Germans Respond to 'Katrina' Controversy

Spiegel Online ^ | September 1, 2005 | German Readers

[Mon]

Remarks by German Minister of the Environment Jürgen Tritten were not well received by many Americans who wrote in to let us know. Now, we give our German readers the chance to respond. We've posted a selection here.

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,372584,00.html These Letters were in response to letters from American readers you can see at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475176/posts

[ozarkgirl]

My full compassion goes to the victims and also deep thanks for liberating Europe in WW II. But what the hell has it do with the reasons for climate change? Instead of wasting the last oil, causing deaths all over the world by increased hurricanes and flooding, instead of praying to middle-aged-gods and instead of dividing the world by the right and left, good and bad, why don't you sell your SUVs and try to intellectually enter the 21st century. - D. Mueller, Germany

hahaha, this one's a democrat (what's that word in German?).

[Ikemeister]

I really couldn't care less what the Euro-trash think. As for the Germans, they were responsible for screwing up a considerable part of the 20th century and have no business lecturing anybody on anything. A pox on them.

[ozarkgirl]

Dear Mr. Trittin, I read your comments in regards to the natural catastrophe in the American South with dismay, anger and outrage. I neither understand nor find justifiable how you drew these conclusions. At a time when the American people need our help and support, you have nothing better to do that to point your finger and say "you got what you deserved." This is unbelievable and incomprehensible. You have failed me. Not just because of the deposit you imposed on cans and the fact that carbon dioxide emissions are increasing because you're shutting down nuclear power plants and installing thousands of economically senseless windmills. Even worse is the fact that you're damaging our reputation in the world. But at least the end is near. Elections will be held in three weeks and life will start get better for the German people. - Patrick Baumann, Pulheim

This one's a Republican.

[Mon]

Is called "ein Liberaler or Demokrat" but it sounds more like a "Gruener" (green one, green party) :)

[Mon]

My family in Germany is pretty p....d off at Trittin, they are also not voting Schroeder anymore hhehehee.

[Radix]

Yeah right, Germans lecturing Americans concerning SUVs.

Did they ever establish politically correct speed limits on the Autobahns for the sake of the children?

I remember driving through some real trashy air in a lot of places over there. East Germany was even worse I read, but never saw.

[Mon]

My family lives in Germany, my sister is running around like a headless chicken trying to donate. Not even the "Amerikahaus" was set up as of today to take in donation, absolut crap! The German Red Cross is ready to go but wasn't advised yet with exact places etc. (we all know they can't just fly in). I can't wait for the elections in three weeks, I hope things change!

[mountainlyons]

I like demokraut.

PS I am half German do don't get too mad.

[ozarkgirl]

Did they ever establish politically correct speed limits on the Autobahns for the sake of the children?

Are there a lot of children on the Autobahn?

I just figured it was highway all the way, no residential.

[Mon]

I have a good sense of humor haha, also I am American, I took the citizenship three years ago and d..n proud of it! :)

[Mon]

ROFL only Highway :)

[Arkie2]

National Socialist?

[stboz]

hahaha, this one's a democrat (what's that word in German?).

Schweinhund?

[HungarianGypsy]

A fellow I used to talk to wrote me that Germans really like Americans. They just do not like our president. Sometime after that I made mention of our opinion of the French and haven't heard from him since.

[Noumenon]

Scheisskopf?

[ozarkgirl]

also I am American, I took the citizenship three years ago and d..n proud of it! :)

A belated WELCOME TO AMERICA!!!

I am proud to see you proclaim yourself as an American! Please don't give me that "German American", "Mexican American", "African American" crap.

If you are an American, that's good enough for me.

[minus_273]

does anyone have a link to the orignal comments

[Mon]

Yes, most really like the people and the country, but hate Bush. I read the news over there and it's kind of no wonder, because they are mostly left news and they don't get to hear too much else. Yes we learn English in school, but if you don't keep it up it's gone and most can't read english news etc. to find out more. I always tell my Mom over the phone what is going on, what friends stationed in Iraq tell us etc. and she loves it :)

[stboz]

That is more to the point.