SPIEGEL ONLINE's Marc Pitzke Reports: Socks, Aliens and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer

(By Ray D.)

Marc Pitzke, SPIEGEL ONLINE's Amerika Korrespondent, seems to have lost a step since last year's presidential election. His articles don't seem to have the same bite anymore since the Bush-Meter was put out of commission. But, make no mistake, Pitzke is still a master of spin when it comes to seeking out the underbelly of American society and delivering the goods to an expectant German audience.

Take some of his recent work: Pitzke's recent article on the US sock industry was a true masterpiece. And the two pieces on the Roswell alien festival were absolutely riveting. Or take the story he did on the Bible diet that is supposedly sweeping America, pure genius. And let's not forget the many pieces on Las Vegas, described by Pitzke as "Amerikas glanzvollster Schandfleck" or his fascinating piece on Sex in the City. All truly informative.

But make no mistake, Pitzke hasn't totally given up his original mission: Despite the election, our Amerika Korrespondent continues writing articles about how 'massively under pressure' the Bush administration is and how terrible a quagmire-disaster-debacle the Iraq War is (did we mention, Iraq = Bush's Vietnam?). He even came up with a piece on how Barbara Boxer is the brave new hero of the left and wrote another story on Bush's sinister efforts to deprive American seniors of Social Security.

Recently, an article appeared that we thought must belong to Marc Pitzke. It was the story of how the United States was supposedly running out of material to fight the War on Terror because of the recent loss of a single U-2S spy plane and a single Chinook helicopter.  Absolutely brilliant journalism. Now that the US has lost those two aircraft they must certainly be contemplating retreat and defeat. To our surprise, though, it was not a Pitzke story.

But we were not to be disappointed. Today Marc Pitzke is back on the SPIEGEL ONLINE homepage with another classic: "Murder Charge Against US Soldier: War and Peace in Indiana." The story revolves around one Dustin Berg, a US soldier accused of murdering an Iraqi, and his hometown of Ferdinand, Indiana. Here are a few excerpts:

"The town Ferdinand in the Middle West of the USA was a peaceful ideal. Then one of theirs came back from the Iraq war. He was celebrated as a hero - and shortly thereafter charged with murdering an Iraqi. Since then nothing is as it was earlier in Ferdinand.

Ferdinand - Diane Hoppenjans speaks without taking a breath, as if she wanted to relieve her conscience. "We always led such a quiet, peaceful life," she says as she smoothes her summer dress. "And then came the war. None of us wanted it. But you have to support your government." (...)

It is a typical story of the gray zones of war, where good and evil are difficult to separate. But it is also the story of a small community that has lost its patriotic illusions - like more and more towns in the USA. (...)

Lunchtime in the "Oasis", Dustin Berg's regular bar on Main Street. A counter, a billiard table, on the wall old posters. At a table sits Charlie Englert on a stool, before him the second bottle of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. "Die for your country?" he barks. "Bullshit!" Englert must know: As a 19 year old he was in the Korean War."

It just doesn't get more compelling than that folks. How could an old vet on his second (or third or fourth) Pabst Blue Ribbon beer possibly be wrong? This is proof positive that all America is demoralized! What outstanding journalistic work. This certainly trumps the last article on the sock factories.

Once Again: America is Always Wrong

Pitzke's work provides us yet another classic example of how the United States can never do right by the German media. First, Germany's paper-peddlers complain that American war abuses and crimes are not being adequately acknowledged, addressed and punished. Then, when abuses and crimes are dealt with appropriately, there is no praise for the Bush administration or the American system. On the contrary. Such trials are held up as further evidence to the German press of how horrible, wrong and demoralizing the war is. SPIEGEL ONLINE readers are led to believe that most American communities are losing their "patriotic illusions," despite the fact that the so-called illusions are never really explained or clearly defined. Communities and individuals that support the war are almost totally ignored or just demonized.

