Guiding culture, family, animal welfare

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A fighting term becomes programmatic. "Leitkultur"
appears in the draft of the CDU's basic program, which Secretary General Ronald Pofalla presented on Tuesday. Twice. The authors use the term to bundle descriptions of public spirit and integration, nationhood, patriotism, a "clear commitment" to history and culture, and the German language. Not everyone agrees.

"People's Party of the Center" Perhaps the commission agreed on this choice of words because the text elsewhere departs from the CDU's previous profile. Some things are really new. The differences between the Hamburg program "Freedom in Responsibility" of 1994 and the Ludwigshafen program of 1978 were much smaller in terms of profile."The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is the people's party of the middle. It addresses all people in all strata and groups of our country. Our policies are based on the Christian understanding of man and his responsibility before God…" With these words begins, after the preamble, the draft, which is available to the Catholic News Agency(KNA). Five lines further on comes – for the first time in such a text – the reference that the CDU is the "joint action of Christians and people of other faiths and non-believers" one who recognized the dignity and freedom of man and affirmed political beliefs. The Christian understanding of the human being provides the ethical basis for responsible politics. "Nevertheless, we know that from Christian faith no specific political program can be derived."From the church's point of view, concrete statements on upcoming ethical decisions are missing, criticizes Robin Mishra of the Rheinischer Merkur in an interview with this site.

For the first time animal protection This ethical basis – for example, in the protection of life – is not interpreted through concrete policies. As expected, terms such as abortion or stem cell research do not appear in the draft. But it is remarkable that unborn life is mentioned once – in the Christian conception of man – and – on the subject of late abortion – that "disabled life not yet born" is specifically mentioned once. In the 1994 program, which was shorter overall, unborn life was mentioned four times. The "protection of animals" appears explicitly for the first time in 2007, the protection of life as a concept no longer appears.In several places, the draft, which is to become the final text by the party conference in early December, refers to the fundamental ies of biomedicine and genetic engineering. "The freedom of research finds its limits where the inviolable dignity of man is touched or the creation is endangered," it says in the research policy section. 20 pages earlier, ethical limits, "unconscionable commercialization," the sanctity of human dignity are mentioned in current challenges. The scanty reminder of curing diseases, alleviating suffering will not satisfy the CDU's research friends.

Marriage as a "guiding principle of the community of man and woman" Quite proud, it seemed on Monday, the Christian Democrats are of new positions on family policy. Pofalla, JU leader Philipp Mibfelder, CDA leader Karl Laumann expressed themselves on it already before the text publication. Parental allowance appears. Contrary to considerations of the autumn the preservation of the Ehegattensplitting is stressed, which is to be "extended" to a family splitting."Family is wherever parents bear lasting responsibility for their children and children for parents," it says. Marriage is the model for the community of man and woman, the best and most reliable basis for the success of a family. This is developed comprehensively until it says: "We respect the decision of people who realize their life plan in other forms of partnership."Because also in non-marital partnerships of man and woman and same-sex partnerships values would be lived. However, the CDU rejects an equalization with marriage.

Pofalla: Freedom and security at the heart of the CDU program Up to 70,000 citizens and CDU members have participated in Internet forums in the discussions on the new program with the working title "New Justice through More Freedom," CDU Secretary General Ronald Pofalla said on Tuesday in the ZDF "Morgenmagazin" shortly before the presentation of the basic program. The CDU has also accepted many of these suggestions, he stressed. Most of the discussions had been about the family part. The CDU is now making it clear that while marriage and family are the guiding principles, the party also respects other forms of cohabitation.Former CDU Secretary General Heiner Geibler criticized the draft as too business-friendly. On Bavarian radio, he said, "That seems to me to be the deficit in the new programming." The CDU, "as the mother of the social market economy, must develop the concept of an international, socio-ecological market economy," he demanded. At the moment, the economy is defining itself wrongly, added the CDU politician. "The stock market value of a company increases the more people are rationalized away." Such an economic system would be immoral and incapable of consensus.

