Jinn of Current Events

The Times: Germany has responded angrily to a proposal that its troops be deployed in northern Iraq under the command of Poland, one of the newest members of Nato. ... Deep down, most German politicians are unwilling to accept the concept. From the days of Bismarck until 1945, the Poles were seen as a subject people by Prussians and by Germans. The notion that a Polish captain can give orders to a German soldier will take some getting used to. Maybe Polish troops could be brought in as occupation forces to substitute for US troops leaving German soil. Otherwise, who will keep the Russians out, and the Germans down? 

Today, we celebrate the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. We remember the countless innocents murdered by barbarians, in supposedly civilized European countries. We honour the courageous soldiers who chose to risk, and too often lose, their lives —that Freedom be returned to Europe. In recent times, we have witnessed the fall of the Soviet empire and of a Baathist dictatorship. Let all tyrants fall! May our inalienable right to Life, Liberty, Property, and the Pursuit of Happiness inspire all and be secured everywhere!

Winston Churchill to V-E Day crowd, London: My dear friends, this is your hour. ... We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year. There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in? [The crowd shouted "No."] Were we down-hearted? ["No!"] The lights went out and the bombs came down. ... So we came back after long months from the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell... Even if it is a hard struggle we will not be the ones who will fail.