Hanau Shooting Update

Hanau


At this point, it appears that the horrific twin shootings in the German town of Hanau that left 11 dead (including the suspect) is the work of at least one far right racist. Five of the victims are reported to be Turks and the suspected shooter, identified only as Tobias R., who is also dead, is reported to be a person of extremist views.

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/several-dead-shooting-german-city-hanau-230900994--abc-news-topstories.html

Two thoughts come to mind: First of all, there is no excuse for this horrific act, which brings to mind the attack in Christchurch, New Zealand. This site has argued long and hard against the insane immigration policies of leaders like Angela Merkel. However, the solution is greater border security, stricter immigration policies, and harsher judicial treatment for those immigrants who violate the law including deportation. The solution is not to go out and shoot down innocent people.

Since they first began arriving in Germany decades ago as guest workers, Turks have faced a lot of discrimination. Many have overcome this and become integrated. Some did not. In recent years, the  Turkish communities in Germany and other Western European countries have become more isolated and radicalized thanks, in large part, to the actions of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Secondly, the overall upsurge in violence in Germany can be largely credited to Merkel. Germany is not what it once was even ten years ago. The failure of the German government to address the concerns of their citizens and recognize the error of the current immigration policy has led to many innocent Germans losing their lives and property. Is it surprising that some Germans are choosing the path of extremism? Though Turks have faced discrimination in Germany over decades, at least they were not being gunned down en masse in hookah bars. Extremism that the police and government fail to address is eventually met with extremism on the other side. Everybody loses. This reminds us that those who criticize Islam and report on the outrageous crimes being committed by so-called refugees and asylum-seekers need to always pay attention to the language we use in order not to incite others to violence, and that includes this writer.

I hope that whoever aided and abetted this crime is caught and punished. But is it not time for the German government to examine the situation it has brought to Germany? If they do not reverse course, this situation will only get worse. History should remind the Germans of the near civil war that existed in Germany after World War 1. That and other factors, like the economy led many to believe that only the Nazis could restore order. They did, but it wasn't the kind of order we want to see.

I believe it is still not too late to solve these problems through democratic and humane measures, but this incident serves to illustrate that time is running out for Germany and for Europe.

*Update: The dead suspect is identified as Tobias Rathjen. He was found dead in his home along with his mother, also dead.