July 28, 2006
DER WALMART
We heard today on CNBC that
Walmart is pulling out of Germany. Apparently it can't compete with Aldi on groceries and has lost about a billion dollars there. Yikes. There was no Walmart in our region of Germany, so I never went. Actually, we passed one once and were excited, but then we realized it was Sunday and thus it was closed. I should've taken a picture; have you ever seen a closed Walmart?
I also got a kick out of this description of why Walmart didn't work in Germany:
To American eyes, the new ethics manual is standard stuff. But when Wal-Mart Stores Inc. distributed the newly translated code to German employees a few weeks ago, it caused a furor. They read a caution against supervisor-employee relationships as a puritanical ban on interoffice romance, while a call to report improper behavior was taken as an invitation to rat on co-workers.
...
Rivals continue to chuckle about the customer reaction when, initially, Wal-Mart offered services such as grocery bagging. It turned out that Germans didn't want strangers handling their groceries. And when clerks followed orders to smile at shoppers, male customers took it as a come-on.
I still can't put Walmart and Germany in the same sentence without remembering that German haircutter who complained to my husband that she couldn't walk around in an American Walmart in just a bra. Hilarious. Some stuff just doesn't cross cultural lines; I guess Walmart and Germany simply weren't made to mix...
Posted by: Sarah at
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When Walmart came to Germany, it did so by buying Wertkauf, a Germany supermarket chain. And then it slowly turned all Wertkauf locations into Walmarts and then some. I can remember reading articles about Walmart's troubles when they first opened. They interviewed customers, and I can remember someone saying they didn't like it when the meeter and greeter welcomed them, because they just aren't used to that in Germany. Also, the bagging just didn't work...however, they did offer free plastic bags, which is a totally anomaly in Germany, and most customers loved this. I was just at Walmart a few weeks ago with my mother, and it was amusing because there was an older cashier checking us out, and you could tell that she was guarding the old status quo...and there were no bags out...so I asked for them, and she begrudingly took out a few for me. But she didn't, like the younger cashier next to her, put out the whole pile, free for anyone to take and use as they please. It was like she secretly despised that Walmart tradition and was intent on not giving out free bags. Too bad they are closing...but I have to say, I love ALDI. Cheap, quick, and they have the most awesome capitalist system for their employees...makes Walmart almost look socialist. And you rarely meet a disgruntled ALDI employee...they are worked hard, but they earn more money than their counterparts in other supermarkets.
Posted by: calivalleygirl at July 31, 2006 06:10 AM (rynoq)
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July 09, 2006
CUP
We watched the World Cup game. France played better and deserved to win, but soccer is a game where nothing happens for 60 minutes and then a penalty kick means you're the best in the world, so whatever. But what on earth was Zidane thinking? What a bonehead...
Oh yeah, and I opened the "toys" box: it was scarves and hats and one lone coat hanger. Fun for the whole family!
Posted by: Sarah at
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VIVA ITALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Europe has football.
Americans have Superman Returns.
O-LE O-LE O-LE O-LE YOU GLORIOUS SONS OF BITCHES!
Posted by: Will at July 10, 2006 08:35 AM (eIQfa)
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July 07, 2006
CRYPTIC
We've been having a blast trying to decipher the English on the outside of our boxes. I just found my cutting boards in a box marked "wooden plates," and last night we giggled to find that all our DVDs and CDs were marked "cassette taps"; we've decided that we're calling movies "taps" from now on. And I know I saw a box in our old house that was marked "toys," but I've yet to find it here in this house. I'm dying to know what we own that the Germans consider "toys"!
Posted by: Sarah at
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At least they attempted to write it in English. We had several different languages on our boxes: German, English (i think), and Turkish!!! When we arrived here I had to have the movers open the boxes so I could tell them what room to put it in. The good thing was that I filled out the inventory at least that was readable. Just craziness!!!
Posted by: Angie Dente at July 07, 2006 12:45 PM (ec43W)
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April 11, 2006
TRAVEL PHOTOS
As we get ready to move back to the US, I have started thinking about our European experience. Lots of people who live here put up photos of the places they've traveled. I started thinking about our collection of travel photos. My husband and I don't travel much, and when we do, we're always alone. We've gotten pretty good at taking our own photo. In fact, when we were in Prague, someone offered to take our photo and we turned him down! We've got quite a running gag going of us in front of foreign stuff. And so I present to you our travel photos.
First of all, us in front of our house, right when we moved here
Then Salzburg
Frankfurt
Heidelberg
Garmisch for R&R
our cruise
Mulhouse for the Tour de France
and finally Prague
I think it's hilarious that all of our photos end up looking about the same. I love that. I can't wait to add similar photos of us in front of places like Mt. Rushmore, the Redwood forest, and Busch Stadium.
Posted by: Sarah at
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Awww.
You are so stinkin' pretty (and photogenic)!
Posted by: Erin at April 11, 2006 05:02 AM (7oVGv)
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Those are great! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kathleen A at April 11, 2006 06:55 AM (7qm8p)
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Those are great! You two are adorable
I can't wait to see the American versions.
Posted by: lizzie at April 11, 2006 08:10 AM (wxF45)
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Mt. Rushmore???REALLY!!It's a 3rd of July fireworks display, to the tune of $1,000,000...if I ever go there, again, it will be for 3july...but going in the winter is cool, and usually the people are fewer...those ''great faces'' are about 7 hours, from me!spearfish canyon is awesome, when fall hits, and the leaves are changing colors, too...and custer state park, in the spring, with the wildlife and newborn babies..buffalo, deer elk.....''great faces, great places''...south dakota!i'm also 25 minutes away from the world's largest bird feeder..oops, i mean the world's only corn palace, in mitchell..so, don't be running around this state w/o a guide!!there's also some good fishing & those damned pheasents!...debey
ps..glad to see erin's ''talking''!
Posted by: debey at April 11, 2006 08:33 AM (vAEec)
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Such cute photos! They have a South Park feel to them....'Explanation=same pose, but the backgroud keeps changing.' I love it!
It would be great if we could photoshop one and add Cartman.
Posted by: Vonn at April 11, 2006 10:10 AM (dEgRi)
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Have you guys ever thought about asking somebody else to take your picture for you?
Posted by: Will at April 11, 2006 07:16 PM (eIQfa)
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My boyfriend and I do this all the time, too! I mean we have loads of photos of us taken by someone else, but I have such a fondness for these photos, because they have such a fun feeling to them, instead of real posing. I plan on collecting all of ours and putting them together in an frame soon.
Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at April 14, 2006 08:34 AM (apdbD)
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March 19, 2006
NICE
We went to Prague today.
Golly, I just love Europe.
MORE TO GROK:
Pertinent link: 17% of Americans view the US negatively
Anyway, I was just being snarky with my photo. However, I will say that my husband and I are two of the stingiest people you'll ever meet, which is part of the reason we hardly ever travel. So it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth when we spend money to go to another country and have to see crap like this. We also went to the Museum of Communism, and while we were happy to see them tell communism like it is, I was extremely disheartened to see that some of the stuff in the gift shop made fun of the US and George Bush. This just doesn't seem very appropriate to me, nor did the other poster that said something like "Remember when the US stood for freedom?" I don't see why that kind of "joke" has a place in the Museum of Communism.
Posted by: Sarah at
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LOL...I freakin' hate Prague.
Posted by: Erin at March 19, 2006 05:01 PM (YCZTz)
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Hmmm, maybe that's why my ancestor's left there in the l880's.
Posted by: Mary*Ann at March 19, 2006 05:51 PM (ssGwL)
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Number of similarly defaced phones in the US = ?
Posted by: Amritas at March 19, 2006 05:56 PM (WnSrS)
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Maybe I'm just being naive (or pretending like the world is a pretty and happy place...ha!) but I thought Prague was pretty okay with Americans. I went there a few times and was always treated very well...that picture is very disappointing!
Posted by: Nicole at March 19, 2006 08:03 PM (Sa9Kb)
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"I thought Prague was pretty okay with Americans."
Maybe it is. There is no way to know who wrote that. It could have been an American.
Posted by: Amritas at March 19, 2006 08:47 PM (WnSrS)
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Just because they hate what our government does doesn't mean that they hate the average American.
Posted by: Pericles at March 19, 2006 08:53 PM (eKf5G)
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Hate to tell you this Sarah, but phones around the world look like that, in cities all over, from Seattle to Vancouver to Nashville.
Posted by: Will Somerset at March 20, 2006 12:11 AM (eIQfa)
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While I don't doubt that there's graffiti in the States aimed at Pres Bush, I'm not sure I'd believe an American phone would say "Fuck off USA" unless I saw it with my own eyes.
Posted by: Sarah at March 20, 2006 01:51 AM (QdE4e)
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I have to chime in here with some of the others commenting here and say that the "anti-Americanism" I see in Europe is very similar to that what I see in the US, although people in the US tend to shy away from saying "Fuck the US" most probably because they don't see themselves as being part of the problem.
I have been known to have a choice words for France, although I am sure that there are many French people not worthy of my rants, I still generalize.
I would say that many Europeans tend to have a negative comments about Americans, but I honestly don't find them to be in excess of the percentage I find back home. I mean, when I go back to the US, I am shocked about some of the verbal self-flagellation I hear...not to mention read in the papers.
I do however think that "Fuck the US" is the new mating call of left-leaners, replacing "Viva la Revolucion."
Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at March 20, 2006 04:27 AM (04Aih)
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I didn't actually notice the 'fuck off usa' part when I wrote my previous comment. No, I'd agree that there isn't any of that in the U.S. Wouldn't make much sense, would it?
Posted by: Will Somerset at March 20, 2006 07:29 PM (eIQfa)
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I don't use public phones anymore, have a cellphone in pocket. But a long time ago, I remember the scribble in the booths said things like, "For a good time - Call Flo 713-*****".
I didn't believe that either.
Posted by: Chevy Rose at March 21, 2006 06:48 PM (/6zA+)
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January 16, 2006
THE LAST HOPE
Cold Fury articulates something I've been thinking for a long time:
If the libs want government health care, gun control, and cradle-to-grave nanny-statism, there are plenty of places they can go to get it — and planes, trains, buses, and ships leaving every day. But this country is the only hope for those of us for whom liberty and respect for individual freedom and responsibility is paramount. It’s time we reminded them of that. We might not be quite on the right track just yet, but we’re definitely at the station and heading for the ticket window.
There's nowhere else in the world as far to the right as the United States. If you want to live in a world that's further to the left, move to Europe. But we Americans who want a world that's further to the right have nowhere else we could go. We just have to hope our country doesn't drift left.
MORE TO GROK:
I read the first few comments and realized that it just wasn't worth my time to clarify. This morning there are double the comments, and it seems some people out there did understand what I meant.
If I were somehow the exact same person that I am right now, but I got dropped off from a spaceship and was told to choose where I want to live, I could only choose the United States. It's the only country that comes close to representing my value system. (My husband smirked and said, "Well, there's Hong Kong and Singapore, but then again we might get put in jail for dropping a gum wrapper.") However, for people who are strongly in the left camp, if they got dropped off from the same spaceship, there are perhaps several countries they could choose to fit their values: Canada? Sweden?
I never said "love it or leave it". However, I certainly respect people who do this. My good friend from college sold every belonging she and her family had and moved to France. They knew certain aspects of getting settled might be rough, but they wanted to be in France. And I respect and admire their determination. I applaud them for having the gumption to pack up and move to somewhere that better fits their way of life. It wasn't easy for them to disrupt their life so, but they did it out of conviction. Sadly, the experiment didn't work: a year later neither of them had found a job and they moved back to the US. Interesting that her French-citizen husband got a job much more easily in the US.
I admire this couple for giving it a shot. They're like the reverse of immigrants who came to the US a century ago looking for a better life. If I thought that there were anywhere on earth that would suit my values better than the US, I would do everything I could to move there. Show me Galt's Gulch, and I'm there. But the US is the closest we've got. That's why we on the right really worry about it shifting closer and closer to countries that already exist. We've got nowhere else to go...
I never said lefties have to leave. But they've got the option to if they want.
Posted by: Sarah at
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This really to the point, please read:
http://www.anncoulter.org/cgi-local/welcome.cgi
Posted by: Seaspook at January 16, 2006 05:44 PM (adsOv)
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Hi there,
I wish you nothing but the best and hope all of our friends and family come home safe soon. I thought you might be interested to know about Operation Love Our Troops, an initiative launched by SoldiersÂ’ Angels. TheyÂ’re sending the worldÂ’s largest valentine to the troops overseas and you can leave a personal written or voice message for your loved ones, for free, on the site and theyÂ’ll get it delivered on February 14. Visit www.operationloveourtroops.org and send wishes of love and support.
