Ed West writing at the UK Telegraph yesterday suggests that the tens of thousands of refugees being pushed out of North Africa will be Gaddafi’s last laugh on Europe as serious commenters begin to wonder if this is what the Fall of Rome felt like. Thank champions of chaos, Obama and Ms. Power.
Colonel Gaddafi, having foolishly agreed not to arm himself with chemical, biological or nuclear weapons*, a lesson other dictators may heed, has set upon a more surreal but perhaps more effective weapon against the West – refugees.
[…..]
One of Roger Scruton’s most original arguments against our asylum policy is that it allows brutal dictators to rid themselves of enemies without having to get their hands dirty. But Gaddafi is now using people-dumping as a weapon of war, and a fairly effective one when your enemy has a free media and a conscience.
Italy opened the door to 20,000 Tunisians and France is freaking out! France’s Marine Le Pen, a tough anti-immigration/pro-western civilization warrior, is running ahead of Sarkozy in polls.
And Gaddafi is now being aided by Italy’s incredibly short-sighted decision to give 20,000 Tunisians an effective amnesty by allowing them free movement in Europe.
[…..]
Most of the Tunisians are heading for France, which has an enormous Tunisian population already, and Italy’s decision, plus the refugees from a war started by Nicolas Sarkozy, will almost certainly influence the 2012 French presidential elections. Marine Le Pen, who is now second in the polls, and ahead of Sarkozy, has made much play of the refugee influx, and has already visited Italy’s refugee island, Lampedusa, for a publicity stunt.
Fall of Europe and America alone!
The Roman Empire comparison may be simplistic, but it’s worth remembering that the empire collapsed not as a result of hostile barbarian invaders, but because of barbarian refugees who wished to become part of the empire.
If the worst comes to the worst then come 2050 we’ll all be claiming asylum in the United States – better start practising your Spanish. [very funny Mr. West!—ed]