Posts with the tag Europe

NYT RIP

Steven — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:11:39 EDT

The New York Times has gone gaga. There is a terrible, ignorant editorial in there today about Obama's speech to school children:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/opinion/05sat2.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

The editorial defends Obama, and rightly points out that this is not socialism, but then goes on an insane tear against socialism and its evil history. For someone educated in Britain, and a historian knowledgeable about the history of socialism, this is an incredibly ignorant mistake for the NYT. They meant, I assume, communism or Stalinism, not socialism--unless they are now the Washington Times. I wrote a letter which was a shortened version of the following:

To the Editor,

In your editorial today “Respect Your Children” you state, correctly, that there is “nothing socialist in any of Mr. Obama’s policies”, but then add “as anyone with a passing knowledge of socialism and its evil history knows”. You continue: “But in this country, unlike actual socialist countries, nobody can be compelled to listen to the president.” To quote Repesentative Barney Frank, what planet are you on? Socialism as a philosophy and political movement, represented by parties such as the Labour Party in Britain, has been responsible for most of the progressive changes in Western political systems in the twentieth century, including universal suffrage. Liberals and conservatives might challenge the effectiveness of socialism to “deliver the goods” when it comes to wealth creation, but “evil history”? Was Léon Blum “evil”? Was Clement Atlee “evil”? Olaf Palme? Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt? Yet they were all socialists. Is universal health care, an achievement mainly of socialist parties in Europe “evil”? No, they were the leaders of peaceful social change through the ballot box towards a fairer, more just society, which they thought best achieved by increased state intervention in the economy (nationalization) and civil society, because the state was, after all, run by the people in a democracy. Current socialist parties in Europe have backed away from this and adopted a “social market” approach, but the socialist heritage is anything but “evil”.

And what “actual socialist countries” do you mean? There are none. Sweden comes close, but even that country never gave up the basic profit incentive of capitalism (and did very well despite its near-socialism). The socialist parties never really attempted a complete socialization of any country. If you mean North Korea, or the Soviet Union and its satellites, or perhaps Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela, then I would put it to you that you are making an elementary mistake, confusing socialism with either communism or totalitarian personality cults, and have been reading far too much Hayek for your own intellectual good. Unless, of course, you are no longer the New York Times, but have morphed overnight into the northern edition of the Washington Times?

Next time, do not let someone with a “passing knowledge” of anything write editorials, if you want to preserve your newspaper’s estimable reputation as publishing all that is fit to print. This editorial was not.

Steven Beller, Washington DC

Three thoughts on the health care debate and Europe

Steven — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:31:17 EDT

Here are three thoughts that came up in a debate over healthcare on Facebook. My interlocutor was concerned about the fact that European countries might have more universal healthcare systems, but they also had much higher rates of income tax, and so introducing a similar health care system here would result in similarly high income tax rates, seemd to be the argument. Partly because of this he wanted to go slow in implementing change. There is only an indirect link betwen high income tax rates and universal health care in many of the countries cited, because many of those countries have systems based on PRIVATE insurance and PRIVATE medical systems, but, regardless, here are my three cobbled-together thoughts:

First, forget about the income tax rate, concentrate instead on how much the health care sector costs us, the American people as a society. The cost is roughly TWICE that of what Europeans have to pay, as a proportion of their GDP, yet Europeans have the same or a better standard of health care than what Americans receive. Talk about inefficient! It is not so much what happens to our tax dollars, as what happens to our health care dollars, public--and even more to the point--private. it is like having an 18% tax on everything we do, when the Europeans get away with less than 10% for the same service.

Second, if you look at the proposed legislation there are ALREADY long delays and a lengthy time frame for the implementation of the changes, which are, compared to single-payer or the like, actually quite conservative. This "we need more time" is just a way to delay and frustrate those who want to bring some real, positive change to US health care.

Third thought: guaranteeing universal health care provision should not be seen as a way of limiting individual freedom, as is implied by those stressing the impact on income taxes. Instead, in a country such as Britain or Canada, with "socialized medicine", individuals are free to move from job to job without constantly having to worry about whether their health insurance will end with their leaving one employer, or whether it will be adversely affected due to their new employer's policy. There is none of this neo-feudal relationship, with individual dependency on the boss, because health care is guaranteed regardless of your employer. Isn't that sort of freedom and labor mobility what a freedom loving country such as the USA should want?

The American schools food

Magnus Agerbo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:56:56 EDT

Do Obama plan any changes in the American schools foodsystem?

Guantanamo Bay prisoners

Magnus Agerbo — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:49:17 EDT

How do you look at the conflict where almost all countrys denys to receive any prisoners from Guantanamo Bay

World’s Biggest Polluters Can’t Hide from Space imaging

Peter from Carrollton, TX — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:36:25 EDT

World’s Biggest Polluters Can’t Hide from Space imaging

The map, based on 18 months’ worth of satellite data, shows very high levels of NO2 above major European and North American cities and across much of north-east China. South-east Asia and Africa also have raised concentrations of the gas due to their burning of vegetation. “Ship tracks are visible in some locations,” says Steffen Beirle, one of the research team at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. “Look at the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean between the southern tip of India and Indonesia.” Although NO2 is formed naturally by lightning and by microbes in the ground, it is also released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels by power plants, heavy industry and vehicles. Large quantities of the gas can cause respiratory problems and lung damage, and can also contribute to harmful ozone forming near ground level.

Obama has commented on helping poor nations to develop clean technologies but as you can see, it is not the poor countries that harm the planet the most. It is the rich large countries doing all of the damage. We first need to look at home and prevent the devastation that has been ongoing. United States, China, and Europe need to change the way they live first before they can start criticizing other poorer nations that only amount to about 11% of emissions around the world. Our polar ice caps have lost nearly a third of its size from 1981 to 2003(NASA Data). Your plan is to reduce amounts of emissions by the year 2050. By your logic, we won’t have a polar ice cap left. There won’t be anything to save. The climates around the world are already beginning to shift. Melting glacial water changes the composition of the ocean and changes the weather patterns around the world. Yearly Warming Temperatures from NASA

http://politicalpete.com/

Single Payer Debate on Linked In

Linda from Winter Springs, FL — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:20:20 EDT

Dear Harvey,

We can agree to disagree. The government does not regulate the insurance companies; and that's why they get away with murder. Insurance companies fall under Sui Generis, which means "unto itself." Each state has a commissioner of insurance that monitors insurance companies. However, most citizens never take their complaints to that height of the food chain.

As for my practice and health-care of "illegal aliens"? I'm a public health physician who has taken care of indigent women throughout my entire medical career. And half of my patients are indeed, "illegal aliens." I'm not the border control. I'm a physician. And when a patient presents to me for prenatal care, I give it. Because that's the oath that I swore upon graduation.

My colleagues are crying behind closed doors because they can't pay their malpracice premiums. Their income has dropped by 40% because the insurance companies and hospitals made back door deals and no one wants to jeopardize losing their hospital privileges. Why do you think there is a plethora of "medical spas" and "retail vitamins" "businesses" emerging within physician practices.

Patient safety is in jeopardy because nurses and physicians are distracted trying to keep up with the increasing demands of Big Pharma and insurance profiteers. With all due respect, Harvey. Don't you be fooled. If you or anyone has a better suggestion as opposed to the status quo of Big Insurance and their shareholders, please tell me. I'm just trying to put the CARE back in healthcare.

Linda

On 05/25/09 7:50 PM, Harvey Stelman wrote:
--------------------
Dear Linda,

A European Socialistic system is what we are headed for. Do not think of what health-care the people in Congress get, although we do pay for it. The government regulates the insurance companies, they now want to regulate how much money you can earn. Please do not be fooled, our President does not want our country to set standards, he wants us to be equals.

Look at how much of your money goes to health-care of illegal aliens. Do you want to treat them for free? You may say yes but what if half your practice was like that?

On 05/25/09 7:15 PM, Linda Burke-Galloway, M.D.,MS., FACOG wrote:
--------------------
Thanks for your comment Harvey, however members of Congress and the Senate have a health plan that does not involve insurance companies. Can that be defined as socialism? Our libraries are paid by tax dollars. Can that be defined as socialism? As a physician, I'm tired of battling with insurance clerks so that my patients can receive care. When I refer a pregnant woman to the hospital because I suspect her unborn child is in trouble and may need an emergency C/Section, I don't appreciate a clerk refusing her admission because she's in the "wrong hospital that doesn't accept her insurance."

If members of the Senate and Congress don't have to deal with unethical insurance companies, why should the American people?

Thanks again for your comment.

On 05/25/09 6:26 PM, Harvey Stelman wrote:
--------------------
Dear Dr. Galloway,

Socialism has no place in health-care. My wife works for Abbott Labs and R & D will be cut immediately. That's why Europe produces less drugs than it once did, fifteen percent of the doctors in England were trained in India or Pakistan, people wait months for surgery and we have NO money to pay for it.

Every doctor I know stands with you. Mr. Spend-Spend-Spend is killing our country.

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Adolf Hitler / Nazis hated Arabs "inferior race," yet used them as disposable tools against Jews

Unknown user — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:04:10 EDT

Adolf Hitler / Nazis hated Arabs as an inferior “race”, yet praised Islam in its ‘war like’ TOTALITARIAN ideology He saw them as a great disposable tool to be used against the Jews, the mufti fell for it.

SPLCenter.org: The Swastika and the Crescent, Although he loathed Arabs (he once described them as “lacquered half-apes who ought to be whipped“), Hitler understood that he and the Mufti shared the same rivals, British and the Jews… http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=242

ESSAY - May 2002 By Martin A. Lee …Ahmed Huber: Neo-Nazi, Islamic convert… The roots of the Muslim Brotherhood and, in many ways, the Nazi-Muslim axis go back to the organisation’s formation in Egypt in 1928. Marking the start of modern political “Islamic fundamentalism,” the Brotherhood from the outset envisioned a time when an Islamic state would prevail in Egypt and other Arab countries.

The growth of the Muslim Brotherhood coincided with the rise of fascist movements in Europe - a parallel noted by Muhammad Sa’id al-’Ashmawy, former chief justice of Egypt’s High Criminal Court, who decried “the perversion of Islam” and “the fascistic ideology” that infuses the world view of the Brothers. Youssef Nada, current board chairman of Al Taqwa, had joined the armed branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as a young man in Egypt during World War II. Nada and several of his cohorts in the Sunni Muslim fraternity were recruited by German military intelligence. Hassan al-Banna, the Egyptian schoolteacher who founded the Muslim Brotherhood, also collaborated with spies of the Third Reich. Advocating a pan-Islamic insurgency in British-controlled Palestine, the Brotherhood proclaimed their support for the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin Al-Husseini, in the late 1930s.

The Grand Mufti, the preeminent religious figure among Palestinian Muslims, was the most notable Arab leader to seek an alliance with Nazi Germany. Although he loathed Arabs (he once described them as “lacquered half-apes who ought to be whipped”), Hitler understood that he and the Mufti shared the same rivals - the British, the Jews and the Communists. They met in Berlin, where the Mufti lived in exile during the war. The Mufti agreed to help organise a special Muslim division of the Waffen SS. Powerful radio transmitters were put at the Mufti’s disposal so that his pro-Axis propaganda could be heard throughout the Arab world. http://www.aijac.org.au/review/2002/275/essay275.html

War aims in the second world war: the war aims of the major belligerents …‎ - by Victor Rothwell - History - 2005 - 244 pages (Page 41) However, the Nazis were clear in their minds that the Arabs were racially inferior, and there would, therefore, be no pleasure to be had from helping them in anything except for the extermination of Jews in their region. http://books.google.com/books?id=XfgLbSc94MEC&pg=PA41

Islam, Nazism, and Totalitarianism

During an interview conducted in the late 1930s (published in 1939), Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychiatry, was asked “…had he any views on what was likely to be the next step in religious development?” Jung replied, in reference to the Nazi fervor that had gripped Germany We do not know whether Hitler is going to found a new Islam. He is already on the way; he is like Muhammad. The emotion in Germany is Islamic; warlike and Islamic. They are all drunk with wild god. That can be the historic future. Albert Speer, who was Hitler’s Minister of Armaments and War Production, wrote a contrite memoir of his World War II experiences while serving a 20-year prison sentence imposed by the Nuremberg tribunal.

Speer’s narrative includes this discussion, which captures Hitler’s racist views of Arabs on the one hand, and his effusive praise for Islam on the other:

Hitler had been much impressed by a scrap of history he had learned from a delegation of distinguished Arabs. When the Mohammedans attempted to penetrate beyond France into Central Europe during the eighth century, his visitors had told him, they had been driven back at the Battle of Tours. Had the Arabs won this battle, the world would be Mohammedan today. For theirs was a religion that believed in spreading the faith by the sword and subjugating all nations to that faith. Such a creed was perfectly suited to the Germanic temperament. Hitler said that the conquering Arabs, because of their racial inferiority, would in the long run have been unable to contend with the harsher climate and conditions of the country. They could not have kept down the more vigorous natives, so that ultimately not Arabs but Islamized Germans could have stood at the head of this Mohammedan Empire. Hitler usually concluded this historical speculation by remarking, “You see, it’s been our misfortune to have the wrong religion. Why didn’t we have the religion of the Japanese, who regard sacrifice for the Fatherland as the highest good? The Mohammedan religion too would have been much more compatible to us than Christianity. Why did it have to be Christianity with its meekness and flabbiness?” http://www.andrewbostom.org/content/view/61/55/

The roots of Arab Anti-Semitism - By David Greenberg - Slate Magazine Oct 31, 2001 … As he notes, anti-Semitism in Arab countries (and non-Arab Islamic states such as Iran) …. East—they were eager to make common cause with Hitler, despite Nazi belief that they, like the Jews, were inferior to Aryans. … http://www.slate.com/id/2057949/

The third Reich & the Palestine question - Francis R. Nicosia - 2000 - History - 319 pages (Page 85) Most Arabs never realized that the Nazis would consider them racially inferior as well and that Germany had no intention of undermining British authority in … http://books.google.com/books?id=xh4m-OMrhJUC&pg=PA85

The Nazi Connection to Islamic Terrorism: Adolf Hitler and Haj … Chuck Morse - 2003 - History - 188 pages (page 53) … as Hitler was known to have described the Arabs as “lacquered half-apes who ought to be whipped,” to a lower race … http://books.google.com/books?id=HGkthBwbNg8C&pg=PA53

Despite Hitler’s personal antipathy towards Arabs, who he once described as lacquered half apes who ought to be whipped, he nevertheless was prepared to … http://www.thecst.org.uk/docs/An%20unholy%20alliance%201801%20original.doc

The Beast Reawakens: Fascism’s Resurgence from Hitler’s Spymasters …Martin A. Lee - 1999 - Political Science - 560 pages (page 122) Even though he loathed Arabs (he once described them as “lacquered half-apes who ought to be whipped”), Hitler was nonetheless the idol of the paramilitary … http://books.google.com/books?id=SX4B7pNG3W8C&pg=PA122

Islamists threaten terror attacks in Germany (For betraying 'Granddad Hitler' / Islamo-nazism)

Natalia from Acampo, CA — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:40:35 EDT

Islamists threaten terror attacks in Germany (For betraying 'Granddad Hitler' / Islamo-nazism)
adnkronos ^ | 04,22,09

Terrorism: Islamists threaten terror attacks in Germany

Berlin, 22 April (AKI) - The Al-Qaeda linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on Wednesday released a video threatening the "criminal" German government and citizens of the Jewish faith, according to German media.

In the video, the third released this year, shows a man identified as "Commander Mohammad", who criticises the presence of German troops in Afghanistan.

The man accuses "the sons of Germany of being in the service of the Jews" unlike "Granddad Hitler".

Investigators believe the video's release may be linked to a major Islamist terrorism trial which opened on Wednesday at a high-security court in the northwestern German city of Duesseldorf .

In the trial, three Germans and one Turkish national are accused of planning a series of simultaneous bomb attacks against discos and pubs and the United States airbase in Ramstein and against Germany's Federal Prosecutor's Office.

Two of the German suspects are converts to Islam while the third is a German citizen of Turkish descent. They face charges of belonging to a terrorist organisation, plotting murder, and conspiracy to conduct a bomb attack.

The trial is expected to last one to two years. If the defendants are found guilty, they could face prison terms of up to 15 years.

Prosecutors claimed the men were planning to use about 10 times as much explosives as were used in the deadly July 2005 attacks on London transport that killed 56 people and injured thousands.

The plot was at an advanced stage and the attacks could have killed over 50 people, according to police.

Around 300 German federal agents were involved in monitoring the cell for several months, before police swooped in on the group in what was one of Germany's biggest anti-terror operations to date.

Three of the defendants were arrested in the Germany's western Sauerland region and the fourth was arrested in Turkey and extradited to Germany in November last year.

Prosecutors say the four men belong to a little-known group called the Islamic Jihad Union with roots in Uzbekistan and ties to Al-Qaeda.

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3239023359

Europe Back Off and Stay Out

Tom Awtry — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:07:43 EDT

Nuremberg Trials

America, as all countries today, is undergoing a vast amount of change; however there exists a hopefully small number of individuals within our country who in essence mistakenly subscribe to the notion “the Bush doctrine on terror” was correct and righteous, which includes the use of torture to obtain supposed Intel information.

I believe our President is taking the right steps, as he promised during his campaign to “right the wrongs” of our country’s past eight years of injustice regarding our treatment of combative detainees. First by releasing the Bush Administration’s memos condoning torture (listed here and here also here), which he followed up by insuring his release would not produce a witch hunt (as some want) by traveling to CIA’s Headquarters and assuring employees individual prosecution would not be presumed and finally, most importantly turned the entire matter over to our Justice Department and directly to Eric Holder, the Attorney General.

On this past Wednesday (22 Apr 09) an article in the Washington Post, authored by Craig Whitlock, of Washington Post’s Foreign Service Department and entitled: “European Nations May Investigate Bush Officials Over Prisoner Treatment” confirms my beliefs by the following excerpt:

On Tuesday, Obama for the first time raised the possibility of creating a bipartisan commission to examine the Bush administration’s handling of terrorism suspects. He also said he would leave it up to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to determine whether to prosecute senior officials who approved waterboarding and other tactics.

This was further confirmed in a statement published by the American Civil Liberties Union, entitled: “Attorney General Holder Says He Will “Follow The Law” And Investigate Torture” where the following excerpt stated:

Attorney General Eric Holder said today that the Justice Department will “follow the law wherever it takes us” in investigating the U.S. officials behind the CIA torture policies under the Bush administration.

Europe, you have every obligation and right to legally pursue whatever action you feel is appropriate, but please let our present administration do what they can to correct these past “wrongs”; in our way of first and let America reestablish itself under the “Rule of Law”.

A.G. Holder: Investigate Torture

The people who authorized Bush’s torture program shouldn’t get off scot-free. It’s time for Attorney General Holder to appoint an independent special prosecutor.

Update 23 Apr 09:

Clinton Questions Cheney’s Credibility: “I Don’t Consider Him A Particularly Reliable Source Of Information”
Huffington Post | Nicholas Graham

The sensitive topic of the release of the torture memos came to the forefront when Republican Rep. Dana Rohrbacker asked Clinton if she agreed with Dick Cheney’s request that documents ostensibly showing the efficacy of the torture programs should be declassified. Clinton ultimately replied that she believes “we ought to get to the bottom of this entire matter” and that it “is in the best interest of our country” to do so, but not before she took a shot at Cheney’s credibility, saying “I don’t consider him to be a particularly reliable source of information.”

Additional postings regarding this topic and others may be found here:

Europe is Invading Our Stimulus Package

Tom Awtry — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:05:11 EDT

In a post last week I sited excerpts from an article regarding how China is shopping for American businesses at bargain prices within a time piece entitled “Things go Better with Coke”. Well it seems I was a bit far sighted, since I see in the Washington Post today the European countries are coming to the States too.

Not necessarily for business “buy outs”, but instead to start lobbying activities for our $787 billion dollar Economic Stimulus Recovery package. Foreign nations and companies are stepping up their lobbying efforts in Washington and in state capitals, hoping to gain vital business in hard times. Hundreds of foreign-owned companies, many of them with significant operations in the United States, are selling their expertise in clean energy, high-speed transit and other technologies that undergird key aspects of President Obama’s stimulus efforts.

The following is an excerpt from the Post article, entitled: “Foreign Firms May Cash In on Stimulus Act With Expertise U.S. Companies Lack”, authored by Dan Eggen.

Telecoms such as Alcatel-Lucent of France, for example, and its New Jersey-based research arm, Bell Labs, are eligible to seek part of $7.2 billion in stimulus money set aside for upgrading broadband networks. Most global companies specializing in the transit and high-speed rail projects envisioned under the stimulus act are based in other countries — Canada’s Bombardier and France’s Alstom, for example. Transurban Group of Australia, which is helping develop high-speed toll lanes along the Capital Beltway, is a world leader in developing toll roads.

