“The Ruinator”

The latest STERN-cover (Nr. 44, 23.10.2008) shows President Bush with a little tattered American flag. The title reads “The Ruinator: In only eight years George W. Bush has ruined the most powerful country in the world.”
The editorial alleges that “George W. Bush has led America to the edge of bankruptcy. Economically, morally and politically.”

The article itself is titled “Dishonorably discharged” and gives GWB the blame for everything you can only imagine: The economic crisis, pollution of the environment, etc.
And this is how STERN (page 44) describes the world GWB has created:

It is a new world, in which Abu Ghraib and no longer the Statue of Liberty is the symbol of America. In which the “Axis of Evil” is not made of Iraq, Iran or North-Korea, but of Vice-President Cheney and Bush.

I am not going to translate any more of this. No!

I prefer reading this sarcastic article called “Widening the Gap” by Malte Lehming, Wall Street Journal Europe, Oct 21, 2008:

Once upon a time there was a big, peaceful, democratic country that welcomed immigrants, turned dishwashers into millionaires and selflessly promoted world peace. Then one day, an evil figure named George W. Bush appeared. He stole the presidency, shamelessly exploited the fear of terror after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, brought the country under his control, established a surveillance system of thought police, prayed to God for the Almighty’s support in his unlawful war against Iraq, broke all international treaties, cared nothing about global climate change, locked people up without rights at Guantanamo, and was a fervent devotee of the death penalty. His reign of terror lasted eight years. But it will soon be over: Whether Barack Obama or John McCain wins next month’s election, everything will be all right once again between the U.S. and Europe.
That, with only a little exaggeration, is the calculus of the average liberal German. For the average liberal German, Mr. Bush was always two things: first, a destroyer of Western values and cause of trans-Atlantic alienation; and second, an ideal screen upon which to project his own fundamental skepticism of America. By becoming the focal point of all of continental Europe’s antipathy — against actual U.S. policies as well as American society and its values — the Texan bad guy now nourishes the German hope that, without him, original sin can be reversed and the doorway back to Paradise found. It can’t get worse: This prophecy for the post-Bush era is shared by all Germans, from left to right.
Unfortunately, it’s an illusion. Whether with Mr. Obama or Mr. McCain, the dissonance between the U.S. and Germany will only increase. (…)

“Airport Striptease”

“Airport Striptease”, SPON, Oct 24, 2008:

German Ministers have voiced outrage at European Union plans to adopt controversial full-body scanners, joining a chorus of criticism of the so-called “strip scanners” which aim to deter highjackers.
Berlin is not amused. Plans by the European Union to introduce full-body scanners at airports are going a step too far, government ministers said on Friday. (…)
The controversy kicked off last month with a European Commission proposal to add body scanners to a list of security measures that can be used at airports across the 27-country bloc.
This week there has been a pan-European outcry over plans to test the devices. There has been vehement debate on where to draw the line between defending privacy and security. On Thursday, EU lawmakers criticized the scanners, saying they amount to a virtual strip search and should only be used as a last resort. The lawmakers asked the bloc’s executive European Commission to carry out an economic, medical and human rights assessment of the impact of using the full-body scanners. (…)

“Jedes Abtasten und Befingern entfällt” von André Mielke, WELT-Kolumnist, 25.10.2008:

(…) Ein Internet-Reisebüro wollte im Frühjahr unbekleidete Passagiere an die Ostsee fliegen, für jeweils 499 Euro. Die Europäische Kommission plant nun sogar, allen Fluggästen das Gefühl vollständiger Nacktheit zu schenken, und das, ohne dass die sich dafür ausziehen müssten. Das vereinte Europa, es lohnt sich für seine Bürger: Bei Sicherheitskontrollen sollen auf Flughäfen bald Ganzkörper-Scanner eingesetzt werden, die jedes unter der Kleidung verborgene Detail auf einem Monitor sichtbar machen. Die schlechte Nachricht, zumindest für kontaktarme Menschen: Jedes Abtasten und Befingern entfällt. (…)

Die gute Nachricht:

Auch der Flug selbst wird kurzweiliger. Die schönsten Ganzkörper-Scans erscheinen im Bordmagazin. Es gibt lustige Ratespiele, welches Bild denn nun zu welchem Passagier gehört, und in der First Class hat man Spaß bei der Wahl zum „Silikonimplantat des Monats“.

