Pix from Mainz -Ordinary Germans Bush did see! Not cozy,very chilly.

[Iterate]

It's been an tough week,(as nearly every week has been since 1980) and although the accounting is far from over people will soon forget what happened here.

But it's the weekend and we ought to have some fun with this.

A few journalists have suggested that Mainz was actually cozy, maybe even warm toward Bush on Wednesday. See for yourself. See the pix of the ordinary Germans who Bush saw. Take a tour of the city and see what people here saw.

There's enough here for you to get a reasonable idea of what it was like here during the Bush invasion. See how warm they were toward him. And keep in mind that the last time I was driving here and out-of-sight of another car was for six minutes at 4am in June of 2001. These are pd pix from the German press and a wmv cell-camera capture by a friend.

This would have been a bit much to post the usual way so I put together a couple of quick web pages and have them hosted for a week or so on a borrowed site.


Part 1 http://www.m2w-net.com/btour23-02-05/du-part1.htm

Part 2 http://www.m2w-net.com/btour23-02-05/du-part2.htm

DL the pix, forward the url, please do. I'll leave it there as long as I can. I also have some local TV coverage captured if anyone is interested.

[havocmom]

1. FANTASTIC stuff! Thank you so much!

Don't have a web site of my own to offer you space on, but think I may email a few people, like maybe Jon Stewart/Daily Show and a certain tall gentleman with a show on MSNBC. Perhaps they can give you the exposure these deserve!

WOW, just WOW!

[bpilgrim]

24. FYI: don't forget to add your pics to the IMAGE BLOG ---------> link

http://images.GlobalFreePress.com

psst... pass the word ;->

peace

[ihelpu2see]

30. Great job eom

[bpilgrim]

41. Thank GORE he 'INVENTED' the INTERNET's!

and the netizens who contribute to the open-source community ;->

:hi:

peace

[Iterate]

89. Visited by over 1,800 in 24 countries so far!

The site stats are surprising.

During the last two days of February, over 1800 people from 24 countries visited those web pages.

Thank you havocmom and everyone else!

[Nite Owl]

2. Thank you

that's the eeriest thing I have ever seen. It looks like it's out of some sci fi movie. And to think of how President Clinton was greeted all over the world.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. I agree

Very creepy. Something disgusting was the high school photo thing. They're all Americans. Go figure! :grr: I heard on a radio show earlier this weekend that he canceled his town hall meeting because they couldn't get their screened audience. :grr:

[Karenina]

3. FABULOUS!!!

That is HYSTERICAL!!! I read that Isa Thomas will be itemizing the cost of this little day trip...

[Dirk39]

4. Brilliant!

Some of the ones, who have dared to hang posters from the windows of their apartment, were arrested. A whole bunch of cops did storm their appartment.

And it's Mainz, not Berlin, not Hamburg, not Frankfurt, it's Mainz!

I just expect Bush to invite Schröder, Putin or Chirac to Vernon!

Dirk

[smirkymonkey]

37. People were ARRESTED for hanging posters from their windows?

My head is exploding.

Cops storming their apartments? When did Germany become a police state again? How is it that foreign governments are allowing the Patriot Act to travel abroad with the Idiot in Chief?

[havocmom]

5. Folks, we GOTTA keep this one kicked

:kick:

[Greybnk48]

6. These pics are incredible

I'm going to print them out to show them at work. Thank you.

[nytemare]

7. It is obvious that Bush isn't "Ein Mainzer"

:)

[Petrushka]

8. Wundebar! -- And . . . thank you ever so much! (eom)

[jayctravis]

11. kick

[smirkymonkey]

9. The pix aren't uploading for me.

I really want to see them!

[NYC]

10. Wonderful photographs

and wonderful comments. Thank you. :hi:

I will spread these around. Thanks to everyone in Mainz who tried to convey their feelings to the visitor.