Sanyo North America, an arm of the Japanese technology giant, has already broken ground on a new solar-panel plant in Oregon and is readying strategies to tap into stimulus-related business, according to company officials. The firm recently registered as a lobbying organization in Washington for the first time since 2001, Senate records show.

I’m not for our government to establish policies of “protectionism”, but as we all know when there’s money to be had and lobbyists are involved, congressional votes are many times purchased at the tax payer’s expense, in this case “jobs”.

Earnestly it’s our civil duty to become politically involved, perhaps more so than we ever have before, to insure our politicians subscribe to a stick code of ethics and we vote our choice by moral character instead of political party in the election two years from now.

Here could be the type of jobs other countries are perhaps attempting to take from us:

Made In America

Hear the story of Troy Galloway, an American whose job and neighborhood have been revitalized by wind turbine manufacturing.

Additional postings regarding this topic and others may be found here:

Europe’s farmers going Solar to supplement incomes – Solar Energy

Unknown user — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:09:11 EST

Europe’s biggest agricultural producers are taking up new incentives for solar power to supplement farm incomes as well as help meet renewable energy targets.

The solar panels installations that are called integrated because they are built into the roof rather than superimposed, is booming in France thanks to legislation creating 20-year contracts with strong incentives to sell electricity to the grid. Government guarantees of long-term electricity contracts at an inflation-linked “feed-in” tariff, helped win the scheme bank support. The investment means constructing five enormous sheds covered by 36,000 square meters of solar panels with a capacity to generate 4.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 4,000 homes. At 0.55 Euros per kWh, integrated solar photovoltaic panels generate nearly twice the revenue of ground-mounted and superimposed solar panels. Another example is a group of 77 cattle breeders in the Aveyron region of south-west France, who formed a company, SAS Adder, to manage the construction of 33,0000 square meters of integrated roof panels on their farms.
France whose goal is to have renewable energy make up 23 percent of its energy consumption by 2023 is imitating Germany, Europe’s leader in solar and wind power. The built-in technology is encouraged by the authorities as aesthetically acceptable, in a country where wind farms have been sharply criticized as eyesores.

With US know how, ingenuity, and innovation this could be applied by not only US farmers but by large commercial buildings also.

Source:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090224.wsolar0224/BNStory/Science/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp

We Talked Globalization when we should have Talked Hometown

Tom Awtry — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:45:37 EST

In an article authored by Hari Sud for UPI Asia, I found out what has happened to my country of America the past thirty years and especially the last ten years.

I have reprinted the article in its entirety, since I strongly belief it should be read and considered by all; the article is entitled: “What’s next for globalization?” I have taken the liberty of high-lighting sections and phrases, which I deem most important to our current financial burden.

What’s next for globalization?

By Hari Sud
Column: Abroad View
Published: February 20, 2009

Toronto, ON, Canada, — As the U.S. financial meltdown continues in 2009, attention is now directed toward the wider and long-range impact of globalization. In theory, globalization is increasing the mobility of goods, services and capital throughout the world by removing the barriers to free trade and increasing closer integration and the inter-connectedness of national economies.

For the West, that has translated into relocating labor-intensive and smokestack industries to countries where costs are lower. Europe and the United States have envisioned themselves as the world’s bankers, financial masters and influence peddlers – which was great in theory, if only the crooks in the U.S. financial sector had been kept away from the proceeds of globalization.

Since 2001, the United States has been awash with cash. It came from oil-producing Arabs and from the export proceeds of China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India. That cash found a home in the subprime mortgages that have started the financial meltdown that is pulling the world down.

Europe and the United States were winning the globalization race until 2008, as master bankers handling the export earnings of other states. On the sidelines, China, Asia’s Tiger economies, Brazil and India began generating some cash and technology and building their own economies, leading to rapid increases in their gross national products. However, the benefits did not extend to the rest of Asia, Africa and other less-developed countries.

Hey there!

Huggy — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:18:04 EST

I didn't know that much about Georgy but the things I knew where not that positive. I hope that Barack can change the european way of thinking about the USA! Up to now, we blamed the US governement for nearly everything - CO2 emission (Especally because of your cars and technik stuff - especally the radiance of your wireless hosts or nuclear reactor).

I hope that Barack can make the so called "Change" - I support the his decisions he made up to now - keep on, Barack!

Watch Now

hardey — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:26:19 EST

If You watch TV, You have probably seen Obamas speech in Berlin, with thousands of thousands supports to the candidate. There were only a few negative voices in Germany, the most important was Josef Joffe, Editor of the very influential liberal weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT. There has been also some leftwing bloggers who shared his position. They wanted a more conservative president as they could continuing volley reproches to the states.

We will have a closer look to europe in the next months, read about the answers and behaviour to Obamas politics. I swear, it will be exciting for You!

Initial post

Unknown user — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:10:57 EST

Hi everyone!

This is my initial blog post. I'm from Germany and track Barack Obamas presidency with European eyes and yes I support the change by Obama as good as it gets. I'm 26 y.o. and student of "Economic and Organizational Science" in Munich. Yes, the same Munich vice president Biden visited :-) and also the same Munich known from the Oktoberfest.

Okay here we go! In my blog http://obama-videos.blogspot.com (opens in a new window) I collect videos by and about Barack Obama and his politics. For me it is very interesting and exciting to experience the change that just has begun. Take part on my journey through U.S. politics and write me comments on my videos and even write video/transcript requests or advocacies for new or old videos.

I try to offer the European and esp. the German reactions on the new kind of politics in the United States.

Thanks so far and support my "political journey" by visiting my blog Click here to open the blog in a new window

America and Europe

Sabadell — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:00:05 EST

There is growing social consciousness among peoples' movements and world leaders that the process of economic globalization needs to be regulated and changed. Issues like e.g. Economy, Energy and Environment are topics which need a close worldwide cooperation. But also independent information is necessary to evaluate the facts and possible solutions. We want to inform in our Blog and bring in background information to support a change in the US and in the world.

Healthcare for everybody in the US is a hot topic. In Europe it is already reality in most of the European countries.
European leaders already signed up in March 2007 to a binding EU (European Union)-wide target to source 20% of their energy needs from renewables such as biomass, hydro, wind and solar power by 2020. Some European countries already have a share of 40%.
Today, the EU accounts for 20% of global imports and exports and is now the world's biggest trader. But employees in Europe have nevertheless 5 weeks off paid holidays and better social conditions compared to the US.

Historic moment in America

Antics — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:42:54 EST

I am a proud US naturalized citizen born and raised in India. I am glad to be born in the largest democracy and settled in the second largest democracy in the world. In the last five years I voted in national/state/local elections and I am proud of that.

Now I am looking forward to Obama's oath ceremony! It is indeed a historic moment!! I wish Obama good luck and extend my full support. He has a huge task in front of him and I hope he lives to the expectations of the millions who supported him for "change"

So far Obama has shown that he is a shrewd politician with his cabinet selection, not a real change! However, it is too early to judege his decisions.

I hope he brings in long lasting peace in Middle east, do damage control with Europe and extend a friendly hand to India.

Good Luck Mr. Obama!

The Somali Pirates Rant

The Ranting Dream — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:28:19 EST

I’ve also posted this blog entry on my blog: http://www.theparadigmshiftshere.com

I'm sure you're all familiar with the sensational 'war' declared by the wealthy and the mighty on the pirates (mostly) from 'Somalia'...if you're not, view THIS article for the big 'spin' served to you courtesy of massive sponsorship by some very wealthy 'special-interest' groups...

Now for 'a' truth about the matter...

Candidate European Elections June 2009

Unico from Europe — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:39:07 EST

Dear American Friends,

Wish you all a very happy New Year! I am now officially a candidate for the European Elections.

Please look at www.unicovankooten.eu . You can leave a message at 'gastenboek' if you want.

I would like to write a blog about the importance of the American-European relationship and would be

greatful if you would share your views with me on that.

Best regards, Unico

MILITARY HERO - G.I. JOE

WEBMASTER — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:30:15 EST

In honor of military pigeons throughout history, I post on this Christmas Eve, information produced by Otto Meyer, U.S. Army (Ret), and supplied by the ARPU, on the American Hero “G.I. JOE” -

“G.I. JOE”
American Hero

“G.I. JOE” is the most outstanding military pigeon in history and is credited with saving the lives of at least 100 British troops during World War II. The British 56th Brigade was scheduled to attack the city of Colvi Vecchia, Italy, at 10 a.m., October 18, 1943.

The U.S. Air Support Command was scheduled to bomb the city to soften the entrance for the British Brigade. The Germans retreated leaving only a small rear guard and as a result the British troops entered the city with little resistance and occupied it ahead of schedule.

All attempts to cancel the bombings of the city, made by radio and other means of communication, had failed. Little “G.I. JOE” was released with the important message to cancel the bombing. He flew 20 miles back to the U.S. Air Support Command base in 20 minutes and arrived just as our planes were warming up to take off. If he had arrived a few minutes later, it might have been a different story.

Gen. Mark Clark, Commanding the U.S. Fifth Army, estimated that “G.I. JOE” saved the lives of at least 100 of our British allies. In November 1946, “G.I. JOE” was shipped from Fort Monmouth, N.J. to London, England, where he was cited and awarded the Dickin Medal for Gallantry by the Lord Mayor of London. “G.I. JOE” is the only bird or animal in the United States to receive this high award.

“G.I. JOE,” a dark checker pied white flight cock, was hatched March 24, 1943, at the Pigeon Section in Algiers, Algeria, North Africa. Later he was taken to the Tunisian front, then to Bizerte, and from there to the Italian front.

After World War II, “G.I. JOE” was housed in the Churchill Loft, U.S. Army’s “Hall of Fame” at Ft. Monmouth, N.J., along with 24 other pigeon heroes. In March of 1957, the remaining pigeon heroes were placed with different zoological gardens throughout the U.S.A.

“G.I. JOE” was placed with the Detroit Zoological Gardens where he died June 3, 1961, at the age of 18. “G.I. JOE” was returned, mounted, and placed in the Historical Center, Meyer Hall, at Fort Monmouth, N.J.

--- Otto Meyer, U.S. Army (Retired)
--- Former Commander of the U.S. Army Pigeon Service

I dedicate this inspiring story of courage and determination of the pigeon named “G.I. JOE” to the generations of troops that will secure the success of the 44th President of the United States.

May the message of peace come to The White House and spread throughout the land.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

David Apperson, Life Cloud Discussions

American Legion - member
ARPU - lifetime member
VFW - life member

Source: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxKt3

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:26:14 EST

The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.

Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.

Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when

individuals and organizations understand that alternative energy technology exists and
when people see the economic benefits of using alternative energy technologies

Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

RESPUESTAS PARA EL CAMBIO

GONZALO GAYO — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:29:31 EST

Las grandes potencias mundiales anuncian que combatirán la crisis a golpe de talonario, cueste lo que cueste, pero se equivocan. No todo vale para salir del túnel si no se hace antes un análisis en profundidad sobre los errores cometidos en los últimos sesenta años y una adecuada proyección de objetivos hacia el nuevo mundo al que nos dirigimos. La falta de una adecuada respuesta por parte de los países más desarrollados a los grandes retos del planeta ha provocado el colapso de un sistema donde en demasiadas ocasiones ha primado la especulación.

El colapso del sistema financiero no es más que el estallido de una enorme burbuja ocasionada por la especulación que afecta a todos los sectores productivos. ¿Cómo es posible que en los últimos años las entidades financieras hicieran gala de más de un 30% de beneficios cuando el precio del dinero no alcanzaba el 4% en la eurozona? ¿Quién podía imaginar que el precio de cuatro paredes y un techo supusieran casi 20 años del sueldo medio de un joven español? ¿Hasta donde podíamos llegar con el precio de barril del petróleo superando los 160 dólares y con el cartel de que se agotan las reservas para lo que queda de siglo? ¿Por qué siguen las autoridades europeas y nacionales mirando a otra parte cuando se quintuplica el precio en el mercado de los productos agrícolas mientras se paga a los productores que hacen el esfuerzo precios miseria? ¿Hasta cuando esta dispuesto el planeta a aguantar los abusos sobre sus recursos naturales, sobre el equilibrio biológico y natural que garantiza la vida? ¿Cuántas muertes de inocentes son necesarias para que la solidaridad de quienes tienen el 80% de la riqueza la repartan con el 80% de la población que no tiene nada, y de la nada no salen más que para morir de hambre o de enfermedades? ¿Y quien alzará una voz que permita escuchar el silencio de 26.000 niños inocentes que mueren al día por falta de agua, alimentos o una simple vacuna?

Ese es el mundo en el que vivimos, el que algunos pretenden perpetuar con planes anti crisis que enterrarán miles de millones para salvar grandes corporaciones financieras y comprar activos sobrevaluados tras las bendiciones de las cumbres de turno. Pero se equivocan. La respuesta a los nuevos tiempos requiere de nuevas políticas, nuevos liderazgos y nuevos comportamientos éticos, incluso a nivel global. No saldremos de esta crisis sin el compromiso y una respuesta a las necesidades energéticas que necesariamente pasan por lograr las máximas cotas de independencia energética. El desarrollo de la energía del hidrógeno, pasando por las alternativas y hasta incluso llegar a la nuclear antes que depender de un petróleo que esclaviza y empobrece a las sociedades y es el principal factor del cambio climático. Además, este nuevo tiempo requiere de una respuesta clara a la mayor tragedia del mundo actual que se llama África, el continente olvidado y condenado a vivir en el hambre, el SIDA y la nada. Una lenta destrucción que contrasta con la codicia de estados y especuladores que compran hoy ingentes cantidades de suelo con los que cultivar los agros combustibles, generar mayores reservas para garantizar sus suministros alimenticios y de papel mientras la mitad del continente se muere de hambre. La ONU ha dado la voz de alerta sobre esta situación en un continente que requiere otras respuestas encaminadas al desarrollo de las personas y de un territorio masacrado por la codicia del llamado mundo desarrollado.

La lucha concertada contra la pobreza y las enfermedades será sin duda una señal de progreso para todos, ya que el desarrollo del llamado tercer mundo será también la garantía de supervivencia del estado de bienestar de los países desarrollados, desde la cooperación. En apenas cincuenta años el mundo en el que vivimos ha multiplicado por cuatro su población y los recursos siguen siendo los mismos, o menos según se mire. El reciclaje será sin duda una necesidad y también uno de los nichos de nuevo empleo, junto al de las energías alternativas, la agricultura ecológica y la cooperación social. Europa debe ser consciente de su enorme responsabilidad a la hora de garantizar una agricultura europea capaz de hacer frente a cualquier crisis alimentaria futura, con garantías de calidad en sus productos para su población y también para atender la demanda creciente. Bruselas debe brindar un apoyo real a los productores y vigilar a quienes utilizan los productos básicos para la especulación. Este nuevo mundo requiere también de respuestas a los enormes problemas del agua y su suministro, desde la solidaridad, el reciclaje continuo y el uso racional, así como una inmigración que demanda mayor cooperación y desarrollo en sus países de origen. La actual crisis es la antesala de un nuevo tiempo, que requiere de nuevas respuestas en las relaciones mundiales, en las alianzas para combatir el terrorismo del hambre o la falta de libertad, de personas y de los pueblos. El presidente electo de EEUU, Barack Obama, es sin duda el inicio de una nueva generación de líderes que deberán dar respuesta a los nuevos retos, siendo conscientes de los errores cometidos en el pasado. Obama ha anunciado un plan para crear 2,5 millones de empleo así como una revolución energética con el aprovechamiento de las energías alternativas y el hidrógeno. También anuncia la retirada de las tropas de Irak en un tiempo máximo de año y medio, entre otras medidas como un plan de salud publica en un país en el que hasta morir es un triste negocio. Obama es consciente también de la importancia del desarrollo de una agricultura por su valor ambiental, de desarrollo local y empleo que permita atender las urgencias alimentarias que se desatan en el mundo y hasta que algún día podamos poner fin a las plagas de hambruna. Son sin duda nuevos tiempos que no solo está en manos de nuestros gobernantes dar respuesta, sino fundamentalmente en nuestros propios comportamientos, en el consumo de agua, de energía, de alimentos saludables, así como la hora de exigir el respeto al medio ambiente e incluso la justicia que merecen nuestros agricultores antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

Gonzalo Gayo

gonzalogayo@gmailcom

Europeans Focus on Water and Climate Change

Tim Brick — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:48:40 EST

There is an increased focus in Europe on the centrality of water in dealing with climate change as reported by this article from EurActive.com

Corruption a catalyst for global water crisis, says report

Tim Brick — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:31:25 EST

Corruption a catalyst for global water crisis, says report Published: Thursday 26 June 2008

Corruption in the water sector is the "root cause" of the current global water crisis and is undermining efforts to develop a global response to climate change and the food crisis, according to a report published yesterday (25 June) by Transparency International.

The report , compiled by over twenty experts, highlights the importance of good governance in the water sector. It notably reveals how corruption has had a knock-on effect on the consequences of climate change by thwarting resettlement programmes and hindering water-sharing pacts.

- Reprinted from EurActive.com

Obama is Hope for the World

Allemania from Schenectady, NY — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:13:28 EST

I am living in Germany, not US but I didnt sleep at the elections night. I hope one day a migrant will be the PM in Germany. I am going to join to citizenship-test(Einbürgerungstest) to get right for elections in Germany.

The world congratulates America

Maire from La Jolla, CA — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:55:18 EST

I just received a newsletter from Rick Steves, who has a travel show on PBS that my family has enjoyed for years. He writes: "After the election of Obama, Europe looks at us differently. Now, ambassadors will speak the languages of the countries in which they are posted. Cities will celebrate rather than shut down when the American president comes to town. Europe will look to America with more respect. When our president speaks, Europeans will actually want to listen. In an odd twist, now Europe is actually jealous when it looks at our leader — a man who embodies our high ideals of pluralism and inclusivity...an eloquent speaker who's intellectual, who's at ease with and enjoys sophistication. For Americans traveling to Europe, things are suddenly more fun. I personally cannot wait to get back to Europe in the Obama era." He goes on to post a long list of links to news headlines from news agencies around the world, which you can find here: http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/obamarama.htm Enjoy!

Obama from Spain

Unknown user — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:14:15 EST

I've written several posts in my public blog about Barack Obama and the change.

Feel free to see them :-)

He escrito varios posts sobre Barack Obama y el cambio en mi blog público. Visitalo y opina :-)

From Kenya

Gunther — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:55:51 EST

I am an European, living and working since many years in Kenya. I was not allowed by US law to donate for the one and only man which will make a worldwide change in relations between people of all races... But since he was running for the presdential election in the States he was "my man". I hope he will succeed with all his steps he will do in the next 4 - no hopefully 8 years as US president. All the best - may God bless you all!!!

I HAVE A DREAM

Unknown user — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:36:44 EST

I HAVE A DREAM
I CAME HERE OF RUN AWAY, TODAY IS ONE DAY IMPORTANT FOR THE WORLD!
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 160 YEARS, AMERICA GOES TO CHOOSE A BLACK PRESIDENT!
THE WORLD IS TO MOVE, CHANGE, TAKES CONSCIENCE. WE HAVE THAT TO LEAVE OF TIME THE PAST WHERE IT BELONGS, WE HAVE THAT TO TRY TO CHANGE MENTALITIES, WE HAVE THAT TO TRY TO FINISH WITH IN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PEOPLES, BETWEEN THE RELIGIONS AND IDEOLOGIES, TO TRY TO CONSTRUCT A NEW WORLD.A BETTER WORLD,BUT WE HAVE CONSCIENCE THAT, WHILE TO EXIST, INJUSTICE, ANXIETY OF BEING ABLE, GREED, INDIFFERENCE, OPPORTUNISM AND LACK OF LOVE, WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE BUT, IF EACH ONE OF US TO TRY, WITH WILL….
TODAY 4 OF NOVEMBER OF 2008… ANOTHER PROPHECY IF GOES TO BECOME REALITY!

FROM LISBON-PORTUGAL WITH LOVE AND HOPE FOR A BETTER WORLD WITH OBAMA

VERA MONICA

America's Place in the World

Derek — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:29:43 EDT

America's Place in the World

I travel internationally a great deal on business. Once, I went around the world visiting 7 countries in 14 days meeting with the financial firms leaders. I've flown 14 hours for a 12 hour meeting to immediately fly home in order to coach my sons basketball team's practice. I know what it is to be a road warrior.

Common Ground Found in India
On one trip to India, I took a weekend to travel to one of the 4 holy sights in Puri on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. There, I pursued information as to a legend told to e by Indian colleagues that Jesus spent his youth there at the temple. Many Indians there in Puri believed Christ was an incarnation of God on earth as was Krishna. I found that I had more in common with Hindu Indians than we had differences.

Additionally, the poverty I saw there was more than even that I've experienced in the back woods Louisiana where I spent my summers on my grandparent's farm. It broke my heart and forever changed my life to see a small child standing knee deep in mud naked and crying as people passed him by because he was from the untouchable cast. I grew to appreciate the upward mobility America provides its citizens. My great grandparents were born into effective slavery though the civil war had ended years prior. My great grandmother was an amazing woman stressed to my mother and myself the importance of education as the only path to freedom. I honor her in my striving for excellence and knowledge.

