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So it was that when confronted with the wrath of Hitler’s present-day counterparts – and with “allies” and media around the world who condemned Jyllands-Posten while oozing “understanding” for the rampaging hoodlums, who, after all, had no other way of communicating the extent to which the cartoons had wounded their delicate sensibilities – the Danes stood firm. Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen refused even to meet Muslim ambassadors, because, he said, the issues were so clear that there was “nothing to discuss.” That’s how to respond to jihadists.

Sweden took another route. When a political website featured a Jyllands-Posten cartoon, the government sent police to close it down. More recently, hit with his own cartoon crisis involving artist Lars Vilks, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt not only met Muslim ambassadors, but was praised by one for his “spirit of appeasement.”

Norway didn’t cover itself in glory, either. On the pretext that a tiny newspaper, Magazinet, had reprinted the Jyllands-Posten cartoons (never mind that major dailies in Spain, Germany, and France had done so as well), the cartoon jihadists chose to target Norway as well, plainly betting that the dialogue-happy, UN-worshipping “peace country” would curb its freedoms at the first hint of Muslim displeasure.

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Liam Streets
June 29th, 2008
1:06 PM
Fantastic article! Despite being a "religion of Peace" they kill people just for speaking their mind, our ancestors fought and died for our freedom and i will never let that be in vain. Britian is also a country in dire need of help, i praise the danes for their courage.

Joachim von Trettin
June 27th, 2008
7:06 PM
The Danes have a gutsy inside, Bruce Baver claims, and proved it by shipping almost all their Jews to safety in Sweden. Fact seems to be, that a leading group of Nazi occupants, in Denmark 1943, considering a German military defeat, were eager to keep up their appearences. Following this understandable desire they contacted their Danish counterparts informing them about an order from Berlin to apprehend all Danes of Jewish descent for transport to camps in Eastern Europe. Now, as it happens, the German military forces in Denmark have already planned to engage in extended activities on the Danish westcoast, leaving the eastcost poorly watched. And pertaining to Sweden, the German occupiers, including some people from the Gestapo, ensured the Danes not to worry, because Sweden this time (1943) will not repatriate the Danish Jews, thus saving them from the ugly fate the Norwegian Jews had to face the year before, i.e. 1942. (Fyi: Stalingrad occured 1943).

Anonymous
June 26th, 2008
5:06 PM
I have read and enjoyed Bawer's book - While europe Slept - as well as his many articles. What I don't understand is why Norway's leaders haven't come for him. He offers anecdotes of authors and cartoonists getting in trouble with the authorities and I would presume their sights are on him. How about it Bruce, do you get hassled by the the Scandinavian governments for your writings?

curt jalmo
June 26th, 2008
2:06 PM
hi bruce...living in sweden I totally agree with you...our goverment is a bunch of cowards! your article is right on point...the same dhimmitude is beginning to cover sweden like a fog..its outrageous...we all better wake up soon! very good work!!!

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