While Not Quite The Thank You As From The Australian

[Annie]

This is all the more unexpected since it comes from Germany:

http://medienkritik.typepad.com/blog/2005/06/otto_schily.html

Germany's Interior Minister Otto Schily: A Rare Pro U.S. Voice in German Politics

These are excerpts of an extraordinary pro U.S. speech (German version) given by German interior minister Otto Schily at the Arthur F. Burns Dinner in Berlin on June 3rd, 2005. He praises the historical German-American friendship, and in particular the support of the U.S. for democracy in Germany - and levels thinly disguised criticism against journalists for not presenting the full diversity of German-American relations.

We have only been able to overcome national socialism
and fascism, we have only been able to win democracy,
freedom and prosperity in Europe, because thousands of
young Americans have sacrificed their lives for these
goals. We may not and we Germans will not nor will
Europe ever forget America.

And at the same time we Germans should remember, that
it was the Americans who first extended us the hand
of reconciliation after the war. I remember quite
well that the American soldiers who pushed into
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, shared their food rations
with us half-starved children. I remember the Care
packages, I remember the school meal program the
Americans organized and many similar aid services
from America.

It was the Americans, without whom freedom and
democracy could not have asserted themselves and
developed in Europe. It was the Americans, without
whom Europe could not have overcome its divisions and
attained unity. That is the basis of a trusting
partnership and solid friendship that can't be
endangered by occasional differences of opinion.

We share common judeo-christian roots. The
enlightenment is our common european-american
heritage.

We share common values, and we have - along with
competing - also mutual interests.

Our American friends however have earned our trust
and support wherever they promote the spread of
freedom and democracy.

I will certainly take care, in the present company,
not to criticize the media too ardently. On the
contrary: This evening, first rate journalists will
be justly distinguished for their good work.

I have but one request, to present transatlantic
relationships in all their diversity to the public.​

Well, here's help...

(Translation by Richard Bartholomew)

 

[nosarcasm]

While my grandma was bombed out twice by Us bombers she shared with me her gratitude for the US carepackets that helped many Germans
survive after WW2 when noone else was willing to help them.

Otto Schilly was a former member of the Green party that switched
to the SPD (socialists) and became interior minister.

He there did a good job and even got the support and acceptance
by the rightwing Mr Gauweiler, the security expert of the union (conservatives).

While under the SPD and Schroeder the NATO is paralyzed I hope
in the upcoming election the CDU will win. They have my vote.
Although I abstained voting in Germany by mail while living in the US
in this crucial election I will give my votes to the conservatives
in order to repair the German-Us relations.

 

[Annie]

While my grandma was bombed out twice by Us bombers she shared with me her gratitude for the US carepackets that helped many Germans
survive after WW2 when noone else was willing to help them.

Otto Schilly was a former member of the Green party that switched
to the SPD (socialists) and became interior minister.

He there did a good job and even got the support and acceptance
by the rightwing Mr Gauweiler, the security expert of the union (conservatives).

While under the SPD and Schroeder the NATO is paralyzed I hope
in the upcoming election the CDU will win. They have my vote.
Although I abstained voting in Germany by mail while living in the US
in this crucial election I will give my votes to the conservatives
in order to repair the German-Us relations.

It seems most Americans really do get that. You don't see the hostility towards Germany that you do towards France, there's reasons for that. Americans of German ancestry seem very hardworking and do not act superior, they act American. I for one have not forgotten that the German military did not back Hitler from the get go and the assassination attempts came from the military.

After the war, the people for the most part, wanted to get their lives in order and rebuild Germany, though they mourned the loss of the East. When reunification came, it was the German's that have shouldered the burden, which probably accounts for much of what we have seen and heard of the frustrations in recent years. It appears that they are coming out of blaming others and want the government to get out of the way.