A tale of two elections

Perhaps many Americans may not know but Germany just switched to a new leader of their nation.

Herr Olaf Scholz was elected and took office as post war Germany's ninth CEO aka Chancellor of the Federal Republic.

No drama. No media sensation. Nothing. Lot of car rides between the Parliament aka Reichstag building and Presidential palace to follow the due process of being anointed (post the ballot process) and it was over. When he appeared in the parliament for the confirmation every lawmaker and photographer in attendance was wearing a mask. No exceptions.

NYT put this story lower down on their first page. Covid and American spending bills took up the top half.

He takes over from Ms Angela Merkel who ruled Germany for 16 years and was a true leader and powerful lady without being pompous or wanting to strut it. She did the job of an elected official as a public servant is expected to do.

Mr. Scholz is likely to follow in her footsteps and even took out the 'help me god' portion of his swearing in of the ceremonial oath. He believes in the power of humans to help each other the media reported.

Among the first people to congratulate Mr. Scholz was his primary opponent in the race for Chancellorship. Ms Merkel wished him success and he responded in kind praising what she had achieved for modern day Deutschland.

Contrast that to what happened when Biden took over from Trump. And reflect.

Comments

On the go(zay masta) in Japan again

Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...

Presumptive Society

Today's world is hyper connected. I am not so sure what it means but you hear it a lot. It is probably hyper but not sure how connected it is. Sugar (fermented or not) is available in many ways than before and so getting hyper is easy. It is probably more a threat than cocaine since it is sold legally. And what is this connected stuff? Most people I encounter seem disconnected from reality. So going back to this assumption that we are connected there are subtle and no so subtle instances of how brands and companies and middle men try to portray someone - A linkedin profile for somebody working for X years at a place advertises to the connected network that so and so is CELEBRATING X years @ Such and Such Inc. Do we know if (s)he is celebrating or cringing? Perhaps a better way to portray will be - So and So LASTED X years @ such & such inc. Then it exhorts the readership to go ahead and congratulate them for this lasting effe...

The Central State aka MP

Narmada river and site of Omkareshwar Indore Rajwada or palace of the Lady Holkar Somewhat geographically centered in India is the hot landscape of MADHYA PRADESH. A region I had a faint memory of visiting as a young lad eons ago. Now in my (along with my best half) quest to get to know lands far and wide I got an opportunity to visit Indore city and surrounding areas in MP. It begins with an evening visit to a bustling old market selling native snacks both savory and sweet. It is the realm of jewelers who run night time street side restaurants once they close their primary operations at dusk. Think of it as desi style block party that I am told goes into wee hours of the morning. My impression was it is worth one visit. The humid and hot ambience along with crush of humanity doesn’t make for a pleasant dining experience but the sheer variety of foods sort of makes up for it. From piping hot coconut filled fritters to oodles of milk based sweet confections, I gorged on item...

Brown Motion

Search This Blog