Obama Will Not Attend Berlin Wall Ceremony

[rickjump1 0]

boston.com
Obama Skipping Berlin Wall ceremony
Comments (5) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 6, 2009 04:41 PM
President Obama announced this afternoon that he is dispatching Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to represent the US at the 20th anniversary Monday of the fall of the Berlin Wall -- the symbolic end of Soviet dominance over Eastern Europe and the Cold War.

But his absence is not sitting well with some conservatives.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

"To commemorate, after all, is to remember," the Georgia Republican said in an op-ed published in the Washington Examiner. "And Americans need to remember, not just that the Wall fell, but why it fell. We need to remember that the Berlin Wall was the symbol of more than just the Cold War, more than just the division of Europe. It was the symbol of an evil ideology that denied human dignity, denied truth, and respected only power. When the Wall fell, truth and human dignity, in a rare moment in the 20th century, triumphed over power.

"The message of human dignity that led to the toppling of the Berlin Wall twenty years ago is a true message of hope rooted in the spiritual nature of man and the freedom to know God," Gingrich concluded. "And so it is a true shame that the President of the United States - this man who cloaks himself in the rhetoric of hope - won't be pausing to remember."

Obama's schedule next week, however, is getting complicated. He is supposed to leave Wednesday on a 10-day tour of Asia, but he has also committed to attend the memorial service for the victims of the massacre at Fort Hood in Texas, which could also be next week.

The others in the official US delegation are Philip D. Murphy, the US ambassador to Germany; Brent Scowcroft, former national security adviser to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush; and Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security adviser to President Jimmy Carter.
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I would like to think this will not sit well with democrats as well..

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[billvon 3,173]

>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some
>consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

If he did go, he'd be crucified for pandering to the European socialists during the tragedy of the Fort Hood shootings and the debate over health care. Heck, listen to what Limbaugh said when Obama went to Dover to pay his respects to the 18 soldiers who were killed a few weeks ago:

"It was a photo op precisely because he's having big-time trouble on this whole Afghanistan dithering situation. . . .I think he's got an out-of-this-world ego. He's very narcissistic. And he's able to focus all attention on him all the time."

To summarize, it's a narcissistic photo op when he pays his respects to dead US troops, but it's a "tragedy" when he doesn't go to Europe during the anniversary of a wall coming down.

[Andy9o8 3]

It may have been a lose-lose proposition, but if I'd been his political advisor, I'd have recommended he lose in favor of attending. I think the down-side to not attending will be worse than the down-side of attending might have been. He's handing the opportunistic predators a freebie.

[billvon 3,173]

>He's handing the opportunistic predators a freebie.

Probably. But I'm OK not pandering to predators.

[Andy9o8 3]

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>He's handing the opportunistic predators a freebie.

Probably. But I'm OK not pandering to predators.

Me, too, in principle; but sometimes taking the path of lesser resistance helps the signal-to noise ratio. Pick the right battles.

[rickjump1 0]

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>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some
>consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

If he did go, he'd be crucified for pandering to the European socialists during the tragedy of the Fort Hood shootings and the debate over health care. Heck, listen to what Limbaugh said when Obama went to Dover to pay his respects to the 18 soldiers who were killed a few weeks ago:

"It was a photo op precisely because he's having big-time trouble on this whole Afghanistan dithering situation. . . .I think he's got an out-of-this-world ego. He's very narcissistic. And he's able to focus all attention on him all the time."

To summarize, it's a narcissistic photo op when he pays his respects to dead US troops, but it's a "tragedy" when he doesn't go to Europe during the anniversary of a wall coming down.

Pandering to European socialists? He's more at home with the likes of Chavez and Castro. Photo op or not, he would be stupid skipping Fort Hood. If he were prudent, he would then continue on to the Berlin Wall ceremony (unless he doesn't want to hurt Russian feelings). No, he just doesn't want to hear Nobel Peace Prize jokes. No more jokes. This is a historical moment he is thumbing his nose to. Kind of shallow.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[Gawain 0]

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>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some
>consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

If he did go, he'd be crucified for pandering to the European socialists during the tragedy of the Fort Hood shootings

He already did that Bill. While giving a "shout out" to a Medal of Honor earner...who wasn't...and saving his comments about Fort Hood. Even NBC in Chicago lambasted the President over that: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/A-Disconnected-President.html

The President's handlers are fumbling big time. It's affecting everything from the Olympics to Iran, to New Jersey and Virginia. Now all the health-care-glee in the House is simmering down because the bill is pretty much DOA in the Senate.

But, hey...he speaks so well, so we'll give him a pass...and another Trillion dollars to FUBAR the rest...

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Lucky... 0]

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>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some
>consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

If he did go, he'd be crucified for pandering to the European socialists during the tragedy of the Fort Hood shootings and the debate over health care. Heck, listen to what Limbaugh said when Obama went to Dover to pay his respects to the 18 soldiers who were killed a few weeks ago:

"It was a photo op precisely because he's having big-time trouble on this whole Afghanistan dithering situation. . . .I think he's got an out-of-this-world ego. He's very narcissistic. And he's able to focus all attention on him all the time."

To summarize, it's a narcissistic photo op when he pays his respects to dead US troops, but it's a "tragedy" when he doesn't go to Europe during the anniversary of a wall coming down.

Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

[Lucky... 0]

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He's more at home with the likes of Chavez and Castro.

As much as GWB was with Hilter; why didn't GWB go visit the Bumker site, now burried, when he was in office - using that logic?

[Andy9o8 3]

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The President's handlers are fumbling big time.

Rookie mistakes characterize every president's first year in office. I'll give his staff until January 20, 2010 to get it out of their systems. Then they have to play like they're in the Bigs.

