tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18497170278430371002024-03-18T14:39:00.374-04:00Schnitzel RepublicSchnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.comBlogger10805125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-68119543053372067182024-03-18T14:38:00.002-04:002024-03-18T14:38:15.081-04:00A Walk<p> I spent the afternoon in the Wiesbaden shopping district. </p><p>My secondary task while walking? Well...counting closed establishments. From end to end (including side-streets)....I counted around 25 empty 'fronts'. </p><p>One major store...which used to be a two-story sports shop? Well....it's just one floor active...the second story is empty.</p><p>A sign of the times? Well....I think there are just fewer people with ample cash in their pocket, and they are more careful now....than five years ago.</p><p>The one oddity among new shops? There's a Cin-a-bun-like shop that opened. My impression...some partnership with a Turkish baker, and they painted up a new shop....bright lights, and big huge display to attract people to the front-window. </p><p>Germans are typically NOT sugar freaks, and the US Cin-a-bun stuff....doesn't typically appeal to folks.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-27676557560248699192024-03-18T03:42:00.001-04:002024-03-18T03:42:07.030-04:0018 Jan 2024: Four German News Stories<p> 1. Somewhere on Saturday evening....in the Neukolln neighborhood of Berlin....a fight started up. By the time that the local police arrived.....there were about 60 individuals in some form of 'combat'. Cause? Unknown. </p><p>2. Some German car dealerships are having 'talks'. The issue? The whole strategy with bringing E-cars out and thinking they would sell? Gone wrong.</p><p>I suspect the dealerships are about to tell Mercedes, VW and the rest.....halt the massive manufacturing 'strategy' of E-cars, and go back to the gas/diesel car plan. </p><p>3. For a number of months, the Economics Minister (Habeck, Green Party) has had 'help-funding' go out for certain industries in Germany....subsidies. Into the billions of Euro.</p><p>Well....eleven countries in the EU have sent letters into the EU and said it's illegal on what he's doing.</p><p>After reading through the pieces....appears a good bit in Sunday news commentary, I'd say they have a legit case, and Germany will have to pay some fine. </p><p>It's amusing, without the financial help....couple hundred thousand Germans would have been put on furlough or cut. </p><p>4. 2nd volcano 'leak' appearing a couple of miles away from the original point in Iceland. No towns in the vicinity.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-2070268343781158442024-03-17T08:45:00.001-04:002024-03-17T08:45:31.855-04:00Should German Students Get A Reality Dose Over The Ukrainian War Business?<p> The head of the federal gov't school business has come up in recent days to say....maybe bringing Bundeswehr soldiers to explain war...in the classroom....is wise.</p><p>I sat and pondered over this.</p><p>As a kid (rural America), we had a teacher or two who were vets out of WW II/Vietnam. War was rarely brought up and on the rare occasions....it was pretty strongly emphasized....you just don't want to be in the middle of some jungle or French field with war going on.</p><p>At some event....probably around age 16, some Vietnam vet got into a long descriptive piece about his year, and went into graphic detail. He had about a dozen attacks 'etched' into his mind and it was obvious that the stress of things bothered him.</p><p>In this case of the German soldiers? The majority of them (I would guess 90-percent) would not be the kind of folks you'd want to come into a class and give a one-hour 'talk' over the war and the looming impact on Germany. I might go and say that fewer than 200 soldiers have the mindset to lay out the 'talk' and answer the stupid questions at the end.</p><p>The fact that we are at the beginning of year three of the war? Yeah, this is probably getting the point across that year four, and year five will come. </p><p>Those 90-year old German soldiers from WW II? Well....you could bring them in, but then you've got to talk over Nazis.</p><p>Some students unable to handle this talk? Oh, I would imagine more than a quarter would be disturbed by the war talk and the potential that it might one day come to Germany.</p><p>All of this being something unusual for German society? Yeah, that's the weird part. A lot of Germans born after WW II....don't have the thought process to handle this, and half the nation thought that when the 'Cold War' ended.....peace was evident. </p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-88075732986318790702024-03-17T02:38:00.002-04:002024-03-17T02:38:44.195-04:0017 Jan 2024: Six German News Stories<p> 1. Just an odd story from Friday....Berlin police officers pulled some German guy over on Charlottenstrasse (mid-Berlin) who had no license plate on his E-Scooter.</p><p>An inspection occurs. It's a modified E-scooter.</p><p>From what they can figure....it's built in some way to get up to 128 kph. Illegal? OH YEAH.</p><p>Problems for the 58-year-old guy? No insurance, no license and a illegally modified E-scooter.</p><p>2. CDU's 'boss' (Merz)...said he wants a national policy....no more than 100,000 migrants a year coming in. </p><p>If you did the general average presently? It's in the 200k to 300k range. </p><p>SPD, Green voters? No, they won't agree to that. In Bavaria? I would imagine 75-percent of voters would pursue this idea.</p><p>3. The Education Minister has spoke up in Germany about the idea of having civil defense classes for German kids. </p><p>4. BND (the German version of the CIA) is upping a recruitment program...to bring new people in.