Why Has Obama Refused to Honor the Fall of Berlin Wall Anniversary?

Anyone remember not so long ago Fox News went after Obama for honoring the dead American soldiers coming home in coffins? Now, Fox News is going after Obama for not traveling to Berlin for ceremony. They criticize him for traveling anywhere because there's important business to handle at home or for looking for photo ops through symbolic gestures. Then, they criticize him for not traveling everywhere for photo ops and symbolic gestures? The man just can't win.

I can spot a Fox News headline among 100 others. Their headlines for "news" articles are wrapped in obvious partisan rhetoric. Their "news" articles are all written like slanted editorials. They invent a controversy and then pretend to report it as if it was an independent event. They hire critics and then "report" on those critics viewpoints - their entire news cycle operates in a right-wing bubble.

Germany is our ally now. That is not going to change. Republicans are going to exploit anything to get a cheap political gain through anger, ignorance, fear, and hatred. That is not going to change either.



[edit on 8-11-2009 by andrewh7]

reply to post by jimmyx


Well what can I say, is perhaps peachy where you live but here in my neck of the woods we are ranking on the top ten wealth fare states, my littler city ranks in the top poorest citiesin the nation, our taxes has gotten up because the state of GA needs to gouge the remaining tax payers to pay for the wealth fare and I am very glad that you are just doing peachy, good for you.

Maybe because Obama has things to do right now that are more important than commemorating something that happened 20 years ago? History is OK, but working to fix the problems that face the country now should always take precedence.

How's this for a sound bite: Obama didn't go to honor history, because he's too busy making it.

reply to post by ElectricUniverse


Well if he was trying to please you, I suggest he learned from his visit last year...

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Isn't it obvious? The man's a baby-eating commie!
He would never commemorate an event that celebrated the defeat of his comerades.

Going to visit Europe would take him away a minimum of three days from
his job of getting the health care law through and of attending mentally, if
not personally, the Fort Hood tragedy, for which he had the flag set at
half-mast.

Before chancellor Merkel left Washington D.C., I am sure, they had it all
discussed and fixed.

Clinton is the highest-ranking after Obama. So Germany will be very happy
with her.

Obama was probably trying to be polite to not steal the former presidents
their show.

Because the founding fathers told us to not get into foreign affairs.

That is alright, I doubt (unless there is some serious arm twisting) that he will attend the 9/11 10th Anniversary at Ground Zero in 2011 either. You can bet there will be party hats around the White House on Nov 7, 2010 though.

I extend my congratulations to the people of the unified Germany. I am glad that I can laugh about it now, but 20 years ago the prospect of a unified Germany was a little scary for me. I am sure there were a few in London that felt the same way, whether they admit it or not.

Relax the man has bigger things on his plate. I'm actually glad that he isn't wasting tax dollars flying to Europe and giving a speech on how important the fall of the Berlin wall was. We all get it. It goes without saying that it was a highly important event in European history. Not American. Next you people will be starting threads because he failed to comment on the anniversary of the splitting of the atom or the invention of the telephone.

Originally posted by Ahabstar
That is alright, I doubt (unless there is some serious arm twisting) that he will attend the 9/11 10th Anniversary at Ground Zero in 2011 either. You can bet there will be party hats around the White House on Nov 7, 2010 though.

I extend my congratulations to the people of the unified Germany. I am glad that I can laugh about it now, but 20 years ago the prospect of a unified Germany was a little scary for me. I am sure there were a few in London that felt the same way, whether they admit it or not.

Having spent a long time living in Germany, and having met many Germans, I can honestly say that is a very uneducated answer.

Germans do not want Nazi Germany back.

In England, people seemed quite pleased that the wall came down, and I don't recall anyone saying how they felt the event was 'a little scary' in any way.

It's never good to humiliate a powerful country, and Germans have a great deal of pride about most aspects of their history (a twelve-year gap in the twentieth century not withstanding). It is good to see them back in the saddle and becoming an important and honourable nation once more.

You're better off picturing Germany as Erwin Rommel rather than Heinrich Himmler.

Originally posted by jimmyx
maybe he just needs someone like you to plan his day, since you seem to know what his agenda on any given day should be. i think you should apply for the job.

