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Tony
10th October 2003, 11:45 AM
http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=3594012 ...full article


BERLIN (Reuters) - Call it the "Arnold Effect."

The straight-talking Hollywood action star's election win in California has had an electrifying impact on Germany, leading to calls Friday for top politicians to voice clear ideas in simple language or be swept away at the polls.

"The more confused we are by what they say, the greater our longing for a man or woman with simple words," wrote Bild newspaper columnist Franz Josef Wagner. "The only problem is that it's the wrong ones who usually master simple language."

Schwarzenegger's victory in the California race for governor has led to editorials calling for German politicians to abandon their barely comprehensible speaking style in favor of "Klartext" (straight talk).

But Wagner and others also warn of the dangers of falling for simple remedies from loud Austrians who enthrall the masses. Austrian-born Adolf Hitler still casts a long shadow in Germany.

Celebrities, columnists, ordinary citizens and even some politicians have joined the chorus of calls for less talk and more action to get Germany moving again after years of economic stagnation and political standstill.




Does this article provide an accurate portrait of the general feeling in Germany and to a greater extent, all of europe?

Gem
10th October 2003, 12:18 PM
I would think that politicians EVERYWHERE should learn to talk simple.

Gem

003998
10th October 2003, 03:07 PM
Quote:

"Does this article provide an accurate portrait of the general feeling in Germany and to a greater extent, all of europe?"

No, it doesn´t. There is nothing here I could describe as "electrifying impact ". We already have a radio station making a comedy series about the matter. The public opinion tends more towards curiosity than serious calls for a change.

The "Bild" newspaper, by the way, is not a very acurate source of news. It`s some of the worst yellow press I know.

ZeeGerman
11th October 2003, 08:32 AM
Originally posted by 003998
Quote:

"Does this article provide an accurate portrait of the general feeling in Germany and to a greater extent, all of europe?"

No, it doesn´t. There is nothing here I could describe as "electrifying impact ". We already have a radio station making a comedy series about the matter. The public opinion tends more towards curiosity than serious calls for a change.

The "Bild" newspaper, by the way, is not a very acurate source of news. It`s some of the worst yellow press I know.

I agree.

Whenever the topic of Arnold as govenor comes up, it's about making fun of it.
I haven't met a single person who says that we need someone like Arnie in an influential position. We have got enough populism in politics as it is.

"Bild" is crap. My advice : Don't read it.

Zee

Pyrrho
11th October 2003, 09:09 AM
Originally posted by Gem
I would think that politicians EVERYWHERE should learn to talk simple.

Gem
Yes, it would be good to be told lies that we can understand, as opposed to being told lies that we can't understand.

Chaos
11th October 2003, 10:20 AM
I completely agree with my countrymen, 003998 and ZeeGerman.

The reaction to the California election I see is more along the line of "We alway knew they were strange folks, but this time..."

The "Bild-Zeitung" is roughly comparable with "USA Today", from what I heard about the latter. There is a joke that a typical "Bild" headline is: "Man put woman through the meat grinder. BILD interviews the ground meat."

Dorian Gray
11th October 2003, 02:18 PM
Is that article comparing Hitler coming from Austria to become leader of Germany to Arnold coming from Austria to become leader of California?

ZeeGerman
12th October 2003, 09:28 AM
Originally posted by Dorian Gray
Is that article comparing Hitler coming from Austria to become leader of Germany to Arnold coming from Austria to become leader of California?

Heavens no, that's just a running gag.

Zee

Tony
14th October 2003, 07:26 PM
Thanks for the comments.


And ZeeGerman, its about time you "fixed" your avatar, I, for one, was beginning to get offended. :D ;)

ZeeGerman
15th October 2003, 12:34 AM
Originally posted by Tony
Thanks for the comments.


And ZeeGerman, its about time you "fixed" your avatar, I, for one, was beginning to get offended. :D ;)


Sorry to disappoint you, but that was just for one day as I said here (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&postid=1870136855#post1870136855)
I'm actually thinking about getting one of those penis enlargement kits for my avatar to make it even more offensive :D

Zee