An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right

« Afghanistan: Blame Game instead of Great Game?

A Brief Interlude »

Absent from Berlin, Obama Misses Grand Opportunity: Le Figaro, France

Posted by WILLIAM KERN in International, Media, Miscellaneous, Places, Politics, War.
Nov 11th, 2009 | Comments

‘HOPE FOR THE OTHER WALLS’

Despite the mind-boggling number of issues he must attend to – was it a mistake for President Obama to refrain from traveling to Germany for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall?

According to Le Figaro’s chief editorialist, Pierre Rousselin, President Obama not only missed a chance to demonstrate the strength of democracy, he showed how low Europe is on his list of priorities.

For Le Figaro, Pierre Rousselin writes in part:

“The absence of Barack Obama in Berlin yesterday, among the leaders of countries which have been central to our history, is a telling confirmation of his indifference toward a continent that is no longer a priority for the United States.

“But it was also a missed opportunity: the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolizes the firmness of democracies in the face of oppression. America, like Europe, should be inspired by this event to tear down all walls, in Iran, Afghanistan, the Middle East and elsewhere.”

Editorial By Pierre Rousselin

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

November 9, 2009

France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)
Any American president other than Barack Obama would have traveled to Berlin for the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Wall – if for no other reason than to celebrate the essential role of the United States in the victory of freedom in Europe.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, your most trusted translator and aggregator of foreign news and views about our nation.

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

JSpencer

Hey, the guy can't be everywhere at once. Europe needs to relax and take a deep breath.

essurfer

I understand where they are coming from, but with the health care issue and the attack in Texas, can you imagine the palaver if he would have jetted off to Berlin?

AustinRoth

Everyone is missing the real reason.

To Obama and the intellectual progressive movement he has been part of his adult life, the wall coming down is not something to celebrate, and particularly not America's or even more so Reagan's role in it.

In fact, they tend to deny that either had anything to do with it; they just got undue credit.

JeffersonDavis

I agree, Spence....

I wanted my President in Kileen, Texas. That's where he belonged. Europe is right below which socks to choose in the heirarchy of things right now.

JSpencer

"To Obama and the intellectual progressive movement he has been part of his adult life, the wall coming down is not something to celebrate" ~ AR

You really believe that? I think it's kind of an absurd notion. Some things transcend partisanship (or should), and I think the wall coming down is certainly one of them. To the extent that Reagan had hand in it (even if his role was played up) then I applaud him.

pacatrue

Really? Everyone I know, who are 80% progressive, think this is great. The Velvet Revolution is held up as a people power moment by liberals all over the place. I'm sure there are some partisans who downplay Reagan's role, as there are partisans who play it up, but the role he did have was indeed one of his great accomplishments.

I really see no evidence for your assertion that liberals/progressives liked the Berlin Wall.

blog comments powered by Disqus