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Germans Raise Steins to Oktoberfest, and Drunk Driving?

LibertySugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:00:34 -0700

Chancellor Angela Merkel and her fellow German politicians gathered in Berlin yesterday to kick off that city's beer festival. Beer lovers will tap Munich on Saturday, when Oktoberfest officially begins.

Guenther Beckstein, the governor of Bavaria, which includes Munich raised eyebrows recently when he said, "If one drinks the two liters over six or seven hours at the Oktoberfest, it is still possible" to drive. He's now retracted those potentially irresponsible comments.

Political opponents hope that Beckstein's statement on drunk driving could help them defeat him in elections on September 28.

Now that would be sobering!

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Ja or Nein? Holding US Election Rally at German Landmark

LibertySugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:30:14 -0700

German Chancellor Angela Merkel thinks the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of German unity, makes an inappropriate backdrop for a Barack Obama Summer speech.

Monolithic American political figures have given historical speeches in the German Capital. In Berlin, John F. Kennedy declared "Ich bin ein Berliner" and President Ronald Reagan ordered the USSR to "tear down this wall" in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Bill Clinton even gave a speech about German unification with the same landmark in the background.

But Merkel's skepticism remains, even if Senator Obama wants to discuss common challenges between the US and Germany. Even so, it might not be up to the conservative chancellor, as the local government makes the decision and Berlin's mayor has already supported the plan. Plus, everyday Germans probably don't have a problem with an Obama speech - Germany would elect Obama in a landslide, as 72 percent favor him compared to McCain's 11 percent support among Germans.

What do you think about an Obama speech at the gate?

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The Way We Became the G-8 Bunch: The Summit Episode

CitizenSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:00:33 -0700

The G-8 Summit gets underway in Hakkaido, Japan today; a three-day meeting of the leaders of the eight countries invited, plus a representative of the European Union.
Grown from the concept of a forum of the major industrialized democracies after the 1973 oil crisis, more have been invited until 1997 when the last member, Russia, was invited at the initiative of then US President Bill Clinton.

The guest list is at the edge of controversy this year, as major climate issues are at hand, and two of the worst polluters (China and India) aren't invited. Here's who is (top to bottom, left to right):

Marcia Brady: United Kingdom, Gordon Brown
Jan Brady: United States, George W Bush
Cindy Brady: Germany, Angela Merkel
Carol Brady: Canada, Stephen Harper
Ann B. Davis as Alice: European Union, Jose Manuel Barroso
Mike Brady: Japan, Yasuo Fukada
Greg Brady (Johnny Bravo): France Nicolas Sarkozy
Peter Brady: Russia, Dmitry Medvedev
Bobby Brady: Italy, Silvio Berlusconi

What's going to happen in this very special episode of the G-8 bunch? Well, no one's going to find a Tiki idol or Vincent Price in a cave, but some other important stuff instead. To find out, read more.

Soaring food and energy costs will be at the top of the list, especially after oil prices rose to $145 a barrel last week. Global climate change is on the table too, following last year's agreement to cut emissions by 50 percent by 2050.

G-8 action on the world's food situation will be broached, probably by Germany's Angela Merkel who wrote a recent editorial in which she said, "The aggravation of the global food situation is increasing hunger in the world and threatens the political stability of many developing countries. At the summit, a comprehensive package of measures to secure global food supplies should be adopted." And aid to Africa is up there too, with seven heads of African nations invited to the opening ceremonies of the summit.

Anti-globalization, global warming, and poverty activists were on hand for the arrivals of the leaders amid heavy security. Banners reading, "Down with imperialism" among other slogans were displayed.

G-8 Summit 2008: It may be no trip to the Grand Canyon or race through a theme park, but it's worth a watch.

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Front Page: Ceasefire in Basra, Tibet Trouble, HUD Resignation

CitizenSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:00:38 -0700

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called for his followers to end fighting in Basra, the ceasefire coming after six days of violence in the port city. In return, al-Sadr is demanding concessions from Iraq’s government. Those concessions include general amnesty for his followers, release of all imprisoned members of the Sadrist movement who have not been convicted of crimes, and a return of “the displaced people who have fled their homes as a result of military operations.” In participating in negotiations with al-Sadr, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki has seen a serious blow to his political reputation because he had vowed to see an end to the Basra campaign through to a military victory. The violence and ceasefire called by al-Sadr served to showcase his political and military power.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the first world leader to announce a boycott of the Beijing Olympics. She will not be attending the games, a decision made as Tibetan protests still rage, and some residents of China itself are becoming critical that their government is not being strict enough against the protesters. One Chinese woman, appalled that the Chinese government isn't acting more forcefully, said, “we couldn’t believe our government was being so weak and cowardly. The Dalai Lama is trying to separate China, and it is not acceptable at all. We must crack down on the rioters.” China reports so far it has arrested 414 protesters, with an additional 289 turning themselves in.
Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson is expected to resign today. In the midst of the growing mortgage crisis, the resignation removes a key administration player. Jackson has been under investigation by the Justice Department over questions that he gave lucrative housing contracts to friends.

Take Me to Your Leader: Germany

LibertySugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:08:02 -0800

Angela Merkel, 52, is the German Chancellor and first female leader of Germany. She ranked number one on the Forbes list of The World's Most Powerful Women 2007.

At the 2007 Group of Eight ( G8 ) summit, Angela kept her fellow world-leaders focused on the agenda of climate change and poverty. As rotating head of the European Union, she led the way in creating a new European treaty. At home in Germany she enjoys approval ratings as high as 75 percent, and presides over declining unemployment and healthy economic growth.

Before the fall of the Berlin Wall and unification of Germany, Angela lived in East Germany working as a scientist. While living in communist East Germany, Angela never participated in public life. Yet, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, she joined the Christian Democratic Union of East Germany (a political party). By 2000 she had been elected chairperson of the CDU and in 2005 the German people elected Angela as their chancellor.

You might remember Angela from her infamously awkward encounter with George W. Bush in 2006. For a video clip to refresh your memory, read more!

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