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raziel365 Anka Aquila from South of the Far West (Veteran) Relationship Status: I've been dreaming of True Love's Kiss
Anka Aquila
#4826: Oct 15th 2022 at 5:25:22 PM

Okay, I'll admit that "terrorist grandma seeks to restore the Kaiser" was amongst the last things in my list of stuff that could happen in 2022.

Are the Hohenzollern's still around though? I know the Habsburgs are but not them.

Instead of focusing on relatives that divide us, we should find the absolutes that tie us.
Diana1969 Since: Apr, 2021 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
#4827: Oct 15th 2022 at 5:30:49 PM

They are, yeah. This guy is the current heir. Georg Friedrich, he's some kind of businessman.

Edited by Diana1969 on Oct 15th 2022 at 11:31:10 PM

SteamKnight Since: Jun, 2018
#4828: Oct 15th 2022 at 6:06:28 PM

I'll be honest this Monarchist Terror Granny feels like something straight out of some gag Heart of Iron mods.

[up] Have anyone asked him about whether he want the throne and become Kaiser in the first place?

Edited by SteamKnight on Oct 15th 2022 at 8:07:56 PM

I'm not as witty as I think I am. It's a scientifically-proven fact.
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#4829: Oct 15th 2022 at 11:25:44 PM

If he doesn't, there's a Hohenzollern somewhere they can prop up. Hey, it (didn't) work for the French monarchists!

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4830: Oct 16th 2022 at 3:55:55 AM

[up][up]

Reichsbürger have been kind of an issue for a long time.

EDIT: Fixed the link.

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Oct 16th 2022 at 1:27:40 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
HallowHawk Since: Feb, 2013
#4831: Oct 16th 2022 at 4:23:49 AM

[up] Could you please fix that link? I got a "Bad Title" upon opening it.

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4832: Oct 17th 2022 at 9:16:42 AM

German spy chief: 'Russia is the storm, China is climate change'

     Full article 
BERLIN, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Germany's intelligence service chiefs warned on Monday that China could use stakes in critical infrastructure as leverage to pursue political aims amid a debate in Berlin over whether to let Chinese shipping company Cosco invest in Hamburg port.

Germany's Greens-run economy ministry wants to veto Cosco's bid to buy a stake in one of the three terminals in Germany's most important port, while the Social Democrat (SPD)-run chancellery is more in favour, according to government sources.

The dispute reflects a broader, heated debate in Germany over how to reduce dependency on China, its top trading partner, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine highlighted the dangers of reliance on an increasingly assertive, authoritarian state.

China has urged Germany not to politicize the countries' economic relations or engage in protectionism "in the name of national security".

In a parliamentary hearing that touched on an array of security matters, the heads of the German foreign and domestic intelligence agencies said they could not deliver a public assessment of Cosco's bid but in general urged caution.

"We are very, very critical of the participation of China in critical infrastructure," the head of the foreign intelligence service (BND), Bruno Kahl, told a parliamentary hearing, noting that a port should be considered critical infrastructure, so any possible investment should be very carefully reviewed.

Germany should expect China to use technology, including 5G infrastructure, or economic power to implement its ideas, he added. "In the case of a political disagreement between China and Germany, these instruments will be used," he said.

The head of Germany's domestic intelligence service, Thomas Haldenwang, said stakes in critical infrastructure could also open the door to sabotage and influence on public opinion.

"When I speak with foreign partners about China, they always say: Russia is the storm, China is climate change," he said.

"So we are going to have to brace for this climate change in the coming years."

Seems like some politicians still hasn't learned the their lesson, considering that while we're still weaning ourselves off one dictatorship, they're already thinking about jumping in the arms of another. :|

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Oct 17th 2022 at 6:17:00 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
somerandomdude from Dark side of the moon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: How YOU doin'?
#4833: Oct 17th 2022 at 10:48:22 AM

Have anyone asked him about whether he want the throne and become Kaiser in the first place?

IIRC he's said he doesn't "see any reason for the political system in Germany to be changed" and that he desires no political role. Which is reasonable. The Chains of Commanding are heavy even for purely ceremonial monarchs, why do you think Harry wanted out?

ok boomer
raziel365 Anka Aquila from South of the Far West (Veteran) Relationship Status: I've been dreaming of True Love's Kiss
Anka Aquila
#4834: Oct 17th 2022 at 3:47:38 PM

[up][up]

Real talk, how long can Germany keep closing some of its gates to China without having to admit that protectionism is back again?

Instead of focusing on relatives that divide us, we should find the absolutes that tie us.
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#4835: Oct 20th 2022 at 11:13:22 AM

Scholz sells out to China

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/allies-blast-scholz-chinese-investment-german-port-91785700

As if I needed any more reasons to dislike the guy.

