Originally posted by orange-light
i am also from berlin / germany, and i am pretty proud that this man came to have a speech in germany.
to me it is always something very special to have an american politician speaking in berlin and at historical locations – like kennedy and reagan.
i am really ashamed about the fighting and arguing of the berlin politicians about the location of obamas speech. so he just got the 2nd prize - the "siegessäule" not the brandenburg gate

so we are looking forward to the election in november, an american presidential election means more to the world (whether we/you like it or not) than the election of any other chancellor or president in the rest of the world

Thanks for the contribution

It's good to hear from our neighbors overseas.

he truly is a terrific public speaker!

Guten-tag to all. I will remember this past week for a very long time. Watching candidate Obama on his world tour reminded me of the movie, "Evita" when she went on her "Rainbow Tour".
Indeed, this was one of the strangest events I have ever witnessed or studied about (I was a poli/sci major in college).
The shear pomposity of the whole trip and then Obama in countless photo ops with the pandering leaders of other nations. They're simply looking out for themselves and their greedy little governments. I would have been embarassed for the "Big O", if I hadn't been more embarassed by the media and their gushing "he's a rock star" hard sell to the American people. I expected to hear a full report on the "Big Os" bathroom visits.
All I know is the silent and slithery had of Zbig Brezenski would most likely be the creator of this extravaganza.
If nothing else, it should show average Americans where they stand in the scheme of things - get in the back of the line behind Germany, France, England, Iraq, Syria and for God sakes quit your griping about inflation, $4,00 gas, unemployment, a crumbling infrastructure, you whiny Americans ingrates.

Well...the speach in Berlin was kinda weak...I expected something moving, arousing with a real statement.

Its strange enough a presidential candidate tours round the world not knowing if he will be elected anyhow.
Time, money, hope and fears are spent...what for ?

Once these guys are confirmed in office, they change every single word they said before and float with the tide.

Lets hope Obama will be diffenrent....deceitful hopes.

To Benevolent Heretic:

My anthropologist remark does sound ridiculous, the way I wrote it. I meant to say anthropology as a science has the anthropologist observe without an emotional attachment or without a stake in action of the ones being studied, and without a stake in the outcome of those studied. Anthropology is also an arrogant study of the civilized observing the quaint and unsophisticated activities of the uncivilized savages of the world, a branch of eugenics. Being raised by a person who sees the world this way, might teach a person since he or she is so highly evolved -more so than these sad desparate masses- maybe -this highly evolved, smarter than thou, person, has the obligation to come to our aid and save us from all our ignorance. That is my humble opinion of BO's world view. I do not want to be saved by international unity, I want freedom and sovereignty.

I stand corrected on the US Constitution remark. He has mentioned the Constitution. I disagree with him that they left it unfinished though.

Warmest regards,

Missing Blue Sky

Originally posted by Missing Blue Sky
I do not want to be saved by international unity, I want freedom and sovereignty.

Well your freedom and sovereignty has been slowly flushing itself down the toilet. International Unity may a step into actual peace, instead of taking care of yourself and doing the blind eye to everyone else. How are allies made? International Unity, how are enemies made? Giving the finger to your allies and thinking of oneself. Peace does not come from the barrel of a gun or blind siding your allies and sucking them into a war you started and cannot finish, now you cry for help, and BO is trying to bring back the allied state to the US, since your friends are looking cock-eyed at your current affairs...hence the little respect the US is getting from anyone.

Hello all!! Just finished reading through the posts I missed whilst being hidden away in the woods over the weekend far from the "interwebs," and I have one thing to add: Even if this trip wasn't the most PC to some of us (excluding myself) you all have to admit the outcome of his trip as a whole was very successful and positive to his campaign.

I mean the trip to Iraq was probably the highlight with regards not only to troop response but also instigating more troop withdrawal talk -which I am sure pi$$ed off Bush. But this speech in Berlin was a major spotlight and distraction from anything McCain.

The only thing the trip lacked was a picture of Obama holding hands with the Dalai Lama.

Thank you everyone for keeping things semi-civil.

I find the speech in Berlin, and in fact the whole trip to be odd. As has been mentioned, he's not got 50% in the polls at home, and to my knowledge, the people of Berlin and other countries are not often involved in officially picking the next U.S. president (excusing any conspiracies, many of which I'm sure this site covers). Also, he declined to visit U.S troops recovering in a hospital because the press corps wouldn't be allowed to follow him in. What is the point in impressing the world community when you can't unite your own country? Isn't that what Obama's supposed to be about?

Why is he going abroad and making speeches that sound like he's already won? It's not November, yet. I'm gonna be disappointed if his supremeness Barrack Obama has magically decreed that it is now past November and I missed Halloween because it was too much for him to wait for an actual election. I heard a statement by one of Barrack's aids when questioned about the possible partisan nature of the Berlin speech, and the response bothered me, "When the president of the United States gives a speech abroad it is not partisan in nature."

Excuse me? As I said, the election hasn't been held yet.

I know the people of this country are eager for change, they are tired of the current and past policies, and I can't say I see any other candidates speaking as much about change... But, I have yet to hear how this great change Obama stands for will be accomplished without raising taxes and creating even more debt for our nation. I mean, it's great if I tell my family I'll fix what's wrong with my house, it needs change and change will be had, but without not only a concrete plan, but the funds to back it up it means nothing.

