>>>>>>>On another note, it would be nice if the extreme political rhetoric would stop, but not likely :o(
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Not likely at all considering how well it works.
>>>>>There is always room for discussion, heated or otherwise.
>>>>
>>>>That's the thing that gets me. It all seems heated now. Naive me really believed Obama could bring us together. I thought he was going to be the great conciliator of our time. On this site I am viewed as a liberal but actually I am not, not much. I would just like them to get something done instead of endlessly fighting wars with each other.
>>>
>>>Clearly apart from such happenings, I distrust all-too-discussionless government much more.
>>>The way EU central bank buying certain papers was rammed down in clear violation of all those rules
>>>guarding the independance of the central bank was dishartening. Also every time the government
>>>gets a setback at collecting personal data a worse law is pushed forward.
>>>
>>>Be glad for the devil you have (again not talking about the shooting)
>>>
>>
>>I know there is resentment in Germany at supporting poorer neighbors. The EU is still a good thing IMO. Nothing personal, but you guys came goosestepping out of the Black Forest twice in 30 years and have been forgiven. It's a good union despite your many differences.
>
>Sometimes you are unbelievable. Goosestepping? You guys? That was a long time ago and I doubt that Thomas had anything to do with it...

I clearly said Thomas had nothing to do with it. But I believe there may in fact be something in the German national character.

Some years ago I conversed online for quite a while with a woman in Berlin. (Originally from Frankfurt, moved to Berlin after the wall came down). She said in some ways we haven't changed a bit. She said a recent opinion survey showed over 50% of Germans would not want a Jew for a neighbor. That doesn't strike you as a warning marker?