Obama in Berlin
Barack Obama delivered his long-awaited speech in Berlin today, after a whirlwind tour of the Middle East. The candidate for leader of the free world praised Berliners:
The odds were stacked against success. In the winter, a heavy fog filled the sky above, and many planes were forced to turn back without dropping off the needed supplies. The streets where we stand were filled with hungry families who had no comfort from the cold.
But in the darkest hours, the people of Berlin kept the flame of hope burning. The people of Berlin refused to give up. And on one fall day, hundreds of thousands of Berliners came here, to the Tiergarten, and heard the city’s mayor implore the world not to give up on freedom. “There is only one possibility,” he said. “For us to stand together united until this battle is won…The people of Berlin have spoken. We have done our duty, and we will keep on doing our duty. People of the world: now do your duty…People of the world, look at Berlin!”
People of the world – look at Berlin!
Look at Berlin, where Germans and Americans learned to work together and trust each other less than three years after facing each other on the field of battle.
The full text of his prepared remarks is available here, see The Times' story here, and we'll post a round-up of reactions soon. Meanwhile, leave your comments below.
OBAMA UNITING AND PARADIGM SHIFTING IN THE AMERICAN CULTURAL WAR
Obama is politically uniting Blacks and Whites, Christians and Muslims, Kennedy Liberals and Reagan Conservatives; the Podhoretz Neo-Cons and the Leiberman Neo-Libs are screaming, “Crucify him!”; and the World is singing, “God Bless America”.
Posted by: Jeugenen | July 24, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Barack Obama is just the exact whole person this broken world needs
Posted by: Ngwa Valentine | July 24, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Sen. Barack Obama is the embodiment of all that is good about America. McSame is the embodiment of all that is wrong with America. There is a stark difference between these two men. The rest of the world understands that Sen. Obama is precisely the leader needed by the free world at this point in time. However, thanks to the dumbing down of America by conservatives and the religious right, it's questionable whether or not Americans understand this fact. If we Americans do not understand and fail to elect Sen. Obama as the next President of the United States, we are signing our death warrant. It's that simple.
Posted by: caliguy55 | July 24, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Sen. Barack Obama is the embodiment of all that is good about America. McSame is the embodiment of all that is wrong with America. There is a stark difference between these two men. The rest of the world understands that Sen. Obama is precisely the leader needed by the free world at this point in time. However, thanks to the dumbing down of America by conservatives and the religious right, it's questionable whether or not Americans understand this fact. If we Americans do not understand and fail to elect Sen. Obama as the next President of the United States, we are signing our death warrant. It's that simple.
Posted by: caliguy55 | July 24, 2008 at 06:17 PM
RIght, one question. Does that mean Germans are now less racist than they were 6mths ago when i was there?
Posted by: fedupwidstupid | July 24, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Germany is not electing Barack Obama. It's that simple. I'm not the smartest person in the world, but how many Presidential candidates have made grand speeches near historical memorial structures in other parts of the world? Maybe they have, I don't know -- I can't remember. Was it like a rock concert deal?
I mean, I guess it's a move to show that he has foreign policy chops, which might be a good decision on his part. What do I know?
But now this is the moment where I present to you, ladies and gentlemen, live from 1989....The Hoff. Sing it.
Posted by: Jason S. | July 24, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Heil to the neo Fuhrer? Is Axelrod really Goering? Who is the new SS? Where are the Allies? Someone had better gas Obama before he destroys the world with his empty rhetoric.
Posted by: L Warrior | July 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
The inspiring parts about coming together to tear down the walls that divide us and solve the world's problems were uplifting, indeed.
But the historical passages seemed strained and heavy-handed. Young Germans today do not draw optimism for tackling the problems of the present and future from tales of their parents rebuilding Germany in the 50s and 60s. Many young students cannot even relate to the overthrow of communism, since they were born after the gate opened.
In particularly addressing the young generation, Obama would have done better if he had spoken of the talents, skills, and even desires this generation has for changing what has gone wrong. But his speech writers took their information about Germany from history books and are not quite in touch with contemporary Europe.
Posted by: C. Pfeiffer | July 25, 2008 at 02:05 AM
I hope that people will look beyond his veil of feigned confidence, and understand the childhood influences that have formed his foundation. If this clueless nation elects him, I fear for us all. But we are probably getting what we deserve.
Posted by: John Wilson | July 25, 2008 at 05:41 AM
Don't fear the Messi-duh...here today, gone tomorrow...our national elections are no more complicated than a state-by-state rundown.
Bush took 31 states, Obama will peel off none, McCain will peel off a few blues/purples.
It's President McCain, that's that.
Posted by: Mark Overholser | July 25, 2008 at 06:40 PM
The cover of today's L.A. Times is one of the most disturbing that I have ever seen. Obama in black with left arm raised in a type of salute surrounded by thousands of cheering Germans, all with hands raised high in the air. Rewind 70 years to 1938 and you will find the identical picture except that the focus was Adolph Hitler! In the few months that he's been on the campaign trail, Obama has morphed into Jesus, JFK and now Hitler. Who is Barack Obama? His message is empty but his chameleon shape-shifting is scary. Maybe he is the real Zelig. If I believed in the Book of Revelation, which I don't, I might believe that he is the antiChrist since he appears to be running for President of the World.
Posted by: Diane | July 25, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Thank you, Lord, for an Obama victory!
Posted by: Joe B. | November 20, 2008 at 08:59 AM