NP Hail Germany!

[Otto]

----- Original Message -----
From: <Bandwraith at aol.com>
To: <ottosell at yahoo.de>; <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: NP Hail Germany!


>
> In a message dated 9/24/02 4:22:31 AM, ottosell at yahoo.de writes:
>
> << Please explain to me. As you know my English sometimes isn't good
enough to
>
> get all the nuances of English.
>
>
> Otto
>
>  >>
>
> I think Schroeder and the German people who supported him and his
> stand against Bush's War policies demonstrated courage and leadership.
>
> Unfortunately, much of the American Public has become terrorized and
> stampeded. The next terrorist attack against U.S. targets will give
> Bush and his right wing military-industrial-religious axis even more
> power to disregard the constitution and to use simplistic formulae to
> legitimize themselves and their continued attempts to remain in power.
>
> Even moderates in the U.S. are at risk for being branded: unpatriotic.
>
> Germany has provided much needed perspective in dealing with
> complexity.
>
> regards
>

Yeah, strange indeed.

Of course the reproach against Schröder that he has used the whole story to
win his elections remains. But this isn't to criticise 'cause ev'ry
politician does it, no Adolf-comparisons needed.

One year ago Schröder did it the other way round, he did risk his job to
force his red-greens into solidarity with the US. This time he kept his job
by making clear that he isn't the one to obey orders but to decide himself
according to his political beliefs. The people, especially in the East of
Germany, have believed him. The Social Democrats have lost voters to all
other parties for an unsuccessful (but not necessarily bad) economical
policy but gained a lot in the former-DDR parts from the post-communists for
managing the flood-crisis successfully and rejecting the attempt to bypass
the UN.

If there's another terrorist attack on the USA this would be another case,
and if Saddam would be so stupid to attack  American forces or even Israel
this would be another case too, and Schröder would decide new, and I believe
then Germany wouldn't refuse to go along with.

But on the question of civil rights, democracy and environmental questions
the US-Left must do its job. Maybe the Democrats could gain more political
profile by being more social-democrat-like so that people can see a
difference. Given the American electoral system it seems to me strategically
more appropriate to form a green platform within one part of the dualistic
system then a third party.

Can Al learn from Gerd how to win elections that are already lost according
to the polls?

Otto


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