And it is this approach to covering the United States that explains why most Americans simply don't care about what the German media or Germans in general have to say. Bush and the United States are guilty until proven innocent. All Americans who aren't "heros of the left" are suspect. Many are assumed to be hyper-patriotic, overweight, ultra-religious zombies.

We at Medienkritik have said it before and we will say it again:

Many Americans already understand that "I hate America" IS the default position of far too many around the world. They realize that much of the criticism they hear blaring from across the seas is not fair, balanced, constructive and heartfelt but rather dishonest, biased, destructive and vindictive. Far too many critics of America would rather see the country go down in failure and flames as opposed to changing the nation for the better, and Americans know that. In the case of the German media, the exploitation of populism for profit is also a motivating factor as the SPIEGEL article clearly indicates. So how do many Americans react? They rightfully close their ears in mistrust and the dialogue is cut off.

(Programming note: Our article, "Finally, Germans Move Away from Socialism..." will be re-posted within the next 24 hours. Emphasis in quoted section in the original. Otherwise emphasis is ours.)

Comments

[Abe]

Latest AP Poll Results (it's all the fault of Spiegel Online):

40% support bush's handling of Iraq

36% think the country is going in the right direction

35% approve of bush's handling of social security*

42% support bush's handing of economy

magic number : bush's Job Approval rating :) is 42%- a new low (43% June)

[Jason]

Actually those aren't the latest AP poll results Abe...but it dosen't matter since your point is asinine.

[Joe]

Gee,

Has the US constitution been changed since I have been painting this morning. I did not realize GWB was going to run for reelection.

Where in the hell have I been all morning.

[Ray D.]

@ Abe:

Polls go up and polls go down. But if we follow SPIEGEL ONLINE, it seems that Bush is always in trouble and always in disfavor and always under masssive pressure. That is why they wondered "How could this happen?" when he was re-elected. Their version of reality simply didn't add up.

[Abe]

Actually those aren't the latest AP poll results Abe

Jason, these are from July 13. Do you have new numbers from today?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050715/ap_on_re_us/ap_poll_method_1

[Zyme]

"And it is this approach to covering the United States that explains why most Americans simply don't care about what the German media or Germans in general have to say."

So why do you report of german media if most americans dont care?

I love this page, most articles are so amusing :)

[Ray D.]

@ Zyme:

I report on it because I do want there to be a fair and meaningful transatlantic dialogue and I want to point out examples of what we consider to be biased and unfair media coverage that discourage a fair and meaningful transatlantic dialogue.

[Zyme]

@ Ray D.

What a noble reason - you probably thought about why german media might report the way they do..?
Maybe its the way people want to be informed? If they wanted a different coverage, there would likely be a different one with better success.

A fair and meaningful transatlantic dialogue doesnt seem to be valued very high anymore then.

Do you seriously think a page that informs americans about german media is able to change this?
All you achieve by this is making americans wonder whats going on while offering them no explanation - and all the while amusing german readers like myself. I guess thats not what you intended to do.

[Ray D.]

@ Zyme (it is me, Ray D., I used the wrong name), you write:

"Maybe its the way people want to be informed? If they wanted a different coverage, there would likely be a different one with better success."

Well, sure. And millions of Germans purchased 'Mein Kampf' in the 1930s...but that is just how they wanted to be informed, right!?

"Do you seriously think a page that informs americans about german media is able to change this?
All you achieve by this is making americans wonder whats going on while offering them no explanation - and all the while amusing german readers like myself. I guess thats not what you intended to do."

Well, I'm glad you are amused. But to answer your question. We do what we do because we do believe we can change things. Maybe not in a big way or anytime soon, but we do think we can make a difference. And, in fact, we already have. And I do think we offer lots of explanation. Additionally, we have a comments section where anyone can come and discuss what we write about. So if you think we aren't explaning something fully or adequately, feel free to tell us in the comments section, that is what it is there for.

[poguemahone]

I dunno Zyme - are YOU trying to change anything - do anything? Or do you just amuse yourself too much?

