The Law Of Unintended Consequences
We’re from the government and we’re here to help. Again. Resistance is futile. No force in the universe can stop us from helping you so shut up and let us help you already.
Germany’s latest consumer tax (they keep coming in hot and heavy) was meant to help offset soaring gas prices by helping energy companies in need. A questionable enough undertaking already, I’d say. But now it turns out that billions of these tax euros will be flowing to companies that are not only not in need, they’re making record profits.
We were glad to help. You can thank us later.
I Know, We’ll Stop Lighting Public Monuments!
That’ll show that old Putin.
Symbolic gestures are just like wind and solar energy. You know, symbolic gestures?
Germany approves energy-saving measures for winter – The German government has approved a set of energy-saving measures for the winter which will limit the use of lighting and heating in public buildings.
The government aims to reduce gas usage by 2% through the new rules.
Fantasy Book From 1875 Not Up To Today’s Strict Moral Standards
The Virtue signaling industry is high gear again. And morally intoxicanted, as usual.
It’s a dangerous combination but we’re used to it, right? Cowardly search for and find something that might offend somebody somewhere, remove it from its historical context and then call yourself brave as you loudly apply a current attitude to the long-dead past.
German publisher pulls Winnetou books amid racial stereotyping row – Ravensburger Verlag reacts as debate rages over depiction of Native American character in children’s books.
A German publisher has announced it is withdrawing two new books paying tribute to a highly popular character in children’s fiction after facing accusations of racism and cultural appropriation.
At least this is a first. As far as I know, Germans have never banned books in the past. Or burned them or anything.
German Of The Day: Unermesslich
That means immeasurable. You know, like die Preise steigen ins Unermessliche. Prices are going through the roof.
German Power Price Soars, Hitting 700 Euros for First Time Ever – Europe’s benchmark electricity price jumped more than 25% on Monday to pass 700 euros per megawatt-hour for the first time. The level is about 14 times the seasonal average over the past five years.
European gas and power prices surged as panic over Russian supplies gripped markets and politicians warned citizens to brace for a tough winter ahead.
Benchmark gas settled at a record high, while German power surged to above 700 euros ($696) a megawatt-hour for the first time. Russia said it will stop its key Nord Stream gas pipeline for three days of repairs on Aug. 31, again raising concerns it won’t return after the work. Europe has been on tenterhooks about shipments through the link for weeks, with flows resuming only at very low levels after it was shut for works last month.
“The catastrophe is already there.”
German Of The Day: Unter Druck Setzen
That means to put under pressure, or to feel the squeeze.
Germans feeling the squeeze over surging food, energy prices – Middle- and low-income families say they’re struggling to make ends meet amid high inflation, soaring energy bills.
Inflation has soared in recent months, hitting 7.5% in June, and according to the latest German central bank estimate, it is likely to rise further this fall, reaching double digits.
I’m No Joe Biden
But I’m pretty damned unpopular all the same.
Over 60% of Germans are Dissatisfied with the Work of Chancellor Olaf Scholz – Currently, only 25% of Germans are satisfied with Scholz’s performance as chancellor, and as many as 62% are dissatisfied – a record low during his tenure.
If the chancellor had been elected directly, Scholz would have taken only third place. According to the survey, 25 percent would choose current Economy Minister Robert Habeck as Germany’s chancellor, 19 percent would choose CDU leader Friedrich Merz and only 18 percent would choose Scholz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Franziska v. A.
German Of The Day: Existenzielle Bedrohung
That means existential threat. Like: “The existence of many companies is being threatened by the increased prices.”
German companies are supposed to save gas. But the switch to oil, for example, is being held back by bureaucracy and legal uncertainty.
The German government is calling for gas savings, with the Federal Minister of Economics leading the way – and yet, from the point of view of companies, the government is preventing exactly what it is calling for. Several associations say that it is very difficult for companies to obtain approval for retrofits.
Ahead Of Schedule
When you’ve got less than three months of gas for the coming winter.
Hang in there. You’ll have enough for four months in no time, Germany. Or maybe you won’t. But still. Self-imposed dependency rocks.
Stocks are rising fast, but still not enough, regulator says.
Observing Hermann 