http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2567376 <p>The extra calories from beer are weighing down German troops fighting in Afghanistan. American and British troops have strict orders to stay sober in that country, but the Germans get to drink two pints a day.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/478600b5a6aa3e87_Germany-.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" width="550" height="322"></span><br /> Germany's parliament has looked into how a lack-of-alcohol ban has impacted the mission. The <b>Times</b> of London <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5277034.ece" target="_blank">reports that the investigation revealed</a> that in 2007 the 3,500 troops in Afghanistan drank 1.7 million pints of beer and 90,000 bottles of wine. These new findings help explain an earlier report that showed 40 percent of German soldiers were overweight, a significantly higher figure than the general German population rate. </p> <p>Government restrictions mean German soldiers participate in passive operations in Afghanistan, and apparently the government will not use the word for "war" in press statements about the effort there. Do you think Germany's cautious war policy has made the troops more passive? Either way, I'm sure life in Afghanistan isn't one big happy hour.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2567376#comment Afghanistan Alcohol Germany Headline Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:30:37 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2567376 http://www.citizensugar.com/2322084 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/Horst-Mahler.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarger" height="400" width="296"></span>The trial of a 72-year-old former left-wing terrorist group founder, and current neo-Nazi, began today in Germany. Horst Mahler is <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gB0aMiwAI9fDIt7tm-l2O1tNz3xQD93MB4280" target="_blank">accused of posting documents online denying the Holocaust</a>. Mahler likes trouble, as he received an 11-month sentence last year for delivering the Nazi salute at his prison booking for a previous conviction. And in 2003, he had to pay thousands of euros in fines for saying the Sept. 11 attacks were justified. </p> <p>Mahler could spend five years in prison, if convicted of Holocaust denial. German law <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6263103.stm" target="_blank">specifically prohibits</a> anyone from claiming that the genocide of the Jews did not occur. A total of 13 countries forbid denial, including: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland.</p> <p>Outlawing neo-Nazism is an obvious choice, but what about criminalizing Holocaust denial— is that a reasonable limit on speech, crucial to making sure the atrocities are never forgotten and never happen again? Should the prohibition include the Internet?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2322084#comment Crime Freedom of Speech Germany Headline Horst Mahler Laws Nazi Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2322084 http://www.citizensugar.com/2093216 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/83016479.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="208" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>Bailout Plan Hits Stalemate:</b><br /> Negotiations over the plan to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7636943.stm" target="_blank">rescue Wall Street</a> have ended in a "shouting match," with Republican members of Congress blocking the government plan after discussion with President Bush. Bush just gave a short statement outlining how the legislative process isn't pretty. Both sides are resuming talks later today with Nancy Pelosi saying there will be an agreement because, "it has to happen."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/Friday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Debate Remains Doubtful:</b><br /> The first debate between McCain and Obama <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Candidates-Debate.html" target="_blank">appears doubtful</a> as negotiations over the economy continue in Washington. Obama says he plans to travel to the University of Mississippi where the debate is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET. McCain says "I'm very hopeful that we'll get enough of an agreement tomorrow so we can make this debate." McCain is returning to Capitol Hill today.</li> <li><b>Terror Suspects Held on Plane:</b><br /> Two terror suspects have been <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7637226.stm" target="_blank">arrested in Germany</a> on a plane preparing to take off. The two Somali men had been under surveillance for months and were said to have been "possibly planning attacks" having left suicide notes behind in their apartments saying they wished to die in a "holy war." The plane was eventually allowed to take off following the arrests and a luggage search.</li> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2093216#comment 2008 Presidential Election Congress Debates Economy Front Page Germany Terrorists Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:51:49 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2093216 http://www.citizensugar.com/2068017 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/82969785.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="214" width="320"></span> <ul> <li><b>School Shooting in Finland:</b><br /> Nine people have been killed and the gunman wounded after he <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-EU-Finland-School-Shooting.html?_r=1&amp;oref=login" target="_blank">opened fire at a vocational school</a> in western Finland this morning. Chaos ensued after the hooded gunman entered the school and began firing with what appeared to be an automatic weapon. The superintendent of police says, ''The incident is over now." The gunman had posted video of himself on YouTube prior to the attack.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/Tuesday.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left larger" height="179" width="240"></span> <li><b>Iran President Blames Economy on War:</b><br /> In New York for the opening of the UN, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that the economic crisis could be blamed on global <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran23-2008sep23,0,2913574.story" target="_blank">US military intervention</a> and President Bush's "logic of force." He said, "The world economy can no longer tolerate the budgetary deficit and the financial pressures occurring from markets here in the United States." Bush <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gH8vjAe8Yxxfh2Mgi2N-G9cqOD8QD93CEBTG1" target="_blank">says</a> he's confident Congress will quickly pass a bailout bill.</li> <li><b>Germany Bids for Hostages:</b><br /> Germany continues efforts to free 11 foreign tourists <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7631360.stm" target="_blank">kidnapped in Egypt</a> on Friday. The kidnappers are holding five Germans, five Italians, and one Romanian tourist for a ransom of $15 million. Germany has formed a "crisis team" to deal with the situation as the kidnappers have threatened to kill the captives if any aircraft attempt to reach them.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2068017#comment Abduction Economy Egypt Finland Front Page Germany Mahmoud Ahmadinejad School Shooting Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:00:39 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2068017 http://www.citizensugar.com/2033242 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2033211?