commentary by Patrick H. Moore
We have a few problems here. More often than not, cops seem to get away with killing civilians with relative impunity; if the reports are to be believed, college life has degenerated into a sickening rape-fest; and adults molest and abuse helpless children with disheartening regularity. As a cheerful, albeit thorough-going, cynic, up till now I’ve managed to largely block out the horror of our daily national existence with some success; at this point, though, I’ve got to admit that it’s getting to me. If something doesn’t change for the better, I may just have to hang myself. And it won’t be an act of auto-erotic asphyxiation – just a plain old “hang by the neck until dead”.
Meanwhile, I am alerted to a story that comes to us from Germany that is tragic, disturbing and strangely inspiring. Heroism with a terrible cost nut heroism nonetheless…
Sean Kelly of Opposing Views reports that “22-year-old Tugce Albayrak was in a restaurant in Offenbach, Germany on November 15th when she ‘heard two women screaming for help” in the restaurant bathroom. Although it’s unclear exactly how she stopped the sexual assault on the two teenagers, which was reportedly the work of two men, stop it she did. Maybe she waded into the restroom and told the creeps to “f___ off or die” or maybe she startled them so such a degree that they reluctantly terminated the assault.
Whatever the circumstances, there’s no doubt that Tugce, who was a very cheerful looking young lady of Turkish descent, saved the two women, who have been described as being in their mid-teens, from a very nasty fate. What Tugce didn’t know at the time was that she was going to die a horrible death shortly after rescuing the girls.
It seems that when she finished eating and left the restaurant, outside in the parking lot, Tugce was attacked by one of the creeps with a (baseball?) bat and beaten to death.
Oh Lord, why hath though forsaken us?
According to The Independent, Albayrak suffered severe head injuries and was subsequently hospitalized and put on life support. Doctors told her parents that she was declared brain dead and would never regain consciousness, prompting the parents to take her off life support. Albayrak died on Friday, which was her 23rd birthday.
What Tugce did is obviously inspiring. Selflessness of this order is a beautiful – though not necessarily very smart – thing.
But what is also inspiring is the response of the German nation to her heroism. Tugce is being praised as a hero throughout the nation.
Since her death, many people throughout Germany have held memorial services, and candlelight vigils have taken place outside of the restaurant where she stopped the attackers who ultimately took her life. Some attendees at the vigils have taken to wearing t-shirts and holding signs that say “We love you” ( “Seni seviyoruz”) and “Thank you, Tugce” (Danke) in German.”
In addition to the memorial services and the praise that is being offered in her memory, “a petition to award her the national order of merit has garnered over 50,000 signatures, prompting a response from German President Joachim Gauck.”
“Like countless citizens, I am shocked and appalled by this terrible act. Tugce has earned gratitude and respect from us all. She will always remain a role model to us, our entire country mourns with you. Where other people looked the other way, Tugce showed exemplary courage and moral fortitude.”
Lizzie Dearden reports that President Gauck has said that he will consider bestowing the national order of merit on Tugce posthumously. He has also written a letter of condolence to Tugce’s family.
Last Sunday, a large crowd gathered in Berlin to pay tribute to this fine young woman.
A surveillance video of poor quality reportedly shows a seemingly enraged man being held back by another young man in the parking lot as he struggles to reach Tugce. The man appears to break free and then hits her on the head. She falls to the ground and is still.
An 18-year-old Serbian teenager identified as Sanel M. is being held in custody. According to Offenbach police spokesman Ingbert Zacharias, the teen has “been the focus of several police investigations in the past, also in connection with an assault causing bodily harm.”
It’s also reported that when Sanel M. was arrested and appeared in court, he admitted that he “smacked the victim in the head.” He has reportedly made no other statements.
The two assault victims, who are believed to be between 13 and 16-years-old, have made statement to the German authorities.
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Kirsten Grieshaber writes for AP:
Tugce, who was a student at Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, had the laudable goal of becoming a high school teacher. On Facebook, she had posted a profile picture of herself in front of a colorfully painted classroom blackboard.
Imagine if our nation, instead of seething with division and hatred, and arming itself to the teeth, could come together to make common cause and honor heroic souls for random and profound acts of human kindness. Imagine…
And don’t think everything is smooth sailing in Germany or that it is a homogenous nation. Like most European countries, there is plenty of discord between the native-born Germans and the immigrant populations. The point is that the nation has been able — at least temporarily — to come together in honor of Tugce’s heroism.
Meanwhile I’m out shopping for rope…