I personally think that this site does a LOT to help expose the one-sided nature of the German ( and Euro ) media when it comes to reporting about the USA

I have heard on so many occasions how American's don't know enough about the world, don't have passports, ect

You know what - I have met fewer people more ignorant about the United States ( its bigger than ALL of Europe with almost as many people btw ) than I have in Europe

But I am kind - I don't blame them - because I have seen the Euro media in action - so how can I say they are at fault

Thanks to this site, and more coverage in the future, maybe we will restore the transatlantic relationship

A lofty goal - maybe

But a worthy one I think

[Zyme]

@ poguemahone

"A lofty goal - maybe

But a worthy one I think"

A lost case i would say - but that of course is just my personal interpretation.

@ Ray D.

Fighting for transatlantic friendship might have worked in the last century - nowadays, it rather seems as promising as fighting windmills to me.
While telling americans about our coverage, you wont change anything of the german way things are reported. All you achieve is making them angry/nervous or whatever. There s no benefit from this i would say.

[Joe]

Ray,

Was there a purpose to this story. If there was I missed it.

The actions of Cpl Berg have been fully reported in the M$M in the US. Actually it was first reported on a national level by Monica Davey a rather liberal wingnut for the NYT. It did not get a lot of traction there so it was dropped.

Of course Cpl Berg is awaiting trail. If convicted, he will be doing a rather long tour of duty in Levenworth.

So somehow I miss the point. I fail to understand how the misfortune and stupidity of one American solider would be of interest to anyone in Germany.

[Trish]

@zyme,

your cynicism is quite amusing. Why do anything, why communicate, why care. Now that I think about, why think? It only makes you feel nervous and possibly angry. I think PROZAC and XANIX is the preferred solution. These drugs make it easier to accept one's fate.

[267]

@Zyme:

"While telling americans about our coverage, you wont change anything of the german way things are reported. All you achieve is making them angry/nervous or whatever. There s no benefit from this i would say."

Sure there is, Zyme. It's a useful reminder to the rest of the species that there's a special quality to some Germans, or perhaps German society, that needs to be watched. It's an ugly quality that manifests itself in ultra-conformist xenophobia. I'm sure I speak for others when I say I'd hate to be caught unawares if the next generation of Germans trades the contemporary whingeing over Kyoto and the ICC for the old standby of prancing around in jodhpurs.

[SeanM]

@ Zyme

Are you worried it may adversely affect German exports to the US once Americans realize how much Germans detest them?

Would you like this site to close down?

[PacRim Jim]

You who believe the polls, remember what they said before last year's election: What's-his-name would beat bush by 15 points. What does that imply about polls?

[Joe]

267

LOL

prancing around in jodhpurs

The french did that yesterday. Very spiff.

They might not be able to fight and win but they sure look pretty marching.

[Dan Kauffman]

At a table sits Charlie Englert on a stool, before him the second bottle of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. "Die for your country?" he barks. "Bullshit!" Englert must know: As a 19 year old he was in the Korean War."

"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
- Attributed to General George Patton Jr

[Joe]

Given the track record of this character and the general tendency of the German M$M to make shit up, is there a particular reason we should believe Charlie Englert even said this?

[Ben Duffy]

Man, it's so bad isn't it? It just goes to show that the media creates the news, it doesn't report it. The German media is particulalry bad, but ours isn't much better. Neither our media, nor their media is particularly interested in the truth, but only in ensuring that this war is a failure. The sooner we realize this, the better prepared we will be when read their slop. READ DEFENSIVELY!

[Zyme]

@ SeanM

"Are you worried it may adversely affect German exports to the US once Americans realize how much Germans detest them?"

For example.

@ 267

"Sure there is, Zyme. It's a useful reminder to the rest of the species that there's a special quality to some Germans, or perhaps German society, that needs to be watched. It's an ugly quality that manifests itself in ultra-conformist xenophobia."