Please share with your family and friends, too.
Good wishes,
Ashley
ashley@bohle.com
Posted by: Ashley at January 16, 2006 07:19 PM (rzjfo)
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America, love my vision of it or leave it, eh? Sorry, that isn't how democracy works...
Posted by: Pericles at January 16, 2006 10:13 PM (eKf5G)
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There was a discussion in the comments section of Ace of Spades a few weeks back, and folks both on the left and right were sort of in agreement that with the two sides of the debate getting further and further apart, and neither side wanting to leave, "secession" or "dissolution of the Union" is becoming more and more of an attractive option.
Sadly, I think it's true.
Posted by: Sean at January 17, 2006 01:13 AM (29u+V)
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I do not think you are trying to grok, you are being very knee-jerky here.
Being pro-healthcare and for some forms of gun control are not marginal views of a few crazy leftist extremists.
According to every poll I have seen on the question, the majority of Americans (me along with them) want some form of national healthcare. Why do we put that burden on our corporations, and cut into their profits? Why do we empower unions by keeping this on the table?
Gun control is not one thing, but a question on policies about a lot of things (criminal background checks before sales/Brady Bill, handgun ownership, automatic weapon ownership, assault rifle ownership, etc). Polls in general show Americans favor some forms of gun control and not others. I assume you have a more nuanced view than that there should be no controls whatsoever on owning any form of gum. If not, then you are in a stark minority.
What makes you so special that you as a minority in at least one of those views (healthcare), and maybe both (depending on where your views on gun control really are) can go telling the majority to leave their own country?
Pretending people really followed your advice, when your country has been depopulated by greater than 50%, do you really think you would be better off? When that depopulations is primarily of college educated professionals, do you really really think you would be better off? Do you think the country could survive the migration of the wealth and knowledge those people would take with them?
Even if you don't like the views of most Americans, even if they were a minority, maybe you should learn to be a little more tolerant of them. Healthcare and gun control are both really fairly complex problems, the are not simple questions with simple answers. Maybe you should try to have some more respect for those who have thought things out and came to a different answer.
Posted by: Mr. Silly at January 17, 2006 01:34 AM (kWQWR)
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Mr. Silly...you'll attack me for this, but you lobbed the softball, I didn't. You're very aptly named.
Healthcare and gun control seem to be your hot button issues...neither of which have anything to do with federal legislation.
Yes, health care is expensive...but why do you think that might be the case? Is it possible that we're trying to subsidize the health care of just too many Americans and non-citizens at the same time? If all I have to do is make it across the Rio Grande, sail my seaworthy raft to any American shore, or snow shoe across the Canadian border...I've made it to "Easy Street" if I catch a cold. Don't believe me? Put on a green windbreaker that has "INS" in big yellow letters on the back and walk into an emergency room any night of the week. The other factor that increases the cost of healthcare is that we've got far too many lawyers in this country that expect our doctors to practice zero defect medicine. Just because you made it to the doctor before expiring, doesn't mean that he'll be able to save you. Lawyers just help survivors cash in by punishing doctors just trying to do their best.
As far as gun control is concerned, I agree. Criminals shouldn't have guns...but you know what? They're always going to have them...BECAUSE THEY'RE CRIMINALS AND DON'T OBEY LAWS!!! I watch a lot of CourtTV...and have seen some very interesting uses of claw hammers, baseball bats, and the like, but I don't see anyone running background checks at Home Depot or Academy Sporting Goods. Let's call a spade a spade here, we've got bad, evil people out there that use these items AS WELL AS GUNS to perpetuate crime. Let's lock them up! I don't see "Escape from New York" and "Escape from L.A." as action thrillers, but more like "how to" documentaries.
Sarah can state any opinion here that she likes...for one thing, this is her corner of the Internet. If you don't care for her ideas and politics, there are plenty of other places where you might be able to find more like-minded people like yourself. Try the Huffington Post, I think you'd lap that stuff up without the spoon.
Wow...sorry Sarah, but I had to. I just had to rant a bit!
See you on the high ground!
MajorDad1984
Posted by: MajorDad1984 at January 17, 2006 06:31 PM (j7S/Q)
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How about just closing the comments down, or restricting them in some way to insure that they meet certain standards of true and correct discourse? What a messy place the internet is. We really must clean it up.
Posted by: Marli at January 17, 2006 07:17 PM (5sump)
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Major, I don't get the impression that you read anything I wrote.
Sarah's opinion included saying that people who disagree should leave the country. There is ample reason to criticize this immature view.
As for guns, I stated no position. Personally I am against most forms of gun control, including the assault gun ban and the Brady bill, if you care, but I acknowledge that I am in the minority, and I do not think that those who disagree should leave my country.
WRT to healthcare, the issue is complex, but your examples do not shed much light. For instance, to get health care in Canada you need an insurance card - I have experienced this firsthand. There is a reason why uninsured Americans do not just pop across the border to get free healthcare when they need it. To get an insurance card you either need to purchase health insurance (which is not cheap), or show proof that you have been a resident for a year. It is actually a lot easier to get free healthcare here than in Canada. I agree that healthcare costs are too high here due to abuses. But the costs from illegals taking advantage of the system (which is something that should be corrected) are largely taken up by the state, and those that are not are not a drop in the bucket compared to the abuse that is done by the highly collusional insurance companies who have record profits while their net expenses and payouts have decreased by raising malpractise and other rates over and over. In Texas rates kept rising after tort reform measures came in, so (contrary to your talking point) it is not frivolous suits driving the costs. At this point the system is so broken on so many fronts that I am for starting over from scratch and building a sane system with a new insurance system that locks out the old corrupt companies.
Posted by: Mr. Silly at January 17, 2006 08:20 PM (0MHXm)
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"America, love my vision of it or leave it, eh? Sorry, that isn't how democracy works..."
Pericles, one other way in which democracy isn't supposed to work is when a minority forces their "vision" of America on the majority through nebulous legal concepts such as The Constitution being a "living" document whose meaning changes based not on those who wrote it but on what those charged to interpret it wish it to mean. The truth is that there are countries that closer match your idea of a better country but none match the idea of a better country held by the majority here (especially conservatives, military and veterans) the way the US does.
