Are Germans allowed to laugh?

Dear Reader,

Almost as interesting as the arrests of some 50 people involved in an alleged monarchist coup plot early this month was the debate that followed over how seriously we should take it.

One of the strange things about the raids was that almost every major newspaper seemed to have been informed beforehand. That meant that TV crews were waiting outside the homes of the suspects when the police escorted them out.

Meanwhile, several newspapers published detailed investigative articles about the personalities involved on the same day that the arrests took place. One outlet had even followed the group’s ringleader, Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, around Frankfurt on his 71st birthday the week before.

This has led some people to question just how seriously the police took the coup plot if they were prepared to let it be such an open secret.

“Normally, when something very dangerous happens in this country, authorities work especially discreetly. Black-clad policemen kick in the door at nigh…