“A Limit To Fiscal Capacity?”

June 13, 2022 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Home Cooking, Hurt Feelings Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Is there really such a thing? Someone should inform the Biden administration immediately.

Germany’s federal government has reached the limit of its fiscal capacity, its finance minister said, with extra financing to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, the impact of the war in Ukraine and a climate fund having exhausted government coffers.

“There are no reserves in the 2022 federal budget,” Christian Lindner was quoted by news website t-online as saying on Saturday, Reuters reported.

He warned against granting further financial support before the autumn to citizens to offset the impact of rising inflation. “I advise letting the measures taken so far take effect,” he said.

Border Checks?

June 12, 2022 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Hypocrisy Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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: Billig Will Ich

June 10, 2022 By in Hard Facts, Heconomy Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

That means “cheap is what I want.*”

Budget startup Norse Atlantic Airways adds 2 US routes to Berlin – A week before its eagerly-anticipated launch, Norse Atlantic Airways is announcing a new destination to add to its growing route map.

The Norwegian ultra-low-cost long-haul airline will launch flights from the German capital’s new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)…

Daily service between BER and JFK begins on Aug. 17 with one-way introductory fares of $120. Thrice-weekly service between BER and LAX begins on Aug. 19 with one-way introductory fares of $138.

* Some might translate it as Cheepnis is what I want.

Russia Attacks German Space Telescope

June 9, 2022 By in Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hi-tech, Higher Education Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

By trying to turn it back on again.

And thus threatening to observe far-off galaxies and supermassive black holes without Germany’s expressed written permission. This clearly goes beyond the scope of the telescope’s mission. Somebody make them stop or something.

Russia Trying to Hijack German Telescope – After being banned from involvement in a cooperative X-ray telescope project with Germany in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is now seeking to operate the telescope without Germany’s input.

“Despite Germany’s demand to shut down one of the two telescopes at Spektr-RG, Russian specialists insist on continuing its work.”

German Of The Day: Das Gleiche In Grün

June 8, 2022 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Helplessness, Hideology, Humility, Hurt Feelings, Hypocrisy Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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

June 6, 2022 By in Habitudes, Hard Facts, Heconomy, Helplessness, Hideology, Hurt Feelings, Hysteria Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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…

A €9 Per Month Public Transport Ticket?

June 5, 2022 By in Heconomy, Helplessness, Higher Education Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

What a steal. From the taxpayers, as usual. But still.

Germany offers €9-a-month public transport ticket – Cut-price deal allows nationwide travel as Berlin acts to soften the impact of rising inflation and expensive fuel.

The €9 ticket opens up the entirety of Germany to many who couldn’t otherwise afford it. It’s now so easy to scramble up the Harz mountains, stroll through “Frau Holle Land” and drink a few beers on the Ruhr. You could even reenact Inglourius Basterds in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains or find out why Tom Hanks fell in love with Eisenhüttenstadt for yourself.