</p><p>5. There is some talk about a new program....where German soldiers would come into classrooms...NOT for recruitment purposes, but to explain the war in the Ukraine. </p><p>Just from the chatter....I would imagine that most teachers are not qualified to explain the Ukraine-Russia war, or the harsh details. Course, if you asked me if a class of 25 German 15-year old kids could handle this....I'd say more than half should not get the lecture and could not handle the conversation.</p><p>The same group would be shocked when some history element comes up and WW II is mentioned, and they know little to nothing over the war.</p><p>6. Odd story out of Focus....affecting the town of Heide (extreme far north of Germany). </p><p>From the description, over the past year...a 'gang' of 14-to-18 year old Germans had formed up, and conducted threats against the residents of the town. Cops finally stepped in....arresting several...charging them, and the court system has a conviction on a couple.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-58039533053361024032024-03-16T01:30:00.002-04:002024-03-16T01:30:51.587-04:0016 Mar 2024: Seven German News Stories<p> 1. The German Constitutional Court asked for a law to deal with underage marriages...something that lingers from migration.</p><p>So the Justice Ministry has a draft and will pursue getting the Bundestag to pass it. Basic wording? If a marriage from outside of Germany was performed, and either of the two were under 16....the marriage will not be recognized.</p><p>The scenario where you had a 2010 marriage where some 12-year old girl was married to a 16-year old boy? Well....if they enter Germany.....if the law passes...the marriage would not be recognized. </p><p>Forcing the EU to enter and create a law themselves? Yes, I would suggest that.</p><p>2. German C02 emissions fell by 10-percent in 2023. You can allow up up a bottle of Champaign tonight and celebrate.</p><p>3. The EU congratulated Putin on winning Russia election....even though the election is not completed until Sunday. They kinda know.....already....he can only be the winner.</p><p>4. Martin Winterkorn, former VW CEO, is facing court action...a serious high fine because of suspicion of fraud.</p><p>5. About ten days ago....this story and images come out of France's Macron and his 'older' wife to the US. Just as facts....she's 70 (25 years older than Macron). So the twist to this....some BS started up that she's trans.</p><p>I've looked over this story, and find it interesting (100-percent BS).....and wonder how this suddenly comes up out of nowhere. The age thing? Well....back at the end of 2016.....this whole story was laid out. I have no idea how Americans missed the that story.</p><p>6. The EU on Friday passed a law....NOT one single tree can be cut down.....to plant a coffee 'plant'....meaning not just in Europe, but you can't even import coffee from the rest of the NON-EU world....if this is the situation.</p><p>For those who haven't noticed it....steep rise in coffee prices and spiral will continue.</p><p>7. EU suing Greece? Well.....yes. The accusation? All these floods....they say Greek communities were unprepared, and they want to make an example out of them.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-8493958130935636612024-03-15T02:47:00.000-04:002024-03-15T02:47:10.415-04:0015 Mar 2024: Eight German News Stories<p> 1. WELT wrote a piece late yesterday (Thur) over retirement pensions in Germany. By 2070, every third German will be a retiree, and basically....the current system WILL NOT be able cover such an environment. </p><p>I doubt if the Bundestag wants to discuss this...but it'll be a 5-star mess to evolve.</p><p>2. WELT also wrote a piece over young Germans looking at the university path and future employment. There's a belief within this group....that jobs (demanding and well-paid jobs)....won't be in Germany, and that a fair number of young Germans will be exiting Germany.</p><p>3. The Fridays-For-The-Future 'kids' believe that the news media is suppressing their 'message'/brand. </p><p>To be honest, I suspect most of the news sources in Germany have come to realize that the public doesn't want a message from teenagers or college kids.</p><p>4. In Osnabruck, some 15-year old German kid was chased by cops....going up to speeds of 170 kph in the city. </p><p>I doubt if he ever gets a license.</p><p>5. The German Constitutional Court? Well....they have a new announcement coming up....over budgets created in the Covid period, and it might go heavily against the SPD-coalition....meaning 'gifts' they designed....will be dissolved.</p><p>6. Italian cops caught some 103-year-old Italy lady....driving....at night....without a license. This was apparently late at night in some town....where the lady was 'lost' and the cops approached the car to ask if she needed help. They were nice about it....just giving her a traffic ticket, and a warning about NOT driving. Then they drove her to her residence. Insurance and registration weren't mentioned.</p><p>7. N-TV piece: Since 2020....6,100 German restaurants have declared bankruptcy. In 2023.....14,000 restaurants gave up and closed their doors.</p><p>8. Big long report in <b><a href="https://www.focus.de/auto/ratgeber/kosten/immer-mehr-fallen-durch-der-grund-fuer-unser-fuehrerschein-desaster-ist-wachsende-verdummung_id_259760526.html">Focus</a></b> this AM....describing the reasons believed for half of all young Germans failing the drivers exam on the first round. This psychology professor says there is generally a decline in performance among young Germans. A lot of this has to do with understanding theory and coming to a conclusion (quickly).</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-54601792601377052142024-03-14T00:58:00.001-04:002024-03-14T00:58:32.779-04:0014 March 2024: Ten German News Stories<p> 1. Bus strike in my town (Wiesbaden).....yesterday, today and Friday. Stressing the locals.