Cars,Travel and Military in Germany

MUNICH, Germany — Less than four weeks after it was unveiled in concept-car form BMW has pulled the wraps off the definitive production version of its new M3. The muscular-looking two-door, planned to go on sale in North America as a 2009 model following a planned public debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, is the fourth iteration of BMW’s original motorsport-inspired coupe.

 If it looks familiar, that’s because the production car is a virtual carbon copy of the earlier concept shown at the Geneva auto show last month. The two share the same styling and design features, down to the finest detail.

The new M3 is once again based on the 3 Series coupe. However, a host of visual modifications make it appear more athletic than its standard sibling. They include a deep front spoiler, a distinctive power dome in the hood, chrome air vents behind the front wheel arches, new exterior mirror housings, widened fenders and four chromed tailpipes. It is all set off by new 18-inch forged alloy wheels and a lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced roof that helps to lower the crucial center of gravity. The new model is slightly enlarged to provide it with an aggressive hunkered-down stance befitting its reputation as one of the world’s most distinguished performance cars.

In a move aimed at extending the new M3’s appeal, BMW plans to follow up the introduction of the coupe model revealed here with sedan, cabriolet and wagon variants, each sharing the same mechanical package but with individually tuned suspensions.  >> more

Berlin (dpa) - German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has confirmed plans to seek a change to the constitution to allow the state secret access to the computers of private individuals, in an interview published Thursday.

“Under certain conditions it must be possible for the Federal Criminal Police Office to search computers in secret,” Schaeuble told the Handelsblatt newspaper. Schaeuble’s attempts to gain greater powers for police and other state authorities, including storing the fingerprints of all Germans, have run into opposition within the ruling broad-based coalition.  >>more

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) — A 43-year-old German decided to settle his imminent divorce by chainsawing a family home in two and making off with his half in a forklift truck.

Police in the eastern town of Sonneberg said on Friday the trained mason measured the single-storey summer house — which was some 8 meters (26 feet) long and 6 meters wide — before chainsawing through the wooden roof and walls.

“The man said he was just taking his due,” said a police spokesman. “But I don’t think his wife was too pleased.”

After finishing the job, the man picked up his half with the forklift truck and drove to his brother’s house where he has since been staying.

Hans-Gert Pöttering was elected the new President of the European Parliment.

Mr Pottering has been a member of the European parliment since 1979.  He studied law at Columbia University in New York, and political sciance and history at Bonn, Geneva.

The European Parliament is the parliamentary body of the European Union, elected by EU citizens once every five years. Together with the Council of Ministers, it composes the legislative branch of the institutions of the Union. It meets in two locations: Strasbourg and Brussels.

And the Cry Baby award goes to: Murat Kurnaz, A turkish citizen was arrested in Afghanistan a couple months after 9/11. He was taken to Guantanamo bay in Cuba. He claims that some German elite military members had abused him. Kurnaz gets the cry baby award!

During his term in Guantanamo, Kurnaz claims he was repeatedly mistreated, psychologically tortured and kept undernourished. That sounds like a typical day at work to me ; )

“They asked me if I knew who they were and then they said ‘We are the KSK’,” he told Euro MPs, adding that the men had German flags on their uniforms and spoke German with him.

“I thought they would have some questions and that they could help me, but they told me I had chosen the wrong side,” Kurnaz said. 

What the heck was a German -Turk doing in Afghanistan is all I want to know? And why has it taken him almost 6 years to file a suit? Like my Father always told me ” You are judged by the company you keep” If you hang out with terrorists, you will get burned.  Read the full story

On December 28t, A German pastor,  Rev. Roland Weisselberg, waited until after communion, went outside his church, and lit himself on fire. He died the next day in the hospital.

He committed suicide to protest Islam’s growing influence on a Christian continent that had lost its faith. Terrorism and strains from integrating a growing Muslim population have transformed Europe into a cultural battleground. Weisselberg, a slight, fidgety man with a penchant for quoting poetry, fretted that Christians had forgotten God while Muslims were increasingly devoted. But his act on that final day of October, more riddle than signpost, has left friends and colleagues mystified over its interpretation.

