After the break is a translated version of this article. I'm sure you will all get a kick out of it.
Thanks to Anon for the Englishification!
Pony break with the Pirates
Berlin deputies relax with children's TV series
By Philip Banse
* * * * * *
"My Little Pony," a nearly 30-year-old animated series about the friendship of a handful of ponies, is incorporated into the Rules of Procedure of the Pirate Party in the Berlin state legislature. When discussion gets heated, any pirate can move to look at an episode of the children’s TV series, in order to calm things down.
* * * * * * *
Berlin, 15 November: Berlin State Parliament group meeting. The Pirates can't agree on whom they want to delegate to the committees of the House of Representatives. Then the parliamentary secretary Martin Delius speaks up:
"Is it possible to place a request for Pony Time?"
"Yes."
"Then I make a procedural motion for Pony Time."
Session leader and parliamentary leader Andreas Baum is not impressed:
"Pony Time? I am against it."
"You're against it? Ok, then we must vote on it. Who supports the motion I have just made for Pony Time?"
"We’re adjourning at 18:30, understand? Four against ... and five in favor? Right, okay then; we’re having Pony Time."
“Which episode?”
“Twenty.”
“We don’t have that.”
“One. Can somebody find it?”
A projector projects the YouTube video on the wall. Fifteen members of the Berlin State Parliament interrupt their group meeting to watch a children's television program -- 20 minutes long.
* * * * * * * *
Excerpt from "My Little Pony":
"I asked what friendship can be good for, but you offered me friendship. Adventure, fun and games, and something for the heart and a lot of everything."
* * * * * * * *
"My Little Pony" is an almost 30-year-old cartoon series about the friendship of a handful of ponies that dance, bounce, and magic their way through the brashly colorful fantasy world of Equestria.
* * * * * * * *
Excerpt from "My Little Pony":
"Just because maybe someone knows a few magic tricks. that doesn’t make her better than all the other ponies."
"Especially because I'm the one that is better than all the other ponies."
* * * * * * * *
"As Chairman, I recommend Pony Time for every party in Parliament. It helps, it relaxes the whole atmosphere, it leads people back to see reason. You come down, think of something else, look at some children's television. It's a good idea."
So says the Chairman of the Federal Congress of the Pirates, Philip Brechler, better known as “Cookies.” Their parliamentary leader Andreas Baum adds:
“It concerns itself with things that we emphasize as Pirates: trust, friendship, etc. To spell it out: Okay, this person sitting right beside me and with whom I had such a stark difference or disagreement, is really fundamentally on my side, so let’s watch the show, so we can find our points of concurrence and agree on something."
* * * * * * * *
Excerpt from "My Little Pony":
"I'm so sorry! Please, please don’t hate me!"
"Hate you? Why should we hate you, honey? Your magic is a part of you, my sugar mousie. We like you just as you are. We’re proud that such a gifted unicorn is our friend."
* * * * * * * *
The age-old series "My Little Pony" is a piece of internet culture. And like so much of Internet culture, it all began on 4chan, an anarchic website where anyone can post pictures, anonymously and uncontrolled. Eventually the pastel-colored ponies appeared on it, got commented on, and were assembled and mutated into icons of Net culture:
"Because they became friends and could reason together, they can solve their problems. That’s what the Net brings about as well. Very different characters think together and find resolutions. This is really the same thing -- but depicted using ponies,"
says party worker and pony expert Stephan Urbach, who introduced his ponies into the Rules of Procedure of the Berlin Pirate Party:
"At a party congress, Lotte and I thought: Hmm, kind of an aggressive mood here, maybe we should watch a bit of 'My Little Pony.'"
It was in June, when the Berlin Meeting of the Pirates was in full swing. The pirates "Alx42," Mr. Urbach, Lotte, and “Cookies” decided to tap into the good karma of colorful ponies for their party -- and "hacked the Rules of Procedure," as she put it. Alexander Morlang, now a Berlin MP, moved that the Rules should allow any Pirate to submit a request for Pony Time during a party meeting. If a majority approved the motion, then:
"An episode, perceived as appropriate by the meeting’s leaders, of the series 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' will be played."
