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Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

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111–120 of 203 posts

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#111

As a German citizen let me tell you, the rate of decline this country is in is truly shocking. This is by far the worst government in my lifetime, and remarkably there is wide consensus about it across the population (above 85% dissatisfaction, if you think I am exaggerating here). Industry and trade associations aren't happy either, which raises the question who asks for this? Life is getting forcefully precarious f…

> This is by far the worst government in my lifetime I guess we all can safely conclude that all governments of the word (world's government? shoot that tinfoilhat), at least those who have any meaningful means of destruction at hand, are the worst not only in our, but also our parents' lifetimes (assuming the mean age of HN commenters as 30-40). TL;DR: The fascism is back.

Germany is not fascist. It strongly supports Israel.

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#112
post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd generally agree, but my follow up question would be: which western country isn't?

Why limit yourself to western countries? In fact, why limit it to countries at all? Isn't it the most popular trope of all time to decry the state of today and romanticise yesterday? People have "not been wanting to work anymore" for at least 150 years, things were always better in the olden days, people don't make 'em like they used to, etm. There's very little value in a statement like yours. It's a truism that has…

> things were always better in the olden days, people don't make 'em like they used to.

Just because successive generations make the same observations about doesn't mean that hasn't actually been steadily declining, you know.

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#113
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Denmark? The Swiss? Norway? And I was in Serbia lately, and while it was not as developed as NW-EU, nobody there described it as decaying (and many said they experiences decay when living in western nations over the past 2 decades).

> And I was in Serbia lately [..] With OP postulating that it is to enable corruption, and a sub-reply affirming that it is therefore the trait of a country in decay, bringing in Serbia as a counter-example is hilarious. Serbia ranks 116th in the corruption perception index, Germany 10th. (Lower is better)

yeah, but decaying means something gets worse. Maybe corruption is getting less in Serbia despite still being bad?

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think so. But if that’s what the people want who are you or me to question that? It’s the people’s will and democracy in action

Democracy doesn't always lead to what people actually want, in an era of widespread brainwashing.

[deleted]

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#115
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is fertility so important? Maybe the other western countries are equally infertile, but just allowed many immigrants in (which counts are population expansion) that also have more children on average. How are Japan and Korea holing out? They are further down the infertility down-spiral.

[flagged]

Please provide evidence. Also westerners from which point of view?

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think so. But if that’s what the people want who are you or me to question that? It’s the people’s will and democracy in action

Democracy doesn't always lead to what people actually want, in an era of widespread brainwashing.

[flagged]

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#118
post #37

Wait? They previously allowed everybody and their mother to request the information? Limiting it to ‘citizens of the european union’ seems eminently reasonable.

Such a restriction isn’t patently unreasonable but it would make it more difficult for foreign journalists to do research, and it would add the hassle of requiring individuals to show proof of residence when submitting a request. Anonymous requests under pseudonyms would become impossible.

For what it’s worth, only a handful of US states have a residency requirement for FOIA requests.

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#119
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"SPD will block this" is contradicted by SPD already voting for the identical Berlin version weeks ago.

Not identical but similar and state vs federal level, might as well be different parties. Thats not to say I am not Just as worried as you

SPD has no integrity either way

Re: Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

#120
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Won't this require citizen to provide ID and therefore citizens asking difficult questions could become a target for retaliation?

It's already the case that if you question Israel's right to exist you are considered an antisemitic terrorist and arrested - they are now trying to codify this into an actual law (not just something the police do). There is no freedom in Germany. The mistakes of the past did not change anyone's mindset about human rights and freedom. They only learned how to put on a facade of caring about them. And they are the mos…

> The mistakes of the past did not change anyone's mindset about human rights and freedom

As if anybody who experienced this themselves has a big influence on current politics...WW2 ended 81 years ago

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