The Panderer Forgets the Panzers
By Ani on July 27, 2008 at 1:05 PM in Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Current Affairs, Presidential Candidates, Race Card, Shelby Steele
Thursday, Barack Obama took another opportunity to offer hopeful generalities and feel good propaganda to the German people and to the world, and he chose to do so at the foot of the Victory Column in Berlin. This monument, known as the Siegessäule, is rife with Nazi symbolism.
From Spiegel online:
“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.”
Advised correctly? Perhaps it would be fitting that a candidate for President who aspires to lead our nation out of the darkness and, grandiosely, to “heal our planet,” take a moment, for once, to do his own homework.
Senator Obama states:
Here, at the base of a column built to mark victory in war, we meet at the center of a Europe at peace.
It was a monument Hitler liked to gaze upon.
Andrea Schockenhoff of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats said, “the Siegessäule in Berlin is dedicated to a victory over neighbors who are today European friends and allies. It is a problematic symbol.”
Obama also makes sure to include this statement in his opening remarks:
I know that I don’t look like the Americans who’ve previously spoken in this great city.
For a man who consistently presents himself as the post-racial candidate, Senator Obama is always bringing up race. Since that is once again the case here, let me offer a comparison that might make the insensitive location of his speech more clear to him.
Can you imagine if a white politician gave a speech while standing before a 30-foot rendering of the Confederate flag? How about a burning cross?
Let us put location aside for the moment. His speech, which contains positive and positively vague concepts for how we must work to tear all walls down as part of the global community, is the usual pablum; fine as far as it goes. No specifics are offered, just a photo op for Obama to enjoy adulation and applause of thousands for clearing his throat.
What is not fine is this statement:
People of the world – look at Berlin!
Look at Berlin, where Germans and Americans learned to work together and trust each other less than three years after facing each other on the field of battle.
“On the field of battle?” That sounds so honorable! Like two worthy adversaries fighting over a plot of land or a political principle. Look at Berlin, indeed.
His feel good moment designed to pander to his current audience, just as he seeks to pander to any audience for whom he performs, conveniently omits the harsh reality that we were not battling an honorable adversary. We were battling Nazi Germany. You remember: the people responsible for exterminating millions of Jews.
How nice of Senator Obama to leave out any mention of the holocaust so he wouldn’t make the German people gathered for “Obamafest” feel bad, while vendors were busy selling souvenir buttons depicting him in lederhosen holding a bunch of beer steins.
Instead he chooses to dwell on the Berlin Wall and raised the specter of the Cold War. He makes the Russian people the bad guys in this equation for splitting up Berlin and making half of it communist – suddenly the ‘Wall’ is the culprit. Yes, but surely, there were other culprits.
He fails to mention in his speech that the Russians were allied with the United States against the Germans – the true enemy in World War II.
Obviously, as the child of a holocaust survivor it is important to me that this fact not be forgotten. Although my father could never forgive the German people, even at the time of his death, I vowed I would never live a life carrying old hatred with me. I would not make his legacy mine. So let me be clear, it is certainly not hatred for the German people living today that prompts my statements; quite the contrary.
The present world will never be able to apologize for the past one.
Nevertheless, I will not excuse revisionist history for the convenience of Obama crafting a sound bite around the concept of “walls coming down.” He cannot omit the fact that the Soviets did fight by our side in this cause. The Soviet tanks he complains of in his speech were also used against the Nazis.
Senator Obama also conveniently forgets how many concentration camps were liberated by the Soviets, including the largest concentration camp of all, Auschwitz – the one that Obama falsely claimed his uncle helped to liberate when he was, again, pandering to a Jewish audience a couple of months ago.
Whatever Russia’s motives, the fact remains that they were very instrumental in breaking Hitler’s back and bringing a faster end to the war – a fact it is most inappropriate for Obama to forget simply because it does not coincide with the narrative of his pretty platitudes.