[billvon 3,173]

Thank you for proving my point.

[rickjump1 0]

Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

[rickjump1 0]

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Thank you for proving my point.

Ok, no Nobel Peace Prize jokes. Does that make it better?

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[kallend 2,226]

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Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

Yeah, but its ok for Princess Pelousi to jet back and forth every few days in a 757? Come on, she should be flying Southwest Airlines.

[Lucky... 0]

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Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

Yeah, but its ok for Princess Pelousi to jet back and forth every few days in a 757? Come on, she should be flying Southwest Airlines.


This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN. The point that I made was that the Limbaughs would chide Obama for the money as well if he caravaned out there for the ceremnoy. Not only a photo-op, but an expensive one at that; we're paying for the president's low ratings inmore ways than one......

And you guys eat it up.

[rickjump1 0]

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Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

Yeah, but its ok for Princess Pelousi to jet back and forth every few days in a 757? Come on, she should be flying Southwest Airlines.

The last person to try that line on here ended up looking like a complete idiot.

[quade 4]

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This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN.

The the Speaker of the House is the 3rd person in line of succession and isn't necessarily tied to the party of either of the first two. As much as we should be saving money, it's a position that needs to have access to private travel. Commercial flights are simply not secure enough when you consider the information and importance of the job.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[rickjump1 0]

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Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

Yeah, but its ok for Princess Pelousi to jet back and forth every few days in a 757? Come on, she should be flying Southwest Airlines.

This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN. The point that I made was that the Limbaughs would chide Obama for the money as well if he caravaned out there for the ceremnoy. Not only a photo-op, but an expensive one at that; we're paying for the president's low ratings inmore ways than one......

And you guys eat it up. No, the people of New York were eating it up that day. I suspect several went home for a change of underwear.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[rickjump1 0]

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Quote

This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN.

The the Speaker of the House is the 3rd person in line of succession and isn't necessarily tied to the party of either of the first two. As much as we should be saving money, it's a position that needs to have access to private travel. Commercial flights are simply not secure enough when you consider the information and importance of the job.

This is what she deserves, and its private. http://www.baseops.net/militarypilot/t6.html

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[Lucky... 0]

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Quote

This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN.

The the Speaker of the House is the 3rd person in line of succession and isn't necessarily tied to the party of either of the first two. As much as we should be saving money, it's a position that needs to have access to private travel. Commercial flights are simply not secure enough when you consider the information and importance of the job.

I am aware of their ranking behind the Pres and VP, and you have a point. They should find the line somewhere and draw it; all others fly cattlecar . So perhaps ur right, S ot House is up there. But a lot of Congress needs to be more fiscally tight.

[Lucky... 0]

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Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

Yeah, but its ok for Princess Pelousi to jet back and forth every few days in a 757? Come on, she should be flying Southwest Airlines.

This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN. The point that I made was that the Limbaughs would chide Obama for the money as well if he caravaned out there for the ceremnoy. Not only a photo-op, but an expensive one at that; we're paying for the president's low ratings inmore ways than one......

And you guys eat it up.

No, the people of New York were eating it up that day. I suspect several went home for a change of underwear.

Which people of NY? The Tea partiers? WHom?

[Lucky... 0]

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Quote

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This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN.

The the Speaker of the House is the 3rd person in line of succession and isn't necessarily tied to the party of either of the first two. As much as we should be saving money, it's a position that needs to have access to private travel. Commercial flights are simply not secure enough when you consider the information and importance of the job.

This is what she deserves, and its private. http://www.baseops.net/militarypilot/t6.html

A bitch on a long trip, but GD it, gimme that turbine T-6. That is sweet.

[jakee 1,648]

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>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some
>consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

If he did go, he'd be crucified for pandering to the European socialists during the tragedy of the Fort Hood shootings and the debate over health care.

I just found an absolutely brain melting NewsBusters article that simultaneously a) slams Obama for not going to Berlin and b) slams him all over again for having been to Berlin already.

Beautiful.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Lucky... 0]

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>Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote today that while some
>consider Obama's decision "an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.

If he did go, he'd be crucified for pandering to the European socialists during the tragedy of the Fort Hood shootings and the debate over health care.

I just found an absolutely brain melting NewsBusters article that simultaneously a) slams Obama for not going to Berlin and b) slams him all over again for having been to Berlin already.

Beautiful.

and then slams him for all the things he said while there and all the things he didn't say. It's amazing, the D side bitches about:

- Katrina

- WMD's Iraq/Afg

- 5T debt increase

- Tax cuts to the rich

- Libby Commutation

- and whole bevy of shit

The R's have nothing and look desperate trying.

[rickjump1 0]

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Or would they tally the cost of a trip there at 2,3, or 6 million dollars; take your pick. At a time when the deficit/debt is huge, he wants to use the 20-year old falling of the wall as a photo-op to try to recover his ratings. Bla, bla, bla....

Yeah, but its ok for Princess Pelousi to jet back and forth every few days in a 757? Come on, she should be flying Southwest Airlines.

This is off the point, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE THAT EVERYONE BUT THE PRES AND VP S/B FLYING COMMERCIAL IN EVERY ADMIN. The point that I made was that the Limbaughs would chide Obama for the money as well if he caravaned out there for the ceremnoy. Not only a photo-op, but an expensive one at that; we're paying for the president's low ratings inmore ways than one......

And you guys eat it up.

No, the people of New York were eating it up that day. I suspect several went home for a change of underwear.

Which people of NY? The Tea partiers? WHom? The ones who had previously witnessed the hijacked airliners flying into the Twin Towers. 9-11 or Muslim Blitzkreig ring a bell? It was a flashback for many seeing two large aircraft strolling aound the buildings.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.