Obama flunks history, again
posted at 10:24 am on July 20, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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After receiving a hailstorm of criticism for considering Brandenburg Gate for a public speech, as well as official German dissuasion, Barack Obama moved the venue to the Siegessäule monument. Obama will speak about “historic” US-German relations, but once again, Obama’s own grasp of history has been proven deficient. Not only does the site contain a monument to Prussian victories over other American allies in Europe, its placement was decided by Adolf Hitler — in order to impress crowds in his idealized version of Berlin called Germania:
Still, even as the issue of his speech’s location has now been settled, a number of politicians in Berlin are still dissatisfied with the site. The Siegessäule — or Victory Column — was erected in memory of Prussia’s victories over Denmark (1864), Austria (1866) and France (1870/71). The column originally stood in front of the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building, but was moved by Adolf Hitler to its current location in 1939 to make way for his planned transformation of Berlin into the Nazi capital “Germania.”
“The Siegessäule in Berlin was moved to where it is now by Adolf Hitler. He saw it as a symbol of German superiority and of the victorious wars against Denmark, Austria and France,” the deputy leader of the Free Democrats, Rainer Brüderle, told Bild am Sonntag. He raised the question as to “whether Barack Obama was advised correctly in his choice of the Siegessäule as the site to hold a speech on his vision for a more cooperative world.”
Andreas Schockenhoff of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats said, “the Siegessäule in Berlin is dedicated to a victory over neighbors who are today our European friends and allies. It is a problematic symbol.”
Hitler didn’t just move the monument to its more central location. He had a taller column built for it as well, to emphasize its message of German military domination over Europe. He saw it as a message to Germans of their destiny — as well as to other Europeans as their destiny as well. It was never meant as a symbol of peaceful, multicultural co-existence.
Team Obama has outdone themselves on symbolism with this choice. They’ve managed to make their hosts uncomfortable for a second time with their choice of rallying point, and perhaps more so this time. If one wanted to talk peace, what worse location could one choose than Adolf Hitler’s favorite monument to militaristic domination? One has to wonder how France, Denmark, and Austria will feel about Obama rallying German masses under the Siegessäule. Deja vu?
Obama could be excused for his gaffe, except for two reasons. His team certainly understood the historical weight that the Brandenburg Gate would have lent his event, so why didn’t they bother to ask the Germans about the Siegessäule? Quite obviously, the Germans understand the meaning and subtext of the monument, and most of them wonder why Obama does not. Maybe this is a better example of clueless Americans traveling abroad than those who can only say Merci, beaucoup.
The more basic question is why Obama feels the need to conduct a campaign event among Germans. Meeting with foreign leaders makes sense for a man with no foreign policy experience whatsoever, but that doesn’t require massive rallies among people who aren’t voting in this election. In his rush to look impressive for no one’s purposes but his own, Obama has made himself look ignorant and arrogant all over again.
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Well there’s Grove Parc – no, wait. How about Altgeld Gardens – no, that won’t work – I know, I know, the Englewood Botanical Garden! No, wait …
I got nuthin’, sorry.
Quisp on July 20, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Well, I’m sure that the media will give the Uni-bama the benefit of the doubt, like they did when Reagan spoke at the German cemetery.
exhelodrvr on July 20, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Inartful site selections. Barak Bunglebama.
petefrt on July 20, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Don’t forget my other German nemesis. May they never have been born, along with Lenin, Stalin, and a few others.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Dummköpfe are indignant – but they are also in good, and plentiful, company.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Nice piece, Ed.
jaime on July 20, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Engels?
Or Wagner?
soundingboard on July 20, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Everyone knows that Obama is just niave, he is an innocent cherub with misguided handlers.
Rode Werk on July 20, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Obama was misadvised that the column was Germany’s “Si, Se Puede” Monument.
Cicero43 on July 20, 2008 at 4:08 PM
I’m hoping that BHO will tell the Germans that their children need to learn Spanish.
¡Sí, se puede!
Mojave Mark on July 20, 2008 at 4:14 PM
For the Left, ignorance is literally a virtue.
Halley on July 20, 2008 at 4:29 PM
soundingboard, I meant Engels, one of the fathers of Marxism.