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82862622_0_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="419" width="350"></a></span>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. </p> <p>Guenther Beckstein, the governor of Bavaria, which includes Munich raised eyebrows recently when <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/world/2008/09/17/D938KNJG0_eu_germany_governor_s_beer/index.html?source=refresh" target="_blank">he said</a>, "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. </p> <p>Political opponents hope that Beckstein's statement on drunk driving could help them defeat him in elections on September 28. </p> <p>Now that would be sobering! </p> <p><p><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-3746 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 active" href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2033211?page=0,0,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82859086.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Bavaria&#039;s state governor Guenther " title="Bavaria&#039;s state governor Guenther " class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-29531 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2033211?page=0,1,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82859131.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Bavaria&#039;s state governor Guenther Beckstein and Markus Soeder, new Minister for Federal and European Affairs" title="Bavaria&#039;s state governor Guenther Beckstein and Markus Soeder, new Minister for Federal and European Affairs" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-4465 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2033211?page=0,2,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82861782.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Andrea Nahles, vice-chairwoman of Germany&#039;s Social Democrats SPD party and Bavaria&#039;s SPD top-candidate Franz Maget" title="Andrea Nahles, vice-chairwoman of Germany&#039;s Social Democrats SPD party and Bavaria&#039;s SPD top-candidate Franz Maget" class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div><div style="float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:0px;font-size:9px"><div id=mask-73722 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target="gallery4" class="thumb2 " href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/2033211?page=0,3,0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/38_2008/82862622.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Bavaria&#039;s state governor Guenther Beckstein and German Chancellor Angela Merkel " title="Bavaria&#039;s state governor Guenther Beckstein and German Chancellor Angela Merkel " class="image mediumsquare" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear="all"></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2033242#comment Alcohol Angela Merkel Beer Drunk Driving Germany Headline Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:00:34 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2033242 http://www.citizensugar.com/1863196 <p>Hitler may have died 63 years ago, but his anti-Semitic propaganda did not go with him to the grave. Last week police in northern Germany <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7553978.stm" target="_blank">raided a neo-Nazi camp</a> attended by children. At the camp, which was modeled after Hitler Youth Summer camps, 39 teenage campers wore uniforms of white T-shirts and black shorts, and studied racist Nazi materials. Following the police raid, the head of the German equivalent to the FBI warned that the German neo-Nazi movement has become increasingly ambitious and violent, marking a change in strategy.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/82269326.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span><br /> Next door to Germany, French prosecutors have <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7557499.stm" target="_blank">begun investigating Parisian clothing shops</a> accused of selling anti-Semitic T-shirts. Covered in Polish or German, the shirts display slogans used by the Nazis, such as "Jews forbidden from entering the park." Sales people at the stores say they did not understand the inscriptions, but also that the shirts have been very popular with some customers. Let's hope widespread anti-Semitism never goes back in style in Europe.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1863196#comment Anti-Semitism Europe France Germany Nazis Paris Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:00:05 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1863196 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1825940 <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2008/07/30/german_court_partially_overturns_smoking_ban">Butt Out: German Court Partially Overturns Smoking Ban</a> Germany's highest court partially overturned bans on smoking in bars Wednesday, ruling that states must either ban smoking in all restaurants and pubs or offer exceptions for single-room establishments. Smoking laws in German bars are set individually by each of the 16 states. A patchwork of legislation has taken effect across the country — traditionally one of Western Europe's more nicotine-friendly nations — over the past year. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1825940#comment aside Courts Germany No Smoking Smoking Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:07:33 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1825940 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1811122 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/24/mccain-on-obamas-speech-i_n_114817.html">McCain on Obama's Speech: "I'd Love to Give a Speech in Germany. . . But I'd Much Prefer to Do It As President"</a> Today as his rival prepared to deliver a major address to the throngs in Germany, John McCain counterprogrammed with a more modest event bound to invite comparisons. McCain made the remark at Schmidt's Sausage Haus und Restaurant in Ohio. Though Obama was amid a sea of people, he also drew criticism for his decision not to visit the troops. A McCain <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D924E4KO0&show_article=1">spokesman said</a>, "Barack Obama is wrong. It is never inappropriate to visit our men and women in the military." http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1811122#comment 2008 Presidential Election aside Germany John McCain Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:40:44 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1811122 http://www.citizensugar.com/1810223 <p>Barack Obama spoke to tens of thousands of Berliners <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/obama-plays-down-berlin-speech/index.html?hp" target="_blank">gathered at the foot of the Victory Column</a>, chanting "Yes We Can" or "O-bam-a." Using the image of a wall in the city formerly home to the most infamous one, Barack Obama highlighted the common challenges facing America and its allies, especially Europe.<br /> <blockquote>That is why the greatest danger of all is to allow new walls to divide us from one another. The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down.</p></blockquote> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054527.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="356" width="550"></a></span><br /> While sharing pride for his country, Obama also discussed concerns shared with Europe, including: working for a successful NATO mission in Afghanistan, securing loose nuclear material, working with Russia, getting Iran to abandon its nuclear plan, securing a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, bringing the Iraq war to a close, and addressing climate change (which got some of the loudest applause). </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-47219 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054514.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-920 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82053334.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-14436 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054527.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-90327 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054319.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-49706 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054367.