If you still have to play the one-country-versus-the-other card, I can’t help much. However, the facts are clear: minorities are already being unlawfully persecuted in the US and it’s obvious that it’s going to get worse. So what are you trying to say with this comment?
Of course I agree with you when it comes to making concessions to the culture in which you live. I mean, it is of course completely unacceptable if you are not prepared to recognize the self-evident rights of women, for example (and of course the rights of those who do not feel they belong to any of the usual genders).
Where we seem to differ a bit, however, is that I don’t think much of national concepts. Please don’t misunderstand, I am of course well aware that I enjoy privileges as a German citizen and I am also aware of the rich culture of our sphere and appreciate it very much - all that made me who I am. It’s just that I’m not proud of my home country as an abstract concept - I never felt the need to. And I think that does more harm than good.
Take for example the AfD in Germany or MAGA or any other political movement that explicitly embraces national concepts of origin: These people always invoke some imaginary notion of the noble people, you know, in case of the Germans, the concept of the poets and thinkers and so on, but none of this intolerant, misanthropic bunch have even an ounce of what they claim about themselves - they are complete idiots, many even monsters, and I think, these very people are the downfall of culture. They will do just as the Nazis under Hitler already did, systematically killing the poets and thinkers.
Again, please do not misunderstand: I also know Swiss culture well - I lived there for five years and am grateful for that wonderful time. I just value personal relationships and openly lived, shared culture much more than the prescribed preservation of traditions and the like (I experienced that in Switzerland as well and it was great!).
In short: I think culture is a living thing that changes. That’s why I’m happy when people abide by the law, especially the Constitution, which demands tolerance in Germany as well as in Switzerland.
I don’t think any other adaptation or even assimilation is necessary beyond that - except, of course, that you have to be prepared to participate in society, as you say, which of course requires learning the national language.
But apart from that, I think everyone should live as they please, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other people’s lives.
There may be a difference between Germany and Switzerland these days. We in Germany seem to be much more divided, and especially in East Germany there seems to be a conviction that we should go back to Nazism - I firmly reject that because it’s not culture, but inhumanity and anti-culture with reference to the achievements of people who have nothing whatsoever to do with all this, but would turn in their graves if they knew for what evil purposes they were being instrumentalized.
Please excuse this long, surely superfluous rant. It’s just that, as a German, lately I have to be ashamed of what some of my compatriots are demanding with false reference to our culture. It’s probably a bit different in Switzerland, although you also have some people like that in the ranks of the SVP and elsewhere.
Yes, indeed. I hope they’ve also brought back Spencer Nilsen, Masato Nishimura, Attila Dobos and András Magyari, who were responsible for the OSTs for the old Ecco games - they’re all great!
It depends on where you live. In all major German cities, multiculturalism is the name of the game, which very much adds to the charm imo. But it’s true, unfortunately that’s not the case everywhere.
And yes, that’s also absolutely right: there are a lot of open jobs in Germany that can only be filled by foreign workers. Also true: there is no discrimination or even persecution of any groups by the state, as is the case in the States these days. Of course, not everything is perfect in Germany - far from it, but at least our constitution applies - and it’s a good one.
Unfortunately, I can’t say anything about Iceland. But in Germany, where I come from, skilled workers are urgently needed. It’s a whole spectrum of jobs: from hospitality to elderly care to engineering to physicians to pretty much all IT jobs (and many more).
There really is a shortage of workers in a wide variety of areas, which makes it all the more incomprehensible to me that we also have a MAGA-like party, the AfD, which constantly rails against foreigners. However, they are despised by everyone in even halfway larger cities and don’t play a role there. Significantly, this party is particularly popular in eastern Germany, especially in rural areas where there are hardly any foreigners. It’s really absurd, but I’m afraid morons like these can be found in all rural areas around the wold.
Of course, I don’t want to make any false promises and unfortunately I have to say that there are a lot of intolerant assholes in Germany too (the AfD, a darn Nazi-Party was at 20% in the last election and I’m afraid that they will get even more in the next one). But there are also a lot of nice, open-minded people and, as I said, a lot of open jobs. Maybe you’ll find something with us.
I would be delighted. That much is certain, even if it’s not worth much.
I hope everything works out and keep my fingers crossed for you!
Great! I wish you all the best!
Sounds like a good time to leave the country while you still can.
Disclaimer: I’m from Europe, where we could really use a few more sensible people.
That sounds great! I wish you all the best and much success!
Yes, I also think that Trump and his MAGA people are doing long-lasting damage. But that’s also true: they and all the idiots who voted for them had it coming. I still feel sorry for the decent US citizens.
As a German, I’m most afraid that the AfD, a terrible party very similar to the MAGA-GOP, might come to power in our country at some point. Fortunately, this is somewhat unlikely, but if it happens, it will probably be the same for us.
In this matter, Europe can not only regain credibility with regard to our value system by granting refuge to politically persecuted US citizens. It is also a real chance for Europe, because I assume that many Americans who want to leave the country are rational people who can create a counterweight to the stupor that is unfortunately spreading like a disease here too.
Just yesterday I spoke to a physicist from the US who has been working at the university in my home town for four years. Unfortunately, his employment contract is temporary and will soon expire. He still doesn’t want to return to the States because he simply doesn’t see a future there. He will stay in Europe instead, which is a real gain for us.
Has the manufacturer even calculated how much energy is needed for production and how long it will take for the corresponding CO2 emissions to be amortized?
We are living in strange times…
What now? Can’t she think of any more random bogeymen from the other camp that she can blame for whatever with some fantasy stories?
What a spineless coward this wretched pos is.
I hope all these disgusting brutes get what they deserve in the end.
Many thanks for the great explanation!
I’ve always wondered: What are these thick tires for? Offroad? Sand or ice? Isn’t it tiring to drive on them because of the high friction?
Anyone who supports or even tries to justify all this blatant injustice is an utter monster. Disgusting and barbaric!
Don’t buy any US products!
I for one will no longer support this morally rotten country - I don’t care what it costs.
Yes, that’s right, his absurd tariffs will really hit home soon - but certainly not in the way he imagines. The US citizens will have to pay the price.
Protest today.
Yes, the leader of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Alice Weidel, doesn’t even live in Germany, but in Switzerland.
I wish you all the best!