The German First Amendment

Doesn’t exist*.

Inside the Orwellian world of Germany’s free speech crackdown – Berlin threatens thousands of Germans with jail for criticising their leaders.

Dr Rainer Zitelmann doesn’t even remember posting the meme on social media that nearly landed him in prison.

Berlin police told Dr Zitelmann he had been accused of violating a post-Second World War law that bans the display of Nazi symbols, slogans and imagery – and could now face three years in prison if found guilty.

The 69-year-old found out the offending social media post was a meme about Adolf Hitler. But it was one in which he criticised the Nazi dictator and compared his invasion of Czechoslovakia to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine...

* The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects five fundamental freedoms: freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. It prohibits Congress from making laws that restrict these rights, ensuring individuals can express themselves without government interference.

Have money, will travel

Anywhere, just to get out of Germany.

Survey: Half of Germany’s top earners consider moving abroad – Within a year, more than 288,000 Germans have moved abroad. A recent survey suggests many highly skilled professionals are eyeing a move – and most do not expect to return soon.
Within the space of a year, more than 288,000 German citizens have moved abroad. This is confirmed by data from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office.

A recent survey commissioned by the job platform Indeed suggests that the trend is continuing: since 2020, the number of searches for international job offers has more than doubled.

Plans to move abroad are particularly widespread among top earners.

Surrogate Gate

And the first out of the gate is…

Jens Spahn, a senior member of Germany’s ruling conservatives, ​resigned on Saturday after having a baby ‌born to a surrogate mother in the United States, a move at odds with his own party’s opposition to ​surrogacy, according to a letter seen ​by Reuters.

Spahn, 46, the parliamentary leader of Chancellor Friedrich ⁠Merz’s Christian Democrat party and its sister Christian Social ​Union (CDU/CSU), drew heavy criticism after news emerged that ​he had become a parent with his husband through a surrogate mother…

Marla looks like a chick to me

If you squint your eyes a little bit, after a few drinks. And some dope.

Germany: Gender switch neo-Nazi sent to men’s prison – Far-right provocateur Marla Svenja Liebich was transferred to a men’s prison after being extradited from the Czech Republic. Authorities say the decision took into account the safety of prisoners at a women’s facility.

Once a left-wing workers’ district…

Always a left-wing workers’ district.

Berlin’s “Red Wedding” is still concerned about German militarization (some call it self-defense) in a Germany that has a military about the size of a large American city’s police force.

Germans protest Rheinmetall’s plans for Berlin arms factory – One of Germany’s biggest weapons makers, Rheinmetall, has announced plans for a plant in Berlin. Opponents are warning against more German militarization.

Droves of Germans suddenly find religion

Young German men.

It came out of nowhere. It’s inexplicable.

Young Germans opt out of military service as Berlin strives to boost army – Almost 6,000 young men apply to be excluded on moral or religious grounds despite ‘conscription lite’ policy.

Reduce Germany’s Middle East presence?

Due to the Iran war? I didn’t know Germany even had a Middle East presence.

But I guess 30 guys holed up in a camp on the edge of the Erbil airport counts.

German military to leave base in Erbil, northern Iraq by September, Spiegel reports – German troops are set to withdraw from Erbil, Iraq, by the end of September following a broader effort to reduce Germany’s Middle East presence due to the Iran war.

German of the day: Ladenöffnungen an Sonntagen

That means store hours on Sunday.

There are none in Germany, in case you didn’t know. Germans are very religious. Hardy, har, har.

But wait! Suddenly. In the year 2026…

Debate Over Expanding Sunday Store Hours – Following libraries and bakeries, the retail sector now also wants to fight for the right to open stores on Sundays. It has received support from the Bundestag’s Economic Committee. Churches and labor unions view the initiative critically.

Following the government’s announcement that it would extend Sunday opening hours for bakeries and pastry shops, the discussion about general store opening hours on weekends is now gaining momentum: The Bundestag’s Economic Committee has called for a significant relaxation of the current ban on Sunday openings…

Greens capitulate!

Air conditioning in Germany is now officially a good thing.

Greens’ Dröge calls for air conditioning push in public facilities – The co-leader of Germany’s Greens, Katharina Dröge, appeals in this week’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper for rapid moves to install air conditioning units in key public buildings.

You know. Key public buildings like the German Bundestag.