God has truly blessed America but do we really appreciate the gifts in this generation. I am reminded of the parable of the talents. Is the baby boomer and now GenX generation the servant given 1 talent that buried it in the ground.

The Gulf between America and Europe

As I travel throughout Europe, I am constantly facing and addressing the negative perceptions of Americans. Europeans tend to blame the average American for the policies of the Bush administration. There is a tangible contempt and loathing with an undercurrent of jealousy for the wealth and opportunity many see America squandering. In essence, we Americans must take responsibility for electing George Bush. It's not the Republican's fault. America stands and falls as a nation undivided.

Europeans also do not understand why Americans hold firm to the right to bear arms. They do not understand that Americans fear our own government more than our government fears to citizens. There is a fundamental distrust of authority. Assassinations of our best and brightest is our legacy. It is the evil that lurks in the shadows. The nail that sticks up gets hammered as they say in Japan.

At times, I wonder if Europeans consider themselves truly allies with the US. The threat of the USSR and facism have faded from the minds of most Europeans it seems as with the role America played in securing European freedom. In the end, once I show compassion for their views and explain the environment and challenges Americans face to safeguard democracy from big business and organized crime, a common ground can be found with those abroad. Once again, we have more in common than that which separates.

World Citizenship

It is clear that the efforts of the past to aid poor countries not with weapons but with education and human resources are far more effective than punitive military actions and a heavy handed foreign policy. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Teaching the world to fish will feed them for generations and build alliances into the future.

Why must America act unilaterally with military strikes? Why are we not providing greater support for regional policing of regional problems through UN sponsored commissions? Americans are citizens of the world and must use our God given gifts to lead by example rather than by dictate or mandate. Compassion and patience is the calling card of a mature state and leading nation.

Show how your plan for America on all fronts (education, military, healthcare, etc) is a template for the world. Can you UN adopt such a template to propagate to emerging nation states? If not, then there may be something lacking in the underlying principles that impairs the ability for a sustainable and repeatable solution to be adopted.

Regards,
Derek LaSalle

Europeans for Obama Website

EuropeansForObama.com — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:38:07 EDT

Hello everybody,

I have just created a website to show Europe's support for Barack Obama. If you're interested, visit www.europeansforobama.com or go directly to www.europeansforobama.com/together-we-can. You can comment on all post I will publish in the next couple of months. Of course I would also be happy if you can tell your friends and all other supporters of Barack Obama about this site.

Together We Can!

Sarah Palin is George Bush

Unico from Europe — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:38:18 EDT

By Keith from Houston, TX - Sep 9th, 2008 at 8:35 am EDT

Sarah Palin is Governor of a state dependent on oil revenues to balance it's budget.

So was George Bush

Sarah Palin does not believe in a womans right to control her own body, or make choices.

Neither does George Bush

Sarah Palin believes we can grow the economy by cutting taxes for the richest 2% of Americans.

So does George Bush.

The difference between Sarah Palin and George Bush?

Lipstick.

Conclusion: four more of the devastating 8 years of policy!!!

The eternally imminent death of the European welfare state

de Marothy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:51:53 EDT

All politicians lie. But few seem to lie as well, nor as often, as the (current) American Right. By 'well' here, I mean the sheer scale of their lies. You have to wonder if there's anything they can't get away with? By comparison, Bill Clinton was an amateur. He lied about sex. Who hasn't lied about sex? It's a boring lie, a common, pedestrian one. George W Bush, on the other hand, he lied to get the country to go to war.

-And people believed it!

Now that isn't your everyday fib. How many people are even in a position to make that kind of lie, much less pull it off? However, as the old adage goes, “..you can't fool all of the people all of the time”. But you can fool some of the people all the time. And by some of the people, I'm thinking about conservatives...

Week of July 24th - Working to Win the Western States

Team / Area Leader - CD17 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:02:24 EDT

Obama 08 Santa Cruz County

July 24, 2008

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………HIGHLIGHTS

Barack Obama in Europe and the Middle East
Wharf-to-Wharf Runners and Obama Supports – July 27th
Listening to America - Democrat Platform Events to Solicit Your Input
Convention Watch Parties and Fundraiser – August 28th
Santa Cruz Campaign Office Opening in August
Supporting Nevada and New Mexico Campaigns
Camp Obama Volunteer Training Coming to Santa Cruz
Support Our Convention Delegates
Obama 08 Fundraiser - Movie Raffle Tickets Now on Sale (fundraising)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Barack Obama in Europe and the Middle EastAs you have heard, Barack has been in Europe and the Middle East this week. Today, he spoke in Berlin, Germany. In a city where a wall once divided the free from the oppressed, he talked about tearing down the walls that divide all peoples so we can address our common problems -- the threats of terrorism and nuclear weapons, global warming and genocide, AIDS and poverty. "I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before," Mr. Obama told the crowd, confronting the delicate issue of campaigning abroad. "Tonight, I speak to you not as a candidate for president, but as a citizen – a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world." Senator Barack Obama waved to the crowd gathered at the Victory Column at Tiergarten Park in Berlin on Thursday. An estimated 200,000 Germans gathered to watch Mr. Obama's speech. Barack Obama met for about an hour with Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Federal Chancellery. A German diplomat said the discussions went very successfully, saying: "They quickly found themselves on the same page. It was not superficial at all."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Runners for Obama at Wharf-to-Wharf - This Sunday

How cool is it to represent the next President of the United States at the 36th Annual Wharf to Wharf race run on Sunday, July 27th. The race starts at 8:30 and runs from the Santa Cruz Pier (near downtown) to the Capitola Pier (in Capitola Village) and is considered the "Best Little Roadrace in California". The 10K, six mile race, is festive and fun rather than deadly serious.

Event Date: 8:30AM Sunday, July 27th. Obama Shirts: order your *T-shirts at: BarackObama.com and join us for a "Race to Change".Information: June Gorman at june_gorman@sbcglobal.net Volunteers Needed at the Race:Volunteers needed at the starting point in Santa Cruz and at the finish area in Capitola to provide Obama information, sign-up volunteers and sell Obama gear. Pre-Race Obama Crew at the Starting point in Santa Cruz will meet in front of Ideal Fish Restaurant near the Santa Cruz Wharf at 7:15 am to 9:15 am. If you arrive that early you might actually find parking! But bring lots of quarters for the couple of hours. Otherwise, Shuttle parking lot is at Ocean Street Government Center and shuttle starts at 6:30am. Look for Obama shirts and hats!Time: 7:15 am to 9:15 amLocation: Ideal Fish Restaurant near the Santa Cruz WharfContact: Susan Samuels Drake at sdrake2@cruzio.com Post-Race Obama Crew at the Finish area in Capitola will meet on Capitola Beach at "Obama" space 9:15 am. Beach "Obama" station set-up, plus "milling" crew at the Finish line/ Bridge working with "waiting" spectators. Look for Obama table, signage, shirts and hats!Time: 9:15 am to 11:15 amLocation: Meet at on Capitola Beach at "Obama" space Contact: Dennis Connors at squenix@sbcglobal.net / 831-685-8553 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Listening to America - Democratic Platform Events & Your Input The Democratic Platform for Change – Forums to Solicit Your InputEvery four years, the Democratic Party assembles a platform that outlines the party's position on a number of issues. Traditionally, the drafting of the platform is not open to ordinary people. This year, that's going to change. From July 19 to July 27, people all across America will hold Platform Meetings in their own communities. People all across America will hold Platform Meetings in their own communities and homes to discuss the issues and share their input. The input obtained from these meetings will help shape the platform at the Democratic Convention in August. The outcome of these meetings will be reviewed by the Drafting Committee as it creates the final Platform. Platform Meetings are a great way to connect with fellow supporters and help write the next chapter in the history of the Democratic Party. No political experience is required. Your thoughts and experiences are all that matter, and they will shape a platform that -- like this campaign -- is owned by the people. Attend one of the Santa Cruz County Platform Events listed below. Saturday, July 26th -- Downtown Santa Cruz Democratic Platform EventA Great Idea, A Great Opportunity to Get Involved. A Saturday Afternoon Brainstorming Event of Getting Whats in Our Heads Out & Heard! Join Us, Some Appetizers Provided.Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pmLocation: Fusion Restaurant & Lounge, 110 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Contact Phone: Jamaka Johnson / 831-600-7417 RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/platformmeeting/442x9 Sunday, July 27th -- SLV / Boulder Creek Democratic Platform EventMark your calendar for Sunday July 27th for an afternoon of sharing good food, and conversation with community members that want to have their voices heard. Bring your ideas for change and a dish or some wine to share with others. All ages welcome to attend!Time: 12noon to 200pmLocation: Ellis Residence, 14395 West Park Ave., Boulder Creek, CA 95006Directions: Take Hwy 9 in Boulder Creek to West Park. We are located about one mile up West Park on the left. RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/platformmeeting/4gwg9 Host a Platform Meeting Event You can also host an event in your own community. We’ve prepared all the materials that you need to host. Or, if you’d prefer, find an event near you.Sign up to host or attend a Platform Meeting in your neighborhood: http://my.barackobama.com/listening

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Voter Registration Drive – Volunteers NeededVolunteers needed to support our local Voter Registration efforts that are a primary focus this summer. Locations are in Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz; in Capitola on 41st Avenue in front of Safeway; and in Watsonville. We ask volunteers to offer as little as 1 hour of their time to help register new voters and answer questions about our candidate as well as to offer buttons, bumper stickers and signs to interested parties. Volunteers are needed to staff the table and answer questions. This a great opportunity to get involved in support Obama and increasing voter registration. Santa Cruz – Bookshop Santa Cruz – Saturday, July 26th 11am to 3pm1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, 95060Information: David Gripton at dag1951@cruzio.com / 831-238-4971 Capitola Information: Dennis Connors at squenix@sbcglobal.net / 831-685-8553Watsonville Information: Luis Alejo at laalejo@msn.com / 831-726-6032………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Santa Cruz Campaign Office Opening in AugustA Santa Cruz Campaign Office is in the works and tentatively planned to open mid-August. The office is located in the Galleria Plaza between River and Front Streets in downtown Santa Cruz. This office will support the Obama campaign efforts in Santa Cruz County along with state and local Democratic candidates and ballot measures. An office opening event is planned, stay-tuned for more information. Volunteers are needed to staff the office. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Out-of-State Voter Efforts – Nevada and New MexicoNevada and New Mexico are two very important swing states where our out-of-state voter outreach efforts can make a difference in electing Barack Obama. We will continue to announce out-of-state voter efforts for those who have the time and ability to support these activities. Nevada Voter Registration Weekend in Reno, Nevada – July 25 and 26th You may be aware that Nevada is one of the swing states and very critical to November's results. We have to get out the vote for Barack Obama in Nevada but in order for people to vote they have to be registered to vote so our sister state is asking for our help with voter registration by traveling to Reno for a weekend. We will leave on Friday evening at 5:30PM on July 25 and return on Sunday evening, July 27th. When you sign up please include your telephone number, only the event organizer can see that information, and we will call you to confirm. The ask is of all of Northern California - our goal is to get at least 100 of us. The sooner we know the sooner we can try to pool our money for buses and/or set up carpools. There will be some supporter housing available.Organizer: Kim Mack 916-400-3252 / Sacramento Obama OfficeInformation: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4gt5z Nevada Voter Registration Weekends in Las Vegas, Nevada – August 9th and August 16th The Obama San Jose team is coordinating with the Obama Nevada campaign in Las Vegas to provide voter registration and voter out-reach support the weekends of August 9th and August 16th.Organizer: Eric Orque at eorque@musd.org or 408.891.4024Information August 9th: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/4gdcc Information August 16th: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/4gdkk Nevada Voter Registration Weekends in Reno, Nevada – Weekly Carpools from SF Obama Ellen San Francisco and Oakland are organizing weekly carpools to Reno, Nevada and pre-trip training efforts. Ellen has also setup a google docs spreadsheet to track volunteers who are traveling on a specific week. We are sharing this information with Obama for Nevada staff to assist their planning efforts for canvassing and voter registration plans and to find supporter housing for usOrganizer: Kenya Wheeler at kenyaw@gmail.com and Ellen Kamoe at travel4barack@gmail.com New Mexico Voter Outreach - Obama Palo Alto/Silicon Valley The Obama Palo Alto office has is coordinating with the Obama state campaign in New Mexico and will be providing phone bank support beginning this month on Saturday and Sundays from the Palo Alto office. Those interested can contact the Obama Palo Alto office directly:Location: Silicon Valley for Obama Field Office, 3898 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306Information: (650) 852-9401 / (650) 852-9527 New Mexico Voter Outreach - Obama Los GatosBring your lap top, cell phone, or mic and skype account and join us in calling New Mexico Independent Voters. We have a couple of computers in the office. When you RSVP, please let me know if you are brining your own lap top or need to use one of our computers.Time: Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 AM to 12noonContact Phone: Yeffi Vanatta / 408-406-5309 Location: LG Obama Office, 15495 Los Gatos Blvd Suite 4 (Above Erik's Deli), Los Gatos, CA 95032 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Watch Parties August 28th – Democratic National Convention On Thursday, August 28th, Barack Obama, the assumed Democrat nominee, is scheduled to formally accept the Democratic nomination in a speech in front of the assembled delegates and what is expect to be an audience of 75,000 in Denver. 3 Watch Parties Planned in Santa Cruz CountyLocally we are organizing 4 Watch Parties for Thursday, August 28th to bring supporters and volunteers together throughout Santa Cruz County. Watch Parties are planned for Watsonville, Mid-County and Santa Cruz. Reserve the evening of August 28th for this historic event and celebrate with local supporters. These events are open to all. More information in our August newsletters. Watch Party Fundraiser for Obama Campaign Additionally, we have a local fundraiser and watch party planned for Thursday, August 28th from 4pm to 8pm on the West Side of Santa Cruz. Watch the speech while enjoying appetizers, wine and entertainment throughout the evening. Generous Donations will be accepted at the event. Time: 4pm to 8pmSuggested Donation: $50 • $100 • $200 • $500 (checks payable to Obama For America)Hosted by: Patrice and Bob KeetRSVP by Aug 25th: Angela Chesnut at amc7@mail.com /l 831.425.7788 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Camp Obama Volunteer TrainingIn August and September we will host Camp Obama Volunteer Training to prepare people for the General Election campaign voter-outreach efforts. We are tentatively planning to hold a number of sessions on Saturday’s -- August 23, 30, Sept 6, and Sept 13th. More information to follow.

Russia-Georgia Conflict Fueled by Rush to Control Caspian Energy Resources

Chinni — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:31:20 EDT

Russia-Georgia Conflict Fueled by Rush to Control Caspian Energy Resources

..Even under the Clinton administration, when Eduard Shevardnadze was the president of Georgia, who was hardly a paragon of democracy, President Clinton said that we need Georgia as an energy ally of the United States. And that was the basis on which the US forged a military alliance with Georgia.
And since then, we’ve poured hundreds of millions of dollars into beefing up the Georgian military. And this is unmistakable in the State Department and military Department of Defense justifications for arming the Georgian military, specifically to protect the BTC pipeline against sabotage and attack. So, looking into the Pentagon and State Department documents, there’s no question that this is about energy security, not about democracy or human rights or the other justifications that have been given.. - Michael Klare on Democracy Now!

Georgia : A Blow to US Energy - Steve LeVine, Businessweek

..At the core of the struggle is a vast network of actual and planned pipelines for shipping Caspian Sea oil to the world market from countries that were once part of the Soviet empire. American policymakers working with a BP-led consortium had already helped build oil and natural gas pipelines across Georgia to the Turkish coast. Next on the drawing board: another pipeline through Georgia to carry natural gas from the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea to Austria—offering an alternate supply to Western Europe, which now depends on Russia for a third of its energy.
But after the mauling Georgia got, "any chance of a new non-Russian pipeline out of Central Asia and into Europe is pretty much dead," says Chris Ruppel, an energy analyst at Execution, a brokerage in Greenwich, Conn..
Map : An End Run Around Russia

Motivational Note

Friends of President Barack Obama — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:19:02 EDT

Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.

Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.

Nothing or no no one is perfect.

Just keep taking steps.

Keep making those phone calls.

Continue following your plan.

Remain focused on your goal.

Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.

Complete every task.

Keep every promise and commitment.

Don't look back.

Stay on track.

Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.

Remain teachable.

Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.

Talk with teachers.

Walk with winners.

Climb with champions.

Study successful people.

Something great is about to happen for you!

Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.

Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.

-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author

Barack Obama Superstar

Stefan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:45:38 EDT

Senator John McCain calls Barack Obama a superstar, a celebrity adored by millions. “But is he really ready to lead?” he asks the public in his latest TV add.

The ultimate source of this John McCain ad was Senator Obama’s appearance in Berlin during his trip to Europe and the Middle East. More than 200,000 people showed up too see him speak and cheered as they waved American flags. I would like to share my point of view in regard to why Barack Obama enjoys so much popularity among Europeans.

First, let me briefly introduce myself. I am a German citizen and legal resident of North Carolina. I moved to this great country because I believe in its values as I believe in the opportunities it gives to its residents. I am a college student and I am trying to receive a Masters degree in International Relations and Foreign Affairs. I do not intend on moving back to Europe, and I hope to become a naturalized American citizen.

Anybody that has traveled to Europe within the last two decades will agree that American popularity has suffered substantially throughout the entire continent (with the few exceptions of some Eastern European countries that recently joined the European Union and had to U.S. to thank for its support). Whereas America used to be considered a respected global companion, many Germans now strongly resent America’s policy shift from “protector” to “aggressor.” This is what happened to me. Before I immigrated to the U.S. in 2007, I vigorously defended American policies. I trusted the intelligence and optic of this great nation. Unfortunately, I too, was let down as recently released U.S. intelligence and Senate reports revealed. We now know that Iraq did not possess any weapons of mass destruction, and we know that there was no link between Saddam Hussein and the perpetrators of 9/11.

However, what I also realized through these discussions with my German friends is that, despite their aversions to President Bush’s foreign policy, they still like Americans. The positive feelings that developed after World War II, where Americans were seen as liberators and as an optimistic simple people with good morals and well intentions, still exists. Indeed, Americans are known for their generosity and their courtesy. Where I grew up, several major American military bases meant we shared our habitat with many Americans. Restaurants, guest houses, and pubs used to be filled with countrymen from both nations, who enthusiastically bonded with one another. These feelings of camaraderie culminated after 9/11 when Europeans expressed their empathy for the American people by willingly sending troops to Afghanistan to support the U.S.

However, this empathy was quickly transformed into disappointment. In fact, the shift in European perception towards the United States is simply the result of a desecration of what we think of as American values. Americans are supposed to be the good guys, the protectors. They are not supposed to wage war against a country without the legitimacy of the U.N. Security Council. They are not supposed to have wrong intelligence about a country, and they are not supposed to wage war on it for the wrong reason. Americans are not supposed to use interrogation methods that are considered torture by the Geneva Conventions which the U.S. usually enforces in any other country that violates them. And Americans are not supposed to imprison people indefinitely without either representation or allowing the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) to access the prisons as is demanded by international law for prisoners of war.

When Europeans see Barack Obama, they see old American values come back to life. Obama’s promise for change includes a change in respect towards the European allies of the United States, and change in how America will fight the global war on terrorism. Obama’s popularity then has a reason. As Europeans and Americans have the same global interests in terms of stability, security, and economical progress, Barack Obama appears to be the bond to reunite Europeans and Americans. Europeans cherish American values, but disagree with recent policies that have violated human rights and the Geneva Convention, and disregarded the U.N. Security Council as well as most of its allies. Europeans see the effort of creating a better world as a combined endeavor of all Western nations. Furthermore, they want the United States to lead this global effort, but they do not want a single nation to run this endeavor by itself and they definitely do not want a nation to break the rules that it once established and enforced in a global effort to create a better world.

The reason why Obama enjoys such extreme popularity is simply because he is a great candidate. He promises the change this country needs so direly whether it is in terms of the U.S. economy, in terms of the global war on terror, or in terms of environmental issues and oil dependency. The presidential elections 2008 are by far more than the election of a national leader. The outcome of this election will have a substantial effect on the rest of the world as the U.S. Economy and American foreign policies significantly impact the global market and international politics. As citizens of this great country, we have the responsibility not only to make a good decision, but also to go to the polls in November and make that decision count.

Why Obama is so popular in Europe

Nicky — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:33:57 EDT

I'm starting to get really steamed about all this.

Not to say that I haven't been in the recent past. A flash of George Bush can put me right over the edge, watching the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car is infuriating and hearing comments from irresponsible radio personalities like Michael Savage who said that 90% of children with autism are just brats is almost unbearable.

The response to Obama's obvious popularity in Europe is mind boggling. Do you want to know why Obama is so popular in Europe? It's because he represents hope and sanity. Do you think America is liked by Europe right now? Do you think the people in Europe respect Bush? His policies? Do you think people in Europe appreciate the war this administration dragged them into? Do you really think Europe appreciates the economic ripple effect that it is experiencing because of Bush administration policies? Do you as an american realise that the rest of the world has lost respect for this country.

