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I'm sure the German Press is hostile to Merkel on a lot of things. But on criticism of America and American policies, it sounds like Merkel and the German Press are on the same page.

You seem to be outraged that we don't give Merkel the benefit of the doubt. The damage done to US-German relations by Schroeder runs deep and won't be repaired soon. Me and a lot of conservative Americans like me are not giving any German the benefit of the doubt until there are some actions to back up words. This rather harsh position is based partly on lingering resentment over Schroeder's anti-American pact with the French, and partly on the growing realization that we really don't need European allies after all.

You seem to be outraged that we don't give Merkel the benefit of the doubt.

I'm coming a little late to this party, so please forgive me if I cover something that has already been stated in this discussion. Ms. Merkel stated during her campaign that she wanted to improve relations with the US (i.e. try to repair the damage done by Schroeder). And, yet, on her first (and possibly, last) meeting with Sec. State Rice, Ms. Merkel proceeded to aggressively confront Ms. Rice about the claims of a German being held (or previously held; I don't recall exactly) at Gitmo and demanded explanations. It was such a startling attack on the representative of a nation Ms. Merkel claims she wants to get closer to and improve relations with that even the German press was taken by surprise.

Maybe it's just me, but if one's goal is to improve relations, the way to NOT do that is to attack and confront the individual who represents the government/nation with whom you want to improve relations.

It's a minor point, but one that underscores why many of us at FreeRepublic don't buy Merkel's cover story about wanting to improve relations with the US. This current story is further evidence that what she says and what she does are not the same thing.