Certainly at some point when leftists are able to convice the majority of the population that their views are the right ones you'll get an America made the way you want it, but it will no longer be America. It'll be a country named America, but one that no longer resembles the dream of The Founding Fathers, and which no longer espouses the ideals and values that constitute what America is.
Sillyman, you're argument is based on the false notion that being pro-healthcare is the same as being pro-universal socialized healthcare. You're argument on gun control is equally false in that some gun control is not the same as banning firearms. The aim of the left is not common sense control and education of firearms, but rather to remove firearms from the hands of the common man.
Frankly I'm with Sarah on this. If your values diverge so far from the values that this country represent, then why bother to stay here? Are leftists such sadist that they wish everyone who believes in freedom and liberty the pain of living in yet another failed socialist utopia? Are they simply religious extremist evangelists bent on forcing everyone to worship at the shrine of Marx?
We know it's not because they prefer to live in a country that espouses their values since those countries already exist and would embrace them and their inherent anti-Americanism.
Oh, and let's nip this one before someone poser tries to make an issue of it. If you espouse ideas and values that are contrary to those that define America, then you are anti-American despite your heated denials. Being against something makes you "anti" that thing. Such as me being anti-communist or anti-Jihadist.
Incidentally, despite the knee-jerk reaction of the leftists, nowhere does Sarah say "America, love it or leave it," though the opinion of that old bumper sticker is just as valid an opinion as the anti-Military "bakesale for bombers" one I've seen. Well, actually it's more valid since it has a logical basis whereas the bakesale bumper sticker is based on idiotic aunt-Nellism that is self-destructive and delusional.
Kalroy
Posted by: Kalroy at January 17, 2006 11:39 PM (9RG5y)
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Silly, "Sarah's opinion included saying that people who disagree should leave the country. There is ample reason to criticize this immature view."
No she didn't. She pointed out that countries that fit the vision of liberals and the far left already exist, but countries that fit the vision of the center and center-right exist singularly as the United States of America. No country, least of all America, fit the vision of the far right.
"Pretending people really followed your advice, when your country has been depopulated by greater than 50%, do you really think you would be better off?"
I doubt it would be greater than 50%. The left does not make up a majority of the country. Center and right make up a greater portion of the country than the left, and the center is more rightwing than it is usually portrayed. Even a large number of ardent Democrats are too far right to be left. From Union supporters who use can't stand the left, to Black Baptists who are ardently anti-Abortion, pro-traditional family, and pro-Christian. Both groups tend to be ardent Democrats, but their support is based on very narrow goals of the Democrat party, and they support more of the Republican platform. However, in the words of my ardent Democrat in-laws, "I'll be damned before I vote Republican." Of course they are also disgusted by homosexuality, abortion, socialized anything, mixed race marriages, gay marriage, illegal immigration, and a host of other pets of the Democrats. Theirs is a strange point of view held by quite a number of people I've met in my blue-collared life.
Kalroy
Posted by: Kalroy at January 17, 2006 11:55 PM (9RG5y)
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orrr, everyone could just, like,shut up and move to Russia or something.
Posted by: Marli at January 18, 2006 12:57 AM (O5TXh)
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Kalroy,
You are a bit off base.
In general polls show that the American public supports some form of universal healthcare. The details depend on the poll, but most people recognize that what we have now is broken and getting worse, and want it fixed, with universal healthcare being an obvious solution.
In general polls show that the American public support some forms of gun control - not all, but some. I am not advocating any gun control. I own a shotgun (for home defense), a few hunting rifles, and a handgun (a Luger which was a gift from my deceased uncle). I have kids so I secure them properly and treat them with due respect. I think that any citizen who does not have a history of violent crime who wants to be armed should have that right, and that any laws resticting that right should be state or local laws, not federal. My views are not in the majority, and I can accept that.
I believe I misunderstood Sarah's initial post, so I take back my remarks about leaving the country. I still would say that if most people in the country want to see it go a certain direction, better that we act like a democracy and do what they think would improve their country than leave because some minority opposes the changes, even if I am among that minority.
FWIW, emigration is a lot easier said than done. Picking up, leaving friends and family, and going off to a new country is both expensive, and emotionally difficult, so even if there were some imaginary country that had laws and a culture that I thought were sane, I would still stay here.
Posted by: Mr. Silly at January 18, 2006 03:10 PM (K4xEt)
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Off base? Heck, I can't even play ball, my indian name is "Throws Like a Girl" so.... But I get your point and you're right. I was off base in my statement. The Polls depend on the wording and worded as "Universal Healthcare" and some "Gun Control." When "universal healthcare" is termed "socialized healthcare" support drops off. Both terms are loaded. After all, in this country no one is legally prohibited from obtaining healthcare, but they're responsible for it themselves (with, of course certain exceptions such as Health Families or Medi-Cal). With the term "socialized healthcare" it becomes obvious that I'm expected to pay for the healthcare of a welfare queen or a hippy dropout (and of course for the kid with a bright future struck by a car).
I myself like the idea of a safety net, but hate how badly it would be abused (considering how badly it's abused right now), and frankly agree with most of my union brothers and blue-collar construction buddies (most ardent democrats) detest the idea of paying the way for welfare queens (I'm using the term in general), even though I know several and have seen how they game the system without ever breaking the law.
As to gun-control, I'm with you on this, I think everyone should excercise good control over their gun. It's already illegal for the bad guys to have guns, and law-abiding citizens should not have their own rights abridged simply because the state can not seem to enforce the laws already on the books.
"I still would say that if most people in the country want to see it go a certain direction, better that we act like a democracy and do what they think would improve their country than leave because some minority opposes the changes, even if I am among that minority."
I agree with that. But that's not what the left wants because they're not in the majority.
As to your point on immigration, well, yeah. It's almost impossible to pick up and move out of state, or even out of town where a person can find employment or better employment. So I see your point on that. I know it's possible, however, since I spent all last year and half of this year (ummmmmm, 2004, 2005 I meant) working out of state because California is short on worthwhile jobs for a blue-collar worker, before that a stint overseas.
However, I still maintain that the leftist minority that wants to remake the country in the image of France and Cuba should really just move their and let the majority have some peace and let the majority have their democratic way. I don't expect it, but I'd love it if they did. Though, they may all decided to move back.
Perhaps the problem is that they don't want to go to those countries because America still has far greater opportunity than France and Cuba. It's just that leftists fail to realize the reason for this is because it is not like Cuba.
