Despite what you may think...

The year has come to an end but this financial crisis facing the globe remains resilient. However, is it all what is cranked up to be? Instead of Santa this year will we be seeing the horsemen of the apocalypse riding a sleigh in the foreseeable future? I beg to differ. This Christmas Marlyn Monroe pictures are being sold for untold sums and there are stampedes in Walmart's when the seasonal shoppers are faced with the prospect of buying. All in all this reflects basic truths that it's business as usual for the world. We have been hearing of meltdown for too long, purchasing power has not shrunk its simply been realigned. The Orient is finally able to challenge western dominance and the traditional middle class has to rethink its options. Sharing wealth 'nouveau middle class' is the only viable alternative. So yes, the world survived the great depression, the OPEC embargo- this is a walk in the park...


A.B.P

Breaking Away from the Past- A Clash Disparaging Histories

German political history is arguably shaped by four important periods- The period of the German empire (1871-1918), the period of the Weimer Republic (1919-1933), the period of the Third Reich (1933-1945), and the period that saw the division and unification of Germany (1945-1990)- and Germans have constantly struggled to either identify of break-away from these periods in its history because of its conspicuously negative symbolism.
And so it is no surprise that Berliners find themselves at another cross-road where they have to choose between accepting the past or re-writing and perhaps refining it.

I’m talking of course about the controversial site where the Palace of the Republic- a landmark that emphasized the division of East and West Berlin- once stood. A Prussian-era style Palace once stood at this site until it was destroyed and replaced by a communist-era style Palace. Now a united Germany wants to tear down the remnants of a brutal political era and re-write history by erecting a baroque style building with a modern inside.

I guess Germans still find themselves having to grapple with the realities of the past but in a different kind of way which makes tempted to draw a certain comparison with Hungary which still kept this dark part of its history as is evident from the communist statutes still littering the city of Budapest.

Germany's BayernLB to slash 5,600 jobs

The world financial crisis is now storming it's way across Germany, it's latest victim the German state bank BayernLB. The Geramn state bank is planning to cut it's workforce down to 29 percent roughly 5,600 jobs by 2013. As Germany's economy is showing signs of weakness, it is hard to not speculate if the economy would effect the politcal stability of Germany in the future. It would be hopeful that the German government stays strong and does not deteriorate into something less desirable like it has happened in the past.

Laura K.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/01/AR2008120100472.html

A Great President

The soon-to-be former ambassador to Germany from the U.S. has a lot to thank George Bush for and he shows it. When recently interviewed by a German newspaper, "Berliner Zeitung," Ambassador William Timken unflaggingly showed his support for Bush. According to Timken, he was sent there about three and a half years ago to strengthen the relationship between Germany and the United States, and he has done just that. He claims that, the countries "two governments and leaders now work well together." When asked how he felt about Obama, Timken said that he is less experienced than his opponent was but, nonetheless, he hopes that he will be a good president. When there was a massive Obama rally in Berlin, Timken enforced a ban on State Department workers to attend the event. In theory this was to show neutrality, but the Huffington Post nailed Timken saying he is "widely reviled in Germany for his ignorance of foreign affairs." Timken was the President and CEO of a roller bearings manufacturer The Timken Company before taking up the post in Germany. He will be finishing in January.

Communism dead and buried in Germany

Christian Klar the most notorious left wing terrorist is to be released from jail after serving 26 years of multiple life terms. Klar was the leader of the so called Red Army faction (RAF) which was a terrorist organisation during the the 1970's in West Germany. They claimed coutless lives including prominent businesmen, and certain politicans. In 1985 Klar was found guilty on 9 counts of murder and 11 of attempted murder. The german Court has today overlooked these ccrimes and claim that he is no lonegr a threat to society.
This is a clear case of Germany not fearing communism any longer. East and West germany are unified and it seems that today these radical factions can no longer exist and will not be supported by the East. Germany has come a long way and today both sides seem to have embraced liberal democratic values and the capitalist mechanism. Realising Klar, proves that the cold war is dead and buried and a distant memory the 'German' psyche.

A.B.P

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,592339,00.html

The cafes of despair

For those of you who've never been to France, you can probably nevertheless imagine the social importance and pleasure of the individual cafe/bistro--quick coffee in the morning, steak and pommes frites for lunch, a kir after work, etc. They can be really wonderful institutions--or sometimes a bit seedy, but still there's the charm--and perhaps not surprisingly, they are suffering these days. Tant pis.

M.A.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/world/europe/23cafe.html?_r=1&em

The socialist rift

Following Lauras article a new problem has come to light in the French political spectrum. The French Socialists have come into grave conflict with one another. They seem to be lacking any form of direction and more importantly have no unifying factor with which to defeat President Sarkozy. This comes afer this weekends Socialist congress where no clear President of the Party has been elected.
Segolene Royale faces mounting pressure from Martine Aubry who believes in the old values of the French Socialists. Before they can even begin thinking about fighting Sarkozy they will have to stop fighting each other.
Sarko's reforms at home are unchallenged and his international persona is a force to be reckoned with abroad. Should The Socialists throw in the towel nice and early before they are completely humiliated by Sarko?

A.B.P