Barack Obama Campaign Says He Will Speak At Berlin's Victory Column

Washington Post:

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign said today that his speech in Berlin on the future of trans-Atlantic relations will be delivered in front of a Prussian war monument, rather than the Brandenburg Gate.

The announcement triggered criticism in Germany that the Victory Column, or Siegessaeule, was an inappropriate landmark for the Thursday speech, since the 226-foot column honors Prussian triumphs over Denmark, Austria and France.

The Siegessaeule, built in 1873, stood in front of Germany's parliament building, the Reichstag, until the late 1930s, when Adolf Hitler's architect, Albert Speer, moved it to its current location in the middle of the Tiergarten park.

Since German reunification, the column has become known as the central location for Berlin residents to party.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[Raymondf]

I wonder why he was not given approval to speak at the gate. Could it be the Germans don't like him.

[daveny]

Having just visited Berlin last month, I don't see what the big deal is. It's the end-point for the gay pride parade, the love parade, and the weekly flea market!

[ElliotNC]

Idiotic.

[TuffPosh]

There's nothing to be concerned about here. Sure, Germany has experience with the dangers of a charismatic leader, but there are obviously some major differences. I'd list them, but I have to leave here in 10 seconds.

http://bigheadlinenews.com/1000067

[Americatortures]

Just curious..if there are 11 comments pending..why approve only 1 in 10 minutes???

[Smirk]

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes it takes hours for just one pending comment to be posted and, at other times, there's no delay at all and the comment is posted immediately.

[TheShadow]

Why don't you all settle down and read some history regarding this site, and the monument that Obama will speaking at. It's not a "Nazi" monument.

Geesh....

[geobushono]

I guess I'm going to have to straighten out the trolls once again.
1. The Monument was built to commemorate the Battle of Sedan in 1870.
Here is a tour.

http://www.archive.org/details/RichardMaydaHistoryatthebaseoftheSiegessaeule_1

2. The Monument was used by Wim Wenders, certainly no nazi, as the opening scene in his MASTERPIECE, "Faraway, So Close" The story of an Angel........



The film opens with the angel Cassiel (Otto Sander) standing on the statue of the Angel of Victory overlooking post-Cold War Berlin. Growing ever more despondent over his fate as a mere observer of human life, rather than a vital part of it, Cassiel dreams of "crossing over" to the human World.

http://www.wim-wenders.com/movies/movies_spec/farawaysoclose/far_away_so_close.htm

Seems a rather fitting choice as the World looks for a messenger of reconciliation and Peace.


So there you have it......Huffpo 2, trolls 0
Once again the trolls seeking out an audience to perform as as uninformed fools....certainly not fans of History, or Wim Wenders.

[Americatortures]

If the site is SO WRONG, why don't the Germans remove the tower?? If they're embarrased by it...take it down!!! This is all about Bush's low political meddling with the Germans last week at the G-8!! Bush didn't want to have Obama have the "stature " of speaking At the Brandenburg Gate!!! That's what this is all about!!!

[NoahVail]

Today, the column serves as the focal point for mass events in Germany's capital, such as the annual Love Parade, a rave attended by hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world. Berlin's annual gay pride parade also ends here, which is fitting, considering that Berlin's gay newspaper is also named, very tongue in cheek, Siegessäule. The golden Victoria atop the monument is no longer seen as pointing towards Paris to taunt, but as pointing to and leading towards Germany's Western allies, chief among them the United States.

Es macht nix.

[Justsaynodeal]

With the archangel at the top, it seems a befitting monument for the 0's to see their messiah giving
a speech

[strandwolf]

A real statesman from the USA--and about gotdam time.

[joeyp404]

A statesman = a publicity stunt at a European landmark? I thought we were moving beyond that.

[Alfannell]

Hey is he get a crowd similar than he did in Portland Ore then it isn't a stunt.

[Justsaynodeal]

If you read about Merkle's reaction to the Brandenburg Gate proposed speech by 0-man, you will see that he is indeed very presumptuous by announcing he would give a speech there in the first place. This man has no sense of propriety.­..........­.all symbolism for show. First of all he is travelling as a candidate and there is protocol for politicals travelling in Europe. I think when McCain made his trip, he met with the heads of state...........as a US senator...he didn't try to set up big speaking events for show. Now I can hear you 0's saying McCain wouldn't have been able to draw an audience......that is not the point. Oman overstepped his protocol boundries........