Okay, gotta go eat now.
Kalroy
Posted by: Kalroy at January 18, 2006 09:51 PM (9RG5y)
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The thing I don't get is why people on the right who insist on parroting the party line on every issue can get so worried about socialized medicine. The White House, both houses of Congress, and the SCOTUS are all controlled by Republicans. The legislature has been thoroughly bribed/campaign donated by the Insurance companies, the AMA, and big Pharma. Even the Dems in the Senate are well bribed by the same.
If there is some leftist minority that wants to turn us into Cuba, why even care? They are powerless. Besides some blogs, a few op-eds in the papers and their last bastion in universities, they have nothing.
Even on gun control they only make minor gains like Brady/Assault ban, and the Assault ban is dead now thanks to the fact that Republicans control the federal gov't, so why get all worked up?
Posted by: Mr. Silly at January 19, 2006 01:09 AM (K4xEt)
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Kalroy-
Actually, the Founding Fathers had a lot of disagreements about what the country should look like, as we do today. Consider, for example, the Federalist/Anti-Federalist debate about the role of the central government. So when you speak about "their vision," the truth is that as a group they had no such vision about what the country should look like or what the Constitution allowed. In any case, I agree with you that the idea of a "Living Constitution" is morally bankrupt. On the other hand, though, so is "strict constructionism." Constitutional interpretation has to be driven by what the words meant when they were written. However, the Constitution contains a lot of value-laden language, and we have to interpret that language based on what our best understanding today of what it means, even if that is not what the Framers thought. Just to choose one example, think about the prohibition on cruel punishment. Cruelty is an abstract value-laden concept, which means something like inflicting more suffering than is justified by any good that results. That meaning hasn't changed since the 18th century. The strict constructionist mistake is to say not only that we have to be guided by the original meaning of that term, but in addition that we have to take the Founding Fathers' word for what punishments are cruel. Maybe they got that wrong, though, and if they did, being true to the meaning of what they wrote means rejecting their judgments about what specific punishments are and aren't okay. That isn't a "Living Constitution" approach; it is the truest form of "original meaning" jurisprudence. And the same reasoning can be applied to other abstract terms in the Constitution, such as the establishment of religion or the equal protection of the law.
Posted by: Pericles at January 21, 2006 12:05 PM (eKf5G)
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OK so Sarah didn't say love it or leave it.
That means I can. Love it or leave it idiots.
You suppose you are in the majority? Where's the evidence. I see no links to actual polls. I know of NO (nada, nyet, nunca, none) majority support for universal government sponsored health care. So quit dirtying up the comments with supposition and provide some facts for review, girls.
Subsunk
Posted by: Subsunk at January 22, 2006 10:40 PM (6RsXX)
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The overall misconception in this entire argument is that the founding fathers were Republican and that if alive today, they would vote for Bush.
Sounds likes a right-wing fantasy to me. Sure, the fathers were about personal freedom, low taxes (which is more about small government), and the right to self-defense, but if you think that that's what the Republican party of today stands for and not what the Democratic party of today stands for then you are sorely deluded.
The evidence shows that Bush is about big government spending (the highway bill), favors to the energy and defense industries (the energy bill and the Iraq war) and government sponsored invasion of personal freedoms (the patriot act and the wiretapping.)
The founding fathers were radicals when it came to rights of the individual. That's why the Democratic party policies on same-sex marriage, abortion and the seperation of church and state are, in my opinion, far more in line with what America is supposed to be. So when you try to say that America is one thing, and that the rest of us (which is a lot, considering Bush's popularity numbers) should "move to Europe", I think you are very mistaken about the fundamental concepts of what this country is all about.
Basically, you want a Republican totalitarian state. This country is about opposing views, non-violent debate, and accountability of our leaders. The Democrats and their allies keep this country in check, day after day, when the rest of you would be willing to hand over the keys to the kingdom at the first sign of fear-mongering.
You pick a few issues like medicare, public education and welfare and try to label us freedom-hating, government loving socialists who love Marx and want to set up communist system in this country. What a huge, bogus lie. Just because there are humanitarians in the Democratic party who empathize with their fellow citizens and want to give their less fortunate neighbours a chance to pursue happiness DOES NOT mean that they want goverment to take over our lives. We want the government out. You guys with your anti-ACLU stance and your unflinching love and acceptance for the president are coming dangerously close losing all of our freedoms.
But that's okay, we'll just stay here in America and work to make things better, and you can all thank us later.
Posted by: Will Somerset at January 25, 2006 07:48 PM (eIQfa)
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The overall misconception in this entire argument is that the founding fathers were Republican and that if alive today, they would vote for Bush.
Sounds likes a right-wing fantasy to me.
Sounds more like your fantasy of what you think your opponents believe.
Posted by: Patrick Chester at January 26, 2006 11:19 PM (74cXW)
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January 06, 2006
ALWAYS GREENER
The other day, a few friends told me that the
grass is always greener. After having lived in France, Sweden, and now Germany, I've grown into a person who thinks the grass is
always greener in the United States. I don't see myself coming back to Europe ever again, unless someday we have a child stationed here (God forbid we're still in Europe that far into the future.)
That said, I know there will be some things that I will miss from time to time. I'll miss spatzle from Herman's, garlic soup, and all the other uniform German menu items that drive me nuts now but will sound so yummy when I haven't had them in a while. I'll miss calling my mom for two cents a minute. I'll miss going into a public restroom and knowing that the stall door locks will never be broken. I'll miss magpies. And I'll miss eating my weight in warm sugary almonds every Christmas.
Most of all, I'll miss the military community we live in. There's something about plopping a few thousand Americans into Nowhere Germany that brings people together. We might never live on another post again, and I'll miss knowing that all my neighbors are going through the exact same experience as we are. It might be a long time before I can show up at another neighbor's house with knitting and Bud Light and stay until midnight. I'll miss bumping into friends at the commissary (except I can't wait to stop bumping into some of those jerk high schoolers!) I also love how there's only about two degrees of separation between people here, so you're always finding out that the Jennifer your friend works with is actually the Jennifer who's your neighbor, or the wonderful experience of teaching an adult at the university and then finding out you're teaching her son in seventh grade.
There will be things I'll miss: I can't even let myself think about leaving Erin and Kelly. But three years here is plenty, and I'm proud to admit I'm homelandsick.
