As an American, I can assure the rest of the world that many of us on this side of the pond, do not support Mr. Obama. He is not what he seems to be, I am afraid the world will witness another "jimmy Carter" reign.
In reality screw die brandenburger Tor. I've been there many times and every time I'm quite disappointed by what should be such a place of freedom. Keep the gate, we got the White House. And oh yeah, like George Clinton predicted, DC will be a chocolate city.
Ferris J. Anderson, Jr. | Homepage | E-Mail | 25.07.2008, 01:12
Agree with Johnny Bryant. The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of Power who deserve it to be. Mr. Obama has to work hard along with his honesty, integrity, and dignity (HID) in order to gain this respect. But, I don't see any thing in him and yet never he will be - the "Illinois corruption"
"But of course, cultural sensitivity was never an American's strong point, even an ethnically hyphenated one as Obama is...
'Considering that America is obviously the largest and most successfully ethnically integrated country in the world I would say that either you have not traveled much throughout America, or at all, or you are simply and grossly misinformed.'
Perhaps you should consider reading posts more carefully next time. What exactly does what you call successful ethnic integration have to do with cultural sensitivity? First of all, your assumption that America is in fact successfully integrated is false, as one can see on the front pages of any American newspaper. Need I mention the Katrina debacle or the raging debate in the states bordering Mexico? That's not to say that any other society has done any better, but America has in fact NOT accomplished what you've claimed for it. And as for travelling in the US, yes, I've encountered the nicest people over there, as well as my share of racism. But when Americans go abroad, more often than not, they look on the world with a gaze which has been whetted on American dreams and weaned on American ideology. Then we hear things like, 'Where's the nearest McDonalds? The local food tastes like crap!' or, 'That's all old Europe.' Come to think of it, one doesn't even need to take Americans out of the US to hear the last phrase. THAT'S what cultural sensitivity is all about: taking the local culture as it is, without first passing judgement on it, as Americans so often do.
All Obama and his people were looking for was a way to ride on the coattails of past Presidents like Kennedy and Reagan. All he is is a candidate and yet he feels he is already important enough to use a powerful foreign symbol such as the Brandenburg Gate as if he is somehow going to be the next Kennedy or Reagan.
The German people can do what they like but in my opinion such a place should not be used for foreign campaigning. There is also no reason for either candidate to be campaigning outside of the country they wish to serve. Merkel is right and Obama is a fool.
"But of course, cultural sensitivity was never an American's strong point, even an ethnically hyphenated one as Obama is...
Widukind Goethicus"
Considering that America is obviously the largest and most successfully ethnically integrated country in the world I would say that either you have not traveled much throughout America, or at all, or you are simply and grossly misinformed.
As for Obama being mentioned in this context I say get back to me when Germany lets someone like him get anywhere near where he has gotten. In fact, all of Europe for that matter.
Merkel is Bush's poodle. She knows once Obama is elected in the US, ideologically similar parties in other countries will come into power, which means her CDU (i.e., Republican party) will soon lose power to the SPD (i.e., Germany's version of the US Democratic party). Thus, Merkel has expressed opposition to the Obama speech. I'm sure Bush -- trying to get his other poodle McCain elected -- contacted his German poodle to ensure her voice against Obama's speech.
Oh sorry, Steinmeier, I wronged ya. Ya not a wassist after all.
I did not read the article, naughty moi.
<i>"The Americans contributed decisively to saving the city of Berlin; that is why we should make historic sites such as the Brandenburg Gate available to them," Steinmeier, who has a history of clashing with Merkel, told Frankfurter Rundschau daily.
"If Barack Obama decides to take a trip to Europe and to visit Berlin as well as Britain and France then we should warmly welcome it," he said. "We should see his desire to visit as a sign of the importance that trans-Atlantic ties have for him -- and react positively." </i>
What does Mr. Real's incoherent post have to do with the issue at hand? I'm surprised that he didn't bring up the world wars! Obama's appearance before the Brandenburg Gate would not only be pre-mature, it would be downright arrogant, serving to reinforce the perception that America still controls running of Germany. He's a candidate, for god's sake, and not a head of state! But of course, cultural sensitivity was never an American's strong point, even an ethnically hyphenated one as Obama is...
i dont understand why he is even going to germany?...germans arent voting for him. so why would anyone even consider a "speech" @ brandenburg gate?...hes said VERY questionable and insulting things in the past. i think hes not worthy of being president of anything let alone a country!