“Happiness Hour”

Every Friday Dennis Prager dedicates the second hour of his show to the “Happiness Hour”. On October 3rd he discussed “The Missing Tile Syndrome”. What is meant by that?
When you walk into a beautiful new home with fancy tile flooring and notice that there is one tile missing; all you then notice is that missing tile and not the beautiful house.
Like a bald man who sees nothing but hair, a woman who wants to get married nothing but wedding rings and one who wants to have a child nothing but babies.

This show is great listening and not only because of the very interesting subject being discussed, but also because when Dennis Prager sings the “Happiness Hour Song” right in the beginning of the show he greets the Germany listeners group and sings with a perfect German accent: it`s a glücklich, glücklich, glücklich, glücklich hour ;-)

Listen to it here:
Friday October 3, 2008, H2: Happiness Hour: The Missing Tile Syndrome with Dennis Prager

A “lot of hot air”- PhD

One of the funniest emails I ever got was the one telling me, my blog was “a lot of hot air” - signed PhD. No name, no initials, just PhD. Isn`t that hilarious! I was ROTFL when I read that. As if holding a PhD guaranteed eternal wisdom. I am not holding a PhD, unless one day some crazy American right-wing fundamentalist University offers me one ;-) Until then I guess I will have to sign my articles like this:

Karin Quade
Maître en Droit
Université Paul Cézanne (Aix-en-Provence)

Friends may still call me Karin ;-)

Do you know how I came to think of this email again? I was listening to Hugh Hewitt interviewing Victor Davis Hanson. They were discussing the economic crisis, the Biden-Palin debate and more. VDH said that when Sarah Palin was debating Joe Biden,

the more the debate went on, we found out that it would be much better to have someone with common practical sense who knew a few things and could talk with the American people truthfully rather than to make up a whole plethora of assertions which in retrospect almost everything Biden said was false.

And he asked:

What is wisdom?
Is it certification, particular school, or is there wisdom to be found having five children, and snowmobiling and running a business?

And that is what he said about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:

That some of the best and brightest got us into this mess,
doesn`t mean that a Harvard law degree is synonymous with ignorance,
but it does not mean necessarily it is synonymous with excellence.

Listen to the whole show here:

Wednesday October 8, 2008, Victor Davis Hanson, Pt. 1 with Hugh Hewitt
Hour 1 - Hugh begins a two hour conversation in studio with military historian and classicist Victor Davis Hanson about the state of the campaign, the state of the world, the state of the war against radical Islam, and the state of the culture war here in America.

Thanks to MSM for sending the link!

East Germans in favour of planned economy?

According to an opinion poll published today by the magazine “Super Illu” 52 % of East Germans believe market economy to be ineffectual and 51 % of the 18-29 years-old East Germans are in favour of a socialist economical system.

This opinion poll is said to be representative. I hope it is not!

“Mehrheit der Ostdeutschen gegen Marktwirtschaft”, Die WELT,
11. Oktober 2008, 12:12 Uhr:

(…) Viele Ostdeutsche haben einer Umfrage zufolge kein Vertrauen in die Marktwirtschaft. Laut einer am Samstag vorab veröffentlichten repräsentativen Umfrage der Zeitschrift „Super Illu“ findet die Mehrheit von 52 Prozent der Menschen in den neuen Bundesländern, dass die Marktwirtschaft „untauglich“ sei und „abgewirtschaftet“ habe. (…)

Die Sehnsucht nach dem Sozialismus ist der Umfrage zufolge in der jüngeren Generation, die die DDR nur kurz oder gar nicht mehr erlebt hat, besonders groß: 51 Prozent der 18- bis 29-Jährigen sprechen sich für ein sozialistisches Wirtschaftssystem aus, während die Zustimmung in der Altersgruppe von 30 bis 49 Jahren mit 35 Prozent am niedrigsten ist. Bei den Ostdeutschen über 50 ist immerhin eine starke Minderheit von 46 Prozent für den Sozialismus. (…)

US to blame for Irish NO?

