http://www.dw.de/chlorine-concerts-and-butter-books-ttip-tests-germanys-cultural-values/a-18462804
Chlorine concerts and butter books? TTIP tests Germany’s cultural values
Are literature and live music just banal trade goods? Germany’s creatives are concerned that TTIP will knock culture off its pedestal of protection. Here, culture is carefully shielded from the winds of the market.
Well, I do Hope Germany will stick to public funding. You can just see, during a performance of ‘privately sponsored’ Beethoven ninth, five breaks with MacDonald advertisements appearing above the orchestra or ads for funeral insurances.
I might laugh about this, Gerard, but I feel more like crying if anything like it comes through. It all has to do with TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership). Very frightening that this kind of “partnership” is even being considered and discussed . . . .
TTIP will do as much damage to Germany as TPPA will do to Australia and New Zealand, as both contain an Investor State Dispute Settlement clause that allows corporations to sue countries for ANY laws that interfere with their ability to make a profit.
“The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. Proponents say the agreement would result in multilateral economic growth,[1] while critics say it would increase corporate power and make it more difficult for governments to regulate markets for public benefit. . . . ”
I googled the above, Stuart. If they go ahead with it it might not only do damage to Germany but all over Europe!