[pupbayer]

WHY is he speaking in Germany? I really don't get it. I understand Reagan and Kennedy. They were Presidents and represented the U.S. Obama is a presumptive nominee of a political party and represents only himself.

[debrouillard]

Its not about being president or not.Its about who has the AUDACITY and ability to summoned the world to a common purpose,a higher purpose. Obama can do that.

[geobushono]

pack up your sh*t....we're coming for you and your family.
Have a nice day.

[VOTER]

"I really don't get it."

Well said! We agree with you and respect your humility in addressing your own low level intelligence.

[Justsaynodeal]

Oh but he likes to identify himself with JFK whenever possible. JFK took Jackie with him, MO stayed home. As for Reagan......he was the only transformative president, according to 0-man since JFK............and he does give a Reaganesque speech when he has the script.

[onedivasinger]

Perhaps he should ask Bush where he should speak. He and Merkel seem to be micro managing his trip there on behalf of McCain. Perhaps McCain can give a detailed map. I am watching Maya Soetoro-Ing right now. Obama's beautiful sister as she asks for support for him in Florida on C-Span. I wish people could understand that this man just by virtue of his brilliance, his unique history and family and his love for this country could represent the best of what we have to offer no matter whether it be at Berlin's Victory Column or anywhere else in the world. I am just honored that I will be voting for a person who CAN actually speak! What a relief after the past 8 years!

[JKoos]

I agree. I love hearing BO speak. If only he was saying the right things in a consistent manner. Maybe this will improve once he is POTUS.

[Justsaynodeal]

He is audacious in his ambition and has no sense of boundries.

[SaulGoode]

O bama is so clueless, it's embarrassing to be an American.

The tower wasn't just moved, it's a completely different one altogether. It was meant as the symbol of the N azi Third R eich.

[Yola]

That is why it is a GREAT location - Hitler must be rolling in his grave in utter misery :=D

[Superbus]

Do you think that the leftists really have a subconscious love of nazism?

[Americatortures]

No, the GOP and the neo-conartists do..they LOVE IT!!

[Alfannell]

I know the rights doesn't like a black man running for offices.

[Americatortures]

Really...and how about for the last 7 1/2 years...Sparky???

[allonfla]

Your Nazi comment is clueless. Click on the link and edumacate yourself! http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/20/10446/0072/95/554188

[SaulGoode]

Even German officials are saying it's wrong because it's a N azi memorial

[geobushono]

The Christian Democrat Merkel prevented Obama from speaking at Brandenburg Gate.
They're not going to be close.those two.

[axt113]

So, change it into an Obama victory memorial

[Justsaynodeal]

No, they can't do that until 0-man draws 75,000 to hear him speak....maybe they can book a rock band to play back-up.

[naschkatze]

And you are the Minister of Misinformation. It is a Prussian war memorial just as the article states. Do you accuse the present day Germans of having a memorial to the Nazis? You are out of your silly gourd.

[lady49]

Simple Saul has been regurgitating Rush's idiotic ramblings since the primaries.
Thanks for putting him "in check" with the facts..
Maybe he can get the info back to Rush.

[Justsaynodeal]

No, but there are some neonazis alive and well there..........

[reshas1]

Hitler didn’t just move the monument to its more central location. He had a taller column built for it as well, to emphasize its message of German military domination over Europe. He saw it as a message to Germans of their destiny — as well as to other Europeans as their destiny as well. It was never meant as a symbol of peaceful, multicultural co-existence.
Team Obama has outdone themselves on symbolism with this choice. They’ve managed to make their hosts uncomfortable for a second time with their choice of rallying point, and perhaps more so this time. If one wanted to talk peace, what worse location could one choose than Adolf Hitler’s favorite monument to militaristic domination? One has to wonder how France, Denmark, and Austria will feel about Obama rallying German masses under the Siegessäule. Deja vu?

[Superbus]

Two great anti-communist Presidents, Kennedy and Reagan, have spoken to the German people. Now they will hear from the anti-Kennedy, anti-Reagan, Obama.

[mindlessmissy]

Who cares about a monument ... ? This man can speak in front of a weathered down building and He will still manage to garner enough audience to get his message across ...

Now that is one specimen America CAN be proud of ...

[reshas1]

Evidently you don't know your history and how sensitive German's and European's still feel about Hitler and the Holocaust....


Barak Bunglebama.

[Alfannell]

So were do you want him the speak? He's been told that he can't speak were they use to have the Berlin wall.

[strandwolf]

Forever tainted? Old ground...new hope!