Attackers Target Luxury Cars in Germany — Is Class Warfare Spreading?
- Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:39pm by
Buck Sexton
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At least 26 luxury cars were torched by vandals in Berlin over the past two days, in a fiery spree of destruction that could signal growing unrest in the E.U.’s most populous and economically productive nation.
Bloomberg News reported scene was one of chaos and fear for residents in the upscale Berlin neighborhood where the attacks occurred. West Berlin resident Renate Langanke told Bloomberg about here ordeal that “Fire and smoke were everywhere, you could smell burned rubber, it was awful. I’ve always felt safe here, now I’m scared.”
(Related: Are cyber jihadists fanning the flames of the U.K. riots)
Coming so close on the heels of the British riots in a number of cities that caused widespread chaos and destruction, authorities are on heightened alert. Some worry that acts of arson could be the spark to ignite smoldering class warfare sentiment in Berlin into U.K.-style riots across Germany.
Torched car in Berlin, 2009
So far in 2011, 138 cars have been torched in Berlin, but arson targeting luxury vehicles is not new to the city this year. A record 221 vehicles were set alight there in 2009, and there was even a website set up that allowed users to track on google maps every location of a burned out car called “Burning Cars of Berlin.”
German police have been warning the public about the coming wave of left-wing terrorism since those incidents, even pointing out the similarities between current leftist terror tactics and the Red Army Faction of the 1970′s.
Lighting cars on fire has become a precursor to widespread looting and anarchic violence in many European cities, from Athens to London. One of the greatest single incidences occurred on the eve of Bastille Day in France in 2009 when over 300 vehicles were torched to protest a number of left-wing grievances in the suburbs of Paris.
Paris riots 2009
Car-torching as a tactic allows disaffected leftists to claim they are targeting the rich based upon the make and cost of their vehicle. It also makes for compelling imagery to be shared with other radicals on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
The German economy has stalled, and the arsonists claim a desire to “hit what they say are fat cats.” But that may not be the true motivation behind their attacks. Carsten Koschmieder, a political scientist at the Free University in Berlin, told Bloomberg of the rationale behind the riots that it:
“Is not necessarily the financial crisis which is the main motivation for these attacks. The perpetrators see themselves as being from the left, and protest against capitalism, globalization and gentrification.”
Back here in the U.S., torching vehicles has tended to be the preserve of so-called environmental activists (eco-terrorists) going after SUVs. But given the current rhetoric about the rich needing to ‘pay their share,’ and flashmobs breaking out across the country, a burning BMW on your street may be a very dark portent of things to come.
(h/t Business Insider)
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Comments (101)
kentuckypatriot
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:22pmMercedes’ are made in Germany, right? I was always under the assumption EVERYONE in Germany drove a mercedes ( sarcasm ), guess I was wrong.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:35pmDo they NOT understand, that all this car burning is BAD for the environment, global warming and is anththetical to their causes? Man, you know crap is bad, when the enviro radicals resort to BURNING down the house.
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:14pmBut it is good for the economy–people, who can pay, are going to have to replace their luxury cars. Not very productive, mind you, but makes sense given the way the economy structures incentives in the status quo.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:19pmIt‘s the insurance co’s that will pay, or more precisely any one who buys car insurance.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:27pm@ seeker9… eaxaclty, and in a roundabout way, the vandals will ultimatley be vandalizing themselves into higher unaffordable premiums which the insurance companies will jack up based on the neighboorhood you live and the frequency of criminal activity that results in destruction of insured vehicles.!! The PEOPLE always pay… otherwise businesses would be bankrupt at a 100 pct rate if they totally absorb the costs of crimal behavior themselves.
Report Post »Mike N
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 6:10pm@PSCULLY17
Just more evidence of the short-sightedness of liberals . . . It always seems like, no matter what the issue is, they unwittingly use up more resources in a conscious effort to save fewer of them.
I don’t think they are capable of seeing the big picture.
Report Post »Fight for America
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:18pmPlain old jealous vandals? Brats? Or people trying to create an internal war where none needs to be?
All of the above.
Report Post »IntransigentMind
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:24pmThis are the kind of people who think they have a right to the stuff, and if they can’t get it or steal it, they’ll destroy it instead. There is no right to the wealth or property of others:
Report Post »http://markamerica.com/2011/08/15/what-is-a-right/
The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:38pmI’m beginning to think it is “none” of the above…I think it has simply come down to the fact that whoever you are, wherever you are…you can now get away with it.
The population is simply to big to control, crime to hard to twart or remedy.
Bottom line? Mom’s across the street looking for 1 brat while the 2 others are eyeing a bag of cookies within reach and planning on pointing the finger at each other even though they both eat them.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:18pmGet prepared.
Report Post »HD Veteran
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:52pmAgreed.
Dried beans, rice, a water plan and extra medication.
Report Post »clingingtogodandguns
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:17pmThis is eat the rich it’s their fought,they just don’t want to pay their fair share.These idiots should be arrested and prosecuted.They have cameras everywhere there.
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:16pmIn any class warfare the rich always have a choice. Take for example the torching of luxury cars. The rich will be fully compensated by their insurance and if things get worse, the rich unlike the rest will pack their bags, close their businesses and move to another nation, leaving Germany with a whole bunch of frustrated people.
Report Post »glassaudioguy
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 8:10pmAnd where would that be? Seems like this is spreading all over the world.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:08pmWhy don’t the Libtrolls ever show up to defend the perps. in stories like this one? That’s right, it’s because they are pitiful cowards.