At one time America was seen as the moral and ethical father to the world. A benevolent, just and fair leader. Not to sound coy but America was seen as the shining example of democracy, freedom and the persuit of happiness. People from all over the world wanted to move here. People wanted their country to be "just like america". Do you think that's happening now?

200 000 people showed up for Obama. Not just because they wanted to see his face, not just because the man can give an inspiring speech but because what happens in america has an effect on the lives of everyone in this world.

Our world, the people of this planet are crying for good leadership in america. The people of Berlin didn't show up for a photo-op, they showed up to show their faith in his message, they showed up to show solidarity for what he represents. The people of Berlin showed up to show us that they support us too in our effort to change what has been going on. The people of Berlin showed up to say, "Yes, you can!"

Don't be misled by the McCain campaign's attempt to steal that hope and solidarity. They wouldn't have attcked it if they didn't think it was powerful. And don't become complacent. Find a way that you can make a difference. BE THE CHANGE! Volunteer, donate, talk to people and most of all become informed. You are responsible for your happiness. You create your future.

The Racism of John McCain

Jedidiah Palosaari — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:30:57 EDT

I believe racism is not always against people of colour. I believe it is possible to be racist against someone who is white. I further believe it is possible to be racist against someone who is the same skin colour as yourself, as long as you are attacking a different group, a different ethnicity.

Consider the racism of McCain in his recent ad, speaking of Obama's great popularity in Europe, as 100s of 1000s chant his name, suggesting Obama is too popular.

This is not playing the race card because Obama is black. This is racism, because John McCain hates Europeans.

It is clear from McCain's ad that we are supposed to disapprove of Obama because he is loved by 100s of 1000s of Europeans. Sure, McCain could be saying how wonderful it is that Obama is "the biggest celebrity in the world". Somehow, I don't think McCain is saying that. We are treated to an image of 100s of 1000s of Germans, chanting Obama's name, and that is supposed to send a chill down our spine. We are supposed to consider that it is dangerous to elect someone if the whole of Europe is really into him. After all, if the Europeans like him, there must be something wrong with him, right? We can't trust those Europeans to act justly, or make wise decisions. That's why we kicked their asses in that war. (No, not that one- the first one McCain probably remembers, the Revolutionary War.)

Evidently, McCain doesn't see a problem with the world's perception of America at present. He thinks that it's okay that the world generally detests what America is now doing overseas. McCain evidently doesn't feel a need to rehabilitate America's image. That's all that I can conclude, when the subliminal message of a campaign ad is that it is bad to elect someone that the rest of the world loves.

Perhaps you disagree with me that this ad is profoundly disturbing, profoundly racist. Consider if Obama had visited Africa, as he could easily have done, and been greeted by 100s of 1000s of cheering fans, as he would undoubtedly been greeted- albeit probably more than 200,000. Now consider the exact same McCain ad, but with 500,000 Africans. McCain's reasoning is the same in both cases. Only the colour of the faces change. Racism is racism, whether or not the people are a people of colour. Racism is when we insinuate something negative about an entire people group that is not our own, or claim that there is something wrong with them because they are not us.

John McCain, when you say you approve this message, just which message were you approving?

Going abroad

Ole Wolf — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:41:41 EDT

I held a small event last weekend, where we gathered and made some postcards from Europe to American voters. It felt appropriate to do so in the week, where Obama visited

An Open Note To John McCain

Obamanizer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:23:54 EDT

... so Senator McCain, is it really the case that you think that the Americans and especially the ones leaning towards voting for you are so stupid that you can make them believe that Senator Obama is a careless, unpatriotic and selfish swine?

Plus: Yeah, and Obama's team is so political insensitive that they underestimated that somebody would pick up on this, right. I guess though I would have expected that this argument would have been picked up by some swift boaters and not by your campaign itself. Now you tell me who passed the moral litmus test.

Yours,

A former believer (now retarted) in honest conservatives.

The Landstuhl Spin

Obamanizer — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:09:03 EDT

"I rather loose a campaign than exploiting our wounded troops for a political campaign."

From the NYT: "How Obama Became Acting President"

Jen G. In St. Louis — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:13:06 EDT

This op-ed piece is so great that I decided it needed to be posted here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/opinion/27rich.html

How Obama Became Acting President

By FRANK RICHPublished: July 27, 2008

IT almost seems like a gag worthy of “Borat”: A smooth-talking rookie senator with an exotic name passes himself off as the incumbent American president to credulous foreigners. But to dismiss Barack Obama’s magical mystery tour through old Europe and two war zones as a media-made fairy tale would be to underestimate the ingenious politics of the moment. History was on the march well before Mr. Obama boarded his plane, and his trip was perfectly timed to reap the whirlwind.

He never would have been treated as a president-in-waiting by heads of state or network talking heads if all he offered were charisma, slick rhetoric and stunning visuals. What drew them instead was the raw power Mr. Obama has amassed: the power to start shaping events and the power to move markets, including TV ratings. (Even “Access Hollywood” mustered a 20 percent audience jump by hosting the Obama family.) Power begets more power, absolutely.

HOW OBAMA BECAME ACTING PRESIDENT or Why Republicans/McCain Switched To More SWIFTBOAT Ads and Tactics This Week

Nevada County For Obama-Curtis Walker — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:41:22 EDT

This New York Times Op-Ed (is more like the loudest most accurate TRUTH) published today must be made required reading for not only Obama supporters, but every Republican in the USA.

Please do whatever necessary to post this story everywhere and make it become viral by email (share it and ask everyone you send it to to share it with everyone they know.

HOW OBAMA BECAME ACTING PRESIDENT--By Frank Rich-NYT

July 27, 2008
OP-ED COLUMNIST
How Obama Became Acting President

By FRANK RICH
IT almost seems like a gag worthy of “Borat”: A smooth-talking rookie senator with an exotic name passes himself off as the incumbent American president to credulous foreigners. But to dismiss Barack Obama’s magical mystery tour through old Europe and two war zones as a media-made fairy tale would be to underestimate the ingenious politics of the moment. History was on the march well before Mr. Obama boarded his plane, and his trip was perfectly timed to reap the whirlwind.

He never would have been treated as a president-in-waiting by heads of state or network talking heads if all he offered were charisma, slick rhetoric and stunning visuals. What drew them instead was the raw power Mr. Obama has amassed: the power to start shaping events and the power to move markets, including TV ratings. (Even “Access Hollywood” mustered a 20 percent audience jump by hosting the Obama family.) Power begets more power, absolutely.

The growing Obama clout derives not from national polls, where his lead is modest. Nor is it a gift from the press, which still gives free passes to its old bus mate John McCain. It was laughable to watch journalists stamp their feet last week to try to push Mr. Obama into saying he was “wrong” about the surge. More than five years and 4,100 American fatalities later, they’re still not demanding that Mr. McCain admit he was wrong when he assured us that our adventure in Iraq would be fast, produce little American “bloodletting” and “be paid for by the Iraqis.”

Never mind. This election remains about the present and the future, where Iraq’s $10 billion a month drain on American pocketbooks and military readiness is just one moving part in a matrix of national crises stretching from the gas pump to Pakistan. That’s the high-rolling political casino where Mr. Obama amassed the chips he cashed in last week. The “change” that he can at times wield like a glib marketing gimmick is increasingly becoming a substantive reality — sometimes through Mr. Obama’s instigation, sometimes by luck. Obama-branded change is snowballing, whether it’s change you happen to believe in or not.

Looking back now, we can see that the fortnight preceding the candidate’s flight to Kuwait was like a sequence in an old movie where wind blows away calendar pages to announce an epochal plot turn. First, on July 7, the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, dissed Bush dogma by raising the prospect of a withdrawal timetable for our troops. Then, on July 15, Mr. McCain suddenly noticed that more Americans are dying in Afghanistan than Iraq and called for more American forces to be sent there. It was a long-overdue recognition of the obvious that he could no longer avoid: both Robert Gates, the defense secretary, and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had already called for more American troops to battle the resurgent Taliban, echoing the policy proposed by Mr. Obama a year ago.

On July 17 we learned that President Bush, who had labeled direct talks with Iran “appeasement,” would send the No. 3 official in the State Department to multilateral nuclear talks with Iran. Lest anyone doubt that the White House had moved away from the rigid stand endorsed by Mr. McCain and toward Mr. Obama’s, a former Rumsfeld apparatchik weighed in on The Wall Street Journal’s op-ed page: “Now Bush Is Appeasing Iran.”

Within 24 hours, the White House did another U-turn, endorsing an Iraq withdrawal timetable as long as it was labeled a “general time horizon.” In a flash, as Mr. Obama touched down in Kuwait, Mr. Maliki approvingly cited the Democratic candidate by name while laying out a troop-withdrawal calendar of his own that, like Mr. Obama’s, would wind down in 2010. On Tuesday, the British prime minister, Gordon Brown, announced a major drawdown of his nation’s troops by early 2009.

But it’s not merely the foreign policy consensus that is shifting Obama-ward. The Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens has now joined another high-profile McCain supporter, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in knocking the McCain nostrum that America can drill its way out of its energy crisis. Mr. Pickens, who financed the Swift-boat campaign smearing John Kerry in 2004, was thought to be a sugar daddy for similar assaults against the Democrats this year. Instead, he is underwriting nonpartisan ads promoting wind power and speaks of how he would welcome Al Gore as energy czar if there’s an Obama administration.

The Obama stampede is forcing Mr. McCain to surrender on other domestic fronts. After the Democrat ran ads in 14 states berating chief executives who are “making more in 10 minutes” than many workers do in a year, a newly populist Mr. McCain began railing against “corporate greed” — much as he also followed Mr. Obama’s example and belatedly endorsed a homeowners’ bailout he had at first opposed. Given that Mr. McCain has already used a refitted, hand-me-down Obama campaign slogan (“A Leader You Can Believe In”), it can’t be long before he takes up fist bumps. They’ve become the rage among young (nonterrorist) American businessmen, according to USA Today.

“We have one president at a time,” Mr. Obama is careful to say. True, but the sitting president, a lame duck despised by voters and shunned by his own party’s candidates, now has all the gravitas of Mr. Cellophane in “Chicago.” The opening for a successor arrived prematurely, and the vacuum had been waiting to be filled. What was most striking about the Obama speech in Berlin was not anything he said so much as the alternative reality it fostered: many American children have never before seen huge crowds turn out abroad to wave American flags instead of burn them.

Mr. McCain could also have stepped into the leadership gap left by Mr. Bush’s de facto abdication. His inability to even make a stab at doing so is troubling. While drama-queen commentators on television last week were busy building up false suspense about the Obama trip — will he make a world-class gaffe? will he have too large an audience in Germany? — few focused on the alarms that Mr. McCain’s behavior at home raise about his fitness to be president.

Once again the candidate was making factual errors about the only subject he cares about, imagining an Iraq-Pakistan border and garbling the chronology of the Anbar Awakening. Once again he displayed a tantrum-prone temperament ill-suited to a high-pressure 21st-century presidency. His grim-faced crusade to brand his opponent as a traitor who wants to “lose a war” isn’t even a competent impersonation of Joe McCarthy. Mr. McCain comes off instead like the ineffectual Mr. Wilson, the retired neighbor perpetually busting a gasket at the antics of pesky little Dennis the Menace.

The week’s most revealing incident occurred on Wednesday when the new, supposedly improved McCain campaign management finalized its grand plan to counter Mr. Obama’s Berlin speech with a “Mission Accomplished”-like helicopter landing on an oil rig off Louisiana’s coast. The announcement was posted on politico.com even as any American with a television could see that Hurricane Dolly was imminent. Needless to say, this bit of theater was almost immediately “postponed” but not before raising the question of whether a McCain administration would be just as hapless in anticipating the next Katrina as the Bush-Brownie storm watch.

When not plotting such stunts, the McCain campaign whines about its lack of press attention like a lover jilted for a younger guy. The McCain camp should be careful what it wishes for. As its relentless goading of Mr. Obama to visit Iraq only ratcheted up anticipation for the Democrat’s triumphant trip, so its insistent demand for joint town-hall meetings with Mr. Obama and for more televised chronicling of Mr. McCain’s wanderings could be self-inflicted disasters in the making.

Mr. McCain may be most comfortable at town-hall meetings before largely friendly crowds, but his performance under pressure at this year’s G.O.P. primary debates was erratic. His sound-bite-deep knowledge of the country’s No. 1 issue, the economy, is a Gerald Ford train wreck waiting to happen in any matchup with Mr. Obama that requires focused, time-limited answers rather than rambling.

During Mr. McCain’s last two tours of the Middle East — conducted without the invasive scrutiny of network anchors — the only news he generated was his confusion of Sunni with Shia and his embarrassing stroll through a “safe” Baghdad market with helicopter cover. He should thank his stars that few TV viewers saw that he was even less at home when walking through a chaotic Pennsylvania supermarket last week. He inveighed against the price of milk while reading from a note card and felt the pain of a shopper planted by the local Republican Party.

The election remains Mr. Obama’s to lose, and he could lose it, whether through unexpected events, his own vanity or a vice-presidential misfire. But what we’ve learned this month is that America, our allies and most likely the next Congress are moving toward Mr. Obama’s post-Iraq vision of the future, whether he reaches the White House or not. That’s some small comfort as we contemplate the strange alternative offered by the Republicans: a candidate so oblivious to our nation’s big challenges ahead that he is doubling down in his campaign against both Mr. Maliki and Mr. Obama to be elected commander in chief of the surge.

***

Now take FIVE minutes of your day and share far and wide! Thanks a bunch for all you do.

What Germans Think of Barack Obama: Continuity We Can Believe In

Joerg — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:23:11 EDT

The majority of Germans support Barrack Obama for the US presidency, not because they believe he will radically change US policy, but because he is expected to return it to the familiar pre-Bush trajectory. This is the conclusion from my colleague Ben Heine over at Atlantic Community. Ben and I have interviewed the attendees of the Obama rally in Berlin yesterday. Here's our video with the responses:

What do you think of the opinions expressed by the interviewees?

OBAMA IN PARIS

Lou — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:40:28 EDT

REM TENE, VERBA SEQUENTUR...

This is a Latin Proverb, pointed out by Ancient Romans, that means:

IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, WORDS WILL FLOW SPONTANEOUSLY.

I really think OBAMA'S WAY OF COMMUNICATING IS UNIQUE: he was great yesterday by starting his speech with Sarcozy not in a formal way. You must JUST be UNIQUE to say -more or less-

" France and the USA have many things in common. For example, in the USA , we call chips French Fries!"

This is the best way to start and to create a bridge with Sarcozy and people from France and from Europe, I think. That's to say: THE BIG GIFT THAT OBAMA HAS INSIDE. When he speaks, he keeps on talking about more serious problems of America and of the World, of course, but is able to create bridges and an immediate empathy with any kind of people and situations.

WE' D LIKE TO SEE HIM AS PRESIDENT IN EUROPE: A BETTER WAY TO CREATE BRIDGES BETWEEN AMERICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. SAVING -AT THE SAME TIME- THE TARGET OF SECURITY IN THE U.S.A AND IN THE REST OF THE WORLD. AND MANY OTHER TARGET, OF COURSE. BECAUSE AMERICA NEEDS A CHANGE AND THE WORLD NEEDS A CONTRUCTIVE CHANGE TOO.

EurObamania

Kat — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:58:18 EDT

Is this a good thing or not? From my SC friends... they are a bit put off that so many Euros like BO and are they trying to win our elections?

I can' only hope that most of us are in the realm of ..OMG!!! Look at all those American Flags being waved by the same people that were burning our current POTUS in effigy just last year???

Is it we love BO or we hate Bush???

Social Sculpturing of America's Future

Social Entrepreneur - Supporter Indigenous People — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:26:24 EDT

Social Cognitive Science and the emerging conversations of deep-rooted biological paradigms are pointing to the fundamental social loving nature that constitutes, sustains and maintains human beings. This new conversation is offering an exploration of grounded understanding of human beings as social loving animals and opens an exploration into the 'plasticity' for the dynamic temporal architecture of our living system that is capable of opening possibilities beyond our current imaginations.

We experience social relations everyday in the domain of friendship! Friends are social relations where the standard practice is to presence ethical legitimacy-in-coexistence with another! All of us at heart desire to be accepted and valued enacting care, feeding and nurturing one another. Humanity has the capability now to make a quantum leap into designing a world together and for future generations!

This blog focuses on Native American, First Nations, Cognitive Science, and Integral Movements developing worldwide.

Thanks

Patric

Barack in Berlin: My reaction: America needs let go of Europe.

ESLaPorte — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:24:57 EDT

I thought that the speech given by Barack Obama was an important history lesson in the Cold War, the defeat of communism was also an achievement of Europeans, including Pope John Paul II. However, this is just that, history. The defeat of communism in Europe and around the globe was not just an American feat.

What Barack pointed out to Berliners and Europeans is the role of immigrants and minorities and their struggles and contributions. From the opening, Barack opened up by pointing out that his father was a Kenyan goat keeper and there was a wonderful African cheer from the crowd. What made this spectacular and pointed – was this was in the backdrop of what is currently occurring in Europe – the harsh "Return" Directive which would allow EU Member States to lock up undocumented immigrants for 18 months and then ban them from the European Continent for five years. What is missing in Europe is that people do not choose to undertake the dangers and struggles to migrate from Africa and South America to Europe for freedom, but for a better life and to feed their families. Barack included this stoy about his father in the backdrop the building of Fortress Europe and the coming of harsh immigration policies sweeping the continent.

Barack mentioned a partnership between Europe and America. American needs partnership that are real partnership, where America is willing to give something, not just take, and to listen to partners, not just arrogantly dictate terms. These partnerships include other nations and regions of the world, not just Europe. This includes the idea that America accepts criticism of its policies from others, including the so-called “war on terrorism” and “Guantanamo Bay” and the death penalty, poverty in America and torture, among others.

I was disappointed in that Barack continued with the same ol’ “what America did for Europe,” without what Europe has done for itself and the achievements of the European Union. Again, Europe and European nations must be free to decide their own security, defense and foreign policy apart from the dictates of Washington. Barack’s speech was again full of messages that “America rules Europe” and failed to acknowledge the achievements of Europeans in the name of their own peace and security – and the creation of the greatest project of human kind, the European project, the European Union. Europe must be "allowed" to continue in its own path, which will take it away from "American leadership." America must accept that the future will be without America “leading Europe” – but an independent European superpower.

Another note: My father took part in the Berlin Airlift and served in the military all over Europe in the Cold War.

Why Obama Is Popular in Europe

Bill Marjenhoff — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:51:29 EDT

In eastern Germany—where neo-Nazi activity is a fact of life— 77 percent said they would vote for Obama. Why, in a country with a notorious racial history, persistent xenophobia and unsuccessful attempts at integrating its immigrants, is Obama's race seemingly not a factor in his popularity there?

Another poll conducted by the British Daily Telegraph in May showed that Obama was a strong favorite in other European countries as well: Italy (70 percent), France (65 percent), Britain (49 percent compared to 14 percent for McCain) and even in Russia, which generally favors Republican presidents, 31 percent said they would vote for Obama compared to 24 percent for McCain.

More here: http://www.theroot.com/id/47387

Barack's Sojourn

Halford Fairchild, Ph.D. — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:18:27 EDT

It is a wonderful day in world affairs. The next president of the U.S., Barack Obama, is on a global showcase of his talents.

It is gratifying to be part of this phenomenon.

I urge each of us to join various groups, and especially to make small contributions on various members' and groups' fund raising pages. Doing so encourages the recipients to do even more. It's kind of like a "matching" donation.

Although it is the case that Barack has already raised massive amounts of money, the general election campaign will cost even more massive sums. National television advertising can cost millions a day.

So, one way we regular folks can have a multiplicative effect in the fund raising effort is to make a lot of small contributions, again, supporting each others' fund raising pages. In fact, please visit mine!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/halfairchild

Shameless Promotion

Travis J. Todd, Founder, GrowVotes.org — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:08:06 EDT

Originally Posted: http://growvotes.org/blog/2008/07/21/shameless-promotion/- July 21, 2008

In case you haven’t been following along with what the people behind GrowVotes are doing I, Travis, the main founder, have been living between Berlin, Germany and Washington DC (Annapolis, MD) for the past year and a half. Thomas is on board in Munich, Germany busily ramping up work for me to do getting the German site launched, and Scott is promoting the heck out of things back home around the Philly area. So, we’re a pretty global team.

There’s your background for this post. I went down on the 4th and 5th of July for the opening of the New American Embassy in Berlin. It’s right next to the famed Brandenburg Gate. The Germans threw us anAmerikafest. It was a great opportunity to promote Grow Votes, so I went down and talked up as many Americans as I could. Out in full force were the Democrats Abroad with their Obama paraphenalia. Not a McCain sign to be seen. In fact it seems like in Europe there’s really only one presidential candidate. In the Europeans’ eyes Obama might as well be the president elect, not the presumptive democratic nominee. We’ll see if America can live up to the Europeans’ presumptions.

