Category Archives: Confessions of a Bad German

It’s been a heckin’ year.

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Sabina Becker

Hello again, friends and strangers. Sorry I’ve been away so long, but there’s a good reason for that. This has been the Year From Hades for me. I’ve had two driving tests (one flunked, one FINALLY passed), a biopsy, two … Continue reading →

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The latest tool in white supremacists’ arsenal? RAPE.

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Sabina Becker

This had my jaw hanging off its hinges, but as you’ll see in a moment, it’s all too real: Here’s the story under discussion, from Vice: A former Marine accused of being in a neo-Nazi group called “Rapekrieg” planned to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullies, Confessions of a Bad German, Cops Behaving Badly, EuroPeons, Fascism WITH Swastikas, Fetus Fetishists, Isn't It Ironic?, Isn't That Illegal?, Isn't That Racist?, Isn't That Terrorism?, Sick Frickin' Bastards, The United States of Amnesia, The WTF? Files, Uppity Wimmin | Comments Off on The latest tool in white supremacists’ arsenal? RAPE.

Quotable: Martin Luther on surviving the bubonic plague in the 1500s

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Sabina Becker

Even half a millennium ago, some Christians understood how NOT to be a plague rat. Are you listening today, evangelicals?

Posted in Confessions of a Bad German, Epidumbics, If You REALLY Care, Pissing Jesus Off, Quotable Notables, She Blinded Me With Science | Comments Off on Quotable: Martin Luther on surviving the bubonic plague in the 1500s

Crappy, CRAPPY Canada Day.

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Sabina Becker

Yes, I know. This is a bit belated. But better now than never, eh? So. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t celebrate this year. Partly because of COVID, partly the shitty weather in my neck of the boonies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Counterpunch, Confessions of a Bad German, Human Rights FAIL, If You REALLY Care, Isn't It Ironic?, Isn't That Racist?, Not So Compassionate Conservatism, Pissing Jesus Off, Sick Frickin' Bastards, Teh Injunz, Teh Russkies, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off on Crappy, CRAPPY Canada Day.

Music for a Sunday: Say what?

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Sabina Becker

Oh hey! Here’s Falco as a disgruntled newscaster. What’s he “reporting”? Well, here’s my (singable!) translation of the lyrics: On the Run Say what? Whatchoo say? West Berlin, 1967 First impression: paddywagon A roadblock against the madmen Are you cruisin’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Artsy-Fartsy Culture Stuff, Confessions of a Bad German, EuroPeons, Fascism Without Swastikas, Filthy Stinking Rich, Human Rights FAIL, If You REALLY Care, Isn't It Ironic?, Music for a Sunday | Comments Off on Music for a Sunday: Say what?

A Christmas message from Germany

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Sabina Becker

From the mouth of German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, season’s greetings: Be sure to turn on the English subtitles, if they don’t appear on this screen. I’m sure you’ll find it more than timely, given the circumstances.

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COVID-19: Parallels from the past, and hopes for the future

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Sabina Becker

Back in the 1940s and ’50s, a spectre was haunting young people the world over. Its formal name was poliomyelitis, but it was informally known as “infantile paralysis”, because of its propensity to afflict the very young. For many, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Counterpunch, Confessions of a Bad German, Epidumbics, If You REALLY Care, She Blinded Me With Science, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off on COVID-19: Parallels from the past, and hopes for the future

US citizens protest against re-opening too soon

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Sabina Becker

The Grim Reaper is a really nice touch: Reminds me of that part in Mother Night (by Kurt Vonnegut, a must-read) in which a character chants, almost melodiously, the German phrase: “Leichenträger zur Wache!” (“Corpse-carriers to the guardhouse!”) He’s remembering … Continue reading →

Posted in Confessions of a Bad German, Der Drumpf, Economics for Dummies, Epidumbics, Fascism WITH Swastikas, Fascism Without Swastikas, Filthy Stinking Rich, Human Rights FAIL, Isn't It Ironic?, Morticia! You Spoke French!, Not So Compassionate Conservatism, Socialism is Good for Capitalism!, The Hardcore Stupid, The United States of Amnesia, Who Forgot Poland? | Comments Off on US citizens protest against re-opening too soon

Music for a Sunday: A hymn for troubled times

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Sabina Becker

A little German song that my parents used to sing for us as kids. It’s more relevant than ever now: The lyrics are as follows: The moon has risen, The golden stars are sparkling Bright and clear in the sky. … Continue reading →

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COVID-19: An opportunity for the Shock Doctrine — or its opponents?

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Sabina Becker

Naomi Klein expands, briefly, on ideas from a book she wrote several years ago: I especially love how she takes a quote from far-right economist Milton Friedman (the author of the original Shock Doctrine, which Klein critically examined in her … Continue reading →

Posted in All the Tea in China, Confessions of a Bad German, Credit Where Due, Deepest Darkest Africa, Der Drumpf, Economics for Dummies, Environmentally Ill, Epidumbics, Fascism Without Swastikas, Filthy Stinking Rich, If You REALLY Care, Not So Compassionate Conservatism, Socialism is Good for Capitalism!, The Bold and the Badass, The United States of Amnesia | Comments Off on COVID-19: An opportunity for the Shock Doctrine — or its opponents?