I said this already but this article, from the HA headlines, has it absolutely right, the huge crowds in Europe will turn off the American voters.
I suggest we call Obama Europe’s Liebchen.
It’s not going to happen. With a Hitler-like ego and mob appeal, the arrogance is not going to allow reason to prevail.
The American Joe and Mary is naive, but not this dumb. They are watching, and they do vote. And the rest of the world doesn’t.
I was told this morning by an acquaintance in Europe that a Sky female announcer bemoaned “…too bad that the Europeans coudn’t vote in the American election. They’d vote 80% with Obama”.
Mhhhhhha!
This time the Guardian headline might be “How can 64 million Americans be this stupid?”.
The world will either have a Gargantuan Obamagasm, and then be disappointed that he won’t follow their orders, or it will cry hysterically.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Hitler was born in Austria.
sanjeevn on July 20, 2008 at 4:35 PM
he should go to the Olympiaplatz or perhaps Englisher Garden. If the weather is warm enough, he will be surrounded by topless German women. At least that was the case when I was there in the 80’s… good times…
TheCulturalist on July 20, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I think it’s because he’s too afraid to visit his old ‘hoods. The ‘hoods in which Obama did all that “community organizing” (that somehow now qualifies him to be President) are getting so violent that nobody is safe there.
AZCoyote on July 20, 2008 at 4:49 PM
No mistake here Hitler is his idol!
Compel civil service on the scale of the U.S. Military?
Hes’ gone from envisioning himself as leader of the U.S. to leader of the world and he has an extremely obedient flock of enablers and propogandists in the U.S. presstitutes.
Wonder how the European press likes the Obamassah thumbing his 1/2 an 1/2 nose at them?
dhunter on July 20, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Perhaps Sachenshausen….no wait, that actually bespeaks more of Soviet atrocities than Nazis. Perhaps the memorials at Dachau….sorry, too much Judism there. How about visiting Hohenfels or Vilsberg, magor US sites? Nope, that might be supporting our military. Gosh…I think he really did pick the perfect spot for his politics!
dustoffmom on July 20, 2008 at 4:59 PM
His advisers haven’t told him that those exist. (There’s one at Rhein-Main also.)
baldilocks on July 20, 2008 at 5:15 PM
We, I’ve actually lived there, Tom and the criticism is dead on.
A presidential candidate shouldn’t be making a campaign speech in a foreign country. Period. And what do you care about the Right’s credibility?
baldilocks on July 20, 2008 at 5:20 PM
BO is a retard.
Enuf said.
HotAirJosef on July 20, 2008 at 5:20 PM
His knowledge of history IS irrelevent. His Marxist philosophy IS irrelevent. That he was wrong on Iraq IS irrelevent. Barack is going to be our next president “for 8 to 10 years.”
Dusty on July 20, 2008 at 5:22 PM
I think someone on his staff picked the site just because it’s called Victory Column and never did the research of what the memorial war for.
How did this ‘blank slate’ ever beat Team Hillary?
Texas Gal on July 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Pride goes before a fall … I can hardly wait.
ORrighty on July 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
war=was
Texas Gal on July 20, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Yeah. I guess Wagner has his merits.
Even the most dramatic reading of Das Kapital wouldn’t have near the psy-ops value as Ride of the Valkyries.
I really hope the German left goes all out for O.
I’m talking street theatre shades of the “No Nukes” movement in the ’80s. Or the anti-
warBush protests in the run up to Operation Iraqi Freedom.The American people need a constant reminder of just what kind of crowd BHO is most comfortable with.
That is if the American media actually informs the American people.
I ain’t holdin’ my breath.
soundingboard on July 20, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Good point Texas Gal. Germany is 0 for 2 in the last century so where is the “Victory”…ok, they won a lot of battles but lost both wars. But then, I’m not a historian.
Dingbat63 on July 20, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Is the film maker’s name Leni Riefenstahl by any chance?
TheBigOldDog on July 20, 2008 at 6:00 PM
The thing that really burns me is that Bush was warmly received in Africa and no one paid any attention. At all. It was like George? George Who?
But by God every little thing this guy does is news, big news. I have gotten to the point that I rarely turn the news on until 10 minutes after it starts because I know the first segment belongs to Barack.