This is so funny, that MUST be a joke: Remember the Irish having said NO to EU? And now guess who is being blamed? US military and secret service circles! Don`t believe me?

Read yourself in Financial Times Deutschland, Sep 25, 2008: „Irlands Nein-Kampagne - USA sollen EU-Vertrag sabotiert haben“ von Wolfgang Proissl (Brüssel):

Hochrangige Europapolitiker vermuten eine Verwicklung amerikanischer Militär- und Geheimdienstkreise in die irische Anti-EU-Kampagne beim Referendum über den Lissabon-Vertrag. Vor allem die Finanzierung der “Nein-Kampagne” wirft Fragen auf.
Parlamentspräsident Hans-Gert Pöttering (CDU) sagte, es stellten sich Fragen “zur Finanzierung der Nein-Kampagne”. Der französische Europaminister und derzeitige EU-Ratspräsident Jean-Pierre Jouyet forderte “volle Transparenz” bei den Finanzen, der Führung und den Kontakten der Nein-Kampagne. Auch die EU-Kommission verlangte Aufklärung.
Die EU reagiert damit auf aktuelle inoffizielle Untersuchungsberichte, die derzeit in Brüssel zirkulieren. FTD-Informationen zufolge werden dort die engen persönlichen und geschäftlichen Beziehungen zwischen Declan Ganley, dem Initiator der irischen Nein-Bewegung namens Libertas, und US-Militär- und Geheimdienstkreisen nachgezeichnet. Teile der Konservativen in Washington sehen die EU vor allem in der Außenpolitik in Konkurrenz zu den USA.
“Ich habe keine Beweise für eine direkte Beeinflussung oder eine Finanzierung”, sagte Irlands Europaminister Dick Roche der FTD. “Tatsache ist aber, dass Ganley und das US-Militär sehr enge Beziehungen unterhalten.” Pöttering sagte, Ganley habe “mit dem Pentagon Verträge über die Abwicklung militärischer Aufträge in einer Größenordnung von 200 Mio. $”. Ganley betreibt unter anderem das Unternehmen Rivada Networks, die dem US-Militär sichere Kommunikationstechnologien liefert. (…)

“He must be stopped.”

And here is the great speech Sarah Palin would have held if the Stop Iran Now Coalition had let her:

“Palin on Ahmadinejad: ‘He Must Be Stopped’” by Sarah Palin, September 22, 2008, The New York Sun

I am honored to be with you and with leaders from across this great country — leaders from different faiths and political parties united in a single voice of outrage.
Tomorrow, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will come to New York — to the heart of what he calls the Great Satan — and speak freely in this, a country whose demise he has called for.
Ahmadinejad may choose his words carefully, but underneath all of the rhetoric is an agenda that threatens all who seek a safer and freer world. We gather here today to highlight the Iranian dictator’s intentions and to call for action to thwart him.

He must be stopped.