You sound like we would be as aggressive as in the last century. Today we are not - we simply want to strenghten our export right now, which stabilizes our economy..
German and french companies had many contracts with former iraq and do have contracts in most countries that are considered "evil" by america. By invading those countries you practically kill these contracts - and surprise surprise: we are not grateful about that.

[Alex N.]

"All you achieve by this is making americans wonder whats going on while offering them no explanation - and all the while amusing german readers like myself." - Zyme

Do you speak on behalf of all Germans again, Zyme? You are President Köhler by any chance? Didn't think so. Oh, and btw, I don't think you have to worry about the American visitors here. You know, in the end, they might not be all that stupid after all to not figure it out on their own. Anyway, you and your ilk are not worried that they don't understand - what you worry about is that they do.

[amiexpat]

@zyme..
killing contracts?
hmmmm
es geht um Öl?
the Germans were right after all

[New Europe]

"You sound like we would be as aggressive as in the last century. Today we are not - we simply want to strenghten our export right now, which stabilizes our economy.."

Zyme, you don't know much about economics and certainly not about history. Germany's biggest problem is not the export market but its anemic domestic market. Maybe if you freed up your economy a bit at home you would not need to cave in to supporting any despot who dangles a few contracts in front of you. Your strength (exports) is your weakness. Selling out to those countries is a Faustian bargain of the highest category.

I had to laugh on the other thread when you referred to how happy your grandparents were during the Nazi period on their farm in Bavaria and generally at your value-neutral stance to that period that comes across with almost every post. Just a few indentured servants (slaves?) from the East to help out, otherwise good times in the land of plenty? Current historians finally are pointing out just how much average Germans profited from Hitler's war in the East and domestic confiscation laws (Jews, socialists, etc.). Makes me wonder what they've been teaching you in Bavaria. Alles war doch nicht so schlimm damals? Give me a break.

I do see a risk that this forum promotes mistrust between Americans and Germans because it focuses mostly on the dark side of the German psyche as revealed in its worst media coverage of the US. Don't forget, there are other news sources that are pretty balanced (e.g. the weekly magazine Focus that has a large readership). And, by comparison, you can find virulent anti-Americanism in England of the personal kind that makes Germany's media-driven anti-Americanism seem harmless.

On a personal level, Germans are challenged by Americans but also curious about us. They know we beat them twice at war. They know that they were the bad guys in the second war. They admire us for some things and reject us for other things. They risk becoming obsessed with Americans, just as they became obsessed with the Jews, and they harbor many prejudices about us based on ignorance just as many Americans cultivate ignorant clichés about Germans and other Europeans. Germans want to be contenders (in der ersten Reihe sitzen). They measure themselves against us and against the best everywhere and expect to be able to rival those achievments. They are players and they are not adverse to conflict if it suits their purposes. But there is also a great deal of respect towards America, some of it given grudgingly. There is also an element of wounded pride about the role that history has dealt the Germans (i.e. that they dealt themselves). Every German actor who heads to Hollywood knows how that plays out: you get to be the bad guy. That doesn't stop them from lining up by the hundreds each day for their visas to work and study in the US or, even after they have left the US disillusioned by their experiences there, from clinging to their green cards because, well, when they got back home they didn't feel as well as they thought they would.

Maybe Ray & David would do well to incorporate a bit more of the "positive reinforcement" for which Americans are so famous in their coverage to give the American readers a more balanced picture. How 'bout Medienkritik prizes for the best reporting on America/Transatlantic relations, and occasional reviews and references to good articles. Why not link more closely to organizations and events that promote good relations? I know you do this occasionally, but perhaps it would be good to increase it a bit. In your attempt to lambast imbalance in German media -- rightfully -- you risk imbalance yourself. It may not increase your readership, but it would perhaps increase your authority. Seems like you have some influential readers in the German media.

