Are there any ex-pats out there who will be at the Victory Column in Berlin this evening?

[lebkuchen]

If so, please report back on Obama's speech. I'd love to be there myself...I marched in Berlin with 500,000 others, from the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche to the Brandenburg Gate, protesting the looming US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today's event at the Victory Column should offer up some fantastic photos. I hope DUers can be there with a digital.

For anyone in the Obama camp reading this, it would make a very poor impression upon the Germans if Obama were to lecture Germany about sending more of its troops anywhere. Don't do it.

Instead, extend an American hand of friendship and willingness to work in partnership with Germany and the EU in solving our mutual problems (brought on by the Bush administration). Keep it simple, and don't bluster, bully, lecture, reprimand, and condescend. Bush and his Ambassadors to Germany, Coats and Timken, have already been there, done that.


Viel Glück! It should be a "cake walk" if ever there were one since Germans can't stand the Bush administration.

[Heidi]

1. I think you should be able to watch a live stream with Windows Media Player

at this link around 7 p.m. (GMT +1): mms://stream.wmv.n-tv.de/ntvlive

[lebkuchen]

4. I"ll be watching here in Germany

Fence-mending of relations is all that is required of Obama's speech. Bush has done SO much damage to our relationships with allies. All the EU needs to hear from Obama is that the US wants to cooperate in good faith and to our, and the world's, mutual benefit.

The highlight of Obama's schedule was an evening speech in front of the Tiergarten's 226-foot high Victory Column before a crowd predicted to be in the tens of thousands.

Aboard his chartered campaign jet, Obama told reporters: "Hopefully it will be viewed as a substantive articulation of the relationship I would like to see between the United States and Europe. ... I am hoping to communicate across the Atlantic the value of that relationship and how we need to build on that."

[liberalla]

2. There are two DUers that will be there

48percenter and MissHoneychurch

Two DUers are going to BERLIN to see Obama!!

they promised photos and a report...

[lebkuchen]

3. Four hours and counting toward a collective sigh of relief for a change of policy

I wish I were there, but reading reports of those who were is my pastime. Many Americans are touring Berlin right now...they'll have a great time, in the city and at the speech.


http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,1251213,00.jpg



The speech will actually take place at the Victory Column, which is a great place to have it...lots of open space.

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,1251271,00.jpg

[bdamomma]

6. oh great looking forward to their report.

[Lex]

8. that's excellent!

:bounce:

[liberalla]

5. "and don't bluster, bully, lecture, reprimand, and condescend."

That is so NOT how Obama does things. I don't think you have to worry! There could be some other mistake made, but not of that nature. It's frustrating for his critics, because he is not overly emotional, dramatic or reactive. They fling insults and criticism at him, hoping for an unflattering response, much to their disappointment. He doesn't lose his 'cool'. He's calm, relaxed, courteous and pleasant. He's secure and doesn't talk down to people. It's really quite refreshing!

The Americans can't stand the bush administration either!
His approval rating was 21% a couple days ago.

I can't wait to see news coverage of this. I hope they broadcast the event in it's entirety. Are you in Germany now, lebkuchen?

[lebkuchen]

9. Obama's speech was excellent

and you're right. None of the offensive RW authoritarian personality traits could be found in Obama. Wonderfully refreshing for all who listened to his words.

[texasleo]

7. What time does live coverage begin here in the free world?

:evilgrin:


I mean, formerly-free.

:evilfrown:

[lebkuchen]

10. Since CBS is covering....during the CBS Evening News?

It was a good speech. Obama seemed to have it memorized...not looking down, not at a teleprompter that I could see...very passionate...eyes blazing.

Very good speech and delivery.

[norepubsin08]

11. I was in Berlin in June of 1963...

sitting atop my father's shoulders. There were so many people there, even though I was very young and I didn't understand it, I knew it was very important and momentous...our family flew from Frankfurt (father was in the military with a German national wife) very early that morning, spent hours crawling in traffic by cab and foot to get there....wished with all my heart that I was there again-Michael