Haqqani versus Amalek

[Skybird]

Some background information on Netanyahu and Amadhinejadh that people maybe do not know. Much of it certainly was new for me.

And it makes the situation more frightening.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...631799,00.html

[CaptainHaplo]

Skybird - thanks for posting that.

As a man who has met Benny, and have taken the time to study him in part, I know the writer is correct in many of his assertions. Assuming the same regarding Iranian politics, its quite an interesting piece to the puzzle.

I do think that the writer forgets that the office of the president is subservient to the Supreme Leader in Iran, but the facts are that the current unrest could easily be used by a skillful politician (and A is one of those) to undercut that authority and solidify more of it in the presidency.

Good read. The future looks interesting.

[Fish]

Ahmadinejad and Netanyahu should both read 'The Bible Unearthed'.

From what I have seen from Spiegel in the past they probably have interjected their political bias and have it all wrong. They are further to the left than MSNBC.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by CastleBravo

From what I have seen from Spiegel in the past they probably have interjected their political bias and have it all wrong. They are further to the left than MSNBC.

One must only stand far enough on the right , then the rest of the world appears to be on the left. Mybe you think CaptainHaplo also is a left-biased man? I do not have that impression of him. Nor do I consider myself to be "left".

In my school days, in the 80s, I thought of Der Spiegel having a left bias, and today I cannot say if that was just my perpection, or if they really were more to the left back then. But I can say for sure that today they are anything but "left". Quite all political parties get their share of critical treatment by Der Spiegel. They are the geman newspaper with the best international internet presence, and the german original I would consider to be well-rooted in the political centre today. Almost all other German papers do not even see a need for an international appearance of theirs (that's why I rarely, if ever, link to English essays from other German newspapers or magazines).

But neither that nor your reply have anything to do with the article's content that I linked. If you think the author got something wrong, point at that detail and comment on it instead of trying to distract attention and generally criticising Der Spiegel because Mr. Follath expresses something you happen to dislike. Follath is no idiot, btw, but a promoted expert with degrees in his fields (politics, orient and china) that he happens to know quite well. Beat him on his arguments and descriptions - not by making vague accusations about the place where he got published: it is no lobby-organisation paying for his income.

I respect your opinion. But aren't there other agencies which represent the German people, which are coming from a different political POV? Die Welt, for instance.? By American standards it is still a leftist publication, but we cannot all be Germans.

[Skybird]

Die Welt has some articles in English, but most of it's articles are simply bad works of journalism, and the internet presence is even worse. Only occasionally they impress with a good essay.

And no, I can't say that Die Welt is a prime newspaper. And if you would compare the daily output by them with that of Der Spiegel, you would see that Die Welt is much, more more to the left than Der Spiegel. But the main argument is the inferior journalistic quality, and especially their populistic style in selecting and presenting their articles. I would not say the printed version is much better.

The FAZ (Frankfurter Allgeimene Zeitung) has an acceptable print edition and often is referred to as the German equivalent to the British Times, and Die Zeit often has good essays with deeper analsis as well, but it less actual , also both are german exclusively.

Some regional newapapers worth to be mentioned, but all of them play no role oin the itnernational internet market.

And you still have not specified your criticism of Follath's article. If you have background info and knowledge on the cultural background info that would correct him, I would be interested to hear that. As I said, for me these mystical background things especially on the Jewish part were somewhat new, I do not know much about Judaism that goes beyond popular knowledge. Maybe CaptainHaplo would be the more competent discussion partner for you then, since he apparently has a live personal impression of Netanjahu from having met with him.

Originally Posted by CastleBravo

By American standards it is still a leftist publication, but we cannot all be Germans.

That implies there is no diversity in america, and no wider spectrum of political opinions that goes beyond "this" and "that". If it is not far right, it is not American, that is. I think that scenario can - and must - be questioned - even when a certain kind of Republicans love to imply that they are the better Americans and thus should have a monopole for the presidency.

So what you are saying is the other media present in Germany is weak and they don't express your opinion in any case so they are not worth the trouble. OK I understand.

I'm implying there is no diversity in Germany.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by CastleBravo

So what you are saying is the other media present in Germany is weak and they don't express your opinion in any case so they are not worth the trouble. OK I understand.

Ah, we enter the stage when you are so depsrate that you need to turn words in my mouth.

Are you sure you are in the position to judge the quality of various German newspapers - when you asked about other german newspapers representing Germans' opinion (or did not mean: your opinion?) and by that indicated that you do not know the German newspaper market?

I scan the national papers on the web almost every day, and also have read the print versions in the past, so I have some substantial impression about what to expect from whom. when I say the journalistic quality and the qulaity of writing and presentaiton vary, then maybe that is a poltical issue for you - not for me. I have linked essays not representing my personal opinions as well in the past years.

And can we now have your insightful criticism of Follath's original article, please? We are still waiting for you to become specific. So far you only tried to distract people from the fact that you just waved it off for being published in "a lefty place", but not saying what information or arguments you have to object the author's descriptions. I really would be interested to learn more if Follath's descriptions are wrong, but if your only argument against the essay is that it was published by the wrong magazine - then you have no valid argument at all and I can leave this little party immediately, since neither now nor in the future I would get a drink.

Originally Posted by Skybird

Ah, we enter the stage when you are so depsrate that you need to turn words in my mouth.

Are you sure you are in the position to judge the quality of various German newspapers - when you asked about other german newspapers representing Germans' opinion (or did not mean: your opinion?) and by that indicated that you do not know the German newspaper market?

I scan the national papers on the web almost every day, and also have read the print versions in the past, so I have some substantial impression about what to expect from whom. when I say the journalistic quality and the qulaity of writing and presentaiton vary, then maybe that is a poltical issue for you - not for me. I have linked essays not representing my personal opinions as well in the past years.

And can we now have your insightful criticism of Follath's original article, please? We are still waiting for you to become specific. So far you only tried to distract people from the fact that you just waved it off for being published in "a lefty place", but not saying what information or arguments you have to object the author's descriptions. I really would be interested to learn more if Follath's descriptions are wrong, but if your only argument against the essay is that it was published by the wrong magazine - then you have no valid argument at all and I can leave this little party immediately, since neither now nor in the future I would get a drink.

Are you sure you are in a position to judge Americans by what you read in the German media? I would never judge either Germans, nor the German nation, based on what I see in the press. But I will judge it on what you post and say.

[Skybird]

I knew Americans in the past (Berlin), and know some today. I read American medias, too. And all that is not important.

You criticism of Mr. Follath's essay, please?

Originally Posted by Skybird

I knew Americans in the past (Berlin), and know some today. I read American medias, too. And all that is not important.

You criticism of Mr. Follath's essay, please?

How about Mr. Follath has an agenda. Since we were'nt at the interview and Spiegel is a far left leaning agenda that is enough to dismiss it out of hand. Sorry but life sux sometimes and Mr. Follath is probay as accurate as most reporters, not at all.

I guess you are not used to being challenged Mr. Skybird. That being the case is either one of two things. Either you speak for many or you report those who do speak against you. It is enlightening..

[Skybird]

How about Mr. Follath has an agenda.

Or how's about assuming the sky is green and the grass is blue.

Either you can counter Follath on what he says, or you can't. "If" and "eventually" and "we were not there" does not help you. You said they probably have it all wrong in that essay. Give your agument on the matter - where is it all wrong, why is it wrong, and what is the correct information there. You just try character assassination so far.