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-87803 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,5,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054477.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-42371 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,6,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82053212.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-34080 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,7,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82053313.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-67739 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,8,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054413.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-40450 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1810287?page=0,9,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/82054417.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p>For more from the speech, and to find out how the Bush Administration and John McCain handled the event, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1810223">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1810223#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Berlin Germany Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:15:44 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1810223 http://www.citizensugar.com/1808043 <p>Yesterday the German government <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2008/07/23/germany_plans_customs_test_for_would-be_citizens" target="_blank">approved a plan to begin testing</a> would-be citizens on German customs and history, as a condition of citizenship. Critics say the questions and language of the multiple choice test are too difficult. It has also caused a stir among Germany's religious communities. The word Holocaust <a href="http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3473415,00.html" target="_blank">is not mentioned anywhere</a> on the history-oriented exam, and the Muslim community takes issue with the ideological nature of the questions.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/germany.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="400" width="470"></span></p> <p>Jewish leaders in Germany are <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1001640.html" target="_blank">puzzled that Judaism was not mentioned</a> as one of four possible answers to the question: "Which religion exerted the most influence on German and European culture?" In fact some of the questions include references to Christian holidays, raising the question: Should assimilation tests be limited to civic knowledge, rather than "cultural" knowledge that could be exclusive?</p> <p>Have a crack at some sample questions from the test, and see if you deserve a big plate of wiener schnitzel. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1808043">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1808043#comment Europe Germany Immigration Quiz Nation World of Faith Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:00:37 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1808043 http://www.citizensugar.com/1799497 <p>A record crowd of 1.5 million dancing, happy revelers <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jQpegSybieOACgz-XCyd1qKJy_DQD9213N2G2" target="_blank">celebrated at Germany's Love Parade</a> held Saturday in Dortmund, Germany. A <a href="http://www2.dortmund.de/loveparade_english/" target="_blank">Summer tradition</a> held for the first time in Berlin in 1989 just after the wall came down, it started as an expression of a changing Europe and was originally a political demonstration for peace and global understanding through music.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000339.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>That music thumped this weekend from 37 floats and 250 DJs as the wildly costumed participants kept the peace demonstration, peaceful. Almost a dozen international cities have spin-offs of the event, including Mexico City, Cape Town, and Rio de Janeiro. Next year's event is set for Bochum, Germany — get your tickets (and/or green wigs) now!</p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-97378 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/81998687.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-61848 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/81998701.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-75647 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/81999732.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-82372 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000239.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-21612 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000270.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-87528 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,5,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000382.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-66811 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,6,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000419.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-45346 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,7,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000422.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-44694 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,8,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82000423.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-3929 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1799475?page=0,9,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/82009063.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1799497#comment culture German Love Parade Germany Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:00:06 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1799497 http://www.citizensugar.com/1769399 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1769399"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1769399',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1769399');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/28_2008/81825570_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="280"></span>German Chancellor <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/861525" rel="nofollow">Angela Merkel</a> thinks the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of German unity, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080709141314.t3ju24gp&amp;show_article=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">makes an inappropriate backdrop</a> for a Barack Obama Summer speech. </p> <p>Monolithic American political figures have given historical speeches in the German Capital. In Berlin, John F. Kennedy <a>declared "Ich bin ein Berliner"</a> and President Ronald Reagan ordered the <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=uSHGXVBA17A&amp;feature=related" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">USSR to "tear down this wall"</a> in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Bill Clinton even gave a speech about German unification with the same landmark in the background. </p> <p>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 <a href="http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/09/obama_brandenburg/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">already supported the plan</a>. 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. </p> <p>What do you think about an Obama speech at the gate?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1769399" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Ja or Nein? Holding US Election Rally at German Landmark </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Ja! It's a great way for Obama to highlight international plans and show global unity.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Nein! How would you feel if a German politician gave a speech at the Statue of Liberty?</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Doesn't matter what I think. It's up to the Germans to decide appropriateness. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1769399" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1769399#comment 2008 Presidential Election Angela Merkel Barack Obama Brandenburg Gate Citizen Poll Germany Klaus Wowereit Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:30:14 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1769399 http://www.citizensugar.com/1746674 <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763160.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="480"></a></span>Red, gold, and the wordless melody of the Spanish national anthem filled Vienna's Ernst-Happel stadium Sunday night, as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to win the European Championship and <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D91JVP500&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">end 44 years of underachieving</a>.</p> <p>Back in Madrid, Spain, <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/29/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Euro-2008-Spain-Reax.php" target="_blank">fans and patriots</a> waved the Spanish flag, watched fireworks, and partied in the streets. Firefighters cooled off the Summer celebration by spraying the crowds with water. </p> <p>Check out the photos of Spanish jubilation and German disappointment. Spain's Queen, and Germany's Chancellor make cameos!<br /> <br> <br></p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-16011 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763160.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Captain Iker Casillas of Spain lifts the trophy after winning." title="Captain Iker Casillas of Spain lifts the trophy after winning." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-52954 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763206.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Spanish players pose for a team photograph." title="Spanish players pose for a team photograph." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-56696 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763172.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Spain&#039;s Queen Sofia congratulates Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas." title="Spain&#039;s Queen Sofia congratulates Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-32182 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763190.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Better luck next time. German Chancellor Angela Merkel shakes hands with German midfielder and captain Michael Ballack." title="Better luck next time. German Chancellor Angela Merkel shakes hands with German midfielder and captain Michael Ballack." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-6928 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763131.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Bummer in Berlin." title="Bummer in Berlin." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-9007 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,5,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763180.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Breaking the losing streak!" title="Breaking the losing streak!" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-13311 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,6,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763158.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="The Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna at the end of the Euro 2008 championships." title="The Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna at the end of the Euro 2008 championships." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-46543 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,7,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763161.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Back home. German football fans react at the &quot;Fanmeile&quot; (fan zone) next to Berlin&#039;s Brandenburg Gate." title="Back home. German football fans react at the &quot;Fanmeile&quot; (fan zone) next to Berlin&#039;s Brandenburg Gate." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-82786 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,8,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763162.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="The Spanish team holds the Euro 2008 championships trophy." title="The Spanish team holds the Euro 2008 championships trophy." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-2198 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1746629?page=0,9,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/26_2008/81763624.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Celebrating in Barcelona!" title="Celebrating in Barcelona!" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1746674#comment Euro Cup Germany Spain Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:58 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1746674 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1742932 <a href="http://www.townhall.com/news/us/2008/06/27/german_man_torches_car_to_protest_high_gas_prices">German Man Torches Car to Protest High Gas Prices</a> A German man doused his BMW with gasoline and torched it on Friday in protest at skyrocketing fuel costs, police said. The unemployed 30-year-old man drove the black 1995 BMW 3-series sedan onto the lawn outside Frankfurt's convention center grounds at about 7:30 a.m., police spokesman Karlheinz Wagner said. He then jumped out, emptied a canister of gas over the vehicle, and set fire to it, Wagner said. By the time the fire department got to the scene, the car was entirely burned out. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1742932#comment aside Gas Germany Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:55:32 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1742932 http://www.citizensugar.com/1739759 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1739759"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1739759',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1739759');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p>A town in Germany has abolished all traffic laws, signs, and crosswalks. Sound like a recipe for bumper cars meets demolition derby? Not according to town officials. In fact, getting rid of all the laws has had the exact opposite effect — by allowing drivers and pedestrians to make all of their own decisions about what's safe, one stretch of road that used to see 45 accidents a year and traffic jams, has become smooth and safe, and drivers have slowed down overall. </p> <p><center><object width="425" height="344"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sf-O5o4aqcs&amp;hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Sf-O5o4aqcs&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <p>The plan is called "Share Space" and exists in towns in England and Holland as well. The idea is that everyone on the road including pedestrians and cyclists have equal rights — no sidewalks even! Local police say that without rules, people — wait for it — <i>think for themselves</i> (!) and communicate more and assume the responsibility of powering a huge pile of metal. Though locals say it took a bit to get used to the freedom and responsibility, it's increased safety and renewed a village-y atmosphere.</p> <p>Does it make sense that by <i>removing</i> laws intended to increase safety, lawlessness actually makes a bigger difference? Could this phenomenon apply to other places and types of laws as well? Should it?</p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1739759" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Removing All Traffic Laws Makes Town Safer! Make Sense?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes! Laws become a stand-in for personal responsibility. We need more of the latter.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> It's dicey. I think both laws and responsibility need to coexist equally to make both work.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Stop sign here! Without laws, there's no enforcement or standard of safety. Big mistake.