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What law was broken when they allowed any company to install and use android, but required google search/chrome IFF they installed google play? That is simply an app manager. Any company CAN make their own. Amazon did. The fact that Amazon did, SHOWS that they are not monopolizing android.
So, what exactly was illegal about it? There was nothing like Microsoft with Windows who said that if you want windows, you had to install all of it. In addition, The European companies were hit with 1/10 for committing murder and TRUE monopolistic actions, while Google was hit with 1/4th of their TOTAL annual profits, which is a great deal more than anything that has been hit against european companies.
VW was hit with 1B, so, I seriously doubt that Daimler will be hit with more.
Just found this. In fact, Daimlers profits were 9B last year AND the fine for lying and murdering ppl with pollution was a whopping 85 MILLION Euros.
That is why Daimler did not make that list of massive fines.

You are now lying as bad as caffeinated bacon/crimson tsunami. I would have thought better of you.

WHAT IT IS USED FOR is the key

Yeah, like these usages are entirely acceptable, since they are done by the GREATEST NATION on earth.

ONE MILLION UIGHURS IN CHINESE PRISONS.

Wow, what a change of heart for Americans! We are suddenly having real empathy about Muslims, as long as they are not being locked up in Guantanamo.

The Chief of INTERPOL for chrissake was arrested and secretly detained for MONTHS without being charged.

Wow, another change of heart for a top Chinese security official who supposedly have done, well because he was the top police chief, all the political crimes such as "disappear dissidents, undesirable ethnicities, journalists, etc."

Like all the murderers

Someone loves this guy: https://www.thelocal.de/201505...

rapists

I sure as fuck hope someone loves these two guys, because they need something: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/...

robbers

If only someone had loved this woman who so clearly deserved to be in jail: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/tre...

violent criminals

It feels very likely that this chap's family loves him: https://www.foxnews.com/us/con...

criminals don't do those sorts of things, do they

Yes. Most criminals are productive members of society. Shit, you're a criminal too - good luck getting through the week without breaking the law.

so they can be looked after like little babies

Yeah, American prisons are all about loving care, afternoon naps and breast feeding.

make our neighbourhoods shitholes

The people living in a neighbourhood make it good or bad. You live in yours; guess who makes it a shithole.

Three dead in German off shore windmill accident
https://www.thelocal.de/201204...

Two dead in windmill fire, multiple windmill fires reported worldwide
https://gineersnow.com/industr...

You can hardly proof something wrong.

You can prove me wrong by finding data counter to my own. If you bothered to actually look for data instead of making unsubstantiated claims then you'd find articles like what I linked to above and articles with data showing nuclear power to be very safe. Like this one:
https://www.nextbigfuture.com/...

If you have so many wind mill fires in the US, then there is obviously something wrong with the mills.

We do have a lot of windmill fires, as they do in Germany. If you want to claim that German windmills are safer than those made in the USA then I'm not going to believe you without data.

If you want to split hairs on me not finding a specific combination of fire, death, Germany, and wind turbine, then go look for yourself. I got sickened from trying to sort through all the dead from wind power accidents I found.

The family of the dead girl?

Yes, similar case from a few years ago.

You're confusing inclinations and ethics with power and ability.

Uh, no, that's what Western Exceptionalists do. The prime minister of Bumbfuckistan, with a GDP equivalent to that of the Dallas Cowboys, might want to spy on the electronic communications of every person on the planet. So it's A-OK if the NSA/CIA actually does it.

Russia made very clear during its soviet period that it was very capable and very interested in going to war to expand its empire.

Having taken it up the ass from western empires two times in less than 150 years, the USSR wanted a buffer against future western aggression. A fear that American presidents have shown to be completely irrational paranoia, by breaking a promise not to expand NATO in return for German unification. /s

The anti-Russian alliance has nearly doubled in size, expanded right to Russia's border, deployed a fleet to the Black Sea (like Putin sending a carrier group to the Gulf of Mexico). And you have artillery units in range of St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city. I'm sure you'd be totally ok if Putin overthrew the elected government of Canada (what Obama did to Ukraine) and had artillery units in range of New York City.

If the US lost hegemonic power and some other power held it

The only countries interested in global hegemony are the United States, France and England - so your own country plus your shitbag allies. If Russia wanted an empire, they wouldn't have just cut their already tiny defense budget to $45 billion dollars. The U.S. spends ten times that much - then another three times on top of that. If China wanted an empire, they wouldn't have a single second hand aircraft carrier. They'd be building their own carrier fleets instead of a high speed rail network all the way to Europe.

