Insensitive Kerry Brags to Germans about Nazi Freedoms in America
Latest update: February 28th, 2013
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Photo Credit: DPA
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry bragged about freedom of speech, religion and thought in the United States in front of an audience of German students, telling them that in America “you have a right to be stupid if you want to be.”
Forgetting, perhaps, that he was in Berlin, former home to the most terrifying regime under Heaven, Kerry bragged, according to Reuters:
“As a country, as a society, we live and breathe the idea of religious freedom and religious tolerance, whatever the religion, and political freedom and political tolerance, whatever the point of view.”
Then Kerry really turned it on, telling his audience how in the land of the free neo Nazis are permitted to strut in their jackboots and swastika wherever they feel like, even in the Jewish suburbs of Chicago. This is how Mr. sensitivity phrased it:
“People have sometimes wondered about why our Supreme Court allows one group or another to march in a parade even though it’s the most provocative thing in the world and they carry signs that are an insult to one group or another.”
Heart warming.
Except that, in Germany, the law restricts neo-Nazi propaganda and Nazi symbols are banned, with the exception of artistic or historic reenactment purposes. In 2005, Germany’s parliament tightened the restrictions on neo-Nazi marches to keep them away from sensitive memorials such as former concentration camps. The changes make it easier for local authorities to ban such gatherings.
Oblivious to all that, Kerry boasted: “The reason is, that’s freedom, freedom of speech. In America you have a right to be stupid – if you want to be… And we tolerate it. We somehow make it through that.”
Actually, not all of us – certainly those unlucky Jews who used to live in Berlin while all that stupidity was going on, starting in 1933.
“Now, I think that’s a virtue,” Kerry declared proudly. “I think that’s something worth fighting for. The important thing is to have the tolerance to say, you know, you can have a different point of view.”
So now what, revoke all those intolerant laws against neo Nazi marches through Berlin? Because that certainly sounded like the natural conclusion from the uber-tolerant Kerry.
Kerry made the comments in favor of letting Nazis be Nazis on his first foreign trip since becoming secretary of state on Feb 1. After one-night stops in London and Berlin, he is visiting Paris, Rome, Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha before returning to Washington on March 6.
So little time, so many folks to embarrass…
tell a friendAbout the Author: JewishPress.com Senior Internet Editor Yori Yanover has been a working journalist since age 17, before he enlisted and worked for Ba'Machane Nachal. Since then he has worked for Israel Shelanu, the US supplement of Yedioth, JCN18.com, USAJewish.com, Lubavitch News Service, Arutz 7 (as DJ on the high seas), and the Grand Street News. He has published two fun books: The Cabalist's Daughter: A Novel of Practical Messianic Redemption, and How Would God REALLY Vote.
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Yes the US is very tolerant of dissenting views unless you make a film telling the truth about Islam and then they claim your freedom is a parole violation. Very tolerant until a pastor dares to burn a Koran and the head of the Dep of Def calls him personally and demands he stops. Very tolerant until someone publishes a cartoon of the Jew-hater pedophile schizophrenic Mohammed and Obama declares "the future doesn't belong to those who slander Islam and Mohammed." In other words, the future doesn't belong to those who violate Sharia. Very tolerant of dissenting views but the Secretary of State goes on Pakistani TV and apologizes for our 1st amendment.
Truth is not slander, and printed or broadcast truth is not libel, can only be considered libelous if it can be demonstrated the action is based on a showing of knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
Truth is not slander, and printed or broadcast truth is not libel, can only be considered libelous if it can be demonstrated the action is based on a showing of knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
Truth is not slander, and printed or broadcast truth is not libel, can only be considered libelous if it can be demonstrated the action is based on a showing of knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
actually, stupid is not connected to freedom it is connected to the dimwitted officials of the obama administration (s). stupid is celebrated and ignorance applauded in this white house. we aren't going into the abyss we are inside the abyss.
John Kerry is an idiot, first class. It's best if he keeps his mouth shut for a change. Between himself, Hagel, and Obama, we have the three stooges.
Can one tell the difference by looking into the eyes….
…and very dangerous "stooges"
what about Biden??
nobody takes him seriously….He's actually harmless.
John Kerry, proving once again he is in this way over his head!
Of course, Kerry is correct. Should it be illegal in America to march with swastikas (or white hoods)? The fact that it is illegal in Germany (perhaps for good reason) and protected speech in America points to an essential difference between America and Europe – and is to America's credit.
nothing like pointing towards one's own stupidity.
Strange how just a few months ago a certain video about Mohamed did not get a similar comment from Mr. Kerry.
He did not say what a wonderful thing it was that the video showing Mohamed as a child molester could be produced in America.
This is what he said about the filmmaker. "The violence in Cairo and Benghazi is unacceptable and unjustifiable. The stupidity of one filmmaker, no matter how offensive, is not now, and never, a rationale for violence. A despicable act like this hurts us all – Americans and peaceful people who aspire to build their own democracy." You will note that there is still no law against slandering Islam in America.
I agree with much of what you say on this page, but slander as a legal term, often confused with defamation, libel, and liable, involves false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, not merely truthful rhetoric that causes consternation, personal insult or bad feeling. It must be shown to be malicious, and knowingly fraudulent before suit for damages may occur. Slander and libel are both civil matters in most cases. The injured party can always try to bring an action if they feel injured.
What I disagree with is your portrayal of the tone of the article. It does not appear to me that Yori is advocating any sort of ban in the United States, but merely pointing out that a State Department official, especially the Secretary of State should choose his words and topic more wisely, and consider his audience.
Something Kerry said is true “you have a right to be stupid if you want to be.” and he proves it everytime he says anything at all.
You were expecting? He's an ass. Like Biden and Hagel. But they're perfect for Obamas program to cripple the USA.
What a kind of crappy propaganda text lines "the most terrifying regime under Heaven"… you better take care of that one in Israel, made by those who didn't learn nothing about compassion and their own suffering…
A riddle…Kerry, Kerry, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver smiles, and quiet guile, and cuckoos all in a row.
Oy….another Biden in the Administration.
Kerry is honest that you can propagate Nazi ideas in the USA.
Well, to be honest, the USA has become a Nazi state.
Which minorities has Obama recently called for the "extermination" of? I must have missed that particular press conference.
Yori, I am confused by the implications of your article. Which groups should be banned in America, who should not be allowed to march, and who should make those determinations?
WTH?
Avraham Bronstein — this is not about policy. It's about the basic rule of not mentioning the noose in the house of the hanged man.
As long as you acknowledge that neither the question nor the answer had anything to do with neo-Nazis.
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/02/205218.htm
Yori, I am confused by the implications of your article. Which groups should be banned in America, who should not be allowed to march, and who should make those determinations?
Some people is high positions should be given written speeches because when they open their mouths and ad lib they sound like stupid, inconsiderate crazies. Kerry is a perfect example.
In one of TV commercials Spanish tennis player Feliciano Lopez says about some people: This people are stupid! El Stupido!
I meant "these"…
HEUNTE BIN ICH EIN BUFFOON! A parody on an American president who declared to a Berlin crowd: Heunte bin ich ein Berliner, which translates "Today I am a Doughnut." This guy could have been president, perish the thought!