There has to be a better way to protest.  And I thought suicide was a sin?! 

Cologne’s sex tax has been a huge success according to a report in the Handelsblatt (business daily) on Friday.

In Germany, prostitution is legal : )   The city of Cologne (Koln) is the only German city so far to implement the so called “sex tax“  It is reported that the city brought in over €828,000 in 2006.  In 2005 they brought in €790,000, so I guess you could say that people are having more sex this year!

Prostitutes are required to pay €150 per month, unless they only work part-time.  In that case they can opt to pay €6 per day, and as a result, sex workers voluntarily inform the tax office when they are ill or on vacation, the spokesperson said.

LOL, “Sex Workers”  It sounds so “socialist”   I wonder if they take VAT forms from us Americans!

Full Story   Dating a Soldier

If you are a contractor or other American living in Germany or abroad, you are no doubt aware of recent tax hike in May that was imposed upon us (probably so congress could free up funds to give themselves yet another raise).  There may be a chance for a repeal, now that Democrats are taking over (and thank God for that)

Democrat offices were highly critical of the tax hike on overseas Americans indicating general support for overseas Americans. It was suggested that repeal of this tax hike should be given first priority, as an immediate objective. The new Democratic leadership will aim to reach bi-partisan agreement on certain issues early in the 110th session of Congress. All budgetary decisions will be made on a “pay as you go basis”, i.e. no tax decreases will be allowed unless a compensating tax revenue or expenditure cut is made.

Please write to your Senetors and Representatives who will be present in the 110th Congress.  Sned hard copies since many emails from abroad are blocked or ignored.

There are template letters here for your convenience.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s historic capital set to sparkle this Christmas

The festive season in the Scottish capital is truly a magical experience. In the shadow of the historic castle, Edinburgh’s Capital Christmas makes the city the place to be.

The city’s Princes Street Gardens become the focus of Edinburgh’s enchanting Christmas celebrations. The striking Edinburgh Wheel, next to the famous Scott Monument, will make a welcome return this year and will provide exhilarating views across the city from its 33 meter vantage point. Winter Wonderland, one of the largest open air ice rinks in Europe, is also back as the stunning and vibrant centerpiece to the Gardens.

There are plenty of goodies to fill your Christmas stocking at the traditional Christmas Market, where 25 stalls come direct from Germany to provide an authentic continental experience. The variety of products range from beautiful hand-blown baubles to wooden toys and the very popular traditional German mulled wine, Glühwein. Last year, 15,000 mugs were sold, proving that the spicy aroma is hard to resist on a cold winter evening. There are plenty of other shopping opportunities throughout the city. Home to Jenners, the world’s oldest independent department store dating back to 1838. The old town has some of Edinburgh’s most unique specialty shops including antique books, contemporary design and gourmet food. There is even a Christmas shop selling decorations all year around.

Children can expect a special treat, when Edinburgh becomes home to Santa’s Reindeer for two weeks. Santa’s Reindeer will live in West Princes Street Gardens, counting down to their big night on Christmas Eve. Pony and trap rides and Edinburgh’s Robert Brothers Circus will also add to the festive fun.

Opening hours Christmas market
28 November – 24 December 2006

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We have all seen the German speed trap cameras around.  When you speed past one in your car in Germany, they take a photo of you and your car, register your current speed, and a date and time, then a few days later you get the notice in the mail along with your fine. 

Once we get used to our travel routes, we learn to slow down enough just to get past the cameras. Then we resume our normal speed. But now Germany is making it a lot more difficult.  They have new speed cameras being installed which are very well hidden (see photos below)

They are a lot harder to spot! These new cameras will be found in the Heidelberg area on Speyer Strasse (535) and also on the B3.

Germany no longer sends the photos in the mail in an attempt to curb high divorce rates in Germany.  Evidently there were quite a few cases where the photo was sent to the address of the speeder, but a wife or husband saw the photo with another member of the opposite sex in the car.  Oops.  Don’t get caught cheating!!!   There is lots of information on various speed cameras here