</p><p>2. Focus pointed out....if you go out and have what is a traditional German breakfast at a cafe...everything with coffee....it is almost 20 Euro now. </p><p>3. Just curious....there are two Red Army Faction guys that the police are searching for. From what the police discovered.....the one guy...Burkhard Garweg....before the search got 'hot'....ran a forgery workshop. Yeah, he was helping to train people on the art of forging.</p><p>4. Interesting statistic....more E-bikes are now bought over non-battery (normal) bicycles in Germany.</p><p>5. For 2023, VW now says it cleared 18-billion Euro PROFIT. That's around 13-percent more than 2022</p><p>6. N-TV did a piece yesterday talking about influencers on social media. If the person you watch is an 'expert' on money (so they claim).....the odds are (by true experts)....that 94-percent are incompetent on money and finances. Pretty wild discussion. </p><p>From an American prospective with finance podcasts....I'd agree that about fifty percent are giving you crappy advice. </p><p>7. Poland's President is telling the rest off NATO....stop calculating on a 2-percent number to devote to defense....start calculating on 3-percent. German leadership will go nuts over that idea.</p><p>8. German weather guys talking about a vortex change....with a late cold front hitting in April (call it a Arctic blast). I will say from New Years on....it's been an awful mild winter, and my heating bill will probably be one-third less than normal. I haven't put salt out on the sidewalk since late November.</p><p>9. This whole Taurus missile discussion got dragged out in the Bundestag yesterday. Scholz had to go and defend the position of saying 'NO' to handing the missiles to the Ukrainian army.</p><p>Just some humble analysis.....this is a bunker-buster type missile. You wouldn't use it on bridges, tanks, or fuel depots (economically, it makes no sense to waste a million-Euro missile on small targets). Are there that many bunkers in the eastern side of Ukraine that the Russians operate? I just don't see the logic. But for Scholz....his defensive position is inviting criticism by various other parties. </p><p>10. RTL-TV will be running a new show called 'The Golden Bachelor'.....meaning they have some German guy in his 70s....with eligible ladies 60 and over. Most of the past shows have been fairly sensual/sexual....so it'll be interesting how this sells.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-1062361681604627182024-03-13T11:05:00.001-04:002024-03-13T11:05:22.888-04:00Four Things<p> 1. My humble view on Tesla, the plant, and the whole E-car thing (everyone else)?</p><p>I'll go out and predict that the Tesla factory in Germany probably will go into failure mode by the end of 2025....not so much because of Elon, or the nutcase environmentalists having bad feelings over the plant....BUT because German and European consumer interest in E-cars has maxed out and headed downward.</p><p>I'll also say that the mix of environmentalists and their action will bring up the topic if any place in Germany is 'safe' to invest big money to bring new industry in.</p><p>2. My humble view on the 2025 federal election in Germany? </p><p>Most of the SPD Party will meet at the end of 2024, and lay down the problem.....they can't run a successful election with Scholz. </p><p>Some weird change will occur and the Defense Minister (Pistorius) will end up as the candidate for the election.</p><p>Some numbers will recover, but I don't see the SPD getting beyond 20-percent. CDU-CSU ends up winning.</p><p>3. Job movement?</p><p>I'm likely to agree....one out of every ten industry jobs will leave Germany over the next three years....to Poland. Reason? Mostly over the energy cost factor.</p><p>4. Before the end of 2024, I think serious 'control' over German social media will occur....especially with teens.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-43775102371172623592024-03-13T01:00:00.001-04:002024-03-13T01:00:00.136-04:0013 March 2024: Nine German News Stories<p> 1. Aldi says (the grocery operation in Germany)....they will open shortly....self-swipe stands...to lessen time waiting in the stores.</p><p>2. The Chairman of the German Bundeswehr Association (Army union)....says there's a whole bunch of improvements that need to be made.</p><p>3. Peter Kloeppel, head news guy for RTL commercial news....retiring in August. One of the more recognized TV news people in Germany.</p><p>4. EU measure on enforced renovation throughout Europe? Passed.</p><p>5. Germans polled on the idea of a 'cap' on asylum folks per year....76-percent said 'yes'. </p><p>6. Four out of ten German nurses say.....they go to work when 'sick'.</p><p>7. Head of Germany's largest power distribution network, Katherina Reiche, gave a blunt warning....there are power gaps in the grid. </p><p>That coal phase-out plan....set to occur in 2030? Yeah, she gave a brief talk.....she doubts that the plan is really going to occur. In this talk....she suggested a hundred-odd black-outs per year might start to be a norm....with hours of zero power being readily accepted/forced..</p><p>8. WELT had a piece....talking over gender language, and a poll indicates that a majority of Germans don't want the idea. Same group said that public TV (ARD/ZDF) are giving a very unbalanced view of the talk.</p><p>9. WELT article on driving test failures.....historically in a higher trend now, with some folks failing not just on the first test, but the second, and the third. Questions arise over why.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-36727306043825206052024-03-12T05:44:00.000-04:002024-03-12T05:44:02.918-04:00About Hungary<p> I view Twitter/X a fair amount....maybe an hour per day. This past weekend, I came to a comment that some American had over Hungary (the country) and Victor Orban (the PM).