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I've got my turn signal on and I'll tell you in the comments. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1739759" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1739759#comment Cars Citizen Poll Germany Laws Poll Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:15:37 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1739759 http://www.citizensugar.com/1732690 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/26_2008/sos.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="310"></span>Next time you're on the treadmill thanking your lucky stars for your bra providing less bounce for the ounce consider how you'd feel if that bit of cotton saved your life.</p> <p>Last week an American hiker was rescued from a <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iSIFCCBZD9zZJaX_STwz-XaDAOZgD91FU2SG0" target="_blank">narrow ledge in the Bavarian Alps after she used her sports bra as a distress signal</a>. </p> <p>Colorado native Jessica Bruinsma, 24, was stranded in the Bavarian Alps for nearly three days, but managed to attract the attention of lumberjacks (no, she didn't flash them!) by attaching her sports bra to a cable that is ordinarily used to move timber down the mountain. </p> <p>Apparently, Bruinsma fell almost 17 feet to a rocky overhang, where she spent the next 70 hours sustained by water that she found by breaking into a nearby supply box. A combination of a bruised leg, dislocated shoulder and the isolation of the cliff made it impossible for her to climb free, but Bruinsma was able to reach a cable from a broken timber transport system and fashioned her bra to it in an attempt to draw attention to her whereabouts. When a repairman restored the line on Thursday, the cable car started moving up the mountain and Bruinsma's bra reached the worker at the base. He knew about the missing hiker and called police.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1732690#comment Alps bras Germany hiking rescues Weird News Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:00:35 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1732690 http://www.citizensugar.com/1733770 <ul> <li><b>Attack Threatens Cease-fire:</b> Two Palestinian <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jD4YSkDPlclqd9dHvg2f0Ij18zEgD91GF5MG5" target="_blank">rockets struck southern Israel</a> moments ago, prompting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office says the week-old cease-fire has been broken. The first rockets fired since the truce hit an open area leaving no injuries. As of yet, there has been no word as to how Israel will react, nor any claims of responsibility. The attack occurred hours after Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in a West Bank raid. Though the West Bank is not formally included in the Gaza truce, the Israeli raid could be perceived as violating the spirit of the cease-fire.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/26_2008/Tuesday.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li><b>Clinton Back to Work:</b> US Senator Hillary Clinton is <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3yHTaTou7p447cGBJNP-xQyKGfw" target="_blank">heading back to work</a> today, a return to congressional politics for the first time since conceding to Obama nearly three weeks ago. Her return to the chamber today comes before her first joint appearances with White House contender Barack Obama, expected later this week. On Sunday, Clinton told a high-school graduating class in New York that meeting thousands of people across the nation during her primary campaign had been an "extraordinary experience."</li> <li><b>Germany Sending More Troops:</b> Germany is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7471071.stm" target="_blank">preparing to send</a> 1,000 more soldiers to serve with the NATO-led peace-keeping force in Afghanistan. The US urged Germany to send more troops in February, and NATO allies have pushed for a boost in deployment to southern Afghanistan, the heart of the Taliban insurgency. Most of Germany's 3,500 troops are already based in northern Afghanistan and around the capital, Kabul. The UN has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7469194.stm" target="_blank">just announced</a> that the Taliban made an about $100 million in 2007 from Afghan farmers growing poppy for the opium trade, producing about 8,000 tons of opium.</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1733770#comment Afghanistan Ceasefire Front Page Germany Hillary Clinton Israel NATO Palestine Peace the Taliban Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:56:44 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1733770 http://www.citizensugar.com/1725523 <p>If you're booking a vacation, <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/994530.html" target="_blank">here's an option you might consider</a>: visitors to Munich are clamoring to head out on Adolf Hitler walking tours. Exploring the German city where the dictator began his Nazi Party 10 years before he was elected German chancellor.<span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/25_2008/79357699.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="401" width="550"></span> The tour wends through city sites with Adolf Hitler significance — which most contemporary locals are no longer even aware of, like the location where Hitler gave his first public speech (upstairs at the world-famous Hofbraeuhaus beer hall in 1918) and a nearby pub where he liked to drink and skip out on the bill. To see who's taking these tours, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1725523">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1725523#comment Germany Hitler Tourism Walking Tours Weird News Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:15:11 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1725523 http://www.citizensugar.com/1690193 <p>Egypt has just uncovered the missing "Headless Pyramid," hidden under years and years of sand. Ending millenniums of mystery, the archaeologist determined that the famous tomb belongs to pharaoh Mankauhor, who ruled Egypt 4,000 years ago.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1689723?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81441191.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="377" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>Only the base of the pyramid remains. It was first located in 1842 by German archeologist Karl Richard Lepsius. But until now, only his writings confirmed its existence, as no other archeologist was able to locate it under the desert sand. How <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/1647363" >Indiana Jones</a>! </p> <p>The entrance has not been accessed yet, as it is located underneath an ancient village. The plan is to move the village to another area. Check out the pictures below, and take a peek at <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7438133.stm" target="_blank">this video</a> of the excavation.</p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-72702 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1689723?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81441191.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="An excavation worker collects sand from the site of an ancient pyramid in Saqqara." title="An excavation worker collects sand from the site of an ancient pyramid in Saqqara." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-83954 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1689723?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81441180.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Egyptian Antiquities Council chief Zahi Hawass." title="Egyptian Antiquities Council chief Zahi Hawass." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-22381 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1689723?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81441181.