Regardless, I got in on as many of the photo ops as I could and with Obama coming on Thursday to give his big European speech here in Berlin I’ll be doing the same. So far my mug’s made it into the Berlin section of the Tagesspiegel twice. Only once did the photographer manage to get my URL name on my t-shirt. Gotta love some shameless self-promotion.

Good news also came in today in the form of a TV interview. Special thanks to Nate Elliott of Jupiter Researchfor sending the folks at Al-Jazeera English over my way. I’ll be participating on a panel discussion after Obama’s speech on a variety of topics, includeing what it’s like to be an American abroad, political opinion abroad and at home, and other topics. Should be some good exposure. I’ll be sure to post when I get some video clips. Until Thursday!

Obama, Iraqis Unite on ‘Vision’ for Troop Withdrawal

Sonya Rose — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:43:01 EDT

For those that doubted the international prowess of the freshman Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama is proving to be a powerful negotiator during his initial overseas jaunt. Following his visit with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Monday, a government spokesman openly admitted that the Iraqi government hopes to have U.S. troops out of the region by 2010. Such an aspirational timeline aligns Maliki squarely with Obama, and his steadfast 16-month-and-done agenda.

In essence, Obama is more than proving to American voters his foreign credentials to serve as commander in chief as he continues his ongoing visit of the Middle East and Europe. And, although a recent Washington Post/ABC news poll gave John McCain a slight edge with voters in that area, who said they trusted the Republican presumptive more in handling our war efforts, Obama is surging forward. In fact, the gap on voters’ foreign policy concerns is closing, 47 percent of respondents now say they would trust McCain to lead; while 45 percent chose Obama.

Meanwhile back home, McCain and his supporters continue to attack Obama for having relatively little foreign policy experience, relentlessly sighting the fact that this is the democratic nominee’s first trip overseas since beginning his campaign. At the same time, McCain enjoyed a Yankees game with supporter (and former rival candidate) and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani over the weekend. Though Giuliani has begrudgingly credited Obama with running a top-tier campaign, he’s quick in expressing his doubts concerning his overall experience. “I think the fact that Barack Obama is kind of making his first tour, in essence, of the world, gives you an indication that John McCain is the man with the experience. John doesn’t have to go for the first or second time to these places. He’s been going for 20, 30 years. He knows the world,” the former Mayor said.

In that game, the Yankees beat the Oakland A’s 4-3 in 12 innings. That game was won in extra innings. And clearly this one ain’t over either. Seems Obama’s got a few more pitches to make.

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Obama, Iraqis Unite on ‘Vision’ for Troop Withdrawal

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Lou Dobbs on "Media Circus"

Thelma from Denver, CO — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:06:11 EDT

Today is Sunday 20th July, 2008 and Lou Dobbs is at it again. In 75% of his TV shows aired on CNN, Lou has used every means at his disposal to voice out his opposition to Obama and anyone that knows Lou knows that he is not shy about voicing out his biased views, many times in crude and unprofessional abusive words and insults to express himself. Everyone knows that rather than display fair and objective coverage, Lou has used all his machineries in attempts to cajole and psyche viewers (not all of them are: I have no choice at times but leave my TV on to CNN even during his programs) during the prolonged Democratic Primaries to promote Hillary over Obama. There were times when he would start reporting on a gaffe made by Clinton and deliberately stir the story into "re-reporting" an earlier gaffe by Obama or his surrogates on the campaign trail. Lou gives gaffes from Obama’s camp more emphasis than those from the Hillary’s camp and now, the McCain’s camp.

Now that Obama has won the Primaries (all to Lou's distaste), Lou switched his coverage in support of McCain against Obama. All you need do is listen to the level of his media bias against Obama in the relays of his TV programs. This apathy against Obama is not different even when one of his "stooges" is sitting-in for Lou as though they are all actors on a common agenda against Obama.

It seems to me that Lou will turn to any other choice that he can use to outrun Obama. He has turned to Hillary, Nader and now McCain.

Yesterday (Saturday 19 July 2008), Obama embarked on his Overseas Tour and Lou was at it again: whining over the fact that the three Media Mongols are on this trip with Obama (In fairness to Lou, all the various programs of CNN with the exception of Larry King, are in on this far-cry). Lou says that the liberal media is unfair. Lou goes on to attempt to lecture us on what fair coverage is.

Look who's lecturing us!!!! If being an Independent means camouflaging in hypocrisy, then I can only feel sorry for those that are gullible.

Lou, as a proof of my point, I was listening to your program this evening (like I said, not because I am a fan of yours but because I watch CNN) and just before you ended the program, you started a statement that began with the word "McCain" (as though you wanted to be fair in criticizing both Parties) and in less than six words in the unfinished statement on McCain, you manipulated the statement into a closing criticism of the Democrats!!!!

What's so wrong?

Vegas — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:49:10 EDT

I'm so tired of hearing some people, like Lou Dobbs always being so critical of Barack Obama. There is nothing wrong with him. They make everything Obama does sound like it's incorrect. After seeing several stories like this reported on the news, I thought I should write down my take. The latest reports I've been hearing are the ones about Obama's overseas trip. Everyone is saying, "Oh my gosh, it will turn Americans off if he goes to France and he is received well there. It will look bad and Americans won't like it if the people of France and others in Europe show their support, love, and enthusiasm of Obama." First of all, when is it negative for human beings to show a liking for another human being? I think it's a good thing. It's great to see that Senator Obama is showing us, not only can he cross party lines, but he can also bring people together from other nations. Isn't that one of the things a president should be able to do? It's not the job of a president to make people the world over "hate" us. I think what Obama has, in this ability to bring people together, it's a blessing. I believe it's a lost art. Americans have a reputation for embracing hate. It's easier for people, even in their daily lives to say they hate or dislike someone than for them to say they like or love someone. It's easier to be a complainer and always be negative, it's also more accepted. When somoene like Obama comes along and shows everyone something positive, the claws come out on people like Sean Hannity, Bill O., and Lou Dobbs. What? People in Europe like him? They act shocked. If the same thing was to happen for their candidate, say John McCain, and people who supported Obama were saying some of the negative things about McCain, then they would be upset. I think they are angry and jealous that Obama is popular and people are open to him. Why can't they accept it and use it to America's benefit? He's restoring the prestige we've lost over the years. What's the harm in that? It's just sickening to hear them reporting about how Americans will be "rubbed the wrong way" if other human beings who happen to live in France, like another human being, an American, named Barack Obama. Well, I am all for it. He's trying to do nothing but good for the USA and he has my staunch support.

GOD, WATCH OVER BARACK OBAMA

BIG MIKE, COMEDIAN — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:45:28 EDT

I recently watched a movie called VANTAGE POINT about the president taveling in Europe and being kidnapped along with an assasination attempt. I hope that some idiot does not get any smart ideas over there. This country has a history of taking aim at great leaders and my greatest fear is that any harm will come to Senator Barack Obama! So please say a prayer for Barack and help keep people honest! thanks

Reports of Mosque Surveillance Concerns Muslims

funkfresh01 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:00:53 EDT

http://religion.info/english/articles/article_385.shtml

Source: Religioscope

Author: Richard Cimino

While there have been allegations in the past of government investigation of mosques on issues relating to terrorism, the recent report, first featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper, is said to be the first confirmation that surveillance is taking place.

An article in the Los Angeles Times (May 29) reports that information about the alleged spying surfaced in a case about classified files concerning terrorism that were stolen from a secure office used by military and civilian law enforcement officials at Camp Pendleton. Some of these classified records referred to the surveillance of Muslim communities in Southern California, specifically, the Islamic Center of San Diego. The records alleged that the mosque had been monitored as part of a federal surveillance program targeting Muslim groups, according to the Union-Tribune article.

The FBI's Plan to ‘Profile’ Muslims

funkfresh01 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:03:03 EDT

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/07/10/muslim_profiling/index.html

Source: Salon

Author: Juan Cole

The U.S. Justice Department is considering a change in the grounds on which the FBI can investigate citizens and legal residents of the United States. Till now, DOJ guidelines have required the FBI to have some evidence of wrongdoing before it opens an investigation. The impending new rules, which would be implemented later this summer, allow bureau agents to establish a terrorist profile or pattern of behavior and attributes and, on the basis of that profile, start investigating an individual or group. Agents would be permitted to ask "open-ended questions" concerning the activities of Muslim Americans and Arab-Americans. A person's travel and occupation, as well as race or ethnicity, could be grounds for opening a national security investigation.

The rumored changes have provoked protests from Muslim American and Arab-American groups. The Council on American Islamic Relations, among the more effective lobbies for Muslim Americans' civil liberties, immediately denounced the plan, as did James Zogby, the president of the Arab-American Institute. Said Zogby, "There are millions of Americans who, under the reported new parameters, could become subject to arbitrary and subjective ethnic and religious profiling." Zogby, who noted that the Bush administration's history with profiling is not reassuring, warned that all Americans would suffer from a weakening of civil liberties.

Raise minimum wage

Ole Wolf — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:16:42 EDT

Being a Dane and living in Europe, it is nearly impossible to comprehend how extremely low the minimum wage is in the USA. It is unthinkable

Discussion of Barack's Upcoming Overseas Trip

steve4obama — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:44:31 EDT

Will Obama give public speeches overseas? Should he? Is it wrong for a candidate if it appears to be "rally" on foreign soil? Or, should he limit his visit to discussions with foreign leaders and in private meetings with our commanders on the ground in Iraq and Afganistan?

I think he should give public speeches even if they draw big crowds, and are then questioned when they are called rallies. This will demonstrate how his presidency will be greeted around the globe and will help repair the standing of the U.S. in the world. Some will say it is not proper for a candidate to hold campaign rallies overseas, but I disagree. Global opinion is important, and should be a factor when U.S. voters decide their vote.

I also envision our troops rallying behind Barcack. Will the current adiministration attempt to keep him from speaking to a large gathering of our military? I hope not. I think it is important for us here in the U.S. to see how our troops feel about who should be the next president. While Sen. McCain will always be greeted positively by our troops as a hero, and part of the military family, I think that Barack will be greeted even more favorably for his positions on how we should deploy our military and how we should treat our returning vets.

The many U.S. citizens who live in Europe, and those who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have the right to hear Obama, and if it appears to be a rally, so be it,

Obama in Europa

simonebars — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:27:26 EDT

Barack Obama non farà tappa in Italia durante il suo primo viaggio in Europa da candidato. Il senatore a metà Luglio sarà in GB, Germania e Francia dopo aver prima visitato Iraq e Afghanistan, insieme ad una delegazione del Congresso, e poi andrà da solo in Israele e Giordania.
"Questo viaggio-ha chiarito Obama-rappresenta per me una importante opportunità di valutare la situazione in Paesi cruciali per la sicurezza nazionale dell'America e per consultarmi con alcuni dei nostri amici più stretti sulle sfide comuni che dobbiamo affrontare".

New York talk, as promised

Steven — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:10:57 EDT

It took a while, but here is the talk I gave in NYC recently. It takes a while to get to the Obama reference, but I think (hope) it is worth it!

Beyond prejudice: Antisemitism’s lessons for today’s world.

À propos the presentation of Antisemitism. A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2008) at the Leo Baeck Institute, New York, June 17, 2008

Antisemitism is often seen as an endemic prejudice, a mental disease almost, that has infected European societies for centuries past—and persists as such even today, under the surface. The study of antisemitism often appears to discount the historical reality in which antisemitism existed, treating it as a prejudice—how it developed, and how it affected people’s attitudes and actions, without looking at the historical contexts in which antisemitism actually functioned. It often appears enough simply to prove that this or that famous figure, this or that politician or writer, this or that religion, culture or society had antisemitic prejudices, and leave it at that, as one more proof of the irredeemable Jew-hatred of Western or (post-) Christian society.

The problem with this fairly straightforward research program concerning antisemitism is that it does little to explain the actual historical record of Jewish-non-Jewish relations in European history, or indeed history generally. Considering that antisemitic prejudice is held to be ubiquitous, deeply ingrained into Christian and hence Western culture, it appears very odd that there have been many societies within Europe and the Americas, ranging over time and space, in which antisemitism or anti-Jewish animosity were not strong, and certainly not predominant attitudes politically or socially. England, for instance, had been one of the most fervently anti-Jewish societies in medieval Europe, originating the ritual murder libel, and then being the first Western country to expel the Jews in 1290. By the nineteenth century, however, anti-Jewish animosity had so diminished that, when Adolf Stoecker tried to spread his newfangled political movement of “antisemitism” (the term was only invented in the late 1870s to reflect the racial underpinnings of the supposed “Semitic” threat of the Jewish race) to England, English public opinion basically laughed him out of court. Despite some “genteel” anti-Jewish disdain in certain sectors of the upper classes (but not all) and some not so genteel anti-Jewish prejudice lower down the social scale, the fact was that creating a political movement to combat “Semitism” appeared ridiculous, and un-English, because general English public opinion held that discrimination against Jews, as against the members of any respectable religious group, was anathema.

Even if prejudices against Jews existed, and research has abundantly shown they did, especially based on Christian theology, the question that we should ask is how effective such prejudices were when it came to social or political action? The answer in many cases was very ineffective, sometimes so ineffective (as in nineteenth century Italy) as to be barely noticeable. Moreover anti-Jewish hatred, anti-Jewish discrimination, did not automatically translate into political success.

Even when prejudice against Jews did result in anti-Jewish persecution and discrimination, as it did, for instance, in the Russian Empire, it did not necessarily take the form of modern antisemitism. Actual antisemitism, the modern political and ideological movement that began in the 1870s, led to the Holocaust, and whose influence is still with us today, was not a ubiquitous phenomenon in nineteenth century Europe. In much of Western Europe and Southern Europe it was virtually non-existent. The key region where it originated and developed was Central and Eastern Europe, primarily the German Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. The movement started here and it was politically most successful here. It was here that modern antisemitism, as opposed to traditional anti-Jewish animosity, took shape as a reaction to the perceived threat resulting from the granting of legal equality to Jews and their integration into society as full members.

Tsarist Russia, in contrast, was notoriously hostile to Jews, but Russia’s Jewish Question and hence the basis of Russian anti-Jewish hostility was quite different than in Central Europe, because Jews never achieved full legal equality and emancipation there and were never as integrated as a group in Russian (or Polish or Ukrainian or Lithuanian or White Russian) society. Hence anti-Jewish hostility—which did come also, admittedly, to be called antisemitism—tended to be more backward-looking, more traditional, and did not produce the Holocaust. The key question in the historiography of antisemitism is how did modern Germany (and Austria-Hungary) go so wrong as to regress and produce the Holocaust? The fact is that despite all the evident government-backed hostility against Jews in Russia, the pogroms of the 1880s and later, the active government discrimination against Jews, tsarist Russia did not perpetrate genocide against Jews, but “civilized” Germany did. So Russia is not the main subject, nor is, despite the Dreyfus Affair, France. That affair was more about the character of France than about Jews, and in any case it was the republican, Dreyfusard side that won, reasserting France’s liberal and progressive values (and hence the equal rights of Jews)—until 1940. The main subject in a study of antisemitism’s career must be Central Europe.

Even in Central Europe antisemitism was far from being successful everywhere. There was some minor political success in parts of Germany, such as the more rural parts of Hesse; there was more success in the Habsburg Monarchy, with the spectacular victory of the antisemitic Christian Socials in Vienna from 1895, as well as success in other parts of Cisleithania (the Austrian half of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy). Yet there were also many areas and communities in Central Europe which resisted or defused political antisemitism. Budapest—and Hungary generally—before 1918 saw the Hungarian political leadership stamping down hard on antisemitic agitation in the 1880s, so that Hungary was viewed before the First World War as a relative paradise for Jews. Similarly, the leadership of the German community in Prague, as Gary Cohen has shown, adopted a very pro-Jewish approach. Till van Rahden’s study of Breslau (Wroclaw) in Germany similarly shows a city in which Jews and other Germans coexisted with little friction before 1914. In Germany generally, indeed, political antisemitism as such was a bust before 1914, and even the German capital, Berlin, was far from being a center of antisemitic power, being instead run by a liberal “Progressive” administration.

There are rational explanations for these examples. In Budapest and Hungary the political leadership regarded Hungarian Jewry as allies in two key causes. First, many Hungarian Jews had voluntarily “Magyarized”, adopting the Hungarian national language of Magyar and a Magyar Hungarian national identity, and thus helping the Magyar effort to achieve a Magyar-speaking majority in the Hungarian Kingdom, where only a minority in the 1860s, lower than 40%, spoke the “national” language (as opposed to Romanian, Slovak, German and so forth). Second, the Magyar leadership viewed Jews as an entrepreneurial minority who were Hungary’s best hope for achieving the national goal of rapid commercial and industrial modernization. For these reasons, any attack on Jews such as political antisemitism was seen by them as also an attack on the Hungarian (Magyar) national cause, and should be suppressed—as it largely was.

In Prague, it was a question for the German leadership of “ethnic survival” in a city which was becoming increasingly Czech in population. Those Jews in the city who still were German-speakers constituted roughly half of the German-speaking population; therefore to preserve a German presence in the city it made sense not to alienate the Jewish community. Again, Jews were seen as allies, and not foes, depending on circumstances.

What these two examples suggest is that even though there may well have been an underlying anti-Jewish prejudice based largely on Christian anti-Judaism, individuals and whole communities appear to have been amenable to rational considerations when deciding whether to let this prejudice decide their choices and actions. In other words, antisemitism in Central Europe was not always impervious to reason, and was indeed amenable to argument and experience, especially if circumstance suggested that one’s own interests would be better served by being positive with Jews rather than negative. The question then becomes why, nevertheless, did antisemitism in Central Europe become as prominent and potent as it did, and why did it remain so?

I suggest that there were three main factors which made Central Europe particularly fertile for antisemitism. The first concerned the Jews of Central Europe themselves. To be clear: Jews were not to blame for what happened to them, they were not to blame for antisemitism, let alone the Holocaust, nor were they even “responsible” in any meaningful, moral sense. However, the way in which Jews entered the modern world in Central Europe, the strategies they followed in integrating into German and Habsburg society and culture, the time it took, and the very framework in which their “emancipation” and “assimilation” (integration) took place, all were factors making for a persistence of the “Jewish Question”, and hence an opening for antisemitism, that were not present in other European states to the north, west and south.

The initial problem was that Jews in Central Europe did not, unlike their western counterparts, gain their civil equality on their right to this as citizens or subjects. Instead, in the German states and in Austria-Hungary the right to full civil equality came to be provisional on the achievement by Jews of a sufficient modernization and integration—assimilation—into German or Austrian society. This quid pro quo between Jews earning their right to equality through acculturation and assimilation, so that they would become just like all other Germans/Austrians, and their actually being granted that equality took roughly ninety years (1780 to 1871) to be fully realized. In the course of those decades a whole ideology of emancipation grew up, with various associations and support systems to enable Jews in Central Europe to become just like their fellow German and Austrian citizens. These were, of course, Jewish institutions, and it was a Jewish ideology, all aimed at achieving through Bildung (education, but also with the sense of self-realization and self-improvement, both morally and aesthetically) parity with their non-Jewish fellow citizens. The end result, as historians of Central European Jewry know only too well, was that Jewish identity in the region did profoundly change, in terms of occupations, and in the character and level of education, as well as in understanding of what the Jewish religion meant, but what this did not achieve was a “disappearance” of Jewish difference. The very effort over decades to achieve what the German and Austrian states wanted Jews to become, resulted only in a new social profile for the Jewish communities, and another, new Jewish identity.

Moreover the very energy that Jews in Central Europe put in to their transformation into well-educated citizens and prosperous agents in the new, modern economy (instead of itinerant beggars and peddlers, as many had been) meant that, as a group, they stood out for being much more bourgeois, and better educated, than the average Central European. By 1900 the very success of Jews in accepting the challenge set to them a century before had left them, despite their being a really tiny minority, with a very high profile in many fields of modern culture and the modern economy. In other words, from a certain point of view, Jews had not actually achieved the goal of being just like their fellow citizens. They were far too successful in the rational, modern world to be seen as the same, or as “German”.

That at least was the conclusion drawn by many in a very significant branch of Central European and German culture: irrationalism. The second factor encouraging a survival of animosity against Jews in Central Europe was the high cultural context in which Jewish integration was received, and the strength specifically of what has been termed irrationalism in key sectors of central European culture and society, especially among many cohorts of German and Austrian-German students, who went on to populate academia and the liberal professions, and become the backbone of the (non-Jewish part of the) Bildungsbürgertum of German-speaking Central Europe. Irrationalism was a form of German idealism, based on Romanticism. Its leading lights in the nineteenth century were Arthur Schopenhauer, Richard Wagner and Friedrich Nietzsche. It was not irrational per se, rather, much as the counter-culture of the Sixties, it asserted that rationalism, an absolute reliance on rationality, was too narrow a basis on which to conduct human affairs, manage human relations, or create culture and art. Instead, more emphasis needed to be put on the “irrational” side of human experience, on emotions, on creative imagination, and on the organic, living world, which in human terms was seen as heritage and descent, or “blood”. The problem for Jews presented by the adoption of this irrationalism by the world of Central European high culture was that, first: Jews had very much adopted the rationalist attitudes that had been behind the initial quid pro quo of emancipation; and second: irrationalism’s emphasis on the source of emotional authenticity and cultural creativity in the humus of the organic given meant that German (or Czech, or Polish, or whatever nationality’s) culture meant that Jews, not being descended of that organic whole, could never be authentic bearers of that culture. Therefore from this perspective Jews, contrary to the assumptions of the ideology of emancipation, could never become just like their fellow Germans or Central Europeans.