</p><p>They tried to suggest that things were unfair in Hungary, and that people didn't have a real choice to vote some preferred candidate up....against Orban in the 2022 election there.</p><p>I contemplated this, and went back to a review of the 2022 election. Various sources exist.</p><p>So, it's just odd.</p><p>There were eleven parties in the running against Orban's party (FIDESZ). </p><p>DIDESZ and the partner party (KDNP) took the lead with around 52.5-percent of the national vote.</p><p>The six 'true' opposition parties? They worked hard under one umbrella....but combined as one group....they managed only to get around 37-percent of the vote. </p><p>It is also....this opposition effort blasted it's way through Budapest....getting a majority in the city itself...with Orbin's group only getting one single neighborhood 'win'.</p><p>So where the opposition lost? Well....of the 174 districts....Orban's group won in all but three (Budapest was one of the three).</p><p>The remaining parties? There was the 'Joker-Party'....not taking any of this serious (getting 1.7-percent of the vote nationally). The alternate name for them? 'The Two-Tailed Dog Party'. (I kinda liked the name)</p><p>The Homeland Party? They actually got around 5.7-percent of the national vote. They are actually further right than Orban's party. They don't skip over the fact....they are pro-Russia in nature.</p><p>The problem for people in disbelief? Across the bulk of Hungary....the brand/message of the opposition folks to Orban's group....have not figured out how to sell the anti-Orban theme to regular working-class Hungarians. Yeah....somewhat the same problem as in the US. </p><p>I went back to Twitter to comment on this history (trying to avoid a lecture session), but I think they took it in a marginal way.....that this was something they didn't want to hear.</p><p>Having more choices? No....that simply doesn't work. More propaganda? I don't see that changing much....if people don't believe it. More TV ad's? You just compete against beer advertising. The fact that 1.7-percent of the public see the election as a joke? Yeah....that says something.</p><p>If you offered the Joke-Party in the US? You might get 5-percent of people voting that way. </p><p>In the end....it's just another example how Twitter hypes people up and they can get all angry about something they don't understand. </p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-8812176282015519512024-03-12T03:55:00.000-04:002024-03-12T03:55:19.992-04:00What If A Peace Treaty Was Forced On The Ukraine/Russia War?<p> This is a curious scenario.</p><p>Imagine the far SE sector of Ukraine signed over (given up), and some end.</p><p>For the former pro-Russian Ukrainians who dreamed of this day? It's a crappy landscape....most homes/structures destroyed. Your friend....Putin? He's broken enough of the Russian economy....that it'll be stagnant for twenty-plus years. </p><p>So who will pay to resolve the damage in this new pro-Russia ex-Ukrainian 'state'? Who'll pay to rebuild the apartment buildings, stores, and schools?</p><p>Will you get EU help? No, unlikely.</p><p>China help? No, unlikely.</p><p>So you will control a pro-Russian landscape...with the appearance of a Haiti-like government.</p><p>The Ukraine folks? They've probably lost 200,000 young men, and a fair sum of folks who left....won't come back. EU and US help will come to rebuild some parts of the Ukraine.</p><p>In my scenario.....it's not a winner-loser type end. It's just a harsh reality....a lot of burned bridges and buried soldiers. </p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-62001961386693556432024-03-12T02:36:00.000-04:002024-03-12T02:36:00.098-04:0012 March 2024: Five German News Stories<p>1. There's supposed to be a EU vote today...on new restructuring requirements. Intentions? To save energy and guard against climate issues. </p><p>Key quote? From Focus: "The energy consumption of residential buildings is expected to fall by an average of 16 percent by 2030 and by 20 to 22 percent by 2035."</p><p>How this will translate down to each owner? Unknown. It would seem that you' have to have a engineer of some type to evaluate the home and produce some legal document to force you to certain conditions. </p><p>To be legally challenged in court if passed? Yeah, I would imagine that some folks (particularly apartment building owners) will be stressed out over the requirement, and the cost factor will double rent requirements.</p><p>2. Survey/poll done....50-percent of Germans support a return to the 'draft' or compulsory service by young Germans.</p><p>3. Neuschwanstein castle murder case concluded. I talked about this a year ago....American tourist duo (2 x women) were attacked at the bridge overlooking the castle....by an American guy (tourist as well). One of the ladies was murdered....the other thrown off the bridge but survived.</p><p>Judge read the sentence yesterday....the guy will be in German custody for the remainder of his life. </p><p>4. National health insurance fund....did have a 2023 loss, but the projected loss of 17-billion Euro was avoided....just 1.9-billion Euro came to be the minus point.</p><p>5. Shooting at Checkpoint Charlie location in Berlin. 44-year old German shot. Victim died at the hospital. Cops were required at the hospital....extended family members (Arab) had gathered. One interesting aspect....guy was hit by 7 bullets.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-89816425374552685062024-03-11T01:41:00.001-04:002024-03-11T01:41:30.087-04:0011 March 2024: 3 German News Stories<p> 1. Interesting <b><a href="https://www.focus.de/regional/stuttgart/reicht-der-strom-fuer-alle-waermepumpen-und-e-autos_id_259744619.html">piece </a></b>over at Focus on the German energy grid. Worth a read.