Once again, Obama works to make his current audience feel comfortable, forgiving them any past transgressions, much as Shelby Steele’s brilliant piece in the Wall St. Journal pointed out in this statement regarding Obama’s success with white voters:
“Mr. Obama’s great political ingenuity was very simple: to trade moral leverage for gratitude. Give up moral leverage over whites, refuse to shame them with America’s racist past, and the gratitude they show you will constitute a new form of black power. They will love you for the faith you show in them.”
Yes, Senator, reward those Americans that vote for you with your ‘approval.’ But those who criticize – they will enjoy a different fate altogether:
Senator Obama and his surrogates have shamelessly played the race card throughout this campaign to great advantage, even unjustly labeling President Clinton, of all people, a racist. Obama even has Governor Kathy Sebelius, in a shameless statement she surely knows to be false, proclaiming that citing Obama’s ‘inexperience’ is code for racism. The press is cowed for fear any criticism of Obama will label them racist. He enjoys a protective shield, if you will, the likes of which I have never seen.
How fortunate for Germany, not having criticized Obama as some of us have here in the U.S., that they likewise get feel good rhetoric and a poster to take home.
Certainly, slavery is a horrible stain on our flag that cannot be erased. Likewise, no matter how much forgiveness we may feel and show now towards Germany and her allies, the fact remains that these atrocities happened a mere 63 years ago. They deserve a mention, don’t you think?
Obviously, the United States does not get a pass on slavery. But the Germans, and by extension all those who stood by and did nothing, get a pass on the extermination of millions? That is a frightening double standard and I am not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.
If there are any honest journalists left, perhaps someone will be forthright and decent enough to hold Senator Obama accountable. I won’t hold my breath.
I seem to recall that eight years ago, another man, a self-proclaimed “uniter,” with generalized, compassionate rhetoric, similarly got a sweetheart ride in the press and turned out to be no more than a snake oil salesman. We were then saddled with eight years of the worst leadership imaginable.
They say those who pay no attention to history are doomed to repeat it. Senator Obama is obviously very comfortable turning his back on history lessons. Let’s hope the same is not true of us.
In Berlin speech, Obama says he will tear down the walls between immigrants and natives, rich countries and poor countries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W42oxgEN_I
at the 2:28 mark
But he voted for Mexico/US border wall
http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/176290,CST-EDT-REF18.article
the part of Obama’s speech that sent a chill
DOWN MY SPINE was the part where he said that
our country had not been ‘perfected’ yet.
Am I getting too spooked by this whole election
year or did anyone else find that incredibly
CREEPY!
And please don’t even start with the racist
label because I said spooked, thank you.
He’s sees us as one of the 57 states. Nice territory and huge vault. We’re just a matter of time under his dicktasterhship. We’re merely a Society of Antipathetic People Who Are Indifferent to People Who Do Not Resemble Ourselves.
Remember?…not exactly a hot mic, an open cell phone recording. Where? Why? Revisit the timeframe and the recipients of this Sermon.
Obama wants to “perfect” America … in Jeremiah Wright’s and Bill Ayres’ images.
Why would such an imperfect man as Barack Obama possibly believe he could “perfect” anything, let alone a county he obviously knows nothing about!
This is why our Founding Fathers wanted a native born American at the helm of our country; someone steeped in our traditions, our Constitution and our history. Obama grew up too far from from here, in foreign countries, in cultures too different from our own, it seems, to understand the importance of our past.
Good Article….Stings.
Obama is either dumb or deadly.
I choose option 3 - he is both dumb and deadly.
Obama is dumb and deadly just like Bush.
bush had a few limits. Does Obama have any?
I’m sorry but it’s definitely getting to the point that it’s an insult to Bush to compare Obama to him. This guy’s real different– a whole new level of empty rhetoric.
DEADLY
Why do I want to throw a brick at our TV or the computer screen every time that criminal Obama is barking on it?
Perhaps it’s from too many years of working with lying POS juvenile criminals (wards of the court for adult offenses) with the same Modus Operandi as Obama. Seriously, Obama should be locked away before he does some major damage not only to America but the world.
It is of utmost importance to make sure he is not nominated or elected.
No vote, No money, No support!
PUMA!!
Buzz let me give you some advice.
