EU Can Do

What does it matter that the EU can’t even control its own borders, create a common defense, organise vaccines, agree on a data protection law, control money laundering, unite properly over practically all major issues, agree on one location to seat its government, sanction its own misbehaving members, actually get rid of daylight savings time after having announced it got rid of daylight savings time many years ago… And so very, very much more?

Its bureaucrats, technocrats, kleptocrats and all the other crats mean well and have their hearts in the right place. So, sure, who could be better qualified to place Twitter under direct supervision? Other than Big Brother himself. I mean herself. You know what I mean. Whatever kind of self Big Brother might have these days.

EU should put Twitter under direct supervision after missteps: German official – A senior German official said on Thursday Twitter should join other tech firms in being directly monitored by the European Commission, saying the company’s erratic behaviour under new owner Elon Musk posed a threat to free speech.

“The power of the big platforms over public discourse needs necessary safeguards so that fundamental rights are effectively protected.”

With Lack Of Liberty And New COVID Measures For All

For the fall.

Old habits are hard to break. Especially when you’re on a roll. If you expect COVID, then COVID restrictions there will be.

Germany announces new Covid measures for fall, expecting another wave of infections – Wearing masks on planes and during long-distance travel by train and bus will be mandatory from October to early April all over Germany. Mandatory mask-wearing and the presentation of a negative coronavirus test will apply to hospitals, nursing homes and similar institutions with vulnerable people.

Many other rules will be implemented individually by the country’s 16 states depending on how severely the virus spreads in their regions. This could include the wearing of masks on local public transportation, in schools for students in grade five and up, and at public indoor events.

“Public Broadcaster?”

Why does everyone insist on giving state news channels euphemisms like “public broadcaster?”

Another one the Germans like is “öffentlich-rechtlich,” meaning something like “run by public authorities.” Why do they confuse things? A taxpayer-funded channel is a state-run channel that broadcasts the party line. Like down here:

Lebanese TV Station’s Antisemitic Propaganda Creates New Headache for German Public Broadcaster’s Extensive Arab Media Ties – Germany’s public broadcaster was under renewed pressure again this week over its content partners in the Arab world as evidence emerged of yet another partner channel spreading antisemitic propaganda.

Deutsche Welle (DW) — a taxpayer-funded international channel broadcasting in more than 30 languages — had already experienced sustained criticism for its links with Roya TV, a Jordanian station whose antisemitic social media posts were the subject of an investigative piece on Vice’s German language site. Those revelations quickly followed the news that several journalists and editors working for DW’s Arabic service had tracks records of making virulently antisemitic remarks — a scandal that is now the subject of an external investigation.

“It’s Not About Pressure”

“It’s about fairness.” And while we’re at it: War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.

Germany’s new COVID rules, explained – New rules are coming into force as Germany continues its battle against the coronavirus. Infection rates remain stable and many are ready to reopen — but 3 million remain unvaccinated, and health experts are still wary.

As of Monday, the cost of rapid antigen tests is no longer covered by the state… Starting November 1, unvaccinated people will not receive compensation for lost pay if coronavirus measures force them to quarantine…

“It is not about pressure, it is about fairness.”

But German Green EnvironMENTALism Isn’t About Control

We just tell you what we will permit you to eat.

As a first step. There will soon be new measures to follow. Remember: We’re only doing this for your own good.

Berlin’s university canteens go almost meat-free as students prioritise climate – The 34 outlets catering to students at four universities will offer only a single meat option four days a week.

The 34 canteens and cafes catering to Berlin’s sizeable student population at four different universities will offer from October a menu that is 68% vegan, 28% vegetarian, and 2% fish-based, with a single meat option offered four days a week.

Slight Correction Here:

It never had control in the first place.

A subtle but important difference.

How Germany lost control of its coronavirus response – In mid-2020, Germany was hailed the world’s shining star of coronavirus containment. Now, while countries like the UK and Israel are going back to normalcy, Germany has been under some form of lockdown for over six months. How did Germany, a country known for its efficiency, love of planning and rationality lose control of its COVID-19 response?

“A Global Hub For Pandemic And Epidemic Intelligence?”

Good Lord. Is there any way one could make that sound any creepier?

“Ve must immediately pass this on to the Zentrale in Berlin!”

WHO, Germany launch new global hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Republic of Germany will establish a new global hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence, data, surveillance and analytics innovation. The Hub, based in Berlin and working with partners around the world, will lead innovations in data analytics across the largest network of global data to predict, prevent, detect prepare for and respond to pandemic and epidemic risks worldwide.

“I am delighted that WHO chose Berlin as its location and invite partners from all around the world to contribute to the WHO hub.”

As Long As The Other Third Goes First

More accurate polling results just in!

Vaccine

Coronavirus: Two-thirds of Germans willing to receive COVID vaccine – A poll has shown a large majority of people in Germany want to receive the vaccine which is due for rollout on December 27. Nevertheless, more than half of the survey’s participants were concerned about side effects.

Yeah, right. Nice try, though. Try less than one in five willing to receive the vaccination and more than 80 percent concerned about side effects instead.

More than half of the respondents — 57% — said they were concerned about the potential side effects of being inoculated.

It’s Reassuring To Know That The Germans Always Have Everything Under Control

Especially when you live in Germany. Take the “coronavirus risk threshold,” for instance. Please.

Corona

Hmmm. No longer head of the mask class, Germany? 4,500 new infections yesterday, and rising. Do you have this under control? Does anyone?

Berlin and Frankfurt both hit German coronavirus risk threshold – Germany’s capital and financial capital have both hit the level defined by the government as risky — 50 new cases per 100,000 residents over a seven-day period. It could lead to travel restrictions at home and abroad.

“We must avoid reaching the point where we lose control.”

35,000 To 38,000 Right-Wing Extremists In One Place?

Or even more? Wow, that’s a lot. That’s even, I dunno, hard to believe.

Berlin

Politicians outraged about right-wing extremist protestors.” Well, the first part is true. But what they’re really outraged about is how the German sheeple aren’t being sheeple enough. This is inconveniencing them. State and leftist-controlled media outlets will take care of that, however. If you don’t read what we have to say about it (follow the Party line), it didn’t happen.

Tens of thousands of protesters occupied the center of the German capital for the second time in a month on Saturday, denouncing pandemic restrictions in defiance of governments that are battling a resurgence of infections.

Berlin authorities said some 35,000 to 38,000 demonstrators from Germany and elsewhere in Europe gathered throughout the day. In the early afternoon police broke up a march through Berlin’s Mitte district after tens of thousands of protesters disregarded safety measures.