</p><p>What the bottom line is.....between the e-cars coming and the mandate of the heat-pump.....within about ten years....there's a major grid problem coming unless major changes occur. Hint? National gov't (whoever they are) will be stuck with a fantastic bill and it'll be handed to tax-payers to manage.</p><p>2. New train strike scheduled for Tuesday AM....all-day.</p><p>3.. CSU Party has stated they want a mandate that waste-water in Germany is to be tested on Cannabis....once legalized on 1 April. </p><p>To be honest, certain metro areas of Germany presently....probably have a fair amount of THC in the water already.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-18111506914799793012024-03-10T04:54:00.000-04:002024-03-10T04:54:03.475-04:00Pool Caution Note<p> About a decade ago....I was reading through some science chatter on public pool sanitation, and eventually came to the conclusion....just not to hang out at pools.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrDjv0rJ95f8wzj_oHw5uMXGfOzpykn3BT9pGcUaSoBNuLSGb2phTmNofeTiufOzfDSVSdr5jVAbWoWf3hGegeYzanTtCGTbgCDxIlXXEta6WYjjChUZjkwMTONiVYu4GapO7lNc2nMac3WNPtOj1-zywDjV_oDthBaW2sxOjngPjjMBaxEa2X6AZLXsO/s985/Brit%20pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="827" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrDjv0rJ95f8wzj_oHw5uMXGfOzpykn3BT9pGcUaSoBNuLSGb2phTmNofeTiufOzfDSVSdr5jVAbWoWf3hGegeYzanTtCGTbgCDxIlXXEta6WYjjChUZjkwMTONiVYu4GapO7lNc2nMac3WNPtOj1-zywDjV_oDthBaW2sxOjngPjjMBaxEa2X6AZLXsO/w449-h534/Brit%20pool.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>So I saw this today.<p></p><p>It's taped up to a British indoor pool.<br /></p><p>Basically, some words over....no sex in the pool and a hint that 'things' remain in a pool for a week or so.</p><p>Odds of me ever going back to a pool? Near zero. </p><p>I would imagine that 50-percent of women will read over the notice, and walk back into the dressing room...leaving the facility.</p><p><br /></p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-6651415585845776012024-03-10T04:46:00.000-04:002024-03-10T04:46:06.263-04:0010 March 2024: Seven German News Stories<p> 1. Various news outlets in Germany having pieces over the idea that Trump might win, and the US might exit NATO.</p><p>If you asked me....more likely to have most all US bases closed in Europe within 2 years, and the US still participating in some regional exercise two or three times a year. Makes more economical sense.</p><p>2. N-TV had some piece.....US intelligence warning of some 'attack' (terror act) in Moscow. Warning Americans there to be vigilant.</p><p>BS? Well....New York Post says....ISIS had some attack originally talked about in NY City, and that the back-up plan has shifted to Moscow. </p><p>3. It appears that the ISS battery pack missed most of Germany and landed in the Atlantic.</p><p>4. Some odd N-TV 'warning'.....coffee growers are hinting that by 2025....there might actually be a EU-wide coffee shortage....due to some new regulations being dreamed up by the EU. </p><p>May be a lot of BS hype, but it would be funny if coffee doubled in price by 2026 due to regulations. </p><p>5. Finland is talking about extreme measures to prevent folks from approaching the border from the Russian side....asking for asylum. </p><p>6. Presently, there is a small limited window for Germans to retire at age 63 and get the pension early. There is an effort going on....to eliminate that 'window'....with employers saying they can't afford to have people leave the work-force early.</p><p>7. Just odd....with the Red Army Faction arrest....there was a “solidarity demonstration” announced in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Some kind of motto used (“Stop state terrorism – solidarity with those in hiding and prisoners.” </p><p>I suspect if you asked around Berlin....probably 20-percent of the population has a mindset not to arrest, detain or charge up the gal, or the two remaining male members. </p><p>But in this way of thinking....if you brought RAF to Germans in the age group of 18 to 30....fewer than 5-percent (my guess) have any real knowledge of what was going on in the 1970s.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-8365009220972082062024-03-09T11:41:00.004-05:002024-03-09T11:41:37.871-05:00My Humble View of Russia 'War' Escalation Against Moldovia, the Baltic States and NATO<p> I probably have devoted at least eight hours a month on viewing 'war' news, video, and commentary...from European/American journalists, Ukrainian PR/blogger folks, the Russians themselves and retired officers (Brit/American/German).</p><p>So five observations:</p><p>1. The Russians (without thinking over the consequences)...have expended the vast armor (tank/APC) reserves....from what they manufactured 1990 to today. If you view video...especially from the past year....lot of T-80s/T-72s littered on the battlefield....meaning the they were pulled from the depot. Occasionally, I'll see a T-64...meaning tanks that are over 50 years old and with seriously less protect for the crews. </p><p> 2. For most folks....it doesn't matter....but the Ukrainians in the first six months of the war....went onto target fuel-tankers big-time. Most all of that asset inventory was knocked out. So what you typically see are regular fuel trucks (like you'd see bringing fuel to your local gas station)...drafted for field operations. </p><p>3. Based on commentary.....whoever was conscripted on day one of the war....probably hasn't gone home or been relieved. If you asked me on morale...I'd assume it's pretty crappy.</p><p>4. Both Ukraine and Russia are grabbing young guys off the street.....their vast reserves no longer exist.</p><p>5. Putin's economic numbers are marginal after the first year concluded. If you tried to find any trustworthily numbers? They don't exist. Groceries operating? Yes. Prices faked up? Well....that's something that people wonder about.