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Egyptian Antiquities Council chief Zahi Hawass." title="Egyptian Antiquities Council chief Zahi Hawass." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-99573 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1689723?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81441189.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="A general view shows the excavation site." title="A general view shows the excavation site." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-63884 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1689723?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81439089.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="A man walks with his camel on a foggy day past the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, located in the same region as the &quot;Headless Pyramid." title="A man walks with his camel on a foggy day past the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, located in the same region as the &quot;Headless Pyramid." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1690193#comment Archaeology Egypt Germany Headless Pyramid Pharaoh Mankauhor Pyramid Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:00:35 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1690193 http://www.citizensugar.com/1664634 <p>Germany's memorial to the homosexual victims of the Nazi era opened yesterday in Berlin. The simple yet powerful memorial is made up of a large stone with a small window. Inside, a video image of two men kissing plays.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/22_2008/81238854.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="392" width="550"></span></p> <p>The fate of Germany's homosexuals under the Nazis, who considered them a threat to German society, has long been ignored. The new display is meant to address the past and the present. Berlin's openly gay mayor, Klaus Wowereit, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D90U5PFGB&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">spoke at the ceremony</a>.<br /> <blockquote>This memorial is important from two points of view — to commemorate the victims, but also to make clear that even today, after we have achieved so much in terms of equal treatment, discrimination still exists daily.</p></blockquote> <p>Gay citizens living in Germany still faced hard times after the Nazis. According to the <b>AP</b>, the antihomosexual law used by the Nazis remained on the books in West Germany until 1969 and resulted in 50,000 postwar convictions.</p> <p>The new memorial is located near the expansive memorial for the Nazis' Jewish victims. A third one is on its way, as the 220,000 to 500,000 <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1632484" >Roma</a> and Sinti (Gypsy) victims will be honored next. Check out the pictures of the inauguration ceremony. Will this memorial appropriately honor past victims and improve the lives of Germany's modern homosexual population? Are monuments to the past effective in reminding the present generation, as well as those that will come next, of the importance of tolerance and human rights? </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-79073 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1664593?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/22_2008/81243005.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="A visitors peeks into the window." title="A visitors peeks into the window." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-4585 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1664593?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/22_2008/81243007.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Visitors line up to peek into the window." title="Visitors line up to peek into the window." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-73262 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1664593?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/22_2008/81242996.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Berlin&#039;s openly gay mayor Klaus Wowereit (R) and former Bundestag president Wolfgang Thierse stand in front of the just-inaugura" title="Berlin&#039;s openly gay mayor Klaus Wowereit (R) and former Bundestag president Wolfgang Thierse stand in front of the just-inaugura" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-32656 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1664593?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/22_2008/81245923.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="A visitors peeks into the window." title="A visitors peeks into the window." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-90749 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1664593?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/22_2008/81243011.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Two men from a gay counseling organization hold a wreath." title="Two men from a gay counseling organization hold a wreath." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1664634#comment Berlin Germany Homosexuality Memorial Nazi Wed, 28 May 2008 03:00:53 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1664634 http://www.citizensugar.com/1643985 <p>An 88-year-old ex-Nazi may have nowhere to go. The US Supreme Court just <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7409562.stm" target="_blank">rejected the deportation appeal</a> of John Demjanjuk, who worked as a guard at a Nazi death camp during the Holocaust. Demjanjuk came to the US in the 1950s, only to be extradited to Israel and sentenced to death for war crimes. After his conviction was overturned, he came back to the US, lying about his Nazi past.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/21_2008/nazi.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="352" width="550"></span><br /> In 1993, Demjanjuk <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/29/newsid_4561000/4561917.stm" target="_blank">successfully proved</a> he was not the notorious Nazi "Ivan the Terrible" after almost <a href="http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/108637.html" target="_blank">three decades</a> of accusations. But, in 2002, an immigration judge ruled that there was enough evidence of a Nazi past to strip the guard-turned-Ohio car worker of his American citizenship. Yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld that decisions without comment. </p> <p>Now that the highest court says he has to leave, it's not clear where he will be welcomed. He claims that he will be tortured in his native Ukraine. It is also uncertain whether Germany will accept him.</p> <p>Should America make this senior citizen leave his family in America? Are some crimes so atrocious that more than six decades do not let us forget? Does America have an interest in stripping a former Nazi death camp worker, responsible for thousands of deaths, of his citizenship lest it offer his actions even the most passive approval?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1643985#comment Germany Immigration Israel Law Nazi SCOTUS Ukraine Tue, 20 May 2008 10:00:49 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1643985 http://www.citizensugar.com/1604069 <p>The bodies of three babies <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7383837.stm" target="_blank">have been found</a> in a basement freezer in the town of Wenden, in western Germany. The woman believed to be the mother of the three, who also has three children aged 18 to 24 living at the house, has been arrested. </p> <p>The three babies were not stillborn, though the cause of death and the infants' ages have not been released.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/19_2008/80989271.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span></p> <p>The babies appear to have died shortly after birth and were found in the freezer wrapped in plastic bags, according to the prosecutor's office.