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Sarah,
It's always fun to have Budlight (in a can I might add) while knitting! Or how about going to party at "a farm" and wondering what that funny smell is??? Wish you were my neighbor again. Come Home Soon!!!
Ang
Posted by: Angie D at January 06, 2006 09:04 AM (SA3c9)
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You know, there was this place that served uzo as a sort of appetizer before your meal. I only got one withing from the place, schnitzel mit pommes. I can't remember the name of the place, but should I find myself in FRG ever again, I'm going back.
I also miss the ubiquitous gyro vendors. Mmm! The mass produced thing they call a gyro back here in Texas is more like Sizzlean in a fluffy tortilla.
And the castle near Flossenburg. HEY! Have you gone there yet? I'm not talking about teh camp, I mean the sacked castle on a hill.
Posted by: Jason at January 07, 2006 11:58 AM (uoRqh)
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January 02, 2006
READ OF THE DAY
Mark Steyn:
ItÂ’s the demography, stupid
Can a society become increasingly Islamic in its demographic character without becoming increasingly Islamic in its political character?
This ought to be the left’s issue. I’m a conservative—I’m not entirely on board with the Islamist program when it comes to beheading sodomites and so on, but I agree Britney Spears dresses like a slut: I’m with Mullah Omar on that one. Why then, if your big thing is feminism or abortion or gay marriage, are you so certain that the cult of tolerance will prevail once the biggest demographic in your society is cheerfully intolerant?
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On one hand, I love seeing the Eurotrash get what they deserve. On the other hand, we have to clean up the mess...as usual.
Posted by: Tanker at January 03, 2006 07:51 PM (btzDE)
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December 27, 2005
November 20, 2005
HEH
I laughed into my pancakes this morning when my husband told me
Johnny Depp is disillusioned with France:
DEPP: 'I CAN'T STAY IN RIOT-RAVAGED FRANCE'
Hollywood star Johnny Depp is so shocked by the riots raging through France, he's considering abandoning his home in the country.
The FINDING NEVERLAND heart-throb moved to Europe when life in Los Angeles became too violent.
He has since divided time between the two continents - but he fears France will be scarred permanently by the current troubles.
He says, "It's insane, that setting cars on fire is the new strike.
"I went there (to France) to live because it seemed so simple.
"Now it's anything but. I don't know how they'll recover from this."
Hahahahahahaha. Newsflash: life isn't "simple" anywhere.
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BWAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
I have a red spot on my trou from where my ass is bleeding for the poor sap.
Posted by: Jim - PRS at November 20, 2005 11:00 AM (oowdc)
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Wasn't he one of them hollywood types that left the U.S. because we elected Bush and were going to hell in a hand basket? Wonder where he'll go next?
Posted by: Sgt Hook at November 20, 2005 12:18 PM (jlMVG)
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Irony is so fun, particularly in the morning, eh?
Maybe he can team up with Gwyneth and Madonna to find an alternative to England and France. Perhaps Antarctica? Pretty sure there is very little terrorism there.
Posted by: JCK at November 20, 2005 01:36 PM (J9ixV)
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Sgt Hook:
IIRC, it was less towards the President and more towards America in general. Something about us being like a big dumb puppy or similar.
So we're like Charlie, I guess.
Posted by: Patrick Chester at November 21, 2005 01:18 AM (74cXW)
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September 23, 2005
DISGUSTING
I realized after reading
The French Betrayal of America that the divide between the US and France is even worse than I had thought. And
these commemorative stamps just sicken me.
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But these are Palistinean stamps, not French ones. Suppose that Saddam had issued stamps with the famous picture of him shaking hands with Rumsfeld in 1983, both with big grins. Would that make you sick, and if so who would the object of your disgust be, Iraq or us?
Posted by: Pericles at September 24, 2005 04:06 PM (EpPuP)
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Um, yes, that too would make me sick. That said, I still think the two situations are a bit different. We backed Iraq over Iran as a lesser of two evils, and I bet anything that Rumsfeld wishes he could make that photo disappear. Can you show me any time that France has shown regret or disgust over supporting Arafat? We admit it sucks that we supported Saddam; Arafat died in the comfort of France.
Posted by: Sarah at September 24, 2005 05:40 PM (mX8Ke)
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Yes, I certainly agree that Rumsfeld would give anything for that picture not to exist, LOL.
Look, I don't have any great love of either the French or of Arafat, so I'm not exactly on the opposite of this from you. But I think the picture with Rummy and Saddam illustrates the fact that in foreign policy we tend to pursue our own perceived interests, even when these conflict with higher principles, and this is certainly no less true under Republican presidents than Democratic ones. We therefore can't get too high up on our high horses when other countries do the same.
P.S. Just a reminder: We already had intel indicating that Iraq had used poison gas against Iranians and Kurds when that photo was taken. So when Rumsfeld talks about how it was obvious that we had to invade Iraq in order to take out a leader who would do such things, remember that knowledge of these crimes didn't keep Rummy from making nice-nice with Saddam when he thought there was some short-term benefit for us involved. There were some things to be said in favor of this war that made some kind of sense, even though the case against was stronger in the end. Saddam was a butcher. But how can we take a point like that seriously out of the mouth of a person who was so obviously personally untroubled by it? And if the press is really so liberal, why wasn't this picture on the nightly news every night, instead of just on liberal blogs?
Posted by: Pericles at September 24, 2005 06:05 PM (EpPuP)
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September 20, 2005
HOW COULD YOU?
I just think that
this German political campaign is in very poor taste (via Oda Mae). I don't even know what else to say about it, other than to point out how inappropriate it is.
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Getting ready for work, not much time to type. Check out Dawson's Danube, http://www.billspricht.net/
if you get a chance. might like it.
Kalroy
Oh and happy speak like a pirate day (yesterday).
Posted by: Kalroy at September 20, 2005 08:59 AM (9RG5y)
2
The Germans got what they deserved; the worst case scenario. It couldn't have happened to a nicer "master race." Gerhard Schroeder is accomplishing what Hitler couldn't - the end of Germany!
Posted by: Tanker at September 20, 2005 11:25 AM (btzDE)
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Don't even get me started about the German/European press and what they print especially photos. These photos did not upset me as much as the others they have posted, but it is still very poor taste. Happy Knitting!
Posted by: H. Sims at September 20, 2005 02:38 PM (D+Bhc)
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I only made one brief trip to Germany, but my impression is that it is a lot more politicized than Anerica is (although we may be moving in that direction). I saw a lot of political grafitti spraypainted onto buildings. How often do you see that here? My hastily formed impression was that their political discourse was really "no holds barred."
