‘Obama is No Savior’

For those who believe Europe is wholeheartedly behind Barack Obama, this article written by Josef Joffe in Germany’s Die Zeit may prove a chastening read.

Joffe writes that the “disturbing” thing about America is not the person who leads the U.S. government, but the nature of America itself.

Joffe writes in part:

“Despite the possible coming of Obama, the superpower remains. Pacified Europe is fundamentally suspicious of power; those who use it (and every U.S. president since 1945 has done so in abundance), are indeed devilish. And Obama is no savior.”

Then, warning about the Democrats, Joffe writes:

“Obama has two further strikes against him. His party plays with the fire of protectionism against products as well as people; that is why Asia and Latin America are so skeptical about the Democrats. Then there is Obama’s idealism, which provides Europeans with ample reason for concern. And include with that a lofty human rights policy, conceived not by George W. but by Democrat Jimmy Carter. …”

By Josef Joff

Translated By Ulf Behncke

June 5, 2008

Germany – Die Zeit – Original Article (German)

The Zeitgeist favors Obama – although not as much in Asia, Africa and Latin America than in Western Europe. This may be an optical illusion shaped by our minds: the comforting image whereby it’s not America but George W. Bush that is the problem. Away with the “cowboy;” give us Change & Hope so we can love America again.

Why is this a trick of the senses? Firstly because anti-Americanism is older than Bush Jr. As far back as 1999 during a demonstration in Vienna, a poster appeared proclaiming “USA=Nazi” while Mr. “Nice Guy” Bill Clinton bombed Serbia. Even further back: Hans Magnus Enzensberger remembers how that “disgruntled members of the movement of 1968 cursed their former object of desire. “USA-SA-SS” they shouted: for them, the CIA was their devil incarnate.

[Editor's Note: The "SA" was the paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, in German Sturmabteilung or stormtrooper. The "SS" was Hitler's elite military force, in German Schutzstaffel or Protective Squadron].

Secondly, because despite the possible coming of Obama, the superpower remains. Pacified Europe is fundamentally suspicious of power; those who use it (and every U.S. president since 1945 has done so in abundance), are indeed devilish. And Obama is no savior. America, he writes in The Audacity of Hope must, albeit reluctantly, take on the role of global policeman. It should take “unilateral” action against those who are “prepared to attack American targets.” The U.N. Security Council must not have a “veto over our actions.” Sounds somewhat like a moderate Bush – or worse – because even Obama would strike al-Qaeda inside Pakistan.

Thirdly, because America, this modern-day steamroller, is inherently disturbing. …

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign press coverage of the U.S. election.