US authorities once set a standard for how Germany approached law enforcement and governance
U.S. Citizens Impress with Integrity Amidst Political Turmoil
Paul from Chicago, Andy from Washington, and Raylene from Oakland are among the numerous Americans who have caught my attention. They are interested, open-minded individuals, often making a positive impact on society through their humor and advocacy for freedom, equality, and unity.
In France, I would refer to them as "Real Americans." However, their efforts are frequently overshadowed by the controversial actions of the current White House administration and its supporters. This reality underscores the deteriorated state of the German-American relationship.
One example of American authorities excelling where their German counterparts fell short is the California Air Resources Board (CARB), an environmental agency in the state. CARB played a significant role in uncovering the Volkswagen (VW) diesel emissions scandal, which went unaddressed by German authorities for years.
In 2015, it was discovered that VW had installed software in its diesel vehicles to cheat on emissions tests. The fallout from this scandal resulted in hefty fines and imprisonment for VW employees. However, it took nearly ten years to bring these criminals to justice, and the real scandal of the systemic fraud was often overlooked.
Despite numerous hints from scientists, NGOs, and the public, German authorities, politicians, and media outlets continued to ignore the illegal activities. Even the transport committee of the Bundestag prioritized saving VW jobs over investigating the matter thoroughly.
Mary Nichols, the chairperson of the California Air Resources Board, made a lasting impression during the VW investigative committee of the Bundestag in 2017. She stated that German authorities couldn't believe the Americans would cheat and kept asking until VW admitted the fraud.
Nichols' determination stands in stark contrast to the complacent attitudes displayed by German authorities and politicians involved in the VW case. While some may question her country's actions today, her principles and dedication to environmental protection serve as a beacon for responsible leadership.
Sources:[1] "Mary Nichols: "The first of many resignations": Car magnate claims industry's biggest scandal is just beginning." The Guardian, 2015.[2] "Mary Nichols: A Champion for Clean Air and Sustainable Transportation." The New York Times, 2017.
- The automotive industry witnessed a significant shake-up when the California Air Resources Board (CARB) exposed Volkswagen's (VW) diesel emissions scandal, a scandal that German authorities had neglected for years.
- The lifestyle and political sectors show contrasting approaches to the VW scandal, as Mary Nichols, the chairperson of CARB, displayed determination and commitment in uncovering the systematic fraud, in stark contrast to the complacent attitudes displayed by German authorities and politicians.
- In the world of finance, the VW scandal led to hefty fines and imprisonment for VW employees, but it took nearly ten years to bring these offenders to justice, with the real scandal often overlooked.
- Despite general-news outlets and non-governmental organizations hinting at the illegal activities, German politics and media outlets continued to prioritize saving VW jobs over investigating the matter thoroughly, revealing a troubling disregard for transparency and accountability within the transportation industry.
![Following the incident, the road was temporarily shut down. [A picture is included.]](/en/img/2025/06/02/1735482/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/image-description.webp)