In the value-free zone that folks like Zyme live in there is no room for good relations between Germany and America, only for conflict. Only to the extent that there are shared values such as democracy, freedom and human rights, and a willingness work together in support of such values, can good relations exist. Even if both sides fail occasionaly to live up to their own standards, that does not prevent general good relations. The economic ties are so close that it would be difficult to unwind them. Difficult, but not impossible. That's the threat that hovers over us in the 21st century. I don't think that Europe and America will be able to face down the economic and military threats coming from China and other areas without working together. It would be a shame if one side or the other thought they could pick another side only to discover too late that they became overwhelmed by events. The wolves, Zyme, are not just nipping at America's heels; they are howling right outside Europe's door, too. And Europe is not a wolf and won't be anytime in the foreseeable future, contrary to your tough talk. This is not a good time for condescending amusement. That is a sign of a loser and a dreamer. There is too much hard work ahead of us to waste time on daydreams of dominance and destruction, as deeply satisfying as that fantasy may be to some people. I sure hope Europe and America will move forward together, even if in a different manner than during the Cold War.

[nimrod]

this has nothing to do with the article, but i was wondering what my chances of getting a decent job in the US as a german/american graduate (master of economics equivalent, german university)are?

[Zyme]

"Wrong. None of the contracts between Germany/France and the former Baath regime have been nullified. In actual fact, French oil companies still own major concessions in Iraq."

And who is going to buy our dual use export goods? The new government - installed by the US? very unlikely i guess.
Saddam at least helped our building industry by constructing bunkers and nice residencies. A voted president of iraq wont have such financial capacities.

But back to topic:
How can one think an american NO to the reformation of the UN security council is a good basis for a fair transatlantic dialogue?
Recently, the american government announced their rejection of the G4-plans to public, thus even annoying their friends in japan.

Furthermore, america demands the joining of turkey into the EU. Such interferences into european inner affairs wont even be accepted by a conservative german government.

[Zyme]

@ New Europe

There s one parameter thats missing in your calculations:
The impact of european integration.
You are practically referring to the europe of the second half of the 20th century. A Europe that has blown itself to pieces two times certainly cant play a significant role in the world and is in need of help.

Those times are coming to an end though - while working closer and closer together in so many fields, our options will keep increasing. And thats exactly why we are becoming more and more independant from foreign influence.
Saying that america and europe would have to work together to overcome the threats of the 21st century would probably be right for the europe of the late 20th century.

One may doubt it in the current century though.

[SeanM]

@Zyme
"...america demands the joining of turkey into the EU. Such interferences into european inner affairs wont even be accepted..."

America SUPPORTS, not demands, the accession of Turkey. Big difference.

"Saddam at least helped our building industry by constructing bunkers and nice residencies"

You neglected to mention the damage done to the German economy after the Iraqi war disclosed how useless the bunkers were. It will be harder to sell them to the next despot unless the price is lowered.

[Joe]

nimrod,

I would say it all depened upon what type of job you would want and what work skills and experience you have.

Here as opposed in Germany certification is not such a big thing. It is the value you can add to an organization. That is why you find so many people working in jobs that have no relationship to what they studied in college.

[Zyme]

@ SeanM

"You neglected to mention the damage done to the German economy after the Iraqi war disclosed how useless the bunkers were. It will be harder to sell them to the next despot unless the price is lowered."

Yeah of course! ;)

[nimrod]

thanks joe...sounds great.

[americanbychoice]

I wrote this almost 2 years ago on another thread, we are getting closer to that situation.