[On the Road]

12. *Someone* Must Have Been Friendly

If I'm not mistaken, that's Bush giving the international symbol for the reach-around:

[kentuck]

13. Whatsa' matter???

You don't like "democracy"??? <sarcasm off>

[Paintedlady]

15. The most hated man in the world

I don't see what the point would be to stay alive under those kind of circumstances.
Great stuff!
Thank you for posting.

[Tigress DEM]

20. The rest of his European Tour was no picnic either...

Here's the email I sent to FAUX News about it.

FAUX News. That's what people who know what is actually going on in the world call your news agency. FAUX News as in a FAKE which is somehow designed to look like the real thing.

Your website currently (2/25/05) says that anti-bush protests in the European Tour were "small" so how many protesters do you need before you consider it a "large" protest?

Per http://www.StopUSA.be/home
<snip>
On Monday 21 February more than 4,000 people demonstrated as a result of the visit of Bush to Belgium


http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_world_story_skin/475797%3fformat=html
<snip>
About 12,000 protesters, many carrying banners reading "Bush go home", "No. 1 Terrorist" and "Warmonger", marched through the German city of Mainz on Wednesday, but were mostly kept away from the visiting US president.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2000142.stm
<snip>
More than 100 separate protests, involving more than 200 diverse groups, are planned during his visit to Germany.

In Berlin, the 10,000-strong force of officers will be the highest number ever deployed for a post-war state visitor.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1381528.stm
<snip>
Thousands of people have marched through the streets of the Spanish capital, Madrid to protest against the policies of President Bush, who is due to arrive there on Tuesday at the start of a European tour.


It seems to me that your FAUX News reporting of the protests at the Inauguration were simularly underdone.

[Iterate]

55. Other protests in the area

One of the German activist sites mentioned about 70 planned events across Germany, but I can't find any info on them. Surely something must have happened. I did capture a local broadcast with minimal details of several other events;over 1000 in Wiesbaden, 500 there the night before, 300 at the Frankfurt Bahnhof Tuesday, even 200 in little Kassel.

I'd like to know what happened in the rest of the EU. It seemed like a lot of coverage, but most of it was simply newscasters simply repeating the same story -and often not even getting that right.

[Tigress DEM]

63. The thing about conflicting reports...

The biggest one was in Mainz, Germany. A city of 300,000 and about 12,000 protesters turned out.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_world_story_skin/475797%3fformat=html

<snip>
The official rally, which was twice as big as expected, never got within earshot of US President George W. Bush, but a small group of protestors rushed towards his car as he left to visit a US base in nearby Wiesbaden. Police wrestled several demonstrators to the ground and led them away in handcuffs, a Reuters witness said.

www.stopusa.be - you have to search for English..

In Brussels, Belgium more than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Brussels' Bourse, for the anti-Bush action organised by the Brussels Tribunal.



Stop.USA has strongly contributed, namely with a serie of 20 panels, representing the countries bombed by the US, and meaning that the problem is not the sole GW.Bush

[Tigress DEM]

64. Better Pics of Brussels action... 2/20/05

There are older DU threads that did this better justice.

[Tigress DEM]

66. Brussels 2/21

My personal favorite...







...for those who don't speak French, "Since 1945 USA has bombed 20 Countries

[Tigress DEM]

67. Brussels 2/22

[Iterate]

73. Thanks Tigress DEM

Thanks so much. It's not only uplifting, it's also good for everyone to get a chance to see the nature of demonstrations elsewhere. Very original, witty, irreverent...

Seems it's the irreverence bit (like the toilet sticker) that gets under the other sides skin. But what can you say when the Emperor has no clothes?

[ashmanonar]

35. these people relish in it!

they enjoy being hated.

[Melissa G]

16. Here is an email from Mainz I posted in another thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=334207&mesg_id=334207

[No Exit]

27. Beautiful! I love the captions most of all!

It's so nice to see THE TRUTH!

[NJCher]

17. now that is a "perspective-changing" event

Yeah, I knew it was a chilly reception and since I no longer watch American media, had a fairly good idea the trip was a flop and an embarrassment to the American people.

