Why One German Spent €6,000 to Thank America

Der Spiegel ^ | March 20, 2005 | Fiona Ehlers

[NCjim]

He also did it to provoke those who don't share his opinion, particularly the liberal paper's core readers. In all, considered it quite successful and was extremely pleased.

It's always fun to annoy the libs.

[NZerFromHK]

Hang in there sir, by the time for obituary of George W. Bush a majority of Germans and the German press, punditries, and politicians will declare Bush a visionary great statesman and declare you far-sighted.

Just like the way these your fellow countrymen treated Ronald Reagan: derision in 1987, ignorance by 1994, and recognition by 2004.

[SE Mom]

Wow. What a clever and generous idea!

[12.7mm]

Amazing...

"It's also a time when 29 percent of Germans trust Russian President Vladimir Putin and only 24 percent trust US President Bush"

[Peach]

Bless his heart!

[Jet Jaguar]

"Who is Manfred Petri?

Manfred Petri is a quiet man. But ever since his birthday, people have been stopping him on the street. Friends have been congratulating him and strangers have been approaching him, curious to know exactly who Dr. Manfred Petri is.

Today he is sitting in a café in Hof, wearing a plaid shirt and a dark tie, watching the steam rise from his café au lait and gazing out at the snow-covered street. He says placing the ad wasn't a big deal, really, just something he spontaneously felt needed to be done."

Thanks!

[BallyBill]

Danke.

[NZerFromHK]

Perhaps someone should ask these Germans if they so trusted Putin, perhaps they also approve of Putin's attempted assassination of Yushenko of Ukraine and muddling in Ukraine's internal affairs?

And if they support Putin's movements in the Ukraine, perhaps they owe us an explanation why they hold the United States to a stricter standard regarding assassination of political targets?

[Malesherbes]

Germany led by Gerhard Schroeder and Joschka Fischer has been a faithless ally, squandering a half century of good will during which time the USA was Germany's best friend in the world. Nonetheless, it is well to remember that there are still Germans, a minority but still significant, like Herr Petri who are our friends.

[geedee]

Nonetheless, it is well to remember that there are still Germans, a minority but still significant, like Herr Petri who are our friends.

I reacted to this much the same way I react when our Canadian FReepers say . . . "Hey, not all of us Canadians agree with our Liberal Government."

I always reply . . . "Great. Nice to know. If I'm on Jeopardy one day trying to beat Ken Jennings' record, perhaps that question will come up. But, in the grand scheme of things, does it matter to the cross-country skier who is being mauled and torn to pieces by a pack of blood-thirsty wolves that there are a few, timid wolves standing on the periphery as he's being eaten alive?"

And that's what I believe.

Anytime I make what might appear to be personal attacks against Germans or Canadians . . . what I'm really saying is this . . . For whatever reason, your present government was elected by your people and it is this government that is doing damage to the U.S. It does me as an American no good to know that NOT ALL of you think we're The Great Satan because enough of you believe it that American soldiers are unnecessarily having to die on the battlefield because the rest of the world doesn't have the cojones to confront despots and terrorists who have killed Americans with impunity for far, far too long.

Those Canadians and Germans who disagree with their government's actions are the ONLY ones who can change said government and, while we will willingly and enthusiastically help them all we can to change their government, they should in no way be given a FREE PASS just because they agree with our positions.

There is a third classification to be thought of here . . . those who disagree with their government, but do NOTHING about changing their government. Why should they be thought of as OUR FRIENDS when their inactivity is perpetuating the very anti-U.S. sentiments expressed by their government?

[Unam Sanctam]

The title of the cover story read "Ick bin ein Mainzelmännchen," (I am a little dwarf from Mainz) a play on US President John F. Kennedy's famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech intended to belittle Bush, who was shown in a caricature wearing a dwarf's hat.

How infantile can these people get? Anyways, it's nice to know that at least one person in Deutschland doesn't hate us.

[Grzegorz 246]

I heard about it. I wonder how many Americans trust Putin.

[bboop]

We have had citizens, both in Germany and France, come up to us, ask if we were Americans, and then thank us from the bottom of their hearts for saving them during World War II. It was very moving.

[B4Ranch]

Have you ever told story that to a WWII Vet or do you just accept their thanks and think how nice it is to be an American?

[river rat]

I've spent TOO much time in both Germany and France -- and have NEVER had anyone approach me in that manner, or thank me as an American for ANYTHING....

Then again -- I'm a tall, large, ugly, mean and angry looking individual that folks go out of their way to avoid...

There have been occasions in bars -- where smart assed Euroweenis run their mouth in an insulting manner that need to be "reminded" just how badly we kicked their asses -- and offer to do so again...


Semper Fi

[river rat]

The operative line in this story - is that it was just: ONE GERMAN...

Semper Fi

[shield]

bttt

[bboop]

One is one. It is rather a courageous thing to do (and the Germans rarely approach a person they don't know, I was told). Yes, I have shared that story with my father-in-law, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge. (To his grandson's delight!! How many kids have a Grandpa who puts his socks on with a thumb-tack? And whose leg resonates when you knock on it??).

[knighthawk]

BumP!