Germans have listened and I believe some are not amused.
Because I think Sen. McCain is on purpose trying to plant the seeds of hate and division to gain control over European/Ukraine/Russia crisis, my mind tells me I shouldn't bite into his rhetoric. But my heart tells me I should shout out to him: "Go [redacted to appease to DK's appeasing speech control to satisfy liberal Democrats' policies] Sir". Seriously. Stop manipulating.
What gets me so upset? Well, he just had insulted the German Chancellor and the whole German government imho in the worst way possible. And I think it deserves a well directed throw of big fat eggs into Sen.McCain's face. There is no decency in his accusations and his support for upcoming war activities.
To say Chancellor Merkel is comparable to a Nazis regime appeaser is a blunt insult. May be Sen. McCoin gets himself a bit familiar with Chancellor Merkel's biography.
All in the Family: Chancellor Merkel's Heritage Pleases Poles - March 15, 2013 for example would be a good start.
You see, Germans are used to be accused of be either "good German" Nazi appeasers or "bad German" socialist Russian appeasers. And I sense that time has come when both of those accusation don't do the trick anymore with some Germans.
Here, follow me, the latest German press articles:
ZDF German TV was so stupid smart to give McCain a platform for the German audience to listen to through an interview Sen. McCain gave them. It will be broadcasted on Sunday. In a preliminary report the broadcaster said this:
John McCain wirft Merkel Appeasement-Politik vor
Warning - This is my own translation - I am not a professional translator - all errors are mine
Excerpts:
John McCain accuses Merkel of Appeasement Politics
The US-Republican John McCain is deeply disappointed over Merkel's Ukraine policies. Her behavior reminds him of Nazi appeasement policies - 6. Februar 2015
The Republican US Senator John McCain has' strongly criticized Chancellor Angela Merkel with regards to the Ukraine crisis. The chairman of the Armed Services Committee in the Senate compared her rejection of arms supplies to Ukraine with the appeasement policy toward Nazi Germany before the Second World War. He said that directl to the ZDF TV broadcast "Berlin" according to a preliminary report of the broadcaster: "Your (Merkel's) behavior reminds me of the politics of the 30s."
"I would ask the Chancellor, how many people have to die in Ukraine before we help them to defend themselves?" said Republican Senator. "Doesn't she know where the weapons for the separatists and the troops come from?" McCain accused Merkel of inactivity: "Will she just watch how a country in Europe is cut into pieces for the first time since the Second World War?"
For him the European behavior in the Ukraine conflict was a huge disappointment overall. "But I did not expect anything different," McCain said in the interview to be broadcast on Sunday night. "If one looks at the attitude of the German government, one might think that she does not know or does not care that people are being slaughtered in Ukraine."
In the US there is renewed discussion on arms deliveries to the Ukrainian army again because of the fighting in eastern Ukraine. McCain is one of the most prominent advocates. US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday during a visit to Kiev, President Barack Obama will "soon" to decide over it. So far, Obama declined on arms shipments. The designated Defense Secretary Ashton Carter expressed recently his support for it. Several senators both from the Republican and the Democratic Party urged Obama again on Thursday to supply Ukraine with weapons.
...
A report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, saying that the initiative concedes a much larger territory than previously planned to the separatists, had been denied by the Federal Government.
In September the parties had agreed on an action plan in Minsk. Among other things there is a ceasefire agreed upon, which has been breached for months in the disputed territories by both, the pro-Russian separatists as well as by Ukrainian troops. Several negotiation attempts of the Contact Group, which includes representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and Russia, have failed since December. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) described the situation as highly dangerous.
US ready for arms sales ?
According to the newspaper "Die Welt" EU diplomats believe that the US government will begin to supply arms, if the initiative of Merkel and Hollande should fail. Then "the Americans will probably deliver defensive weapons, such as anti-tank missiles and artillery radar to Ukraine," the paper wrote, citing a senior EU diplomat familiar with the Ukraine negotiations.