Posted by: Pericles at September 20, 2005 05:24 PM (EpPuP)
5
this campaign is a copy of a campaign by a belgian "liberal" politician last year. he used it against the flemish christian democrats, whom he suspected of wanting to send troops to iraq. shamefully, he used a pic of a coffin of one of ten paracommandos who were killed 10 years ago in ruanda in a un-mission. you won't see many belgian paras wanting to wear a blue beret or helmet any more.
his party lost big time.
Posted by: janvanbrugge at September 21, 2005 11:27 AM (DrxGR)
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August 29, 2005
VET WOES
We got a very good deal by buying our dog here in Germany: normally in the US a Tibetan runs around $1200. I don't know if we'll ever be able to afford one again! However, I really wish we were in the US for veterinary services. So far Charlie has been to the vet twice, at two different places, and he needs a third visit at a third doctor. Our on-post clinic is closed because the vets are deploying, so I have to find a German vet to get Charlie his last set of shots. I called some places today and had a hard time communicating. It's frustrating dealing with something very important and new to me -- caring for a living creature -- without having one consistent vet I feel comfortable turning to for advice and services.
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You could try getting a referral form your breeder maybe.
Posted by: Mare at August 29, 2005 06:47 PM (KmNMw)
2
I met another American couple here who had a little Yorkie, and they were pleasantly surprised by the German vets here. Their dog had to have an operation that would have cost them over $1K in the US, but only paid 200 Euros for it, plus were able to get the tax back.
So, I am sure that once you do find a German vet, things will go smoothly.
Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at August 29, 2005 07:10 PM (Qa18+)
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My vet is very good, can't say he's all that cheap though, but fair. He speaks English very well. He is in the Landstuhl area if you care to drive. The # is 06371-914314.
Good Luck
Posted by: Mrs Greyhawk at September 01, 2005 06:35 AM (QLGwB)
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Just fyi - at a meeting last night with members of the VCSC, I heard that they are supposed to be sending reservists here in October to fill the open Vet slots. I don't know if it's the truth or not, but thought I'd let you know
Posted by: Susan at September 01, 2005 10:24 AM (FmIVz)
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August 05, 2005
COOL
It's funny: it was easier for me to keep up with Red6 when he was Iraq than when he lives five miles away. Since he and my husband aren't in the same unit anymore, we don't see each other that often. We try to get him over to our house once a week for dinner, but he's a busy, busy man.
Anyway, I was excited to see this exchange he had with a French reader, which led me to a cool blog in French. Herve runs Le Monde a L'Envers, which more or less means "the world in reverse or upside-down or inside-out or something". It's always good to see we've got French support.
When I went to France a year ago, the main thing I wanted to do was return to St. Avold cemetery. We got there right at closing time, which didn't give me much time to linger, but I did go into the caretaker building. I wanted to sign the guest book, and what I found brought tears to my eyes. So many people from all over France had visited the cemetery and written encouraging comments. I found so many attaboys and gratefulness for my country. People said that the US was the best or that they stand by us. Often it was just a triumphant USA!! written on the side. I was so touched by that guest book, and I'll never forget the words I read that day from our individual allies.
Thanks for your blog, Herve.
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Those who hate our country are the loudest. That's by design and strategy. It doesn't mean they're all like that.
Posted by: Eric at August 09, 2005 12:48 AM (QJb38)
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June 27, 2005
FORGOTTEN
My husband and I haven't made it to Berlin yet, but it looks like we might not get to see this Checkpoint Charlie memorial site. Apparently it's being
bulldozed this 4th of July. I certainly don't understand why memorials to the Cold War are supposedly turning Berlin into "Disneyland". It's funny to me that it seems many Germans want to forget the past...while Americans are busy trying to build a why-they-hate-us at Ground Zero.
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Yes, but we'll always have Dresden!
Posted by: Tanker Schreiber at June 27, 2005 06:44 PM (DvSQS)
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How insensitive you're being Sarah. If the German left doesn't get to forget how they acted in the past how will they be able to do it again in the future?
Kalroy
Posted by: Kalroy at June 28, 2005 01:54 AM (9RG5y)
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Here's what I think about that:
http://sisu.typepad.com/sisu/2005/06/_checkpoint_cha.html
Posted by: Sissy Willis at June 28, 2005 09:29 AM (Ox3oi)
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I was in Berlin and at Checkpoint Charlie, but I never saw that site.
I am not going to say this is a good thing, but the capitalist in me supports it. I think that it's unfair that the property owner has to suffer because of this. Obviously the bank sees more profit in selling that prime realty, rather than to lease it out to the museum.
At the time they leased it out, it was a good interim solution, until they were ready to sell the property, or a higher bidder came along. It's unfair to them that an unofficial memorial was built on it, and now because of that, there is this huge controversy.
So although I am not siding with the German government's reasoning, I don't think this is completely wrong.
I think a better solution would be to move the crosses to another area (that's not some industrial zone) and make it an official memorial...however it seems like the German government is reluctant in doing that, for not so respectable reasons.
Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at June 28, 2005 10:17 AM (NPkZ5)
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April 13, 2005
SHOELACES
You know what I want more than anything in the world? Shoelaces.
I've had this pair of brown shoes for many, many years, and the laces finally wore out and broke. I checked all over post, and all I could find was black and white laces. I tried to hit some German stores, but I could never figure out where to get shoelaces. I gave up and sent the broken lace to my mother, hoping she could find something similar to what I need. And every day I open my closet, wishing I could wear that freaking pair of shoes.
I'd kill to go to Walmart right now.
So many friends and family have been emailing us, wondering when we're moving back. I guess since the husband is home from Iraq, they assume we'll be moving soon, but we still have over a year left at this duty station. What's even worse is that now that deployment is over and stop move will be lifted in about a month, all of our friends are getting orders to leave. Nearly everyone we are friends with will be leaving this year, and some are leaving as soon as May. One close friend was telling me about everything that will be near her new home at Fort Shelby, including two Walmarts and a big mall. I am getting so anxious to go home.
We leave for our vacation on 1 May, with a week in Florida and a week on a cruise. It will be the first time in the States for both of us since Christmas 2002, and we're both getting quite antsy. I'm just ready to go somewhere where we know what everything is. We know what food is at the restaurants, what stuff is in the stores, and how far it is to our next destination on the map.
