As the United States continues to press its case for war, three countries have aligned to stand in our way: France, Germany and their new friend that can now be included in the old Europe category, Russia.
When Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld openly criticized this faction as "old Europe," he was correct. These days, the vibrancy of Europe comes from the exploding economies and the awakening of people of Eastern Europe - not from the opulent castles or the gilded dome of Napolean's tomb. Countries like Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria are emerging as true defenders of their newfound liberty.
While France, Germany and Russia are busy agreeing with Cuba and Libya, these countries of new Europe are advocating action. These people who were recently so oppressed know that force is the only way to rid a country of a tyrant, as their own freedoms were likewise so dearly bought. Asserting their sovereignty and voices, these countries stood up for the one ally that was always there for them in their quest for freedom and liberty: the United States.
Let us not forget that the last time France asked for more proof, it came in the form of a draped swastika from the Eiffel Tower. France, a country that has long given up protecting itself, looking repeatedly to NATO instead, and failing domestically on every front, is making this last ditch effort to establish itself as a sovereign nation.
President of France Jacques Chirac openly retaliated against Eastern European nations because of their show of character. He called their support of the United States "not really responsible behavior... They missed a good opportunity to shut up." He singled out EU hopefuls Romania and Bulgaria by saying, "if they wanted to diminish their chances of joining Europe, they could not have found a better way."
Spoken like a true politician. Chirac obviously yearns for the days in which all of Europe trembled in the shadow of French imperial hegemony. Now, sadly the only specter of fear that the French manage to elicit comes in the form of the Space Mountain ride at Euro-Disney.
It is amusing to see such reprehensible comments coming from Chirac. Evidently, Eastern Europe is just the redheaded stepchild of the continent, to be beaten around at will until it acquiesces to all superior dogmas of the West.
France, Germany and Russia truly have become the "axis of weasels." Their political systems are slowly regressing into oppressive regimes. As they have moved further to the left, they have changed their alliances. These once proud nations now call nations like Iraq friends because, as Germany's Interior Minister Otto Schily described Saddam Hussein, "He is no Hitler."
After we led the victory in World War II, these countries had an option to emerge as fellow promoters of democracy. Instead, the French have squandered their American-bought freedoms, choosing instead a highly regulated society and complete denial of the American involvement in their liberation. Germany continues to apologize for its past aggression and now opts for electing leaders who run on anti-American tickets. Russia, the country that perpetuated many of the evils against Eastern Europe, still tries to grasp for wisps of the glory of its past empire.
Unless these countries choose to revive their dated policies, they truly have one foot in the grave. The question remains as to whether anyone will care to pay respects at the funeral. Continued isolation of their closest friends and neighbors will leave them very lonely.
Shanna Bowman is an industrial engineering senior. Reach her at snb@asu.edu.
