In Loving Memory
April 29, 1947 - September 5, 2020
Update: On Saturday, September 5th, 2020, the founder, administrator, and head moderator of this forum, Valerie S., went Home to be with the Lord. Her obituary can be found on https://memorials.demarcofuneralhomes.com/valerie-skrzyniak/4321619/index.php.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .
Quietly coming on the international scene -who is this man? Searched on the internet and could find nothing whatever about him. Notice the reference to Germany's "4th Reich" in the article below. (Tx Sue)
FAIR USE FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/incoming-eu-president-europe-to-block-deals-with-israel-until-peace-process-moves-forward-1.402041
Incoming EU president: Europe to block deals with Israel until peace process moves forward
(excerpt from article)
The circle has closed: A few years ago, Schulz, the leader of the Socialists in the European Parliament, gained the world's attention following an incident in the parliament plenum in which the Italian prime minister, who had just become the rotating president of the EU Council of Ministers, was presenting his platform. Berlusconi was displeased by a reproachful speech that Schulz delivered in response. "Mister Schulz, I know of a movie producer in Italy who is making a film about Nazi concentration camps." he said. "I will recommend you for the part of a kapo. You are perfect!"
Berlusconi recently lost his job as the prime minister of Italy. Conversely, the 56-year-old Schulz will soon settle into the seat of the president of the European Parliament. He regards the appointment with awe, and has already adopted an official demeanor.
"A German who heads an international institution bears a unique responsibility that deviates from the ordinary. He has to be sensitive and to act in accordance with the very unique commitments of Germany. Throughout my political career I have felt that the consequence of our national history must be Europe, and that the internal threats that still exist to one degree or another inside Germany require our strong country to integrate in the European Union and in multinational frameworks. This, along with the German commitment to Israel's security, are the raison d'etat of Germany in the modern era, and we must hold to that."
Should a German Socialist be more worried than other European leaders? Given the crisis in Europe, do you fear a return of nationalism and a return to the wars of the past?
"This is very much on my mind. Germany always prospered when it was rooted in its regional family. Conversely, it was always threatened or itself constituted a threat to its neighbors when it adhered to the notion of sonderweg ["special path"]. This must be avoided. How? It happens automatically when Germany is European. Our supreme goal needs to be a European Germany and not a German Europe.
"The national identity of the Federal Republic of Germany in postwar Europe had been fully exhausted. We joined the family of democratic nations via European integration. This was the historic lesson of Germany - its resolution in favor of 'no more nationalism' and 'no more fascism,' rather integration into a united Europe. It was a formula that created unique national identity and transformed Germany into a recognized and conciliated state, both in internal German terms and also in terms of its partners.
"European integration is a colossal economic success for us and for our neighbors, and therefore I am certainly troubled, since whether Europe fails economically because it has failed politically, or it fails politically as a consequence of failing economically, it would be Germany that would be hurt more than anyone else."
Germany's dominant position in Europe and the manner in which Chancellor Merkel is managing the crisis are provoking a sharp wave of Germanophobia in the Continent. Some people are speaking about the founding of a "Fourth Reich."
"It's easy to explain it. Germany is, after all, the most populous country in Europe, it is situated in the center, it is the largest economic power in the continent - leading it to be the 'inevitable force.' Everyone needs it, and at the same time the Germans need Europe. Meaning that it is Germany's obligation to act, and incumbent on its partners to agree to its actions. What is not logical is that Germany is asked to act, and the moment it does so they come to it with complaints.