China was the villain in this year’s Presidential campaign. But ordinary Americans don’t always agree. In a small town in Southern Alabama, China was seen as a ray of hope this fall.
When a group of more than 80 potential Chinese investors came to town for the Alabama China Partnership Symposium, the citizens had covered every free spot with “Welcome China” signs. And they wished that their politicians would just stop the China-bashing. Continue reading
Imagine a store for pet supplies opposite of New York Avenue Metro Station (excuse me: Noma Metro Station) four years ago! Well, there you go, it’s coming up soon – across the street from the new Starbucks.
North East DC again, I know, I know. I had a request recently to write something about German-Americans living in Potomac, and I will get to that some day, I promise! But for now, I just find it too fascinating to write about the changes in the hood. In fact, I just had yet another opportunity to bring it to the attention of German readers. Noma features prominently in this Friday’s edition of Financial Times Deutschland. Continue reading
Zhuge Liang (181–234) aka David Axelrod
How do you introduce Obama’s and Romney’s campaign strategists David Axelrod and Stuart Stevens to a Chinese audience? One blogger found a solution: You cast them as Zhuge Liang and Liu Ji, two military strategists in ancient China. One was a famous advisor during the time of the Three Kingdoms. The other helped the first emperor of the Ming dynasty come to power. And like Stevens, who authored screenplays and skied to the North Pole, Liu was more extravagant. He wrote poems and became known as the Chinese Nostradamus for his prophecies.
As Barack Obama and Mitt Romney enter the final stretch of this year’s campaign, bloggers around the world are following the candidates’ every move and the pollsters’ every prediction. Continue reading
Here are some pictures from my road trip with Mitt Romney this past weekend in Ohio. This was first published on our U.S. election blog at Financial Times Deutschland, so the captions are in German.
Less than four weeks to go until November 6th – and Financial Times Deutschland has now launched a new U.S. election blog, in which we share our impressions from on and off the campaign trail all across the country. But if you don’t read German or if you want to dig a little deeper, here is some of what I’ve been reading in the U.S. blogosphere. In part two, I will give an overview of international bloggers covering the race. The world is watching! Continue reading
Disclosure: I am a gentrifier, a European snob even (see The snob factor). I love organic food. But apart from that, I also like to think of myself as someone with a social conscience and an interest in my neighborhood. This can be a confusing combination if you live in DC. Continue reading
At Munich’s Oktoberfest, Helmut would easily pass for a true Bavarian – except that the breast piece between his suspenders says “Gulf Coast Enziana”. Helmut has found his little piece of Germany at the Gulf of Mexico. Originally from Lower Saxony, he has lived in Florida since 1956 and has long been a U.S. citizen. His views on this year’s elections reflect common American sentiments: “I don’t like either candidate,” Helmut says. Continue reading
Republican Convention in Tampa: Let the pictures speak! Check back for updates.
It was good to get away from planet Washington before the election season swings into full gear. And it was an even better idea to choose Portland, Oregon, as the destination for this last escape from Super PACs, union strikes and Tea Party rallies. This charming city on the outer edges of the American universe makes it easy to forget the Beltway’s partisan rancor. Continue reading
Sabine's Flying Carpet 