“The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?”

This is 2017 now – a new year. You might have experienced yourself a terrible year 2016 – or a fantastic one or just normal business. But we should not be despaired – although it is a feeling difficult to cope with. Terror reached Berlin, in front of the Gedächtniskirche, at a time
of pre-Christmas. So, no same procedure as last year. This is bitter, no doubt –
on the one hand – and there have actions to be taken. But on the other hand we can handle it;
at this point I am optimistic (although this role normally is my husband’s) that we will improve.
This is my special word of consolation for the victim’s relatives and friends.

Politicians now talk and they start to commit themselves to a new line of handling refugees, handling the situation in a whole – for Berlin and Germany. Hope they generate a solution serving as a role model for others. What they discover on their way is bitter too, oh yes.
A terrorist travelling Europe, with several identities, buying his weapon –
perhaps in Switzerland, can you believe this? Has to be verified…
What is clear is that bureaucracy failed. That’s the point.

Germany is preparing the elections, the candidates got off the starting blocks. By the way,
in ‘Berlin direkt’ on TV lately, Mr. Gabriel (yes, he will) made some good points. Mr. Lindner
talks strong, but people seem to remark his tailor made suit/s only.
Well, perhaps he’s trying to copy Schröder a little bit? Or is just an elegant man?
And surprise, surprise – at the end of the report’s election section Mr. Hofreiter appeared
on the scene, sitting right next to Cem Özdemir, and has been acting like
a green Seehofer, See-Hofer, Seehofreiter, *hi hi* – really made me smile.

Mr. Müller, our mayor here, gave an interview in the TAGESSPIEGEL, a good starting point,
as last year he ignored to give any interviews at all. Wish for Berlin is –
and I think I am speaking here for many others – to reduce superfluous bureaucracy
and install more personnel instead. End of cutting down personnel.

Mayors, well, I heard a comment of another one on the radio beginning of the year.
He has been commenting on the fact that some foreign artists with a running engagement
want to leave his city because they do not feel comfortable in his city any more:
“This is a nationwide phenomenon.” he said. And this is reason enough that the situation is OK?
HEY??? In a city that has no problems with foreigners at all… OMG.

Weather report! Having talked about the political climate before,
I close my report with the weather, weather, weather.

We had the first snow here – and really cold temperatures in the East and South East,
‘Axel’ has been strong though as ‘Dieter’, Egon’, etc. pp., you name it.
Me and Rusty enjoyed the snow and still do. Rusty with his winter hairdo and me anyway.
But of course noticed the terrible situation in other European countries.

Forecast? Winter weather still, but not so icy – and when you are living more southerly,
you are lucky with some sunshine. Have a good new year.
Even when you have been stumbling over a Tiger head on the floor 😉

P.S.: Finally Mr. Lammert (Presiding Officer of the German Parliament) held a speech
in commemoration of the Breitscheidplatz victims
in the Bundestag, it is clear now that Anis Amri could have been arrested or sent back to Tunisia
already in October last year –
and please, stop Mr. Höcke and others proclaiming these neo racist ideas.
Trump inaugurated…