And maybe I can get some freaking brown shoelaces.
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It figures you come to Florida for a visit as I'm moving away - damn, I'd love to have bought you both dinner......
Soon, Sarah, soon you will have all the mass merchandisers you could ever hope for. Soon....all those wonderful American "thingys" will be available at your whim.
Soon.....
Meanwhile - enjoy your vacation!
Posted by: Tammi at April 13, 2005 11:16 AM (7K6EQ)
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I'll look for your brown shoelaces. I live across the street from a Wal-Mart and a Kmart is next door. And a mall is only a 20 minute walk away. Could you send me a photo, if you have any? I don't want to buy the wrong shade or something ...
Posted by: Amritas at April 13, 2005 01:38 PM (+nV09)
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Dear Daughter,
I have been searching for tan shoelaces. I can find dark brown, white, off-white, black, etc., but no tan. A pair of tan 36" laces are on their way to you; they did not come in a longer length. If they don't work, I'll keep searching! I've gone EVERYWHERE I can think of to go!
Still searching,
Your mama
Posted by: nancy at April 14, 2005 01:01 AM (YuW6k)
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It's funny, all those years we spent in Germany and after a few years all we could talk about was how much we wanted to go back to the States, where there weren't all these freakin' rules about not washing your car on Sundays, stores stayed open on Saturdays past noon, things were open on Sundays, and yes, finding shoelaces wasn't so much like a search for the Holy Grail.
We've been back in the States for 13 years now (although I took a year break to go to Korea), and oh how I miss Germany, the food, the scenery, the houses with their tile roofs, the castles....
Human nature, maybe, always to want what you don't have.
Posted by: oldcontroller at April 15, 2005 01:17 PM (hhiiF)
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...and a big panama with a purple hat band!
Posted by: Walter E. Wallis at April 16, 2005 02:48 PM (MBCZx)
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April 05, 2005
AMERICAN ENDINGS
I'm trying to get into the swing of things by reading blogs again. CaliValleygGirl has a funny tangential story about going to
see Team America in Germany. Today is the DVD release date, and if they have it here, I'm buying it right after school.
I remember plenty of jokes about "American endings" when I lived in France. Europeans derisively called anything that worked out too perfectly an American ending, but we Americans like these stories. Our movies are modern day fairy tales where the good guys always win and the guy always gets the girl.
I'm also convinced that Flight 93 would've crashed into the White House or whatever its destination if the passengers on board hadn't been raised on good old fashioned Hollywood movies. If these men and women had never seen Passenger 57 or Air Force One, they might never have thought that they could've overpower the hijackers. One of the men on board even had a Superman tatoo; they were steeped in American culture and taught from day one that they can do anything they put their minds to. I honestly believe this is what brought Flight 93 down in a field instead of in D.C., and I'm ever grateful for the bravery those passengers showed.
But would they have had the guts to do it if they hadn't seen Wesley Snipes do it first?
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"Today is the DVD release date, and if they have it here, I'm buying it right after school."
Did you get it, or were they sold out?
It's not being released in the US until May 17th:
http://www.teamamericamovie.com
It hasn't even come out in theatres in parts of Europe yet - or Japan:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372588/releaseinfo
Japan will also get STAR WARS episode III late for some reason.
In Japan, "American endings" are called ハッピーエンド "happii endo" (note: not エンディング endingu).
"But would they have had the guts to do it if they hadn't seen Wesley Snipes do it first?"
Probably. You don't have to see American movies to absorb the American message.
Posted by: Amritas at April 05, 2005 04:29 PM (+nV09)
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I like American endings. If I pay close to 10 bucks to see a movie, I want to be entertained and I'd rather leave feeling good than felling depressed or angry. Most of the French movies I've seen (even the "comedies") have been unutterably dark.
Posted by: Pamela at April 05, 2005 04:41 PM (PlwSw)
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"felling"
That would, of course, be "feeling".
Posted by: Pamela at April 05, 2005 04:42 PM (PlwSw)
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Sadly, like many cultures these days, the French and Germans are molding their identity about being "not American".
That means to have a happy ending is a betrayal, to portray good vs. evil is a sellout of culture.
While there's no doubt that French and German filmmakers could make good movies if they rid themselves of such a silly notion, what I see on IFC and Sundance cable channels demonstrate to me that's just not the case yet.
Posted by: Sean at April 06, 2005 04:08 PM (y9UuV)
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I've seen a few *really* good French and German movies, but agree that a lot of the hoity-toity ones just come off as crap.
Counterexamples include Run Lola Run, City of Lost Children, and pretty much anything with Jean Reno in it.
Posted by: James at April 07, 2005 06:28 PM (FpasZ)
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The last good French films that I saw (at a theater) were "Horseman on the Roof" and "Brotherhood of the Wolf"...very American films with mostly American endings.
Posted by: Blackfive at April 08, 2005 01:38 PM (ynjpR)
7
http://debthelp.americasparty.org/collection-debt--software/ abruptlytangibletwinkles
Posted by: quarters at August 24, 2005 03:55 PM (PSabp)
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March 05, 2005
HEH
VDH is good this week:
Our cousins abroad cannot figure out why a crass nation of former European rejects, led by a cowboy from Texas, is wealthier, stronger, and more willing to sacrifice for principle than a more venerated, cultured, and aristocratic civilization.
Heh.
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March 03, 2005
UGH
Reason # I-lost-count why I hate our so-called allies.
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"but Spanish investigators did not warn the FBI and the CIA UNTIL...when the FULL scope of the technical information became clear"
They did warn us, once it was figured out. Last time the U.S. was warned about terrorism, it was blown off. The Russians, Israelis, Germans and French all did their best to get it through Bush's thick head and he chose his pet goat instead.
The Spanish are our best friends, this time we're actually listening.
Posted by: Collin Baber at March 03, 2005 07:52 AM (fufbw)
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"The Spanish are our best friends,"
I just recently heard a reference to a survey that identifies the Spanish as the most "hate America" of the euro's. I'll try to find a link to this survey (if it actually exists).
I understand your frustration with our allies.
Also, it looks like you have picked up a moonbat of your very own ; )
Posted by: Pamela at March 03, 2005 03:55 PM (PlwSw)
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February 27, 2005
NEW EUROPE
A
warm welcome for President Bush in Slovakia.
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