Barak in Berlin

Post by **mtmynd** » July 24th, 2008, 4:24 pm

Obama's speech today in Berlin was attended by over 200,000 people. That is considerably more than the 17 people that attended John McCain's speech in Mexico.

Some excerpts from his speech:

"People of the world - look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together, and history proved that there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one."

"The walls between old allies on either side of the Atlantic cannot stand. The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down."

I'm sure we'll hear more and if lucky, some news folks will re-air this speech.

my link -
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25825692/

Post by **panta rhei** » July 24th, 2008, 5:05 pm

comment:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 19,00.html

Post by **Doreen Peri** » July 24th, 2008, 5:15 pm

Interesting article, panta.

It's like the author loves him and hates him at the same time. President of the World? Who needs that!? The author had praise and condemnation in one essay. That's how I read it. Did I read it wrong?

Post by **Dave The Dov** » July 24th, 2008, 5:21 pm

I auch I'm ein WeltprÃ¤sident! Sounds like Obama is combining what Kennedy and Reagan said. Then he puts his own twist into it.
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Post by **mtmynd** » July 24th, 2008, 5:43 pm

Der Spiegel : "... all these hard-nosed Europeans will hope and pray that the future President Obama isn’t really all that serious about the saving the world of tomorrow, the polar caps, Darfur and the poppy harvest over in Afghanistan."

I ask Gerhard Spörl, "Why not? Why shouldn't any President of the U.S. not inspire the world to make the world a better place to live? Is the route we are currently on the correct road to be on given the information and knowledge that we have accumulated? No, I don't believe Obama wants to personally save the world of tomorrow, the polar caps, Darfur and the poppy harvest, but he is saying all these things need to be addressed and better solutions found. He and many like him, feel that there are answers to these pressing questions and problems facing us and only with a greater unification of nations can these problems be solved. Why not?"

Post by **mnaz** » July 24th, 2008, 5:48 pm

Well said, Barack. I'll leave it at that for now.

Post by **panta rhei** » July 24th, 2008, 5:52 pm

doreen - instead of saying he "loves and hates" him, i'd say he is impressed by and askance of him at the same time.

obama is charismatic as well as rhetorically versed, and that's always a strong and fascinating blend, yet simultaneously reason for mistrust and maybe even frightening, leaving one quizzical about the whole demeanor and attitude just being a perfect show and manipulation of emotions...

He also could have said: We are a world power, the only one that exists on this planet at the moment, and I am going to act as if that were the case. But you're also allowed to participate in the attempt to try to save the world -- at least a bit of it

this impression probably roots in the european sensitivity when it comes to the american way of self-concept, -conception and -confidence, especially in american politics where the focus and point of view of the world is always the united states and nothing but the united states... not only relatively as a viewpoint in regards to the geographical/national position, but also as an absolute standpoint and attitude.

Post by **Doreen Peri** » July 24th, 2008, 6:08 pm

I see.

Well looks to me like Obama wants to change that type of self-centered politics. As Cecil said, his world view and caring about world issues are admirable.

Yeah, I guess people do need to be a little leery when it comes to putting your trust in someone who has the potential to be one of the most powerful people in the world.

At the same time, wouldn't it be nice if he really IS the guy who he says he is? Wouldn't it be nice to believe in someone who believes in trying to fix the problems he says he wants to help fix?

I mean, at some point, you have to trust, right?

I do not think Obama is the next Hitler or anything. Geez. Hitler had a huge following, too, and then he went crazy when he was in power. Obama is not another Hitler. Is that what this author is afraid of?

I think the author is a little paranoid... and worried that he's too good to be true. Whereas I have great hopes! First time in my life, really, I ever felt so positive about a politician.... and so hopeful for the nation I live in. I do not believe Obama can erase the horrid reputation the US has in the world, but I do believe he can do a great deal to help repair it.

I also believe that his energy, his world view, his sincerity, his optimism, and his willingness to want to work WITH other countries will be a great benefit for the world.

Post by **panta rhei** » July 24th, 2008, 6:10 pm

cecil, if he'll be an inspiration for making the world a better place, if he'll be a partner in making the necessary changes together with other partners... great! perfect. that's what the world needs.

the world would not need him to come as a demander, though, acting like the big good chieftain... no "pull together with me, or else you're out / killjoys / the bad guys /..."

i think these are the article's author's apprehensions.

Post by **mnaz** » July 24th, 2008, 6:17 pm

Isn't that essentially what he's running against?
That reactionary "you're-either-with-us-or-against-us" thing?

Post by **panta rhei** » July 24th, 2008, 6:24 pm

doreen, this is not about a fear about misuse of power and abuse of authority, but about being scpeptical in the face of a big showman.

sceptical! not generally mistrustful. just observant.

if the big showman is a man of deeds also, of brave, humane, effective, positive and honest deeds, all the better!

we all hope he is. we really do.

Post by **panta rhei** » July 24th, 2008, 6:25 pm

mark - he hopefully really is!

Post by **Lightning Rod** » July 24th, 2008, 6:38 pm

I watched the speech today
it was very inspiring and soaring
very JFK-esque
my first thought was that Obama is running for president of the world

I hope his intentions are pure
I'm with him if they are
he is such a good rhetoritician that he can convince you of anything

I have often gotten a chill when I think of George Bush being actually articulate. He would have been really dangerous then.

Post by **panta rhei** » July 24th, 2008, 6:48 pm

yep, clay.

i'm with you in all you're saying here.

Post by **hester_prynne** » July 24th, 2008, 6:58 pm

We've all been through alot of crap for a long time, shit that has trickled down on us from our leadership.
It's hard to just believe, hard not to wonder whether Obama is more than a man of words.
But I believe it, wounded as I am by the current crappiness.
I don't see how he can do anything but improve things.
And I have a positive nature so I tend to go for the rosier outlook, dumb as that may be....
H

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Barak in Berlin

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