Author Archives: Sabine Muscat

Four years after Palin: Will Virginia love Ryan?

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

Back on the campaign trail this past weekend. And Manassas in 2012 felt a lot like Fairfax in 2008. A long line of people stretched around several blocks in the historic downtown to see Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s VP pick. … Continue reading →

Posted in Americana | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The snob factor: Pitfalls for Europeans in the U.S.

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

Rafalca is on her way home, and so is Ann Romney. There is no point hanging out at the London Olympics after her horse did not make it to the medal rounds.  Her husband Mitt needs her at his side … Continue reading →

Posted in Transatlantic | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Who wants to sip through life? Not Joanne Herring.

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

“Should I wear a ball gown?” Joanne Herring wanted to know before the interview. A ball gown in bright daylight? “The magazines always want me to wear ball gowns.” The Texas socialite waltzed with Prince Philip and fought against the … Continue reading →

Posted in Americana | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Should Germany debate circumcision?

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

I don’t think so. In this piece for The Globalist I argue that Germany should leave this topic to others instead of alienating its Jewish and Muslim minorities by whipping itself into a hysterical debate. The discussion of potential health … Continue reading →

Posted in Transatlantic | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

America’s Mommy Wars: A Transatlantic Perspective

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

This commentary was published in The Globalist: For Marissa Mayer, the newly appointed CEO of Yahoo! and a mother-to-be, and Anne-Marie Slaughter, the former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department and a mother of two, the big … Continue reading →

Posted in Transatlantic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Come on board the American time machine!

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

On Independence Day 2012, many Americans are without power–electrical power, that is. A heavy storm a few days earlier knocked down electricity lines all along the East coast and left millions of households without air conditioning in the sweltering heat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Blogroll | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Obama? It’s a shame!

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

How did Obama lose the Germans? Up until now, my fellow countrymen were his die-hard fans. 200.000 showed up when the candidate spoke in Berlin in 2008. “We need someone like Obama,” we Germans said – our own politicians seemed … Continue reading →

Posted in Americana, Transatlantic | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Chinese-German-American Love Song

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

A few African-American kids with dreadlocks and sneakers. Two middle-aged Chinese academics. A bearded American professor of literature. A German mother and her son, who is wearing a Chinese silk jacket. When they arrive, the members of this gathering in … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Blogroll, Transatlantic | Leave a comment

Chen Guangcheng’s Road Ahead

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

Chen Guangcheng, the blind civil rights activist who escaped to the US embassy in Beijing is now in safety in New York.  The Chinese authorities might hope that he will slink into obscurity far away from home. Will he still … Continue reading →

Posted in Transatlantic | Comments Off on Chen Guangcheng’s Road Ahead

Washington’s Berlin Moment

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Sabine Muscat

The American artist Pae White has designed a giant flying carpet for the new international airport in Berlin. It will billow above the check-in counters and put the travelers in the mood for adventures in foreign lands. Just like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Blogroll | Leave a comment