But viewing these photos...I am shocked and dumbfounded. I am also disgusted that the government of Germany did this to their own people! It is utterly incomprehensible to me that some thug who stole the office and who is so hated that God only knows how many people would like to kill him can shut down a city like this.

I would call this a sound victory for "the terrorists." I'll bet they are laughing their butts off right now because these pictures prove they have won. They said they would take their victory through an economic toll and by taking away our freedom. Well, that they have done. This is the most blatant display of militarism that I've seen since...since, well, the Republican Convention in NYC.

This is also absurd...surrealistic. Words fail me at this point.

Thank you, Mainz_68. I emailed these pages to all my friends.


Cher

[Tigress DEM]

18. I know where the Germans were.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_world_story_skin/475797%3fformat=html

About 12,000 protesters, many carrying banners reading "Bush go home", "No. 1 Terrorist" and "Warmonger", marched through the German city of Mainz on Wednesday, but were mostly kept away from the visiting US president.

[Tigress DEM]

19. About 12,000 protesters.......

Were the reason Bush had to travel through the sealed off part of the city.

[Tigress DEM]

68. Police expected between 5000 - 6000 in Mainz 2/23

Under a light snow, protesters packed a square on Kaiserstrasse in the heart of the government district to object to Bush’s foreign policy.

About 7,000 to 10,000 protesters turned out for the event, according to German police on the scene.
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=26499&archive=true

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. love this part:

"The 49% who voted against George Bush are not alone. They are with the five billion of everyone else."

Awesome quote.

[mogster]

22. Incredible!

And the comments were hillarious :-)

But it is really chilling to see the difference between Clinton's ever popular visits to Europe, and the * antiseptic cleansing of the streets.

[ClayZ]

23. That is SUREAL! Thanks for posting.

bu$h has NOWHERE to hide. Can you imagine how AFRAID he must/should be!

All HORROR No HONOR!

He is like a Festering Evil!

:scared:

[Petrushka]

25. -- KICK --

:kick:

[neweurope]

26. Thank you Mainz_68! Große Klasse! :)

Your comments are hilarious :) Keep this kicked, everybody!

Some here keep saying Bush is scared. He is NOT scared. He wasn't scared in Slowakia. Demanding these unbelievable security measures in "old Europe" (which cost my country enourmous amounts of money and made life unpleasant for days) was just a sign of his displeasure - and a demonstration of POWER. "When WE deign to visit you have to shut down your country whether you like it or not."

AND it angers my no end that they did.

But WE were in Mainz, too - 12 000 at least. Since this is the official number which the police gave out we're safe in assuming that is was more like 15 000 like the organizers of the demonstration said.

-----------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

28. Thank you for these pictures

Our news media is such a big pack of lies, many of us aren't watching it or reading it anymore, so it's important for us to see what the real truth is, like these pictures.

I can't even come up with the words to say how much we appreciate hearing from people protesting this disaster in other countries. So sorry about the whole thing. The main thing that makes us feel hope is knowing that so many people in other countries believe in the same things we do, unlike so many people here.

Mainz looks like such a beautiful city too. I have looked up pictures online because I have some ancestors that came from there in the 1700s and fought in the Revolutionary War with George Washington. That vulgar illiterate criminal has no business visiting the home of Gutenberg!

[enough]

29. They must be VERY afraid.

These are fantastic pictures, as everyone has been saying. Kick.

[oasis]

31. Great work. thanks for the treat.

[Jokinomx]

32. Awesome ....

Thanks for the tour.... it really does put the trip in perspective.

I would also like to welcome you to the D.U.... I couldn't see when you joined.... I only see that you have a limited number of posts. If you have been around awhile and just have not posted much... I encourage you to do so.

Anyway.... :toast:

[Iterate]

53. Nope, new to DU

No, I'm new to DU, a few weeks maybe? Still not even sure how to get around. When it was first announced b* would visit (first announced on an Islamic website, can you beat that?, they scooped everyone else by 8 days or so) I knew I would be there and wanted to get busy ahead of time. I wanted to jump into the local groups, lead a charge, (not easy) and report to friends in the US. I found this forum along the way, quite by accident. I love it and sincerely appreciate all of the kind comments.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

88. Welcome to DU, mainz_68!

Glad to have you here! Thanks for the pictures!