The third factor making Central Europe receptive to antisemitism was the form of Central European modernization. Namely, Germany and the other nascent polities within the Habsburg Monarchy entered the modern world through nationalism, and ultimately through integral ethnonationalism. Even though Central Europe had been once the site of the universalist and multi-layered polity of the Holy Roman Empire, whose multifaceted character the Habsburg Monarchy perpetuated, the dominant form of modernity that was seen as the way to the modern, rational future was the nation-state, and a nation-state based on the sort of organic community that Romantic thought had seen as “natural”, whether linguistic, or increasingly as the nineteenth century advanced, ethnic or racial. It was the old multi-national empires and polities that were seen as “unnatural” and hence irrational, whereas the integral ethnonational state, where everyone shared the bond of natural community through culture or “blood”, was seen as the best guarantee of national cohesion and hence national success.

This modernization through integral ethnonationalism was seen at the time as “rational”, because based on the most advanced scientific theories available, especially those coming from biology and Darwinian evolutionism. Although antisemitism is seen today as a completely irrational ideology, based on illusory claims about Jewish difference, especially racial difference, we need to remember that at the time racialism was seen by many as on the cutting edge of scientific thought, especially in Central Europe. It fitted both the Romantic organicism behind nationalism, and the materialism implicit in nineteenth century scientific thought. What could be more “scientific” than a theory that traced everything important, including our values and our thought patterns, through materially inherited (racial) traits, as Darwinian evolutionary theory suggested with regard to species?

Central Europe, and especially Germany, was particularly fertile for this racial, organicist-based thinking, because its intellectual tradition had by 1900 become one in which holistic thought, with the whole greater than the individual, was seen to have priority over “Anglo-Saxon” and French traditions of empiricism and Comteian positivism in which individual facts (and individuals) were prior. Hence the good of greater whole of the nation, of the Volk, increasingly racially defined, was what counted, not the rights of individuals. This holistic nationalism (mirrored, ironically perhaps, in the nationalisms of the smaller Central European nationalities, such as Poles and Czechs) received a huge boost in prestige from the fact that Germany by 1900 appeared to be the most scientifically advanced, socially best organized, and industrially and economically most vital (on the way to surpassing Britain) nation in Europe. It was the German model of modernity that appeared to be the path to the future, not the empirical Western one. This perceived dichotomy was described in many ways at the time. One of the best known was Thomas Mann’s contrast between Western Zivilisation and German Kultur—the former superficial and atomistic, the latter profound, holistic and deeply spiritual. (The same sort of dichotomy can also be seen in the near contemporary novel by E.M.Forster, Howard’s End.) it does not take too much imagination to realize that Jews would, because of the very terms of the emancipation, their liberalism, their role in the modern capitalist economy, even reverence of many of them for English liberty, be identified by antisemites with this foreign, Western empirical, lower modernity, and hence be seen as unsuitable for the higher, German path to modernity.

Jews were, indeed, in a double or even triple bind: to begin with they had not been rational enough for Central European states’ liking; then they had become too rational for the irrationalists; and finally they had ended up being seen as having the wrong kind of rationality. Behind this constant moving of the goalposts was that while Jews were trying to be Germans, for instance, the Germans were still trying to define themselves, and one of the main ways of doing so was by defining themselves against others. This process of “negative integration” (I know I am German, because I am not an x) could employ external targets (such as the English) or it could employ internal ones, such as Catholics (as in the Kulturkampf), who owed allegiance to a foreign power (the Pope); or socialists, who threatened social order and believed in international brotherhood—or Jews. The place in Central Europe where this definition of self against the Other was most pronounced and most successful was Vienna, where Karl Lueger’s genius lay in his realization that the disparate groups opposed to liberalism in Vienna all could be unified by their opposition to Jewish influence. Hence his Christian Socials captured power in Vienna’s municipal government in 1895 on an explicitly antisemitic ticket, due to Lueger’s instrumental rationality in selecting Jews as his main Feindsbild (target). It is still not clear that Lueger really was all that convinced of his antisemitic rhetoric, but what it achieved was a uniting behind a Viennese and later Austrian identity that defined itself, ultimately by being “Christian”, i.e. not Jewish.

Closely linked to this danger of being the preferred target of “negative integration” in Central Europe, the very logic behind nationalism, which was in itself very modern and rational, also posed an immense problem for Jews. The law of the excluded middle seems on the face of it a truism: something either is or is not the case. It cannot be both a and not a, so in classical logic the middle ground (both/and) is excluded. This law of either/or makes sense in any number of settings, and its simple efficiency was behind much of the administrative and economic power of the emergent nation-state, comparing most favorably to the complexities and apparent self-contradictions of previous multi-national and international polities. Instead of the multiple loyalties of these premodern polities, only one loyalty, loyalty to the nation-state, was expected of the citizen/subject of such a state. This simplified things immensely, much to the benefit of logistical and bureaucratic efficiency. Yet it also did much damage to actual human relations, and actual human experience, for it forced decisions in many instances that were not really necessary. For instance, this logic imparted huge pressures in the nation-state system for citizens to have only one national identity/loyalty, and not be indulged in any dual or triple loyalty, regardless of one’s background and parentage. The monolithic nation-state demanded in principle total and absolute loyalty, and identity, and made any form of different identity, allegiance or loyalty, ultimately any difference at all, suspect. If you were of French and German background, for instance, there was huge pressure to choose sides—one could be either French, or German, one could not be both.

Although it was not immediately obvious, given the status of Jews in most of Europe as a religious minority, the residual identity of Jews as an ethnic group, and in any case as still recognizably different in social, cultural, political and economic terms, meant that Jews did not fit in to this model of the monolithic nation-state. Whether they wanted it or not, Jews had remained different as a group within Central European and German society. Subjectively they were different, because most still saw themselves as Jews, even many of those who had converted or were konfessionslos. Intersubjectively, Jews were also seen as different by most other non-Jewish Germans, as part of a special, other group; and objectively as well Jews remained as a group noticeably different by most measures, whether it was political allegiance, cultural preferences, level of education, or socio-economic stratification.

There really should not, by our current standards, have been anything at all wrong with this continuance of difference. Indeed one major marker of difference was the relative, and very significant economic and intellectual success of Central European Jewry. Central European Jews, it can be claimed, were the most successful example of minority integration in modern times and were a huge cultural success (much as American Jewry has been). The Leo Baeck Institute is indeed an institutional testament to that immense achievement. Despite being a tiny portion of the populace, Jews came to occupy a vital place in German and Central European culture and society, acting as the pluralizing leaven of German and Central European modern culture.

Yet this very success was, in the terms of the exclusory logic of nationalism, and in terms of the original quid pro quo of the emancipation bargain, let alone in terms of antisemitism, a sign of failure, for it meant that Jews were still different, identifiably different. Given the exclusory either/or, “us v. them” logic of nationalism, one could either remain a Jew, or become a German, but, ultimately, one could not be both. And, if one were a devotee of racial thought, the question was in any case moot, for Jews could never become really, authentically German in any case. This explains the paradox that the place where Jewish integration had its greatest cultural and intellectual achievements was also the place where antisemitism flourished best.

By 1914, these three factors meant that the potential for disaster for Central European Jewry was already present, and some of the more perceptive and sensitive commentators of the times, such as Arthur Schnitzler in The Road to the Open, could see this and express it in writing. Nevertheless, and this needs stressing, the situation in Central Europe regarding Jews and antisemitism in the early years of the twentieth century did not have to result in the Holocaust. E.H.Carr once wrote that, in history, nothing is inevitable until it has happened, and the Holocaust is very much a case in point. The potential was there, but potentialities are not always realized; it was the self-induced collapse of European, of Western, civilization in the First World War, and the subsequent economic and political crisis of the Twenties and Thirties, which was never really resolved before the Second World War, that allowed those potentialities to be realized.

The resulting Third Reich was the hyperbolic realization of Central European nationalism’s logic, and the logic of Central Europe’s special form of holistic modernity, taken to absurd, ultimately insane, paranoid, lengths. Yet in those terms the consequence of the Holocaust was but a logical progression, of purification of the body politic and prevention (by extermination) of those “foreign” bodies, the equivalent of the “free radicals” of today’s medicine, that were perceived as threatening the political and economic health of that body politic. There was in this most cataclysmic of genocides a form of what Alexander Herzen had termed, a century before referring to the crushing of the 1848 revolutions, “rational evil”: the application of reason without the pathos of humanity, of logic without ethical restraint, as we understand it, and only “irrational” if we apply our moral and ethical values as the basis of reason. Beyond these questions of theodicy, there was another form of rational evil that enabled the horror of the Holocaust to occur, an instrumental rationality that encouraged individuals to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the misfortunes of their fellow human beings (whether Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, communists, and other persecuted categories) to better their own prospects, whether through material gain or career promotion. The studies by, among others, Gerhard Botz for Vienna, and of Götz Aly for the occupied lands, of National Socialism’s really quite sophisticated, and in its own perverse way effective, race-based welfare policies only confirm this insight into the abysmal depths of human nature, cut loose from humanist and pluralist restraints.

Fortunately, that particular modernity, and that particular application of exclusory logic did not totally succeed. The Western Allies and the Soviet Union won out, and, by the end of the twentieth century, with the demise of the Soviet Union, the Western Allies and their version of the world (embodied, perhaps ironically, in the United Nations) had won out. This meant that it was their version of modernity, not that of Central European nationalism, that is today predominant in the world, to a greater or lesser extent, depending, and that modernity is based on the concept of liberal pluralism.

The success of liberal pluralism after 1945 has only been a gradual one, and, as Tony Judt has pointed out, was built in Europe on the ruins of the previous, much more diverse and plural societies “cleansed” as a result of the Second World War and its aftermath. Yet liberal pluralism has largely succeeded, and this is the most hopeful sign, for me, that the factors that enabled antisemitism are a shadow of what they once were. This took a while—it is a myth that Europe after 1945 suddenly shook off decades of monolithic, nationalistic and racist thinking and immediately adopted a liberal pluralist, multilateral approach. Instead racial thought and nationalism persisted for many years. Initially the European powers maintained their empires, and defended them on the basis of basically racist theories of white superiority over the yellow, brown and black peoples. The US Army was still segregated at the end of the Second World War. Nevertheless, over time attitudes did change, radically, so that today, in the United States and in the European Union, itself evidence of this remarkable change, as well as in most of the rest of the developed world, the predominant logic concerning human relations and human values, identities and loyalties is much more inclusive and open, as is fitting.

This inclusive, open logic is what liberal pluralism is about, because what liberal pluralism basically asserts is that in very many circumstances the classic, exclusory logic of “either/or” does not apply in human relations. There are just too many cases where there is more than one right answer to a question of values, or where the best thing to do is not to make a false choice but to attempt to encompass both interests, both priorities, both points of view. Liberal pluralism in other words is based on the inclusive logic of “both/and”, where the middle ground between stark choices is included and not ruled out. This is the logic of connections and of co-operation, of relations and not divisions, lateral thinking and not categorization, and it is the system that allows, indeed makes as its basis for functioning, the existence of multiple value systems, multiple loyalties, multiple cultures and multiple origins and heritages. The multiplicity of human experience and human achievement can, under the liberal pluralist umbrella, be encompassed, difference allowed and respected, treasured even, in ways that the monolithic logic of nationalism in the end never did. It is not the nationalistic “Each to his own” but rather “Chacun à son goût” that typifies liberal pluralism.

This makes liberal pluralism by far the best antidote to antisemitism that we are likely to find, for in a liberal pluralist polity or community Jews can be full members while retaining their difference. In such a system it is those that do not have a hyphenated identity (Jewish-American, African-American, Irish-American etc.) who are not the norm, and this simple hyphenation is but the most basic form of what could be a triple, quadruple form of (connected, not divided) identity, to the nth degree. In this system the existence of multiple loyalty and of difference is not a problem but a possibility. The vibrancy of pluralist societies such as modern America (and elements of modern Britain and Europe) attest to the tragic error that occurred in Central Europe’s modernization. For the lesson of that moral disaster must surely be that the central mistake was the attempt, in the interests of social and political unity and cohesion, to erase difference.

The aim should not be to produce ethnically pure nation-states, but rather to allow for “diversity in unity”. This entails respecting difference in other people’s views and values, and attempting to understand those differences. It is through mutual respect and mutual recognition that our society gains strength and insight, as a whole.

Ethnic nation-states, however they historically came about, are not in themselves bad—but they should not, cannot, be the be-all and end-all of human interaction and endeavor. Instead, the most hopeful path for all of us, Jews or not, is a liberal pluralist approach that encompasses difference, encouraging unity and synergy where others mistakenly see division and weakness. That is why I find the apparent fears among many Jews about Barack Obama so oddly misplaced, because Obama’s whole approach is based on the inclusive “both/and” logic of liberal pluralism, his campaign exudes this sense of mutual respect of difference combined with recognition of fundamental unity, and he himself, in his bi-racial, multi-ethnic self, physically embodies the principle.

The central power of Obama’s attraction resides, I would assert, in the fact that he realized at some point in his life that he was not divided and weakened by having more than one racial and ethnic origin, but that the ability to straddle, and more, unite, these diverse heritages, these diverse cultures and sets of values, gave him strengths and insights that were not to his disadvantage but rather to his immense benefit, and to the benefit of others who might share his insight. And it is that vision of a country, and of a world, that can live and flourish in a world where the “infinite variety” of the human experience is valued and cherished, and not regarded as a problem, that is the best antidote of all to the narrow, prejudiced visions of the world that gave us the Holocaust and that continue to produce and justify Man’s inhumanity to Man to this day.

©Steven Beller

Postcards from Europe -- a new group and link to the Event

Clarelynn Rose — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:04:26 EDT

Welcome to everybody on this new group!

A few days back the "Postcards from Europe for Obama" event was created. Unfortunately it doesn't appear possible to change the settings so that it displays on the newly-approved "Postcards from Europe for Obama" group page. So here is the link:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4gpf8

The official goal is 1,000 postcards, but honestly we could potentially reach 5,000 or even 10,000. But it'll count on all of us letting people know. Please forward the information to anyone you think might be interested.

There's also a webpage for this event, http://www.obamaeurope.org. The webpage will be expanded over the next week or two. (If you have webmastering skills and would like to help, please do!)

Cheers!

Why can help to realize the idea of fund raising in europe?

Unknown user — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:20:34 EDT

Who is interested in organising an european donation platform?

Who knows people from the Obama-Campaign-Team, who can help us form this idea?

Millions of europeans are willing to support Obama. How we can help them to contribute?

We are talking of millions of donation dollars.

Who ever is interested, please contact me!

Postcards from Europe for Obama-- wow! amazed by initial responses

Clarelynn Rose — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:51:00 EDT

I've been really touched by some of the responses to the Postcards from Europe for Obama event. From the newspaper article about the incredible support for Obama in France to the comment that "this initiative stimulates the soul of the nation," positive feedback keeps coming in. I'm moved and energized, really feeling a part of the campaign. And hopeful that you and everyone who will be writing postcards will feel that sense of involvement, too.

The aim is a minimum of 1,000 postcards from Europe to US voters, but hopefully many more. Would you be willing to tell a few people about this and help this initiative "catch fire"? We have until the end of August.

To recap, it's simple -- you (and friends & family) write out by hand 2-3 sentences on why you support Obama on postcards, then send them to me in Scotland. I'll put US stamps on and forward them to the Obama US organisers, who will write out the addresses and send the postcards out to American voters. It's a direct connection, straight from your pen into someone's mailbox. More details can be found here:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4gpf8

One other idea -- I'm going to be putting out "Obama drop-boxes" at cafes and stores that sell postcards, then coming to empty out the boxes every few weeks. It's a way you can collect lots of postcards and just mail in one big batch.

(Please note this initiative is for people living in Europe.)

Obama Needs to Vist Europe

James — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:13:04 EDT

Obama should travel to Europe. Europeans LOVE Obama and would flock to see him. Germany has been hinting at this. If Obama went their it could hopefully prove to the world that Obama can bring us all together in this movement of "hope" and "change". These not only motivate Americans but also motivate humanity! Americans can see that we can hopefully "change" and work with other countries to tackle the global issues, that face us all, together. Maybe, one day, we can chage how the world feels about the US. Bush was the worest president ever! We need Obama more than ever. Hopefully, one day, Europe will see the US again as being a positive force. We need to show Europe that we do care and their friendship is very important to us.

Talk in New York

Steven — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:45:44 EDT

Dear fellow Obama supporters,To those of you who might be interested, I shall be giving a lecture tomorrow (Tuesday, June 17) at the Leo Baeck Institute, New York, to present my book "Antisemitism. A Very Short Introduction".Time: 7pm.Place: Forchheimer Auditorium, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, NYCAdmission is $10 for non-members ($5 for members).I intend as part of this talk to discuss my belief that one of the great merits of the Obama campaign is that it encourages the sort of inclusive, pluralist approach that I see as the greatest antidote to antisemitism and other forms of prejudice and racism. Given recent discussion threads on "Jews for Obama" I think Obama supporters will find the talk (and I hope the subsequent discussion) interesting.Go Obama!Steven Beller

New York Muslim’s Struggle for Justice in America

funkfresh01 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 16:08:55 EDT

http://atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/4016/32/

Source: Atlantic Free Press

Author: Stephen Lendman

Yassin Aref is a 37 year old Albany, New York resident and one of many Muslim victims of police state justice in post-9/11 America. They've been hunted down, rounded up, held in detention, kept in isolation, denied bail, restricted in their right to counsel, tried on secret evidence and trumped-up charges, then incarcerated as political prisoners or deported to where they face possible arrest and torture.

Because of his faith and ethnicity, Aref was victimized by US "justice" in a post-9/11 climate of fear. He's an Iraqi Kurd who emigrated to the US as a UN refugee in 1999 with his wife and three young children. He's now in federal prison but committed no crime. He's also the author of a poignant memoir/autobiography titled "Son of Mountains: My Life as a Kurd and a Terror Suspect." He wrote it in custody at Troy, New York's Rensselaer County Jail after his wrongful conviction in October 2006.

Muslim Activists Seeking Probe of Reported Surveillance

funkfresh01 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:18:08 EDT

http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_C_muslim30.426eaa8.html

Source: Press-Enterprise

Author: Paige Austin

A civil-rights group and a coalition of Muslim activists headed by a Corona man called on Congress this week to investigate a report that military and law enforcement officials stole surveillance records of Southland Muslims from Camp Pendleton.

The request stems from a news report that military officials and law enforcement members of the Los Angeles County Terrorist Early Warning Group illegally took the top-secret documents from the base's Strategic Technical Operations Center.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Gary Maziarz has been court-martialed and convicted for his role in the thefts.

While the details of the surveillance and the alleged theft remain largely unknown, the incident provides confirmation that the military and law enforcement groups have been gathering information about local Muslim communities, said Michael German, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington Legislative Office.

Florida Muslim Leaders Testify at United Nation Racism Hearing

funkfresh01 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:59:14 EDT

MIAMI, FL, 6/4/08) - On June 2, 2008, Florida Muslim leaders met with Doudou Diène, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, at a Miami hearing to discuss Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination.

For photos of the event: http://picasaweb.google.com/bedier/UNMiamiHearingOnRacism

Special Rapporteur Diène is visiting several cities across the United States to "gather first-hand information on issues related to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia."

Reuters: U.N. racism investigator to visit U.S.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL16843098

Barack victorious, tough times to come - how can Europe help?

Support from Central/Eastern Europe — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:34:04 EDT

Well, it's so far obviously - Barack has made it through the primary season and emerged as the victor! Bravo bravo!!

Having watched and listened to so many speeches by Barack, read his texts in journals, and been quite a lot involved in observing the campaign, I feel quite relieved. The man, who for me and apparently so many other people has been able to bring back hope, because he is so different and so promising a presidential candidate, the man is now entering the final stage of the "battle". I would want to believe that it'll be an easy fight against John McCain. Undoubtedly it won't... But I am really positive that Barack will be able to overcome the national election campaign traps and become it - the next US President.

I wish I could help more than I apparently can, as a non-American living in Europe. But Barack, his people, and America as a whole will need support from outside at a point. And I will always be there to help create and build up such support. Working for my country's Foreign Ministry (an equivalent of the State Department), I hope I will be able to do my bit. But perhaps there are possibilities right now that I am not aware of? These may concern me, other Barack supporters around me, my country or the broader Central Europe (or entire Europe). If you know more than me, just let ME know as well...

