By Padmini Arhant
Congratulations! to the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and the FDP leader Guido Westerwelle on the re-election of CDU-CSU (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union) in grand coalition with the Free Democratic Party in the 17th German Federal election on September 27, 2009.
As a major economic power and the largest exporter as well as the second largest importer of goods, Germany is significant to the global economy and the international progress. The export-oriented nation has been drastically affected from the global economic crisis. It experiences the common woes like the financial market failure leading to the government bailouts; massive job loss in the manufacturing sector especially the automobiles and heavy industrial equipments…having a ripple effect on other sectors in the economy.
However, Germany has contained the crisis from further deterioration due to the various government run programs viz.
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Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
There is a brilliant article by T R Reid in the Washington Post today pointing out myths about foreign health care. It also makes the point that universal health care is possible (in Germany, Switzerland and other good systems) without a public option, but with VERY strong regulation and an opening up of competition, to a national level.
Here is the linkhttp:
//www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082101778.html
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” – simple yet meaningful creation by the renowned American Poet – Robert Lee Frost.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.
Only if the authorities in power – the corporations and the governments alike, in the contemporary world honor the commitment to their people and prioritize the promise to the general population over personal quest for profit, privilege, prestige and politics,
Perhaps, it might be possible to wipe out the global problems such as poverty, disease and war polluting the planet and restore the deep, dark and lovely woods that once used to be the nature’s paradise.
The past week event involving the release of two American journalists – Laura Ling and Euna Lee through high profile diplomacy aided with the former President Bill Clinton’s visit is a confirmation that communication and dialogue can be effective in resolving international crisis.
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July 21, 2009
By Padmini Arhant - Forwarding Facts Presentation by NCHC
As per the thorough, insightful and informative presentation of –
FROM: The National Coalition on Health Care – NCHC Cost Fact Sheet 2009 - Thanks
Source: http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml
FACTS ON HEALTH CARE COSTS:
In 2008, health care spending in the United States reached $2.4 trillion, and was projected to reach $3.1 trillion in 2012. Health care spending is projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2016. Total health care spending represented 17 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
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The map, based on 18 months’ worth of satellite data, shows very high levels of NO2 above major European and North American cities and across much of north-east China. South-east Asia and Africa also have raised concentrations of the gas due to their burning of vegetation. “Ship tracks are visible in some locations,” says Steffen Beirle, one of the research team at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. “Look at the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean between the southern tip of India and Indonesia.” Although NO2 is formed naturally by lightning and by microbes in the ground, it is also released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels by power plants, heavy industry and vehicles. Large quantities of the gas can cause respiratory problems and lung damage, and can also contribute to harmful ozone forming near ground level.
Obama has commented on helping poor nations to develop clean technologies but as you can see, it is not the poor countries that harm the planet the most. It is the rich large countries doing all of the damage. We first need to look at home and prevent the devastation that has been ongoing. United States, China, and Europe need to change the way they live first before they can start criticizing other poorer nations that only amount to about 11% of emissions around the world. Our polar ice caps have lost nearly a third of its size from 1981 to 2003(NASA Data). Your plan is to reduce amounts of emissions by the year 2050. By your logic, we won’t have a polar ice cap left. There won’t be anything to save. The climates around the world are already beginning to shift. Melting glacial water changes the composition of the ocean and changes the weather patterns around the world. Yearly Warming Temperatures from NASA
http://politicalpete.com/
Islamists threaten terror attacks in Germany (For betraying 'Granddad Hitler' / Islamo-nazism)adnkronos ^ | 04,22,09
Terrorism: Islamists threaten terror attacks in Germany
Berlin, 22 April (AKI) - The Al-Qaeda linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on Wednesday released a video threatening the "criminal" German government and citizens of the Jewish faith, according to German media.
In the video, the third released this year, shows a man identified as "Commander Mohammad", who criticises the presence of German troops in Afghanistan.
The man accuses "the sons of Germany of being in the service of the Jews" unlike "Granddad Hitler".
Investigators believe the video's release may be linked to a major Islamist terrorism trial which opened on Wednesday at a high-security court in the northwestern German city of Duesseldorf .
