"I told myself before traveling to Berlin to cover the refugee crisis that I would put my preconceived notions aside.
This was my chance to learn about the crisis firsthand.
...He was one of the first on the scene interviewing the refugees.
Initially, the editorial stance of the media, including Bild, he said, was to be welcoming, even if overall public opinion wasn’t.
“I think the editors felt that if they would write now that all the refugees want money, things would go crazy,” Biermann said.But that’s changed since reports of mass sexual assaults in Cologne and other German cities on New Year’s Eve allegedly by Muslim migrants from North Africa.
...“These young men never drank alcohol before, never saw a sexy woman. They were never free.” It was a sentiment shared by Hamza.
...However, it seemed clear from my trip that “refugee” is not the accurate term for so many of the migrants.
The authentic Syrian refugees, like Hamza, have the most promise of overcoming difficult conditions to build a new, productive life, and to integrate into a liberal democracy.
The imposters, opportunists, and who knows?
Potential terrorists pose the greatest challenge to Germany, and unsuspecting tourists sitting at Starbucks.
Whatever one’s opinion – pro or against – one thing is certain, as Hermanau noted. Germany will never be the same..."
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