Demonstration in DC: Schroeder's German-American "Friendship Bus" Gets Jacked

Angry Demonstrators Also Nearly Steal Schroeder's Hair-Coloring...

Here are the photos from our demonstration:

Schroeder's "Friendship Bus" Just Pulled into the Wrong Neighborhood...

Will Schroeder's Friends in the SPD and at IG Metall Stop the Anti-American Insect Rhetoric?

The Marchers Pose Before the White House

Hot and Muggy Monday: The Demonstration Site in Lafayette Park

A Close-Up of one of our Signs (What does it say "NO" to?)

Davids Medienkritik Says THANK YOU!

OK: It wasn't the Million-Man March. But we had a great time. We would like to personally thank each and every one of the dozen folks who braved temperatures well over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, 100% humidity and rain showers on a weekday to come out and support us. One of our marchers, Amadeo O., came all the way from Madrid, Spain via Florida to be with us. Another marcher brought his baby daughter. We certainly didn't have big numbers, but all who attended showed tremendous heart and helped us spread an important message. Literally dozens of passers-by asked for flyers and expressed interest in our site. And this is just the beginning.

Schroeder's Ride Parks at the Chamber of Commerce

One thing is clear: For its humble size, the demonstration generated a great deal of media interest. We were interviewed by dpa and filmed by ZDF. After the demonstration, I went with a friend of our site to the Chamber of Commerce to greet Schroeder with our signs. Schroeder waved at us from afar and then, when he noticed our signs, grimaced. As we stood in front of the Chamber of Commerce, I discussed media bias with a reporter from Focus as Thomas Roth, a major editor and news figure from ARD, listened intently and occasionally nodded. Literally dozens of German embassy officials, media and dignitaries noticed our signs. Some of them even expressed approval.

Once again, Davids Medienkritik, along with No Pasaran, was able to leave a major impression with a small group. I want to especially thank Joe N. of No Pasaran for all his help. He and I were the only two organizers and without him this would have never happened. Thank you to everyone who has supported us both financially and in spirit. We will keep working hard for you. Thank you as well to the DC Park Police and the authorities in charge of Lafayette Park for their assistance.

The Day Began at Johns Hopkins

I (Ray) began my day at Johns Hopkins in DC at a seminar on blogs and the US and German media. I was deeply honored when Ulrich Speck of Kosmoblog, one of the featured speakers, referred to me as one of the "Godfathers" of the German-American blogosphere. That honor would have to go to David though. The conversation was fascinating and at times tense. Several big German bureau chiefs were there and seemed to feel threatened by the bloggers. One journalist from N24, however, told me that he agreed that anti-American, anti-Bush bias was a major problem in the German media but that his bosses reprimand him as a Bush supporter whenever he tries to bring some balance into his stories. I told him that we may not see significant change for years, but that what we are doing is the right thing and that every journey begins with just one step.

Stay tuned as the journey continues. We are especially concerned about recent developments in Berlin...

Interesting endnote: The German dpa reporter who interviewed me at the demonstration gave me his business card. As he opened his wallet to pull it out, I noticed he had an NRA (National Rifle Association) membership card. I asked him what a German journalist was doing in the NRA. He seemed slightly embarrassed, but I reassured him that I wouldn't mention it to his boss and that his secret was safe with me...

(Article and photos by Ray D.)

Anyone wishing to support us in our continued efforts can click here. We do this for free and need all the support we can get. Thank you.

Comments

[lemmy]

Jolly good! And remember, Rome wasn't built in a day (Rom ist nicht an einem Tag erbaut).

Kudos to the Medienkritik team (and No Pasaran).

And let's just hope that that is Schoeder's last trip to the White House.

Still wondering why Georgie Dubya invited him in the first place. Would you invite someone like Schroeder to YOUR home?

[Ray D.]

That's how we feel. It was super hot and muggy and a Monday AND it poured rain! I am VERY proud of everyone who attended and showed us support on a workday. Not trying at all was not an option for us. We did our best and are happy. You would not believe how many people were interested in our group. I'm sure we will get many new readers at the very least. And a lot of media noticed too.