I am getting kind of tired of the hard sell.
But the Europeans will love it, after all he has a lot more in common with them than he does with most Americans. And this way they can actually like an American president for a change.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 6:04 PM
This just popped up on the headlines in Hot Air from ABC, no less:
Maybe the Berlin venue for the Messiah’s audience is appropriate since he has
illusionsdelusions that he can be in power for 10 years. Damned Teleprompter!I guess that Tom will be off the air for awhile to see how the DNC wants to handle this pronouncement from His Eminence.
Dingbat63 on July 20, 2008 at 6:20 PM
WTF?
TheBigOldDog on July 20, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Ten years?
I suggest a basic civics course. The kind they give to people who are trying to become citizens might help.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 6:47 PM
I guess Bush lied when he said Obama was articulate.
backwoods conservative on July 20, 2008 at 6:55 PM
I think Bush was being a gentleman. And Obama is articulate when he is giving speeches, it is the off the cuff stuff that does him in.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Bush was being a gentleman, and the left fell all over themselves trying to read a hidden insult into it. The amount of time Obama has to spend trying to explain what he really meant is pathetic.
backwoods conservative on July 20, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Actualy, he doesn’t even give scripted speeches very well. Many confuse the overenthusiastic responses of his audience for good speech-making on BHO’s part, but it’s really more like rock stars when they get on stage and just say anything and the crowd goes wild. I’ve listened to more than a few BHO speeches and have never heard one that was any good.
The test is easy, though – just ask any Obama supporter to cite one line/idea from an Obama speech (other than ‘change’, ‘hope’) and you’ll find that no one can remember anything the guy said. The world’s first Great Orator who gives nothing but forgettable speeches.
progressoverpeace on July 20, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Instead of hitting Obama on all this German history trivia, which most Americans do not give a flying foxtrot over, it would sure be nice to hit him on some substantive things like -
Soft on illegals.
Soft on the First Amendment.
Being an Al Gore Global Warming idiot.
Being for such economic junk such as Cap-and-Trade.
Visiting/paying homage to the likes of “The Race”.
Why isn’t this column about things like that?
Oh, I remember, never mind.
MB4 on July 20, 2008 at 7:17 PM
MB4:
Like you care.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 7:29 PM
5 times check!
But when we do, I want to see you commend that.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Siegessäule is a Socialist focal point. Whoever chose it for Obama understands and appreciates exactly the place for what it is, what it was, and what it will represent for Obamarx’s INTERNATIONAL self coronation, as he foolishly attempts to mimic Napolean and Hitler placing the crown of public adoration upon his own head, taking symbols of what was holy upon himself without any sacred ceremony, forcing all things sacred now secular, crowning his scruffy self (no legal birth certificate, his onus to provide, his failure to uphold the Constitution even as a candidate) the heir apparent Emperor of the world via Marxist President of the United 57 States of America for 10 years (he won’t require a Constitutional amendment as he’ll just do what he wants and run a 3rd term AGAINST Constitutional qualification, and then later either resign, transfigure or die for the incomplete 3rd term he claims for himself).
Obamarx has taken the symbolic and corrupt conclusion that first evolved from the 1798 French Revolution as if he is the reincarnated propagandized liberty/fraternity-sorority/equality in order to conquer the world utilizing the terrorism perfected by those Socialists inspired by Rousseau. This very symbolic site is where the French who took a century to evolve beyond their early Revolution-upon-Napoleonic-Wars-upon-Parisian-Revolutions were finally defeated by the Germans, uniting for the first time and ascending as a military superpower at the turn of the 20th Century, conquering their conquerers, preparing to take all of Europe.
Oh, this bodes ill for the world. Obama’s themes are resurrecting winds of change that are the winds of war, German against European, German against African, German against Asian, German against American. The EU has its fissures, and Obamarx in all of his stupidity will knock here and there for the faults to crack and break into pieces given his lead. This egomaniac is packaged and strung up to dance the untouchable’s tune. Obamarx fatalistically moves full steam ahead into the fog, icebergs, tsunamis, and deserts with his personal conviction that the media will make him succeed and make the crowds adore him, and that any conflict will be over in a few weeks as for one reason or another, every knee will bend to worship his sorry ass.
