Have been watching lots of winter sports on TV. Lately, in one of the biathlon competitions (men), Mr. Lesser started very slowly, as the last one in the competition – but he knew that the others would prepare the ground for him (as it was snowing). Looking at the total distance, he moved forward step by step, paced himself, brilliant in shooting. So he finished finally number one with 0 failures in shooting.
If this has been his strategy – an excellent one indeed.
Some are complaining that Berlin only plays a minor part in my texts. So, here we go with some examples from my daily walks&talks.
Have been talking about toxic baits lately with some folks while walking in the park. Huge problem for us as dogs – and small children as well! Not mentioning other living beings. Everyone laying out these baits, we should ask: “Wanna share?”
And to everyone smashing bottles on the ground: “Come on now, take off your shoes and socks and walk over it. You don’t want to? Can understand, hurts me too. Bring it off.”
Stole a ball from a ball- mad hyperactive young lady. Did not give it back. Why should I? To reinforce being ball addicted? Her carer said that this is stealing movable property and can be reported to the authorities. Poor me… But, well, hasn’t the fact of throwing the ball all the time not caused the crime in first place? Forensic nitpicks.
How the game ended? The ball junky went on with one of my balls while I was investigating the physical characteristics of the other one (hm, attractive, love orange, good size…). Finally the man threw my ball in my direction and Almut convinced me that my ball is more attractive than the other dog one’s.
And the next day? Repose.
What did the humans do that night for nearly an hour? So very much different compared to the calm Christmas days… Now I know it is just another kind of celebration. The Chinese for example do it extensively when celebrating their New Year (this year it will be FEB 8th, and know what? At that time, the world’s largest migration movement takes place). Me, now, traumatized? No, I am sure I have not encountered irreversible damage after that night, thank you for your concern.
Damage? Well, in Cologne, obviously a group of men did something illegal what left marks of various types. Offensively touching women – this is sexual harassment! Plus pickpocketing. Rip-off. Awful. Attacks against personal inviolability. Plus: in front of the dome! What a shame.
There have been lots of discussions and direct consequences afterwards – I am sure you read/ heard it in the news, even abroad. Some say it was planned, some say no, some believe that this is another proof that the migration politics in Germany fails, etc. pp.
Nearly nobody is talking about the victims, the women. Instead: higher level actions and hunting the offenders. Typical male habit? Hunting the offenders? And the women: just left alone with their fear? Shall they now buy pepper sprays, have gun licenses and carry weapons? “Rüstungstechnische Gleichberechtigung”? Oh no… Will be a nice carnival then. Everybody armed like in the middle ages. And the days/ weeks/ months/ … after?
‘Fear is a bad counselor’ – and wearing weapons is also – at least partly – a fear based reaction. But after such attacks – who or what can still the victims’ fears? And do not forget: there were more than than just a few men attacking – these have been large groups of men acting together.
They have been acting criminal, no doubt at all. The case again brings an old aspect into play – gender equality. ‘Oh, in Germany we are so developed regarding gender equality.’ Ph. As if these kinds of attacks between Germans never take place.
Don’t we all want our personal inviolability to be respected? If you are worried: speak out loud.