[Trish]

Congratulations!!! We wish we could have been there!!! I am glad that Schroeder noticed your signs. Next time he comes to Washington I hope it is as a tourist.

[Pamela]

Well, woo hoo! Congrats on the media coverage - and each and every one of you is much better looking than I imagined......smooch!

[S1IG]

Good job! Congratulations!

[Doug]

Kudos! Any chance on getting some insight into the seminar, and in particular the established media's participation?

[Ray D.]

@ Doug:

Unfortunately, I only participated in the first session and had to leave after that to get the demonstration ready. Check the link for more info.

[Scott]

@lemmy,

Schroeder's trip had been planned long before his political train finally derailed. Everyone recognizes that he is now (most likely) a lame duck (especially since last Friday's poll numbers show his party is now trailing by 17 points). He even cut his 3-day trip short by a day so he can get back home and "prepare" for the early election.

It is pretty much felt that he is the one who wanted to keep this "date" with Dubya so that he can still appear back home to be relevant on the international stage.

[TicTacToe]

The guy with the helmet looks suspicious. Who is he and why is he wearing a helmet ?

[ulaikamor]

So few... :(

I have to congratulate you guys for keeping up the spirit even with so few people participating.

Still, i would have loved to have been there.

Keep up the good work!!! :)

[Trak77]

Great job guys. Thanks for fighting the fight. Your terrific blog has greatly educated me. Keep up the great work.

[amiexpat]

is it just me, or was this visit pretty much ignored by the American media? My local paper (Detroit) had nothing about it..
SCHADENFREUDE!

[Phil]

Well done guys.

This is completely off the topic but have a look at this review of 'War of the Worlds':

http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/index.asp?ran=on&url=http://archiv.tagesspiegel.de/archiv/28.06.2005/1902310.asp#art

Read it to the end and you'll find this paragraph:
"Das kommt einem bekannt vor: dass die USA ihre Söhne in einen für die amerikanische Öffentlichkeit weitgehend unsichtbaren und von vielen für aussichtslos gehaltenen Krieg schicken. Sie werden schon irgendwie heimkehren, der Rest ist tabu. Immerhin hatte der Vater Robbie zunächst aufzuhalten versucht, aber seine Skrupel schließlich überwunden. Auch darin ist Spielberg Meister. Er bedient das populäre Genre, die wohldosierten Blicke auf die andere Seite des Hügels genügen, um für atemlose Spannung zu sorgen. Aber er zeichnet zugleich ein Sittenbild des kollektiven Unbewussten, einer verstörten Gesellschaft, die wegguckt, was den Irak betrifft, und mit sich selber kein bisschen im Reinen ist."

Looks like some more demonstrations are needed.

[Doughnut Boy Andy]

"You would not believe how many people were interested in our group. I'm sure we will get many new readers at the very least. And a lot of media noticed too."

Id be really interested of some sort of report of how you guys and girls felt the general public felt. OK perhaps standing outside the Whitehouse youre not going to be meeting the general public average American anyway but some things would be interesting, like are people aware of the political / media situation in Germany? Do they care? Were they shocked to find out? How do they view Germany? Do they consider it important? Do people care or not care about US german relations or are they beyond caring?

"One of our marchers, Amadeo O., came all the way from Madrid, Spain via Florida to be with us"

Respect.

[toby]

Brilliant hindsight on my part: the modest turnout could have been offset if you had come to the demo armed with a petition "digitally" signed by the 750'000 readers of this blog who support your noble efforts. The petition could have been printed out with a 24 point font so the list of names could have been read by "Shredder" from his limo. Next stop: Berlin!

[Solomon2]

I'm ashamed; I meant to be there, and I forgot. No excuse, of course.

As for the NRA card-carrying "dpa reporter": it's easier for me to believe he's an intelligence officer than for me to believe he is a journalist. (Don't let that get you down, or inflate your ego, either.)

[Huan]

thanks to all who could make the demonstration.

