Absent from Berlin, Obama Misses Grand Opportunity: Le Figaro, France
Nov 11th, 2009 | 6 responses
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.
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6 Responses to “Absent from Berlin, Obama Misses Grand Opportunity: Le Figaro, France”
Hey, the guy can't be everywhere at once. Europe needs to relax and take a deep breath.
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?
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.
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.
“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 one of them. To the extent that Reagan had hand in it (however much his role may have been played up) then I applaud him.
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.