Boy, this explains a lot about the Germans:

Q BILD has 12 million readers. It’s the largest newspaper in Germany. And there’s one thing which is really special about our newspaper — every German who wants to work for the newspaper, he has to sign in his working contrasts some beliefs — and there’s the belief you have to be for reunification, you have to be against totalitarianism from riots on the right side and the left side, and you have to be for the peace and for the understanding with Israel, and, since September 11th, we have a new belief — you have to be for partnership with America. Otherwise, you can’t work for us, you can’t come — you have to sign it in your contract.

THE PRESIDENT: My kind of guy. (Laughter.)

Seriously, that’s kind of creepy. Of course, our biggest cable news network is essentially an arm of the Republican party, so maybe I shouldn’t be too surprised. The Germans are supposed to be efficient, after all. Why bother with the charade of the whole independent press thing?

And, from the same interview, this explains a lot about our President:

Q Three last very short questions. What was the most wonderful moment in your terms of being President so far, and what was the most awful moment?

THE PRESIDENT: The most awful moment was September the 11th, 2001.

…

The best moment was — you know, I’ve had a lot of great moments. I don’t know, it’s hard to characterize the great moments. They’ve all been busy moments, by the way. I would say the best moment was when I caught a seven-and-a-half pound large mouth bass on my lake. (Laughter.)

I’m not really sure what to say to that. Was he just being humble? Or is this another situation where he couldn’t think of a better answer? The way he stumbles toward the fishing answer sure seems like he failed to come up with something.

Oh, and I’ve been reading that his lake is artificial and is pre-stocked with fish. Not sure if that’s true, but it would only make the story that much more perfect.

(sort of via Atrios)