Auferstanden aus Ruinen - we love Germany!

[Ben@Forest]

There is a suggestion that a top maximum speed limit on Autobahnen be introduced, 130 kmh (+1!), not sure from whom
Politrickians and media dismiss it, there is no visible safety lobby
-130

As l understood it there is already an advisory 130kmh limit on the Autobahn. And if you are involved in an accident doing more than 130 some of the blame will be attributed to you, whatever the other driver did. I think that probably tempers a lot of people's speed.

[Cyril Haearn]

A hospital in Duesseldorf Germany is trying to recruit Polish staff who are uneasy about their future in the UK
In Germany the weather, the pay and the food are all better apparently

Tavelling to visit the family is easier too, only just gets on the Autobahn 2, "Warschauer Allee"

[Cyril Haearn]

Oh no, I mean yes, Habeck of the greens is more popular than Merkel who has been in charge for many years
Mind, the greens need to make some complicated manoeuvres to keep their old and new supporters

He favours a two-chamber European parliament, plusminus, what might that cost? One earnestly hopes the Strasbourg shuffle will be stopped

[merseymouth]

Hi Cyril Haearn, That could just be the answer to the sorry Brexit Saga, a Reformed E.U., less is more!
An end to the Strassburg Shuffle would be greener than the current farce.
Might even pursuade Leavers to want to stay?
Sorry for hi-jacking the thread. IGICB MM

[mercalia]

Vorsprung Durch Technik

maybe some time or other

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-48527308

reminded me of the Yes Minister episode where there was a hospital with no patients

[youtube]Eyf97LAjjcY[/youtube]

[Cyril Haearn]

Mrs Merkel is 65 today, but she is not retiring yet
She grew up behind the iron curtain, now she is head girl of Free Europe

[Cyril Haearn]

At last a street has been named after the great Helmut Kohl, he was head boy of Germany for sixteen years

He is sort of marmite, some people like him and some hate him, one doesnae know what to think

[mercalia]

The state of the German Military

Germany’s military has become a complete joke
It can’t fulfil its role as a Nato member, let alone form the heart of a European defence force

Glad to know Germany not the model of perfection it would like us to think it is? Has been living the fat life for too long?

https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/08/ger ... ete%20joke

Seems like the EU shouldnt be relying on Germany anymore?

[Ben@Forest]

The state of the German Military

Germany’s military has become a complete joke
It can’t fulfil its role as a Nato member, let alone form the heart of a European defence force

Glad to know Germany not the model of perfection it would like us to think it is? Has been living the fat life for too long?

Seems like the EU shouldnt be relying on Germany anymore?

It's a probably sad fact that countries with competent military forces, even if sometimes under resourced in some environments, are countries that use them. Thus the forces of US, Russia, UK, France have relevant experience. So, of course, do Israel but their forces are unique to their own region and aren't deployed further afield.

But the German forces haven't been usefully employed since 1945. There were of course restrictions on German deployments and being at the front line of the Cold War meant German forces could sit at home, with a large conscript army and showing how much they contributed to NATO through training facilities and so on.

Things have changed since then, but the German outlook hasn't. As an outsider looking in l think the Germans should get over their Nazi hangover and deploy troops usefully, but they don't. And l know that having spent time with Germans as recently as May they did haven't got over the 'Nazizeit'.

[Cyril Haearn]

1989 is the year to remember now, Plus One!
I was discomfited to read that the Polish regime recently urged the Germans to spend even more on 'defence'

[Ben@Forest]

1989 is the year to remember now, Plus One!
I was discomfited to read that the Polish regime recently urged the Germans to spend even more on 'defence'

The Poles don't trust the Russians (would you?) and feel secure through NATO, if the French and maybe the underequipped Germans keep making noises about a European defence force and policy they've got to start servicing more tanks.

[Ben@Forest]

1989 is the year to remember now, Plus One!
I was discomfited to read that the Polish regime recently urged the Germans to spend even more on 'defence'

There's been a remembrance ceremony for the start of WW2 in Poland today (only started on 3rd September for us while we awaited on an ultimatum for Germany to withdraw from Poland).

In the speeches the Polish president criticised countries which are seeking rapproachment with Russia, there's no doubt that's a veiled criticism of Merkel and Germany and it's because Poland and the Baltic states are genuinely fearful of what Putin will do next. He also noted Poland's alliance with the USA, and that's because, like it or not, the USA spends money on NATO, the Germans don't.

[Cyril Haearn]

A lot of remembering going on in the Germanies now, actually there is only one Germany, the two were joined on 3.X.1990
But there are 16 federal states that make a few laws of their own
A lot of burocracy but it seems to work

[Cyril Haearn]

The two big football clubs in Berlin, Union (east) and Hertha (west) were great friends until 1989 but now both are in the first division they are not getting on so well, especially as the 'smaller' club Union is doing much better

'It made me sick when the Wessis celebrated winning in our stadium', bleated a Union player

[Cyril Haearn]

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesig ... n-pictures

Another reason to love Germany, the Sorbs getting on with their culture