[edit on 8-11-2009 by jimmyx]

No actually I think Obama would be better off with a minion such as yourself since you both seem to share immediate disregard to honest questions of concern, and are both smug in answers.
Perhaps you could both laugh and cajole each other as you slather yourselves with whip cream and chiclets while you decide whom out of all of us are actually the lowest of the low.
He obviously really doesnt care about much more than what he sees in the mirror. But then you already understand that, all to well I assume.
The man is a fraud!

www.merriam-webster.com...

reply to post by ElectricUniverse


I'm not an obama fan by any stretch of the imagination, but even I have to say.. what's the problem? really, that's Germany's celebration, our role is mostly to golf clap and move on. Same reason we don't celebrate Mexican independence day.

reply to post by Sargon of Akkad


And 20 years ago, there were still little old ladies that served tea in rooms in their house filled with old NAZI era regalia. Despite it being against the law in Germany to have any of that stuff, it was ignored as many of these little old ladies grew up indoctrinated with the propaganda of the Hitler Youth.

I often wonder how history would have viewed Hitler and the Third Reich had it not been for the war and the holocaust. If instead they just exiled the "undesirables" and kept all affairs internal to Germany and showcased the benefits of socialism to the rest of the world.

There are merits and flaws in all forms and ideologies of governments. And to be honest, what scared me most about a unified Germany was not that would start up were WWII ended, but how they would deal with the sudden influx of population growth once the honeymoon of reunion had ended and the problems of employment and economic needs and expectations of workers balanced out.

The former East Germans would need jobs and could work for less wages. A problem that is not been dealt with well in the US with our large illegal immigration population while continuously exporting jobs to the global market.

The fact that Germany has done well over the past 20 years is why I both congratulate them and laugh at myself. The world would be a better place if we could laugh at ourselves more often without offending everyone else in the process.

This is stupid. The Cold War is over now, the world needs to be getting past that ridiculous mentality.

Originally posted by stumason

Another auto maker would pick up the slack? Which one? They were all in deep crap and needed bailing out because people don't want the oversized, gas guzzling and poorly engineered American cars. they want (and have done for a long time) cheaper to run and more reliable cars, hence why Japanese cars are so popular in the US.

Obviously you haven't owned many cars. Oh, I forgot, in Europe most people do not own cars.

I have owned American cars, German cars, and Japanese cars. I have had many problems with Japanese cars like Mitsubishi, and the parts for these Japanese cars are very expensive. I will never buy again a Japanese car.

BTW, American companies do build good reliable cars, with good mileage... The claims, just like yours that American cars are not reliable , are gas guzzling, etc, is a myth... There are PLENTY American cars that are cheap, reliable, with good gas mileage...

But of course, this sort of lies/myths have to be believed by those Europeans that don't like the U.S., for whatever reason.

Originally posted by stumason
So all those Socialist countries in Europe, like Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, Norway etc, are just implementing communism really slowly? Socialism and Communism are two seperate things.

Many of those countries have not yet embraced Socialism completely, and they are a mix between Capitalism/Republic, and some Socialism, and they are not free of problems.

BTW in case you didn't know..., France is a Republic, Germany is a Federal Republic, Norway is a Constitutional Monarchy (The Constitution of Norway was inspired by none other than the United States Declaration of Independence, and the French revolution. Norway has three branches of government similar to the United States, something obviously you didn't know either)

These countries have not embraced true Socialism, at least not yet, except for some like Spain, and things in Spain are much worse since they voted for the Socialist party.

Again, as to what Socialism is...

Steps to Regeneration

Despite his capacity for self-delusion, Karl Marx did not believe that the desired condition known as Communism could emerge suddenly from existing capitalism. As the beautiful butterfly must pass through the stage of the caterpillar before it can fly in all its glory, Communism must pass through the stage of Socialism before the era of abundance and freedom can dawn. Steel can only be created by passing iron and coal through a fiery furnace, and Communism can only be created by passing society through the fires of revolution and dictatorship.

Communism is the hypothetical end result which will reward the survivors of the long march that is necessary to move from Capitalism to Communism. Steps on this long march include: 1) Revolution, 2) Dictatorship of the Proletariat, 3) Destruction of the Capitalist State, 4) Liquidation of the Bourgeoisie, 5) Creation of Socialism, 6) Creation of the New Socialist Man, 7) Withering Away of the State, and 8) Emergence of Communism.

www.schwarzreport.org...

Originally posted by stumason
Would it be such a bad thing if the US actually looked after those less fortunate? Of are you happy with the current system of being overcharged, ripped off and generally shafted for healthcare currently, while those who can't afford it die?

The United States has, and can do this without transforming into a Socialist dictatorship...

Again, you continue to ignore the facts about the Obama healthcare... It will not help people...it will only make things worse, meanwhile giving more money to the rich, and meanwhile the STATE takes control of another infraestructure....

