omgbrian

[omgbrian]

Germany Goes Mao on Free Speech: Investors Blanche

When asked how he went bankrupt, the venerable  American author of “Huckleberry Finn” Mark Twain said „Slowly at first, then all at once.“ It looks like that quintessential Western freedom to speak and write freely (within the already narrow parameters of incitement, libel and genocide denial laws) is heading down the very same path in Germany. Freedom of speech, that core practice that…

[omgbrian]

Unstable Germany? Not if President Steinmeier Acts Fast

With the collapse of coalition talks, German has entered unchartered territory and many fear weeks if not months of political uncertainty set to cost jobs, give investors cold feet and undermine faith in Europe’s leading economy and in Berlin’s ability to shape the post-Brexit European Union. People are worried and they should be.

A fraying Europe – with Brexit, Catalaxit, challenges to the rule…

[omgbrian]

John F. Kennedy and Free Speech this Saint Patrick's Day

John F. Kennedy and Free Speech this Saint Patrick’s Day

This Saint Patrick Day I’m thinking about one of my favorite Irish heroes, the late President Kennedy – a man of clarity, purpose, and courage. His speeches, written by himself, remain part of classic rhetorical training, as they were when I was learning to cut the cliches and the mixed metaphors.

To celebrate Paddy driving out of the snakes, here’s the audio and textversion of…

[omgbrian]

Trump and Bild: Merkel on the Defensive

Trump and Bild: Merkel on the Defensive

Trump Lays it Out for Germany’s Best Selling Tabloid

The news hit the stands (online) Monday night at 23:00 and has been burning it up on the air waves and internet ether since then. Everyone has an opinion it seems on a German publication’s first interview with the president-elect. It was conducted by Bild Zeitung, Germany’s biggest tabloid, a brilliant pick to reach out to as many everyday…

[omgbrian]

Five Things Angela Merkel can do before Inauguration Day to Warm Ties with the New Washington

Five Things Angela Merkel can do before Inauguration Day to Warm Ties with the New Washington

  Germany and its political leaders may never learn to love Donald Trump, but they will have to learn to live with him, and work with him over the next four, if not eight, years.

So why not get of to a good start?

Here’s five things Berlin can do today to get off on the right foot with the new administration.

    1.)  Angela Merkel’s Press Spokesman Stefan Seibert can send a note of…

[omgbrian]

Detect, Detain,Defund,Deport: Germany’s Mainstream Goes Populist

Detect, Detain,Defund,Deport: Germany’s Mainstream Goes Populist

  „Beware the fury of a patient man.“ The English playwright John Dryden could have been speaking about the ever forbearing German voter. How much they have carried!

Funding their spendthrift brethren from Ireland to Greece. Bolstering the Euro and the EU’s banks every time they get a case of the teeters.

Standing up for the opposition in Ukraine and Syria even when they are not quite democratic.

[omgbrian]

Epiphany 2017: Terror in My Berlin Neighborhood

Epiphany 2017: Terror in My Berlin Neighborhood

Epiphany 2017: Terror in My Berlin Neighborhood

Epiphany, January 6th, marks the official end of the Christmas season. As a Berliner who’s faith began with the star over Bethlehem, I find myself this Epiphany still grieving quietly, taking the time to stop and a reflect amidst the countless wreaths and candles lovingly laid out at the Gedächntnis Church, for the dead of the Christmas Market…

[omgbrian]

Terror Shaken Germans Look For Leadership and Get a"Nafri" Debate

Terror Shaken Germans Look For Leadership and Get a”Nafri” Debate

Brian Thomas International News Anchor, Talk Show/Conference Host, Speaker

Anis Amri was A North African

Twelve families have been holding funerals and burying their dead from the Christmas Market truck attack just a few streets away from me in Berlin. Among them this young and vibrant woman from Italy.When I look at Fabrizia’s face, there is something so familiar. So alive. So…

[omgbrian]

2016: My Three Top Political Interviews

2016: My Three Top Political Interviews

2016: My Three Top Political Interviews Looking back at 2016, I had the humbling opportunity to talk to so many insightful individuals and unique voices, and when I take this opportunity to thank them all, I know I’m speaking for my viewers as well.

This year I’m using their feedback (from various platforms) as a basis for my choice of 2016 Top Three Political Interviews. Enjoy !

1…

[omgbrian]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBcWMfyep2I)

[omgbrian]

Russia worked for the Trump campaign? "Excuse me, I am not convinced."

Russia worked for the Trump campaign? “Excuse me, I am not convinced.”

Barack Obama, in the fading days of his tenure as head of the world’s indispensable nation, has called into question the legitimacy of America’s bitterly contested elections.

He’s alleging foreign interference by none other than his nemesis, the man who thwarted his „red lines“ in Syria and caught him back footed in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin.

It was a claim also put forward repeatedly and…

[omgbrian]

The Berlin Pulse with Brian Thomas Mondays and Fridays from Berlin starting January 2, 2017.

[omgbrian]

Green Austro-Knight to the Rescue! Now Merkel must Shore Up the Euro

Green Austro-Knight to the Rescue! Now Merkel must Shore Up the Euro

        What a difference a season doth make!  From standing at the centre of a new post Brexit alliance  bravely leading New Europe – Angela Merkel is now the Lone Admiral. Gone the sunny weather, the sailing friends. Gone the glow of glories yet to come. Matteo  Renzi is now joining Francois on the lower deck in tourist class. He deserves to. Like David Cameron last summer – he’s lost touch…

[omgbrian]

Sunday's Vote in Austria and Italy : The Next Banking Crisis and What the EU must do Monday Morning

Sunday’s Vote in Austria and Italy : The Next Banking Crisis and What the EU must do Monday Morning

It’s about to get lonely on the EU Bridge for Angela Merkel 

The „No“ camp will succeed in the Italian referendum on Sunday, which will mean the end or near end of Matteo Renzi and new political pressures from his leftist nemesis Beppe Grillo to restructure Rome’s debt deal. Grillo’s looking long-term. If you go to his blog, he’s has an entry on the need to prepare now for civilization’s collapse.