General News Angela Merkel attacked over crying refugee girl #MerkelStrokes

That's not the way I read it, as someone in Europe. The European Union enforces free migration between EU countries for EU country citizens, and as a extremely economically strong country, Germany is very popular with European migrants. All the European countries are trying to take in refugees but, as Merkel says, to take everyone isn't possible. Angela Merkel is one of the world's most successful politicians; you can't knock her for one incident on a problem facing the whole of Europe - a problem that most other European governments are dealing with poorly.

But she did handle the difficult situation badly, effectively telling the girl her future, individually, wasn't a concern when looking at the big picture. It's a difficult situation, one of many Europe is facing.

P.S. Greece hasn't followed austerity measures strictly before and it seems highly unlikely that they will accept them now. They lied to the EU about their economic situation to get in, refused to commit to serious cuts to aid the economy, and now refuse necessary austerity measures.

 

First her comments on gay rights, then she does this. I'm really starting to dislike this chancellor...

 

I don't know what people expect her to do. She should have handled the situation better (much better) but she couldn't have said, 'you and your family can come in, but not other Lebanese people / asylum seekers.'
Merkel on gay rights was mixing religion and politics, which shouldn't go together.

 

It isn't possible to save the world. Although I feel incredibly privileged to live in the UK, we are far from out of the woods and have many issues to face, there comes a point where we have to ask - if we can't provide the best services to our own people, then is it really appropriate to open those services up to 100's of 1000's of immigrants; 85% of whom are economic migrants?

 

People don't expect her to do anything. Even public figures with political power often cannot wave magic wands and make everything perfect and fair. People expect her to show human decency. Show empathy and remorse. The ability to address the general public, both domestic and foreign, with the highest amount of respect and thoughtfulness is the number one job of any president, chancellor, prime minister, etc. A response with any decency being:

"Although Germany cannot house all who seek asylum, the deportation of innocent human beings who are only seeking to bring themselves out of harm and suffering is a modern tragedy."

Not:

"You appear to be a lovely child, but sometimes life is hard, dear."

 

She's still not as evil as her Australian counterpart, but given that she's one of the most impressive chancellors in German history, she's proving more and more disappointing. Certainly Europe's most powerful politician, the EU on her watch has failed to come to an effective binding agreement on refugee distribution, which is something she should bear partial responsibility for; it's an issue she's deliberately skirted around the edges of.

She rarely uses the immense power she has to the extent she could. She has a bit of political capital to spare as a result. To put effort into humanitarian causes such as this would not only be simply the right thing to do, it would also better secure a positive legacy for her.

 

This.

And if I might add my own, I find it sad that most high-up politicians, including Merkel, lose themselves to apathy. This is obviously to be expected with all the stress and when learning that their innocent dreams cannot be realized in our political landscape.

This story does not faze me in the sense that I found Merkel distasteful - I expect nothing more from her and am not surprised.
My only feelings are for the girl. She deserves the material standards Germans enjoy just as much as they do.
Unfortunately, because of poor planning, bad attitudes, and most of all mass psychology, that is not as simple as it should be.

 

I strongly believe that if Germany can take in many EU migrants, they can handle some refugees as well. It's so sad to hear what refugees have to go through, starting from scratch and live life with a strong sense of uncertainty.

Germany is the 58th most densely populated country in the world. They still have room to take them in.

 

One has to be realistic. Germany is already carrying much of Europe on its shoulders, in my opinion, never mind all those refugees. She really can't win. She's trying to please her own German people and other countries who demand more and more of Germany.

Powerful countries like the USA and Germany are hated and criticized and are supposed to save the rest of the world. Time for other countries to step it up, and I don't mean Jordan and Lebanon which are overwhelmed. It was mentioned that Germany is stable. How stable will they be socially and culturally if they are flooded with refugees? Germans will rebel against this, I guarantee you.

Send them to Canada. We have lots of space and are basically all immigrants or the children of immigrants. We just want to make sure we are inviting people who are not going to turn into future terrorists. Come to Canada, but leave your cultural, political, religious and tribal wars and divides behind. We value family, order, peace and tolerance above all else.

 

As Gen said above, this is about Merkel behaving inappropriately to a young girl, that's what's wrong with this picture.

Are they "supposed to save the rest of the world"? Or is that simply a cape they clothe themselves in to fool others so they're able to easier pursue their interests?
Germans are rebelling, notably in the form of PEGIDA, who are open racists.

Canada might be nice. A lot of beautiful maple trees. What might be harder is people looking for signs of "terrorism" in them.
I abhore the sentiment in bold. It's the root of slurs like "women shouldn't wear hijab in Western countries, they should adapt to the culture."
Why should they leave their heritage and part of their lives behind?
Is a little variety really that scary?
Family, order, peace and tolerance are not Canadian values. They are generic values found in most cultures. I think you can rest assured that they will bring those values with them and add to yours.

 

They're coming to countries to seek refuge from the sweat of their brow, do you really think they want to bring their homeland's conflicts with them?

 

Doesn't this old hag and battle axe have to leave office, eventually?

I feel she's been there for an eternity.