[Spazito]

33. That is an excellent montage, thank you for doing this!

It certainly puts the 'happy, happy' pics shown by the mainstream media to shame.

[havocmom]

34. Keep it kicked through Monday

This is a biggie folks. This needs LOTS of exposure. Send those links out.

:kick: for the Sunday Brunch Bunch

[Iterate]

36. 60 years ago today Mainz was bombed

From the unit history of the RAF bomber command

"27 February 1945

458 aircraft - 311 Halifaxes, 131 Lancasters, 16 Mosquitos - of Nos 4, 6 and 8 Groups to Mainz. 1 Halifax and 1 Mosquito lost. The target area Mainz was covered by cloud and the bombing was aimed at skymarkers dropped on Oboe. No results were seen by the bomber crews but the bombing caused severe destruction in the central and eastern districts of Mainz; this was the city's worst raid of the war. 1,545 tons of bombs were dropped. 5,670 buildings were destroyed, including most of the historic buildings in the Altstadt, but the industrial district was also badly hit. This was the last heavy raid on Mainz."

And a local media link.http://www.swr.de/kriegsende/beitrag14.html

<>

That's why some of the buildings in the pix were old, some were '60's vintage. It wasn't urban renewal.

I certainly don't want to get off-topic, not now especially. It was the RAF, it's long over, almost no one is alive today who fought it. It's not the same world, on and on. It's the wrong place to debate the morality of decisions made by people who didn't know better.

These events live on. People learn things, it gets added to culture. By now though we should know better and we should be able to learn from each other. But with the people in power now, well, they seem to think they don't need to learn anything from anyone else.

[Karenina]

40. Great link!

Amis don't really "get" the horror of having bombs dropped on one's home. Our Dom was spared as it was a navigational tool. (Gott sei dank)
The REFUSAL to learn from the experience of others makes me so sad...

[ashmanonar]

38. amazing pictures!

verrrry interesting....

[senseandsensibility]

39. Thanks for the pix

and the funny commentary. Hilarious! I also enjoyed seeing the pictures of Germany and the few German people who were out. They are obviously very intelligent and perceptive.:-)

[Hoping4Change]

42. WooHooo! mainz_68's Excellent Adventure!!! Great post!

Your comments are hilarious. Its really a brilliant post. Thank you. Welcome to DU. I look forward to reading more posts.:bounce:

[Iterate]

43. I'm still looking!

I haven't given up. Damn, it's become an obsession. I wish I had brought my own camera but I was sure it would end up in an evidence locker.

Somehow, somewhere there has to be a picture of an ordinary German waving happily at the President. I don't get it.

Does anyone, anywhere have one? Please, I need a good night's rest. Post it, send it.

[neweurope]

45. Try and contact these guys:

They are ultra-right - payed by the Bushistas in my mind. Have poosted at freeper's. Americans who comment about German media - and since they produced a German mirror of their American site they have acually found some German dumbasses to go along with them. They had a pro-Bush demonstration in Mainz. 20 people came. I saw it on TV - revolting how they marched along shouting "John Brown's Body" of all things.
Ah well. 20 against 15.000 :)

The sites:
http://medienkritik.typepad.com/deutsch/
“Politisch unkorrekte Betrachtungen zur Berichterstattung in deutschen medien”
seit Januar 2005

Partnerseite "David's Medienkritik" http://medienkritik.typepad.com/
Politically incorrect observations on reporting in the German media. By David Kaspar & Ray D.

------------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Iterate]

47. Oh no, I've even been to that site

This is getting scary neweurope. I've already checked that site too.