As for the Berlin crowd's reaction, and for girls fainting in his presence like he's one of the Beatles... doesn't that scare anyone? People seem to get caught up in his charisma and relative youth and don't question him nearly enough. His wife's actions and words, his past aquaintances and associations with people who really don't think much of the U.S. make me question what he feels for the U.S. I don't see how he or his wife, both Ivy League graduates and professionals, can ever act as though they've missed out on part of the American dream, and yet his wife has certainly made comments that she feels that way. Geez, I guess if I made $300,000 a year I'd resent having to pay back my student loans, too. Oh wait, I make way less and AM paying back my loans and understand that that was the price of the priviledge of attending college. You can't tell me that he and his wife don't share similar sentiments about our nation, and here we are, about to put him in charge and have a First Lady who thinks our country is "mean."

If Europe is better than the U.S., and you think the U.S. is mean and ugly, you are welcome to leave and find a country that has put as much time, effort and blood to making sure we have the right to disagree with each other and speak out minds. Programs that work in the smaller countries of Europe may be great... but they don't have the population we do.

Sorry this rambles a bit. I'm no great McCain supporter, either, but Obama is starting to seriously worry me with his lack of a background, lack of experience, tendency to oust people from his personal circle when they prove to not be "media-friendly", the fact that he's more liberal than a proclaimed socialist in Congress... not to mention statements his wife makes are hardly encouraging about the most-likely shared views of husband and wife.

I want a leader who will lead... not a rock star who can sound good on stage.

Originally posted by Sheeple
I find the speech in Berlin, and in fact the whole trip to be odd.

I wouldn't say odd; more like foward thinking.

Why is he going abroad and making speeches that sound like he's already won?

I think it was more of a prelude to his presidency. As a candidate you should believe you will be president; this kind of confidence shows strength in character. If he didn't believe he could be president noone else would believe it either.

I know the people of this country are eager for change, they are tired of the current and past policies, and I can't say I see any other candidates speaking as much about change... But, I have yet to hear how this great change Obama stands for will be accomplished without raising taxes and creating even more debt for our nation. I mean, it's great if I tell my family I'll fix what's wrong with my house, it needs change and change will be had, but without not only a concrete plan, but the funds to back it up it means nothing.

This is a good point and I agree to make these things happen taxes should be raised. We can't get something for nothing. What I hope to see is that top one percent getting hit harder with taxes. It's only fair seeing as they are rich because of all of us underlings. I wouldn't mind getting taxed a bit more as long as I can see the money going towards health care and education. Once he appoints economists and the sort these types of details would be more revealed. I have to have faith that the change will be across the board a betterment for our economy. People also need to realize that things don't happen over night. A paradigm change isn't easy.

As for the Berlin crowd's reaction, and for girls fainting in his presence like he's one of the Beatles... doesn't that scare anyone? People seem to get caught up in his charisma and relative youth and don't question him nearly enough.

Some people are star struck easier than others. I have never quite understood the fanatics myself. It doesn't scare me at all because there have always been "blind voters." We should only hope that there are more informed voters than not. Obama's popularity I think has much more to do with his insightful words and talk of a better future. He is a believable leader.

I want a leader who will lead... not a rock star who can sound good on stage.

I agree with this 100%, but I believe he is more than a "rock star;" he is a shining star that brings hope and shines light on a future that presently would have looked dismal. Barack the vote, people!! As for your other comments I don't relate and/or disagree. light and love -anyone

[edit on 29-7-2008 by anyone]

Mod Edit: Fixed quote tags.

[edit on 7-8-2008 by GAOTU789]

I simply fail to see how a trip overseas will convince America he's the man for the job of running one of the 3 branches of government.

To me it seems as though he is acting as though he has already been chosen, and possibly the adoration of the media is going to his head. He's young, ambitious and after being told you can do no wrong, you're the "chosen one" to heal the world so many times it's all too possible you start to believe it.

I mean, as a silly example look at George Lucas - in the first Star Wars movies he was a risky investment, a fairly new filmmaker with a grandiose idea that got curtailed when it needed to by others who weren't afraid to say there wasn't enough budget, try something else. Other directors were used in the sequels, other ideas and input was provided. He was not yet infaillable. It worked and created a cultural phenomenon. Fast forward 20+ years. He's been told for decades he's a genius, a legend, and no one would dare question his ideas. Change the old movies -sure - great - we love it. Jar jar Binks - great concept, George. Midichlorians - awesome - who likes a mysterious all prevalent Force, anyhow?

It took them 3 movies to get even close to the caliber of the original trilogy, partly because, in my opinion, people need to know they're not perfect. It keeps them trying, keeps them working. Obama has SO MUCH media hype it's ridiculous. Reporters are reporting how often he works out, whether he sweats playing ball. What's that got to do with this long job interview called an election? And to me this trip to the Mid-East and Europe was simply courting the media hype.

Reading posts supporting him, listening to radio shows with his supporters, listening to him speak - it all seems almost semantically null. Change, things will be better, change... that's all I hear, but there's no substance I can find. I just see a man who is applying for a job that should by definition require the greatest amount of patriotism, and he instead talks of how we need to be more like other countries, and how he is ashamed of America.

It just bothers me, and thanks to the freedom we have in this "mean" country I can say it, as you can your opinion.

Seeing him address the people as citizens of the world just reminded so much of the anti-christ characters in those cheesey left behind religious movies.

"Barack Obama gave a speech in Germany and 200,000 people showed up. There were so many Germans shouting and screaming that France surrendered just in case." --Craig Ferguson

"Today in Berlin, Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of over 200,000 people. In fact, he was so eager to please the Germans, he promised he'd name David Hasselhoff as vice president." --Jay Leno



[edit on 6-8-2008 by Alxandro]