Go buy a bucket and a pack of sponges, these are great to throw at the tv and damage is minimal. I have employed this method for the last 7 years under Republical misrule.
Thanks for the tip!
They probably won’t scare the people or pets as badly as the rolled up newspapers I used last night.
I’ve put sponges on the list for the store tomorrow!!!
My dad used empty beer cans!
That’s the sound of Obama throwing blacks under the bus. Yes, the Holocaust deserved a mention. It’s a cautionary tale that should not be glossed over for political expediency. Obama’s speechwriters could have written a more memorable speech that included the lesson of the Holocaust, but such a sensitive topic would doubtlessly be harder to write. At the very least, he should not have reduced the fight against Germany to just another war on some battlefield.
We repeatedly see that Obama will exchange his morals for votes or approval.
But that might upset the trolls in GAZA….Obama doesn’t want to do that.
What would Uncle Jerry and Ayatollah Louis say ?
“On the field of battle?” That sounds so honorable! Like two worthy adversaries fighting over a plot of land or a political principle.”
It seems ironic that BO would use the same type of characterization as was used by the South and northern politicians to minimize the role of slavery in the Civil War.
Jesus, what an APT POINT–and so succinctly made.
Hubris, thy name is Barack! Irony, thy name is Obama!
meg·a·lo·ma·nia
1 : a mania for great or grandiose performance
2 : a delusional mental disorder that is marked by feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur
Merriam-Webster
Obama-Soros
Obama Campaign Site: Alzheimer’s Disease is Funny
http://grizzlygroundswell.com/archives/3030
Best assessment of the situation I’ve ever read.
Well done.
Thank you for posting.
obam ’s wants to liqidate america’s wealth and give it to other countries! he also threw the greatcity of boston under the bus complaining to the germans about how boston and beijing are “melting the ice cap”! why not throw a bigger city, say, chicago under the bus!! and lumping us in with the chinese commie tibet murderers!
Sheeesh! doesn’t Obama know anything….Texas is melting the caps at both ends….sheeesh!
We’re in his innate viewpoint comprised of a great terrority and an infinite treasure trove. We’re just another state.
How within a period of 5 years since September 11th, 2001 could we give in to our captors? We’re living in the Stockholme Syndrome, Real Time.
McCain needs to request Jessica Colon, Chairman of the youg Republican Federation, to travel along with him.
Jessica was just on Foxnews and she did an excellant job of representing McCain’s campaign (the best pro McCain segment I’ve seen).
John McCain has been doing great since Friday. He’s getting there and he’s getting up to snuff on the dual TELEprompter and emoting in synchronicity. If he gets this down pat, there’s little else HoBO has on him.
Will Citizen of the World Obama Play Well In Pennsylvania?
Let’s remember how badly Obama performed with blue collar workers. Despite all his “Citizen of the World” talk, Sen. Obama still doesn’t connect with blue collar workers. Remember state after state where Hillary pummeled Obama with blue collar workers. That wasn’t just a trend. That wasn’t an accident.
It was state after state telling Sen. Obama that they didn’t like his statement about them clinging to their guns and their religion because of their poverty.
There’s an important rule to remember in all this: Just because the In Love Media isn’t talking about this doesn’t mean that blue collar Americans have forgotten his statements. They still see Sen. Obama as an elitist. After his badmouthing of America and his apologizing for America in his Berlin speech, rest assured that people are being reminded that Sen. Obama doesn’t share their views of America.
The key for McCain is to win over Clinton Democrats from the primary as well as to maximize turnout among Republicans and pro-McCain coalitions.
If he does Angry Michelle, Ed Rendell will pay long into the future.
Yo, Ed. Day 30: Really?
Our Country is at stake, here.
See yas in Denver!!
There are plenty of voters who don’t like elitists.
And they don’t forget when they’ve been insulted to the bone, either.
Thank the Source of all that is wonderous and good that he still is not the official democratic nominee. He is behaving like the jester in a medieval court.
I would love to see the Full Monty Python on this ejaculation.
