H: Good questions. I think I enjoy the Davids Medienkritik entries on the German media because they affirm how I already feel about intellectual Germans (which include journalists): I don't like them very much. I got along great with more down-to-earth (i.e., blue collar) people in Germany (like Walter, and arguably Matzinger), but the intellectual Germans, who make up most of the Germans you meet here in NYC, irritate me.

I attribute it to my sensitivity to an anti-Americanism which lies just beneath the surface. Of course, this anti-American sentiment has been around about as long as America has. There's a good essay, Hating America by Bruce Bawer that discusses this subject. One good quote:
[N]ineteenth-century European aristocrats despised America as a symbol of progress, innovation, and (above all) equality, ridiculing it as a mongrel land of simple-minded Indians and blacks; later, avaricious Jews were added to the list. These stereotypes soon spread to Americans generally, resulting in today’s European-establishment view of Americans as materialistic morons.

In those times, Europeans considered Americans to be degenerate and not sufficiently religious; now we are portrayed as prudish and too religious. The irony!

More recently, the anti-Americanism comes from (among other sources):
- We stopped the Thousand-Year Reich. Not only did we end it (with the help of the Brits and Russians, of course), but it lasted only about 13 years, thanks to us.
- We blew the crap out of Germany.
- We gave the Germans trillions of dollars to rebuild their country, and have never asked for a penny back - this is embarrasing to some.
- We have provided 100% of Germany's military security for more than a half century. The Germans used the money they saved on defense to give their citizens very wealthy lifestyles. The intellectually honest Germans realize this and resent it.
- Our popular culture. 'Nuff said.

The list goes on and on, but there are many, many reasons for Germans to hate America, before and after 9/11/2001.

I can feel the attitude when I talk to Germans here in NYC. It annoys me, so I focus on it.

Remember that much of the media in Germany is state-run, so there is not the diversity of viewpoints we have here in the U.S. So when the German media lies to its readers/watchers, to make an anti-American point, it is a big deal for me...

Well, that was longer than I expected, but maybe an explanation...
C
- posted by Christoph Roggenkamp @ 5/03/2006 08:25:00 PM