Pope Benedict XVI's dismissal of Slovak Archbishop Robert Bezak. has been causing unrest among Catholics and politicians in the country since the weekend. The media in the country continue to speculate about the background – but it remains unclear.

In Bezak's former bishop's town of Trnava (German Tyrnau) several hundred sympathizers gathered for prayer. In the capital Bratislava, too, believers showed solidarity; their base: the Lourdes Grotto. Several signature campaigns started on the Internet. Patrik Dubovsky, a former employee of the "National Memorial Institute" and a specialist in the history of the collaboration of priests with the communist state security service, called in the daily "SME" for people to put on black clothes on Thursday, the state holiday in honor of the Slavic apostles Cyril and Methodius. Women should braid black ribbons in their hair.

The reason for Bezak's removal remains unclear. The strongest suspicion is directed at the partisans of Bezak's predecessor Jan Sokol (76), whose shady financial dealings Bezak had announced he would clarify. In a trial with the weekly newspaper "Tyzden" in 2009, the then new archbishop had even testified as a witness. Critics of Bezak's ouster would have found it far more plausible if the Vatican had removed his predecessor, Sokol, from office in good time.

On church line
As for Bezak's ministry as a pastor, some media speculate that Bezak has ordained candidates to the priesthood whose ordination other bishops have rejected. Defenders of the archbishop also reject this accusation. An unpopular consecration activity was not the subject of the Roman examination (visitation) of the diocese at the beginning of the year, it says. Even the presumption of sexual misconduct, which has become common in the removal of bishops, plays only a minor role at all in media reports. Also no allegedly harassed person came forward to speak.

Bezak has always taken the ecclesiastical line on irritant ies such as homosexuality or abortion, according to most media, which also point to the bishop's willingness to engage in dialogue and his popular character. Bezak's dismissal became legally effective with the publication of the papal decree on Monday. Earlier, the Apostolic Nuncio in the Slovak Republic, Archbishop Mario Giordana, had informed him of the Roman decision. Bezak himself read out the document on Sunday in Trnava Cathedral.

Bezak reads resignation itselfa
Literally Giordana's text says: "I refer to the letter of 26. June, by which I informed you, on behalf of the Congregation for Bishops, that His Holiness, having taken note of the results of the Apostolic Visitation held on 22. January to 1. February, and with a written reply to Your Excellency, in view of serious problems in Trnava, asked you to resign from the post of Archbishop of Tyrnava. Since you have refused to renounce present office, I perform my duty and give you notice on behalf of the Holy See, which has informed me of your refusal, that if Your Excellency insists on your decision, His Holiness will relieve you of the pastoral direction of the Archdiocese of Trnava. This news is published on 2. July 2012 published in the Osservatore Romano."

The spokesman for the Slovak Bishops' Conference, Jozef Kovacik, commented on the event simply: "We accept the Holy Father's decision in the spirit of faith and obedience of the sons and ask the Lord to bless the Church in Slovakia."Beyond that, no official statements of any kind have been made by the Church.

Since the results of the visitation were also never made public, the Slovak media will probably speculate for some time about the background of the papal decision. For all the rumors, of course, counter-arguments are also brought into the field.

Automatic speed braking is to be mandatory for new cars from 2022 onwards. In addition, there are said to be dozens of other electronic control systems.

Source: WORLD/ lukas axiopoulos

The aim is to block the start in the event of excessive alcohol consumption and alert the driver in the event of fatigue or distraction.
An automatic braking system is designed to prevent drivers from exceeding the speed limit.

N ew cars are to be equipped with a whole range of electronic control systems, such as a speed brake and alcohol immobilizers, as of 2022 to improve road safety. Negotiators from the european parliament and the eU member states agreed on this in brussels this week. The EU paves the way for autonomous driving.