[Mathesar]

Ja, wirklich herzerweichend diese kraftvolle Demonstartion amerikanischer Streitkultur....

Danke...danke an alle (ok, man kann Sie namentlich nennen, es sind ja nicht so viel) für dieses Bild....

[Mathesar]

The guy with the helmet looks suspicious. Who is he and why is he wearing a helmet ?

Nun ja...er ist Amerikaner. Amerikaner fürchten nichts, außer das ihnen der Himmel auf den Kopf fällt, oder Massenvernichtungswaffen, oder deutsche, oder die unfairen Medien, oder Terorristen, oder Zigaretten, oder oder oder...

Ein ausgeglichenes und selbewußtes Volk sind die Amerikaner!

Übrigens David: Heute im Spiegel ist wieder so eine vollkommen falsche Medienberichtserstattung des Spiegels. GWB erreicht in den USA langsam aber sicher die Sympathiewerte wie Schröder in Deutschland....*smile*

Liegt vielleicht an all den blumenwerfenden Irakern...vielleicht isst er aber nur zuviel Brezeln oder fährt zuviel Fahrad...

[amiexpat]

I meant the visit of SCHROEDER...
not one line in my local paper..
because he is IRRELEVANT

[Gabi]

"Draußen vor der Tür demonstrieren versprengte Aktivisten der deutsch-amerikanischen Freundschaft mit kleinen Schildern gegen die Heuschrecken-Kampagne von SPD-Chef Franz Müntefering."

http://focus.msn.de/hps/fol/newsausgabe/newsausgabe.htm?id=16106

[Gijoe]

Look at that lovely man with the helmet on...

"well ya know my name is simon..."

[gijoe]

Oh! this is why he is wearing a helmet!:

"Nun ja...er ist Amerikaner. Amerikaner fürchten nichts, außer das ihnen der Himmel auf den Kopf fällt, oder Massenvernichtungswaffen, oder deutsche, oder die unfairen Medien, oder Terorristen, oder Zigaretten, oder oder oder...

Ein ausgeglichenes und selbewußtes Volk sind die Amerikaner!

Übrigens David: Heute im Spiegel ist wieder so eine vollkommen falsche Medienberichtserstattung des Spiegels. GWB erreicht in den USA langsam aber sicher die Sympathiewerte wie Schröder in Deutschland....*smile*

Liegt vielleicht an all den blumenwerfenden Irakern...vielleicht isst er aber nur zuviel Brezeln oder fährt zuviel Fahrad..."

That's what I was going to say!

[kid charlemagne]

Mathesar shows his true face. He used to come in here and attempt to appear reasonable, now he just takes sneering cheap shots at America and Americans (which are also quite stupid, by the way: "Americans are afraid of cigarettes" - ha, ha!).

By the way, who's the hot chick?

Well done, wish I could have been there. Unfortunately, I am a workoholic.

[Ray D.]

Ummm, the guy in the helmet lives in or very near DC and rode his bike to us. I think it is actually the law that bike riders have to wear a helmet. I know it is the law in Maryland.

@ Mathesar: Wow, I used to think you were a half-way reasonable critic. Now I really wonder...

[Ray D.]

@ Solomon2:

This dpa reporter was absolutely, positively a German journalist.

[Cassandra]

What a great idea! You guys are awesome.

I feel just awful that I let this slip through the cracks. You caught me at the worst possible time - between helping our kids move into their new apartment and work, I just got overwhelmed. I'm so sorry for not giving you some support. Yesterday was an awful day to be outside - your dedication is to be commended.

@phil

German Feuilleton seems to become a major focus of this blog and its fans. What's so anti-american with this passage? Does she say that the USA are evil, that they fight war for an unjust cause or whatever? She says that the war is more or less inivisible for the public, which I've read from American authors too (no, not Michael Moore, no, I don't have a link). That some Americans think the USA won't win the war (some even think the terror will go on for 12 years...). etc. She ends up with the opinion, that the US society is "nicht im Reinen mit sich" (sorry, my english is not good enough). You can discuss all this - but it is not "anti-american". I'm sorry to say this, but the more I read here, the more I feel that most of you simply don't like any word of critique against the US adminstration. By the way: I wouldn't say this to the Bush-bashing Germans I Know (yes, of course they exist, yes, they are stupid sometimes) - between the chairs seems to be the best place.

