Detlef Zander
@detlef61.bsky.social
Pure curiosity.
Where did they get a murder rate of 3.6 for Berlin?
The official Federal Crime statistics for 2024 report 59 murders in Berlin. That would be a rate of 1.35. Even if I include manslaughter (58 cases) I don´t reach 3.6?
Where did they get a murder rate of 3.6 for Berlin?
The official Federal Crime statistics for 2024 report 59 murders in Berlin. That would be a rate of 1.35. Even if I include manslaughter (58 cases) I don´t reach 3.6?
December 20, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Pure curiosity.
Where did they get a murder rate of 3.6 for Berlin?
The official Federal Crime statistics for 2024 report 59 murders in Berlin. That would be a rate of 1.35. Even if I include manslaughter (58 cases) I don´t reach 3.6?
Where did they get a murder rate of 3.6 for Berlin?
The official Federal Crime statistics for 2024 report 59 murders in Berlin. That would be a rate of 1.35. Even if I include manslaughter (58 cases) I don´t reach 3.6?
How is that supposed to work with PM Keir "not in my lifetime" Starmer?
Not to mention that according to Labour the problems with Brexit are apparently just a result of bad negotiating? "Make Brexit work" can still work?
Not to mention that according to Labour the problems with Brexit are apparently just a result of bad negotiating? "Make Brexit work" can still work?
December 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
How is that supposed to work with PM Keir "not in my lifetime" Starmer?
Not to mention that according to Labour the problems with Brexit are apparently just a result of bad negotiating? "Make Brexit work" can still work?
Not to mention that according to Labour the problems with Brexit are apparently just a result of bad negotiating? "Make Brexit work" can still work?
Obstacles to your forecast:
1. The Supreme Court
2. Billionaires and their influence (media, donations)
3. Dem politicians will rediscover their fondness for bipartisanship (Reflection not retribution)
4. American voters after all re-elected Trump
5. Gerrymandering and voter suppression
1. The Supreme Court
2. Billionaires and their influence (media, donations)
3. Dem politicians will rediscover their fondness for bipartisanship (Reflection not retribution)
4. American voters after all re-elected Trump
5. Gerrymandering and voter suppression
December 5, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Obstacles to your forecast:
1. The Supreme Court
2. Billionaires and their influence (media, donations)
3. Dem politicians will rediscover their fondness for bipartisanship (Reflection not retribution)
4. American voters after all re-elected Trump
5. Gerrymandering and voter suppression
1. The Supreme Court
2. Billionaires and their influence (media, donations)
3. Dem politicians will rediscover their fondness for bipartisanship (Reflection not retribution)
4. American voters after all re-elected Trump
5. Gerrymandering and voter suppression
The thing is though that quite a few people got the impression that all the opt-outs and exceptions for the UK actually encouraged Leave campaigners. Who seemed to expect these practices to continue even after Brexit.
Not sure the EU would be that keen to start with exceptions again for the UK?
Not sure the EU would be that keen to start with exceptions again for the UK?
November 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The thing is though that quite a few people got the impression that all the opt-outs and exceptions for the UK actually encouraged Leave campaigners. Who seemed to expect these practices to continue even after Brexit.
Not sure the EU would be that keen to start with exceptions again for the UK?
Not sure the EU would be that keen to start with exceptions again for the UK?
"Brazil produces a third of all the coffee used in the U.S., both as a single origin and as the base of most blends sold in the world's largest coffee-consuming country."
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Traders rush to land Brazilian coffee in the US before Trump's 50% tariff
Commodities traders are racing against time to unload as much Brazilian coffee as possible in the United States before Trump's new 50% tariff on Brazilian products is implemented on August 1, they said on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
"Brazil produces a third of all the coffee used in the U.S., both as a single origin and as the base of most blends sold in the world's largest coffee-consuming country."
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Sorry for the late answer.