In the trial, three Germans and one Turkish national are accused of planning a series of simultaneous bomb attacks against discos and pubs and the United States airbase in Ramstein and against Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office.
Two of the German suspects are converts to Islam while the third is a German citizen of Turkish descent. They face charges of belonging to a terrorist organisation, plotting murder, and conspiracy to conduct a bomb attack.
The trial is expected to last one to two years. If the defendants are found guilty, they could face prison terms of up to 15 years.
Prosecutors claimed the men were planning to use about 10 times as much explosives as were used in the deadly July 2005 attacks on London transport that killed 56 people and injured thousands.
The plot was at an advanced stage and the attacks could have killed over 50 people, according to police.
Around 300 German federal agents were involved in monitoring the cell for several months, before police swooped in on the group in what was one of Germany's biggest anti-terror operations to date.
Three of the defendants were arrested in the Germany's western Sauerland region and the fourth was arrested in Turkey and extradited to Germany in November last year.
Prosecutors say the four men belong to a little-known group called the Islamic Jihad Union with roots in Uzbekistan and ties to Al-Qaeda.
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3239023359
Europe’s biggest agricultural producers are taking up new incentives for solar power to supplement farm incomes as well as help meet renewable energy targets.
The solar panels installations that are called integrated because they are built into the roof rather than superimposed, is booming in France thanks to legislation creating 20-year contracts with strong incentives to sell electricity to the grid. Government guarantees of long-term electricity contracts at an inflation-linked “feed-in” tariff, helped win the scheme bank support. The investment means constructing five enormous sheds covered by 36,000 square meters of solar panels with a capacity to generate 4.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 4,000 homes. At 0.55 Euros per kWh, integrated solar photovoltaic panels generate nearly twice the revenue of ground-mounted and superimposed solar panels. Another example is a group of 77 cattle breeders in the Aveyron region of south-west France, who formed a company, SAS Adder, to manage the construction of 33,0000 square meters of integrated roof panels on their farms.France whose goal is to have renewable energy make up 23 percent of its energy consumption by 2023 is imitating Germany, Europe’s leader in solar and wind power. The built-in technology is encouraged by the authorities as aesthetically acceptable, in a country where wind farms have been sharply criticized as eyesores.
With US know how, ingenuity, and innovation this could be applied by not only US farmers but by large commercial buildings also.
Source:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090224.wsolar0224/BNStory/Science/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp
its really nice to see the hole world stands behind Barack Obama. he has a broad fanbase in germany too for example the populare star magazin mamarazzo writes about him this days he is a star, but can he handle it for the future? the preassure must be really great if the hole world looks on you and celebrate you as star. i don´t wanna be in the "skin" of Barack Obama, but i´m sure he will make it right, what do you think?
If You watch TV, You have probably seen Obamas speech in Berlin, with thousands of thousands supports to the candidate. There were only a few negative voices in Germany, the most important was Josef Joffe, Editor of the very influential liberal weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT. There has been also some leftwing bloggers who shared his position. They wanted a more conservative president as they could continuing volley reproches to the states.
We will have a closer look to europe in the next months, read about the answers and behaviour to Obamas politics. I swear, it will be exciting for You!
Hi everyone!
This is my initial blog post. I'm from Germany and track Barack Obamas presidency with European eyes and yes I support the change by Obama as good as it gets. I'm 26 y.o. and student of "Economic and Organizational Science" in Munich. Yes, the same Munich vice president Biden visited :-) and also the same Munich known from the Oktoberfest.
Okay here we go! In my blog http://obama-videos.blogspot.com (opens in a new window) I collect videos by and about Barack Obama and his politics. For me it is very interesting and exciting to experience the change that just has begun. Take part on my journey through U.S. politics and write me comments on my videos and even write video/transcript requests or advocacies for new or old videos.
I try to offer the European and esp. the German reactions on the new kind of politics in the United States.
Thanks so far and support my "political journey" by visiting my blog Click here to open the blog in a new window
Hello to all people readin my Post.