Russia has warned the US against such a move. Moscow is accused of a material assistance to the insurgents in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin denies such accusations..
German Press Round-Up:
Warning - This is my own translation - I am not a professional translator - all errors are mine
Koelner Stadtanzeiger:
Who doesn't want to make any military assistance in this situation (...), should be ready to publicly declare that and pay the security policies' consequences," writes Katja Tichomirowa for the" Kölner Stadt Anzeiger. "The federal government has a hands-off approach on the subject of arms shipments because they fear further escalation. This is by no means unfounded, but the truth includes that not only and the escalation already occurred, but was caused deliberately by the Russian side.
Handelsblatt:
"We should not do Putin the favor to be ultimately right," said Helmut Steuer for the "Handelsblatt". It is undisputed that the war in Ukraine can not be solved by military means. Before the European sanctions are screwed on tightly, such as by excluding Russian banks from the international payment system Swift, arms shipments would only be a confirmation of Putin's statement that the Ukrainian army is "a NATO Legion".
Süddeutsche Zeitung:
"It would be time for another attempt for peace agreement," writes Cathrin Kahlweit for "süddeutsche.de". Although the negotiations between Kiev and Moscow were a farce: Ukraine fights for its survival as a sovereign state, because Moscow does not consider it as such. Weighing the pros and cons of arms sales would be a choice between Scylla and Charybdis. But at this stage they were the wrong way. Rather, one must undermine Putin's strategy and prevent a major war.
Die Zeit online:
"Sometimes only weapons help," writes Carsten Luther in "Die Zeit Online". That the Ukraine conflict can not be solved militarily, has long been a guiding principle through the tireless efforts of especially the Germans. The bitter reality these days though is that the conflict can't be solved diplomatically as well, because the negotiating talks have no influence on the events in the east of the country. In such situations, diplomacy needs to apply pressure. Military aid will not end the war, but be a strong signal to Russia that Ukraine is not alone.
TAZ.de:
"This way one does not solve conflicts, one escalates them," commented Otfried Nassauer on "taz.de". Space for political compromise was not a proposal of the United States, who for three years fund the Ukraine with armaments worth billions of euros. This tactic torpedoes a diplomatic solutions - which could be the intent though. Only a permanent conflict with Russia guarantees the supremacy of Washington in Europe for decades to come.
Frankfurter Allgemeine:
"The Ukrainian armed forces can barely stand up against the attacking pro-Russian forces," analyzed Reinhard Veser in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine". The fact that the OSCE - aiming always to be a neutral mediators so far - have assigned the blame for the failure of the talks to the Separatists, speaks for itsself. Arms deliveries had the potential to stop the advance of the Separatists. However, one must also fear an incalculable escalation of the conflict. An US intervention would hand the Kremlin pretexts for intervention. The risk would be then that the Ukraine at the end would be worse of than before.
Konflikt mit Russland: Ukrainischer Ex-Premier wirft dem Westen Betrug vor - Mittwoch, 04.02.2015 – 18:06 Uhr
Warning - This is my own translation - I am not a professional translator - All errors are mine
Excerpts:
Conflict with Russia: Ukrainian Ex-Prime Accuses the West of Fraud
The cause of the Ukraine crisis? A coup led by the USA! Ex-Prime Minister Azarov attracted attention with bold theses on the conflict with Russia.
Moscow - The Ukrainian ex-Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has accused the West of deception and insincerity in the power struggle in Kiev a year ago. Following the February 2014 agreement on political reform signed by President Viktor Yanukovych was a "perfect scam", says the politician, ho lives in exile in Russia.
...
Overall, the change of power was a coup led by the US, claims Azarov. Forces from all around the country were drawn together in the central Maidan Square in Kiev to prepare for the coup. The politician also tried a comparison with the late former ruler of Libya: Yanukovych "should die like Muammar Gaddafi," Azarov said at the presentation of his book "Ukraina na pereputje" (Ukraine at the crossroads). Gaddafi died in October 2011, under not quite unclear circumstances.
