[1rudeboy]

I'll give a little more credit. You can't expect everyone to investigate the context behind Merkel's comments. But I have marveled for years at FReepers' unquestioning belief in whatever the MSM says about Europe (speaking loosely), yet their undying scepticism of the MSM in nearly every other circumstance. It's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

[Billthedrill]

I have to agree. AP has attempted to turn this anniversary into a criticism of the Bush administration by sewing together a quilt of unrelated statements. This is agitprop at its lowest level.

A good number of the criticisms on FR of our European allies...well, friends...acquaintances...counterparts...whatever, are in actuality criticisms of the visible part of European political culture, their media. One might expect a disconnect between media and customer there based on the unquestionable disconnect between media and customer here. That is an assumption, not a proven case, but it seems to me not unreasonable.

Nevertheless, this particular story stinks, and I'd advise readers to approach it with tongs and a respirator.