Germany is fortunate this week, in having a US Senator and two representatives flying over and having "talks". A German would likely scratch his head, and ask....what kind of "talks"? The American would grin and just "talks"....you know.....the type where people sit at some table and BS for two hours, drink some coffee, shop for some Christmas cookies and German-made wool sweaters, pose for pictures with naive German political figures, and then race back to the five-star hotel to lounge at the spa.
Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut is the guy leading the group. The news folks haven't announced the two Congressman, which might be an indicator that they are junior players on the political scene.
The schedule? All that German news is reporting is that the guys will be in Berlin for roughly twenty-four hours. They will meet Germany's outgoing secretary of state...Westerwelle.....then having some type of working lunch or meeting with members of the Bundestag (numbers aren't mentioned).
I'd take a humble guess that Westerwelle will be blunt. He doesn't play politics very well, and usually gets to the point very quickly. He's the type who will explain a problem in two minutes....instead of the typical twelve minutes that most political figures will use.
I imagine the Westerwelle meeting won't be pleasant for the three US members. They might be shocked at the blunt language and direct finger-pointing. They walk out and start to feel a bit overwhelmed....how they'd upset someone to that degree.
The later meeting with Bundestag members? I'd take a guess that this ninety-odd minute meeting will go with the message that Germans are patiently waiting for the 'old American' to come back to the table. These were the Americans that Germans liked and prefered in the 1980s.....the Quiet Man-character that John Wayne portrayed. No bragging....no deceit....no pretender talk.....just a humble man at the table. There is no such character at the table presently....so the Germans will just wait it out.
It's a hectic schedule. Arrive in Berlin on Sunday, rest.....run around all day, and Tuesday....end up in Brussels for one day, then board the plane and likely leave on Wednesday. Being all tired and frustrated by negative talk in Europe.....the three will likely take Thursday and Friday off, and just pretend the trip had positive feedback, but it's best not to mention what was said by the Germans.
2013 has been a curious year for American and German relationships. The best part of the year? Miley Cyrus visiting and being given the Bambi Award. We'd best like to forget about that Bieber kid and his monkey issue, the NSA business, the Merkel bugged phone, Syria, the trade export slant, and the fake Lady Gaga tour to Berlin ("it" came and went). Now to wrap up the year? Three wise men from American politics....trying to apologize for something that is way beyond them.
No comments:
Post a Comment