Germany’s Merz says US friendship since war ‘probably over’ for now
The Straits Times | Sep 18, 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the era of “unconditional” ties between the US and Europe built since World War II are over, at least for now, the latest pronouncement of a breakdown in relations under US President Donald Trump’s presidency.

“This era of unconditional transatlantic friendship is probably over for the foreseeable future,” Merz told party members in Berlin on Sept 17. “On the other side of the Atlantic, we are seeing a change in political attitudes, a change in the assessment of the transatlantic alliance, which we might not have thought possible.”

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

To go back a few days, “Kaiser ah, Sera!”

You’ve heard of strip-mining?

Liberal states (California and New York) are engaged in strip-taxing.

I just invented that.  Feel free to use it.

The fatted tax calf — and strippers — in one image.  Pretty impressive.  (What are those, crutches?  What the hell?)

CONSERVATIVES:  Stop spending.

Don’t be ridiculous.  That will harm people who depend on our spending.

CONSERVATIVES:  At least reduce spending.

You are evil.  

CONSERVATIVES:  At least spend judiciously.

Funny you should use that word.  Most judges are on our side.  The spending will continue.*

CONSERVATIVES:  From the spending, at least eliminate fraud.  And waste.

Don’t be ridiculous.  This is how we reward our loyalists.

CONSERVATIVES:  Limit spending to money already appropriated, like a normal person.

Don’t be ridiculous.

CONSERVATIVES:  Don’t increase taxes to pay for ever more wasteful and unwise corrupt programs.

*You haven’t been listening.  Oh, and criteria would be racist.

I guess if it’s on the internet it must be true.