This pony provision, however, was only presented in writing, and never read out loud. So really, hardly anyone knew what they were voting on, recalled State Parliament Member Heiko Herberg on his podcast:
"It was really hilarious. Half of the people weren’t there yet, not yet ready, and suddenly such a motion was made and - bang - the thing was done."
* * * * * * * *
Excerpt from "My Little Pony":
"I think that's the best trick so far."
* * * * * * * *
To date, Pony Time has been called only twice among the Berlin Pirates. The sweet quadrupeds have proved their worth, says party leader Andrew Baum. However, one should use Pony Time with caution and should not overdose, as in the Pony Time premiere at that group meeting of 15 November:
"I have to say that we weren’t consistent. Everybody agreed to throw over the Rules of Procedure and just start a little earlier.”
144 comments:
Now this is one of the best things that has happened in a while!!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
ReplyDeletePony politics?
ReplyDeleteso.. politicians that want to L:ove and Tolorate rather than steal and corupt?
I can live with this.
This is also one of the funniest things that i've read in a long time XD
ReplyDeleteevery government needs pony time, also first
ReplyDeletedammit
ReplyDeleteoh god, so much text 0o
ReplyDeleteThis right here is how you do politics.
ReplyDeleteI envy Germany right now...
oh Celestia, this is amazing!
ReplyDeleteHaha, that's brilliant
ReplyDeleteOh wow.
ReplyDeleteNow we gotta get this on the US Congress and you guys will have your souls saved.
wow, it takes a pony blog to inform me (even a law student) that favourite party got into the parliament? nice^^ Love those guys, and pony-time? greatest thing ever!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, except for when it's mistaken several times for the old series.
ReplyDeleteI laughed so hard at this!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you posted too much, or it's a double post or something. I'm reading things twice!
ReplyDeletePhilip Brechler's nickname is Cookies. Lol. I want a nickname like that.
ReplyDeleteWe have begun our invasion.
Congress should have pony time every time they have an important vote.
ReplyDeleteNo freaking way! This is just beyond awesome. Ponies influencing politics? YAY!
ReplyDeleteNow if only Congress and the Senate would do something like this, I'd be willing to bet a good number of problems in the US wouldn't be as bad.
ReplyDeleteThis should be how our congress works. When shit gets heated and angry words start flying we all take a pony break and remember we are here to help one another.
ReplyDeleteNow, I think that this is in order when going over SOPA.
ReplyDeleteI'm speechless at this. Boast Busters as a tool for governmental cooperation. asdfsda
ReplyDeleteAll in favor of Pony Time in US Congress?
ReplyDeleteSo much win, and so much awesome.
ReplyDeleteFirst Germany, THEN THE WORLD!!!
ReplyDeleteMUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Oh yes. This is the way all politics should be handled - with a side of pony to keep things calm!
ReplyDeleteThis is bloody hilarious xD
ReplyDeleteThat... is... awesome... let's get us some brony Representatives and Senators over on this side of the puddle!
ReplyDeleteFOR THE HERD!
That's amazing. Cursed Tories and their monotony.
ReplyDeleteWell this is interesting. While I'm sure this could attract the ire of some people who might raise an eyebrow and say, "Are government leaders seriously getting paid to watch a TV show?" I think that for what it's worth, being able to maybe chill out every once in a while for 20 or so minutes isn't necessarily too much of a bad thing. Being able to relax and approach things from a more positive attitude might be what some people need to actually think about what they're doing and to be able to reason another person's point of view.
ReplyDelete@Riesz
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not really sure how you could mistake FiM for the 80's cartoon. They don't even look anything alike.
I agree. Considering that talking politics is a good way to ruin any dinner conversation, and these guys do it for a living. It's a great idea to stop and cool your head once in a while, and this show is a great way to help us forget how pissed off we all are for a little while.
ReplyDeleteTHE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE has helped German government. WIN! We must now get everywhere to allow and use pony time!
ReplyDeleteThe weird translations are my favorite part. German Applejack calls her friends "sugar mousie"!