Where did I read that The Great Uniter wants reparations for AAs (formerly known as “Blacks”), or is that also under the bus, since this week he’s white?
Obam Nein!
Ehemmm….STING…
See Highly Educated Uppity Woman 08 for the facts regarding rightful heirs and the deserved ones for Reparations. 7/26/08
Way overdue.
Regarding our Peoples of many American Nations, ~ Let us not only ‘never forget’ but let us ‘always remember’, as well.
Yeah…That was a brilliant series by the intrepid Uppity….
Anyone 1/8 black can claim themselves as black and receive full preferential treatment. According to Phleger, they are entitled to take a white person’s job and 401k. Now I would like to see one of them take Phleger’s job.
I believe Obama understands completely what the Siegessäule in Berlin represents.
It’s another one of his “let’s see if you can get my real meaning” games.
I also beleive Obama knows his history very well and is daring us to call him on following in vile footsteps.
Yes, let’s hope the same is not true of us!
Koolusion-Aid
lmao Patti
?
If we all pay very close attention to the “Pandering One” he will let enough out to reveal his true self. Yes,he does do it.
He’s just now starting to flesh out what he meant by his “fundamental changes in our democracy” comments from the primaries. Heard Axelrod use same terminology. That was when I realized we need to be very afraid of this ultimate politician.
Thank God the American people are not as clueless as Obama’s campaign thinks they are. They recognize when it’s time to “put your boots on” ’cause it’s getting real deep now!
I haven’t watched Meet the Press in a really long time although I’ve meant to since Tom Brokaw took over because I like him. Well I had tv on that channel and peeling apples (for apple crisp!) and hands were too gooey to turn the channel so I caught just the last 10 mins of the show this morn.
Low and behold the guest was Bambi- Tom was just in the middle of asking him about his prior, earlier, promise/statement to do 1,2, or more townhall meetings with John McCain once a wk or on a regular basis and why he’s now changed his mind on that.
Bambi’s answer was, “Well, ah, ah, ah, I, ah…. ”
Typical!
Also same channel I got stuck watching Chris kiss up Matthews’ show that was on right afterwards.. the lovefest these ppl have for Obama is an American-press disgrace. You’ve got Chris slobbering all over Bambi and Eugene whatshisname saying (and not for the first time) that it’s because of race that some people don’t want to vote for bambi.
all the race card!
But as nauseating as it was to have to listen to this pathetic show, I loved the fact that they HAD to cover a BIG topic you know they didn’T want to- That bambi draws huge crowds like a rock star but he still doesn’t have a national lead- the people don’t trust him and he hasn’t surpassed 45% in national polls (that was THEIR statement).
If a show like this had to cover this topic, then you KNOW there is a problem out there! these kind of bambi-fan shows would never touch on a negative topic about him unless they had to, and a lot of the show did cover his lack of appeal and trust by the American people.
How ’bout that!
“the Race Card” (emboldened to the max) is an euphemism for the Sexism Card. It never gets played, just secreted into the race conversation.
Those who have ears, hear. ~ Jesus
the John Lennon figure from 2000 years ago, during the Octavian Augustus Ceasar occupation. Pax My Wiping Hand. (thats Latin/ Aramaic. sniff).
How ironic is that? Burn your Beatle records, folks, your bras, your draft card and this farce of the democratic party registration card of yore. Burn Baby Burn
Jesus did not know that he was a christian during his Lifetime; he neither knew his last name was Christ. Though he was familiar somewhat with Greek). (merci beauCoup, ooops ears? what? listen? Code). I’m sure he had some Latin under his belt as well living in an cccupied terrority.
HoBO resembles not in any way the persona of Mr. Christ.
Hillary Clinton will be inaugurated as President Of The United States on January 20th, 2009.
We have the Power.
We have the PUMA Courage.
A warm, moist cloth for Chris Matthews, STAT!!!!!!!!
The race card has been working very well up to this point why would they discard it? Everyone who is supporting Obama is doing so entirely or in part due to his race — which means race is the only card Obama can play.
Nice post!