The Brandenburg Gate is not the proper ground for political opinion-debate. It is a symbol of Power that has already been given, not to those who seek it!
Let Barack H. Obama have the stage at the Brandenburger Platz. It would seem that the German government is afraid to annoy George W. Bush by allowing Obama to speak from such a German Monument. Bush will be gone in January, so what harm can it do to allow Obama to speak to the world.
Why is the German government of Angela Merkel so afraid of the Gorilla in the White House? Get real forget the bum, and do what you must. Germany is supposed to be democracy, yet it fears annoying a foreign power.
Kenneth T. Tellis | Homepage | E-Mail | 09.07.2008, 08:19
We've wated too long for this.
If the German politikos scrw this up for B?
I'm going to lose my friggin' mind!
We've waited too long to hear the words !
Don't screw this up fellas.
Open up the Gates !
It was bad enough you got outclassed
by Spain in the second half.
'Considering that America is obviously the largest and most successfully ethnically integrated country in the world I would say that either you have not traveled much throughout America, or at all, or you are simply and grossly misinformed.'
Perhaps you should consider reading posts more carefully next time. What exactly does what you call successful ethnic integration have to do with cultural sensitivity? First of all, your assumption that America is in fact successfully integrated is false, as one can see on the front pages of any American newspaper. Need I mention the Katrina debacle or the raging debate in the states bordering Mexico? That's not to say that any other society has done any better, but America has in fact NOT accomplished what you've claimed for it. And as for travelling in the US, yes, I've encountered the nicest people over there, as well as my share of racism. But when Americans go abroad, more often than not, they look on the world with a gaze which has been whetted on American dreams and weaned on American ideology. Then we hear things like, 'Where's the nearest McDonalds? The local food tastes like crap!' or, 'That's all old Europe.' Come to think of it, one doesn't even need to take Americans out of the US to hear the last phrase. THAT'S what cultural sensitivity is all about: taking the local culture as it is, without first passing judgement on it, as Americans so often do.
The German people can do what they like but in my opinion such a place should not be used for foreign campaigning. There is also no reason for either candidate to be campaigning outside of the country they wish to serve. Merkel is right and Obama is a fool.
Widukind Goethicus"
Considering that America is obviously the largest and most successfully ethnically integrated country in the world I would say that either you have not traveled much throughout America, or at all, or you are simply and grossly misinformed.
As for Obama being mentioned in this context I say get back to me when Germany lets someone like him get anywhere near where he has gotten. In fact, all of Europe for that matter.
Obama will speak at the Bradenburg Gate!
Ja, wir können! Wage zu hoffen ändern!
Will he say "Ich bin ein Berliner?"
I did not read the article, naughty moi.
<i>"The Americans contributed decisively to saving the city of Berlin; that is why we should make historic sites such as the Brandenburg Gate available to them," Steinmeier, who has a history of clashing with Merkel, told Frankfurter Rundschau daily.
"If Barack Obama decides to take a trip to Europe and to visit Berlin as well as Britain and France then we should warmly welcome it," he said. "We should see his desire to visit as a sign of the importance that trans-Atlantic ties have for him -- and react positively." </i>
Good for ya sweetie pie. Ya just made my day.
Wanna bet she will be all huggie and kissie with Johny Loony.
And don't look at Steinmeir either, he is even more anti tan than Angie.
Lemme tell ya, the best way to get Americans to rally round Barry is to turn wassist on him, we surge in his support, take bets now.
Germans talk the good talk and do the good mea culpa but they wassist as ever.
Maybe the Greens chick will come out and hug Barry and maybe the Gabriele Pauli chick, if she is still around.
Try and make Barry look good folks, we can't afford a McLoon 3rd Bush term.
Bye bye.
Why is the German government of Angela Merkel so afraid of the Gorilla in the White House? Get real forget the bum, and do what you must. Germany is supposed to be democracy, yet it fears annoying a foreign power.
If the German politikos scrw this up for B?
I'm going to lose my friggin' mind!
We've waited too long to hear the words !
Don't screw this up fellas.
Open up the Gates !
It was bad enough you got outclassed
by Spain in the second half.
Do you understand the power behind these Gates?