To cope with the crisis in the Donbass Azarov called for a constitutional amendment in Ukraine. Also new elections would be inevitable. "I do not believe that the current government in Kiev is able to stop the bloodshed," said the former prime minister.
Kommentar zu Merkels Moskau-Reise: Alle Hektik ist angebracht - Ein Kommentar von Gregor Peter Schmitz, Brüssel - Freitag, 06.02.2015 – 09:35 Uhr
Warning - This is my own translation - I am not a professional translator - All errors are mine
Excerpts:
Commentary to Merkels Moscow trip: All hectic pace is appropriate
Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Hollande travel on short notice to Moscow to defuse the Ukraine crisis. This is symbolic politics of the right sort.
It shows a leadership that Europe urgently needs.
It is not hard to mock the strangest kind of crisis diplomacy, the last-minute diplomacy. It always looks a bit unfortunate when experienced statesmen as Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande suddenly drop in foreign capitals for a few hours, as on Thursday and on Friday in Kiev at Russian President Vladimir Putin.
...
But such derisiveness is too simple. Even if the shuttle diplomacy of the diplomatic duo Merkel / Hollande should result in nothing tangible, the symbolism of it counts. Europe's highest level strives for peace, yes, she really fights for it.
...
Finally, the continent has to pass two exams. The Europeans have to stick together internally to keep their community together, as the economic crisis threatens to become a political. Keyword: Greece.
And they must prove to the outside, that they are willing to defend their very own genuine values despite and against all internal conflicts. Keyword: Ukraine.
The conflict there has been a regional one so far.Should it become a global one, as some hawks in Moscow and Washington are feverishly hoping for, it would be too late for almost everything.
...
Of course any mediation in all things Ukraine can only succeed, if Europe doesn't rupture apart in the crisis and crisis states such as Greece don't be tempted to flee into the arms of the Russian seducer. Hopefully Merkel acts similarly decisively as she does with regards to the Ukraine, when peace also plays a role in current negotiations with Greece, a just role for inner peace - one that holds together the European Community.
Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz: Von der Leyen warnt vor Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine - Freitag, 06.02.2015 – 16:24 Uhr
Warning: My own translation - I am not a professional translator - All errors are mine
Excerpts
Munich Security Conference: Von der Leyen
"A focus on weapons alone could be an accelerant." German Defence Minister von der Leyen warned strongly against arms deliveries to Ukraine at the Munich Security Conference.
Munich - Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has warned against weapons supplies to Ukraine. "A focus on weapons alone could be an accelerant and rather remove us from a desired solution," the CDU politician said at the beginning of the Munich Security Conference.
In Ukraine there are already too many weapons, according to von der Leyen: "The further supplies to the separatists is potentially unlimited," she said, while accusing neighboring Russia the interfere in the military conflict in Ukraine. Western arms deliveries could also provide Moscow a pretext to openly take action in the conflict
Ukraine-Krise: Krieg oder Frieden - auf Merkel kommt es an - Von Holger Stark und Matthias Gebauer - Freitag, 06.02.2015 – 16:21 Uhr
Warning: My own translation - I am NOT a professional translator - All errors are mine
Ukraine Crisis: Peace or War - It Comes Down to Merkel
Munich / Washington - When the Chancellor wants to curb expectations, she can be very explicit. On Friday morning, Angela Merkel, returning late at night from Kiev where she had been welcomed by Iraqi Premier Haider al-Abadi, was one of those moments:
She was prepared, of course she had to say something about her probably last attempt, to calm down the crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a meeting late afternoon. Merkel did not propagate hope. "We do not know, if that is possible today," she said. At the same time her spokesman confronted by the press in the capital Berlin, also was as reserved as possible. One will see what the conversation can bring to the table, but there was "no sign of a breakthrough." One can hardly say more clear that the last-minute diplomacy might not succeed.