Actually I ran across that bunch a few weeks ago when an article of theirs popped up in regards the Bush-Merkel Fasching float. For some reason I was being particularly naive for a few hours and thought I would respond with a kind note explaining the history of parade as political satire, the many previous appearances of that same float, etc. You know what I mean. I even thought I would explain that "bad taste" is not an unfortunate accident at Facshing, it's the whole bloody point, a celebration of it, an admission we're all fools.

Luckily I was distracted, took a second look after another coffee and realized these guys were out to be heroes of the culture war. Being the first to die would make them giddy. I've never figured out to talk to people like that.

OK, I didn't look deep enough into the current posts there. Lordy, that's bad.

"Sadly the pro-bush demo wasn't mentioned often by the news...."

What, 15, 20 of them? That included the dog and if the bitch had had pups they could have counted them too.

[neweurope]

48. I agree with you. We can't afford to find them ridiculous. They're scary.

I am absolutely convinced that the US-government is behind this. Normal people would have no interest whatsoever in having a site on German media, and the slant IS ultra-right. When I first saw the site (a week ago) I wanted to get on and get into a discussion but like you I realized that this would be absolutely pointless.

If the Bushiastas are behind this - as I expect - this heap of dumbasses will grow, though. I'm a journalist myself. I know how foolishly easy it is to influence people.

I really find this scary.

---------------------

Remmeber Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Iterate]

52. I can't help it, those folks are nuts.

Sorry, I know that bunch is somehow dangerous, and I shouldn't even mention them again, but, damn, they're a hoot!

They've got a group photo taken before their "march". Count 'em, 19, count 'em again, still 19. OK, 20 if we count puppy bush.

So what's the headline read?
"German Masses Protesting Bush's Mainz Visit Are In for a Surprize"

Yeah, I suppose, I'm easily surprised. I don't know much about the masses.

and under the photo?

"Among the 30-some people..." and they list names. Thirteen of them.

How many different people in the "march" photos? Looks like eleven to me. Oh, and there were 4-6 cops who went with them.

And they argued with people along the way. So they know they're right and they love to fight. That makes anybody dangerous.

[neweurope]

70. Yes, they're nuts. I'd like to find out more about these Americans -

"David Kaspar & Ray D." I would very much like to discredit them.

---------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[neweurope]

51. An afterthought: I'm convinced they made this German site - this January -

ESPECIALLY to rally some idiots for a pro-Bush demo. It makes me feel a little better that "David" probably had to make some excuses to his handlers that only 18 asses showed up. :puke:

---------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Iterate]

72. We had more dogs than they did!

I still don't get the "John Brown's Body" business, not sure of the logic. We know they can't count, even if it's less than 20. (Line up and count off?)

But they did have one dog. We're sure of that. They agree and they bragged about it. We have a photo. It was a highlight of their day.

German police had 260 dogs. The American security agencies brought 60 just in case they couldn't trust the German dogs.

CNN had no reports of any dogs anywhere.
Reuters reported 78 dogs joined the anti-bush rally in Mainz.
BBC World reports 4, but it turns out that was the night before.
The organizers had expected 50 dogs but said 81 marched.
Other news agencies carried reports that ranged from 20 to 100 dogs.

Most US newspapers ran the headline "Bush charms European Dogs with Mighty Dog Kibble"

84 Dogs protested in Brussels, but no one reported that. One dog even barked.

In Mainz, German police required that dogs in the public square be kept on a short leash, not bark, and only pee in certain areas. Several had their collars confiscated.

Also in Mainz, 24,651 dogs growled, stayed out on the couch and licked their balls.

[neweurope]

75. Hi Mainz_68 - you just made me laugh. Thank you. I've been feeling

terribly depressed with all this to-day and just seeing no hope... but right now I laughed.

:loveya:

--------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[neweurope]

80. Just checked the site again - they thank "Republicans abroad" for their

"support". So I think I'm right in believing that the site is being financed by the US. Scares me - that's only a beginning I fear. But I do think it's funny in a way, too - how much "support" do 18 people need when they want to demonstrate?

---------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Dirk39]

60. Not exactly Mainz, but....

Not exactly Mainz, but this is the way, New Europe is treated:

Not exactly Mainz, but....

