Well, I think it rather looks like some prison building. The fence around it even strenghens that impression. I am with the Berlin press on that issue.
This could have been a grand day for german-american relations, but all I can see is some grey (beige?) concrete fortress. If they already are afraid of implementing suitable windows, why didn't they use some kind of fancy natural stone, or at least give it a futuristic, historic or whatever style.

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"I think that gay marriage should be allowed."
- John McCain on an episode of Hardball, 2006, before the commercial break

"I do not believe that gay marriage should be legal."
- John McCain on the same episode of Hardball, after the commercial break

"John McCain does not speak for the John McCain campaign."
- Tucker Bounds, Spokesman of the John McCain presidential campaign.

The straight talk express. You gotta love it.

Substance before style is fine by me. Especially when you're talking about saving lives and my tax money.

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"Compassionate Conservatism"?!?! That is a stupid phrase. Conservatism is inherently compassionate. It is liberalism that is cruel for the sake of maintaining a constituency.

The building does not do dipolomacy. The diplomatic and foreign service officers, do. But if you wish to trash all relations because a building does not suit your aesthetics, there is not much anyone can do about that mindset.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Didnt you read the part in your own article about the restrictions placed on the architects by Berlin? But look, if the German ctizenry really thinks less of us because of the way a building looks, I think thats their problem.

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http://www.fairtax.org

Elminate all taxes on income and replace with a national sales tax.

You forgot Embassy in Moscow, Marine guard hands keys over to KGB while he has sex with Russian hottie.

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“The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine.”

Senator Thad Cochran, Mississippi (R)
on McCain

“I decided I didn’t want this guy anywhere near a trigger.”
Senator Pete Domenici, New Mexico (R)
on McCain

“My anger did not help my campaign ... People don’t like angry candidates very much.”

McCain on McCain

now that was a penetrated embassy....I mean....

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Obama-e fungis nati homines....

I don't see a fortress, I mean obviously security has been considered, but why shouldn't have it been? If anything it looks like a pretty regular building. I mean for a fortress of paranoia its lack its severely lacking. Anyway, like Si Modo said, the building it self shouldn't be the basis of diplomatic relations.

Do you see a welcoming open building that symbolizes the free society it represents?
The architecture of US embassies used to be heavy on the fenestration, to symbolize an open society, that changed in the 80's in response to Tehran embassy hostage crisis, and the new program included blast walls, little of no fenestration, grenade grates over the skylights which would channel things thrown onto the roof into hardened blast pits, a small "defensible" sally port entrance, and layers of defensible space inside the compound.
This embassy is obviously a product of that program.

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“The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine.”

Senator Thad Cochran, Mississippi (R)
on McCain

“I decided I didn’t want this guy anywhere near a trigger.”
Senator Pete Domenici, New Mexico (R)
on McCain

“My anger did not help my campaign ... People don’t like angry candidates very much.”

McCain on McCain

no, I would say that is a product of necessity.

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Obama-e fungis nati homines....

Yeah, if the trend will follow this line, the next step promises the design of underground bunker-emabassy. The good charge of TNT must be kept inside for self-destruction and bravery end of diplomats in case if the terrorists manage to break through the mine-fields around to take them alive.

If only the people who built the C.T.U. building in the show 24 were held to such a high standard of security...

Sorry. Just watched Season 6 with the wife and C.T.U. in downtown Los Angeles got invaded for, um, the 485th time.

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"Compassionate Conservatism"?!?! That is a stupid phrase. Conservatism is inherently compassionate. It is liberalism that is cruel for the sake of maintaining a constituency.

There are plenty of embassies that aren't pretty. Many in NYC for example are just floors of office space and other nondescript structures. The US does have a need for security moreso than most other nations given it has a heightened risk of being a terrorist target or otherwise infiltrated.

I do find it unacceptable if the staff generally can't speak German. That's a popular language, Germany is a big ally and partner on trade, military and travel, it is a key member of the EU, fluency in the local language is needed to properly conduct ambassadorial tasks, courtesy requires use of a local language in daily dealings with the local population ("when in Rome, do as the Romans do") and other practical and professional considerations.

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Around 200,000 Irish immigrants served in the Union and Confederate armies in the American Civil War, often forming their own regiments and, at times, fought each other. At Fredericksburg, the Union’s Irish Brigade faced the Irish McMillan's Guards of Cobb's 24th Georgia entrenched in a sunken road behind a stone wall. Ordered to make a suicidal charge, it became one of the most famous events of the Civil War. The re-enactment portrayed in the movie Gods and Generals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qVCxEupPag

Does that mean they have to listen to and - further - enjoy listening to David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff?



Oh, the agony!

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"Compassionate Conservatism"?!?! That is a stupid phrase. Conservatism is inherently compassionate. It is liberalism that is cruel for the sake of maintaining a constituency.

ROFL. Fortunately the phrase doesn't require anyone to debase themselves. He's an American so unfortunately the joke is also on the US. You'd think with his last name the Germans would have been glad his family emmigrated some time ago every time he takes the stage and made it an American bag head event but now both can share the bag lol.

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Around 200,000 Irish immigrants served in the Union and Confederate armies in the American Civil War, often forming their own regiments and, at times, fought each other. At Fredericksburg, the Union’s Irish Brigade faced the Irish McMillan's Guards of Cobb's 24th Georgia entrenched in a sunken road behind a stone wall. Ordered to make a suicidal charge, it became one of the most famous events of the Civil War. The re-enactment portrayed in the movie Gods and Generals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qVCxEupPag

whats wrong with this building again? Does the U.S. need to make its embassies to look like Cinderellas Castle at Disney World or a log cabin--in order that Germans like us more?

Am I the only one who remembered those idiots who attacked our Athens embassy a year or so back? Or when they tried to destroy one in Belgrade? Cant imagine they hate us any less in Germany.