Originally posted by stumason
So what if Chavez is a Socialist? He's popular and only the rich, US sponsored Elite (who stood to lose out as the poor where actually being helped) complained about him, even going so far as to try and get US backing to overthrow the Democratically elected President!

Wow...the lies of the Socialists/Progressives/Communists continue to "plague the world".... This is the "Real disease, and plague of the world".....

Chavez has taken over tv stations in Venezuela, he opresses dissent.... Millions of people, including many poor people have seen what Chavez is, and what he is doing....

BTW, one of my uncles is a Cuban doctor and he is sent to Venezuela to work there, and I have contact with him.

Many Venezuelans see that Chavez is trying to transform Venezuela into another Cuba.... but I can see that his fans, and sympathizers keep lying, and hiding the truth... The fans of Chavez see him as "a God"... something that at least some sympathizers of Obama have also claimed about Obama...

When my family, and I went to Spain my family in Spain thought that castro was a good man...and that's what people like you think about both castro, and Chavez....

Only after my parents and I told them of the things that really happen in Cuba, only through years of them listening to REAL FACTS about Cuba, and Communism, did my family in Spain begin to realize that the things they knew about castro were only lies, and disinformation. But again, I see people like you still believe these lies.

Chavez himself stated at first that if the people wanted him to resign he would...when millions of signatures were acquired, more than necessary for him to resign, he changed his stance and claimed no one, and for no reason would he resign....

This has been discussed, and videos have been shown here several times... But again the Socialist/Communist apologists like yourself love to ignore the facts, and instead want to believe in fairy tales that only exist in your mind...

Chavez ALWAYS has been claiming "the United States want to kill him"...when in fact he was even embarrased when the Colombian president showed evidence that in fact it is Chavez who is trying to corrupt, and influence other countries including by sending money, equipment, and training the FARC in Colombia, and other TERRORIST groups...

This is something that Socialist/Communist dictators do...just like castro has done, who Chavez has stated clearly is his idol and mentor, and castro and his thugs continue to send help, training, and Cuban soldiers to spread the "plague and disease of Socialism/Communism" to other countries...

But again, this is something most Europeans don't know, and instead believe the "Socialist/Communist revolutionaries are working for the people"...when in fact they attack their own people, kidnap them for money, and if people can't pay they are killed....among other things...

Originally posted by stumason
And? We have to pay National Insurance here in the UK, which pays for our Healthcare. Despite the scare stories that your right wing plastered across the news a few months ago, our system is one of the best in the world. You have to have insurance anyway to be able to afford healthcare in the US (unless you're uber rich or sell of the family home), so really, what is the problem?

BS....is that the reason why so many people from your SOCIALIZED HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS have to come to the U.S. to get treatments, and operations which your HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS do not allow?... and they are not "rich people".... most of these people are regular citizens....

Despite the "scare stories of the "Democrats/Progressives/Socialist/Communist dellusionals" that keep claiming only if "we embrace their dellusional, and bankrupt system can everything be well"....

EVERY healthcare system in the world has problems...and MOST SOCIALIZED healthcare systems are bankrupt for a reason, and they provide mediocre quality healthcare, which is why so many people from European countries, and Canada come to the U.S. to get treatment, and or operations...

There is NO NEED for us to embrace your corrupt, and bankrupt healthcare systems....there has to be some changes, but having the state take control over healthcare will only make it worse....

BTW, you obviously have NEVER been inside a "government healthcare system" in veteran hospitals... I have, and had to leave and go to a regular hospital if i really needed it, and so did my wife.

BTW, again you seem to forget that the forefathers of this nation funded the nation to be different than EUROPE.....

Originally posted by stumason
Care to re-write that so it's readable? Too many comma's....

Anyone can understand that well....

Anyway, people like you will continue to dismiss the facts regarding the Obama healthcare. You can keep believing "fairy tales" all you want, I'll rather believe the facts..

[edit on 9-11-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

Originally posted by Regenstorm
I can think of several reasons, this one is most likely:
www.reichsland-bayern.de...
(.pdf)

Riiiight....that must be the reason why Germany has many times gone against the United States....

I wonder why Germany, among other things did not side with the United States during the Iraqi war.....

reply to post by andrewh7


He went there for a photo op.

How else do you explain the photo of him giving the best salute I have seen from a President in a very long time? I wonder who taught him the proper way to present arms?

By the way, he had to have permission from the family to have had that photo taken. Why would he ask permission if he was there simply to show support?

On topic.

He should have gone, but atleast he sent a representitive. Its a small red mark against him, but not one that should be harped on.

I must say though that those small marks are adding up.

edit for the mistakes I saw.

