Fall of the Berlin Wall 20-Year Anniversary: Obama Won’t Be There, Says “Too Busy” (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on November 9, 2009
Pres. Ronald Reagan, making his now-famous, powerful speech at Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, Germany to tear down the Berlin Wall
Pres. Barack Obama had accepted the invitation to attend the fall of the Berlin Wall 20th anniversary in June, but now, he’s backing out, saying he’s just “too busy.” Not a shining moment here for POTUS.
And no surprise, either. A narcissistic pattern is seen emerging, a fragile ego being exposed more often… and yet another snub of an ally. Not to mention the snubbing of the 20th anniversary celebrations of freedom for which a former US president served as a historical catalyst.
Traveling to Norway to accept that Nobel Peace Prize that he didn’t earn is a priority. Honoring the accomplishments of Ronald Reagan in his role of bringing down Communism in Germany isn’t. Ironically, Reagan’s courage and diligence to speak out against government tyranny and his huge role in the fall of the Berlin Wall should have earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. But it didn’t. The sheer fantasy hope of Obama’s “maybe he’ll do something worthy” role in the world has bizarrely carried more weight than any of Reagan’s actual accomplishments.
Maybe it’s better that Obama skip the 20th anniversary of the fall of the wall. The press (international press, not American press, of course) making comparisons between Ronald “The Gipper” and Barack “The Wimper” as world-class leaders of strength and free-market convictions would likely be a bit too uncomfortable and unflattering for Mr. Obama. Sure wouldn’t want that.
FOX News: Obama Draws Criticism for Sitting Out Berlin Wall Anniversary:
President Obama squeezed in a trip to Copenhagen last month to lobby, unsuccessfully, for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. He plans to travel to Oslo next month to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, an award that even Obama has said he does not deserve. And this coming week, he sets out on a weeklong tour of Asia.
But the president does not plan to travel to Germany to attend the 20th anniversary celebration Monday of the fall of the Berlin Wall, drawing heated criticism from those who say he’s ignoring a shining triumph of American-inspired democracy.
“A tragedy,” is how former House Speaker Newt Gingrich described Obama’s absence.
Some question whether the decision not to go was a nod to Russia, with which the Obama administration is trying to mend relations, or just another attempt to play down the perception of the United States as an exceptional superpower.
For its part, the administration is citing a scheduling conflict. The White House says the president simply does not have the time to go, with the trip to Asia starting Wednesday.
From Rich Lowry, NRO: Why Obama Won’t Go to Berlin:
Obama’s failure to go to Berlin is the most telling nonevent of his presidency. It’s hard to imagine any other American president eschewing the occasion. Only Obama — with his dismissive view of the Cold War as a relic distorting our thinking and his attenuated commitment to America’s exceptional role in the world — would spurn German chancellor Angela Merkel’s invitation to attend.
From Sister Toldjah, Why isn’t President Obama traveling to Germany for Berlin Wall fall anniversary?:
Well, hey – this is what I call a “Me” Presidency. It’s all about O, not the country that elected him President. The fall of the Berlin Wall wasn’t his accomplishment, after all, and at this stage in his presidency there’s nothing to be gained from a visit anywhere near the Berlin Wall – unlike the last time – so why bother?
From Flopping Aces, Obama Cancels Plan to Attend 20th Anniversary of Berlin Wall Fall:
Perhaps the problem for Obama is that by attending the Berlin ceremonies parallels will be drawn between him and President Reagan; who didn’t just talk about peace but made it happen. Or maybe Obama just can’t bring himself to recognize an American success. After all, he’s spent the last nine months touring the world apologizing for America’s shortcomings.
Sadly, as Obama snubs yet another of our staunchest allies, he fails to realize that at some point we’re going to need the Germans if we ever decide to get tough with Iran. Skip that. Something tells me Obama has no intention of getting tough with Iran bomb or no bomb!
From CNN Political Ticker: Obama takes heat for skipping Berlin Wall anniversary:
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is taking aim at President Obama’s decision not to travel to Germany next week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the latest in a string of conservatives to criticize Obama’s decision to skip the ceremony on November 9.
“Some consider President Obama’s refusal to attend the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany next week an outrage, I consider it a tragedy.” Gingrich wrote in an op-ed published Friday in The Washington Examiner.
“To commemorate, after all, is to remember. And Americans need to remember, not just that the Wall fell, but why it fell,” Gingrich added. “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.”
From Token Conservative, Happy 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall:
The fall of the Berlin Wall happened twenty years ago. Unlike other world leaders, past and present, President Obama could not attend. He claims to be too busy. So, while even Mikhail Gorbachev and current Russian president Dmitry Medvedev attend the fall of that Communist symbol, Mr. Obama sends his regrets. Though this is the celebration of a great victory, both symbolic and concrete (no pun intended), for freedom and self-determination, he cannot take time from what, exactly? His Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech? When the occasional pundit likens Obama to Ronald Reagan, it is imperative to keep in mind Obama’s conduct here. Reagan stood for the spread of freedom fostered by a strong and confident United States. Obama? Not so much.