</p><p>So I come to this idea of the Russians advancing. Once they come west enough to reach the Dnipro River....without any bridges....I don't see them willing to do much more. </p><p>Add to this advance required....France has said if you make some move toward Moldova, they would provide 'defense'. What you'd expend from tanks/APCs to reach the Moldova border? Most all of the older stuff (T-80s/T-72) would be gone. So you'd march on Moldova with T-64 equipment and a limited number of air assets? </p><p>As poorly armed were the Ukrainians who kept Russia limited on success....the French would be a slightly different story.</p><p>As for some move into the Baltic region? Again, with what?</p><p>The CIA laying out some civil conflict with it's ISIS crew? Well....I'd start to wonder if Moscow could handle some Islamic 'fake' war.</p><p>This magnificent war leading against Poland or western Europe? With what? Putin has wasted everything to last this far with Ukraine.</p><p>The effect on Russia at this point? A vast number of young men are buried, or sitting there with wounds or mental issues (PTSD). A whole generation paid a price for Putin to continue to exist. Same for Ukraine. </p><p>So no....I'm not buying into this going much further. </p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-26031884694610137902024-03-09T06:25:00.002-05:002024-03-09T06:25:29.319-05:00Just a Quote<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfv39ycteQIq4xJGE6uZjKtFtIZxZzKiG0D_FB4tUUlyHeaIppBKztQRbnXHz2AVkbtNHXtfWT3P7FCEURe-FQAXHC7KOpNzEk4nBVu0d04UaUx1XIZIf119Ju3hLE3NJmgek-Gjq5rh9CihL3okxdASdMSelbiJUssl7vwVfFN2DivHAJMyEM7aXOytT/s526/Cicero%20quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="526" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfv39ycteQIq4xJGE6uZjKtFtIZxZzKiG0D_FB4tUUlyHeaIppBKztQRbnXHz2AVkbtNHXtfWT3P7FCEURe-FQAXHC7KOpNzEk4nBVu0d04UaUx1XIZIf119Ju3hLE3NJmgek-Gjq5rh9CihL3okxdASdMSelbiJUssl7vwVfFN2DivHAJMyEM7aXOytT/w415-h403/Cicero%20quote.jpg" width="415" /></a></div> This Cicero guy was pretty hyped-up and critical at 43 BCE. <p></p><p>Seems like whatever he wrote then....applies to today. </p><p>Odd how nothing ever changes.<br /><br /></p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-36570473114125208772024-03-09T00:47:00.002-05:002024-03-09T00:47:42.731-05:009 March 2024: Four German News Stories<p> 1.The German train drivers' union (GDL) has said 'NO' to an invitation from the Bahn folks (railway) to negotiate again on Monday. </p><p>What it appears like? Some massive week-long shutdown is likely.</p><p>Customer feelings? I'd say two-thirds of the normal users of the Bahn are fed up. </p><p>2. This Red Army Faction terrorist gal....Daniela Klette....has a bit of cash hidden in her apartment. What the cops say? They found around 40,000 Euro in cash, with a gold package (1.2 kilos of gold).</p><p>Yes, hidden within the couch.</p><p>3. Frankfurt City is processing the paperwork to allow all public pools in the city to be 'top-less'.</p><p>4. Erdogan of Turkey has said these elections here in March....will be the last that he participates in.....his political participation ends after that.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-44297476846613018312024-03-08T00:37:00.001-05:002024-03-08T00:37:12.610-05:008 March 2024: Seven German News Stories<p> 1. France signing a treaty to provide 'defense' to Moldovia....if Russia invades? Yeah....pact is to be signed.</p><p>I would assume that within a month....at least two other countries will consider similar treaties with Moldovia.</p><p>If you asked me....triggering a bigger mess? Yeah.</p><p>2. Germany is funding 152 public projects in Peru. </p><p>3. Recently captured former RAF terrorist Daniela Klette was delivered to the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe. Charges? Prosecution says charges will include an explosion and attempted murder.</p><p>4. Russian TV has a new topic....propagandist chat over which German city to hit first (Munich or Hamburg). Germans likely to get hyped-up....asking how the defense against rockets works.</p><p>5. German police talking over a second division soccer game between Eintracht Braunschweig and Hansa Rostock (for Friday evening). </p><p>Security is being bumped up....at the Eintracht Stadium . </p><p>Lot of chatter locally over potential for riots.</p><p>6. German news talking over space debris....supposed to be several paths where this 'junk' will fall on Friday. Basically....remains of a battery pack from the International Space Station. Size? 2.5 tons. Impact? Considered low.</p><p>7. Oddly, this sabotage on the electrical lines for the Tesla plant....also affected local grocery operations....so shelves to some degree are empty.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-2898111543800031992024-03-07T00:53:00.002-05:002024-03-07T00:53:53.881-05:007 March 2024: Seven German News Stories<p> 1. Just odd on the Red Army Faction gal caught in recent days. Cops, after catching her....went back to survey the lease of the apartment. Well....the occupant/owner....had no lease with the gal. So he's in some type of legal trouble now.....you can't rent out a place without lease paperwork.</p><p>2. Lufthansa flight attendants are the next calling for a strike...for 15-percent more pay.</p><p>3.Joschka Fischer (key member of the Green Party from 25 years ago) says now....a mistake was made in the quick dumping of compulsory military service (the German draft).</p><p>Current Defense Minister Pistorius is talking about a compulsory situation...using the Swedish model.</p><p>4. Tesla production halt? Because of the electrical powerline damage....it'll be at least a week before they start back to work producing.