[edit on 9-11-2009 by Bored To Tears]

Originally posted by The Transhumanist
Relax the man has bigger things on his plate. I'm actually glad that he isn't wasting tax dollars flying to Europe and giving a speech on how important the fall of the Berlin wall was. We all get it. It goes without saying that it was a highly important event in European history. Not American. Next you people will be starting threads because he failed to comment on the anniversary of the splitting of the atom or the invention of the telephone.

Yeah...that must be it... that is probably why the inauguration of President Obama has been the most expensive than any other presidency, and this during a time when President Obama and his administration KNEW we were in an economic crisis...

It is an important European event, one which AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT was instrumental for this event to occur....

Anyway, it is nice once again to see that another thread that is critical of the Obama administration is moved into "political madness", meanwhile those that are not critical of him are commended...

Originally posted by andrewh7
.................
Germany is our ally now. That is not going to change. Republicans are going to exploit anything to get a cheap political gain through anger, ignorance, fear, and hatred. That is not going to change either.

Nice to see again another member, probably a Castro's News Network fan, or even an Obama news Network MSNBC fan, make up claims by exagerating, and derailing threads like this one...

BTW, in case you didn't know the forefathers of this nation did not want for it to become another European country, and much less a Socialist one... But the lies, deception, and indoctrination of the "Democrat/Progressive/Socialist/Communist sympathizers love to continue to spread is just unbelievable...

BTW, not need to try to continue to derail the thread...

In case you didn't you you are living in a REPUBLIC, and the forefathers stated that the only form of government that should be guaranteed is a REPUBLICAN form of government....

U.S. Constitution - Article 4 Section 4

Article 4 - The States
Section 4 - Republican Government


The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,...........

www.usconstitution.net...

Unfortunately the Democrat/Progressive/Socialist/Communists have infiltrated even the Republican party, and have corrupted this nation...

Anyway... this historical event was/is important, but it is good to see that President Obama sent Clinton, the same CLinton who stated to China, and the whole world that no HUMAN RIGHT is more important than the economic crisis, or any other crisis...

It is good to see day by day that the Obama administration only wants to consolidate power, and doesn't care for any HUMAN RIGTH, much less for freedom...

[edit on 9-11-2009 by ElectricUniverse]

reply to post by ElectricUniverse


Firstly, you berate me for being a "foreigner" who knows nothing about your country, then in the next breath try to "educate" me on the forms of Government in Europe, showing a complete misunderstanding and total arrogance in your position.

I am well aware that France is a Republic and that Norway is a Const. Monarchy. I am not talking about their "mode" of Government, which you've blinkered yourself into, I am talking polices. Everywhere in Europe, you will find something called "social democracy", in various forms around the place.

You even try to convince me that they're a blend of "republic/capitalism" and "socialism", all the while showing a complete lack of understanding towards what the hell I am on about and anything that goes on in Europe. And what is even more laughable is that based solely on the fact the "Socialist" party is in power in Spain (and nothing else as you haven't a clue, really), you claim they "have fully embraced Soclialism"...

Man, you don't have a clue what you're talking about at all, do you?

I am talking polices, as adopted by most of the various parties to one degree or another, namely social healthcare, social safety net, wealth redistribution etc etc. These are all Socialist ideas, not what bloody flavour party is in Power or how the Government is stuctured, but then coming from a country where elections are won on personality and not policy, I am not surprised you have trouble splitting this from the mode of Government.

Oh, before you go and get all high and mighty on me again and claiming everything under the sun is some magnamonous US idea, you're own constitution and Bill of Rights are based on English ideals, such as Magna Carta and our Bill of Rights which came a hundred years before your own.

Oh, and your little swipe at the NHS didn't go unnoticed. "Many" do not go to the US or even Europe for treatment. Many implies a majority, when in reality in is a handful who choose to go to the US for a variety of reasons, but usually have to mrtgage their homes several times over to go.

The most often cited reason for these handful of cases is "experimental" procedures that are not available on the NHS because they are untested and not proven to work, therefore a potential waste of money. It is usually a last ditch attempt at saving a loved one when people go to the states for treatment, not as a matter of course.

Having said that, the NHS has World Leading centres on cancer treatment, kidney disease, Childrens hospitals etc. Much research is done here and new procedures are invented as much by NHS doctors as by any US medical centre. To claim the NHS, or any European healthcare system is "mediocre" is showing complete ignorance and lack of even basic information. I am willing to put money on the fact you probably have never set foot in one of our Hospitals, or probably even the country.

It's also worth noting that the US "UHC" proposal is NOTHING like the UK or Euro model. State provided insurance is not the same as State provided healthcare.