ReplyDelete"...that doesn’t make her better than all the other ponies."
ReplyDelete"Especially because I'm the one that is better than all the other ponies."
lolwut
I love those translated pony quotes. I burst out laughing when I read "sugar mousie".
ReplyDeletewow Pony Time sounds epic
ReplyDeleteHey but they watch it in english
ReplyDeleteBecause the german dub sucks too hard
Guys... Pirate Party =/= politics.
ReplyDeleteI have no words for the amount of awesome I just experienced.
ReplyDeleteHoly... shit.
I really, REALLY hope this is real. Because that's absolutely fanTASTIC!
ReplyDeleteYou posted the whole thing twice, along with a note only to post the second version, but oh well.
ReplyDeleteAlso, at least for me the translation kinda sounds like the whole Berlin parliament would be in these pony time meetings, with the "Berlin, 15 November: the Berlin State Parliament group meeting" and all, but it's really just the members of the Pirate Party (I think caucus would be the translation for Fraktionssitzung, this 'group meeting', but I might be wrong).
So apart from this one party our politics are unfortunately no more ponified than any other country's :P
And now I try to remember the German dub, was it really sugar mousie (Zuckermäuschen) or really uhm... sugar muzzle? (Zuckerschnäutzchen, not really an expression in English either xD )
That was totally Boast Busters.
ReplyDelete@Riesz Agreed.
ReplyDelete@avanidius explain how, please? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_Party_Germany
ReplyDeletesounds like a political party to me...
Hihi! I'm from Germany! The Pirates are so much win! :D
ReplyDeleteSeriously, we take over the world!
Now we only need to buy a piece of land and found our own state!
Pony archive is gone
ReplyDeleteYay Germany :3 im from germany too.. actualy i like the pirates too but their porgramm is abit incomplete.
ReplyDeleteSugar mousie.
ReplyDeleteSugar. Mousie.
If this is not a meme by this time tomorrow, then I will have lost faith in the internet.
Sweet Celestia! Lauren would be proud.
ReplyDeleteFor once im proud to be german!
ReplyDeletemade my day !
ReplyDeletekinda proud to be german right now :>
That's it! I'm joining the Pirate Party!
ReplyDeleteLOL! This is brilliant! Using ponies as stress relief works pretty good.
ReplyDelete@Marlon:
ReplyDeleteJa, einige Programmpunkte lassen sich nicht so einfach realisieren (ich meine ein Ziel von ihnen war es, den öffentlichen Nahverkehr in Berlin kostenlos zu machen).
Back to Topic:
Oh this is going to be so awesome.
I can picture all the people sitting at a big table and in the middle of a conversation someone shouts:"Ponytime!" and then everybody turns to the beamer and watches MLP.
And afterwards everyone has a big smile on thei face.
"Love and tolerate" in our political system would really improve it!
The US should have this! YES! They would stream a "pirated" MLP episode and have to shut down the entire government because of SOPA! GET ON IT!
ReplyDeleteAlso, those translations of pony quotes were hilariously incorrect.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious :D
ReplyDeleteNow I really regret that I forgot to vote during the last election - there was a pirate party candidate running in my area.
NOW we need scientist to make a way to get to Equestria screw physics.
ReplyDelete"sugar mousie" 6_o That's a... curious term. I like it. German pony is now awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the pirates finally got a seat, but seriously, they may be good in the area of the internet, and public rights, but I don't think that they could properly rule a country. (I'm not so much in politics, and I don't know them personally, so I can't know for sure.)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the german translations suck. The VAs are good but I'll never forgive the people who translated the winter wrap up song.
Germany, home of October fest and a government full of Bronies, Win!
ReplyDeleteFor shame Pirate Party! "Green is Your Color" is an awful intro ep.
ReplyDeleteWowwowwow!
ReplyDeleteObama is a brony too?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4qhoyGEH2w&feature=related
God I love that guy! ^^
No I'm not gay but it's Obama... he's like... a black Chuck Norris of politics!
