Robi:
I didn’t know that Germans had a sense of humor? haha
Yes, I will pay my taxes and people like you will still get free rides but hey, the people that matter in Germany know what’s what and that is why relations are improving dramatically. Germany’s romp with France was like a drunken encounter with the town tramp. Everyone makes mistakes.
I am sure you learned about the free rider problem in school or university. Didn’t Adam Smith figure out that model??
I am curious, what relations are improving dramatically and why is it dramatically? Maybe you want to share your unique view of the world.
Robbi is not really German, he is BRD 
Yes relations are improving. At least no Germans are pouring maple syrup on their heads and burning themselves in front of a US ambassy anymore.
don’t think about my incomplete clothes, that happened in another tread
I’ll be more than happy to send several cases of matches.
edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europ … index.html
Read all about it here. Germany’s Finance Minister was also instrumental in getting the agreement at the Paris Club to write off 80 percent of Iraqi debt. Fantastic.
Germany is also beefing up its presence in Afghanistan to allow American forces there to tackle Iraq. It is working on training Iraqi soldiers, etc. Essentially, Germany has done everything it can short of sending troops to Iraq to cooperate. And that is all recognized and welcomed.
Dramatically. Given the nullpunkt 1.5 years ago, things are dramatically better. Schroeder has even been to the White House. He learned his lesson. We learned ours. We will be more careful in the future to keep this relationship intact. Militant pacificists and environmentalists (the new Nazis, the new Communists, the new militants) will not be allowed to derail this relationship again with their small but noisy protests. Notice how Berlin no longer allows Paris to speak for it at EU meetings? Major major difference. The town tramp may charm on a drunken lonely night but it doesn’t make good living companionship. Back to the tried and true Washington. Out with the sleazy degenerate Paris.
Life is good.
Now, keep those eyes peeled on Ukraine. Prepare for the worst. Hope for the best.
As I have argued all along, this article makes some excellent points in the same vein: Most Europeans are ignorant about what is going on in the Ukraine, have done next to nothing about supporting democracy and human rights there and in reality, have sold Ukraine down the river to ensure good relations with Russia in the most shameless and shameful fashion. Ah, the true picture of EU foreign policy emerges in yet more of its glory. By the way, how’s the nuclear deal with Iran coming along? Hmmm?
[quote]NEW YORK Leading European Union officials have been quick to reject the results of Ukraine’s disputed presidential election. But there is no disguising the fact that for 13 years the EU has been indifferent to democracy in Ukraine. The Union should redeem itself by supporting the Ukrainian population’s democratic aspirations with the prospect of EU membership. Europe is supposed to stand for democracy, human rights, civil society and the rule of law, but EU policies toward Ukraine suggest that Europe is indifferent to democracy - except when supporting democracy is easy and accords with its crude self-interest. The countries of Eastern and Central Europe were offered the prospect of EU membership immediately after achieving independence, but Ukraine was not. Indeed, the EU’s partnership and cooperation agreement with Ukraine, like its agreement with Russia, is explicitly premised on no future membership. Why? Ukraine is as Slavic as Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It’s as Christian as any European country - and as secular as any European country. Its population is urban, educated and technologically savvy. Its historical and cultural connections with Poland, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Greece and France are extensive.
By not offering Ukraine that prospect, the EU has effectively undercut the argument of Ukraine’s pro-Western democrats, such as Yushchenko, that Ukraine’s only path of development lies in joining Europe. So why doesn’t Europe do something so simple, effective and cost-free? Part of the reason that many West Europeans are still appallingly ignorant about their immediate neighbor, a country the size of France. Part of the reason is that the EU has just admitted 10 new members and is wondering what to do about Turkey. And part is purely geopolitical. The Europeans who fear ruffling Russia’s feathers, are happy to concede Ukraine to Moscow in exchange for Russia’s good will, oil and gas. But isn’t that just realpolitik? Isn’t that sacrificing democracy, human rights, and rule of law on the altar of self-interest? Isn’t that a repudiation of everything the EU claims to stand for? If the EU fails to support democracy in Ukraine by offering EU membership, then it repudiates its claim to being a new community of states that rests on values.
(Alexander J. Motyl is the author of
… I just read the supreme court of Ukraine did not accept the election and wants a re-check. I am not sure yet if this is just a trick of the governement to take “the wind out of the sails” of the opposition. Let us see.
Certainly, the quick response of US on the election fraud gave strength to the oposition.
Would be really good if they turn to Europe.
France and Germany. Yes, not only I learned in the IP forum (haha) you must be carefull with the tricks and twists of the French governement, but it seems also Schroeder and Co. learned that.
Hopefully it turns back to
We should not fall to the old French plan “kick Anglo-Saxons out of Europe”.
Bob Honest:
I am so pleased that some Germans still see the value of the Atlantic relationship. No one in the US is asking Germany or any other country to choose between Europe or America, but both can be involved. This will not happen if France has its way. France wants a multipolar world that is divided and competing rather than a unified West if it has to accept the gall of having America and all its stupid cowboys leading it.