Good points in your comments. And I have no good answers. I´m simply - and maybe I misunderstand you here - not quite convinced that it´s only politicians who are corrupt. Private companies also are doing their best to "influence" politics.
Good points in your comments. And I have no good answers. I´m simply - and maybe I misunderstand you here - not quite convinced that it´s only politicians who are corrupt. Private companies also are doing their best to "influence" politics.
September 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Sorry for the late answer.
Good points in your comments. And I have no good answers. I´m simply - and maybe I misunderstand you here - not quite convinced that it´s only politicians who are corrupt. Private companies also are doing their best to "influence" politics.
Good points in your comments. And I have no good answers. I´m simply - and maybe I misunderstand you here - not quite convinced that it´s only politicians who are corrupt. Private companies also are doing their best to "influence" politics.
So I don´t deny that you describe real problems. But we shouldn´t overlook that private enterprises can create similar problems too.
End/
End/
September 18, 2025 at 8:52 AM
So I don´t deny that you describe real problems. But we shouldn´t overlook that private enterprises can create similar problems too.
End/
End/
Buses needed to be used as a substitute. And of course during rush hours that´s a poor substitute. It was quite extensively covered by German media. As an example on how privatization (profit = shareholder value) can cause problems.
4/
4/
September 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Buses needed to be used as a substitute. And of course during rush hours that´s a poor substitute. It was quite extensively covered by German media. As an example on how privatization (profit = shareholder value) can cause problems.
4/
4/
Years ago in Germany Deutsche Bahn (railway company) won a contract to run public transport in Berlin. Their smart people then decided that the maintenance cycles for the S-Bahn trains should be extended to save money. A while later more and more trains broke down.
3/
3/
September 18, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Years ago in Germany Deutsche Bahn (railway company) won a contract to run public transport in Berlin. Their smart people then decided that the maintenance cycles for the S-Bahn trains should be extended to save money. A while later more and more trains broke down.
3/
3/
"big sinkhole of corruption of state money"
VIP lane? Donations to politicians, political parties and think tanks? Invitations to highly paid jobs?
"competition"
How do you create competition between - say - water utilities?
2/
VIP lane? Donations to politicians, political parties and think tanks? Invitations to highly paid jobs?
"competition"
How do you create competition between - say - water utilities?
2/
September 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM
"big sinkhole of corruption of state money"
VIP lane? Donations to politicians, political parties and think tanks? Invitations to highly paid jobs?
"competition"
How do you create competition between - say - water utilities?
2/
VIP lane? Donations to politicians, political parties and think tanks? Invitations to highly paid jobs?
"competition"
How do you create competition between - say - water utilities?
2/
Valid points but:
"employ friends and relatives of people in power"
Second jobs? Highly paid speaking engagements? Newspaper columnist? Book contracts?
The so-called revolving door (at least in the USA). Being invited to a think tank or company board after "retirement"?
1/
"employ friends and relatives of people in power"
Second jobs? Highly paid speaking engagements? Newspaper columnist? Book contracts?
The so-called revolving door (at least in the USA). Being invited to a think tank or company board after "retirement"?
1/
September 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Valid points but:
"employ friends and relatives of people in power"
Second jobs? Highly paid speaking engagements? Newspaper columnist? Book contracts?
The so-called revolving door (at least in the USA). Being invited to a think tank or company board after "retirement"?
1/
"employ friends and relatives of people in power"
Second jobs? Highly paid speaking engagements? Newspaper columnist? Book contracts?
The so-called revolving door (at least in the USA). Being invited to a think tank or company board after "retirement"?
1/
No.
But legitimate employment can cover a lot of things. Who decides which job is included? The EU? Groups not included probably would start immediately to lobby for inclusion too.
While EU groups would lobby against it. Loss of possible jobs.
That´s the difficulty with exceptions.
But legitimate employment can cover a lot of things. Who decides which job is included? The EU? Groups not included probably would start immediately to lobby for inclusion too.
While EU groups would lobby against it. Loss of possible jobs.