That button for the ObamaFest? Obama ostensibly in lederhosen w/a bunch of beer steins? Why does he look girly? Haven’t gays suffered enough?
Not Obama. Never.
PUMAs live.
Excellent Blog, A MUST READ!!!! PASS IT ON!!!
Read last Blog
http://www.plnewsforum.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/34772/
That was…..JUICY…..thanks
Losers, Dean/Obama. Hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14yGx7eHJ0U
Denver or Bust!
When and where do I meet for the march against tyranny? It’s no longer just about Hillary! No local will get my vote if they support this move!
Selected Not Elected, if elected I will defect!
Proud PUMA
I recall when Obama was “booking” the Brandenberg Gate, Ms. Merkel was agin’ it (although most of the gov’t were for it) and she said it could be nefotiated. I think Ms. Merkel outsmarted Obama big time when it came to the choice of a site.
Oooops. That’s negotiated. I need the “flying fingers of fate” award for typos.
I type like a monkey. 2 middle fingers all the way through.
That’s racist.
No, it wasn’t, basil. It was a truth about my typing skills and how I actully type.
If you are referring to the word monkey in my statement, I guess they, too, are under the bus.
It is shame you feel that way about the use of that term. It really is.
Take the time to read any of my comments on this site and you will see for yourself that I don’t stoop so low as to refer to human beings as animals other than the occasional “jackass” when it applies.
Typing like monkey was meant in the same sense as “eats like a bird”.
Need,
Welcome to the Society of Dyslexic Typists!
We have no dues or membership roster because we’re future signers of the Organization of Procrastinators of America, a group of wonderful people who intend to get around to it any damn day now.
Welcome!
Your membership card is still in the design phase or close to it and soon, we hope to have some idea of what we’ll write on it, but the meeting was postponed and I can’t find the note and…
Ah, screw it! Welcome…
I’m in. I type with 2 fingers also. I hate typing.
I guess Jesse Owens is chicken liver?
New York Herald Tribune Sunday January 31, 1960
by Al Laney
http://www.jesseowensmuseum.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=res_viewDetails&id=27
In 1951, a “crowd of 75,000 turned out.”
Oh damn,
Teary-eyed thanks for that!
Very interesting article, you know, I hadn’t thought of it that way!
“Certainly, slavery is a horrible stain on our flag that cannot be erased. Likewise, no matter how much forgiveness we may feel and show now towards Germany and her allies, the fact remains that these atrocities happened a mere 63 years ago. They deserve a mention, don’t you think?
Obviously, the United States does not get a pass on slavery. But the Germans, and by extension all those who stood by and did nothing, get a pass on the extermination of millions? That is a frightening double standard and I am not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.”–Ani
What article?
DO you have a link?
Uh, this article — the one this is commenting on.
Many many many boatloads of whites fought and died to end slavery in the U.S. over 150 years ago.
Many many many boatloads of Americans of all races, creeds, and colors fought to help the Allies.
Gays have always been there, silently serving their country.
Enough already with The Narcissistic One’s race-baiting and pandering.
Tell Oblowme The Speech Monkey to Stick a Sock in It!
End the Pain - Vote McSane.
What? I guess Colin Powell is chicken liver too?
Berlin, Germany
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
April 28, 2004
Colin Powell:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/antisemconference.html
I served in Germany in the early seventies and had the signal honor of meeting the commanding officer of the United States Army/Europe, or USAEUR, Gen. Colin Powell.
I was sneaking out the back door of my Brigade Headquarters building to get a very hasty haircut, leaping down the stairs because the MAN was coming.
I worked in a “2-Shop,” (intel) and knew I was dead meat if I got caught with the huge pelt on top of my head.
‘Round the corner of the stairwell I went and, BAM!
Let me tell ya, it is VERY hard to snap to attention while flying down a stairwell, but I did a good enough job of it not to run the man over.
At attention, I said “G’afternoon, sir!” looked at a spot on the wall over his right shoulder, and PRAYED!
“Good afternoon, Corporal,” he smilingly said back, “looking a little shaggy there troop.” I was impressed that he was kind enough to call me ‘troop,’ a name reserved, at the time for men who were Airborne qualified.
