Well said. Also Mutti Merkel has to deal with the Afghanistan disaster.

I was following German blogs all day. Germany’s current decision (which is actually more of a rotten compromise since everyone clearly knows that Gaddafi is a dangerous despot) is being discussed extremely emotional and controversial which just shows how torn Germans still are.

That is not meant to be an excuse but more of an approach. Germany’s current actions (or non-actions) can’t be seen out of it’s specific historical context.

And seeing someone waving a German flag still gives me the creeps although I was born 1966 (born and socialised in Germany in a multicultural and multinational family).

Albert, the dog ate it. I think it was a German pointer.

Tap it? Cut his line. He might call Gaddafi from his home this time.

Can they supply a flag for “Iva ghad-divorzju”? Joseph Muscat will be sticking one out of the window of his Alfa.

Absolutely. During the World Cup in 2006, there were condemnations from some commentators about the ostentatious display of German flags by supporters.

Would you believe it? Germany only got its army back in 1955.

Ten years after the end of World War II and only 61 years ago. And technically – get this – the Bundeswehr does not belong to Germany, but to NATO.

So first you geld the eagle (poetic licence here) and then you expect it to stand proud and fight?

They are still carrying a hell of a lot of baggage from the Second World War, and will never do anything that could be percieved as flexing their military muscles. If Merkel would have pushed for a more active role, she would have been accused of warmongering and probably lynched. Germans are seriously sensitive about how they are perceived.

Fick Dich, Muammar

What for?

No comments are necessary – the UN Security Council took the right decision, however late, and the rest of the world has to abide by the resolution.

Germany’s ‘explanation’ for abstaining was totally unnecessary and only helped critics dump on the country.

Sometimes, the less said is best.

[Daphne – Your answer reminds me of why Britain is considered the world’s standard-setter for democracy. I hope you bothered to watch proceedings in the House of Commons this morning. How refreshing for somebody driven nuts by the village bandclub administration attitude of our own politicians.]

Time to tap KMB’s phone(s).