And now witness how Germany will say "yes" to war on iraq

[Jack_www]

In the United States there has been a trend in politics towards a more moderate possition on both sides, conseritives and liberls. Also to many polls here in the US indicate that many people hold conseritive stance on some issues and a liberl stance on others. Also during the 2000 election, both Bush and Gore try to appeal to moderate views, since candiates have a better chance of winning if they can get in the other party to vote for them.

[Bereta_Eder]

I think we do need this alliance untill we get a coherent european army. (and not just a rapid reaction force).

[Ned]

How soon can we get rid of Schroeder. What would it take?

[Bereta_Eder]

The time when you could influence european elections is faaar gone

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
The arrogant way the US government reacts to a rhetorical blunder (not even a direct insult) of a completely unimportant and pretty dumb person (there are hardly many outside Germany who have heard the name Däubler-Gmelin before this incident)

How would Germany react if John Ashcroft, the American equivilant of Däubler-Gmelin, compared Schroeder's use of cheap populism and tapping of Anti-Americanism to distract the German populace from his faliures to Hitler's attempts to do much the samething?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin


Donald Rumsfeld has refused to meet with the German Defence Minister.

That is so petty its unbelievable. Have a view contrary to the US and they reprehend you. Its all so childish.

It's the same mindset that led to the GOP losing control of the Senate. Bush is puppeteered by right-wing hawks who refuse to compromise, and when someone "dares" to disagree with their view, they are instantly labelled an enemy.

As Sir Ralph is pointing out, I think the real damage here is Bush & Co.'s fault, as they are blowing a pretty minor incident out of proportion to engender sympathy at home. The cooling of diplomatic relations over this is absurd, and will only serve to further drive home the impression among Europeans that Bush is an arrogant leader who likes to be dictatorial with his allies. It will only increase anti-American sentiment.

[Harovan]

How soon can we get rid of Schroeder. What would it take?

Come on, you have a big experience in removing evil dictators. And in creating and supporting them. What about firebombing? Or cruise missiles? Vacuum bombs in the Reichstag? Or another "peace keeping mission" without UN mandate? Get rid of Bush, and we'll get rid of Schröder. Deal?

How would Germany react if John Ashcroft, the American equivilant of Däubler-Gmelin, compared Schroeder's use of cheap populism and tapping of Anti-Americanism to distract the German populace from his faliures to Hitler's attempts to do much the samething?

I don't know (and care) what our government would say. Probably gasp and ask for an explanation, but hardly blame Bush in Anti-Germanism and cut all diplomatic connections. Personally I would say the same as about D.G., a rhetorical blunder of a hopelessly dumb person.

[Roland]

"How would Germany react if John Ashcroft, the American equivilant of Däubler-Gmelin...."

If he loses his position over such a comment that's not even verified yet, no problem.

[The Pioneer]

Well, Schroeder will put his tail btwn his legs and of course side with the US on this. It will not be the first time he would be braking a campaign promise but then what do you expect from a man that everyting he has ever touched has gone to pieces i.e. his family (what family? this is his 4rth wife), his State (as State governor of Niedersachsen) and now Germany which is slowly falling apart in his hands.

So long...

[The Mad Monk]

Vacuum bombs in the Reichstag?

What's a vacuum bomb?

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


I categorically disagree. If Schroeder does an about-face on this, the anti-war German people will be infuriated with the SDP. The Greens can then use the memory of the incident to gain ground with left-leaning voters who oppose the war. They would be able to pick up seats (most at the expense of the SDP, I'm sure), and put them in a more powerful position. And guess what? The SDP would still have to work with them, especially then, to form a majority government.

In the longrun the SDP has an option that the Greens don't, namely selecting a coalition partner from the center rather than the left. The Greens might well end up in a weaker position even if they picked up seats, as they are too far to the left to have much of a choice in coalition partners, and thus would remain out of the government if they won't work with the SDP.

[Sikander]

Originally posted by paiktis22
The time when you could influence european elections is faaar gone

#@@#$$#%%$ Double Post!

[Sikander]

Originally posted by paiktis22
The time when you could influence european elections is faaar gone

Oooh, just for that Greece gets a military Junta next time!

[Harovan]

What's a vacuum bomb?

Something SF to add yet more irony in an already ironically meant statement? I could have chosen planet blasters instead, but these would have destroyed the US as well.

In the longrun the SDP has an option that the Greens don't, namely selecting a coalition partner from the center rather than the left. The Greens might well end up in a weaker position even if they picked up seats, as they are too far to the left to have much of a choice in coalition partners, and thus would remain out of the government if they won't work with the SDP.

The option you are talking about is the FDP (liberals).

A party, that's dreaming to get 18%, but keeps getting 5-8%. A party, megalomanic enough to call their chieftain "cancellor candidate", although he hasn't the slightest chance ever to get the 35-40% he would need. A party which called itself formerly "party for the higher salaries", till they realized, how incredibly dumb that is. A party which yells to lower taxes, without the slightest idea, how to refinance this. A party, which needs to seek shelter in anti-semitic statements to gain attention, just to vehemently disclaim them later. A party, which has the nerve to state before the election, that they'll go with anyone willing to take them into government. So very reliable.

An alternative?

[Roland]

Well cut Möllemann out, and 99 % of the FDP idiocy you describe is gone...