Gerhard Schroeder, the lefty German politician who made a lot of hay in his career on America-bashing, has resigned his position as Chancellor and will not be a part of Germany's next government. Natch, he didn't go gracefully. According to Reuters' Dave Graham:
"I will not be a part of the next government -- definitely not be part of it," a tearful looking Schroeder told a rapt audience of union members in his home city of Hanover.
He quickly composed himself, hitting his stride in a passionate defense of a strong German state and lashing out at "Anglo-Saxon" economic policies favoured in Britain and the United States, which he said had "no chance" in Europe.
In an apparent reference to Hurricane Katrina, Schroeder castigated Washington for liberal, hands-off policies that left it exposed in times of crisis. The Bush administration was widely criticised for its response to the devastating storm.
"I do not want to name any catastrophes where you can see what happens if organised state action is absent. I could name countries, but the position I still hold forbids it, but everyone knows I mean America," he said to loud applause.
Classy. Very classy. Perhaps I could name a catastrophe or two where one can see what happened if over-organized state action is PRESENT. I could name countries, and since I don't have a 'position', I will:
GERMANY.
Schroeder clashed with Britain and Washington in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion and has been at odds with British Prime Minister Tony Blair over the direction of European economic policy.
Blair has urged European Union countries to cut back state influence on the economy, running into fierce opposition from both Schroeder and his ally, French President Jacques Chirac, of the Franco-German link in his speech, saying it was crucial for the defense of Europe's social model.
Hmmm... Europe's social model. Let's see... Would that be the same social model that results in double-digit unemployment? How about runaway immigration of radical Muslims? That social model?
And when your ally is Black Jacques Chirac... well, you know what they say: with friends like him, who needs enemies? And that's what we've had with Gerhard Schroeder. He has been no friend to the United States, and indeed has used Bush and America as convenient whipping boys when his poll numbers have been down.
He'll soon be gone, and I think German-American relations will be better for it.
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