</p> <p>Grimly, several similar cases have surfaced in Germany recently — including a woman jailed for killing her eight children and <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,551452,00.html" target="_blank">stuffing their bodies</a> in flower pots. And two years ago, the body of a toddler was found in the fridge of his drug-addicted parents in the northern city of Bremen.</p> <p>What's in the world is behind this sad news out of Germany? Do you consider stories like this, news? Does the media have a responsibility to report even the grisliest stories, or would you rather they stick to the less salacious? Is it a little of both?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1604069#comment children Germany Headline Murder Weird News Mon, 05 May 2008 09:00:24 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1604069 http://www.citizensugar.com/1575538 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/17_2008/head2.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image outline right preview" height="166" width="278"></span>Berlin is opening a walk-in <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7364726.stm" target="_blank">stalker advice center</a>, not for victims, but for the stalkers themselves! Just one year ago Germany made stalking — conduct directed at a specific person that would cause reasonable fear — illegal, and attached a penalty of up to 10 years.</p> <p>But now Germans are looking to help the perpetrators. The <a href="http://www.stop-stalking-berlin.de/" target="_blank">center</a> will be stocked with psychotherapists and social workers ready to help stalkers deal with their "addiction."</p> <p>I think Berlin is taking a responsible approach by coupling criminal penalties with preventative and creative resources. The professionals may learn more about what motivates stalkers, and what treatment is most successful. </p> <p>Do you think the stalkers will take advantage of the center? Do you have any sympathy for stalkers seeking help? </p> <p><a href="http://www.stop-stalking-berlin.de/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1575538#comment Addiction Berlin Crime Germany Law Stalking Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:36 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1575538 http://www.citizensugar.com/1573695 <p>This week Mexico's top electoral body has ordered broadcasters <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSN2147083220080422?feedType=RSS&amp;feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&amp;rpc=22&amp;sp=true" target="_blank">to stop showing</a> a TV ad that compares a firebrand leftist leading a shut down of Congress to dictators Hitler and Pinochet. The ad is funded by a Mexican businessman angry at the blockade spurred by opposition lawmakers trying to derail an oil reform plan. He says the actions of protest leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are endangering democracy, "Who shuts congresses? In 1933, Adolf Hitler in Germany."</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/17_2008/hitler.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="407" width="550"></span></p> <p>The spot was shot as a flashback to conservative ads run in the 2006 election campaign, and call the former rights activist and then presidential candidate a danger to Mexico. The voice over says, "Our democracy is in danger. Our peace is at risk. Mexico does not deserve this." </p> <p>If Hitler on TV isn't enough, Ukraine has just begun selling an action-man style doll of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and saleswomen are hawking the product, comparing the doll to Barbie. But it's not all fun and games. To see the serious side, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1573695">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1573695#comment Ad-rageous Check This Germany Hitler Mexico Political Products Ukraine Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:00:08 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1573695 http://www.citizensugar.com/1572405 <p>Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey, Chim chim cher-oo! Disney may have made the life of a chimney sweep seem like dancing on the rooftops, but some decades later we've learned smudgy, sooty coal is a filthy form of energy. Which is why the news that much of Europe may be returning to their old coal ways requires a huge spoonful of sugar. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/17_2008/bambi.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span></p> <p>Italy is poised to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/world/europe/23coal.html?ref=europe" target="_blank">increase its reliance</a> on coal to 33 percent from 14 percent over the next five years. Total power generated from coal will billow to 50 percent. Don't just blame the Italians, countries all over Europe are expected to put into operation about 50 coal-fired plants over the next five years — plants and gunk that we will be able to enjoy for the next five decades. Germany <a href="http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/200353,electricity-industry-cries-foul-over-resistance-to-coal-power.html" target="_blank">in particular </a> has 60 new coal-fired power stations planned. To see how Disney fits into the modern eco-picture, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1572405">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1572405#comment Bambi Disney Eco Europe Germany Mary Poppins The Daily Planet Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:56:50 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1572405 http://www.citizensugar.com/1544868 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1544868"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1544868',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1544868');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p>Here's a story that involves Germany, Italian opera, September 11^th, and Mickey Mouse masks . . . oh, and naked people. Mix it all together and what do you get? — a shocking new production of Giuseppe Verdi's un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball). </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/15_2008/80591695.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="349" width="550"></span> The Austrian director Johann Kresnik, plans on staging a populist critique of modern American society, aimed at showing up the disparities between rich and poor. </p> <p><b>Telegraph</b> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/11/wopera111.xml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">quotes </a>Kresnik: <blockquote>"It will be a different, a provocative masked ball on the ruins of the World Trade Center. The naked stand for people without means, the victims of capitalism, the underclass, who don’t have anything anymore."</p></blockquote> <p>Would you see this anticapitalist opera of naked singers, even if you didn't agree with its message?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1544868" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Would You Watch an Opera That Incorporates 9/11, Naked Cast?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes. It's a fresh look at a classic opera, and American society.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> No. It is too deliberately over the top to even appreciate as art.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Maybe. But I might cover my eyes at certain parts.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1544868" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1544868#comment Germany Opera September 11 Verdi Weird News wtf Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:00:44 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1544868 http://www.citizensugar.com/1520208 <p>America is turning a popularity corner. In a BBC World Service <a href="http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbccntryview08/" target="_blank">poll</a>, 35 percent of people from all over the world said the US has a positive influence, up from 31 percent last year. The view that the US has a negative influence declined from 52 percent to 47 percent.