Ah, yes. I remember these guys. Pony Time. lol Best mood lightener around. Some of the FiM quotes are a bit off, but I can let that slide on account of how awesome this is. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy faith in politics is..at least, partially, restored
ReplyDeleteSometimes i think there is hope for my germany
ReplyDeletePirat party ^^go on
Brilliant! Pirate for Kanzler!
ReplyDeleteWow, they got an actual seat in parliament? I thought the support for the Pirate Party was minimal.
ReplyDeleteAnd they implement MLP to calm themselves? thats the first thing i would do in that position.
Not sure how to feel about their actual politics, but other parties should take note of these methods.
(Seriously, courthouse debate looks STRESSFUL and MONOTONOUS)
epic win.
ReplyDeleteI wish our congress was more like that.
@Onk3lM0
^
That looks shopped... I can tell from teh pixels and having seen many shoops in my time
... ...however if true, it would be awesome beyond mere words.
So let me get this straight... Germany has pirates in government... and they break to watch ponies?
ReplyDeleteWTF am I doing here in the states?
Brilliant!!!!
ReplyDeleteOther governments could learn from this.
Ich finde das hier wirklich ganz toll!
ReplyDeletePonytime? Ich glaube so!
Absolutely hilarious and epic!
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Actualization of pony world domination. Now if only we could get Congress here in the US to chill the buck out, watch some ponies, settle their differences, and quite screwing us over.
ReplyDeleteRight, so, first - it's only one part in Germany, and from the sound of things, not a big one. So not the whole parliament.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I approve of this tactic. While I doubt Pony Time itself would go over well amongst the congresspeople, actually having, in the rules and procedures for politicking, the ability to motion for a timeout that would remind people that, hey, we're here to work together, not try and tear each other's throats out ...
would help things a lot.
Brb. Moving to Garmany
ReplyDeleteHow Anon can this guy be when you post his name and email address :P
ReplyDelete@Onk3lM0
ReplyDeleteIt's comments like this that make me question the fanbase sometimes.
SO AWESOME.
ReplyDelete"magic their way through the brashly colorful fantasy world of Equestria." <-I lol'd
ReplyDeleteEvery time is Pony Time.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to feel like this could solve a lot of problems in the United States government, who wants to start a petition for Pony Time provisions for congress?
@ElementOfNaivity
ReplyDeleteActually, they have 15 seats in Berlin ;)
Oh my Celestia this is amazing! It's Pony Time all the time! (Well to me it is)
ReplyDeletethe beginning of a new era.
ReplyDeleteGERMANY WILL LEAD THE WAY!
@Onk3lM0
ReplyDeleteI do believe that's not authentic.
Pirate party FTW! It's awesome to hear how the pirate party spreads to other countries as well. And of course, ponies make everything better. <3
ReplyDeleteWooHoo! I'm from Germany and have always been interested in what they do - but i'd never expected Ponytime! Now we just need to bring this to the big Partys like SPD (Social Party Germany)and CDU (Christ-Democratic Union) and we all will live in a better and funnier Germany! This is a good reason to visit the next election and vote for them!
ReplyDelete@steeph
ReplyDeleteOut of how many?
Haha thats awesome. In middle of a serious discussion and suddenly...PONY TIME! lol
ReplyDeleteAwesome! <3
ReplyDeleteThis is the greatest thing I've heard all day.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm proud to be german for once !
ReplyDeleteYesterday the Internet, today germany, tomorrow the world ! yay !
I understand that the Pirate Party is about as legit as a political force as, say, the Occupy movement is here in the US.
ReplyDeleteStill, I find myself recalling that the head of the German gov't is titled Chancellor. Which means that Pinkie Pie's days for thinking outside the box (and inside the chimney) can't be too far away!
@Avanidius The Pirates ARE politics! They just never expected to become popular enough to get a seat. That's the reason why they don't have a full program or to-do-list like the other partys - but what they have in mind sounds (afaik) really useful.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've got to say: the german translation of MLP sucks. The mane 6 sound to me like they have only 1 VA for all of them and Spike sounds like a 15 years old teenager from "Highschool Hallelujah" or such crap. To make it short: In Germany MLP:FiM IS a show for little girls.