</p><p>5. Remember that car freighter that was hauling a bunch of E-cars last year out of Hamburg, and caught on fire? The 'Felicity Ace'? Well...owners are suing Porsche...saying that their cars onboard are the ones that created the fire.</p><p>6. Bahn/railway....on strike until Friday evening.</p><p>7. German C02 storage on the agenda for the coalition gov't. Oddly, the storage 'unit' would be under the North Sea.....or outside of Germany itself (at least this is the chatter going on).</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-85848729930284364392024-03-06T02:45:00.000-05:002024-03-06T02:45:32.546-05:00Four Observations<p> 1. The Taurus Missile?</p><p>It's been hyped-up in the news....over the discussion of the German-made missile....possibly being given to the Ukraine (against Russia).</p><p>So, some introduction. It's air-launched....max range is about 300 miles or 500 kilometers. Warhead? Around 1,000 lbs.</p><p>Where it'd be used? Well....it was readily designed to be a bunker-buster....meaning that you didn't waste it on a tank, or fuel depot, or a bridge.</p><p>I keep looking at this German discussion, the layout of the war (where the Russians control) and see virtually no bunkers. So the use of this 1-million Euro missile? That's the odd part of the story. If you showed me the whole map, and gave me an entire month to review things.....I doubt that I could find more than three 'targets' where the missile was appropriate and worth the effort.</p><p>Yeah, this whole discussion is BS.</p><p>2. Russia talking about expulsions over German journalists?</p><p>There's nightly coverage on German commercial/public TV news of Russia, and they are fairly careful not to be extremely anti-Putin. The problem is.....election is coming up, and Putin needs to show things are great.</p><p>So, I'm kinda expecting in the next two weeks....some round-up of German TV journalists to start up.</p><p>3. Was the Red Army Faction business almost forgotten?</p><p>Up until the last two weeks where the one gal was discovered....yeah, it was mostly a forgotten topic. </p><p>Lot of reminders going on presently, and significant chatter over the third-generation RAF folks....who seemed to be more trained/capable than generation 1 or 2.</p><p>4. This electrical sabotage against the Tesla plant from yesterday? Experts are saying several hundred million Euro will have to be spent to fix the damage caused on the electrical grid.</p><p>Vulkangruppe? The terror 'kids'? Well....just seems like no one much has heard of them before (at least in public news).</p><p>Them being anti-E-car? To be honest, around Germany....probably 40-million Germans are presently anti-E-car (being pro-gas/pro-diesel).</p><p>There is a public comment that federal services have known of the group for several years and tracked them in some way.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-38875180721076621662024-03-06T01:23:00.000-05:002024-03-06T01:23:09.360-05:006 March 2024: Six German News Stories<p> 1. Ton of snow coming in the southern quarter of Germany...minimum of 30 centimeters. </p><p>2. What the authorities say....the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide is in a no-production situation....loss of electrical power for most of the day.</p><p>Reason? Well...arson event...on a power pole. </p><p>Party taking blame? A left-wing group called the “Vulkan group.” </p><p>Brandenburg police are onto this and conducting a full investigation. </p><p>I should note....the arson affected smaller towns/villages around the factory, and peeved a fair number of people. </p><p>The agenda? The group has some elements of climate-emergency, pro-forest, and anti-industry. I should also note....they are anti-E-car. </p><p>Would imagine they are also anti-diesel/anti-gas car as well. Might be pro-bicycle and pro-horse-cart....but they haven't said their feeling over that.</p><p>Just a gut-feeling....they are probably pro-walking and pro-train. </p><p>(my humble thoughts.....after viewing the ARD video of the electrical crews assessing the tower damage....what these guys did, was awful dangerous and one of them had to have some significant amount of knowledge over electricity towers)</p><p>3. Ministry of Justice in Germany says 'thousands' of cases of Ukrainians asking for social help money, and being in some type of scam situation....being investigated.</p><p>4. Over around Erlangen Hospital....about an hour north of Nuremburg....the hospital folks are checking out a local guy who apparently took around 217 vaccinations of the Covid vaccine. They saw some mention in the newspaper, and called the guy.</p><p>He has offered proof (paperwork) and they've checked him out. So far, they've found no problems or issues.</p><p>They asked the guy WHY, and so far....from what he's said....he seems obsessive/compulsive in nature. (Yeah, maybe a nutcase)</p><p>They are careful to say....you don't need that many. The one odd aspect....he's taken 8 different types of vaccine. </p><p>5. This continued search for Red Army Faction guy (two)? Well....authorities have noticed that various left groups are hampering the search and in some ways....sabotaging the search.</p><p>6. German authorities say that they put out about 460 million Euro monthly....to 'still-unemployed' migrants. </p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-88922850934604596112024-03-05T10:12:00.002-05:002024-03-05T10:12:24.738-05:00A Little Used Car and Bank Story<p> I bank with a credit union that has establishments here on US bases in Europe. Back in 1998....I was 'hot' for a new but used vehicle. So I went to the credit union 'lot'. They had six vehicles.</p><p>One of them...was a BMW 500-series...around 2 years old, with about 35k km's on it. They wanted absolute blue-book....of which I offered 85-percent of that, of which they said 'NO'.