The world must awake to the threat this man poses to all of us. Ahmadinejad denies that the Holocaust ever took place. He dreams of being an agent in a “Final Solution” — the elimination of the Jewish people. He has called Israel a “stinking corpse” that is “on its way to annihilation.” Such talk cannot be dismissed as the ravings of a madman — not when Iran just this summer tested long-range Shahab-3 missiles capable of striking Tel Aviv, not when the Iranian nuclear program is nearing completion, and not when Iran sponsors terrorists that threaten and kill innocent people around the world.
The Iranian government wants nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran is running at least 3,800 centrifuges and that its uranium enrichment capacity is rapidly improving. According to news reports, U.S. intelligence agencies believe the Iranians may have enough nuclear material to produce a bomb within a year.
The world has condemned these activities. The United Nations Security Council has demanded that Iran suspend its illegal nuclear enrichment activities. It has levied three rounds of sanctions. How has Ahmadinejad responded? With the declaration that the “Iranian nation would not retreat one iota” from its nuclear program.
So, what should we do about this growing threat? First, we must succeed in Iraq. If we fail there, it will jeopardize the democracy the Iraqis have worked so hard to build, and empower the extremists in neighboring Iran. Iran has armed and trained terrorists who have killed our soldiers in Iraq, and it is Iran that would benefit from an American defeat in Iraq.
If we retreat without leaving a stable Iraq, Iran’s nuclear ambitions will be bolstered. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons — they could share them tomorrow with the terrorists they finance, arm, and train today. Iranian nuclear weapons would set off a dangerous regional nuclear arms race that would make all of us less safe.
But Iran is not only a regional threat; it threatens the entire world. It is the no. 1 state sponsor of terrorism. It sponsors the world’s most vicious terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah. Together, Iran and its terrorists are responsible for the deaths of Americans in Lebanon in the 1980s, in Saudi Arabia in the 1990s, and in Iraq today. They have murdered Iraqis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and other Muslims who have resisted Iran’s desire to dominate the region. They have persecuted countless people simply because they are Jewish.
Iran is responsible for attacks not only on Israelis, but on Jews living as far away as Argentina. Anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial are part of Iran’s official ideology and murder is part of its official policy. Not even Iranian citizens are safe from their government’s threat to those who want to live, work, and worship in peace. Politically-motivated abductions, torture, death by stoning, flogging, and amputations are just some of its state-sanctioned punishments.
It is said that the measure of a country is the treatment of its most vulnerable citizens. By that standard, the Iranian government is both oppressive and barbaric. Under Ahmadinejad’s rule, Iranian women are some of the most vulnerable citizens.
If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed.
If she walks down a public street in clothing that violates the state dress code, she could be arrested.
But in the face of this harsh regime, the Iranian women have shown courage. Despite threats to their lives and their families, Iranian women have sought better treatment through the “One Million Signatures Campaign Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws.” The authorities have reacted with predictable barbarism. Last year, women’s rights activist Delaram Ali was sentenced to 20 lashes and 10 months in prison for committing the crime of “propaganda against the system.” After international protests, the judiciary reduced her sentence to “only” 10 lashes and 36 months in prison and then temporarily suspended her sentence. She still faces the threat of imprisonment.
Earlier this year, Senator Clinton said that “Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is in the forefront of that” effort. Senator Clinton argued that part of our response must include stronger sanctions, including the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization. John McCain and I could not agree more.
Senator Clinton understands the nature of this threat and what we must do to confront it. This is an issue that should unite all Americans. Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Period. And in a single voice, we must be loud enough for the whole world to hear: Stop Iran!
Only by working together, across national, religious, and political differences, can we alter this regime’s dangerous behavior. Iran has many vulnerabilities, including a regime weakened by sanctions and a population eager to embrace opportunities with the West. We must increase economic pressure to change Iran’s behavior.
Tomorrow, Ahmadinejad will come to New York. On our soil, he will exercise the right of freedom of speech — a right he denies his own people. He will share his hateful agenda with the world. Our task is to focus the world on what can be done to stop him.
We must rally the world to press for truly tough sanctions at the U.N. or with our allies if Iran’s allies continue to block action in the U.N. We must start with restrictions on Iran’s refined petroleum imports.
We must reduce our dependency on foreign oil to weaken Iran’s economic influence.
We must target the regime’s assets abroad; bank accounts, investments, and trading partners.
President Ahmadinejad should be held accountable for inciting genocide, a crime under international law.
We must sanction Iran’s Central Bank and the Revolutionary Guard Corps — which no one should doubt is a terrorist organization.
Together, we can stop Iran’s nuclear program.
Senator McCain has made a solemn commitment that I strongly endorse: Never again will we risk another Holocaust. And this is not a wish, a request, or a plea to Israel’s enemies. This is a promise that the United States and Israel will honor, against any enemy who cares to test us. It is John McCain’s promise and it is my promise.
Thank you.

What a great promise! And hard to believe that people who are or pretend to be pro-Israel did not want to hear this speech.

Palin disinvited from Iran rally

“Palin disinvited from Iran rally” by Ben Smith, Thu Sep 18, 2008:

The organizers of an anti-Iran rally Monday rescinded their invitation to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin after Democrats protested that her presence would turn the event into a political rally, McCain campaign and Jewish community sources said.