Not I! Nobamarx ‘08
maverick muse on July 20, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Hell Black Moses will just go over there and wave his arms and the whole world will be a better place. Birds will sing, little children will jump rope in the street, everybody will have a chicken in each pot and their government cheese is on the way.
Oh bless you our savior! Your here to save us!
Big Orange on July 20, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Right. Lauding him on everything has the exact effect. The media and you will be rewarded in a very unexpected way. You bank on inevitability, and I’ll bank on the remaining sanity of the American electorate.
Absolutely. It will have the opposite of Obama’s desired effect. Jonathan Freedland has it totally right.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 7:37 PM
.
.
It comes from his association with John Kerry and his wife’s 57 varieties of ketchup.
Herikutsu on July 20, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 6:04 PM
+1
This past week marked my saturation point as well.
No Obamarx news is good news.
Until Obama personally provides his unaltered and legal certificate of live birth, he is a non-candidate so far as the Constitution stipulates. The onus is upon Obama; and also upon the State of Hawaii to produce the legal document as required by the Constitution. The Constitution pre-empts any state policy as this is a Constitutional REQUIREMENT. (Morons need not point out the altered copies on the web except to realize for themselves that any alteration to a legal document renders it illegitimate.)
maverick muse on July 20, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Aha. I like that. You seem to have found some reason to BHO’s madness.
progressoverpeace on July 20, 2008 at 7:45 PM
ROFL, Cicero… good one.
MsUnderestimated on July 20, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Yeah, kinda like Cameron Diaz chose that Mao bag because it’s so “chic” to carry as she traveled around South America.
MsUnderestimated on July 20, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Is anyone else skeeved at the fawning pictures of Obama with Maliki sitting next to him in those gold chairs AS IF he is already a head of state? Thank goodness he went over there during a nice weather weekend when most Americans are not paying attention. I saw just enough of this on tv to want to lose my lunch.
You know, I didn’t respect Gore because he backed up the liar he was with for 8 years. I laughed at Kerry for being an elitist fool. I am falling towards Obama Derangement Syndrome this election cycle. I am astonished I have such a burning passion of loathing for this man. I think it is because I know he is so dangerous for our country. I don’t like feeling this way.
karenhasfreedom on July 20, 2008 at 7:53 PM
I care about all those things. That’s why I don’t much care for el Juan.
MB4 on July 20, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Yep, right here.. ~waving hand~
MsUnderestimated on July 20, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Yep!
As someone who spent several years of my past employment in the division that was responsible for the planning of events for the Mayor of the 4th largest city in the USA, this gaffe would have sent me off to restocking the shelves in some neighborhood library in the boondocks!
It’s just more evidence that Obama’s campaign in about SHOW and less about relevance and substance.
Texas Gal on July 20, 2008 at 8:35 PM
All this Deutschland nonsense aside, the bottom line for me is that BHO and his minions scare the living shit out of me! Makes me want to withdraw all funds from any institution, wipe out Walmart of all needed staples, run to the local Gander Mountain and buy all the ammo and guns I can possibly afford and put bars on the windows and doors. And thank heaven I live in a southern rural area where I know my neighbors are similarly well armed. It just could be a really rough 4 years, one that requires every man for himself (or widow woman for that matter!) Tom, I am speaking sincerely, god help us all! Hopefully your ‘politics’ will protect you……but I wouldn’t count on it.
dustoffmom on July 20, 2008 at 8:38 PM
By now, most of you have probably seen this.
Backtrack OhBummer is beyond parody.
FWIW, dustoffmom, I share your concerns. That same preparation for unsettled times ahead has been in the back of my mind, too.
onlineanalyst on July 20, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Dustoffmom, I have never bought a firearm before. I always had other things that needed the next $500. However, your post now has me revisiting this. I have never thought I would have to get to the point where I felt the need for a firearm in the home because our nation was on the verge of electing an empty suit who will NOT defend American interests first. ACK!!!!!!!!!!!
karenhasfreedom on July 20, 2008 at 8:51 PM
A very good list, and very instructive.
