Costly bike paths in opposition to Russia and China

Prices for cycling paths counteracting Russia and China.

Frederick William III, the Prussian king, had convinced himself that the world was friendly and peaceful. He even built cycle paths in Peru. However, he received a rude awakening when he realized the need to rearm after Napoleon's opponents became friendly. Similarly, we Germans observe other countries until, unexpectedly, something disrupts our peaceful lives.

If only the world were kinder, I'd enjoy it more. I think this would be a great introduction for this piece. Let's read on! Speaking of expressions, I spent today soaking in the third movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, which I played twelve times in succession while writing - all while experiencing a melancholic mood. How can sorrow and desire for tranquility, healing, and peace be conveyed musically in less than 16 minutes? Only a genius can achieve that.

I yearn to write like Beethoven composed music. After all, we share the ability to create odes to the emptiness of life. Beethoven's deafness didn't stop him from feeling the audience's rapturous applause at the 1824 premiere of his Ninth Symphony, which included Schiller's ode, "To Joy": "Your charms bind again, what keeps men strictly apart, all people become brothers, where your gentle wings dwell."

Ever since dreamers first appeared, 200 years have passed, and the world remains at war. To divide and polarize is currently popular. Even East and West Germans haven't become brothers and sisters. All we have left is a desire to acknowledge the Ninth Symphony's beauty. Alas, it might not be long before it is banned. It's also trendy to view history through present-day lenses. Unfortunately, it doesn't look good for Beethoven.

No more joy

Claudia Roth and her comrades-in-arms find it difficult to enjoy anything after discovering Beethoven dedicated his 9th Symphony to "His Majesty, the King of Prussia, Frederick William III, with the deepest reverence." They are disturbed by the Prussian king being described as a general and a war enthusiast. "To His Majesty, the King of Prussia, Frederick William III, with the deepest reverence." This statement shatters their peace.

Frederick William III was initially content with a peaceful lifestyle, preferring to march his peacetime army and observe parades rather than engage in combat. Fontane explains this in his writings: "Frederick William III's pleasure in military life was limited to mustering the peacetime army and not its equipment, to parades and not combat training," reflecting Olaf the Indecisive's followers.

Frederick William III once saw Napoleon's opponents in a good light, following a policy of neutrality. But his policy backfired when Napoleon pointed out, "Believe me, I have such powerful forces that all of yours will not be able to falter in victory for long." Sadly, the Prussian king was too late in recognizing the signs of war. He lost the Battles of Jena and Auerstedt in 1806 and lost significant parts of Prussia in 1807 before eventually declaring war on Russia in response to France's aggression.

Although Napoleon had an insatiable thirst for war and conquering Europe, it took several more years and hundreds of thousands of lives lost before Frederick William III decided to arm his country and join the alliance against French "occupation." "You know what you've endured for seven years, and you know what your fate will be if we don't finish the fight we've started with honor," he proclaimed to the German people.

Frederick William III was under the misconception that the French Emperor would eventually tire of war. However, it took thousands of casualties before the Prussian king decided to prepare his army to fight: "You know what you've had to endure for seven years, you know what your sorrowful fate will be if you refuse to finish the battle we have begun with dignity."

We're all familiar with the fact that Napoleon's army was defeated, freeing Europe from the reign of the egotistical French ruler. It's also worth noting that Beethoven, who initially admired and later despised the emperor of Paris, willed his Ninth Symphony to the Prussian leader during times of peace in Germany. So we ask, Minister of State Claudia Roth and her colleagues - how do we feel about this? Positive or negative? Can we still enjoy Beethoven's music?

The response is - "Don't play those notes! Yes, of course we must." As pointed out by Kühnert's Kevin, a knight serving King Olaf the Unintelligible, it's essential to defend development aid and understand its importance for all nations. As he said, "If we criticize others for their nationalism and then cut development aid, we're practicing what we preach against during the weekends, but facing a weaker Germany on Sundays compared to Russia and China, we slash funding for development cooperation on Mondays to please our populist base. This isn't about charity, but our strategic interests around the world."

So, the Germans are constructing cycle paths in Peru, supporting "ecofeminist development alternatives in South Africa, and a project on positive masculinity in Rwanda," and donating funds to protect the planet, furthering "our strategic interests" globally. Astonishing diplomatic cunning. It's the panda that's threatened, not the tree, according to me. With cycle paths to clash with China and Russia's grand plans for expansion. That's a geostrategic move never seen before.

While I fully support development aid, I'm more critical of populist rhetoric. Germany is constructing cycle paths in Lima, while the rest of the world is making massive investments in industrial projects across Peru. China completed the 3.5 billion USD port of Chancay as part of the "New Silk Road" to serve as a transshipment point for its car shipments across Latin America. And, incredibly, one of Peru's largest lithium reserves is close by. A 60% majority stake in the port is owned by the Chinese company Cosco Shipping. After the new Peruvian president took office, they are now reconsidering granting China the exclusive right to operate the port in Chancay by exploiting "administrative errors."

But regardless, let's go ahead and build even more cycle paths, in Peru and everywhere else. It's the job of German politics, you all wanted power. I'm simply reporting on it. And now, relive Beethoven's Ninth Symphony once more - "Be embraced, millions! This kiss for the entire world!"

P.S. I highly recommend the outstanding CD recording of the Ninth featuring the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. This version is unbeatable.

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In light of the global need for cooperation, Germany is providing development aid to various countries, including South Africa and Rwanda, to promote ecofeminist alternatives and positive masculinity respectively. This international effort is not only charitable but serves Germany's strategic interests globally, as observed by Kevin, a supporter of Olaf Scholz.

Reflecting on historical figures, Frederick William III, the Prussian king, received international development aid in the form of cycle paths built in Peru during his peaceful reign. However, his misconceptions about friendly nations led to an unexpected need for rearmament, a lesson that resonates with contemporary discussions about development aid and international relations.

Source: www.ntv.de