[Pigilito]

Great stuff, guys.

[Patricia]

Great job, guys! That was a great idea to bring flyers with your website info. People are now beginning to hear the other voices in media!

[Martin]

Sorry - I forgot my name and mail under the answer to Phil..just because it's unpolite to comment ohers anonymuously.

[americanbychoice]

I just noticed that "Focus" made a brief mention about the signs in their coverage.
However, they didn't mention DMKO.
Nice job guys.

[frank]

Hey thanks to those who came. Sorry I couldn't make it, work and all.

[Otis Wildflower]

Great job y'all! Especially with summer bearing down on the swampland known as Washington DC.. I can hardly stand it in NYC, it must be unbearable down in the beltway bayou...

[Phil]

@ Martin,

to me it seems more like a desperate attempt to reinterpret a movie in the light of your own anti-Americanism and political views.

[Arlene]

What a great looking group! Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

[Helian]

>>"The guy with the helmet looks suspicious. Who is he and why is he wearing a helmet?"

We don't consider it "suspicious" for bicycle riders to wear a bicycle helmets in the DC area. What kind of a neighborhood do you live in?

@Phil

>>"Read it to the end and you'll find this paragraph:
"Das kommt einem bekannt vor: dass die USA ihre Söhne in einen für die amerikanische Öffentlichkeit weitgehend unsichtbaren und von vielen für aussichtslos gehaltenen Krieg schicken..."

The redoubtable German media have made priceless contributions to German culture in the form of enhancements to the language allowing incredibly refined and sophisticated turns of speach for expressing hate, scorn, and contempt. Their creativity and imagination in this area is certainly unparalleled in the literary heritage of any other people. Evidently they have now turned their attention to psychobabble. The Tagesspiegel excerpt you cite is certainly worthy of honorable mention for an "Augstein prize" in this area, although it does, regrettably, stoop to the hackneyed ploy of citing the "many" (experts, no doubt) who consider the war "aussichtslos." As for "kollektive Unbewusstsein," we certainly can't throw that accusation back in the face of that avant garde of enlightenment that is today's German media. They have seen to it that the German people are perfectly well aware that the Iraq war was all about oil, and the war in Afghanistan was fought to build a pipeline (where is that pipeline, by the by?) No need to confuse them with irrelevant details such as the reasons that many on the left as well as the right supported going to war in Iraq. Especially no need to inform them that those reasons had nothing to do with oil. All that would have been much too "simplistic" compared to the sophisticated "global corporations bad, exploited people of the Middle East good" version of the war the German media served up as gospel to a gullible public. No need now, of course, to explain to them why many credible and intelligent people on both the left and the right in the U.S. consider the war anything but "aussichtslos." No need to confuse them by actually presenting both sides of an issue for once, and suggesting they actually think above the level of cheap slogans for a change. Freud must be smiling in his grave.

[Sandy P]

anonymous -- --That some Americans think the USA won't win the war (some even think the terror will go on for 12 years...). etc.---

For Americans who pay attention, we'd be happy to have it only go on for 12 years. This is going to take a couple of decades at least.

---

And of course you just "outed" the German reporter. You shouldn't have mentioned who he worked for.

[Ray D.]

@ americanbychoice:

Do you have a link to the Focus mention?

[americanbychoice]

Not eines Handlungsreisendens.

Snip

Doch Schröders Fazit ist eindeutig: „Wir können mit jedem Standort in der Welt mithalten, ich bin so sogar so kühn zu sagen: Wir sind besser!“ Draußen vor der Tür demonstrieren versprengte Aktivisten der deutsch-amerikanischen Freundschaft mit kleinen Schildern gegen die Heuschrecken-Kampagne von SPD-Chef Franz Müntefering.