What given that knowledge leads you to believe that if the US ceded its hegemony you'd be in a world of peace and harmony?

Your straw man aside, the United States far far FAR and away the worst purveyor of death, instability and outright terrorism since WWII. You could add up the next dozen countries of your choice and together they wouldn't hold a candle to the American Empire.

You miss the point where those laws were not enforced because they weren't necessary.

This is simply not true. There have been hate speech convictions in Germany and elsewhere prior to the current refugee crisis. A Finnish far-right politician whose only talking point throughout the years has been opposing immigration got sentenced to fines for calling all muslims pedophiles way back in 2012. Here's a story of a drunk neo-Nazi being fined for doing the Hitler salute in 2011. Etc, you can find many more examples using google.

Again, do I agree with these laws? No. Do I agree with the far-right? No, but saying that these laws have never been used before is simply not true.

Countries like Greece, Ireland and Portugal (in particular) are slaves to the Euro, and unable to devalue their own currencies while deficit spending to stimulate their economies and unemployment. They've been forced into "austerity" to please central European bankers, which has lead to a steep downward spiral in the economies.

France.

France is in the same model boat as Greece and Ireland, theirs just doesn't have as many holes in it.

Or how about Germany's relaxation of employment rules for youth "apprentices" so that they are more attractive to employers.

Germany is in a different capitalist universe compared to the rest of the world. This is the country where labor is strong enough that workers are demanding not job cuts in response to automation, but for a 28 hour work week with no reduction in overall compensation.

Or the UK scaling minimum wages with age

The UK, like the United States, has been under the thumb of a bipartisan neoliberal party since the late 70's. Both Tories and Labor have spent decades throwing the working class under the bus, and that wont change unless Corbin or someone like him is elected prime minister.

What I am saying is not even remotely controversial.

It is for anyone following economics from Keynes on left. These countries have high unemployment because they have no control over the currency the use, and have been forced into accepting "austerity" which inherently leads to depressed economies. Not because they have a livable minimum wage. But lets go ahead and say that minimum wages are going to be reduced or eliminated across the EU. You aren't going to see consumer prices fall by the same margin, which means poverty and joblessness will only increase as people can no longer participate in the economy.

Raising minimum wage is correlated to unemployment.

It sure is - it reduces it. Pay people more money and they have more money to spend, most of which will go into the local economy. This means more business, not less, for any business you are in or invested in. The only "reductions" in jobs come from people quitting their second or third because their full-time position can start paying the rent and putting food on the table by itself.

Germany is a unicorn in the capitalist world. In the United States, unions have to go on strike to fight wage cuts, even if the corporation they work is enjoying historic profit levels. Whereas in Germany, unions react to automation by demanding a 28 hour work week.

When was the last robbery in Germany that involved a weapon (knife or a stick ... most certainly not a gun)? It is December 6th now ... definitely not this year.

Here's an armed (yes, with a gun) bank robbery from this year, as a bonus he got into a gunfight with police:
http://www.dw.com/en/german-po...

Here's an armed (yes with a gun) bank robbery from this year, this one took hostages:
https://www.express.co.uk/news...

Here's a group of armed (yes, with submachine guns) people who robbed several million euros from a bank this year:
https://www.thelocal.de/201702...

I think I have proven my point, just because you aren't aware of armed robberies happening in Germany doesn't mean they don't happen. Get over your self-righteous attitude.

The 'price' they pay is social harmony... what a bummer.

Are you kidding? Germany society is a powder keg, full of communists and neo-Nazis. Anti-government protests, left wing terrorism, right wing terrorism, racism, anti-Semitism, religious intolerance, and homophobia are rampant. Why the do you think the German government feels it necessary to repress hate speech online by law? Because their society is "harmonious"?

Billions of dollars say you do. In Berlin.

Again, are you kidding?

There are many more successful startups in Germany now than there are in silicon valley. Disclaimer: I live in silicon valley.

That explains it: you're a left wing American idiot. Please do go to Germany, join a startup there, and get a dose of reality. But idiots like you rarely put their money where their mouth is: in the 50's and 60's, you extolled the virtues of communism, these days, you extol the of the failing, authoritarian European welfare state, while keeping your fat asses in the US and benefiting from US capitalism. Pathetic.