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/19/193328/14_2008/77796909.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="342" width="550"></span><br /> The pollsters <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7325658.stm" target="_blank">credit various factors</a> including: extra attention to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process; a firmer stance on global warming; the election of pro-US Nicolas Sarkozy in France; decreased violence in Iraq; and the upcoming presidential election. World citizens hope that the next president will pursue a more collaborative foreign policy. </p> <p>Comparatively, Iran and Israel received the most negative ratings. Doing a 180 from about 60 years ago, Japan and Germany have the highest positive ratings. Russia gets a 37 percent approval rating, higher than the US.</p> <p>Surprised by these results? Do you think approval will increase with the next US president, or is a superpower destined to be judge critically?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1520208#comment BBC Germany Iran Israel Japan Russia United States Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:01:36 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1520208 http://www.citizensugar.com/1513706 <ul> <li>Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has called for his followers to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/world/middleeast/31iraq.html?_r=1&amp;ref=world&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">end fighting in Basra</a>, 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.</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/14_2008/Monday-350x260.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li>German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the first world leader to <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=15&amp;entry_id=25310" target="_blank">announce a boycott</a> 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 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/world/asia/31china.html?pagewanted=1&amp;ref=asia" target="_blank">becoming critical</a> 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 <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jCavAo_ltGtYv7w_L605o1cstSZw" target="_blank">it has arrested</a> 414 protesters, with an additional 289 turning themselves in.</li> <li>Housing Secretary Alphonso Jackson is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/washington/31jack.html?ref=us" target="_blank">expected to resign</a> 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.</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1513706#comment Alphonso Jackson Angela Merkel Basra China Front Page Germany HUD Iraq Muqtada al-Sadr Tibet Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:00:38 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1513706 http://www.citizensugar.com/1139395 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1139395"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1139395',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1139395');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/13_2008/79513991.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="165" width="300"></span>Well sports fans, it might be time to make some Olympian-sized decisions regarding the upcoming games in China. The torch began its big journey today amid protests, and it's probably just a taste of what's to come. As the venues near completion and the situation in Tibet keeps China in the news and on the defensive, more countries are giving the games careful consideration. </p> <p>Today, a poll in France shows that a majority want government officials to <a href="http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jj9FXfDPF40lX7ntJsVB9_Ytnmjw" target="_blank">boycott the opening ceremonies</a>, and almost the same amount supported some kind of protest by French athletes at the Games against China's human-rights record. The president of the European Parliament <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/23/SPCCVP0B8.DTL&amp;hw=olympic+torch&amp;sn=004&amp;sc=704" target="_blank">echoed this by saying</a> that Europe "should not rule out a boycott of the Olympic Games in Beijing." <br><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/13_2008/80089849.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="167" width="300"></span>Germans however have already packed their bags, the Olympics are on according to their Olympic committee. They <a href="http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7407501,00.html" target="_blank">said of the decision</a>, "Sport is not a suitable tool to be used to apply political pressure." President Bush issued a <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/22/stories/2008032254731400.htm" target="_blank">similar statement</a> over the weekend through his press secretary who added, “One of the things the president has said, also, in regards to this is that any country who’s going to be hosting the Olympics will have a bright light shined upon it and it is a chance for that country to put its best face forward.”</p> <p>Critics of the games <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/20/MN1GVMLVE.DTL&amp;hw=olympic+torch&amp;sn=009&amp;sc=331" target="_blank">point to</a> these issues:</p> <ol> <li>China's presence in Tibet and the recent crackdown on dissenters there</li> <li>The suppression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China</li> <li>China's policies related to Burma and the Darfur region of Sudan</li> <li>China's policies toward Taiwan</li> <li>General lack of freedoms in China, such as expression, assembly, and the press</li</ol> <p>Will China take advantage of this bright light? Should the international community use the games as a political issue?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1139395" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Games Off? Should We Boycott the Beijing Olympics?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes. The Olympics are an honor we should not bestow on undeserving countries.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> It's an option we shouldn't rule out, but I worry that it punishes the atheletes.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No. The decision was made knowing all of the issues. Now the games must proceed.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. It's a decathlon-style issue. I'll tell you my opinions in the comments.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="4" class="form-radio" /> Who cares. I'm with Bush — I'm just a sports fan. Games on!</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1139395" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1139395#comment 2008 Olympics China Citizen Poll France George W. Bush Germany Olympics Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:00:36 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1139395 http://www.citizensugar.com/1130875 <ul> <li>Vice President Dick Cheney <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-afghanistan-cheney.html?ref=washington" target="_blank">visited Afghanistan today</a> to meet with President Hamid Karzai. The visit is in anticipation of a NATO summit where Washington is expected to urge its allies to send more troops to the troubled country. The NATO-led force has about 43,000 troops in Afghanistan, charged with fighting Taliban militants. The militants have regrouped since US and Afghan forces removed the hardline Islamist movement from power after the September 11, 2001 attacks. They relaunched their insurgency two years ago. Cheney said of the need for troops, "all free nations have an interest in a secure, democratic Afghanistan."</li> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl0/10/104169/12_2008/Thursday-350x260.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="260" width="350"></span></p> <li>Germany's highest court has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7305636.stm" target="_blank">restricted an anti-terrorism law</a> making telecom companie