You forgot to mention: Conveniently ambivalent about our Second Amendment Rights. (Read into it what you will; my personal belief is that BHO couldn’t care less about my rights).
hillbillyjim on July 20, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Obama’s whole propaganda campaign is something that Goebbels and Hitler would be proud of.. It’s fitting for him to choose this site in their honor.
Chakra Hammer on July 20, 2008 at 9:08 PM
You are better than this.
hillbillyjim on July 20, 2008 at 9:10 PM
I’ve been telling people for months that for someone so supposedly articulate, Obama spends an awful lot of time explaining what he “really” meant.
soundingboard on July 20, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Pardon me if I’m wrong, but I think you may be missing a bit of MB4’s nuance.
soundingboard on July 20, 2008 at 9:38 PM
hillbillyjm:
I am better than this? That is how I feel. MB4 has made it plain over and over again that he hates McCain. He spends more time razzing him than he does Obama. So what does he care?
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 9:38 PM
soundingboard and Terrye, it’s the American way to state whatever one pleases. We can’t know what others feel and care. I think MN4 cares about this country, and frankly McCain and Obama are horrible choices. However, we’re stuck with them as the primaries are over. MB4 can vote for Goldwater or Barr, if he pleases. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care.
I’ve got my disagreements with MB4, and his style is definitely often grating, but some of you bring it out of him, with ease.
Tip, ignore him.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 9:43 PM
MN4 – s/b MB4, of course.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 9:44 PM
I care about my country too and I never said MB4 did not have the right to say or do anything he likes.
But the truth is MB4’s attitude about foreign policy is much more like Obama’s than McCain’s and we have an election coming with 2 candidates running.
And I intend to vote for the Republican. I am not going to constantly bitch about the man. He won the nomination fair and square and considering the alternative I will be happy to vote for him.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 9:50 PM
My post disappeared.
Suffice to say I never said MB4 did not have the right to do or say whatever he wants.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 9:51 PM
And I don’t think it is fair to say McCain is a horrible choice. He won the nomination fair and square and he has served his country with honor. You don’t need to agree with him on all the issues or whatever, but he deserves better than to be called horrible.
Terrye on July 20, 2008 at 9:54 PM
No! No! Stay with MN4 !!!
The orbit of 2004 MN4 about the Sun is shown in blue. Much of the asteroid’s orbit lies within the Earth’s orbit, which is the outermost white circle. The positions of the asteroid and the Earth are shown for December 23, 2004, when the object was about 14 million km (9 million miles) away from the Earth.
I like it! Kind of makes me like an ascending being or somethin’.
You just might be on to something. Us ascending beings can be very nuanced.
MB4 on July 20, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Does anyone know if this speech by Obama in Germany will be televised, live, in its entirety?
I probably won’t have the stomach for it, but feel the need to see how it goes.
rockhauler on July 20, 2008 at 9:57 PM
But he sure ain’t no socialist, no siree. Where’d you get that crazy idea?
Jaibones on July 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I don’t hate McCain. I just hate so much of what he has done such as pay homage to “The Race”, hire Juan Hernandez, McCain/Kennedy, McCain/Feingold, joining Al Gore’s Church of Apocalyptic Global Warming, his “#uck you!. I know more than anyone else in the room” to a Conservative Senator, etc., the list is almost endless. “Hate the sin”.
Of course I do. You and others are taking care of “razzing” Obama. I wouldn’t want to show you up.
MB4 on July 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Terrye, if it makes you happier, we made a horrible choice then.
I agree that he served this country in ways none of us can imagine and he’s definitely not Obama. I’ll vote for him. That doesn’t mean that I agree with him on shamnesty, and myriad of other woes this country faces. Obama is just abominable and causes me insomnia. I fear for our country and the next generations.
You’re not a “being”, not from this planet, anyway. They just haven’t figured that out, yet.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Are we still on the you are a republican and as one you must vote for Senor Juan Mccain because he is a republican in name only, err The one all Republicans must vote for?
AMartinez on July 20, 2008 at 10:05 PM
I said so, and I stand by my comments!!!
He’s a socialist/Marxist, with an anarchyst wife. All else is pure fakery.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 10:06 PM
And Jaibones, thanks for that e-slice of cherry pie :)
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 10:07 PM
AMartinez, you vote for whomever you want – it’s your right. However, you’ll deserve Obama, and I’ll be here to remind you.
