Germans like U.S. — not our politics

Editor's note: Amelia Nielson-Stowell participated in a two-week study tour in Germany, sponsored by the Institute for Foreign Relations, Studienforum Berlin and the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.

BERLIN — Although Wednesday isn't the most popular night to go to the movies, Berlin's Sony Center theater in Postdamer Platz was packed May 19 for the movie "Troy."

But the movie, shown in its original English version, had no German subtitles.

German girls strolled the plaza, wearing trendy T-shirts plastered with American phrases such as "California surf girls" and "New York nights." Posters covered subways and trains, advertising classes and tapes to learn English. And the popular "Euro Top 20" on MTV featured American artists — for all 20 spots.

But any German will be quick to note that Germans don't reflect on political terms when embracing American culture. This country loves American culture but hates American politics.

Although U.S. foreign policy is not well-received, Germany considers America one of its strongest allies. Information books published by the German Federal Foreign Office state: "German-American relations will continue to be of high value and greatest importance." The books also say the entry of the United States into World Wars I and II were both "turning points" in German history.

Numerous government officials and journalists in Germany believe President Bush will not help in developing transatlantic relations if he is re-elected for another four years.

"The Bush administration is not very liked in Germany, to put it politely," said Klaus Liedke, editor for National Geographic Deutschland. "Many people think he's a greater threat to the world than Osama bin Laden. Four more Bush years would be a burden to the world."

Germany strongly opposed the Iraq war and joined France and Russia in seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis. In a Jan. 6, 2003, issue of the weekly German news magazine, Der Spiegel, Chancellor Gerhard Schroder said Germany's position in regard to the Iraq war was clear: "We will not take part in any military action. And we will do everything we can to avoid war."

According to police figures, a February 2003 demonstration in Berlin at the historic Brandenburg Gate gathered more than half a million to protest the Iraq war — one of the largest demonstrations in post-war German history. The Iraq anti-war demonstration was double the size of what was formerly the largest post-war demonstration in Germany; the 1983 demonstration in Bonn to protest NATO's decision to station American nuclear missiles on German territory.