The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations created a political tempest by inviting Palin to speak without clearing her invitation with another speaker, Senator Hillary Clinton. Clinton promptly dropped out of the event, saying it would be seen as unduly political. (…)

The Stop Iran Now coalition said in a statement:

“In order to keep the focus on Iranian threats and to ensure that this critical message not be obscured, the organizers of the rally have decided not to have any American political personalities appear.”

Does this mean Hillary Clinton who had been invited to speak is a non-political personality?

Sarah Palin on ‘Hannity & Colmes’

Sean Hannity sat down with the Alaskan governor for FOX News` Hannity & Colmes 9/17/08.

Read the rush transcript and find the links to watch the interview here:

Exclusive: Gov. Palin on ‘Hannity & Colmes’, Part 1, Thursday , September 18, 2008, FOX NEWS

Exclusive: Gov. Palin on ‘Hannity & Colmes’, Part 2, Friday , September 19, 2008, FOX NEWS

Excerpts:

SEAN HANNITY, CO-HOST: Senator McCain’s son has served in Iraq, as we move to national security. You just said good-bye to your son, who is off. He’s going to serve in Iraq.
First off, on the personal side, what did you say to him as he was leaving for Iraq? And what did he say to you?
GOV. SARAH PALIN, VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Well, as a mom, you know, he’s heading to Iraq, taking a fifth of my heart with him, you know. And I’m just so extremely proud of him. He’s independent and he’s strong and he’s serving for the right reasons. I’m just as proud of every man and woman in uniform serving our country and trying to usher in democratic values to the rest of the world, protecting our freedoms.
Very, very proud of these guys and these gals. They are America’s finest and I think that, you know, the Army is lucky to have my son.
What my son said to me, though, was — it was an awakening for me to realize that he knows what he is doing in this and he knows that he has chosen the right reason to serve. I was just being mom to him just a few weeks ago — no V.P. talk even then — but just as mom I was probably getting on his nerves, asking him a whole lot of question about the deployment and about he and his Stryker brigade, what his job will be and he’s like, Mom, I belong to the Army now. I belong to America.
In other words…
HANNITY: He said that to you?
PALIN: He did. And he was telling me, Mom, it’s going to be OK and I’ve chosen to do this. And you know, I’m like, man, thank God for this voluntary military that we have with America’s finest. These young men and women, they just — they just make me so proud.
HANNITY: Why do we need to win in Iraq? Just get right to the bottom line. Why is losing not an option?
PALIN: Losing is not — retreat is not an option. Retreat is defeat in Iraq. Al Qaeda, they’re acknowledging even, along with General Petraeus, that Iraq is the central front on the War on Terror and the violent Islamic extremists who hate America would love that stronghold to be built in Iraq.
If we were to lose there, we’re not going to be any better off when we fight in Afghanistan either, nor the other areas where terrorist cells are growing across our world.
HANNITY: What countries today pose the most danger, in your view, to America?
PALIN: Any country that is going to house violent Islamic terrorists. We have to keep our eye, of course, on Iran. We’ve got to keep our eye on some of the ongoing activities in Russia, also. North Korea under the leadership of Kim Jong Il — certainly there is a lot of concern there.
What we have got to commit to, also, especially when we talk about Russia, no Cold War. We have got to know that our mindset needs to be opportunity for pressure and diplomacy and sanctions if need be, as we keep our eye on a country like Russia.
HANNITY: You don’t want to start a war with Russia —
(CROSSTALK)
PALIN: We do not want to start a war with Russia. No Cold War. That’s got to be off the table. And — opportunity comes with new leadership being ushered in, being elected in into our democracy where we can start forging even better relationships and strengthening the allies that we have. That’s the opportunity that John McCain is going to make sure happens.
HANNITY: What do you view — and I know this came up in your interview with Charlie Gibson, as it relates to the Bush Doctrine — what do you view as the Bush Doctrine and what do you view as America’s role in the world? What is our role as a country, as it relates to national security?
PALIN: That’s a great question and being an optimist I see our role in the world as one of — being a force for good and one of being the leader of the world when it comes to the values that — it seems that just humankind embraces the values that encompass life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And that’s not just in America, that is in our world.
And America is in a position, because we care for so many people, to be able to lead and to be able to have a strong diplomacy and a strong military. Also at the same time to defend not only our freedoms but, to help these rising, smaller democratic countries that are just — you know, they’re putting themselves on the map right now, and they’re going to be looking to America as that leader. We being used as a force for good is how I see our country. (…)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANNITY: Let’s talk about Senator Obama. He’s clearly upset at your speech at the Republican National Convention when you took on, quote, “community organizer — organizers.” Do you think that maybe being a little too rough on Senator Obama? Some of his critics think that was over the line and too tough.
PALIN: Oh, I certainly didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. Didn’t mean to offend any community organizers, either.
I do have respect for those who have chosen public service. And what I was doing though, certainly, should be obvious, was directing a comment to him as he had taken a shot at small mayors across the nation.
HANNITY: So it’s payback!
PALIN: And you know, small mayors, mayors of small towns, quote unquote. They’re on the front lines. They’re held accountable every single day that they are in office with real responsibilities that do demand that accountability and invite accountability.
HANNITY: Why do you think that some women’s group, prominent women’s groups in America, have not supported you? You’ve even been attacked by some of them.
PALIN: I don’t know, that’s their prerogative though. Again, this campaign is about important, very important issues that are not necessarily gender specific. And I believe that the ticket is the right ticket for America, as we progress our agenda that’s going to lift up all Americans.
And certainly I would love to have their support, but I’m not going to change my positions in order to get some of these groups and some in the media to try to — try to woo them over. Don’t have time to do that. We’re moving forward on a ticket of reform. (…)

