A Greek and a German go into a bar...

Germany, Europe's biggest economy, is widely seen as the most likely candidate to help prevent what would be a disastrous Greek default but there is strong opposition in the country against such a move.

Greek politicians have bristled over insulting headlines in the German press and editorials denouncing the corruption there, although Papandreou himself has acknowledged the problem.

Yeah...corruption. Um...I suppose that's a euphemism for "Socialism." Greece is a socialist country. In fact, while they teeter on the default cliff they are STILL raising taxes in an effort to stave the flow. We are talking about a country that has a public sector holiday allowance where the government can freeze private sector pensions.

Socialism = Corruption.

I just find it amusing that Greece, the most Socialistic of the European Union is in dire straights...and now requires Germany (the most Capitalistic of the European Union) to bail them out. Greece's plan in that regard? Cutting taxes? Limiting spending? Boltering private business?

Nah...Greece wants Germany and the rest of the EU to leverage their own economic ratings to secure better credit for Greece in world markets. In other words, they want to go further in debt, and drag the more solvent members of the EU down with them.

Ahhhhh...Socialism. It's what's for dinner.

"The Producers"...lands in Germany...

Speigel also noted that the question of how to advertise the show presented some obvious problems, not least of which is that the Nazi swastika is “banned in Germany as an unconstitutional symbol.” That led the producers of this version of the play, officially known as “The Producers — Frühling für Hitler,” to replace the swastika with a less-than-sinister pretzel in viral ads and on the large red banners hanging outside the theater in Berlin. The swastika, though, will be used on stage.

I'm not sure how they came up with pretzels to replace the verboten swastika...

I've seen "The Producers" on stage and at the movies (twice...including the 1968 version with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder). The point being that you can't take Mel Brooks seriously. He's nutty...and sometimes hilarious in his offerings. In context, however, the holocaust was the very depth of evil and by association so was the Nazi Party. The question being asked shouldn't be whether ticket sales will be sustained. The question should be whether this showing is actually ethically in good taste. It's not...but then again, Mel Brooks has made a career out of something very opposite of good taste...and that's the point. He's Jewish, and at the very least, the presentation of "The Producers" in Germany does not forgive anyone, but is offers an olive branch of acceptance and acknowledgment.

That being said...the production will tank.

Oh mein Gott !!

Heh...(snort)

The international appendage of the New York Times (International Herald Tribune) dug out an old photo of Hillary to announce the potential for a Secretary of State in a pantsuit. I think it's fair to say that the editor on the "Americas" fold of the IHT isn't a fan. Keep in mind that the IHT (while regurgitated in France) is sold across the European Union...including Germany.