In 2017, according to the EU commission, around 25.300 people killed on europe’s roads. The brussels authority presented the proposal for high-tech driving aids last year. In their view, around 25 percent of all accidents involving cyclists could be prevented by 2038.000 traffic fatalities and 140.000 serious injuries will be avoided. Authorities attribute 90 percent of all accidents to human error. The changes to the law are now also intended to pave the way for a driverless future.

In future, around 30 high-tech driving aids must be installed in cars. In addition to control systems that block the start of the car in the event of excessive alcohol consumption, these also include warning systems that alert the driver in the event of fatigue or distraction. In addition, cameras and sensors for reversing and data recorders for accidents are to be installed – similar to the black boxes in airplanes.

The car automatically reduces speed

Another driving aid is an automatic braking system that prevents drivers from exceeding the speed limit. The guardian reports that the intelligent speed adaption (ISA) system intervenes in the vehicle”s electronics when it detects a speed limit and a speeding violation based on digital road maps or traffic sign recognition. The driver will then first be made aware of this on the display. If the driver does not react, the vehicle automatically reduces its speed. In theory, the driver could deactivate the system temporarily, for example when overtaking. If the driver ignores the speed limit for a longer period of time, however, the vehicle signals the speed limit with conspicuous acoustic and visual warnings.

Traffic signs for motorways | Use worldwide

Trucks are due to be fitted with turn assist systems and sensor systems designed to detect more vulnerable road users alongside vehicles. Mandatory tire pressure measurement systems are also planned. In addition, a modified vehicle design should improve drivers’ visibility.

In germany, federal Transport Minister andreas scheuer (CSU) had strongly advocated technical assistance systems to prevent accidents when trucks turn off the road. When truck drivers, who are usually seated higher up, overlook motorcyclists, cyclists or pedestrians in the blind spot next to their vehicle, serious accidents occur time and again. Turn assistants can emit warning signals or brake automatically.

Turning assistants for trucks could reduce the number of fatal accidents involving cyclists

Last year, the number of cyclists and motorcyclists killed in road traffic increased. According to the ADFC cycling club, at least one cyclist dies every day of the year, most frequently as a result of cars and trucks turning negligently. Turning assistants for trucks could prevent the number of fatal turning accidents involving cyclists, but the ADFC estimates that less than five percent of vehicles are equipped with the technology, which costs around 1,500 euros.

Some of the control systems already exist, especially in luxury cars, said EU industry commissioner elzbieta bienkowska. In the future, however, they should be used in all vehicles. In newly designed vehicle types, the control systems are now to be installed in europe as of 2022. All new cars to be equipped with it from 2024 onwards.

"today, some of the systems are already ready for series production or are at an advanced stage of development," the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said in response to a query. "active safety systems, which brussels is concerned with, are capable of actively preventing accidents, while passive safety systems, such as seat belts or airbags, are primarily designed to mitigate the consequences of accidents."

changes as radical as the introduction of the first seat belts

The European Traffic Safety Council (ETSC) – a non-governmental organization that aims to make road traffic safer – welcomed the decision. "there have only been a handful of moments in the past 50 years that can be described as milestones for road safety in europe," said ETSC director antonio avenoso. The planned changes are now one of them and are as drastic as the introduction of the first seat belts once was.

The German Automobile Club (ADAC), on the other hand, was more skeptical. He welcomed the vast majority of the measures as they significantly improved road safety, a spokesman said. However, the systems would have to have a positive cost-benefit ratio, mean justifiable additional costs for drivers and be technically mature. "systems for drowsiness detection, for example, would likely document driving behavior and thus touch on data protection issues," he continued.

The agreement reached by EU negotiators must now be officially confirmed by the european parliament and the EU member states before it can come into force.

Protestant church submits petition for 130 speed limit

the protestant church in central germany (EKM) has submitted a public petition for a general speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour on freeways. the church wants to initiate a broad debate on this topic.

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