...Bratislava




The coalition of the willing makes love not war!

Hello from Hamburg,
Dirk

[neweurope]

69. *g* Yes! and she looks as if he makes her sick!

None of these security measures were demanded in "new Europe". Doing this in "old Europe" was nothing but a punishment and a demonstration of power!

---------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[Iterate]

86. Contact me off forum

private, somehow. I don't have enough posts to do same.

[neweurope]

90. I have - got my mail?

[Iterate]

92. No

don't know why either

use [e-mail]

use once, I'll let it lapse

[neweurope]

93. Ok, tried it :)

[ClayZ]

44. Kick!

:kick:

[rocktivity]

46. Stoß

According to the Google translator

:headbang:
rocknation

[XemaSab]

49. Thank you for posting this!

I thought fascist displays were illegal in Germany?

[RevCheesehead]

50. That was really well done.

Thanks for sharing with us!

[Melissa G]

54. A second email from Mainz 'Tomatoes'

Hi XXX,

What I didn't include in my list of restrictions imposed on the citizens of the Mainz and surroundings, is the fact that no one who lives along an expected path of Bush's tour (and there were a number of different roads considered so that his actual route would be secret) none of these people were allowed to even stand along the street nor on their balcony. The city was DEAD. A group from Green Peace managed to launch a boat into the Rhine just as Bush and Co. were crossing the bridge within sight. Their protest banner was ripped down by the police almost immediately. I'm sure many Germans were mentally throwing rotten tomatoes and worse at the US president.

There were demonstrations, but none were allowed within miles of Bush.

Have a nice Sunday. We have a cold rain, trying to snow, so we're staying inside for a change.

Love,
XXX

[Behind the Aegis]

56. Great Job!!!

It is sad that our leader is so reviled around the world! I remember when Clinton went on tour and streets were PACKED with SUPPORTERS! The sad thing is these people don't give a rat's ass that they are so unpopular, because it is EVERYONE else's fault, not their own! :eyes: Four more years is too long for us and the rest of the world. I have never prayed for a blue dress, but I sure hope one shows up! :evilgrin:

[Iterate]

57. Nixon in Caracas 1958; Bush inaugural 2001

I'll try to respond to a couple of the tomato and egg points all at once.

It seems that politicians never forget certain lessons, usually the wrong ones. Remember the story from 1958 when VP Nixon's motorcade was attacked by a mob in Caracas Venezuela? The Republican administration didn’t try to understanding the root cause and substantially change the policy toward and relations with Latin America. If they had, we might possibly have avoided so much, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile crisis, really a generation of tragedy and conflict. Instead, Nixon played up his tough guy image, they increased VIP security abroad, and militarization of the region increased.

Bush was egged during his first inaugural. It was so well ignored that I didn’t learn about it until a year later.

I gave up trying to find these pictures in the Nixon library.

What’s that guy doing on the front bumper?


<>

<>

<>

[progressivebydesign]

58. THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST POSTS EVER ON DU!!!

WOW!! I don't normally type in caps. BUT.. that was so FREAKIN' HILARIOUS!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!!

[Pooka Fey]

59. ACK! How come I can't upload the pix?? HELP.

[understandinglife]

61. Recommended. Thank you for the truth. (nt)

"DO YOU ENJOY BEING A CITIZEN OF THE ROGUE SUPER_POWER?"

[Straight Shooter]

62. That's amazing! It sure sends a chill up one's spine, doesn't it?

The strongest security in the world is extended to the world's biggest fool. x(

Please accept our apologies for being forced to endure such ridiculous maneuvers.

[Swamp Rat]

65. Wir sind so traurig! Bush ist ein Blodes Arschloch!

Und seine Frau ist ein Blode Fotze!

[Iterate]

71. picture/download problems ?

I didn't take the time to optimize those images or get too technical with the setup of these pages. I checked it with several browsers, but not Opera. It's straight html, so there shouldn't be problems.