The coming days will be hard for Merkel. In Berlin and as well as in Paris it is clear to everyone that the weekend will be crucial for how the crisis in eastern Ukraine in relation to Russia will evolve. If the attempt of Merkel and French President François Hollande to push Kiev and Moscow into negotiations fails, decisions are to be expected - at the latest during US visit of Chancellor on Monday.
It is the mixture of explosive developments that have led Merkel and Hollande to travel to Kiev and Moscow. On the one hand the struggles between the pro-Russian separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine became more violent. On the other hand, the Americans clearly signaled towards Paris and Berlin their impatience. Washington does not want to watch more of an escalation, therefore President Obama urges Europeans to act.
If Merkel fails, USA are set on penalties.
The Obama administration urged the EU to even harsher economic sanctions against Russia since a long time. So far, this had been slowed down by Germany and France, Paris and Berlin asked for time to continue to negotiate. Without tangible results in Moscow, without a reliable ceasefire, this restraint will not any more maintainable. Merkel knows that.
Kiev wants as many weapons as possible and fast. Possible new sanctions are not the only dicey issue at Merkel's meeting with Obama in the USA on Monday. In Washington, it's no longer just the hawks who demand the supply of arms to Kiev. Also the US government wants a political signal. "We have to keep the faith in our partners in the East, whose only desire is to live like us," says the top diplomat Victoria Nuland, "the front lines of freedom in Ukraine is ours."
After separatists bombarded Mariupol with rockets, Obama ordered so a review of the US course of actions to just provide light equipment such as night vision goggles or protective vests to Ukraine. Two weeks ago the White House already explored whether and what kind of weapons the Ukrainian government would like have.
The answer was clear: as many weapons and as quickly as possible. On Kiev's wish list are defense missiles, radars, logistics for medical care providers on the Eastern Front, as well as an intensive exchange of intelligence with the United States, especially on troop movements of the separatists. It is through intelligence information about the enemy like this that the military situation could be turned around, the Ukrainians say.
For Merkel, who so far categorically rejected the arms sales and who slowed down on new EU sanctions, there is a lot at stake in Moscow. Without tangible results she will have to show colors with Barack Obama on Monday, or even already during the meeting with the Deputy Joe Biden at the Munich Security Conference on the weekend. The era of diplomacy would be over then.
Yes, the era of diplomacy will be over ... and the war will start in earnest. Are you all happy now?
Some links from the US alternative and mainstream media outlets:
Common Dreams
US, Ukraine and Russia: What Went Wrong?
Regarding a talk given by John Mearsheimer and Rick Rozoff in Evanston, Illinois on January 10, 2015 - by Kim Scipes
New York Times
Ukraine Leader Was Defeated Even Before He Was Ousted - By ANDREW HIGGINS and ANDREW E. KRAMER - JAN. 3, 2015
New York Times
Ukraine Insists Any Pact With Russia Must Adhere to Terms of September Accord - By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN - FEB. 6, 2015
The Guardian
The Guardian view on the Ukraine conflict: Swift action needed - Editorial - Thursday 5 February 2015 European leaders must be prepared to back fresh peace talks with credible threats. While supplying arms would be dangerous, it is time to consider severing Russia’s financial links.
World Socialist Web Site
German, French Leaders Fly to Russia amidst Warnings of “Total War” over Ukraine - By Alex Lantier
Global Research, February 06, 2015 - World Socialist Web Site
Sun Feb 08, 2015 at 3:05 PM PT: I saw the ZDF TV "Berlin Direct" broadcast, which were supposed to have an interview with McCain in it, as the preliminary report I referred to, was announcing. There was no interview in it. Just the little bit of what a McCain said to ZDF in Washington, which was broadcasted all over before. Now. Sigh. I find that pretty, hmm, amazing to call a two sentence soundbite of McCain in Washington an "interview". Though McCain has made same statements to reporters at the Security Conference in Munich, nothing like that is imo an interview. Sorry, for misleading you, but I felt mislead as well.