</p><p>So I bid on a second vehicle....offering around 90-percent of their blue-book price....they accepted that.</p><p>Six months passed....I went over by the lot. The BMW 500 series was still there.</p><p>Twelve months passed....I went over. The car was still there. The gal I talked to...indicated that it was now approaching 18 months on the lot. I offered 70-percent of the blue-book.....with them declining. </p><p>Eighteen months passed....I went over. It was still there. This was roughly 24 months of just sitting there.</p><p>At 24 months, I went by....yeah, it was still there. It would make 30 months of just being parked.</p><p>At 30 months, I went by....it was gone. No idea who bought it or what they paid. I doubt seriously that the guy offering more than two-thirds of the blue-book price.</p><p>The negative of the vehicle? Well...it was German-spec's....meaning that you could never take it back to the US. Credit union loss? Oh, I would imagine they lost around $10,000 on the vehicle. After that episode....they changed their rules....they'd only finance US spec cars. </p><p>Yes, I came fairly close to owning a BMW. </p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-75342417175935605022024-03-05T02:42:00.005-05:002024-03-05T02:47:20.772-05:00This Russian 'Denazification' Comment<p> The Russians uttered something to the effect 'that denazification has not been completed in Germany'.....a few days ago. </p><p>This has triggered several German observations. First, maybe a war-theme might erupt out of this perception (something Germany is not prepared for). Second, Germans have spent decades in dumping down on Nazi-chatter and don't want anyone to perceive they failed. Third? Just in a curious way....who or where are these Nazis?</p><p>If you follow German news....most of the time, when finger-pointing occurs on Nazi-stuff....the blame goes the AfD Party. However, it's just an odd position taken by AfD....they feel the war in the Ukraine is wasted effort, and things should just be worked out with Russia (like a treaty). If you tried to say AfD were the Nazis....it doesn't match the positions take by AfD.</p><p>If AfD isn't the Nazis.....then who is?</p><p>Some right-wing Germans would hint that it's the left-wing folks....who project more Nazi-like behavior.</p><p>Would it work better to just identify Brown-Shirt behavior? Well....then you'd get into Antifa demonstrations/riots, and they are definitely not right-wing.</p><p>Confusing? Well....yeah, things don't match up to the Russian image, or for that matter the old fashioned perception of Nazis.</p><p>The problem that the German news media hinted on for the past decade....that far-right wing types exist in Germany, and Nazis among them? Well....the Russians probably watched these newscasts and readily believe the news hype....whether true or not.</p><p>Yeah, it's just an odd time to be around Germany....79 years after WW II, and Nazi chatter being hyped once again.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1849717027843037100.post-4455983475725419042024-03-04T23:43:00.002-05:002024-03-05T01:01:27.189-05:005 March 2024: Twelve German News Stories<p> 1. Russian authorities have called the German ambassador in....to explain the recorded call between two German Bundeswehr officers.</p><p>2. Apparently, the office of German Environmental Aid (DUH) has refused to discuss around fifteen major donations from 2021. Amount? Around 1-billion Euro. Nothing serious but it's just odd they won't reveal where the money came from.</p><p>3. Hunt in Berlin for the two RAF terrorist guys continues.</p><p>4. New Duden book coming out (the book that explains all German words and use). Cost? 54 Euro.</p><p>5. Weather-guy warning? Well....it came up that a artic-front is expected around the 3rd week of March....bring temperatures down -5 temperatures (C). If it happens? It'll be a serious shock to gardening folks....spring-like for almost 2 months now.</p><p>6. 6 PM on Wed.....another railway strike through Thursday night.</p><p>7. Russian Foreign Minister says something to the effect....denazification of Germany was not completed.</p><p>What that means? Unknown.</p><p>Brit comments on Monday.....indications that Russian infiltration of German gov't is obvious. Secret agent activity? Well....Brit newspapers always go overboard. But if you asked me if five or six KGB guys are fully employed in Berlin and gathering intelligence? I'd likely assume that's a true statement.</p><p>As for the Nazi talk? This Putin theme was what triggered the invasion of the Ukraine. Saying Nazis exist here now? It'd provoke a lot of chatter, with 10-percent of Germans actually believing it.</p><p>8. Switzerland passed a law....allowing for a 13th month pension payment (the Xmas 'bonus'). This getting hyped in Germany? OH YEAH. Where the money would come from? </p><p>9. Some weird attack in Ravensbug....at a StreetSide Imbis stand. Some guy in a mask....attacks a 21-year old standing there and having lunch.....stabbing the guy in the back while having words with him.</p><p>Ambulance took the guy to the hospital....he is still alive. Cops were called but unable to catch the attacker. No motive so far.</p><p>10. Sixt, the German car rental folks....are admitting that with E-cars...they are having bad luck in getting people to rent them. Their plan was to have the entire fleet by 2030...totally E-cars. </p><p>11. Germany's social pension program says they are preparing to flow billions of Euro...into the stock market (something they tried to avoid for decades).</p><p>12. Monday night's public TV's Hart Aber Fair public forum show topic? "Arming instead of disarming: Does Germany really have to become ready for war?"</p><p>Yeah, it was a pretty harsh topic.</p>Schnitzel_Republichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661743281187855265noreply@blogger.com0