German Regionalism - Part I

 

While walking past the central cathedral in Potsdam (just outside Berlin), I noticed the above phrase tagged on the wall of a building. It says, "Preussen Bleibt Schiße (sic)" or, "Prussia will Remain Shitty." While not exactly poetry, the graffiti is an important reminder about how much the different parts of Germany dislike one another. Prior to 1871, there was not an idea of a German people. Instead, Germany was a patchwork of independent states - mainly Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, and the Hanseatic trading cities. If you want to test this theory out, ask a Berliner (aka "Prussian") what they think of Bavarians. Their answer may bring a smile to your face.

The Second Coming

 

I went to the inauguration party in Berlin on Tuesday. The place was filled with Germans and Americans whooping and hollering for Barack Obama. The only thing missing was a white donkey. I wonder where it was...

Coin Operated Moses

 

Michaelangelo's famous statue Moses sits majestically in the nave of one of the important cathedrals in Rome. When we arrived at the church, though, Moses was seated in darkness. Then we heard a "clank" and suddenly, the nave was illuminated. When we looked to see where the sound came from, we noticed a box - similar to one you would find in a laundromat - that requested a "donation" of 50 cents. Interesting way to raise money.

Mingling With the Locals

 

While we were awe struck by ancient ruins and Renaissance architecture, it was the people of Rome who really made our trip extraordinary. Jon got a haircut right below our hotel. The barber, a gentleman in his early seventies, realized that we didn't speak his language. However, after giving my brother a shave, he proceeded to tell us all about his city's history in Italian using an outdated picture calendar he still had hanging in his shop to illustrate his points.

This was the most dramatic example of the warmth we experienced in Rome. It was definitely the rule, not the exception.

The Eternal City

 

"There are slightly more ruins in Rome than dog poop in its streets," goes the old saying. It is indeed true.

Poop stepping count:
David - 2
Danielle - 1
Jonathan - 1

Rome is fantastic except for the fact that you leave with really low self-esteem because the people are so well dressed. I'm not sure how they pull it off, but everyone (men and women) look like they just walked off the pages of Elle or GQ.

Gaza as Seen in Germany

We've kept the blog apolitical up until now, but the recent events in Israel and the Gaza Strip and the reaction in Germany moved us to write something on our blog.

About 8,500 people rallied in Berlin's Alexanderplatz yesterday to demonstrate against Israel. Many of them were members of the large Turkish and Arab communities here. Others were native Germans. The photo above was taken by Joao Paglione at another protest in the city.

From the outset, we want to say this: Israel does not always do everything right. Like any multi-ethnic and multi-religious democracy, it makes mistakes. However, when people in Europe and other places take to the streets to protest against the Jewish State and in favor of the people in Gaza led by Hamas, they are wrong.

Let us explain why.

Hamas was founded in 1987 with the express intention of destroying Israel and replacing it with an Islamic state (see www.nytimes.com/2006/02/27/international/middleeast/27mideast.html?ex=1298696400&en=25164615c0b5f11c&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss). If you have any doubts about this, go online and look at the Hamas logo. At the top, you will see the entire outline of Israel -including Tel Aviv and other places that are internationally recognized as part of the Jewish State. Hamas, past or present, does not intend to negotiate peace with Israel.

Therefore, when Hamas won parliamentary elections in Gaza in 2006 following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, it meant that the people of Gaza were supporting a platform that vocally called for the annihilation of a UN member state. There has been no pressure by people in Gaza to urge its government to renounce violence or engage in negotiations. Indeed, the US, EU and others still consider Hamas a terrorist organization.

Based on historical experience with Hamas (suicide bombings and rocket attacks), Israel initiated a blockade of the Gaza coastline and sealed its borders. This action was meant to stem the flow of weapons being used by Hamas against Israeli civilians. This action was never completely successful and attacks continue today. The fact that the international community is urging a cease-fire against Hamas is shameful.

The loss of innocent lives is always tragic. Images of destroyed homes and schools pains us all. But let us not quickly forget or deliberately ignore how we got to this point. An offensive against Hamas and its infrastructure is necessary and justified. When considering this conflict, please remember to reflect upon it within its appropriate historical context. And to all those who rallied at Alexanderplatz - you are not helping the cause of peace in the Middle East, you are destroying it.

New Layout

We've decided to freshen up our blog by changing the layout. Everything is the same, only the colors are different. Hope you enjoy.