Being German, I have to disagree with Susan Neiman: Change we can believe in.

Although we think that it is out of place for us to support one American candidate more than the other, for we do not have a vote, there is indeed a lot of enthusiasm for Barack Obama here.

We fiercely hope that with him, the trans-Atlantic relationship will evolve into a friendship again. Nevertheless, we try not to be too optimistic, because we are not entirely sure if Americans define the word ÒfriendshipÓ the same way we do.

Friendship implies equality. Ms. NeimanÕs statements that President Ronald ReaganÕs hosts in Berlin Òsaw his speech as a tiresome bit of American na•vetŽÓ for Òthey had made their peace with a structure they thought would last foreverÓ makes me think that we are still far from being equal partners.

Germans are becoming more self-confident. We do not want to build our relationship with the United States on a debt of gratitude only. In fact, we might actually take Mr. Obama at his word and use the chance to choose our Òown tomorrow free from the shadows of yesterday.Ó

Katharina Thalmann
Germersheim, Germany, July 26, 2008

Letter to the NYT