I don’t want to get on a rage here, but…….
The Socialists, former PDS leaning, heel clicking “Leaders of Europe” are now Goose stepping arm in arm together to enslave the new European democracies into their diminishing economic quagmire. The revolutionaries Schroeder/Fischer, together with “King” Chirac and the opportunistic Putin are trying to reset the old Pinball game that the U.S. has forced into Tilt mode for the last 58 years. They believe that their anti-American rhetoric will show the world that it is better to be dominated by the old aristocratic class conscious ruling elite, which will let them eat cake, than being able to determine their own destiny by setting their own agendas, laws and purpose. Their goal is so transparent that it would have to anticipate a great amount of stupidity on the part of the former Eastern block countries not to notice their true intent. Gone would be self-determination, freedom of speech and liberties associated with the normal democratic concept. The only purpose would be to milk these new countries for their Tax Euros and to be indoctrinated into the socialist melting pot that is called the EU ?
The “old Europeans “have shown time and time again, that their goal is to create different classes within their societies. The Master race concept was a failure and reinstituting it won’t work again this time around. The Germans for instance want to have someone else work for them while they can collect the ample Government subsidy, just like it should be awarded to these Super humans. They determined to abandon Atomic Energy, only to encourage other countries to build new reactors from which they can purchase cheap energy. They will do anything to show the world that they are ecologically pure and socially just.
Well, History does have a way of repeating itself, it won’t work this time either. The idea of taking over Europe without firing a shot to create Lebensraum has hurdles that neither Chirac or his new Komrades: Schroeder, Fischer and Putin will be able to overcome. To bank on the stupidity of others for your own gain has always been futile.
Of course this is only my opinion and I could be wrong.

I do believe there will be a revolution in Europe, bloody or not, within 10-15 years.

[Scout]

Americanbychoice said, "I do believe there will be a revolution in Europe, bloody or not, within 10-15 years."

Actually, I think you give them too much credit. These sheep are not ready to stand up and fight for their rights, freedoms, and liberties. Primarily because they mistakenly believe that these are derived from government and therefore what the government gives can also be taken away. Easy come, easy go. Old Europe is filled with cynics and pessimists who just can't be troubled. Better to stay at home with the microwave ovens and steel-belted radials and fill their minds with the lefty socialist drivel as presented in the MSM, and subsequently, blame America if their lifestyles are not as affluent as they would like them to be. About the only group that seems to get excited about anything is the French farmers, and then only for all the wrong reasons.

[SleepingInSeattle]

Seems somewhat odd to be annoyed this site shows the nonsense of German media because it might anger Americans, that seems minor compared to what the media is possibly doing to Germany itself. Feeding people one sided stories built on half-truths as opposed to the whole story doesn't seem like a good thing when most readers/viewers are likely to just take it at face value.

@ Zyme

I'll make you a trade (actually it was done twice in the 20th century.) We'll restore Germany's trade with Iraq in return for an embargo on German imports into the US. Sounds like a fair deal to me. Bet it would get a lot of votes in Detroit.

I am afraid the Republicans do not know their own history. In the latter half of the 19th century, they had a lock on the labor vote and the black vote by keeping cheap foreign goods out of the US market.

Jeff

[Jeff]

Ooops Forgot to sign in again. Sorry

Jeff

[Will]

@zyme,
I can assure you I am German. Why do you think this site is not for us?
You are most definitely in the UNBELIEVABLY liberal majority here and thereby think what the German media say is right.
It's utter bullshit.
But you have one point: If there is so much crap on the TV and in the papers , shouldn't there be a single meaningful right-wing paper that people like me can actually read without throwing up?

The alleged "right" magazines are FOCUS(controlled by hard-core anti-American baiter and Burda-Boss Juergen Todenhoefer)
Welt (by Springer, whose editors repeatedly complain about anti-Americanism and anti-semitism, but never get their own perpetrators fired) and paleoconservative, anti-American (but at leat capitalistic) FAZ.

@267,
I think your way of thinking is too complicated.
It IS the media, it has little to do with German traditions.

[Will]

As regards Pitzke's article that I most definitely won't buy he incorrectly suggests Bush planned a partial privatization of social security and he calls Barbara Boxer "linksliberal" which means something like libertarian when she is far left.

[267]

@Zyme:

Regarding a separate German permanent membership on the Security Council: how about consolidating the French and British seats into a single EU seat, instead? Germany and France could then arm-wrestle over who gets to introduce the annual Zionism-is-racism resolution.

Alternatively, how about separate seats for several of the largest US states? I'd love to see Texas as a permanent member of the Security Council.

[Zyme]

@ americanbychoice

Revolution in europe? i could harldy imagine that - although a more authoritarian system might be of good use to our economies.