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4836: Oct 20th 2022 at 11:22:35 AM

First time in over a decade we have a SPD chancellor again and he does shit like that. :|

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Oct 20th 2022 at 8:22:53 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#4837: Nov 2nd 2022 at 1:08:36 PM

Ukrainian MOD published a thank you video to Germany for the weapons. Super Gepard. Kinda cute not going to lie compared to their usual biting mocking or Black Comedy.

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
Ominae Since: Jul, 2010
#4838: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:03:38 PM

Chinese MOFA said that anyone else has no right to attack Schultz’s visit.

Edited by Ominae on Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:04:20 AM

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4839: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:06:02 PM

[up]

Cue them attacking his visit if he actually brings up human rights like virtually everyone else has asked him to do.

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#4840: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:08:41 PM

I doubt he will. He seems pretty chickenshit like that.

Disgusted, but not surprised
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4841: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:12:17 PM

Well, hope dies last, as they say.

What gets me is the utter hypocrisy of Friedrich Merz bashing Scholz over this, as if his party's chancellor didn't the exact same thing multiple times during her time in office.

But stuff like that is obviously only bad if anybody other than the CDU is doing that, I guess.

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#4842: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:14:19 PM

He'd probably argue that back then the CCP wasn't as obviously horrible.

Which would be bullshit — they were always awful and it was always easy to see for anyone willing to keep their eyes open.

Disgusted, but not surprised
uncertanSearcher It's always Season of the Witch from Germany Since: Oct, 2017
It's always Season of the Witch
#4843: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:21:01 PM

And you'd think this year would have shown Scholz why cozying up to authoritarian is a bad idea.

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4844: Nov 3rd 2022 at 11:21:34 PM

[up][up]

Merz generally has a policy of "let's just ignore we were the main party in charge for the almost two decades".

Honestly, I'm hoping this guy costs the CDU in future elections.

[up]

Scholz has been widely criticised in Germany for this visit, including from his own government coalition. He also pushed through a controversial deal with a Chinese shipping company recently, which was also widely lambasted.

He doesn't seem to have realised that "Wandel durch Handel" (change through trade) has proven to be a failed policy.

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Nov 3rd 2022 at 7:24:09 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4846: Nov 5th 2022 at 6:44:37 PM

[up]

Don't even joke about that.

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4847: Nov 10th 2022 at 7:02:26 AM

KFC apologises after German Kristallnacht promotion

     Full article 
KFC has apologised after sending a promotional message to customers in Germany, urging them to commemorate Kristallnacht with cheesy chicken.

The Nazi-led series of attacks in the country in 1938 left more than 90 people dead, and destroyed Jewish-owned businesses and places of worship.

It is widely seen as the beginning of the Holocaust.

The message, heavily criticised for its insensitivity, was later blamed on "an error in our system".

The fast food chain sent an app alert on Wednesday, saying: "It's memorial day for Kristallnacht! Treat yourself with more tender cheese on your crispy chicken. Now at KF Cheese!"

Around an hour later another message was sent with an apology, according to the Bild newspaper.

"We are very sorry, we will check our internal processes immediately so that this does not happen again. Please excuse this error," the message is reported to have said.

Germany takes the 9 November anniversary of Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass) seriously, with numerous memorial events and discussions scheduled to reflect the Nazis' murder of more than six million Jewish people.

Daniel Sugarman, Director of Public Affairs at the Board of Deputies of British Jews described the original KFC message as "absolutely hideous".

Dalia Grinfeld, the associate director of European affairs at the Jewish NGO Anti-Defamation League, tweeted: "How wrong can you get on Kristallnacht KFC Germany. Shame on you!"

In a statement issued to Newsweek magazine, KFC Germany blamed the message on a bot.

The fast food chain said the "automated push notification" was "linked to calendars that include national observances".

It added that it "sincerely" apologised for the "unplanned, insensitive and unacceptable message" and said app communications had been suspended while an examination of them takes place.

"We understand and respect the gravity and history of this day, and remain committed to equity, inclusion and belonging for all," the company finished by saying.

Okay, what the fuck?

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Nov 10th 2022 at 4:06:39 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#4848: Nov 10th 2022 at 7:06:18 AM

They didn't sign off on it. That's the problem. They let a bot linked to the calendar handle everything for them. Never mind that not all national observances commemorate happy occasions.

Edited by M84 on Nov 10th 2022 at 11:06:56 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#4849: Nov 10th 2022 at 7:07:36 AM

Yeah, just realised that party - STILL incredibly dumb.

It gets even worse when you know that Germans don't actually call it "Kristallnacht" anymore either - the term's seen as euphemistic.

The proper way to refer to it is "Reichspogromnacht" or "Novemberpogrome".

Edited by DrunkenNordmann on Nov 10th 2022 at 4:13:17 PM

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
Kiefen MINE! from Germany Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: It's not my fault I'm not popular!
MINE!
#4850: Nov 10th 2022 at 7:25:10 AM

From what I saw on reddit the message actually did call it Reichspogromnacht though. Still quite a faux pax.

Edited by Kiefen on Nov 10th 2022 at 4:25:27 PM


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