That´s the difficulty with exceptions.
September 16, 2025 at 7:52 AM
No.
But legitimate employment can cover a lot of things. Who decides which job is included? The EU? Groups not included probably would start immediately to lobby for inclusion too.
While EU groups would lobby against it. Loss of possible jobs.
That´s the difficulty with exceptions.
But legitimate employment can cover a lot of things. Who decides which job is included? The EU? Groups not included probably would start immediately to lobby for inclusion too.
While EU groups would lobby against it. Loss of possible jobs.
That´s the difficulty with exceptions.
How do you define legitimate employment?
Does that include artists and roadies? What about services? Sign a business contract and then send your employees there to do the work? No work visa needed because of "legitimate employment"? No domestic workers needed?
Does that include artists and roadies? What about services? Sign a business contract and then send your employees there to do the work? No work visa needed because of "legitimate employment"? No domestic workers needed?
September 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
How do you define legitimate employment?
Does that include artists and roadies? What about services? Sign a business contract and then send your employees there to do the work? No work visa needed because of "legitimate employment"? No domestic workers needed?
Does that include artists and roadies? What about services? Sign a business contract and then send your employees there to do the work? No work visa needed because of "legitimate employment"? No domestic workers needed?
That´s what European leaders thought between 2016 and 2020. And then US voters elected Trump again in 2024.
Even if they elect a sane leader in 2028, will that President have a majority in Congress? If not, the GOP will try to block everything. And then unsatisfied voters will elect....?
Even if they elect a sane leader in 2028, will that President have a majority in Congress? If not, the GOP will try to block everything. And then unsatisfied voters will elect....?
September 8, 2025 at 11:03 AM
That´s what European leaders thought between 2016 and 2020. And then US voters elected Trump again in 2024.
Even if they elect a sane leader in 2028, will that President have a majority in Congress? If not, the GOP will try to block everything. And then unsatisfied voters will elect....?
Even if they elect a sane leader in 2028, will that President have a majority in Congress? If not, the GOP will try to block everything. And then unsatisfied voters will elect....?
But that was not what the Brexit campaigners were promising before the referendum. Nobody said let´s wait 50 years to see the advantages.
It was all about immediate advantages. Cheaper food, clothing, shoes. Less immigration. Great new trade treaties. And no disadvantages for British citizens.
It was all about immediate advantages. Cheaper food, clothing, shoes. Less immigration. Great new trade treaties. And no disadvantages for British citizens.
September 1, 2025 at 9:13 AM
But that was not what the Brexit campaigners were promising before the referendum. Nobody said let´s wait 50 years to see the advantages.
It was all about immediate advantages. Cheaper food, clothing, shoes. Less immigration. Great new trade treaties. And no disadvantages for British citizens.
It was all about immediate advantages. Cheaper food, clothing, shoes. Less immigration. Great new trade treaties. And no disadvantages for British citizens.
War der Inbusschlüssel dabei?
August 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
War der Inbusschlüssel dabei?
The day before the probe was supposed to land on Mars:
Guardian headline: "Triumph of British science."
Next day when it became clear that no communications could be established?
Guardian headline: "European space project failed".
And that´s a supposedly EU friendly newspaper.
Guardian headline: "Triumph of British science."
Next day when it became clear that no communications could be established?
Guardian headline: "European space project failed".
And that´s a supposedly EU friendly newspaper.
August 15, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The day before the probe was supposed to land on Mars:
Guardian headline: "Triumph of British science."
Next day when it became clear that no communications could be established?
Guardian headline: "European space project failed".
And that´s a supposedly EU friendly newspaper.
Guardian headline: "Triumph of British science."
Next day when it became clear that no communications could be established?
Guardian headline: "European space project failed".
And that´s a supposedly EU friendly newspaper.
Not to mention that "blaming the EU" was a favorite of (some) British politicians and media too. Happened in other member states too but perhaps it was a bit stronger in Britain?
