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magazine for culture, politics and life from a transatlantic perspective

Think Global - Act Local

I know… it sounds like a relic from the 70s or something, which it actually is. But obviously it’s one of those ideas that even gain relevance over time.

As we now hear Starbucks will be closing more than 600 stores in the US alone, which probably no one will even notice because they have more than 10,000 of them over here.

That said, I have to add that I really feel for the 1000 people losing their already underpaid jobs. But it also shows that there is not unlimited demand for ever the same products. I admit that it gereally makes sense to have chain stores in some respect. But it also makes traveling (and living) so not exciting at times, because it kills cultural particularities.

Her comes a sermon by Reverend Billy, founder of the Church of Stop Shopping, getting the word out to the masses on Fox Biz News:

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“Election Day” Streaming at PBS

“Forget the pie charts, color-coded maps and hyperventilating pundits. What’s the street-level experience of voters in today’s America? In a triumph of documentary storytelling, “Election Day” combines 11 stories — shot simultaneously on November 2, 2004, from dawn until long past midnight — into one.”

The documentary streams throughout July 2008, ending on July 31. Only 4 days left!!!

To go directly to full movie, click here

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In the Hue of History

In a little more than 13 hours, U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama will stand in the golden hue of Victoria, at the foot of Prussian greatness, walking in the footsteps of American greats before him.

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Is Berlin the Next Florida?

With Barack Obama speaking at the Siegessäule this Thursday, the American presidential campaign has now definitely arrived in Germany. We spoke with Jan Burdinski, program director for Republicans Abroad Germany, and Jerry Gerber, press secretary for Democrats Abroad Berlin, about the impact of the election in Germany and the possible role of Americans living here.

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Budweiser – Your Belgian Beer

“Budweiser will be brewed in the same breweries … by the same people, according to the same recipe,” Carlos Brito, InBev’s chief executive officer told CNN, after his company had finally closed the deal on buying Anheuser-busch – the American company that brews Budweiser Beer. Alas, this won’t settle it with the die-hard fans of an American icon, who accuse InBev of merely paying lip-service to keep this piece of Americana alive.

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Superpowers got a Bad Reputation

So I was just watching a repeat of the Colbert Report on television today. Will Smith was there, promoting his new Movie Hancock. The story is a little lame. It’s fun at the beginning but gets really pathetic at the end. As you might expect from Will Smith it’s kind of a failure, even for a summer movie. So I can tell you what it’s about without even spoiling a great movie experience. And yes, I have to admit that I’ve seen it.

It’s basically the story of a desperate superhero indulging in alcoholic beverages. So this guy hates his job - but keeps doing it anyway - to the point that the people of Los Angeles wish him to New York City because he usually leaves a big mess every time he’s on a mission. Finally he meets this publicist played by Jason Bateman who wants to help him gain popularity by (among other things) talking him into voluntarily going to jail .

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Beef Jerkies at Brandenburger Tor

Weather: solid 83° Fahrenheit. Crowd: Tempelhof-groupies and EasyJet-set. Food: German, served with Stars & Stripes. Welcome to Amerikafest 2008.

Grand Opening of American Embassy Berlin

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The Fat of the Land

Thank God Obama stuck to guns and religion, when trying to illustrate the big bind America has gotten itself into over the last years. One can only imagine what would have happened, if he had been deemed elitist for stressing an even (literally) bigger one: obesity. The Mister Softee jingle (“Bubblicious RMX” feat. Celine Dion and Enrique Iglesias) would go triple platinum, Ronald McDonald would clinch a last-minute nomination and pull home an election landslide, and Coca-Cola would break the NASDAQ after announcing its plan to fuse with leading water providers to deliver sparkling soft drinks fresh from the tap.

Child obesity is sure to pose a problem well into the future 


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Clinton’s Last Stand

For five and a half hours last night, and all day today the Democratic Rules and Bylaws Committee was debating what do with the contested primaries of Michigan and Florida. And hell, were they debating. It’s a nightmare for the Democratic Party but a wet dream for C-SPAN addicts and, most of all, this guy:

John McCain

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Sir! No, Sir!

If you’re free on Friday night and you are in Berlin, head down to the Skizum Studios, for the free screening of the Vietnam documentary “Sir! No Sir!” The movie tells the – relatively unknown – story of the underground GI resistance movement during the Vietnam War.

Sir! No Sir!
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