture celebrating that link.
So you’re saying he believes Austria should be part of Germany or what? Because I think your whole argument is a bit flimsy
Yes, pan-nationalist movements typically seek national unification as the end goal. And as with all pan-nationalist movements, the national culture abuses any minority culture located in the ‘nation’. That’s why pan-nationalism, along with all other forms of nationalism, is inherently racist.
Until I went to college I associated nationalism as a good thing. As the reason I planted daffodils in my town, mowed the grass in my estate, went to remembrances of people who died for my own freedom… Then I met people like you who told me I was a racist for being a nationalist.
What a joke
I think you’re confusing nationalism with patriotism. They aren’t interchangeable. Nationalism is poison.
The world is fragmenting into far right and far left. The 30s are coming back
If the Far-Right get the Democratic Mandate then the European Union will have to do business with them. The Alternative for Germany Party wants to protect their country from the Migration Invasion. Islam and Christianity are not compatible. I live in Germany and I see what’s going on all around me. Sharia Law should never be accepted in Europe. If you want to live here in Germany you have to respect The Law of the Land!! Full stop!! This a Christian country and it will remain so. Practise your own religion by all means but don’t try ramming your Religion down our throats. That is what the (AfD) wants
Always amazed that Austria was designated Hitler’s ‘first victim’. From the cheering crowds that greeted him in Vienna to the very very enthusiastic SS recruits from Austria it seems the Austrians are more right wing than we like to give them credit for. Let’s not forget hitler was Austrian
Per capita..more Austrians than Germans were Nazi party members …but that was then..this is now.
Hitler sorted out those right-wingers, murdered most of them to remove all opposition.
“The fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascists” – Huey Long 1935
This has nothing to do with Hitler, it is a push back against the fascist left who want more government, more laws and less freedom all under the banner of ‘diversity’
Back to where it all began.
I lived in Austria for some time. Let’s just say it doesn’t surprise me that Hitler came from there.
I just understand the blatant double standard of “racism”. Say for example if you are German, Austrian or Swiss and dare to have pride in your culture & people. A certain group of judgemental people instantly brand you a Hitler sympathiser, racist, and of course fascist.
What is wrong with preserving our way of life, culture and people? I can assure you in the Middle East, China, India, Philippines, and Nigeria they have great pride and they’re not forcing multiculturalism with droves of Europeans. With those mentioned above they still have a homeland where their culture and people are preserved. We are not so fortunate because for some odd reason we feel some ill found guilt that it is our responsibility to accommodate all that come instead sort the problem from the source.
We have gotten multiculturalism shoved down our throat here in Ireland. The difference in Ireland over the past 15 years is staggering.
Déirdre, we have had plenty of opportunities to sort the problem out before it got this bad. We ignored it because we liked having dictators who were amenable to Western interests. This problem is not unexpected, people have been warning of the consequences of our actions in Africa for many years. So, the sense of responsibility which is felt is not ill found, it is well deserved. The only unfortunate element for Europe is that we are the closest and so are getting the refugees while America and China still reap the benefits of their involvement in Africa. However, the case could be argued that we deserve that too since we Europeans started the whole mess to begin with during colonial times.
We? What ever did the Irish ever do? I am sorry but I must disagree with you there. My god we where to the English colonialism’s first victims. And might I add the biggest thorn in their side. Granted what was done in the Middle East to exploit their resources by the Americans, British, French and whomever else was colossal. But understand the English mastered pitting the natives against themselves. Subsequently doing the work for them. They had us at each others throats as well. But Africa can’t blame it on the “white man” anymore. They are left to their own devices and that hasn’t gone well.
Oh our leaders are to blame I can assure you that. They are to blame for letting anyone and everyone in for the business benefits of driving labor wages down. Something I have personally experienced.
Why does the Journal attract so many far-right apologists? Can anyone remember what happened the last time there was a rise of the far-right in Europe?
As has been pointed out by other contributors, this is not just an Austrian phenomenon and the far-right has been on the rise throughout Europe. This has occurred as loyalty to the ‘free market’ has surpassed loyalty to our fellow humans. The prevalence of individualism has ensured that we view others as ‘scroungers’, ‘criminals’ and ‘terrorists’. Reverence to the ‘free market’ has resulted in mass inequality, as low paying jobs, and a precarious jobs market, are becoming accepted norms. Perhaps the elites (politicians and the media) have an interest in deflecting from the broken system that they have helped to create. The perfect scapegoats, for the misery that people feel on a daily basis, are the poor, the powerless and the marginalised. This is why migrants are vilified in such a way.
Open your eyes before you open your hate filled mouths!!!