"The Old Spaghetti Factory in San Jose is still in business."

Sorry, I guess I meant "the terrible growling and slurping sounds from the basement".

"It's painfully obvious that fat people make you stupider."

Well, from where I'm starting from, fifteen fat people couldn't make me as stupid as you!

BTW, they must have heard you're going to Germany, they're setting up the beer line for you.

Look at East and West Germany.
"More women work in east than west: Study" (14 January 2015)
https://www.thelocal.de/201501...

Well, a particular kind of assholery. Threatening and intimidating people.

Considering that police services in Europe have been detaining people for wrong think for the last couple of years? You should be getting the fuck out of there, along with the rest of Europe. Other stuff off the top of my head include the threats by the police that no dissenting opinions will be allowed regarding anything to do with the economic migrants. People arrested for different opinions(labeled as "hate speech") and labeled as racists. Scottland yard wanting to do the same thing as the Met. And it's just not the UK, but other countries as well.

This entire thing comes off as "hey look at those ideological opponents of ours, maybe we can just use the law to shut them up. And when we can't, we'll just change the law" And then they wonder why there's a rise in nationalists and so on.

Ad-hominen; you are on a roll! Meanwhile...

Wouldn't it be ironic if you found youself a victim in a massacre that succeeded because Snowden's lessons have been taken to heart by the so-called "jihadis"?

Look at who Ed has been teaching
What do they think in the BND and Verfassungsschutz?

Hmm, did the story change? Doesn't look like it.

German spies imply Snowden leaked files for Russia

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden could have been acting under the influence of the Russian government, the heads of Germany's foreign and domestic intelligence agencies said on Friday.

In Soviet Russia... Snowden releases NSA documents!

Indeed.

German spies imply Snowden leaked files for Russia

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden could have been acting under the influence of the Russian government, the heads of Germany's foreign and domestic intelligence agencies said on Friday.

Do you know any good Kim Philby or Benedict Arnold jokes?

The founding fathers had a vision. It certainly didn't include anything like the FBI, CIA, or NSA spying on their own countrymen.

George Washington ran a spy ring that spied on both the British and fellow colonists. Benjamin Franklin opened other peoples mail to gather intelligence.

George Washington, Spymaster

Washington took his role as spymaster in chief quite seriously, laying the groundwork for today’s complex intelligence community and recognizing that civilian observation, mobilization and insight was just as important as military might. Without this foresight, the outcome of the Revolutionary War might have been quite different. The war for independence from Great Britain was not just one of battles and firearms, it was one of intelligence. As one defeated British intelligence officer is often quoted as saying, “Washington did not really outfight the British. He simply out-spied us.” -

What do you think General Washington would have done with someone that stole secret war plans of the Continental Army and then fled to a foreign country as General Arnold did? What did they do with spies and traitors?

What was Snowden's real agenda? There really isn't any way to know for sure, is there?

German spies imply Snowden leaked files for Russia

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden could have been acting under the influence of the Russian government, the heads of Germany's foreign and domestic intelligence agencies said on Friday.

-----

Any efforts to discredit this man are a fucking disgrace that should be called out as such.

Snowden has admitted his guilt publicly. There isn't any genuine doubt he is guilty of the offenses with which he is charged, and it all could have been avoided if he had gone to Congress. Because of his actions al Qaeda, ISIS, North Korea, and other enemies and adversaries of the US have had direct access to large collections of national defense secrets of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, France, and others. What a hero.

we do not really know how to defend ourselves against what is happening, not without turning into savages ourselves

Of course, we do:

• Enforce your visa laws.
• Do not provide governmental assistance and deport those, who sneak in despite your efforts

There is nothing "savage" about either of the two measures. Whoever feels sympathetic to the people displaced by war or any other kind of disaster, is welcome to help them in any way they choose directly.

The current situation makes no sense at all. Ukraine, for example — itself a European country with customs quite similar to those of EU members — has been struggling to obtain a visa-free status with EU for years. Meanwhile, folks with completely different ideas of how to live (and dress and pray) are allowed to immigrate en masse.

The US is different, but no less bizarre. For example, while the government actively prosecutes rich folks coming to US to give birth, who pay for it themselves and go back, the poor folks who can't afford healthcare themselves are effectively encouraged to come (illegally), give birth and stay . South Americans cross into the US daily while the Border Control intercepts only about 61%.

To America's credit, we seem to be better at dealing with the "wonderful tapestry of diversity", but there is nothing "savage" about wanting less of it — diversity is not strength, it is an expensive luxury.

We know how to do it and there is nothing "savage" about saying "no". But our current elites just would not do it — whether due to some misplaced compassion or desire for cheaper gardeners and cherry-pickers.

Six months suspended: first verdict in Cologne NYE trials

The first man found guilty in connection with the crime wave in Cologne on New Year’s Eve has been given a six-month suspended sentence and a €100 fine.

The trials will be the first step towards achieving justice for more than 1,000 people who reported crimes in and around the western cathedral city's main train station on New Year's Eve.

But none of the men is charged with sexual assault – the key feature of the night which made it a lightning rod for fears about migration all over Germany, Europe and the world.

Women reported being surrounded, groped and threatened by large groups of men of north African and Middle Eastern appearance.

Among the more than 1,000 crime reports dealing with that night, more than 430 deal with sexual assault – up to and including rape.

Volkswagen is by far the longest-lasting brand on average and VW models have very few breakdowns, while American brands score well below average.

ADAC looks just like VW - bunch of crooks. Why it doesn't surprise me?
http://www.thelocal.de/2014012...
http://totalcarmagazine.com/fe...
You can buy a lot of advertising in your own country and take market just on patriotism. It doesn't work in the rest of the world.

http://www.thelocal.de/2015072...

He's pretty much got it right.

http://www.thelocal.de/2015073...

Fact checking? Nah. Hype sells!

The US is late to the game. In Germany you sometime get 50% of the power load from solar on especially sunny summer days, while hardly any in the winter. The demand on the grid is of course brutal, but so far has been manageable.

Gas turbine power plants are key for load balancing.

have had just about enough of it

Who cares?
Fortunately, these days Germans don't have an army capable of attacking anyone, unless it's with broomsticks. So they'd have to live with it.

Why not consider that whole community broadband thing that people have been doing in other countries (UK, Germany for example)?

http://www.thelocal.de/2014060...
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-eng...
etc.

From what I understand, the costs of DIY broadband for people living in remote areas isn't as significant as the prices quoted above - and it's another way you can tell the big ISPs to f* off.

Alternatively, if there's any mountains or hills in the area, broadcasting some wireless might be another option (if you don't mind compromising with wireless) - it seems to be a feasible thing to do in the US if you can't trench some fiber - the Ubiquiti forums have a few stories to tell.

Already happened...

The NSA and GCHQ have always wanted more info on China.

Isn't turnabout is fair play?.

China's Growing Spy Threat

But according to analysts and officials, the communist-controlled People’s Republic of China operates the single largest intelligence-gathering apparatus in the world—and its growing appetite for secrets has apparently become insatiable.

From economic and military espionage to keeping tabs on exiled dissidents, China’s global spying operations are rapidly expanding. And, therefore, so is the threat. Some analysts even argue the regime—which is also gobbling up such key natural resources as farmland, energy, and minerals—has an eye on dominating the world.

Estimates on the number of spies and agents employed by the communist state vary widely. According to public statements by French author and investigative journalist Roger Faligot, who has written several books about the regime’s security services, there are around two million Chinese working directly or indirectly for China’s intelligence apparatus.

Other analysts say it would be impossible to count the exact number. ‘I doubt they know themselves,’ says Richard Fisher, a senior fellow on Asian military affairs at the Washington-based International Assessment and Strategy Center. Regardless, the number is undoubtedly extraordinary. ‘China can rightly claim to have the world’s largest, most amorphous, but also most active intelligence sector,’ he says.

Russia, China engaging in industrial espionage

Germany is full of Russian and Chinese spies working to get information about top business and technology developments, according to the country’s domestic intelligence service.

Studies show that the German economy loses around €50 billion a year as a consequence, Burkhard Even, head of the counterintelligence section of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, told the audience at a recent security forum in Bonn. . . .

There are around 80,000 Chinese people living in Germany, Even said, many of whom are commercial spies. China is also buying into, or taking over companies completely, in order to get access to new technological developments. . . . . . the Chinese were mostly active in the electronic sector. Some reports suggest the Chinese intelligence services have up to a million agents across the world collecting technical and business data to support their industries.

"It is estimated that at least 20 Foreign intelligence services are operating to some degree against UK interests. Of greatest concern are the Russians and Chinese. The number of Russian intelligence officers in London has not fallen since the Soviet times."
 

Britain Warned Businesses of Threat of Chinese Spying

Canada a target-rich environment for Chinese spies

Officials say Chinese spies have targeted every sector of the U.S. economy

There's nothing "traditional" about the depth, pervasiveness, or reach of the USG's spying. If it's anything like military spending, the U.S. spends more than the rest of the planet combined.

Maybe you can use this to start bridging your information gap.

Russia, China engaging in industrial espionage

Germany is full of Russian and Chinese spies working to get information about top business and technology developments, according to the country’s domestic intelligence service.

Studies show that the German economy loses around €50 billion a year as a consequence, Burkhard Even, head of the counterintelligence section of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, told the audience at a recent security forum in Bonn.

The spying is a mix of official, intelligence service agents, and unofficial business spooks, he said.

Even estimated that of the 500 registered staff of the Russian embassy in Berlin, at least 150 were working as intelligence agents, disguised as diplomats or journalists.

He said that more than four million Russians live in the country as a whole, leaving him unable to guess at how many agents might be hidden amongst them.
 

China's Growing Spy Threat

But according to analysts and officials, the communist-controlled People’s Republic of China operates the single largest intelligence-gathering apparatus in the world—and its growing appetite for secrets has apparently become insatiable.

From economic and military espionage to keeping tabs on exiled dissidents, China’s global spying operations are rapidly expanding. And, therefore, so is the threat. Some analysts even argue the regime—which is also gobbling up such key natural resources as farmland, energy, and minerals—has an eye on dominating the world.

Estimates on the number of spies and agents employed by the communist state vary widely. According to public statements by French author and investigative journalist Roger Faligot, who has written several books about the regime’s security services, there are around two million Chinese working directly or indirectly for China’s intelligence apparatus.

Putin's Secret Weapon

Britain under attack from 20 foreign spy agencies including France and Germany

"It is estimated that at least 20 Foreign intelligence services are operating to some degree against UK interests. Of greatest concern are the Russians and Chinese. The number of Russian intelligence officers in London has not fallen since the Soviet times."

A Whitehall source told The Sunday Telegraph that Russia uses its massive spy network as an "extension of state power" in an attempt to "further its own military and economic base".

The source said: "If a country, such as Russia or Iran, can steal a piece of software which will save it seven years in research and development then it will do so without any hesitation. Russian agents will target anybody that they believe could be useful to them. Spying is hard-wired into the country's DNA. They have been at it for centuries and they are simply not going to stop because the Cold War has ended."

Officials say Chinese spies have targeted every sector of the U.S. economy

"Now" is misleading when the article is 2 years old?

lol :D

Oh well, more recently they hit 74% with all renewable energy combined:
http://thinkprogress.org/clima...

Maybe the 50% is correct for this year or other pages have just picked up the hype and not checked the sources or noticed the dates either.
http://www.thelocal.de/2014061...
http://www.forbes.com/sites/qu...

Did I Fucking Love Science got it wrong?
http://www.iflscience.com/tech...

More 2012:
http://www.marketwatch.com/sto...
I can't see a year here:
http://theweek.com/speedreads/...

Anyway, even if it has happened recently too it's less impressive when it has already been done more than 2 years ago..

Agreed. TFA eventually leads to this 'source', but it doesn't refer to actual court proceedings. This seems to be a much more authoritative source, by the way.

Hail Zontar The Mindless, court jester and tormenter of the just!

I take it that you cannot imagine a European hospital or clinic not fully staffed for continuous 24x7 operations, with resources sitting idle just waiting to be put to use?

Doctor shortage reaching crisis, study warns

The German Medical Association (BÄK) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) announced the results of a study showing that medical care is becoming harder to find in some parts of the country, particularly rural areas.

The study made it clear “that the doctor shortage is not a phenomenon anticipated for some time in the future, but is an urgent threat,” said KBV head Andreas Köhler. ...

In hospitals, about 5,000 positions were unfilled, the groups said. A decade from now, nearly 20,000 senior physicians and head physicians will have retired.

Medical Leave: Romanian Doctors Fleeing Poor Pay, Corruption For Western Europe

UK has fewer doctors per person than Bulgaria and Estonia

Spanish doctors and nurses emigrate for work

French government fights doctor shortage in rural areas

Europe’s ageing population will face doctor shortage

It is estimated that by 2020, 230,000 doctor‘s roles and 590,000 nursing positions will need to be filled. In less than a decade, there will be a professional shortfall of 1 million jobs in the health sector (including all roles). This means that about 14% of the total demand for health services may not be covered. This prediction is reflected in Italy, where almost 42% of national health service doctors are over 55. There are 14,280 aged over 60 compared to 13,196 aged 30 to 39. This vacuum of personnel is destined be filled increasingly by immigrants. Already in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland, 30% of foreign doctors are from non-EU countries. This percentage rises to 60% in France and Italy and even 80% in Ireland and the UK. These findings are a report prepared as part of the project “Health Workers 4all“.

If the EU position were a principled one, they would not be sending the same drugs to Iran. In fact, the policy remains popular among citizens in Europe.

The leadership of NATO will never let their governments escape the NSA. The best that will happen is a very public telco rebuild. From one hub 'known' (Frankfurt) to link to the NSA, new domestic only hubs will open as national 'data' protecting loops. The contractors will have any new systems wired back to the NSA from day one.
"Comms giant pushes anti-spy network"
http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20131014-52385.html
http://www.dw.de/telekom-hopes-to-stave-off-nsa-snoops-by-keeping-internet-traffic-in-germany/a-17154274
http://rt.com/news/deutsche-telekom-internet-spies-176/

Never, Never EVER hold an internet vote to name something.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20110728-36581.html#.URluY6WzJ8E

Unfortunately, the article ommits that the local swimming pool was an even better idea, not only because Bud Spencer actually took part in a swimming contest in his youth at that very pool (IIRC), but also has that nice pun with Bud and Bad (= pool)

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120522-42685.html

What makes you think that the headset equipment *can't* make loud noises?

I didn't say it can't. I said it won't.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120522-42685.html

What makes you think that the headset equipment *can't* make loud noises?

Germany would. or to be fair, they are only less optimistic.

could you prove your statement? I don't know all countries, but at least in Germany you can't buy heat bulbs.

In Germany, the industry and government plans are to go full electric For instance, BMW has these prototypes running.

You are looking for the Pixelated Mask/Balaclava

http://www.martinbackes.com/new-artwork-pixelhead/

One with a person actually wearing it:
http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120823-44537.html

http://www.thelocal.de/lifestyle/20120823-44537.html

just read that today (a few minutes ago, in fact).

in the US, its illegal to hide your face in public (not sure the exact wording, but its essentially along those lines).

halloween is an exception but probably not even listed in the laws. technically, they COULD hassle you on oct-31 if they wanted to.

If I want to walk around in any American city wearing a ski mask while carrying a loaded shotgun I may have a problem. No shotgun, no problem. If I am in the country and clearly hunting ducks or deer, wearing a ski mask and carrying a loaded shotgun, no problem. There are no laws about having your face hidden.

http://www.thelocal.de/lifestyle/20120823-44537.html

just read that today (a few minutes ago, in fact).

in the US, its illegal to hide your face in public (not sure the exact wording, but its essentially along those lines).

halloween is an exception but probably not even listed in the laws. technically, they COULD hassle you on oct-31 if they wanted to.

Do you check all atms, gas pumps, etc that you use for card skimmers? http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/ , http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110818-37041.html and http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/11/17/atm-skimming-device-found-at-eastern-bank-in-taunton/

They are getting pretty good at making realistic ones. And in some cases have gotten them inside gas pumps.

If that was addressed to me: yes, I do, always. Although as you say, some skimmers now are undetectable to customer.

Do you check all atms, gas pumps, etc that you use for card skimmers? http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/ , http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110818-37041.html and http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/11/17/atm-skimming-device-found-at-eastern-bank-in-taunton/

They are getting pretty good at making realistic ones. And in some cases have gotten them inside gas pumps.

Yup. Germany has switched from energy exporter to weak energy importer with the shutdown of nuclear powerplants which your data omits. 2012 will be the first year with net imports.

Here's a link to a relevant chart: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energiemarkt#Entwicklung_der_Stromhandelsbilanz - notice how the power balance fell in 2011.

But don't worry! Greenpeace has a plan for it - build more dirty coal powerplants: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110713-36277.html

do they pepper spray protesters over there?

That and water cannons, results here.

Here's your citation for what their replacing nuclear with http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110713-36277.html

I find it interesting that you call coal "renewable," though now that I think of it hydrocarbons are much more renewable than isotopes.

Are you sure about that?
This 259-car pile up seems otherwise.