Czerulf: Is democracy in a crisis? (Part 2 – The constitution)

“Das Grundgesetz” is Germany’s constitution since 1949

Last Wednesday – in part 1 – I kicked off with some general considerations: the origins of democracy and five fundamental conditions that a functioning democratic system needs to meet. First point on the list: The constitution. I will take Germany as an example, which means that I have to cover about 650 years of history. Lots of stuff but I will try to make it as short and crisp as I possibly can.

Tracy Chapman: Hard Wired

A month ago at night, while driving up to the hospital, we were listening to Tracy Chapman’s 2002 album Let it Rain to calm nerves. Hard Wired is my favorite song of the CD.

Marilyn Monroe: I’m not interested in..

Marilyn Monroe was a serious reader.

“I’m not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful.”

Marilyn Monroe

June 1, 1926: Born Norma Jean Mortenson (Baker, her mother’s last name, came later) 87 years ago today, Marilyn Monroe became the iconic blonde. She wasn’t all wiggle and giggle—Monroe was also a serious reader who was often pictured with a book in hand.

This week’s recommended blogs #2

• Memory (Whittier Strong)
• This is water (Cristian Mihai)
• People with no address: meeting the nomads of Gujarat (The Siracusas)
• In Bologna public schools win against the giants (Struggles in Italy)
• Sharecropping and the convict lease system: “The new slavery in the South” (Kaleido[scopes])

Coming up on Czerulf’s Thoughts