I can’t remember what happened the last time there was the rise of the “far-right” in Europe, please enlighten me.
The masters in Brussels will never allow their plan to be ruined by their servants, even if it means sabotaging democratic voting results.
I would be very surprised if Britain’s referendum results in a ‘Leave’, regardless of how the population votes. Having witnessed the blatant corruption in the voting system in some African and Asian countries, to think it cannot be done in more ‘sophisticated’ nations would be quite naive. Add to that the state controlled TV and media campaigns, and you begin to see that the truth has no voice.
Recount!
Well the Celts were Austrians so what does that make us?
As the rhetoric of anti immigration continues to gain popularity I am reminded of Enoch Powell’s famous 1968 “rivers of blood” speech which warned of the crisis facing Britain due to the influx of Indian immigrants at the time. He claimed, just as people do now, that the majority did not want to integrate into the culture and that the British people would be burdened with the economic well being of these uneducated immigrants. Well, Britain seems to be doing well enough now, the Indian population have integrated their own culture into the British one and helped to forge a new national identity. The uneducated immigrants are now well known for becoming doctors, lawyers, and successful business people and have helped to grow the British economy. Yet despite the fact that immigration has being going on for as long as we have been recording history, every time it increases, people freak the hell out. I say, don’t worry so much, this too shall pass.
@Midir,
Where do you live ?
I would be surprised if it is Britain with a naive view like that.
Midir – I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’ve done zero research. BTW, Powell wasn’t the frothy-mouth racist, you no doubt think him to be. In fact, Powell spoke out against some of the atrocities committed by the British empire in India and Africa. The rivers of blood speech – do you think he was entirely wrong?
The Indian immigrants have integrated well. The PakistanI immigrants not so. think 7/7 etc
@midir. Enoch Powell was right. For every violated little white girl in the UK, for all the victims of Islamic aggression on UK soil, the family of lee rigby, the taxpayers burdened by hundreds of thousands of unemployed and unemployable, attitude laden Muslim youth. Of course he was right.
The Hindu and Sikh immigrants have integrated well. The problems are with the Pakistani culture. I wonder why that is!
Which god would that be, Ossi? Vishnu, Thor, Yahveh, Allah, the Sky Fairy the Irish worship or that fellow Wodan that the Nazis worshipped?
Great news to see extreme politics rejected!
I’m a bit conflicted here!
On the one hand it is obvious that many posters are xenophobic racist nut-jobs.
On the other hand I support concerns about unrestricted immigration and regard the EU proto-Superstate and its “ever closer Union” as an existential threat to freedom.
I support the Austrian “far-right” because they are anti-EU…that outweighs any concerns about the real motivation for their anti-immigrant stance.
We live in uncertain political times very much like the era of the Weimar Republic. Democracy is struggling to function, or reflect the views of the population. Politicians say one thing and really mean something else, its at a micro and macro level right across Europe. Germany unilaterally opened its borders to immigrants and once they are in they start demanding everyone takes their fair share. Germany is at the heart of this european decay. Maybe the Brits will save us by jumping ship.
The political establishment across europe will carry on regardless with this win in Austria. Native People’s of europe patience is growing short and won’t be long before something happens to garner more support across europe for whats referred to far right policies. We have an upcoming referendum in Hungary may throw the debate about far right and far left wing parties back into the spotlight.
Thank God
Does anybody see the similarity between Hofer and Bashar al Alasad. Put moustache on Hofer and you have Bashar or maybe he had hoped to retire to Austria on the quiet.
Phew!
Hail hofer …..it dose have a familiar ring to it
Why was the postal vote turnout in some places over 100%? The official results Webster shows 146% in one area. Link here. http://wahl16.bmi.gv.at/1605-303.html
Gott sei Dank
Hitler only technically annexed Austria… They encouraged him to come in. He was welcomed by huge cheering crowds and a huge signup to his army by Austrians. Hardly surprising that the far-right has a strong following there
That’s a pretty selective reading of history and ignores the fact that the legitimate government of Austria was undermined in many ways by the Germans and their local catspaws, including the assassination of Chancellor Dollfuss in 1934.
Not at all. It is historical fact that there was overwhelming welcoming of the annexation by the population of Austria. No resistance whatever. It takes more than the undermining of a government to eliminate public resistance.
Phew! That was a close one, even if the Austrian President has little to do other than open bridges and shake the hands of visiting heads of state. It was close enough with Georg Haidar, another dangerous right-winger, but he was killed in a car crash (karma?), ironically for such an ostensible homophobe on his way home from a gay sauna.
Neither Europe nor Austria itself needs another far-right Austrian politician and demagogue. That painter fellow with the funny moustache – his name will come back to me in a moment – was quite enough.
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