Enough so far from me, let's focus on the coming challenges. Anyone wanting to get in touch with me, please do!

Jan

American security policy toward Europe

ESLaPorte — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:10:51 EDT

The Cold War is over…and we must adjust to this reality. This includes America's policy towards Europe. At the time NATO's treaty was created, Americans and Europeans shared the same interests and threats, mainly from the Soviet Union and security dilemma related to Germany.

Yes -now that the Cold War is long over, it is time for Europe and the European Union to be independent from American control and influence. Europeans and Americans have different views on how to meet challenges such as from terrorism and achieving peace. To Europeans, there is no such thing as a "war on terrorism," as terrorism is a tactic and not an army or nation. It also appears that "what Europe needs" in terms of its own security and defense needs is often defined in and dictated from Washington. Europe and European nations should be allowed to determine what their nations' defense and security needs are that are NOT dictated from Washington.

America should stop demanding that Europeans "spend more on defense" and drop the demand that Europe "not duplicate what is in NATO." America should support and not hinder the drive for an independent-from-NATO European security and defense organization, Eurocorps. The European Union and European nations will, naturally, do what is best for their national security first, and Europe second.

U.S. MARINES ACCUSED OF PROSELYTIZING IN FALLUJAH

funkfresh01 — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:07:21 EDT

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004444827_iraqgospel29.html

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

Author: Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel

At the western entrance to the Iraqi city of Fallujah on Tuesday, Muamar Anad handed his residence badge to the U.S. Marines guarding the city. They checked to be sure he was a city resident, and when they were done, Anad said, a Marine slipped a coin out of his pocket and put it in his hand.

Out of fear, he accepted it, Anad said. When he was inside the city, the college student said, he looked at one side of the coin. "Where will you spend eternity?" it asked.

He flipped it over, and on the other side it read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16."

The days of Joop den Uyl and Bas de Gaay Fortman

Henri Dijksterhuis — Mon, 05 May 2008 06:28:14 EDT

I wanna discuss how to get the way the Obama campaign is directly speaking about issues and people's interests back into (Dutch) (European) politics. Thirty-five years ago there was so much energy among people in The Netherlands, but nevertheless we failed, we did have some success, we made some changes, but we lost the battle. CEO's came to command again.

Obama does remind me of Robert Kennedy and also of the days of Joop den Uyl and Bas de Gaay Fortman, Dutch political leaders who spoke straight out about things that concerned people. They said what was needed to be said, instead of not daring to say anything like most nowadays politicians. I do want politicians that do say how things are and do say what people themselves should do and point a way we can take as society, because we belong to each other. Politics that cares about people and values.

Nowadays there is such a lot of energy in the Obama-campaign. I'd like that energy to stay instead of losing it after some time. I know playing politics is a swallowing and very difficult business and I'd like the people to come in command over the direction the way history will develop and what kind of world their children will inheret, instead of CEO's, technology, money or whatever or whoever else doing that.

I came to know (about) Obama the 3e January of this year 2008. That evening began when, after The News on TV, I looked around on other channels and saw Tutu, the famous South African churchleader, being interviewed about one and half an hour, telling impressing stories of his life. Studying in London, making an evening-walk with his wife and sort of lost their way the first time they did it, asking an policeman for the way to get home and then being addressed as "Sir" and "Madam" - since they asked a policeman sometimes for the way not because they were lost, but to get addressed like that again - something they had never experienced in South Africa.

Then there was this announcement, of the win of Obama in Iowa, and the saying he had delivered a goose-pimples speech. He got me. I went om www and I found his 2004 National Democrat Convention key-address and I was knocked-out, if I may say so.

All these fundamental notions about what life is and how life is and how life can be and what society is and how we should organise the society that we are. He lifted me up. And I'm very happy about that. Because I had grown in cynicism. I had had it all. I had lost my hope. By his words he touched me , he stroke me. Here really was someone who how things are and what is needed. He's not talking about him, he is talking about us. He's not saying he will do the job, he tells ús to do the job, together, together with him. He tells us there's a whole lot of work to do and that we have to do it. He doesn't tell fairytales and he doesn't give away gas-tax-holidays. You can imagine he'll give you a hell of a lot of work to do when he'll be president, it won't be easy and sacrifices have to be made, so he says. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

I'm happy with what he says. It's about time someone had to say this. I hope he'll be the USA-president. It's about time that values do count again in politics.

In the meantime I learned that a whole lot of problems in the USA are more or less the same as over here in The Netherlands and in Europe and it's really not surprising. But here in The Netherlands I feel we should start a new movement to bring about the same kind of politics. So I wonder are they folks around who agree with me?

Thank you for reading this and I hope to get some reactions.

Thank you,

Henri Dijksterhuis

Obama Fundraiser in Brussels?

Beverly Jurenko — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:34:15 EDT

Anyone interested in:

1. Attending an Obama fundraiser in Brussels in May or June;

2. Helping to organize an Obama fundraiser in Brussels in May or June.

3. Supporting financially an Obama fundraiser in Brussels in May or June.

Let me know what you think, and let's go make something happen.

Thank you,

Beverly

Next, they will brand him, "too French."

Cindy in Salt Lake — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:34:47 EDT

Great article today by Eric Margolis in the Toronto Sun. Go here to read the entire article. Below are some excerpts from, "French kiss for Obama. They know little about him, but who cares?"

If all non-Americans had a vote -- I've always favoured a one-tenth vote for non-Americans -- then Barack Obama would win in a landslide. Like North Americans, most Europeans really don't know much about the experience-light senator, but what they see, they like beaucoup. You can feel a passion here for Obama that is quite remarkable.
He is, of course, the non-Bush. But so is Hillary Clinton, yet she inspires surprisingly little support even though hubby Bill, for reasons that elude me, was widely admired abroad. Hillary is regarded simply as an avatar of the Clinton political machine which, however formidable, is seen as empty of substance, and dedicated only to power and money.
...
Obama comes across to Europeans as dignified, decent, eloquent, and truthful -- qualities notably lacking in Bush and Dick Cheney who often represent some of America's cruder instincts and synthetic patriotism. Much of the world would hail and admire America for electing a man of colour, but even more so, one who appears to capture so much of what is great and admirable about the United States.
...
It's distressing listening to the rich McCain and Clintons label Obama an "elitist" because he is intelligent, articulate, and poised. Next, they will brand him, "too French."

Americans in Hungary for Obama

meO — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:32:41 EDT

We have just started up a group of Americans in Hungary for Barack Obama.

This Budapest group will be meeting regularly to organize events, fundraising activities, call campaigns, and other fun activities.

If you are in town, come join us at the next event. All the details are on our site at:

http://www.HungaryforObama.org/

Obama on World Leadership ...

LaLa in KCMO — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:48:46 EDT

Thank you to everyone - in the US and abroad, American and international - who have supported Barack Obama's campaign for the White House.

I believe that he - along with a united America - is the best person to repair the reputation of the United States.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid900881681/bclid900480414/bctid769654664

If you share these feelings, please consider sharing your story with the Superdelegates. Your voices are very important and inspiring to us all.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/superdelstory

Yes We Can. Si Se Puede.

Obama 2008 & 2012

Letter to a candidate: Why?

Jan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:21:30 EDT

March 20, 2008

Dear Mr. Obama

You don’t know this, but your digital twin delivered a personal memo “From Barak Obama to me” in my inbox. Digital Barak even addressed me personally with “Dear Johannes” and tells me why you run for president of the United States of America: “I am running for President because it's time to turn the page on a failed ideology….” You had said according to your digital self. This letter is my reaction to said memo, and with the Internet I have the certainty that Barak will read it, at least the digital one. Whether he will relay my answer to you personally is a different matter. That will depend on the software instructions you have given your artificially intelligent twin. I plan to find out. And don’t say this to be funny, but because the digital phenomenon is at the core of the change that will happen, no matter who lives in the White House. I trust it will be you, and that makes you responsible for choosing from options the world never had before.

International Support for Obama- A Finnish Perspective

Nicolet — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:53:22 EDT

I have always loved travelling and learning about other cultures. When I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, last year, I was able to meet many of people from all around the world. It was truly eye-opening getting to see an outside perspective of Americans, the U.S. government, and our society. Sadly, there were far more people who expressed their bitterness than there were supporters, or allies. It was at that point that I truly realized how important that it is that as Americans we need to consider other opinions, and we need to consider there is a world outside of our borders. It's amazing how much people from other places pay attention to global issues, and sometimes, it's disheartening to have to admit that we have become almost too "stuck up" to consider the world outside our borders. One person I became good friends with was a 25 year old from Oulu, Finland. His name is Ilkka Jussila, and he was studying abroad in Madrid at the same time I was. As a worldly student of International Relations and Political Science, he has paid particular attention to American politics, especially after recent controversies in the past few General Elections. Having studied abroad at Clarion College in Clarion, Pennsylvania, he has been able to gain somewhat of an insider's perspective of our country and culture, our attitudes, convictions, and passions.

In February, he messaged me on Facebook, asking me how proud I've been that Obama has been doing so well in the primary season. Of course, I conveyed my satisfaction and duh-he-rocks-attitude. I asked him if he'd been following the race at all so far, and the following was what he wrote back to me. I found it to be truly inspirational that someone nearly half-way around the world found it so important that Obama succeed and win his spot in Office. And not just for Americans, but for the world. Enjoy this international perspective on the race and it's importance, by Ilkka Jussila of Oulu, Finland:

"Well, I've been following US politics since what happened in Florida in 2000, you know that. The last 2 elections were basically just general elections for me so this is the first time I've been watching news of the primaries daily. I must say that your country's politics, it's so far (different) from ours... it's strange for me how things like God and Populism are so important there. I fully understand it though, I've [lived there for a year]. That's how it goes so I have to adjust.

Last year I thought about what needs to be done there for me to be able to like the U.S.(not Americans, but the country) again, to be able to respect your government’s decisions, and to fully understand the mindset behind it. I thought about Iraq and oil, Iran, and controlling the world with armies all around the globe. I also thought about ending the corruption, corporationalism, media and all that stuff. I basically concluded that money runs your country and decisions are made in order to gain it, instead of to make it a better place. (And this is coming from a guy whose country has been the least corrupted country in the world in past years!)

At that time, I thought Ron Paul was making some very good points but at the same time I knew his chances were really really slim. Even though he's Republican and your left is righter than our right, he was the man for my taste. The second best option for me was Obama --or maybe he really was the best then already-- my main concern was your foreign policy. Obama has, for my view, better solutions to your problems than Paul, but the foreign policy mattered most for me then.

Now, I've been following Obama's race and I'm hoping he can convert Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio at least a bit so that Cinton doesn't win by too large of a margin. I really want Obama to win the elections. Then my "hope" would return; Clinton is for money, Obama...he's for me. Not just you and your country, but the rest of the world also. She is not as bad as people believe she is (voting record amongst other things), but she doesn't have as good of a chance to beat McCain as Obama does.

I just watched Obama's victory speech from Wisconsin, and although it was pretty much the same as before, his popularity rises the further the race goes...so I'm hoping those 9 victories in a row would help him catch Clinton so that McCain could be beaten. That guy doesn't even know what he stands for! “I'm sure I have take a position on it before, let me get back to you about what it was.” How idiotic can a guy be if he's so into the image-building that he can't even think for himself? Forget that...you have a chance to become a decent part of the world if your guy wins, I'll tell you that much!"

Netherlands and Obama

tiggerhans — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:46:01 EST

Dutch politicians already spoke out in the newspapers, the majority of them goes for Obama, if they have to choose between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The Dutch Prime Minister was a bit angry, they were not supposed to speak out in public. But it is general knowledge, no matter if it is printed in the press or not: the Netherlands, and in majority the Europeans, are tired with Bush.

There might be a bit of change in Germany or France towards supporting Bush, but who is taking Sarcosy serious, no body right?

A fact is that the Dutch feel much more related to the Democrats. In many issues we have the same opinion, the same outlook at world events.

And the Democrats have in many ways shown that they don't ignore the rest of the world.

We might be a bit tired of the Clinton family, still we apreceate and value the effords that Mr. Bill Clinton has put into the ongoing battle against Aids and for cheaper medicines.

We definately supported the choice of Hillary Clinton as senator.

But now, things are different. The world wants a different tune coming out of the USA. If the USA wants to be sure it gets the support it needs against terrorism, support when it comes to fair trade and fight against piracy in China, fights for Human Rights and good government around the world, the American people have to show that to us: choose Obama, and friendship, ties with Europe will be mend for sure!

Changes though are also needed in the USA. While the Netherlands were the first country to recognize gay marriage, rewrote the constitution forbidding discrimination of people on base of gender, race, religion, political ideas, sexual preferences, age or handicap, the USA is running behind.

While the world is fighting against the Global Heating, the Bush administration has ignored all effords to come to an agreement.

The time is now. Obama wants change: you vote for him and give him that mandate!

Obamamania! Europe Can't Get Enough of 'The Second Coming of J.F.K.'

James — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 04:17:20 EST

The 2008 presidential election here in the United States is very important to the French. How important? “Too important," said Douglas Herbert, business editor with the TV news station France 24, "to be left to the American electorate to decide.”

In this, France is not alone. Across Europe, journalists and editors interviewed by The Observer say, people are coming down with the 2008 fever.

“I’m on my fifth U.S. presidential election and I don’t remember anything like this, certainly not in the primary phase,” said David Usborne, the U.S. editor of the Independent, the British daily.

Toby Harnden, his counterpart at The Daily Telegraph, was sent to Iowa 10 times between the time Barack Obama announced his candidacy and the state's caucus earlier this year. He said his paper “can’t get enough of the election.”

Andrew Steele, the BBC’s Washington bureau chief, described this election as “the most covered U.S.election in the history of the BBC."

It's partly the obvious stuff: so much of Europe is entangled with the U.S. in the war on terrorism and the Iraq war. Also, American power is keenly felt in Europe on social, economic and cultural levels, as it is all over the world.

And then there are all the reasons that make this election so gripping for Americans, too: The first time since 1928 that neither an incumbent president nor vice-president has run; the most open race since (take your pick from 1976, 1952, 1924, etc.); the fact that either a woman or an African-American is going to get the Democratic nomination.

But there is another reason Europeans have been so captivated by this election: they have lately found their own domestic politics bland, predictable and uninspiring by comparison.

Jackie Ashley, of the U.K. newspaper The Guardian, wrote that “there is an unpredictability, optimism and openness in the 2008 race that many on this side of the Atlantic will envy,” while Janet Daley of the Daily Telegraph has argued, “Where in the U.S. the democratic process is heroic, in Britain it is squalid.”

For the most part, it is clear whom they are rooting for: Republicans have gotten so little coverage in the European press that the average reader over there could be forgiven for thinking that the race for the White House is a straight choice between Mr. Obama and Hillary Clinton.

For the exception that proves the rule, there's The Finn Valley Voice, a paper in the remote, small town of Ballybofey, County Donegal, in the northeast of Ireland, which officially endorsed John McCain last month with the front page splash: “Vote for Cousin John McCain.”

(A U.S. geneticist has traced McCain’s ancestors back to Ireland, and has said that there could be up to 400 people in Country Donegal related to the senator from Arizona.

A journalist with The Finn Valley Voice, Pat Holland, told the Irish TV station RTE that his paper’s endorsement should help McCain “a little.”)

But generally, the interest there (as, arguably, here) is primarily in the Democrats.

“The combination of Hillary and Mr. Obama makes it more U.K.-reader friendly," said Barbara Gunnell, an associate editor of the left-leaning British weekly magazine the New Statesman. "The Republicans are getting very little coverage.”

“For a paper like the Guardian," said Harriet Sherwood, the newspaper's foreign editor, "the Democrats are of special interest.”

“European papers generally want the nice, Prius-driving, gay-loving yoga instructors of the blue states, versus the bible-thumping, inbred oil moguls of the red states," said Sean O’Driscoll, an Irish freelancer who writes for the AP, The Belfast Telegraph and The Irish Times. "But it’s not always that simple. Except in Mike Huckabee’s case.”

'Qui est Barack Obama?'

It's fortunate for Mrs. Clinton that the Europeans can't vote in the primaries. If the mania for the 2008 Democratic primary has gripped European readers, it's really all about Barack Obama.

Last month, for example, Mr. Obama was featured on the cover of the weekly French newsmagazine L’Express, with the headline, “Qui est Barack Obama?” (Who is Barack Obama?) The story described him as the Michael Jordan of politics, the prodigy from Chicago, and asked, "Is he the black J.F.K.?"

He has also been on the cover of several other best-selling French newsmagazines. One of the reasons why Mr. Obama is so popular in France, according to Antoine Agasse, a financial reporter for Agence France Presse, is because he, like they, opposed the war in Iraq – so he reminds them “how clever they are.” (“They always like that,” he added.)

Mr. Obama has also succeeded in seducing the Italians, according to Christopher P. Winner, the editor and publisher of The American, a monthly magazine based in Rome.

Female political leaders are not that much of a novelty for many Europeans: think Margaret Thatcher in the UK in the 1980s, and Angela Merkel today in Germany, while Ségolène Royal came close to becoming France’s first president last year.

“But the Obama factor is something entirely different with the Italian media,” Mr. Winner said. “They’ve decided that he is the millennial version of J.F.K. Because of his global roots, he is an intrinsically more attractive figure."

Global roots: in fact, Europeans seem to think that Mr. Obama is such a break from American politics as usual that he is, well, almost European.

In France, said Mr. Herbert, Mr. Obama is seen as “being one of us, a foreigner. They don’t just see a black candidate; they see him as being able to identify with the outside world, as someone who understands how Europeans and the rest of the world view America, as being able to bridge that gap.”

“I’m not sure how aware the Spanish public is of the difference between Obama and Clinton’s policies,” said Lucia Lijtmaer, who writes for the Spanish daily newspaper ADN, and teaches British and U.S. media at the University of Vic, in Catalonia. “But there is a clear feel for the difference between the two personalities: Obama comes across as being more connected to the European social democrat tradition, while Hillary remains under the shadow of the Democratic Party apparatus.”

Perhaps unaware of the fact that Mr. Obama’s polices can be occasionally bland and are sometimes quite centrist, Europeans, not always appreciative of nuance when it comes to U.S. politics, have identified him as the real lefty in the race. In other words, as one of them.

The Spanish, for example, according to Lara Bonilla, who freelances for a Catalan paper, Avui, have a “very superficial approach... [They] identify wrongly that Democrats are leftist and Republicans a right party.”

And this, in the French mind, is where Mr. Obama comes in.

Mr. Herbert, a “lifelong Francophile” who came to France nearly four years ago and who has been working for France 24 since 2006, said that the French “tend to have a very stereotypical view of Americans – very Christian, fat, gun-toting, very patriotic.”

The Bush Administration is probably as unpopular in France as it is anywhere else in the world, and the President has done little to disabuse the French and others of their stereotypical, superior view of Americans – but this view is currently undergoing a challenge by the cult of Obama.

“In Europe,” said the Independent’s Mr. Usborne, “there is such a degree of puzzlement that Americans could vote in Bush not just once, but twice.”

With the French, said Mr. Herbert: “It’s like: Let’s hope the Americans don’t mess this one up.”

http://www.observer.com/2008/obamamania-europe-cant-get-enough-second-coming-j-f-k

Europe Excited Over Obama!

James — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 03:29:26 EST

The excitement generated by the American primaries has echoed around the world. It’s especially strong in Europe, where it has grabbed public attention like no other American campaign I can recall since the days of John F. Kennedy. Europeans are not only fascinated by this race for the White House; they wish they could vote in it.

If they could, a majority would probably choose Barak Obama. I say “probably” because opinion polls have been remarkably unreliable in this election year. But my own observations indicate that Obama’s appeal cuts across all political and class divisions abroad, from cab drivers to the top echelons of European society.

At a meeting in Paris on the eve of Super Tuesday, I did an informal poll of the French Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Their members are descendants of French aristocrats who fought in the American Revolution. They are about as conservative a group as you can find in France, and yet they all preferred Obama. And they are not alone. The French as a whole say Obama is their favorite candidate. He has caught their imagination with his image and soaring oratory. When they talk about him, they almost always mention Kennedy. Even French Socialists, who chose a woman to run as their candidate in France’s presidential election last year, prefer Obama to Hillary Clinton by a slight margin.

The same enthusiasm for Obama has been reported in other countries in Europe, and back here in Britain, where “Obamamania” has fired the imagination of columnists and editorial writers as well as the man and woman on the street. A columnist in the conservative Daily Telegraph seemed to speak for most of the country when he wrote on Super Tuesday: Today’s events are not just a matter for the Yanks, but for all of us, and I hope they inspire at least a season or two of thoughtfulness after what has seemed an age of spite.

He was referring to the Bush administration, whose policies have created the biggest anti-American backlash abroad that I have seen in more than four decades as a foreign correspondent. When the Daily Telegraph talks about the United States as a “war-mongering nation,” you know that America has few friends left.

