Politics German Politics & News

[av405]

Germany has resumed deportations to Afghanistan today, following an agreement with the Taliban. 81 convicted felons were flown to Kabul and handed over to Taliban authorities. 16 further flights are being prepared. (Source)

Of course, the left is screaming bloody murder.

Finally, some sensible decisions on this topic. What did the Taliban get in return?

 

[muck]

Finally, some sensible decisions on this topic. What did the Taliban get in return?

A semblance of international recognition, probably.
The deportees also received some cash to "ease" their resettlement, which was apparently done to ensure that liberal courts could not halt their deportation claiming undue hardship.

 

[NebrHogger]

A semblance of international recognition, probably.
The deportees also received some cash to "ease" their resettlement, which was apparently done to ensure that liberal courts could not halt their deportation claiming undue hardship.

Excellent news! An amendment to that worth considering: anyone convicted of carrying a concealed knife also gets a ride home. Seems like a disproportionate number of stabbers are Afghans.

 

[Ivan le Fou]

A semblance of international recognition, probably.
The deportees also received some cash to "ease" their resettlement, which was apparently done to ensure that liberal courts could not halt their deportation claiming undue hardship.

Have the Talibans made known what they were intending to do with these individuals?

 

[muck]

Apparently not.

 

[muck]

An economic summit held by the Federal Chancellor in Berlin has prompted a pledge of 60 premier corporations to invest more than €630 billion in Germany over the next two years. (Source)

The contrast in style and rhetorics is so interesting to me.
A couple of months ago, Trump celebrated a similar success with much fanfare, and the media were tripping over themselves to kiss his feet and announce that "America is back". In Germany, on the other hand, it's just a group picture and the media are like "oh, and that happened, too". The opposition are even criticising Merz, charging he should've got a better deal.

 

[muck]

German comedian Sebastian Hotz is to stand trial on July 23 for social media posts celebrating the assassination attempt against US president Donald Trump last year. Shortly after the news of the attempt on Trump's life had broken, Hotz took to X, lamenting the fact the gunman had missed. When challenged by some users, he responded "I absolutely love to see fascists die". Later, he defended his choice of words by writing: "No one is forced to feel pity with a fascist, nothing bad will happen from it." The Berlin Public Prosecutor's office accuse Hotz of a violation of Section 140 of the German Penal Code, which outlaws offering rewards or public approval for a felony after the fact. If convicted, Hotz faces a fine or imprisonment. (Source)

Hotz was cleared of all charges today, the court ruling that his comments were "satirical" and protected speech. (Source)

Why is "satire" the go-to excuse nowadays whenever someone writes something stupid (and clearly not satirical) on the internet? Call me fussy, but when I grew up it took a satirist to produce satire …

 

[muck]

Political correctness done right?

Hindenburg barracks, one of the German Army's major garrisons, is to be renamed on the grounds that the erstwhile Field Marshal and German President Paul von Hindenburg paved the way for Hitler. Some critics also cite the fact that Hindenburg's claim to fame, the victory at Tannenberg 1914, actually belongs to his second Erich Ludendorff (likewise a persona non grata).

The previous German administration ordered the Army to pick a new "modern" and "diverse" name of honour. The one they've settled with meets these criteria; curiously enough, it is also a deserved choice, though: Sergeant Friederike Krüger Barracks.

Friederike Krüger (1789-1848) was a Prussian patriot and tailor apprentice when the Napoleonic Wars broke out.

Barred from serving in the army, she dressed as a man and volunteered as an infantryman of the line under the alias of Anton Krüger, fighting in several battles and receiving multiple wounds. In fact, she was quickly found out, but the men of her company held a vote and decided to cover for her, citing her bravery in battle.

When a new commander realised who she was, King Frederick of Prussia allowed her to serve under her real identity.

Leading a charge, Krüger was gravely wounded during the Battle of Dennewitz in 1813 against the French. She received a field promotion to Sergeant and the Iron Cross. She retired honourably after the Napoleonic Wars, the King rewarding her further by becoming godfather to her children.

 

[skaw]

I have to say I like that choice. Deserved it is, it mirrors honor and huge devotion for your country. …If we only had a fraction of that widespread in our society today…