Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Forgetting the Fall (Michael Rubin)
Michael Rubin.org ^ | November 6, 2009 | Michael Rubin

Posted on 11/07/2009 3:06:17 PM PST by nuconvert

President Barack Obama has RSVPed "nein" to Chancellor Merkel's invitation to Germany to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. National Review Online asked Michael Rubin and a few other experts what this snub reveals about Obama.

Rubin: "Symbolism is incredibly important. When Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union an "Evil Empire," the reverberations within the East Bloc went far beyond what Reagan's own supporters realized. Likewise, the moral clarity evident in Reagan standing before the Berlin Wall and declaring, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" did as much as tens of millions of dollars poured into influence operations aimed at the Soviet bloc. Nor can anyone forget the symbolism of East Germans, with hand and hammer, tearing down that symbol of oppression.

Alas, Pres. Barack Obama's decision not to celebrate one of the seminal events of the 20th century--an episode that illustrates the victory of freedom over totalitarianism and peace through strength--is also replete with symbolism. Just as Reagan's advisers had no idea just how much his rhetoric would reverberate, I'm afraid that Obama does not understand how important his refusal to attend commemoration events will be, not only to those still suffering under the yoke of oppression, but also to adversaries who see American isolation and weakness as a phenomenon to be exploited."


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: berlinwall; michaelrubin; obama

1 posted on 11/07/2009 3:06:17 PM PST by nuconvert
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

He wishes to rebuild it.


2 posted on 11/07/2009 3:07:31 PM PST by boomop1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Army Air Corps; Valin; AdmSmith; GOPJ

pong


3 posted on 11/07/2009 3:10:49 PM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Too bad President Bush doesn’t just get on a plane and “show UP” and state he will support the anniversary on behalf of those of us who KNOW how important this event was in history!


4 posted on 11/07/2009 3:16:02 PM PST by princess leah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Obama went to Germany the first time because HE was the center of attraction.

I guess he figured that he just might not be the center of attraction this time.

Plus, he might be worried that Ayers & Wright just might never speak to him again if he celebrated the fall of the wall


5 posted on 11/07/2009 3:21:31 PM PST by BwanaNdege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BwanaNdege
I guess he figured that he just might not be the center of attraction this time

True enough, as Liberty and Freedom are the center of attention. Two concepts this pig refuses to recognize.

6 posted on 11/07/2009 3:24:44 PM PST by Outlaw Woman (I would rather Die on my feet, than Live on my knees...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: boomop1

He wishes to rebuild it.

He already has — a little nearer to home.

Ironically, President Reagan’s speech is just as applicable to the gates and occupants of the US congress today as it was to the Brandenburg Gate and Gorbachev 20 years ago. It should be re-broadcast on all stations repeatedly. What a gem. That’s what a U.S. president sounds like; in stark contrast to that arrogant, usurper, buffoon-in-chief in the WH.

Probably why the charlatan refused to go to Berlin. He has no intention of tearing down the wall he and his comrades have erected between the “we the people” and his congressional power base.

Sadly, the ‘Iron Curtain’ has been resurrected in Washington D.C.

"Mr. Obama, tear down this wall!"

7 posted on 11/07/2009 3:26:38 PM PST by emissarium (Passivity is not an option ... it's surrender.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert
come on ! Obama went to London to bring the Olympics to Chicago. Now you want him to go to Berlin to look at a wall that isn't there? Out of curiosity, have any of the "old" East German rulers or their Soviet Union comrades been invited? ......... On the one hand, a political gaffe. On the other hand, a social faux pas. Apparently this decision is above the pay grade of anyone in the White House.......
8 posted on 11/07/2009 3:36:30 PM PST by shoelessbuddha
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: princess leah

princess leah wrote: “Too bad President Bush doesn’t just get on a plane and “show UP”

That’s what I hope as well. Frankly, Hussein Zero is not fit to represent the United States at an event like that. I would like to see President Bus 41, and 43 there instead.


9 posted on 11/07/2009 3:37:22 PM PST by Reverend Wright ( Hussein Obama is truly post-partisan: It's all about him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

hmmmmm.....we light up the Empire State Building to ‘celebrate’ 60 years of a murderous Chinese totalitarian regime, our President clears his schedule to take his wife and Oprah on a european shopping trip, he also clears his schedule to attend the Peace Prize ceremony, he clears his schedule to campaign and campaign and campaign, but he can’t find time to attend a ceremony celebrating the fall of totalitarian communism in East Germany, or to visit Fort Hood....astounding

how the hell did we get here?


10 posted on 11/07/2009 3:40:05 PM PST by blueplum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Obama was too busy this weekend to go to Ft Hood so he went to Camp David instead. Such a low rent couple those two are!


11 posted on 11/07/2009 3:56:45 PM PST by chris_bdba
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert
As a Marxist the fall of Communism is not something Obama wants to celebrate.
12 posted on 11/07/2009 4:07:58 PM PST by Hamilcar_Barca (Palin 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chris_bdba

If he doesn’t make a trip to Ft Hood tomorrow or announce that he’s going on Veteran’s Day, he will really look terrible to the rest of America (not just us)


13 posted on 11/07/2009 4:11:40 PM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

.

After the Fall of
FREEDOM =
. http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1308949/posts


14 posted on 11/07/2009 6:20:16 PM PST by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson