The Germans Focus On Bush, Not Ahmadinejad

Joschka Fischer, the leader of Germany's Green Party, was sitting in a large scuffed leather chair with fat arm rests faded from seventy years of hand rubbing. Fischer was amused that Adolf Hitler sat in this very chair during the 1938 Nuremberg Rally while officiating at one of his sit-down talks before the day's events began. The Nuremberg Rallies occurred every year from 1923 on, and the 1938 Rally was known as the Rally of Greater Germany since it occurred soon after the annexation of Austria. Oh how times have changed, thought Fischer. He now was holding a chat himself with Green Party officials in Berlin where the big leather chair was brought after World War II.

"You think Bush will come to the World Cup?" asked Hilda, one of Fischer's Green Party secretaries.

"He does not have the guts," said Fischer.

"We got word that he is considering it," said Martin, a Green Party Deputy.

"That would be a big opportunity to organize demonstrations. We can use the event to rally support," said Fischer.

"What about the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmandinejad. He says he is coming to the World Cup," asked Hilda.

"What about him?" said Fischer.

"Demonstrations. Rallies. A great organizing tool," said Hilda.

"Absolutely not," said Fischer.

'It would be counter-productive," said Josef, the Green Party's media consultant.

'The guy's a madman. We can get people to come out," said Hilda.

"The guy is not a madman. He is simply a clever politician. He hates Bush. We hate Bush. It would confuse our message to demonstrate against him," said Josef.

"I agree," said Fischer.

"Martin, what do you think," asked Hilda.

"Of course I agree with Mr. Fischer," said Martin.

"This does not make me comfortable. I feel that we are compromising ourelves," said Hilda.

"Hilda, Hilda, Hilda, you must understand politics. You must understand the shifting moods of Germany. The Iranian President speaks truths. Things we may not wish to hear, but he speaks truths," said Fischer.

"He denies what happened in the camps. He is a sick man," said Hilda.

"Hilda, the Iranian is not sick. He knows what he is doing. We would be wasting political capital demonstrating against him. We must use our resources against Bush. That will serve us better," said Fischer.

"I agree," said Martin.

"I know the media and the public, and Bush is the one to go after," said Josef.

"And so it is done. We hope Bush comes to the World Cup. Let us hope and pray," said Fischer as he rubbed his hands up and down the big fat arm rests of the Nuremberg leather chair.