Germany elects new US President

So we all see that Barack Obama went to Germany to speak in front of a million people. It was actually more along the lines of the Million Man March! Remember that? Right, about 200,000 people. Respectable, but let's not blow this stuff out of proportion, shall we?

Anyway, the head of Der Speigel's Foreign Desk, Gerhard Spörl, calls Barry "No. 44". (Can I call him, Barry?) 44: that's the number of our next president. Herr Bush, Jr. is No. 43, Poppy is 41, and Billy Blue Dress is nestled in there at No. 42. Hillary Yellow Pant Suit (who dresses her? sheesh!) will have to wait for 45. (note: five and twenty-ten-ten;-) )

So Gerhard summarily elects our next president a full 99 days before we get to hang our chads. The sheer audacity of it makes it hopeful. Can we indeed see a change in America's future. Re-engage the world as our friends, instead of giving everyone the cold shoulder? Is there hope for America? A country that Gerhard calls a "somewhat anemic, pragmatic democracy". (Note to self: Don't forget to watch the Daily Show tonight!)

I hope there's hope. The Germans seem to make some sense, as well as nice cars. But the sense does not extend to an "anemic, pragmatic democracy." Perhaps something was lost in translation? Perhaps it is meant to say our "democratic pragmatism is anemic?"

Auf Wiedersehen