Entelechy on July 20, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Great point. What do Obambi’s puppeteers hope to accomplish by a show of support from a bunch of leftist Germans? Fools.
And, Tom, spare us your concern. The fact that you spend your time here at HotAir is flattery enough; the discussion if obviously more compelling here than at home (HuffPo).
Jaibones on July 20, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Ent, I got a little greedy with the cherries, and had a hard time getting it to cook. Oddly, it still disappeared before I woke up this morning!
I’ll get back to you in three weeks for the South Haven, Michigan Blueberry Festival. Heaven.
Jaibones on July 20, 2008 at 10:13 PM
My parents were always kind of mysterious as to the circumstances of my birth.
MB4 on July 20, 2008 at 10:13 PM
I love Ed, and cherish his work here. But I couldn’t resist poking fun at him for posting this junk on a Sunday and heading to the beach. He must be laughing his head off…
Jaibones on July 20, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Why do I deserve obama? In my 32 years of voteing I’ve pulled the lever twice for a demo. This time I’ll add if Romney ain’t on the ticket for VP I won’t vote. I lived thru jimma karter, I prey I can do it again.
AMartinez on July 20, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Ed started a joke, which started the whole HA world a flying,
But some didnt see that his joke was on we, oh no.
We started to fry, which started Ed to laughing,
Oh, if we’d only seen that the joke was on we.
MB4 on July 20, 2008 at 10:22 PM
rockhauler on July 20, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I like to know if that speech is the original one or the one his speech writers are scurrying around to rewrite to adjust to their site selection.
Texas Gal on July 20, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Where should Barry speak? what a fun game! I choose the Al Aqsa Mosque. He could speak to both Muslims and Jews from there!
Doug on July 20, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Says NYT:
Paul Krugman is off today
forest on July 21, 2008 at 12:12 AM
This just in. Video of Obama practicing his Hitler monument speech:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z-edqQl0pZw&feature=related
miles on July 21, 2008 at 1:00 AM
AirMessiah Force One has landed.BAGHDAD (AP) – A U.S. Embassy official says Barack Obama has arrived in Iraq.
The Illinois senator, challenged at every turn on the Iraq issue by Republicans, including presidential rival Sen. John McCain, was expected to arrive in the country amid the controversy over comments by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that were supportive of Obama’s 16-month timetable.
The Iraqi leader’s aides have said his remarks, published in a German magazine, were misunderstood and that he was not taking sides in the U.S. election. Earlier this month, however, al-Maliki said negotiations between his government and the United States on an agreement spelling out a continued role for U.S. forces in Iraq must include some kind of timetable for withdrawing troops from his country.
Last week, the White House said President Bush and al-Maliki had agreed to set a “general time horizon” for bringing home more U.S. troops, a dramatic shift from what had been the administration’s steadfast refusal to talk about any kind of deadline.
Ed, just a “heads up”, you probably know this already, but you need to be working on a column as to why Obama’s lead in the polls only went up a measly few points and why that is really a big set back for him as it should have been much more. You have probably got a few days, so no hurry.
MB4 on July 21, 2008 at 1:39 AM
Ignore him? Never. Tho I don’t agree with many of his positions, I can’t help but be amused and impressed by the way he expresses those opinions.
His quotations, and lyrical mixes are worth the price of admission themselves.
I don’t doubt that he truly cares about his country.
And I share what sometimes comes across as his frustration at the state of the nation.
As far as McCain. I have no problem with MB4 pointing out major failings inherent in numerous McCain policies.
I can also empathise with anyone who feels frustrated as hell that out of a population of three hundred and some odd million we’re stuck with these two particular candidates for POTUS.
I hate voting against a candidate rather than for a candidate.
If my Libertarian vote in ‘92 hadn’t helped elect The Clenis, and I might very well be looking Third Party myself. Just not this year. Not when the top of the Dem. ticket is Senator Hopenchange.
Using the word nuance might have come off as snarkin on MB4.
My thought was hbj had misinterpreted the candidate MB4 was referring to with the list.
And there ’s the possibility that I might have misinterpreted hbj.
