Germans Empathize with the Weak
Whether it’s George W. Bush or Barack Obama in charge, we do not like America at all. We would rather side with France — the considerably weaker country — and our sympathies lie with other similarly fragile nations.
It might seem that the recent uproar surrounding the National Security Agency, Merkel’s cellphone and Snowden turned out to be not quite as extreme as the outrage-mongers would have hoped for. In any case, we already know that the subject of espionage has proven to be extremely volatile.
It is an ugly and shadowy affair beyond the usual ignorance of normal people and yet this surveillance is vital for the public, who find themselves in the midst of an ever-increasingly unpredictable and evil world. The world’s intelligence services cannot simply be shut down just as prostitution can’t be eradicated, no matter how hard Alice Schwarzer pushes for this to happen.
That is not to say that everything the intelligence services do will be sanctioned with this terse remark. On the contrary, some harsh investigative measures will likely take place, not only within the American services but also with regard to the trans-Atlantic relationship. That’s what you get for diplomacy.
Cowardly Youth Snowden Branded as a Hero?
However, none of this will take place in the public sphere, as happens when judges are presented to the jury. It was Hans-Christian Ströbele who headed to Moscow in order to catch Edward Snowden, and all this was arranged by Vladimir Putin, who is certain to have felt great satisfaction in alienating America and Germany.
According to a new survey, many Germans believe that the awkward Green Party member has mutated into a hero and the bland Snowden has followed suit. Ströbele, who single-handedly duped the government, is regarded as humorous. Snowden, on the other hand, is admired for his heroism, yet he did not prove enough of a hero to drop the bombshell in his own country.
He first sought refuge in China and then in Russia, two nations that are not reputed to be particularly democratic. So here are our new heroes: a vain 68-year-old and an inferior and cowardly youth. Heroes just like us, aren’t they?
Even the Beloved French Are Spying on Us
Yes, the Germans are moral and extremely idealistic. Furthermore, they have a soft spot for the weak, as they proved a few years ago when Israel was considered to be the greatest threat to world peace. According to the Germans, the former hero Obama is positioned just ahead of Putin on the popularity scale. Whether it’s Bush or Obama in charge, America can do what they want—the Germans will not approve anyway.
In contrast to this, 80 percent of us feel united with the French, even though it is highly likely that they and the Brits are also spying on Germany. Despite this, they are regarded as the new “sick men” of Europe; so likeable and weak.
The respondents to the survey remain unique in their affection for Angela Merkel. They remain faithful to her. She can do anything and yet she is and will continue to be the best.
It might seem that the recent uproar surrounding the National Security Agency, Merkel’s cellphone and Snowden turned out to be not quite as extreme as the outrage-mongers would have hoped for. In any case, we already know that the subject of espionage has proven to be extremely volatile.
It is an ugly and shadowy affair beyond the usual ignorance of normal people and yet this surveillance is vital for the public, who find themselves in the midst of an ever-increasingly unpredictable and evil world. The world’s intelligence services cannot simply be shut down just as prostitution can’t be eradicated, no matter how hard Alice Schwarzer pushes for this to happen.
That is not to say that everything the intelligence services do will be sanctioned with this terse remark. On the contrary, some harsh investigative measures will likely take place, not only within the American services but also with regard to the trans-Atlantic relationship. That’s what you get for diplomacy.
Cowardly Youth Snowden Branded as a Hero?
However, none of this will take place in the public sphere, as happens when judges are presented to the jury. It was Hans-Christian Ströbele who headed to Moscow in order to catch Edward Snowden, and all this was arranged by Vladimir Putin, who is certain to have felt great satisfaction in alienating America and Germany.
According to a new survey, many Germans believe that the awkward Green Party member has mutated into a hero and the bland Snowden has followed suit. Ströbele, who single-handedly duped the government, is regarded as humorous. Snowden, on the other hand, is admired for his heroism, yet he did not prove enough of a hero to drop the bombshell in his own country.
He first sought refuge in China and then in Russia, two nations that are not reputed to be particularly democratic. So here are our new heroes: a vain 68-year-old and an inferior and cowardly youth. Heroes just like us, aren’t they?
Even the Beloved French Are Spying on Us
Yes, the Germans are moral and extremely idealistic. Furthermore, they have a soft spot for the weak, as they proved a few years ago when Israel was considered to be the greatest threat to world peace. According to the Germans, the former hero Obama is positioned just ahead of Putin on the popularity scale. Whether it’s Bush or Obama in charge, America can do what they want—the Germans will not approve anyway.
In contrast to this, 80 percent of us feel united with the French, even though it is highly likely that they and the Brits are also spying on Germany. Despite this, they are regarded as the new “sick men” of Europe; so likeable and weak.
The respondents to the survey remain unique in their affection for Angela Merkel. They remain faithful to her. She can do anything and yet she is and will continue to be the best.
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