There ist a political new wave tumbeling through the world, inpsired by the new President of the United States. Even in Germany there ist a feel of hope for your country down from bavaria up to the Nordsee. We all hope that America ist settling new strength with this new leader. Only America will be in a position to be a archetype for the world in many roles e.g. economy, environment, or others. No russian, no chinese or elsewhat.
We are a small global family that comes from Africa, Asia, and Europe. We believe that an American president has an important impact on the whole world and not only the US. We are global citizens who are being affected by the global situation which the US plays an important role in it. We hope for a global change that can bring the missing peace justice and prosperity to the globe and not only to the US. We hope for a responsible and honest leadership that works for the sake of people at large and not only for the sake of corporations and politicians.
We congratulate Obama for the inauguration and wish him and his team all success for a mission that we consider to be "A New Global Hope for a Better World".
Said Samir
Editor of www.the-president.us
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
No comment from Germany on Kosovo spy report
REUTERSReuters North American News Service
Nov 22, 2008 10:36 EST
PRISTINA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Germany declined to comment on on Saturday on reports that three Germans arrested on suspicion of throwing explosives at an EU office in Kosovo were intelligence officers.
The explosive charge was thrown on Nov. 14 at the International Civilian Office (ICO), the office of EU Special Representative Pieter Feith, who oversees Kosovo's governance, but caused only minor damage. The men were detained on Thursday.
A spokesman for the German foreign ministry in Berlin confirmed that three Germans had been arrested, but declined to make any further comment as an investigation was under way........
ENTIRE ARTICLE - http://www.wiredispatch.com/news/?id=463166
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1035393.html
Last update - 17:39 08/11/2008
Report: Auschwitz blueprints found in Berlin apartment
By Reuters Tags: Holocaust, Germany, Auschwitz
Original plans for the construction of the Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz, including a gas chamber and crematorium, have been found in a Berlin apartment, a newspaper reported Saturday. The daily Bild published copies of some of the 28 plans, which the head of Germany's federal archives, Hans-Dieter Krekamp, called "authentic proof of the systematically planned genocide of the Jews of Europe." Bild gave no indication of where, when or by whom the plans were found. It said they were dated between 1941 and 1943 and stamped, "Waffen-SS and Police Construction Directorate." Some were signed by senior SS officials and one initialled by the head of the Nazi ideological corps, Heinrich Himmler. Kreikamp told the newspaper the documents were "extraordinarily important." One plan, drawn by a detainee as early as November 1941, when experiments in eliminating prisoners were already under way, had a gas chamber clearly labelled, Bild said. Another showed a crematorium with places for ovens marked, and storage space for bodies. The "final solution to the Jewish question", namely the extermination of Jews living in Nazi-occupied Europe in what became known as the Holocaust, was decided by officials of Adolf Hitler's regime in January 1942 at a conference in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee. More than one million Jews, gypsies and others deemed "subhumans" by the Nazis were killed at Auschwitz, near the Polish city of Kracow, out of a total six million slaughtered up to the fall of the regime in 1945. Advancing Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz in January 1945, but camp authorities had blown up the gas chambers, and Holocaust deniers have claimed there was no proof of the camp's purpose.
ich wünsche diesem neuen herrn präsidenten und seiner familie, dass der virus des rassismus, der machtgeilheit, der kriegswut und der geldschmiererei von irgendwelchen giftkochern und giftmischern (mental und chemisch gemeint)an ihnen vorbei geht. dass ihm nicht von lobby und seilschaft die hände geknebelt und der geist vernebelt wird. VOR ALLEM ABER, DASS KEINE IDIOTEN SIE ODER IHRE FAMILIE UND FREUNDE IN GEFAHR BRINGEN, KIDNAPPEN ODER GAR UMBRINGEN!!!! ich wünsche ihm kraft, kreativität, gesundheit, immer bodenhaftung, ein langes leben, immer ein lachen im herzen und liebe und halt von ehrlichen freunden und der familie... dann könnte es doch klappen und tatsächlich so mancher traum zur realität werden. denken wir alle ganz fest daran und malen es uns aus, denn gedanken versetzen berge und können eine energiewelle auslösen, die so stark ist, weil von so vielen ausgelöst, dass sie ankommt und nicht nur bei ihm. alles gute, mr. president barack obama und familie!!! MÖGE DER GUTE GEIST IHRER VERSTORBENEN OMA UND ERSATZMAMA IMMER SCHÜTZEND BEI IHNEN SEIN!!!
claudia weidt-goldmann
scna.w@t-online.de
germany-nordhessen
http://claudiaweidt.de.vu
i have mcs / cfs /epilepsie because of pollution! now i have also for usa, for germany and the whole world hope, that it changhe the atmosphare and pollution will go to hell....