I only grasped how extensive such thoughts were when I read the Guardian about the Beagle 2 back in 2003.
2/
I only grasped how extensive such thoughts were when I read the Guardian about the Beagle 2 back in 2003.
2/
August 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Not to mention that "blaming the EU" was a favorite of (some) British politicians and media too. Happened in other member states too but perhaps it was a bit stronger in Britain?
I only grasped how extensive such thoughts were when I read the Guardian about the Beagle 2 back in 2003.
2/
I only grasped how extensive such thoughts were when I read the Guardian about the Beagle 2 back in 2003.
2/
My personal impression is that British governments liked to often portray EU negotiations as a fight for British interests (against a nebulous EU)? Any success was a triumph for Britain?
And that language was gleefully reported by the British media.
1/
And that language was gleefully reported by the British media.
1/
August 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
My personal impression is that British governments liked to often portray EU negotiations as a fight for British interests (against a nebulous EU)? Any success was a triumph for Britain?
And that language was gleefully reported by the British media.
1/
And that language was gleefully reported by the British media.
1/
“We have had the police knocking on every door,” said a dog walker and resident of Dean, as a helicopter buzzed overhead. “They wanted the names of everybody living there and details of their social media..."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Pat down the golden retrievers: Cotswolds put on high ale...
With helicopters whirring overhead and police quizzing residents, rural life is anything but tranquil
observer.co.uk
August 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
“We have had the police knocking on every door,” said a dog walker and resident of Dean, as a helicopter buzzed overhead. “They wanted the names of everybody living there and details of their social media..."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
"All European capitals, all of them, see the agreement as a humiliation."
The very same capitals that couldn´t agree on a common strategy? And with at least some capitals pushing for a quick deal?
That is simply blame shifting. The EU can only implement things the member states agree on.
The very same capitals that couldn´t agree on a common strategy? And with at least some capitals pushing for a quick deal?
That is simply blame shifting. The EU can only implement things the member states agree on.
August 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"All European capitals, all of them, see the agreement as a humiliation."
The very same capitals that couldn´t agree on a common strategy? And with at least some capitals pushing for a quick deal?
That is simply blame shifting. The EU can only implement things the member states agree on.
The very same capitals that couldn´t agree on a common strategy? And with at least some capitals pushing for a quick deal?
That is simply blame shifting. The EU can only implement things the member states agree on.
Covid inoculations in Germany started 26. December 2020. Not months later than in the UK.
And you´re still avoiding to admit that you were wrong about "they were late developing a Covid vaccine".
And you´re still avoiding to admit that you were wrong about "they were late developing a Covid vaccine".
August 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Covid inoculations in Germany started 26. December 2020. Not months later than in the UK.
And you´re still avoiding to admit that you were wrong about "they were late developing a Covid vaccine".
And you´re still avoiding to admit that you were wrong about "they were late developing a Covid vaccine".
My point is that you wrote that "they were late developing a Covid vaccine". The first approved vaccine was developed in the EU.
August 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
My point is that you wrote that "they were late developing a Covid vaccine". The first approved vaccine was developed in the EU.
The first approved Covid vaccine was the Pfizer / BioNTech developed in Germany. And unlike other countries the EU didn´t forbid the export of it. Which is why the UK could use it.
August 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The first approved Covid vaccine was the Pfizer / BioNTech developed in Germany. And unlike other countries the EU didn´t forbid the export of it. Which is why the UK could use it.
The USA had a services surplus of around € 150 billion with the EU in 2024. If I were to take Trump literally that would be totally unfair?
And then we are not even counting products produced in Asia for US companies like Apple.
And then we are not even counting products produced in Asia for US companies like Apple.
July 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The USA had a services surplus of around € 150 billion with the EU in 2024. If I were to take Trump literally that would be totally unfair?
And then we are not even counting products produced in Asia for US companies like Apple.
And then we are not even counting products produced in Asia for US companies like Apple.