Oct 2002
Dear Unwashed < just kidding,
(Didn´t want to say this, but...the truth must out..!)
Political change here in Germany is much like the weather, & may be criticised for being teutonically slow & boring, but it´s deliberate, and from time to time awesomely important.
The drama now is the war of words between the newly re-elected Schröder & G. Bush jnr.
The pic (XA4, 28mm, Tri X) is from a very anti Stoiber rally in the centre of Leipzig which was as enlightening as it was funny! He was protected by bodyguards who comically raised umbrellas like clockwork to protect him from a barrage of eggs & tomatoes, while his speech was all but drowned out by the hecklers. The right-of-centre Barvarian candidate for the Chancellor´s job is not loved here where former East Germany first embraced democracy 12 years ago!
Anyway, Schröder kept his job by the narrowest of margins (no count controversy either!), and was almost certainly aided by his reminder to a belligerent US that the modern world has evolved mechanisms to protect us from despots who attempt to usurp democracy: the precious, though perhaps feeble at times, UN. So now, as we (in Europe) see the US, the so called founder of democracy (& actually it was France first!), throwing it´s weight around including even suggesting Schröder resign immediately, it´s no surprise that Germany feels it has something significant to say. The Germans can never forget that they, thanks in large part to the Americans, were themselves rid of a monster once before (the mere mention of whom still causes scandals) and thus are certainly not willing to throw away these hard won democratic principles to satisfy the whims of one who says "Join us, or you are our enemy"!!!
Do not be mislead, Germans in general are NOT anti-American - but, among many others, they want democracy upheld! (Mal sehen!).
So there!...vented my spleen a bit.
On a different note: a defender of the truth, Roddy Scott, aged 31, was killed, shot through the eye, while filming in Chechnya, Sept 26th.
RESPECT PLEASE!
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Opinionatedly yours,
Dean
PS. The promised piece on matters of the heart and stomach should appear next month.