Here’s a portion of Pres. Ronald Reagan’s famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, Germany, June 12, 1987. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
John F. Kennedy’s Speech in West Berlin – I am a Berliner – Ich Bin Ein Berliner | June 26, 1963
ABC News’ accounting in 2006 of the people’s reaction to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The Communist Party was brought down in less than a month, bringing the start of democracy to so many.
ABC News Report: Remembering Fall of the Berlin Wall
Excellent photo gallery: Spiegel Online International: Photo Gallery: The Berlin Wall, Then and Now
Related reading:
Infidels Paradise: Attend The Berlin Wall Anniversary? What’s In It For Me? … Besides, Why Would I Celebrate The Fall Of Communism?
John Loudon, Big Government: To Our Friends in Europe, We Apologize for Our President
Goodtimepolitics: Videos – America as a declining world power anxious to apologise for…….
Gateway Pundit: Big Lib Matt Lauer Questions If It’s ‘Egocentric’ to View Fall of Berlin Wall as ‘American Victory’ (Video) and Celebrating VEE Day – 20 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall Democrats Build New Socialist State and Sorry Europe… Barack Obama Won’t Be Celebrating the 20 Year Anniversary of the Fall of Communism and Of Course. Obama Will Skip 20 Year Anniversary Celebrations of Fall of Communism
Toby Harnden, Telegraph.co.uk: Not enough about him? Barack Obama skips Berlin Wall ceremonies
Sister Toldjah: The anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – and how the far left still hasn’t given up
Diary of a Mad Conservative: Quote of the day
Bloodthirsty Liberal: President Obama, Tear Down Your Ego
Pirate’s Cove: How Can One Write About The 20th Anniversary Of The Fall Of The Berlin Wall And Not Mention Reagan?
Rational Review: Obama sitting out Berlin Wall Anniversary
Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion: Celebrating Freedom Without US
Hot Air: Ich bin … busy? and Barone: Why Obama can’t go to Berlin Wall commemoration
Ztower: Hey! Did the Germans just give my car company the finger?
Derek Broes, Big Hollywood: Mr. Obama, Tear Down Your Wall!: Reflections After 20 Years
The Black Kettle: Communists don’t celebrate Capitalist Free-World successes, they ignore them
That’s Right: Where’s MY Cookie?
CT. Progress: Sorry Europe, President “Me” Can’t make it.
Fire Andrea Mitchell!: Obama cancels plans to attend 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall
Dan Freeman, Big Government: Tearing Down and Building Up Walls
Real Clear Politics: Obama’s Moral Leadership Balloon Crashes — No One Inside
Spiegel Online International: ‘Let the People Out’ — The Night the Wall Fell as Witnessed by SPIEGEL
CNN World: Berlin celebrates night that changed world
JingoConservative: A Time for Choosing
Dakota Politics, Say Anything: Shocker: Obama Won’t Be Attending 20th Anniversary Of The Fall Of The Berlin Wall
Free Technology for Teachers: More Video About the Berlin Wall 20 Years Ago
About the author
Vicki McClure Davidson
I'm a conservative frugalist. My priorities: Watchdogging the government, making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely, living within our budgets (at home and in Washington, DC), and adhering to our Constitution and the conservative principles upon which it was developed by our founding fathers. Also, loving God, my family, and my country. Be wise, be frugal. God bless America!Comments
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The Obama administration has tried so hard to paint the United States as an “evil doer” in the realm of foreign affairs that it would be far too detrimental for his administration to change course for such an occasion. Instead of boarding a plane to celebrate this momentous occasion with the Germans, President Obama and his Popular Rule would rather the last image of our “Chosen” President to be his campaign speech in Berlin. He would rather remind us of his message of condolence, remorse, and regret, than for a moment appreciate what prior generations of Americans have helped to accomplish.
In the eyes of progressives like President Obama, the United States cannot acknowledge its part in such a monumental achievement, because to do so would give weight to his opponent’s arguments that criticize his apathetic approach of appeasement, and could lead to a sense of American Exceptionalism that progressives hate more than tyranny, oppression, or a loss of the most basic human rights.
So this anniversary will come and go. It will be remembered in Europe and it will be celebrated on the streets of Berlin. Our leaders will be honored and our actions will be commemorated. The United States will be appreciated even if only for a brief moment by the world community… and the unfortunate reality that we all must realize, is that our President hopes that we all miss it.
http://republicanredefined.com/2009/11/05/ronald-reagan-fall-berlin-wall-american-achievement/
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