@ Will

I know a great german right wing paper - its called "Junge Freiheit"
But be aware: by reading it, politically "correct" ones might call you a nationalist :)

[Zyme]

@ 267

Texas in the security council? tihihi, and what would they help us decide on? a standart size of cowboy hats?
:P

[americanbychoice]

Zyme
There are so many problems coming down the pike, that one or two could (in my opinion will) trigger a revolution.
Brussels, in it's quest to dominate everything from the top down will demand more and more contributions from an already overtaxed populous.

The "new members" will be controlled by Germany, France and Belgium in everything from taxes, repayment for improving infrastructure, etc.

Germany will not be able to pay for the financial burdens the decreasing population will cause. The tax burden will become unbearable for it's citizens. In 15 years 60% of all Germans will be retirement age. The Healthcare system is already broke. When the US leaves Nato, more money will have to be spent on Defense. I can see already new taxes coming such as: Verteidigungssteuer, EU erweiterungssteuer, erhoehte Renten und pflegesteuer, etc.

Due to the problems created many years ago, I see the best "German Brains" fleeing once again to countries that offer them more opportunities and a better life. A life where they can keep more of their hard earned money. This of course compounds the situation even further.

Ten you have the "Islamization" of the "old Europe". Some day they will break out of their Government created Ghettos, unite and will join the fight.

The list does go on.
You can stick your head in the sand as most Germans usually do, but don't forget that your Ass in the air makes an inviting target.

[Will]

@zyme
the "Junge Freiheit" is more or less a Nazi paper , that doesn't count.

[James W.]

What a noble reason - you probably thought about why german media might report the way they do..?
Maybe its the way people want to be informed? If they wanted a different coverage, there would likely be a different one with better success.

Are you trying to say the German people want to be lied to (dumbing down of Europe)? I think you're putting the carriage before the horse. I think a large part of the German world view is due to the media reporting--not the other way around. This is very similar to the way it was in America before talk-radio, the internet, and cable news came along to give the American people an alternative view of the world--although I think the MSM still has the (ever-weakening) upperhand.

Do you belief that the media is there to report what the people want to hear...or, are they there to report things the way they are?

And thats exactly why we are becoming more and more independant from foreign influence.

Ummm, I'm no economics major, but I've heard recently that the buying power of the average German citizen has decreased over the last 5 years. With the prospect of higher taxes, it seems that things will not improve in the near future. Now, my logic tells me that this is not a path one takes to become "more and more independent from foreign influence." German businesses will have to rely increasingly on exports to drive the economy.

I've been living the German way of life now since 1997. I don't perceive the increase in independence that you're talking about.

If I'm wrong, please explain because I don't share your optimism.

[Cousin Dave]

@zyme:

"How can one think an american NO to the reformation of the UN security council is a good basis for a fair transatlantic dialogue?"

Oh, I'm all for that. The Security Council should be composed of the U.N. members that (1) have democratically elected governments, and (2) have the economic capacity to contribute substantially to the defense of Western modernity. By these criteria, the Security Council should be composed of the U.S., Great Britian, Australia, Japan, India, and maybe South Korea, Italy, and/or Ireland. I'd be very happy with that makeup.

[Frank]

"I'll make you a trade (actually it was done twice in the 20th century.) We'll restore Germany's trade with Iraq in return for an embargo on German imports into the US. Sounds like a fair deal to me. Bet it would get a lot of votes in Detroit."

I bet a lot of americans would be very happy to change their BMW or Porsche into ugly GM plastic cars that at the moment nobody wants to buy (even with high discounts).