In which case I’ll just shut up.
soundingboard on July 21, 2008 at 2:49 AM
How’s Obama doing with Jew and Evangelicals, after his twenty years of hanging out real deeply with hysterical hatemongering hypocritical hucksters like Jeremiah Wright, Pfleger, and Meeks? And let’s not forget his launching his political career at the home of unrepentant, Manson-praising terrorists William Ayers and Bernadine Dorhn. There’ the Annenberg Challenge, and “Broadway Baby” is going to be a familiar phrase. Obama been ridin’ dirty ’cause he cain’t even feel the diff’rence, the numb narcissistic pseudo-anthropologist Chicago hack pol.
ForNow on July 21, 2008 at 2:52 AM
It is a fitting place for the anti-christ to give a speech.
GREENTURTLE on July 21, 2008 at 3:11 AM
The enthusiasm in the European press for Obbie is interesting is the same way examining road kill is interesting
I assume it is his Marxist/anti American roots, with enough islam, and nation of islam thrown in to certify him to be not seriously Christian. Here is a man capable of deconstructing the value system of America because he does not value it
Meanwhile I have been musing about Geo Bush. As much as I dislike Bush for obstructing the immigration laws to flood America with illegals, Bush had one telling moment when after 911 he stood on the rubble of the WTC and made his famous remarks to the rescue crews
I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.
I am still amazed at his words. Truly great.
I cannot imagine any possibility that poser Obama could ever have come up with those words. Am I alone in thinking this? It is a good question to put to people considering whether Obama is Presidential material
entagor on July 21, 2008 at 7:25 AM
The more basic question is why Obama feels the need to conduct a campaign event among Germans.
Obama is a moron but is this question serious?
Germany is by far the most powerful and influential nation in the EU. If one supports the EU, you make friends with Germany, if you’d like to see the EU fail, you goad Germany to drop the Euro (as a groundswell movement is currently working on; and gaining popularity in doing)
He’d be remiss if he didn’t court Germany for either purpose as they are the heart of the EU.
MannyT-vA on July 21, 2008 at 7:39 AM
And what an imbecilic show at that! I dare the ubertards ranting for Obama to have their blood tested for drugs, to get beyond the “recreational” variety, particularly testing for mental treatments, specifically for attention deficit disorder in its spectrum of marketing names giving “reason” for so many pharmaceuticals being fed these younger generations. Young adults are the first to reach voting age having been chemically engineered to REQUIRE non-substantive smooth facade as provided by the MSM and Obamarx campaign.
maverick muse on July 21, 2008 at 8:39 AM
MannyT-vA on July 21, 2008 at 7:39 AM
Good point. With all of the bloodshed, heartache and destruction throughout the 20th Century, as goes Deutschland, so goes Europe and the world.
Since WWII “ended”, whilst the US and USSR played cat and mouse, Kruschev eating JFK for breakfast. Morons, get past the knee-jerk defensive posture and realize that JFK was so weak, what he did to the world is pitiful! 1. Berlin Wall resulted from JFK inability to posture vs. Kruschev; 2. JFK ordered the fiasco BAY OF PIGS and then refused provisions for the escape of those he paid to fight; 3. Missile US defense stationed in Turkey-hard fought diplomatic achievement by Eisenhower-removed and intelligence provided to bribe USSR out of the Cuban missile crisis); 4. JFK allowed his personal drug and sexual escapades at the expense of national defense.
Meanwhile, France and Germany continued from the onset of the 20th Century to merge political science with the production and marketing of chemical warfare to the Middle East, specifically, bringing us up to date.
maverick muse on July 21, 2008 at 8:54 AM
“Ich bin ein Berliner!” = “I am a pastry!”
Gawd, I hope Obama says it again! LOLOLOLOLOL!!!
maverick muse on July 21, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Um, I think you just did it too.
Akzed on July 21, 2008 at 8:57 AM
The first thing that popped into my mind was how long will it take the MSM punditry to spin this into a “Brilliant move to right past wrong and start a new chapter in world history! Why only one as deft as Obama could have even conceived such a thing!!”
Theworldisnotenough on July 21, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Recommendation for you.
RushBaby on July 21, 2008 at 9:14 AM
New name for this German trip.
BarackWORST
marklmail on July 21, 2008 at 9:19 AM
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