I really do hope that the situation in the Ukraine works out for the best, but I really have to wonder why it took so many in Europe so long to pay attention to this very very important country. I have been harping on about this for 1.5 years and no one was interested. This is in fact Europe’s backyard!
Now, as to this new avatar with this incredible purple shirt, are you sure that you are from Hanover and not perhaps Paris? haha
yup, at least Germans and I think more West-Europeans think of the former Sowjet Union countries as some Russian territory. This is wrong, I just found the same mistake in my thinking, seeing a big people there is struggling to knock the European door. Ukraine = Russia, this was in our minds and is wrong. So I will be more carefull laughing about some US poll where colleage students cannot find UK on a map. I did not even know Ukraine is as big as France! And still I only know about where to find it on a map, not exactly 
If they make themselves free and knock our European door, I am sure Germany will support them to come in.
Damn… they are really as big a France … I will google them up this weekend, do not know anything about them.
Debt release never was a good idea. It destroys the credibility of a country. For a rich county like Iraq it really makes no sense.
But as i have no investments there, i actually don’t care.
Now Fred to your foresight of the future of Ukraine. I am very impressed and yes of course you were the only one that saw this coming.
But anyway… If you please i can start a new topic: “US needs to look south”, stating that some countries in central America happen to have severe human right violations and are non democratic countries, but the US seems not to care, even it is in their back yard. But than, wait a minute, there was a democratic country with an elected president, but than the US got involved and …
Democracy? Free elections?? Peace???
Never mind, I am too lazy to to that.
Robi:
Which countries in Latin America do you think that we are ignoring? Which countries in Latin America had governments overthrown by the US? I recall Albenz in Guatemala in 1954. Anyone else? Oh yes Panama in 1989 and then Grenada in 1983 but what gave the new leaders of Grenada the right to overthrow the previous regime?
Anyway, America is the solution to Latin America’s problems. When you have nations who return to their quasisocialist ways then they are going to suffer. We are seeing this in Brazil, Venezuela and perhaps Argentina and Uruguay. They can go back to these policies but they will not deliver long-lasting economic growth. The solution is to follow in Chile’s footsteps, which is ironically the country to “suffer” most from American “aggression.” Wonder why it now has the highest growth rates, the fewest economic problems, a relatively large middle class and some of the highest standards of living south of the Rio Grande. Wonder why? Wonder why Argentina went from a rich country to a relatively less rich one. Anyone?
And I am sure that American “agression” against an important and strategic and economically rich and mineral-loaded country like Haiti is to blame for that nation’s relative poverty. It just must be.
Robi: why would it take an American to point out to you that Ukraine was important to Germany and its strategic interests? the Ukraine is the equivalent of Brazil in Latin Ameria. The only difference is that it should be located much closer. After all, Poland can be crossed in five hours. Every German should know that. You don’t even have to take the autobahn if you are blitzkrieging your way across that lovely very very flat plain. Jawohl?
[quote=“fred smith”]
Robi: why would it take an American to point out to you that Ukraine was important to Germany and its strategic interests? [/quote]
It does not. But as you like to comment on everything you are free to do so.
[quote]
Every German should know that. You don’t even have to take the autobahn if you are blitzkrieging your way across that lovely very very flat plain. Jawohl?[/quote]
I really dont understand what you mean by blitzkrieging and who you adress with you?
I forgot Argentinas economy suffers now because the have a curreny board with the US Dollar.
Why do you post your picture MaPoSquid?
Robi:
I lived in Argentina for two years. Trust me when I tell you that the currency board and involvement with America was NOT Argentina’s problem. Its leaders spent like drunken sailors and on the Economist corruption index, it is below China and I think Indonesia. Do you see the problem?
Anyway, if Germany keeps putting off reform, hey, one day you may find yourself commiserating with the Argies. And the French… and maybe the Islamofascists who still recall with fondness the period from 700 to 900 AD cuz not a lot has happened since to justify any pride.
Just a thought.
Not my picture, unfortunately. It’s by Oleg Volk
Hmm. I just noticed how nicely it compares to my current avatar! But the avatar is an accurized M-14, while Volk’s image is an M-1 Garand.
Well i guess all economist are wrong than.
But anyway I don’t think i will find myself commiserating with the Argies. Why would that happen? Explanations Fred?
[quote]
Hmm. I just noticed how nicely it compares to my current avatar! But the avatar is an accurized M-14, while Volk’s image is an M-1 Garand.[/quote]
I just noticed the guys skin problem. He should really get some treatment there.
… sorry, joined late again. Did you figure out this Blitzkrieg thing?
It was Donald Rumsfeld invention… for Iraq.
This morning when I was still half asleep, my wife waking up instantly warned me Ukraine may be a danger for Germany. I asked her: Do you know someone called Fred?