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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!cires!nbires!ut-ngp!werner
From: werner@ut-ngp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: RE: Berliner and jelly doughnuts. get the definitive from a Kraut.
Message-ID: <435@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Jul-83 01:59:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.435
Posted: Fri Jul 22 01:59:26 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Jul-83 00:36:26 EDT
Lines: 42

credentials:  born , raised , and educated in Krautland.

now then:  JFK's statement was perfectly flawless in its meaning

	to give you an idea of the difference betweeen the 2 versions

	" ich bin Berliner"  and  " ich bin EIN Berliner "

	think of:  I am (a)  Hamburger ( or  New Yorker )

	it can be funny to be from Hamburg also, right, but the
	funny part is the double meaning and not an error.

	As a matter of fact, the difference is really, that the
	"ein" implies that the statement is made with a certain
	pride and emphasis, and under the conditions of the recent
	constructions of the Berlin wall (August 13, 1961), it
	is also a rallying call implying a warning that nobody
	should talk down or mistreat the place he identified
	himself with.  One should also remember that the to a
	casual question, where are you from, you might answer
	"I am American", but if asked in the middle of a controversy
	and you  want to emphasize your identity, you are likely to
	say: " I AM AN AMERICAN", emphasizing every word.

And a final comment.  Kennedy is much respected and loved in Germany
for his couragious, open and convincing way.  Of course, he also was
"cute" and men and women reacted to that, but, to help you imagine
what his statement really meant, imagine that the American president
would have visited the Falkland islands, in the middle of the Argentine
invasion and had stated "I am as British as you, so anyone messing with
you better watch out".  Forgive the geography and the differences in 
historical circumstances, and don't flame at me about it.  I couldn't
think of any event in US history, which allowed me to draw a closer
parallel, where I could have the German chancellor visit and give an
encouraging speech.  Neither the Vietnam nor the Civil war seem to fit.

"Ich bin ein Heidelberger"	---Werner---

Werner (UUCP: { decvax!eagle , ucbvax!nbires }  !ut-ngp!werner
	  or: { allegra, ctvax, gatech, ihnp4, rice, vortex } !ut-ngp!werner )
       (ARPA: cs.werner@utexas-20   or  werner@utexas-11 )