HANNITY: How you dealing with some of the harsh attacks against you? Let me give you a couple of examples.
PALIN: Oh, thanks. Good.
HANNITY: Well, I’m glad to do it.
South Carolina Democratic chairman said your primary qualification seems to be, you didn’t have an abortion. Politico reported, the National Organization for Women’s spokesman: she’s more a conservative man than she is a woman on women’s issues. Gloria Steinem: Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton.
PALIN: You got me on that first one, that abortion — that’s an appalling comment. You know, though, the shots that I’m taking, I know what the truth is and I know what my convictions are and my foundation is. So I’m fine there. I’m fine there.
The shots that perhaps our campaign has taken, it’s nothing compared to the shots that some people across America are taking today. The things that really matter: Somebody worried about losing their house because of Wall Street collapses. Somebody worried about losing their job or being able to pay for their child’s health care coverage or a parent perhaps having lost a son or daughter in battle, those are the shots that matter.
I’m going to keep it all in perspective.
HANNITY: There is — Ed Rendell said the coverage of Barack Obama in this campaign was embarrassing, Democrat. Mark Penn — Clinton pollster — He said that the media’s on dangerous ground, so far they’re the biggest losers in this race. Scott Rasmussen had a poll, 69 percent of people are convinced reporters are trying to help the candidate they want win, and five to one that’s Senator Obama.
Do you see media bias in this campaign?
PALIN: I don’t know. But a conservative candidate has got to know what they’re getting themselves into in the world that we are in today. And, you know, I knew putting my name on the dotted line there saying, yes, I’m willing to serve. I knew what I was getting into. You can’t whine about it. That doesn’t do any good. And you’ve got to grow thick skin.
I was telling a couple of our campaign people the other day. I said, you see this? You think this is just baby fat, right, from having Trig four months ago. No, it’s some thick skin in there also. (…)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANNITY: You spoke passionately while we were talking earlier about your role in a McCain administration. One of the things you said was that you’re going to work for families with special needs. And you’ve experienced this recently yourself, when you found out that you were going to have a child with special needs. Was that tough? Was that hard? Did it take a while to absorb that?
PALIN: Yeah, to be perfectly honest with you, absolutely, it took me many months to get my arms and my heart wrapped around the idea. Obviously knowing that this would be a new joy in our life, but challenges with that new joy.
So, it took a while and I was very thankful to have that time to be prepared. And then, you know, my prayers were that God would prepare my heart and give me the ability to handle it.
And then, of course, the minute that Trig was born I knew that there was confirmation that those prayers were answered. Everybody falling so in love with him. It was all good and it’s been all good.
HANNITY: You’ve talked a lot about religion — and I know you’ve discussed this — how important is religion and your faith? Because I read a lot about you and obviously religion and faith is an important part of your life. How important is it in your life?
PALIN: Faith is very, very important in my life. I don’t believe I wear it on my sleeve and I would never try to shove it down anybody else’s throat and try to convert anybody. But just a very simple faith that is important to me — it really is my foundation. (…)