The next thing he said was, “I will be in this Headquarters for the next hour. I look forward to seeing what you look like in uniform.”
Oof! I said, “Clear sir, Airborne!” aboutfaced and was sitting in the barber chair in less than five minutes.
I got a WAY short haircut and beat feet back to the unit.
As I was hustling back, the General and his entourage were just pulling out. I came to a stop and saluted, now being outside and under a hat and damned if he didn’t stop the car. The window came down, he said, “Much better troop, carry on.”
I snapped off the best salute I ever gave and then went back to the unit to be laughed at for days over my ’sidewalls.”
Colin Powell, in my estimation, is a Mensch.
A Mensch wouldn’t push a bullshit story about yellow cake uranium from Niger on the U.N. to get the world into a never-ending war.
I think that Colin Powell is a traitor.
According to Valerie Plame and all other credible sources; he trumped up those charges against Iraq using the very thinnest of evidence.
He’s a co-conspirator.
A decent person much less an honorable officer would have resigned
and spoken out against the plotting.
Ambassador Wilson did.
Colin Powell should be tried for murder.
The Bush Administration couldn’t have sold the Iraq disaster without him.
Why do folks want to give him a pass?
I’m truly curious about this.
What? I guess Condoleezza Rice is also chicken liver?
Secretary Condoleezza Rice
En Route to Berlin, Germany
December 5, 2005
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/57643.htm
Obama is Hitler. Is that the argument here now?
LOL
anchovy?
Definate anchovy
No.
The argument is that he is an insensitive, uncaring clod with no respect for anyone but himself.
History is only used in Obama’s world to the extent that it benefits him. Otherwise, it is ignored or glossed over.
NO. He just wants to be.
Obama wishes he were Hitler. Obama is addicted to being adored and it all goes to his head.
What? I guess Michael Jackson is chicken
liver? (Well. . .)
Ironically, MJ also speaks of HOPE when addressing the screaming Germans.
Bambi Awards
Berlin, Germany
November 21, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfL7XPABreg&feature=related
Michael Jackson & Friends Concert
Munich, Germany
1997
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVLsxpA6Cf0
Oh dear,MJ doesn’t quite look like anybody that has spoken anywhere.
LMAO! (I know)
I guess Mary Church is chicken liver?
Mary was the daughter of former slaves who worked for woman’s sufferage. Unlike the One, she was invited to speak in Berlin.
by John G. of Kansas City, KS
January 29, 2006
Merci beaucoup, Mary!
http://negroid.blogspot.com/
NO. He just wants to be
Perfect!
What is the name of the SNL skit with the German talk show where the guys break into dance?
Oblowme is perfect for one of the creepy dancer parts.
SPROCKETS!
Thank you Donkey!!
“Springtime for Hitler” (from “The Producers”)?
OMG! And thank you jwrjr for reminding me how Oblowme getting the wink wink nudge nudge nom nod while HRC was smokin his whiney little ass reminded me of something.
It’s the premise in The Producers. The Dems have pre-ordained the worst conceivable candidate who is destined to be a one state wonder in the general.
And how do they make out off the scam? They don’t have to raise funds.
Oblowme brings with him a Fortune 500 bundler donor base and friends who are convicted felons with blood money donations.
“Can you imagine if a white politician gave a speech while standing before a 30-foot rendering of the Confederate flag?”
If Obama were white I doubt if he would have considered running for president. If he did and they caught him in a racist church for the last 20 years he would have had to resign from politics.
Obama is a farce in every sense of the word.
Obama is not making foreign history he is reliving someone elses steps from Kennedy Reagan MlK and to Bill, the beauty of his speeches are driven by JFK speech writer, one difference between JFK MLK Reagan and Bill they had a conviction to stand on what they believe and voted that way Obama has a great medias add of showing himself as President, after he beat down Hillary on her record I suppose he gets credit for shaking hands and i suppose his supporters are saying see he now has foreign experience, too bad his voting record sucks..and it shows he works for those who can progress his career