60 years of German post-war constitution. Thank you, Western Allies!

Started by Syt, May 22, 2009, 10:21:11 AM

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Syt

May 22, 2009, 10:21:11 AM
Germany marks 60 years of postwar constitution
QuoteGermany's leaders have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the country's "Basic Law." President Horst Koehler lauded the post-World War II constitution for ensuring freedom and prosperity in a democratic system.


In an official state act at Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt Concert Hall on Friday, President Horst Köhler lauded 60 years of the German postwar constitution, saying it had turned Germany into a "mature democracy."

He said the founding fathers of the Federal Republic of Germany "had drawn lessons from the collapse of the Weimar Republic. They also learned from the Nazi dictatorship by creating a constitution that laid solid foundations for a free and just society," he added.

The Weimar Republic (1919-1933) was Germany's first attempt at creating a democratic system.

Koehler said the postwar transformation of Western Germany into a country based on democracy and a free-market economy had made the Federal Republic a prosperous and peace-loving nation.

Germany had regained "the status of a respected nation," Koehler said in his speech before political leaders. "Today we have friends all over the world. We are admired for our economic achievements and political reliability – for always being prepared to help others and fostering peace in the world."

Koehler also described the then West German state as a country deeply rooted in freedom and respect for human dignity. These commitments helped eastern Germans overcome four decades of communism in 1990, he said.

Renewing commitments

Koehler argued not to become complacent, saying that in view of the new challenges arising today, the commitments enshrined in the German constitution should be renewed.

"We should promise to ourselves that this country will never look away when people need us or are threatening to fall behind. Let's vow to pursue long-term policies that give future generations a chance to enjoy freedom as well."

The commemorative event marked the beginning of three days of celebrations.

Berlin's central Festival Mile is set to be reopened on Saturday – a reminder of the 2006 Soccer World Cup, when hundreds of thousands of fans partook of beer and bratwurst while watching the football matches on giant video screens.

This time around they'll have the opportunity to see a new German president elected in parliament on Saturday. German pop bands and theater groups will also be performing.

From the rubble

On May 23, 1949, political leaders in the western part of occupied Germany proclaimed the country's "Basic Law" -- Germany's postwar constitution -- which laid the foundation for West Germany to emerge from the rubble of World War II.

About four months later, on October 7, 1949, communist leaders in the Soviet-occupied zone of eastern Germany proclaimed their own state. The division of Germany continued until 1990, when the country was reunited in the wake of a peaceful popular uprising that brought an end to the communist regime.

:)
I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.
—Stephen Jay Gould

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Berkut

#2
May 22, 2009, 10:32:32 AM
I hereby pronounce the German people well and truly over their fascist, Nazi ways.

Congratulations. Can you guys start acting like you have balls again please? We could really use some help.
"If you think this has a happy ending, then you haven't been paying attention."

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Syt

#3
May 22, 2009, 10:34:40 AM
Quote from: Berkut on May 22, 2009, 10:32:32 AM
Congratulations. Can you guys start acting like you have balls again please? We could really use some help.

No, we won't start buying American cars.
I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.
—Stephen Jay Gould

Proud owner of 42 Zoupa Points.

Caliga

#4
May 22, 2009, 10:43:29 AM
You're welcome, slave.
0 Ed Anger Disapproval Points

PDH

#5
May 22, 2009, 10:44:22 AM
I fucking blame Truman for this.
I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.
-Umberto Eco

-------
"I'm pretty sure my level of depression has nothing to do with how much of a fucking asshole you are."

-CdM

Valmy

#6
May 22, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
It's all good.

Now rebuild your massive armies and destroy the enemies of the West.
Quote"This is a Russian warship. I propose you lay down arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed & unnecessary victims. Otherwise, you'll be bombed."

Zmiinyi defenders: "Russian warship, go fuck yourself."

derspiess

#8
May 22, 2009, 11:01:10 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 22, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
It's all good.

Now rebuild your massive armies and destroy the enemies of the West.

Yes, pretty please with sauerkraut on top :(
"If you can play a guitar and harmonica at the same time, like Bob Dylan or Neil Young, you're a genius. But make that extra bit of effort and strap some cymbals to your knees, suddenly people want to get the hell away from you."  --Rich Hall

Faeelin

#9
May 22, 2009, 11:01:55 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 22, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
It's all good.

Now rebuild your massive armies and destroy the enemies of the West.

Didn't end up firebombing their major cities the last time they tried that?

DGuller

#10
May 22, 2009, 11:02:21 AM
Quote from: Syt on May 22, 2009, 10:34:40 AM
Quote from: Berkut on May 22, 2009, 10:32:32 AM
Congratulations. Can you guys start acting like you have balls again please? We could really use some help.

No, we won't start buying American cars.
:lmfao: Don't worry, even Soviets in 1945 wouldn't ask Germans to do that.

HisMajestyBOB

#11
May 22, 2009, 11:03:51 AM
Quote from: Faeelin on May 22, 2009, 11:01:55 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 22, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
It's all good.

Now rebuild your massive armies and destroy the enemies of the West.

Didn't end up firebombing their major cities the last time they tried that?

Yeah, but it was great fun all around. We should do it again sometime.
Three lovely Prada points for HoI2 help

KRonn

#12
May 22, 2009, 11:30:16 AM Last Edit: May 22, 2009, 11:32:42 AM by KRonn
Congrats on the anniversary, and enjoy the festivities!   :)

I also echo the call for Germany to regain some of it's fiestiness, and help fight the enemies of civilization! And no, that doesn't mean attacking Pres Bush....    ;)

saskganesh

#13
May 22, 2009, 11:35:29 AM
I have a question about German comedy.

Is there any? And is it: funny?
humans were created in their own image

HVC

#14
May 22, 2009, 11:37:38 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 22, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
It's all good.

Now rebuild your massive armies and destroy the enemies of the West.
Namely the French
Being lazy is bad; unless you still get what you want, then it's called "patience".
Hubris must be punished. Severely.
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