HANNITY: You obviously have a lot of passion. What motivates you? For example, what made you want to get into the political world? What made you so willing to accept this job and not blink? Where does your motivation come from?
PALIN: My love of this country. I’m one of those people, you know, I see a soldier walk through the airport and, you know, my heart does a little double-take. And I hear the Pledge of Allegiance or our National Anthem and I get a lump in my throat. And know that that’s the majority of Americans. Also, I am so proud, have been so proud of our country, every step of the way. We’ve made mistakes. We learn from our mistakes. But just the passion that I have for Americans.
And, again, feeling compelled to respond when I see leadership, government straying from the spirit of our Constitution and straying from the spirit of what it is that Americans expect and deserve in their government.
I have an opportunity to respond and to join a teammate here — John McCain — in reform, putting government back on the side of the people. It’s an opportunity that’s very humbling and I take it very, very seriously.
HANNITY: Last question: Life in Wasilla. Growing up — it is a small town — and moose hunting.
PALIN: Yeah.
HANNITY: And I read a quote that your dad had given to somebody, that he felt that he’s prepared you for anything that’s going to come your way as a result of that.
What was life growing up like there?
PALIN: It’s small-town America. It’s just good, unpretentious, hard-working people who love their state, they love their country, also proud to be American — the best upbringing that I could have ever hoped for. My parents instilling in me not just a love of family and community, but a love of freedom and independence. That’s what growing up in Alaska has been about.
And certainly, I would like to take what it is that was instilled in me there and that I have learned and built as a foundation and implement some good things for the betterment of our nation.

Just in case the You Tube links:

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 1

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 2

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 3

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 4

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 5

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 6

Hannity interviews Palin, Part 7

Thanks to MCM for having sent the links!

„Indian Summer“ or „Altweibersommer“?

Weather was gorgeous today! Too cold for September of course (3 degrees in the morning) but in the afternoon it heated up to 15 degrees under sunny blue skies. So I was able to sit outside without my winter-coat ;-)
By the way, in German we call the Indian Summer “Altweibersommer” which means “Old-Women`s-Summer”. That does not make much sense at first sight, does it? Well, today I learnt that actually this expression was derived from the German verb “weben” (= to weave). At this time of the year, nights are cold and when spiders are busy during the night, morning dew makes the cobwebs even more visible. The legend goes that these cobwebs reminded people of the long white hair of elderly women.

More about the legend in German:
Altweibersommer - dann wird der Herbst trocken

Gemeint ist mit dem Begriff “Altweibersommer” aber kein Sommerwetter für ältere Frauen. Der Ursprung dieser Bezeichnung führt weit in die Vergangenheit, in die germanische Mythologie. Mit weiben wurde im Altdeutschen das Knüpfen von Spinnweben bezeichnet.

An September-Tagen mit sonnigem Wetter kühlt es sich in den klaren Nächten stark ab, so dass in den Morgenstunden durch den Tau die Spinnweben deutlich zu erkennen sind. Die seltsam glänzenden Fäden (oder “Herbstfäden”) glitzern im Sonnenlicht wie lange, silbergraue Haare. Früher glaubten die Leute, so erzählen es alte Sagen, daß alte Weiber (damals war das noch kein Schimpfwort für alte Damen) diese “Haare” beim Kämmen verloren hätten und daß dies das Wirken der “Nornen”, der alten Schicksalsgöttinnen, die die Lebensfäden der Menschen spinnen, war.