Report Post »KOCHLEFFEL
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:07pmThey,(the Germans) let them in. now they (the foreigners) are destroying the country.
Report Post »Wilkommen in Deutschland!
ILmommy5
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:02pmI just can‘t imagine ever thinking you have the right to destroy someone else’s property.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:12pm… I guess it’s just a matter of time before they start burning down peoples homes. I will put the police dept. on notice if that starts to happen, and I will kill anyone who tries to torch my place!!
Report Post »ICRedifURBlue
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 9:55pm………Hell, I’ll kill anyone who tries to torch my car, yard, tree, barn, trashcan…………stay away !!!!!
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:00pmWithin ten years Europeans will be urinating in their drinking water.
Report Post »affinnity
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:17pmI don’t really get this.
Report Post »HD Veteran
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:53pmI think they do now.
Report Post »flfshrmn
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:58pmAnd the left calls us RADICAL because we spend our own money to go see Glenn in Wa. DC.???????
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:58pmAlso in the old days redistribution was a matter of asking someone successful if they needed anything, and then provide it… Ask the general public if they need anything and then MAKE IT!
Report Post »LindaB11
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:57pmFirst person here if I catch them comes after my X3 out comes my right of the 2nd amendment
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 1:26amAmen. I am also the owner of a German luxury car. I’m no rich fat cat, but I could be poorer. I just like they way they drive and handle. If I see anyone screwing with my hard-earned German toy, they are going to meet my good ol’ American Smith & Wesson!
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:56pmIn the old days the penalty for burning someones horse was a hanging..
Report Post »flfshrmn
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:55pmMaybe they are just trying to create jobs!
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:54pmmaybe if they get a job instead of fire bombing cars they may be able to afford a nice car …
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 1:40amGood point! Communism is for the jealous and lazy!
Report Post »ILConservative
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:52pmGreat! The same people who are burning the cars, will be the same ones to complain about their insurance rates going up too, because of all the claims! WHAT INTELLEGENCE!!!! It’s no wonder why they are so broke, they are too stupid to figure out how to earn money!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:01pmAnd the Pollution. And the Man-Made Global Warming. Oh the humanity
Report Post »atechgeek
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:51pmGod bless the 2nd Amendment !!! Get your Concealed Carry ASAP !! This won’t happen here with an armed population.
Report Post »ezeewhiz
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:50pmThey want to destroy the very hand thats feeds them?
Report Post »FlatFoot
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:49pmWho cares. Euro trash in Europe. Big shocker. Whoopty-doo.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:49pmNot sure if widespread burning of cars would happen here. the difference is that we have an armed citizenry, where Europe doesn’t.
Report Post »timej31
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:51pmYou have a lot more faith in your countrymen than I do. People WILL do it just because there is an element out there as in every society that is just bound to end up featured in the Darwin Awards.
Report Post »101
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:48pmNow they will all have to pay more for auto insurance…think people before you do something that will raise your cost of living.
Report Post »timej31
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:51pmIt isn’t their cost of living. They don’t have cars they usually ride bikes, walk or have a bus pass.
Report Post »101
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:18pmThe insurance companies will pay for the damages and it will not affect people with money. Cost of insuring a bus/ taxi just upped the fair because they have to pay more. If the insurance companies can’t recoup their losses on just auto insurance it will flow over into mortgage insurance. The small guy will pay for it one way or another. The insurance companies are in business to make money. The people that don’t have anything are already a leech on society.
Report Post »101
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:32pm@TIMEJ31
For Example: Companies in America are now required “yes required” to carry terrorist insurance, for the first couple of years after 9-11 it was an option, now terrorist insurance is mandatory if you don‘t pay for it they don’t insure you…forcing extra cost onto companies and/or business’s drops their bottom line and they make cuts!
Report Post »101
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:37pmFor Example: Companies in America are now required “yes required” to carry terrorist insurance, for the first couple of years after 9-11 it was an option, now terrorist insurance is mandatory if you don‘t pay for it they don’t insure you…forcing extra cost onto companies and/or business’s drops their bottom line and they make cuts!
Report Post »Ducky 1
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:48pmWhy don’t we see this story on the MSM……..duh!?
Report Post »TXWildfire
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:46pmIt’s coming to America. Unions will lead the way.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:53pmWait until the Free Trade Agreements kick in… the Unions know they kill American Jobs… because if you dig into the grimy details of the FTA’s they state things like this: An auto engine will be assembled in south korea, but, all the parts to make that engine will have to be made in surrounding under devoloped countries.. like bearings and pistons made in vietnam, gaskets and rings will have to be made in laos, engine blocks will be made in cambodia.. see how this works? Its forced redistribution fo wealth through mandatory outsourcing of jobs/manufacturing… its all ANTI-AMERICAN JOBS folks.. the “it will create milliions of AMERICAN JOBS” is a lie.. a flat out LIE!! It falls Right into Cass sunstein and john holdren and Obamas vision of REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH through FORCED DE-INDUSTRIALIZATION of the United States Look it UP!!! Its happening, They are doing it!!!
Report Post »timej31
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:46pmGet read folks it’s starting.
Report Post »HD Veteran
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 5:54pmAgreed.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 3:45pmYep to darn lazy to work for their own, so distroy what someone else worked for thats a LIB for ya
Report Post »IntransigentMind
Posted on August 17, 2011 at 4:23pmIt’s about time we come to grips with the fact that this is coming our way soon.
Report Post »http://markamerica.com/2011/08/10/coming-to-america/