Author Archives: Hermann Observer

German Of The Day: Rezessionsängste

January 30, 2023 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

That means recession fears.

German economy unexpectedly shrinks in Q4, reviving spectre of recession – The German economy unexpectedly shrank in the fourth quarter, data showed on Monday, a sign that Europe’s largest economy may be entering a much-predicted recession, though likely a shallower one than originally feared.

Gross domestic product decreased 0.2% quarter on quarter in adjusted terms, the federal statistics office said. A Reuters poll of analysts had forecast the economy would stagnate.

We Germans Would Never Twist Words Around Like That

January 29, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Hurt Feelings, Hypocrisy Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

So you sneaky Russkies better stop accusing us of doing so.

After all, just because our foreign minister said “we are fighting a war against Russia” doesn’t mean that we are fighting a war against Russia. Quit twisting her words around like that already. She’s a diplomat. And a Green one too (in more ways than one). And now you’ve offended us.

Germany accuses Russia of twisting minister’s war comments for ‘propaganda’ – Russia has twisted comments by Germany’s foreign minister about the war in Ukraine for propaganda purposes, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday, stressing Berlin’s position that NATO must not become party to the conflict.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock riled Moscow with comments at an event in Strasbourg on Tuesday, when, speaking in English, she said that “we are fighting a war against Russia, and not against each other.”

Was It Information About Tanks?

January 27, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Tank goodness we have intelligence services.

German arrested for allegedly passing on intelligence to Russia – A German citizen was arrested at the Munich airport on suspicion of treason for allegedly colluding with an intelligence service employee to pass on intelligence to Russia, the prosecutor general’s office said on Thursday.

The man, identified as Arthur E., was arrested on Sunday upon arriving in Germany from the United States, the prosecutor said in a statement. He is said to be an associate of Carsten L., an employee of the German foreign intelligence service (BND) who was arrested in December on suspicion of spying for Russia.

Since The Suspect Must Remain Innocent Until Proven Innocent

January 26, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

And since the policies which allowed the suspect to be in the country in the first place must remain above reproach…

It’s time to consider tougher knife control laws in Germany again.

Palestinian man arrested for deadly stabbing spree on German train – A knife-wielding man described as a stateless Palestinian fatally stabbed two passengers and injured seven others on a train in northern Germany before being grabbed by members of the public and arrested by police, officials say. The motive of the attack was not immediately known.

German Of The Day: Eskalation

January 25, 2023 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

That means escalation.

Remember this decision when we look back from the future (I’m an optimist).

US and Germany ready to send tanks to Ukraine – After months of reluctance, the US and Germany reportedly plan to send tanks to Ukraine, in what Kyiv hopes will be a game-changer on the battlefield.

US President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to announce plans to send at least 30 M1 Abrams tanks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also reportedly decided to send at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks. He is set to speak in parliament on Wednesday morning.

Sean Penn’s Ukraine Doc Won’t Be Competing!

January 24, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Hideology Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

It’s that good. Just like the Berlin International Film Festival itself. They’re both so good they’re for the greater good.

Too bad their films are always so no good.

The Berlin International Film Festival unveiled the competition lineup for its 2023 edition on Monday morning, naming the 18 movies that will compete for the coveted Gold and Silver Bears at the 73rd Berlinale…

Berlin 2023, taking place a year after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion, will have a major focus on Ukraine. Even the festival’s official pin will be in the Ukraine colors of blue and yellow…

In a late addition, Superpower, Sean Penn and Aaron Kaufman’s documentary on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian invasion of the country and the ongoing war, will have its world premiere in Berlin’s out-of-competition Berlinale Special section.

German Of The Day: “Flucht Nach Vorne”

January 23, 2023 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means “escaping by going forward.”

Defense? By going on the offensive? Well, if all the other kids are jumping off the bridge… Let us give tanks?

“I think the Ukrainians want to, at some point, launch counteroffensives. And that’s much more effective with heavy armor — as much as you can get. Especially modern systems, which probably have more penetrating power.”

The Leopard can travel up to 44 mph out to a range of 275 miles. It is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and automatic grenade launchers. Additionally, the tank has ballistic and mine protections, and it’s seen operational experience in Kosovo, Syria, and Afghanistan.

I See Germany, I See France

January 22, 2023 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, History Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

I see the same old phony song and dance.

Best friends forever! Sort of.

At joint appearances, Macron and Scholz like to ritually reaffirm their nations’ close relations, but so far there has not been much evidence of personal closeness. Politically, too, there is a certain friction at the moment, especially on how to deal with the war in Ukraine. It took a long time for Macron and Scholz to travel together to Kyiv. Scholz has shown himself more hesitant than Macron in delivering arms to Ukraine. On the issue of a gas price cap, Macron even publicly warned that Germany was “isolating itself” in Europe — an affront to Berlin. The two sides are also making very slow progress on joint armaments projects, for example on the development of a fighter aircraft.