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Obama Draws Criticism for Sitting Out Berlin Wall Anniversary
FoxNews ^ | November 08th, 2009

Posted on 11/08/2009 2:09:26 PM PST by Steelfish

November 08, 2009

Obama Draws Criticism for Sitting Out Berlin Wall Anniversary

The president does not plan to travel to Germany to attend the 20th anniversary celebration Monday of the fall of the Berlin Wall, drawing heated criticism from those who say he's ignoring a shining triumph of American-inspired democracy.

President Obama squeezed in a trip to Copenhagen last month to lobby, unsuccessfully, for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. He plans to travel to Oslo next month to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, an award that even Obama has said he does not deserve. And this coming week, he sets out on a weeklong tour of Asia.

But the president does not plan to travel to Germany to attend the 20th anniversary celebration Monday of the fall of the Berlin Wall, drawing heated criticism from those who say he's ignoring a shining triumph of American-inspired democracy.

"A tragedy," is how former House Speaker Newt Gingrich described Obama's absence.

Some question whether the decision not to go was a nod to Russia, with which the Obama administration is trying to mend relations, or just another attempt to play down the perception of the United States as an exceptional superpower.

For its part, the administration is citing a scheduling conflict. The White House says the president simply does not have the time to go, with the trip to Asia starting Wednesday.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Germany; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: berlinwall; bho44; bhoforeignpolicy

1 posted on 11/08/2009 2:09:27 PM PST by Steelfish
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To: Steelfish

I’m shocked.


2 posted on 11/08/2009 2:11:30 PM PST by Rappini ("Pro deo et Patria.)
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To: Rappini
I’m shocked.

Why?

3 posted on 11/08/2009 2:16:11 PM PST by Krodg
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To: Steelfish

“... he’s ignoring a shining triumph of American-inspired democracy.”

He isn’t ignoring it...he hated seeing communism fail...


4 posted on 11/08/2009 2:16:49 PM PST by jessduntno (TOTUS fails and POtuS becomes a phuttering stuck.)
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To: Rappini

I’m not. The Soviet model is what the Obamanistas are shooting for.


5 posted on 11/08/2009 2:17:17 PM PST by LIConFem (Defund the Fed. You have the power, USE IT!!)
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To: Steelfish

He’d have a hard time apologizing for America’s role in that one. No good photo-ops—no use in going.


6 posted on 11/08/2009 2:23:27 PM PST by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
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To: Steelfish

He’s not worthy of attending. Better he stay home. Wherever “home” is, that is.


7 posted on 11/08/2009 2:45:55 PM PST by NewHampshireDuo
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To: Steelfish

He was too busy. Gloating and playing b-ball.


8 posted on 11/08/2009 3:03:51 PM PST by bigbob
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To: Steelfish
"A tragedy," is how former House Speaker Newt Gingrich described Obama's absence.

TRAGEDY??? That's what you call this, Newt, you suckup schmuck? This is not a "tragedy", it's a perfect example of his narcissism, communist beliefs, and anti-American upbringing. Try "he's flipping the finger at everyone who died trying to free Eastern Europe" Try "it's a slap in the face to anyone who lived in that hellhole." Even a tepid "it shows a disgraceful lack of understanding about the historical importance of the event."

A tragedy. KMA, Newt.

9 posted on 11/08/2009 3:24:28 PM PST by workerbee (If you vote for Democrats, you are engaging in UnAmerican Activity.)
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To: Steelfish

Why be surprised?

The fall of the Berlin Wall was an American/Reagan/Republican triumph over communism.

Why on Earth would Obama want to recognize that?


10 posted on 11/08/2009 3:39:26 PM PST by sjmjax
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To: Steelfish
"A tragedy," is how former House Speaker Newt Gingrich described Obama's absence.

Hey Newt, if Obama is making a mistake... let him!

11 posted on 11/08/2009 3:52:45 PM PST by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
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To: sjmjax

Prior to that Jack-@ss Jimmy Carter, a lot of Democrats participated in the Cold War. Gotta give Truman & JFK their props.


12 posted on 11/08/2009 3:55:40 PM PST by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
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To: Steelfish

I didn’t think that this marxist would go to ceremonies that commemorated the end of marxism in East Germany.


13 posted on 11/08/2009 4:01:50 PM PST by Leftism is Mentally Deranged
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To: Steelfish

No surprise he’s gonna be busy with some shoutouts.


14 posted on 11/08/2009 4:02:53 PM PST by jwalsh07 (Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what you can do for Obama.)
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To: Krodg

I keep forgetting the /sarc,sorry.


15 posted on 11/09/2009 8:41:35 AM PST by Rappini ("Pro deo et Patria.)
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