It’s the war in Iraq that has poisoned transatlantic relations. A French newspaper this week called it as stupid as it is tragic. Obama is the European’s favorite because they believe he has taken an unambiguous stand against the war. What they want to see in Washington is change, and he seems to represent the biggest change.

Why should Americans care about what Europeans think? They can’t vote in our election. But what a difference it would make to America’s standing and influence in the world if the next American president could go abroad and be greeted with cheering crowds (like Presidents Kennedy or Reagan in Berlin) instead of having his public appearances strictly limited to the carefully controlled events that have to be orchestrated for President Bush abroad. And at home, too, for that matter.

An American president who was popular abroad as well as at home might be able to accomplish far more than the current administration, which has seen members of the “coalition of the willing” walk away from Iraq, and few countries willing to carry more of the burden in Afghanistan. Even the world’s greatest superpower needs friends. So, in a way, those foreigners who wish they could vote in America’s election do have a say.

http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/15860

Obama Seen by Europeans

Stan Sloan — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:01:01 EST

As we in Vermont prepare to vote in our primary next week, I thought Obama supporters might be interested in a summary of my experiences in Scandinavia the past several days.

I returned yesterday from a US Department of State Public Diplomacy speaking tour in Denmark and Norway for which I had been asked to assess how the US elections would affect US-European relations.

Arriving in Copenhagen 10 days ago, I discovered that the American elections were front page news almost every day in Denmark, and other European countries as well. I told my audiences that this was the first time in my four decades of analyzing US-European relations that virtually no Europeans seemed to regret the end of a US president's term. My audiences, including a wide spectrum of involved citizens, educators, former officials, press and party activists, almost universally confirmed that, from their perspective, the Bush administration had been such a disaster that any change would be for the better.

My presentations sought to analyze the three remaining candidates objectively, as I had been in the professional habit of doing in my many years of producing non-partisan foreign policy analysis for the US Congressional Research Service. However, inevitably, they would ask me what my preferences were. I would admit that I was a member of "Vermonters for Obama," bringing out smiles around the room. Europeans regret that Obama has not shown much interest in Europe to date, but they welcome his message and seem to trust his intelligence, common sense, and instincts. When I suggested to audiences that Obama inspired hope for the future among many Americans in a way that nobody had done since JFK, many audience members nodded their heads in welcoming agreement.

Bottom line: President Obama will be warmly welcomed by Europeans, leading to a honeymoon period in which the United States and the European democracies will be able to take some major steps toward repairing damage done to the relaltionship in recent years. They too, are fully ready for a change, and this election is seen as affecting their lives and interests as well as those of Americans.

I returned to Vermont yesterday filled with hope both about the outcome of our elections and the implications for the interest of the United States in reclaiming the respect and friendship that our country needs from its friends in Europe.

Dems abroad go to Obama!

Crista — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:50:37 EST

Obama wins the Democrats abroad!

Nice work, Obama! Thanks for the votes citizens abroad!

In defense of shame for one’s own country (meaning government)

Marc Maxson — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:35:39 EST

[2-19-08]

From Mark Halparin of Time:

“So far, Obama campaign officials have smoothly explained away Michelle Obama’s statement Monday when she told a Wisconsin audience, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” The campaign has clarified her comment thusly: Of course she is proud of America and loves her country, but she recognizes its political system has not always been perfect. Like her husband, Michelle Obama has garnered extraordinarily positive press coverage, and, despite some cautiously critical commentary during the last 12 hours, the dominant Old Media has not yet pounced on her remark.”

The reason Obama gets my vote and many others is that this statement resonates with more people. I haven’t been proud of my country for seven and a half years. Since September 12, 2001 we have done a 180 degree turn around from the rough road (and only right path) towards a better world. George W. Bush (Jr) left the world worse-off than he found it.

McCain’s wife Cindy was quick to counter, saying, “I am proud of my country. I don’t know about you. If you heard those words earlier, I am very proud of my country.” To me, hollow words. Most of the people who trip over each other to shout their pride from the roof tops and on the news never lived anywhere else. The others that have left and still cling to patriotism like a blanket to throw over everything else that they say probably were holding a gun or a briefcase at the time. The world looks looks very different when you’re not holding a gun or walking around with all the cash and power. I should know – I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and I later went back to the world’s poorest countries to study how the Internet was changing African culture.

The world also looks at you very differently when you travel with outward signs of money and power. People will usually treat a rich-looking American with respect and not say what they really think. Add our disdain for foreign tongues and a childhood of consuming our own culture (Children in every other country grow up on American movies) and most of the 25% of Americans that ever travel abroad are hearing a filtered meanings in conversation and seeing everything from a distinctly one-culture point of view. (I lived 4 years in Paris as a child so maybe I’m more aware of it) Nevertheless, those who take off the suit or uniform and spend a little time outside of “toubabidou” as Africans called it (collectively America, Europe, Japan, Australia) suddenly get shocked into seeing humanity as something that rises above petty patriotism.

Which brings me back to the beginning. If you’re not proud of this country, no true leader should be ashamed to speak of it honestly. People all over the world can and do separate love for their own culture from love of their government. More than half of us – but a vast majority of us who have left toubabidou – seem to share your feelings, Michelle Obama. And this is what change looks like at the beginning: telling the truth, even when others don’t want to hear it.

My statement.

woman owned small business supporter — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:17:11 EST

My interest in Barack Obama began four years ago, I had been for the past 15 years living and working with my German husband and our children in Germany. Over the years we experienced firsthand, the European perception of Americans and their politics - many times with admiration, and progressively with disapproval.

We returned yearly in the summer to run the US branch of our business - so we were never far removed from what was the reality of their perceptions and what was prejudice.

This election coincided with our permanent return to the US with our children - what an opportunity for them and us to be involved in such an important election. My daughter had heard Obama speak 4 years ago, and said that he was who she would vote for if he ran when she was of voting age - and now at 19, she focused her attention on finding out what kind of a candidate he was. As a family endeavor, we looked at ALL the candidates in both parties. Barack Obama represents my family's hopes for our country and the Democratic ideals, he vocalizes our dreams as US and world citizens, and he makes me, as a business woman, willing to work and even sacrifice, time, money and success, to make the United States, and the world, better.

I am not alone - my voice in multiplied by everyone who is touched by his message. This is the leader we can be proud of, here, and in any part of the world.

Wishing i could help ...

Frency — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 08:39:54 EST

You know - things can be very frustrating, even good things.

For eight years now i have been watching Bush making one big mistake after an other, seeing your GOP doing horrible things to you - americans, and non-americans.

Habeas Corpus, the iraq war, secret prisons in countries that allow torture, the suggesting that waterboarding is acceptable (although your senate and congress voted against it), the kyoto refusal, the not following the geneva guidelines ... and then i'm not even mentioning the intern affairs, and i won't - because i'm not knowledgeble enough there, but i know health ensurence and education aren't one of your strong points.

And now finally there is a chance for change, there is hope, there are people wanting to work for change ... and all i can do is sit at the sidelines and hope Obama makes it. I don't have the money to donate ... and i don't live close enough to do anything else then to show my support and try to convince my american net friends to vote for Obama.

I wish i could do more ...

Good luck !

Independence in Kosovo – a complicated context

Emma — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:33:11 EST

To an American it is perhaps difficult to understand why so much fuss is made internationally over Kosovo, this tiny dot on the map. In truth, I’m having a hard time keeping up with the ever changing turn of events in this region myself. But essentially the story begins thousands of years ago when a small group of people decided they had enough in common to call themselves a people. They began constructing a language only they understood and developed social rituals that only had meaning to them. They eventually began to call themselves Albanians and for millennia they have been carelessly tossed between other groups of people who were larger in both population and conquered land.

The part we now call Kosovo, has in some form or another, belonged to the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Austria and of course the Empire /principality /Kingdom /Republic of Serbia During all these centuries the Albanian people has been shuttled back and forth across the continent, been ushered in and out of various religious contexts and expected to fight for countless of warlords of other nationalities. In short, it is hard work being an Albanian.

New Citizen

Malmost — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:48:05 EST

Democrat 2008 election: As a new US citizen, originally from France, I can tell that I cannot wait to have Mister Barack Obama as our president! I travel several times a year to Europe, especially France and Monaco, and believe me, despite of the fact that America represents a real dream for most of the people in Europe, and despite of the fact that they really like american people and culture, their opinions of the actual presidency and GWB government is a disaster... I have NOT found, or met and discussed with not ONE person that have told me that they agree with the war in Iraq, and not one who told me that our president were "brillant"... I cannot wait to have a president that I can be proud of... and a president who will do what he says... MM

T-Shirts needed for Germany

Gina in Germany — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:14:26 EST

I would like to print up 500-1000 shirts locally (I live in Bremerhaven, Germany) to distribute to expats in this region. If anyone can tell me where I can get screenprint layouts to give to our local screen printer - I'd appreciate it!

I am going to be paying for these out of my own pocket, so any help in getting this set up over here is much needed :)

Obama 08!

Europe for Obama!

Europa — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:51:16 EST

Hey I am not much good at writing. I just wanted to say that maybe Clinton is well known abroad but we know her only thanks to her hubby... However re publicity, Obama did all the hard work without feeding on sombody's else publicity. Actually, if Obama doesn't run for candidacy, not that many people in Europe would watch your elections...he is so charismatic! I really think that Obama did not move just America, he moved the whole world! I am Slovakian supporting Obama, my friends from Italy happened to be Obama's suporters too and so, so many British who watch your elections are for Obama! If the elections were worldwide, Obama would be a clear win! Just couple of things: Obama should be more personal in his speaches, and to his passionate speaches he sould incorporate more concrete proposals, examples how he is going to solve issues USA faces and present it in a very sobber manner. And in his winning speach, re his condolences to Tenesse and Arcansas he should add that he is sending some volunteers to help people in need or just donate some money to them - that I would expect from somebody who holds lots of money and wants me to vote for him... well nobody is perfect. Otherwise Obama is great! Very unique person! Very smart! People of America, please do not disappoint us Europeans, vote Obama!

The whole world is watching

JR — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:20:29 EST

I don't like how the media tried to categorize entire countries into different political camps, but this article is an indication of how much this election matters. Judging from this article and from sentiment abroad this is among the most important times in U.S. history. It is a time where America will be reintroduced to the world. Frankly, I can't wait.

from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/01/world-captivated-by-us-pr_n_84461.html

World Captivated by US Presidential Race

WILLIAM J. KOLE | February 1, 2008 06:30 AM EST |

Germans are gaga over Barack Obama. He's got Japan pretty jazzed, too, along with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Russia's leaders, not so much: They prefer a Republican _ as long as it's not Kremlin critic John McCain.

And Mexico's president? He doesn't have much use for any of them.

America's extraordinary presidential campaign has captivated politicians and ordinary people around the globe. With so much at stake in the race for the White House, the world is watching with an intensity that hasn't been seen since the Clinton era began in 1992.

After eight years of President Bush, the latest mantra in U.S. politics _ "transformational change" _ is resonating across the rest of a planet desperate for a fresh start.

"They feel there's a real chance to work with the U.S.," said Julianne Smith, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "America's image in the world is really on the line."

Non-Americans, she said, are looking for someone who can "restore faith in the United States."

Obama, perhaps not surprisingly, is generating most of the buzz abroad.

"Der schwarze Kennedy," some German admirers are calling him: "The black JFK."

"He is young, charming and sexy!" the mass-circulation newspaper Bild gushed. "Obama is now the ideal projection screen for hopes and expectations in Europe" and the U.S. alike, said Christian Hacke, a professor at the University of Bonn.

"I like him. I like his ideas, his attitude, his appearance. I prefer him to Hillary Clinton, who is more artificial," said Eva Berto, a Rome doctor who thinks Obama would bring a new approach to the crisis in Iraq and the nuclear standoff with Iran.

Japanese media are closely tracking both Obama and the woman they refer to simply as "Hillary," and focusing on the possibility that either could make history.

"The idea since the country's founding _ 'You can't become president if you're not a white man' _ has already been destroyed," the Mainichi newspaper said in an editorial.

But in Europe, where some see Obama as untested, support for Clinton is widespread, and nostalgia for her husband's charisma runs deep. When scandals rocked the Clinton White House, most Europeans responded with a Gallic shrug.

"Nobody in Europe ever took Bill Clinton's problems in office seriously," said Patrick Dunleavy, a political scientist at the London School of Economics. "Nobody could ever understand why Americans were so upset. Bill Clinton was always a fantastic presence in Europe."

The Republican presidential hopefuls, by contrast, are not highly regarded in Europe: Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are seen as too religious, and the 71-year-old McCain as too old.

To Britons, history's most popular postwar presidents were Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton because of their perceived levelheadedness and intelligence, said Dunleavy. The most despised? President Bush and Ronald Reagan "because they were seen as erratic and unpredictable," he said.

Yet Democrats don't rule the entire world of public opinion.

Saad al-Hadithi, a political analyst in Baghdad, contends the Republican candidates are more committed to Iraq and have a better approach.

"They show more support to the political progress and to combating terrorist groups in Iraq," he said. "The Democrats, especially Hillary Clinton, are calling for the withdrawal of U.S. forces, but they are not offering an alternative. Such a withdrawal while the Iraqi security forces are still weak will lead to disastrous results."

Russia's leaders also consider Republicans more pragmatic, said Nkolai Petrov, an analyst with the Carnegie Moscow Center.

But the Kremlin, Petrov said, would likely have "serious concerns" if McCain wins the Republican nomination because of the Arizona senator's harsh and persistent criticism of Vladimir Putin's autocratic government.

Others in Russia are drawn to the lively U.S. campaign if only because it's such a sharp contrast to Moscow's tightly choreographed March 2 presidential election _ a contest that Putin's favored successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is seen as certain to win.

Africans naturally gravitate toward Obama, whose father was from Kenya.

Israelis, though, seem to prefer Hillary Clinton _ even though Obama has voiced support for key Israeli demands in peace talks with the Palestinians _ because of her experience and the backing Bill Clinton gave to the Jewish state during his two terms as president.

Amid the raging debate over immigration, Mexicans arguably have more at stake in the U.S. election than any other nation. But President Felipe Calderon doesn't think very highly of any of the candidates.

"The only theme," he declared in December, "is to compete to see who can be the most swaggering, macho and anti-Mexican."

In the post-Bush era, the bottom line is blunt and simple, Dunleavy said.

"People all around the world are pretty worried," he said. "They want a president who will restore a kind of U.S. legitimacy in the world."

___

Associated Press writers Matt Moore in Berlin, Sameer N. Yacoub in Baghdad, Steve Gutterman in Moscow, Bernd Bergmann in Rome, Natacha Rios in Paris and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.

I'm Afraid of Americans

I. Alien — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:45:29 EST

(Soundtrack by David Bowie, from his Earthling album :D )

I *am* afraid of Americans, and I tell you, there are a lot of other people who share that sentiment. As a European living in, and loving, this wonderful, huge and scary place, my hope for Obama is so strong it's painful. Today, the Americans I am the most intimidated by are strong, well educated feminists, who appears to have signed a contract in blood back in their college days to support their female icon of the day.

My heart breaks a little every time I'm reminded of the lobbyists, the big companies dictating healthcare, environmental and who knows what other policies. Every time I am reminded that we are fighting an obscene war for all the wrong reasons, bleading resources that, if spent at all, should have been spent on fortyfying America from the inside - educating, nursing, housing, securing... Building a strong people with long term means.

So when a Presidential Candidate emerges who shows me there actually is a possibility of change - someone who called the truth about the war from the start, someone who can give both the American people as well as others, both here and abroad, the hope and respect America deserves, my hope soars.

Exploring Bill Richardson’s ‘New Realism’

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:40:48 EST

In the January/February 2008 edition of the Foreign Affairs Journal, Democratic presidential candidate (at the time) Bill Richardson wrote an impressive essay titled, A New Realism: A Realistic and Principled Foreign Policy. The summary for this essay is as follows:

The United States needs a foreign policy that is based on reality and is loyal to American values. The next U.S. president needs to send a clear signal to the world that America has turned the corner and will once again be a leader rather than a unilateralist loner. Getting out of Iraq and restoring our reputation are necessary first steps toward a new strategy of U.S. global engagement and leadership.

You can also read essays from other presidential candidates on the Foreign Affair’s Campaign 2008 site. As a note, I have written my commentary on Barack Obama’s essay awhile back.

"Soft Power" And Hearts And Minds

Brad — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:34:48 EST

As if we, the faithful, need another argument for our candidate, here comes one from a right-of-center European paper:

The European right appears more enthusiastic about the liberal Obama than the left. French political scientist Dominique Moisi seems to think the Democrat will give pro-American Europeans some arguments to "sell" the United States among anti-Americans. "Why is Obama so different," he asks in a recent syndicated essay, "from the other presidential candidates? After all, in foreign policy matters, the next president's room to maneuver will be very small. He (or she) will have to stay in Iraq, engage in the Israel-Palestine conflict on the side of Israel, confront a tougher Russia, deal with an ever more ambitious China, and face the challenge of global warming. If Obama can make a difference, it is not because of his policy choices, but because of what he is. The very moment he appears on the world's television screens, victorious and smiling, America's image and soft power would experience something like a Copernican revolution."

Soft power, winning hearts and minds, the potential for a down-ticket landslide and a recapture of the "Reagan Democrats", not to mention honesty and integrity and all the first-order characteristics so lacking in politics today.

Full story here:

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=c787aa9d-cb3d-49d9-a960-0a5bdac0aa67

Obama, candidat très présentable

Benjamin Litsani Choukran — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:31:06 EST

Un petit matin de juillet 2004, à Boston, quand la radio a retransmis le discours d’un certain Barack Obama, le chauffeur du bus qui conduisait des journalistes à la convention démocrate, un jeune noir, a commenté tout haut : «Vous entendez ce gars-là ? Il ira loin.» La veille, les démocrates avaient découvert le visage juvénile de cet élu de l’Illinois, en campagne pour un siège de sénateur qu’il décrochera quatre mois plus tard. Visage grave, et en même temps serein, voix chaude et posée, longues mains hypnotiques. Pour beaucoup, ce n’est que quand sa femme Michelle, belle Noire en tailleur blanc, est venue l’embrasser qu’ils ont réalisé qu’il était Noir. Ils étaient fascinés.

Message from Amsterdam, Europe

Hein van Meeteren — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:33:19 EST

Dear Obama-friends, for years I have felt disgust for the United States. I am sorry to put this so bluntly. I despised the cynism, the powerlust, the war-hunger, the materialism and the megalomania of your country. The war in Iraq was a direct knive stabbed in my guts, it made me furious and plagued my soul.

But now these feelings melt away when I hear your man, Barrack Obama, and see your faces on youtube. This is incredible and my heart dances with new inspiration and new joy. This is the America I want to be allies with. These are the United States I want to be friends with. Obama is sincere, I can see it, I can smell it, I can taste it. He brings not only hope to your American hearts, but also to our European hearts. When this movement of yours is really what it strongly appears to be: a real, deep, fundamental change of life, mental attitude and politics in the United States, short a transformation, then the whole wide world will benefit from it. That's why I want to support you, encourage you, help you for as far I am capable from such a distance. I have sent money for your campaign, and if I can do something else, for example create an Obama support group or whatever, right here in Amsterdam, let me know.

My email is heinwvm@chello.nl. My heart and spirit is with you and I hope with all my being that Obama will be the next president of de US.

Hein van Meeteren, Amsterdam, netherlands, Europe, Earth.

Life Abroad

G. Emmer — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 08:05:39 EST

I am one of millions of American's living abroad. We are a very large group, yet we often feel ignored. Here is why:

Remember the Boston Tea Party? These legendary colonists got famous because they resisted taxation without representation. Well guess what? Americans living abroad today have ZERO representation and we are taxed. How is that fair? We are offered virtually no services by the US government. We get no roads built for us, we are not even offered special treatment at US embassies. It is estimated that around 7 million US citizens live and work abroad. If you put us all together into one state, US citizens living abroad would be the 13 largest state in the USA!! There are more of us than in New Hampshire, Maine and Idaho COMBINED! But who represents us in congress? Who can we appeal to about the tax policies? The answer is no one.

We make up a very large voting contingency. But which candidate traveled abroad so we could hear them speak on issues important to us? Which candidate even makes us feel like we matter? No one. Where is the discussion in Obama's website about us? I did not find it, did you?

Being that we are so cut off from the US, we must reach out to get better informed. With the internet and with international news channels such as CNN and MSNBC, this is getting easier these days. Yet we are still under-informed.

My suggestion to the Obama team is not to forget about us, neither before nor after the election. We are very poorly organized, this is true. But there are a lot of us. We are highly educated and often influential. A little communication in this direction could go a very long way.

Kosovo: What Happens Now?

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:51:36 EST

The United Nations deadline to figure out the future of Kosovo has come to an end on December 10. The European Union has failed to produce an agreement. So, the question now is, what happens next? As a note, you may want to read Dr. Mark Elrod’s Countdown on Kosovo.