Gesehen hat Schröder sie nicht, die heimischen Sicherheitsbeamten haben sie freundlich gebeten, ein paar Meter weiter zu ziehen. Drinnen kommt aber auch Schröder an dem Thema nicht vorbei. „Ausländische Investoren, und ich betone: auch so genannte Finanzinvestoren, sind und bleiben in unserer Volkswirtschaft hoch willkommen.“

[Amelia in Texas]

Good job! I wanted to be there, but Texas is pretty far from D.C. and hubby vetoed the expense...

[Pamela]

@Helian
>> the German people are perfectly well aware that the Iraq war was all about oil,

Oil is at what? $60 a barrel? So, that went well, wouldn't you say?

Excellent post.

[Joe]

Pamela,

Just brilliant. What an observation.

BTW: The AJC did not mention the visit either. Germany is not something that is of huge interest in this Red State.

[Brenda]

A small group with an interesting message and visual appeal can get a lot of attention from the media.

Thanks and congratulations to everyone involved!

I'm sorry I couldn't make it from California.

[Brenda]

A small group with an interesting message and visual appeal can get a lot of attention from the media.

Thanks and congratulations to everyone involved!

I'm sorry I couldn't make it from California.

[Ray D.]

Comments insulting, deriding or making fun of those depicted above will be deleted without exception. They went out of there way to be with us on a workday in very hot conditions and they don't deserve that.

[Pamela]

@Joe
>>Just brilliant. What an observation.

Um, it's hard to tell from your post - and without doubt it's hard to tell from mine - but did you get that I was trying to be ironic/sarcastic?

[Ambrose Wolfinger]

I live in a "blue" citadel and the newspapers here made no mention of the Chancellor's visit. I'd be stunned if any US newspaper or TV network/station said anything.

The Deutsche Welle English language TV news last night devoted quite a bit of time to the visit. No mention of the demonstration, I'm afraid. Two things in the report surprised me:

a) the DW Washington correspondent stating that no one in Germany or the US had the least understanding of why the Chancellor is so spending so much time and effort on securing a Security Council seat for Germany. It would not surprise me if this correspondent receives an immediate transfer to Burundi after that comment.

b) a good part of the report was spent assuring the viewers that Americans still like German products and have favorable feelings towards Germany. It would be interesting to know why the DW editors in Berlin believed that to be newsworthy. I wonder if the German language version kept that part of the report. On weekends we receive both versions and the differences between the two can be very enlightening.

[luckent47]

awesome demo!!! I was in DC to pick up a car but had to leave before the demo day or I wouldve been right there with you. Ittook a lotta bawls to do that and I really appreciate it!

why did schroeder come to town?

Its easy really,

the US is winning in Irak, that's one.

the leftists are about to get trounced in the De next election that's two

and low and behold-there it is in the comments- the German economy is going to LOSE ITS ASS if they get anymore red paint on them.

If the US stops buying german and starts buying Chinese instead, its over for the BRD.

Schroeder knows he fucked up royally by running as a Bush hater, it might get the commies all happy but its going to sink the De if they can't get back into the US's good graces.

Its really sad too because most Americans-especially the servicemen and women that were stationed there,myself included- love Germany and things like the bug and mercedes,but this new bitch-ass germany that sounds like france is a really bad idea if you want to actually make a living in the real world.

There's just too much competition out there to be running around stabbing people in the back that lost thousands of relatives to give you freedom.

Yes it does matter! because people actually do link their purchases to what other countries do and germany is being seen more and more as the clone of canada. never happy, always complaining with no viable alternative etc..

America is a country that understands what it means to go it alone. consensus is the death of leadership, germany needs to remember that. In twenty years when china is blowing up and the muslims are calling the shots in berlin you'll really miss the good old days of kojak and coke.
and all we'll haveto say is "we told you so.."

Things can change overnight though and Germans ARE actually very intelligent people so we'll see. They thought Kerry was going to win too.

Viel Gluck Kaspar, youre a peach!