Change has come to the United States of America and the world. Barack Obama’s victory is historic. He is the first Afro-American ever to become President and has therefore shown that the gap between claim and reality of the American dream has been closed a little bit more. According to that the election results for Mr Obama show that the content of his policy was the deciding issue in this election and not superficialities.
The new President faces a lot of challenges and expectations. Some sceptical people mind already that there is the risk of disappointment if Barack Obama cannot solve all the problems. This people can be replied many problems do not concern the United States alone but the whole world. Therefore there has to be a common approach, especially in the United Nations framework, the WTO, the G8, the OECD, and even the NATO.
On 07/24/08 in his famous Berlin speech Mr Obama called for more cooperation, and as a citizen of the European Union I understand that the EU as a vital partner of the United States of America which is ready to intensify its cooperation and that others will join as well.
Again some sceptical people argue that Barack Obama will demand more support from the allies of the United States. But again one can give an adequate reply: It matters how the demand is made. Mr Obama has presented himself as a polite team player. That is why one might not refuse a request from him.
Barack Obama’s victory is also credited to the immense grassroots movement this campaign has brought forth. The result is a historic voter registration and participation in this election. This summer I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet some members of the Obama support group in Hamburg, Germany. Together we have made some campaign photos on a sunny July afternoon. During the photo session many tourists showed their support for Barack Obama, and quite strange people talked to us and we talked with them. They were very encouraging, and maybe this special spirit, this particular atmosphere is the reason why Mr Obama has won the election. He brought people together who did not each other and will never meet again, but who had one goal.
The fact that Barack Obama has German ancestors will make him more popular here than he already is. We are waiting for your next visit, Senator Obama, but as President of the United States of America then. Welcome, Mr President!
To view this blog post with music and Barack Obama messages taped on his podcast in the past access this link
By Daniel Kurtzman, About.com
"They say I need to be seasoned; they say I need to be stewed. They say, 'We need to boil all the hope out of him -- like us -- and then he'll be ready.'" (Watch video
********************************
'Eye Without A Face' by Mark Bellinghaus, Copyright 2008
Life is all about signs...seeing the signs....understanding the signs...acting upon the signs
--Mark Bellinghaus
Extract & Photo caption/description posted on OUR MARILYN BLOG - you can find the entire blog article here: blog.ourmarilyn.com/2008/08/31/marilyn-monroe-would-have-voted-f .. and also here: my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/markbellinghaus/gG5W75 Ella Fitzgerald & Marilyn Monroe, in 1955 (above) and in 1962, (below), the year Marilyn Monroe passed away. In 1955, when racism was still a big issue in the United States of America, Ella Fitzgerald became the first African-American to perform at the Mocambo, after Marilyn Monroe had lobbied the owner for the booking. The booking was instrumental in Fitzgerald's career. Marilyn would promise the owner that she would appear every night (and be on time), and this way also fill the house--and she did, she was there every night, and she filled the house and: she was always on time! Their close friendship lasted for many years and Ella would sing Marilyn Monroe's famous 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' in honor of her wonderful friend Marilyn Monroe, who died almost 34 years before she passed on in 1996, at age 79. Barack Obama Quotes: 'They say I need to be seasoned; they say I need to be stewed. They say, 'We need to boil all the hope out of him -- like us -- and then he'll be ready.' 'I have nothing to hide, I enjoy being myself. I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween." -appearing as himself on Saturday Night Live as part of a skit that featured Hillary Clinton dressed as a witch at a Halloween party * 'It's like I was shot out of a cannon. I'm so overexposed that I make Paris Hilton look like a recluse.' 'Hillary is not the first politician in Washington to declare 'Mission Accomplished' a little too soon.' Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy, who was a Democrat
