Gay rights and foreign aid: a new relationship...

It was reported today that "Free Democrats leader Guido Westerwelle, who is openly gay, has warned that as foreign minister he would reduce foreign aid to any country that persecuted gays, as part of a greater foreign policy emphasis on defending human rights, even if it means new tensions with important trading powers such as Russia and China."

What will this mean for Alabama? The state benefits directly from German investment there, with more than 50 German owned companies there. Does industrial investment count as foreign aid? I hardly expect any divestment. The most telling quote on the subject German investment in Alabama comes from a spokesman for ThyssenKrupp (you know the name Krupp right? arms suppliers in WW2) who said: "We see many similarities between Alabama and Germany." I am sure he is not referring to Germany's strong tradition of trade unions, since Alabama is a right to work state. And while he goes on to say it's the work ethic they have in common, I smell a subtext I don't like.

While Westerwelle may be publicly queer, he will be part of a center-right government. Labor unions probably won't count as much for him as gay rights. I don't see a difference. But then, I am an old fashioned lefty in some ways.

Clearly, from my posts, you might deduce I have a complicated relationship with the nation where my grandfather was born. And where, by German law, I can apply for citizenship, since my father was born before my grandfather was naturalized. Making him by default a German citizen legally, and allowing me to apply for citizenship. Nowadays, it's not a bad idea to have two passports. I just never thought the second passport I would try to get would be German. Life is full of surprises. Who knows, maybe Michael Mronz has a gay younger brother...