Spot the difference between the two leaders' responses
Compare and contrast the following statements from the leaders of two Western democracies upon the election of Donald Trump as US president.
The first is from the British Prime Minister, Theresa May:
“I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next President of the United States, following a hard-fought campaign.
Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. We are, and we will remain, close partners on trade, security and defence.
I look forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, building on those ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.”
All very pleasant. Now read the statement released by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel:
“There’s no country we Germans have as close a relationship with as the United States of America. Whoever rules this vast country, with its enormous economic strength, its military potential, its cultural influence, carries a responsibility which is felt all over the world.
Americans have decided that the person to carry this responsibility for the next four years is Donald Trump.
Germany and America are connected by common values: democracy, freedom, respect for the law and for human dignity irrespective of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political conviction.
On the basis of these values, I offer the future president of America, Donald Trump, a close working relationship.
Partnership with the USA remains a basic pillar of German foreign policy in order for us to meet the great challenges of our time: striving for economic and social wellbeing and a forward-looking climate policy, the fight against terrorism, hunger and disease, engagement for peace and freedom, in Germany, Europe and all over the world.”
Spot the difference.
Yet another reminder we should drop the jokes about Germany and authoritarianism. Living in the past is the problem to begin with, and we’re increasingly on shaky ground to be pointing fingers.
Adam Barnett is staff writer for Left Foot Forward. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBarnett13
See: ‘Devastating’, ‘heartbreaking’, ‘clearly wrong’ – progressives respond to Trump’s election
21 Responses to “Trump: Angela Merkel shames Theresa May with message for next US president”
Ivan D
This is pathetic even by the standards of the sad remnants of what used to be considered the progressive left. Ramming meaningless ideological PC babble down people’s throats at every opportunity is the kind of behaviour that pissed people off enough to vote Trump. Merkel’s speech is awful and I write as someone who generally has a lot of time for her.
Mick
Indeed. The best even left wing comment sections can say is that a ‘them and us attitude leads to gas chambers’.
Godwin’s Law. You’re out, busters!
Peter
All of you are just morons. You’re all talking about your bubble and you’re stuck in your own huge racist, unaccepting, uneducated bubble. The problem with you guys is that you do it out of comfort. It’s easier after all to rant about how this religion is bad and gay couples are disgusting than minding your own business and educating yourself before you’re making a decision. What does it matter to you if a muslim prays every morning? What does it matter to you if a woman kisses a woman? What does it matter to you if a woman gets equal pay?
The funny thing is, your kind is SO lazy that I already know how you would answer those questions and once those arguments run out you turn to pure rudeness, again, because it’s easier and you don’t need to do that much.
I a 100% support the carefully formulated words of Merkel. Contrary to your believes, politics requires a certain set of skills and is not just blatant rudeness. The UK got their bill to their vote with their currency crashing and will happen to the USA will have to be seen. I am happy that in central Europe and in the nordic countries there is at least some sense of humanity left. Pray to God, Allah, Buddha that one day your younger generation will lead your country back to openminded, inclusive countries.
Michael WALKER
>Peter
“All of you are just morons. You’re all talking about your bubble and you’re stuck in your own huge racist, unaccepting, uneducated bubble”
Oh dear, you just proven our case.
“What does it matter to you if a muslim prays every morning? What does it matter to you if a woman kisses a woman? What does it matter to you if a woman gets equal pay?”
None of use have decried people being gay or people practising religion.
You are just putting words into our mouths. Typical left wing lying claptrap.
You rant just persuades me – and many others – you cannot argue but call everyone who disagrees with you “racist”.
Sorry that will not work. No-one listens ..
And calling us “morons” is hardly going to change our minds. (I suspect some writers here have rather high IQs and educational achievements)
You really ought to have some anger management courses. And “How to make friends and influence people” is old but appears eminently suited to you.
Only one ethnic sub-group voted for Trump – white Americans must do some soul-searching | Left Foot Forward
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