Thanks EqD and YouTube for bringing me the Originals!
Now ponies solve political issues, I feel so proud now!
ReplyDelete@Benden
ReplyDeleteSpike actually has the same VA as Steve from American Dad! here in germany.....
I just can't hear around it!
Today we take Germany...
ReplyDeleteTomorrow the WORLD!!!
Here's the political facts:
ReplyDeleteThe Pirate Party has 15 seats - 9% approx. in the regional parliament of the state of Germany's capital Berlin, which has a population of 3.5 million, about as much as Connecticut. It's basically D.C. seven times bigger given the status of a U.S. state. The Pirate Party does not hold positions in the Berlin Senate or any other government as of yet, but the 15 delegates vote in issues of state legislation in the Berliner "Abgeordnetenhaus", which translates to "House of Delegates". German state legislation includes matters of education, culture, police, though in general, German states are somewhat less autonomous than US states.
3,5 million are to German total population as 12,8 are to the US total. In other words, relative-population-wise, Berlin is the size of Illinois, the fifth-most populated US state. So, definitely relevant.
The article as shown above contains translations of the German dub translation of the dialogue of Boast Busters. "Sugar mousie" is a rather apt translation of the expression used in German in place of "sugarcube". You might be interested to know that the German dub uses three: "Zuckerschnäuzchen" (sugar muzzle - actually, even sugar muzzlie, "-chen" being the German go-to diminutive affix), "Zuckermäuschen" (sugar mousie) as well as "Zuckerstückchen" (sugarcube! Well, going by the letter of the word, it would have to be "sugarpiecie" or somesuch, but is the closest of the three, since "Zuckerstückchen" DOES mean sugarcube - "Würfelzucker"("cube sugar") to a German ear). The German dub switches between these three words throughout the first season at any point the original goes for "sugarcube". Presumably, having found themselves with not one, but three near-perfectly adorable translations for "sugarcube", the translators just couldn't help themselves and decided to use all three.
I shall leave the realm of facts at this point to say that the German dub really is nowhere near as terrible as fellow German bronies have been insinuating. Like all translations, errors and mistakes were made, and some things were simply untranslatable, so it can't hold a candle to the Original. To Germans who know English well enough to watch shows in it, I would always recommend the English version - who wouldn't? - but the German dub retains more than enough of its charm to be enjoyable.
Incidentally, hating the German dub doesn't somehow make you an even harder-core fan of FiM. It's just hating the German dub. :P
ReplyDeleteI... what? Really? Really? This is a thing? I'm joystonished.
ReplyDeleteOMG!
ReplyDeletePferdchen über alles!
ReplyDeletewe are taking control of the world.
ReplyDeleteI vote that every Senate or otherwise political council has its obligatory pony time. We would solve problems like wars and other bad political decisions just by doing that.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally lost. What's happening?
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say, this is both amazing and insane!
ReplyDelete@Silfir
ReplyDeleteI rather like the German dub myself, although I only understand the occasional word. My son always wants to watch a couple episodes of FIM before bed so it's a nice change from hearing the same English dub over and over.
I can see it now:
ReplyDeletePoliticians: Rabble rabble rabble!
Dude: Hold up guys, chill out and watch some ponies.
Politicians: D'awwwww...
Pinkie: You got to share, you got to care, it's the right thing to do!
Politicians: RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!!!
OH GOD THIS IS THE BEST THING IN SO LONG!
ReplyDelete....sorry, but this is just fantastic!
Wahaa! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWahaa! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best things I've read in a while xD
ReplyDeletePonitics. Do want. Maybe that will get some of the American politicians off each other's throats.
ReplyDeleteI want to move to Germany. ;_;
ReplyDeleteWow. I can't believe this is a real thing. This is a small step in the right direction for the world.
ReplyDeleteThe translation could use some work, mostly the parts from the show. Don't double-translate them, use the original parts from the show.