Clearing your browser cache will take care of many image display problems. Tools>Options>Delete Files

It may be slow through a dial-up.

If you still can't view it, don't worry. I'll send them to you on CD if I need to.

[Crankie Avalon]

74. Thank you, that was very inspiring and a great way to start a Monday.

I'm proud of "Old" Europe. I wish I could be as proud of my own country.

Also, for what it's worth, I apologize as an American to you for all the inconvenience and worse that Bush's unwelcome visit caused--he's a horrible creature whom no decent and informed person would want around.

[MetaTrope]

76. Just curious, did Bush receive any "honors" in Europe?

You know, the arbitrary medals and keys to the city and such that usually get handed out to visiting dignitaries? Don't think I saw any mention of them.

[Iterate]

78. Honors?...in a word...no

No honors that I know of.

There was some intense local controversy over a particular type of honor.

Some German cities (Mainz included) have a "Golden Book" in which honored visitors are invited to sign. It would usually be quite ordinary, even routine, to include this with a little ceremony for a visiting president (or any other dignitary).

This time though was quite different. People here knew this was coming and were very upset by it -editorials, letters to the editor, stammtisch talk, etc. At the same time, to not do this would turn into a huge insult and international incident and would violate people's own sense of well-mannered hospitality. Not good. Very sensitive.

The compromise was a signature without ceremony, and I think only one official photo that hasn't been circulated much.

I need to learn more about this custom. I'm not completely sure of the origins and practice. Everyone so takes it for granted that there doesn't seem to be a simple primer. NO FAQ for the golden book.

So, to paraphrase Fawlty, "Don't mention the Golden Book."

[pandorasox]

84. Thanks for that little detail

The truth is, after all, in the details. Fair turnaround for the "president" who had the gall to present a medal to the Pope (together with a patronizing little pat on the head, no doubt). I don't suppose you have links to any of those editorials debating the issue?

[Iterate]

85. No, but ....

...I could find links to local news site archives if you are interested. It would all be in German of course.

I wish now that I had been more systematic about collecting data over the past two months. This event has all the qualities needed for an important, potentially insightful, piece of historical research.

The way news events flood over us though, racing by then disappearing, means that this will likely be forgotten. Too bad, because I have this deep down gut feeling it's a bit more important than the average "bush is an idiot" story, and if we keep that attitude we may someday look back upon these as "the good old days."

[Karenina]

87. I wanna know

what it COST! ;-) PROSIT! :toast:

[Iterate]

91. Yes, the cost and so much more

I want to know the cost as well. I'd like to hang them with it fact.

Beyond that there are many things about this whole event I would like to know.

The reality though is that I don't know how to force the issue. I know the US system very well, but can't influence it much because of distance and the people who are in power. I don't know the German system as well and can't influence it at all, though there seem to be others who are interested in doing so. All I can do is this bit, or something like it, of interpreting each side to the other and keeping an eye out for significant events.

Since everyone else is likely in a similar position, i.e. limited resources, I wonder if the solution might be to have clusters of people sharing talents and resources, ignoring minor political differences for the common good. Let me know what you think. Maybe we need a new thread concerning forms of activism.

[neweurope]

94. "new thread concerning forms of activism" - excellent idea!

Networking internationally is the only thing that can help in my opinion.

---------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to the Hague!

[myrna minx]

77. Thank you for this wonderful pictorial.

:toast:

[TOOLZ]

79. Thanks! I feel like I was actually there and nowhere near him. n/t

[Bouncy Ball]

81. WOW great website.

That was awesome and just as I suspected.

[B3Nut]

82. Phantastisch!

Vielen Dank, Mainz_68! Ich sehe, dass fast neimand in Deutschland hat Bush gern. Laura Bush sieht fast wie Nancy Reagan aus.....!

(Hope that came out okay! :) 3 Jahre studierte ich Deutsch, leider vergass ich fast alles....)

Great photos! (tips hat)

Todd in Beerbratistan

[patrice]

83. My beautiful "motherland", my family is German-Irish.

Thanks for the pics!