A reader responds to that Timothy Garton Ash op-ed I linked to below:

But Jonah, You missed the money quote. His last paragraph says “If we are calm, clear-sighted and resolute, we will eventually win this struggle and remain free. A continent that has rid itself of the horrors of imperialism, fascism and communism will see off this lesser menace too. But it will take many years, and we had better shape up to it.” Who was it that rid Europe of fascism and communism? Gee, I just can’t
recall. Was it the Germans? The French? Maybe it was the Swiss. Or no.
Now, I remember. It was Belgium. I’m sure they can take cared of this
lesser menace.

Update: Other readers are unamused:

Ugh, why did you post that email? It’s mildly amusing, but it’s also a repugnant feature of American conservatism that was on prominent display during the debate over the War in Iraq (at the expense normally of the French) and I think should be put to bed whenever someone from Europe is actually trying to convince people to oppose radical Islam. It’s good to remember that we were a major part of liberating Europe from itself, but if Ash wants to say that Europe was able to do it as a way of motivating Europeans to wake up to the threat of Islamism are we really not able to let that go?
I believe it’s what you bloggers like to call “snark,” and it is thoroughly unappealing.