ReplyDeleteEverypony write your representatives and leaders right now to enact "Pony Time" whether you live in the U.S., Canada, or elsewhere!
ReplyDelete[Stage 5: Infiltrate political party systems - Initial successes]
This would fix the government.
ReplyDeleteCorrection!
ReplyDeleteIn the article, instead of "Which episode?" they said:
"Which season?"
"Twenty."
"Doesn't exist!"
"One. Can somebody look that one up?"
Oh, I already thought they were kinda cool, when they said, they would have several beers before making a decision(they were joking;) but now...dare I say it?
ReplyDeleteThey got 20% cooler!
They sooo got my vote next time!
Meanwhile in the US, Congress can't get their act together to pass an extension of a tax cut for working families and unemployment benefits, even though both parties are vocally in favor of these measures.
ReplyDeleteDear Pirate Party: Please send candidates our way... erm name yourself something different but run as in independent. We will vote for you, and support Pony Time in the senate.
...awesome
ReplyDeleteThe Friendship has spread to politics...? Excellent!
ReplyDelete@Nixitur
ReplyDeleteBut for the love of Faust, please, PLEASE keep the phrase "sugar mousie".
@Daisymare
ReplyDelete@Mike
@Senior Waffles
@Zeb
@Pinstar
.......yeah, ya'll don't actually follow politics do you
ProTip: one of the parties is totally batshit, doesn't think Global Warming is real, still thinks the Iraq War was a great idea, and does not love & tolerate Muslims or Gays.
seriously, try even talking about FIM on a far-right site, I bet they call you a fag
Pony Time just got a little more serious.
ReplyDelete@mycutiemarkisagun
ReplyDeleteI think you need some Pony Time.
If the US Congress had Pony Time they could solve their payroll tax issues...
ReplyDeleteIf I lived in that country, they'd totally have my vote.
ReplyDeleteAs is, American politicians? Listen up!
On an unrelated note, "my sugar mousie."?
Interesting translation there...
@mycutiemarkisagun
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can see, both the big parties in America are equally moronic. And the other's aren't even allowed into the debates. The problem is more with the system than with any individual(s) within it.
...Are we sure this didn't leak out of some alternate reality? Because seriously.
ReplyDeletePolitics and MLP?
ReplyDeleteHaha, I'm from Germany and red another arcticle in the "Bild" a week ago and didnt believe my eyes. ^^
ReplyDeleteWill Vote for them when I turn 18!
They sell Shirts with "My Little Pirates – Democracy is magic“! :D
We should get out congressmen and senators in the US to watch my little ponies, maybe after they realize that our entire fandom could be token down because of sopa/protect ip they may just send the bills to the moon!!!! I know its wishful thinking but maybe it would work...
ReplyDeleteYou know how in Japan they've got the Hatsune Miku hologram? Get a Celestia or even better, Fluttershy, hologram in EVERY parliment/Congress building to watch over and keep everypony calm... on that note, better be Fluttershy, real-size... meaning about 3/4 the height of the congresspeople
ReplyDeletethat is awwwwwwwesome
ReplyDeleteJust a quick correction:
ReplyDelete“Cookies” is actually called „plaetzchen“ ( the german Word for cookies). Since it is his nickname on the internet and also offline (we do call him by this name more often than his real Name ), I'd suggest you change the translation of his name back to plaetzchen. :)
Toodles,
Lotte
I already know, who I'm gonna vote next year.
ReplyDeleteI've never been more proud of my city! ^^
Is MLP syndicated in Israel?
ReplyDeleteRussia?
Syria?
Actually the Pirate Party won 15 seats in Berlin, gaining 8.9% of the votes. Although it was the first time that we entered a state parliament, we already owned some 150 seats in municipal parliaments in Germany. Still the introduction of Pony Time is both brilliant and hilarious. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe need Pony Time in the U.S government ._.
ReplyDeleteMaybe even a national holiday....
Haha! The assimilation has doubled!
ReplyDeleteOMG those people are awesome :D Great news about the Pirate Party too, I never hoped something like this might happen. Go pirates and go ponies ^_^
ReplyDelete