What’s 40%?

“We’ll just build some more of those solar windmill thingies to compensate and make Germany greener than ever,” an unnamed German Green government minister said. “The rest of the world really marvels at our green energy utopia here, you know,” he added. “They’re like totally green with envy.”

Russia‘s announcement that it would reduce natural gas flows through a key European pipeline by roughly 40% appears to be a political move rather than a result of technical problems, Germany’s vice chancellor said Wednesday.

The reduced flows follow Russia‘s halt of natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark as Europe works to reduce its dependence on Russian energy amid the war in Ukraine. Gas demand has fallen after the end of the winter heating season, but European utilities are racing to refill storage ahead of next winter with prices high and supplies uncertain.

Of Course Germany Is Planning To Do That

Germany is, after all, much closer to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine than Lithuania is.

More or less. Less, actually. But still.

Germany plans to base extra Nato troops at home rather than Lithuania – Berlin proposes 3,500-strong brigade for its own soil, which could be quickly deployed to Baltics if necessary.

Border Checks?

In Germany? To “prevent potential perpetrators of violence” from entering the country?

It’s far too late for that, I’m afraid. And since when does Germany have borders?

Germany to introduce some border checks during G7 summit – Germany says it will temporarily introduce some border controls as the country gets ready to host the Group of Seven summit later this month in the Bavarian Alps

“The controls are intended to prevent potential perpetrators of violence from entering German territory, the statement said, adding that ”travelers must therefore expect to be subject to checks during this period.”

German Of The Day: Das Gleiche In Grün

That is, “the same in green.” Even though she’s wearing red. A much more appropriate color for her, by the way.

Das Gleiche in Grün” means it’s the same exact thing, except in a different color. Angela Merkel is no different than Gazprom Gerd, in other words. Not when it comes to being nonapologetic about relentlessly pursuing a catastrophic policy, that is.

“No Apologies”: Ex-German Chancellor Defends Her Russia Policy Amid War – Former German chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday defended her years-long policy of detente towards Moscow, saying she had “nothing to apologise for” even as the Ukraine war casts a pall on her legacy.

“Diplomacy isn’t wrong just because it hasn’t worked.”

What Wussies

These Germans. They’re all worried about some horrible war just a few miles down the road and ever-growing inflation that looks as though it might be spiralling out of control.

They should worry about real problems, like they used to. You know, like their plans for this year’s third vacation, their next second car, finally starting that diet, which weekend demonstration to take part in, etc.

Germans worry about war and inflation – The German government is supporting Ukraine, battling inflation, and combatting climate change. A monthly survey has asked voters how they rate the efforts.

The war is driving up energy prices, but food prices have also risen significantly. Almost half of all respondents said they already have to cut back significantly because of this. Among low-income earners, 77% say they are beginning to struggle…

“We Were All Wrong”

That’s right. All you Germans were.

‘We were all wrong’: how Germany got hooked on Russian energy – Germany has been forced to admit it was a terrible mistake to become so dependent on Russian oil and gas. So why did it happen?

Why? That’s easy. Because Germans always want an Extrawurst (an extra sausage, as in special treatment). Well, they’re sure getting special treatment these days.

When Putin invaded Ukraine in February, Germany faced a particular problem. Its rejection of nuclear power and its transition away from coal meant that Germany had very few alternatives to Russian gas. Berlin has been forced to accept that it was a cataclysmic error to have made itself so dependent on Russian energy – whatever the motives behind it. The foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, says Germany failed to listen to the warnings from countries that had once suffered under Russia’s occupation, such as Poland and the Baltic states.

And then, of course, there were the warnings from EVIL US-Trump-Amerika itself. Those just had to be ignored. Well, wake up and smell the Kaffee is all I can say now.

Wow

Or something.

First of all, the new high-speed direct connection train thingy between Paris and Berlin won’t open when they say it will. Nothing opens as scheduled here.

Secondly, the time saved doesn’t justify a headline (nice foto, though). Instead of the 7 hours hours and 30 minutes it takes now the new connection will only take, hold on to your seats, seven.

But at least it will somehow reduce carbon emissions and that’s the main thing, I guess.

Why Should He Be The Only One Who Doesn’t?

German Chancellor accused of comparing climate activists to Nazis.

Climate alarmists have been doing this for years. And CNN & Co. wrote the book on it: If anyone calmly refutes the unsubstaniated, hysterical claims that form the basis of your “Climate Crisis” news “stories,” just counter with “the science is settled” or “are you a denier” (think Holocaust denier, get it?). These aren’t arguments, of course, but they somehow manage to get their customers to think they are.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was accused Monday of comparing climate activists to Nazis, in allegations that his spokesperson said were “completely absurd.”

Scholz was speaking at a Catholic Day panel event in the city of Stuttgart on Friday when protesters disrupted him, with one activist reportedly trying to get up on stage before being blocked by security staff.

“I’ll be honest: These black-clad displays at various events by the same people over and over again remind me of a time that is, thank God, long gone by,” he said in an exchange captured on camera.

German Of The Day: Bröseln

That means to crumble.

Europe’s unity ‘crumbling’ on Russia sanctions, Germany warns – EU struggles to find compromise over plan to impose embargo on buying oil from Moscow.

Europe’s unity on sanctions against Russia is “starting to crumble”, Germany’s economy minister has warned as diplomats highlight continued divisions over a package of sanctions set to be discussed by member states on Monday.

Robert Habeck spoke as EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels on Sunday failed to agree on the bloc’s latest package of sanctions against Moscow, including a plan to stop imports of Russian oil which Hungary has been blocking for weeks.

Diplomats had hoped to agree on measures to put to EU leaders who are due to start a two-day summit on Monday.

“After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, we saw what can happen when Europe stands united. With a view to the summit tomorrow, let’s hope it continues like this. But it is already starting to crumble and crumble again,” Habeck, who is also deputy chancellor, told reporters in Germany on Sunday.

“Es fängt schon wieder an zu bröseln und zu bröckeln.”