Germans don't know their own leader

[Proteus_MST]

Originally posted by Kirnwaffen
They could at least tell you she's a senator...

I think those people which were asked also at least knew that Schröder is a Politican.

They just didn´t know that he is the Chancellor
(and/or what he does for the BRD )

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, Fischer is akin to Powell (Foriegn Minister akin to Secretary of State). I guess it would be asking if people in the US knew what position Colin Powell was... I think it might net the same results .

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Yeah, Fischer is akin to Powell (Foriegn Minister akin to Secretary of State). I guess it would be asking if people in the US knew what position Colin Powell was... I think it might net the same results .

I doubt most Americans even know what the "Secretary of State" does.

I've seen several people assert Powell was the VP, and at least a couple say he is the Sec. of Defense (which is fairly reasonable, I suppose, as far as mistakes go).

Most amusing was the one saying he was Secretary of War! I thought that was Wolfowitz...

[mrmitchell]

Secretary of War? I thought they got rid of that department more than 50 years ago, in favor of our mis-named "Department of 'Defence'"...

[Dinner]

See! Everyone says Americans are dumb but I think people just spend more time trying to find out where Americans are dificent. There are dumb asses from every country in the world.

[mrmitchell]

Of course there are. Stupidity is the universal language.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by mrmitchell
Secretary of War? I thought they got rid of that department more than 50 years ago, in favor of our mis-named "Department of 'Defence'"...

That was the point...

[Boris Godunov]

If you were to hold up a photo to me of any cabinet secretary besides Rumsfeld, Ridge Powell, Thompson and Ashcroft, I doubt I'd be able to name them or tell you what position they held. The only others I can name besides them are Norton and Mineta (though I think there is a "Page" and a "Chao"?), and I wouldn't know them if I saw them, nor be able to name their specific role. I can't name the Treasury Secretary!

[Locutus]

Then again, ministers are far less important in the States than they are in most European countries (at least in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Britain). In the US, they're basically lackeys of the President (bluntly put), if I understand the American system correctly. In Europe, they mainly serve their department, not their Prime-Minister.

But with all these Italian practices we've been having here in the Netherlands lately, I also think I'd have a lot of trouble placing all the Dutch ministers correctly

But at least I know what our Jan Peter Balkenende does for a living (he's a famous wizard, right? )

[Japher]

Ok... This suks, America is no longer #1 in stupid anymore? I am going to work as hard as I can for now on becoming stupid... We need to be #1 at everything!

[Az]

I could probably tell the positions of a dozen or so Israeli ministers, and the partisan membership of a few tens of parliament members. Your apathetic behavior staggers and scares me.

[mrmitchell]

That was the point...

I know...

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Japher
Ok... This suks, America is no longer #1 in stupid anymore? I am going to work as hard as I can for now on becoming stupid... We need to be #1 at everything!

Have no fear, this hasn't dethroned our "Most Stupid" position.

[Spiffor]

Well, Schröder and Fischer aren't exactly second zone politicians. It's strange so many people couldn't name their function, or at least for Schröder : about every time I see the German news, his name is always preceded by his title.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Locutus
Jan Peter Balkenende

Who's that ? (serious)