[Helian]

>>"Fighting for transatlantic friendship might have worked in the last century - nowadays, it rather seems as promising as fighting windmills to me.
While telling americans about our coverage, you wont change anything of the german way things are reported. All you achieve is making them angry/nervous or whatever. There s no benefit from this i would say." (Zyme)

The Chinese have a great story about people with this mentality called "Mr. Difference Not Much." In the end the hero calls in a vet to treat his fatal illness, because "it doesn't matter," and, in any case, it doesn't matter if he dies. Allow me to parrot some other commenters. Why bother, Zyme? What motivates you to inform others that what they are doing is useless? Of course, to make that judgment, you have to be entirely convinced that you understand the world much better than the people you are enlightening, but then, Germany is famous for the number of people in its population who "know better." But to return to the question, why, Zyme? What possible reason could you have for wanting to help the authors of this blog spend their time more productively? Are cynics like you infected with some kind of strangely twisted public spirit that prompts them to selflessly reach out to the ill-informed masses, even though, in their infinite wisdom, they realize it can do no possible good? After all, based on your comments, you believe the world is in stasis, and no one can change it for the better no matter how hard they try, right? I suppose it must be consoling to think as you do. After all, even though the world is nothing but a collection of corrupt hypocrites, ludicrously pretending to be concerned about things beyond themselves as they slide inevitably into the abyss, you are at least one of the happy few who realize that absolutely nothing can be done about it. Since we're passing out suggestions, I have one for you. Change your handle to Oblomov.

[Paul from Florida]

Ray D.,

Marc Pitzke isn't much of a student of Americana. Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, known as 'PBR', is quite the status beer amongst youths, the Grunge/Alt crypto Seattle set and lefty American Greenies. It has become a status anti-status beer. Plus it is cheap.

[JeffM]

@ Frank

Well I suppose most owners of BMWs and Porches voted for Kerry so I doubt that those two sets of car drivers are typical of or a majority of Americans. And last I looked Michigan was a blue state that probably would be ecstatic to eliminate German imports. As for me, I drive Volvos and Suburus; I can do without German cars altogether. I do have an electric razor from a German firm, but I can survive without it.

One of the world's great delusions is that Americans are unwilling to sacrifice anything for the good of their country. The Germans made that little mistake in December, 1916, and again in December, 1941. It appears to me that Zyme and his sort are eager to try it again, although this time they want to try it in alliance with the French, which did not work too well the last time that was tried, namely 1942.

If Germans want to continue to mock the US, its citizens, its ways, its government, its economy and also to sell to it, I have news for them: it will not happen. Good businesspeople do not get hostile with their customers.

Probably there are some Americans so lost to self-respect that they will buy their favorite brand of fancy car from anyone, no matter how hostile to the interests and safety of the US. I am hopeful that they are few. If Germany keeps it up, we shall soon get a chance to see the results of the experiment.

Jeff

[Zyme]

@ Helian

"What motivates you to inform others that what they are doing is useless? Of course, to make that judgment, you have to be entirely convinced that you understand the world much better than the people you are enlightening, but then, Germany is famous for the number of people in its population who "know better." But to return to the question, why, Zyme?"

That indeed is a good question. I would say that although there are only a few out there, there are definetly people one can influence by such statements. I have already reduced the size of my posts due to the limited results one can achieve this way though - so in a way, you are right :)

"but then, Germany is famous for the number of people in its population who "know better." "

As far as i can say, that is no coincidence.

"Are cynics like you infected with some kind of strangely twisted public spirit that prompts them to selflessly reach out to the ill-informed masses, even though, in their infinite wisdom, they realize it can do no possible good?"

I rather want people to cool down, heating up negative emotions is of no use to anyone.
Such a behavior only kills ones nerves, and we all know that this keeps us getting old.

"After all, based on your comments, you believe the world is in stasis, and no one can change it for the better no matter how hard they try, right? I suppose it must be consoling to think as you do."

Indeed, but its not like that simple british saying that history repeats itself. Its rather the existence of basic "laws" of international cooperation and conflicts and their repetitive practice which delivers a really comforting effect.

"Since we're passing out suggestions, I have one for you. Change your handle to Oblomov."

Thx for that suggestion, you made me think about reading that book. From a first introduction of it i just discovered, it sounds interesting.
Now you see that handing out intelligent comments sometimes does reach the right people and therefor is of use.