Wow, Geoff, I can only imagine what it must have been like to see the towers collapse from within viewing distance.  That must have been horrible.  I remember the feelings of mistrust we all had walking around campus at the University I was attending, no one able to look others in the eyes for very long.

QUOTE: Nazism? REALLY? How in the world did he make that connection?

Apparently the monument he spoke in front of (because he wasn't allowed to speak at another location he had chosen, since the mayor or whatever said no) was a "goddess" of victory/war, from which the term Zieg Heil (sp?) originated.  Also, because the 200,000 spectators there (compared to McCain's speaking at a.... restaurant the same day) was reminiscent of Hitler's speeches to the German citizens.  It couldn't just be that the world prefers the leader of the most powerful nation to be someone who likes to foster peace through diplomacy and partnership first, rather than through invasion and occupation.

Here's the thing: I trust what the world and at least half (looks like more) of the American public want in an American president.  I want the world to love us again.  I want to go back to Italy to visit family and have strangers ask me about America with a gleam in their eye instead of contempt.  This cowboy warmongering isolationist idea that has developed (and would seemingly continue under McCain) will only create more and more enemies for us.  We should trust what Europe thinks about America; our laws and rules were borrowed from them.  The way of life of European nations is something we should incorporate or emulate, not scorn as being useless.  The more friends we have based on trust and actions, the easier it will be to find the hidden cells of terrorists around the world.

So Obama isn't allowed to speak in front of Brandenburger Tor, as it symbolizes in part the end of the Cold War, and might evoke JFK's and Reagan's speeches at the same location, and somehow Obama gets the blame for some wacko inference drawn from a statue at the NEW location?

And really? No-one told the guy that using the word "Nazi" to in any way describe anything to do with a black guy of a mixed-race background might just be, not only in extremely poor taste, but really, really stupid?

Anyone have a link to that? Because that just seems incredible.

I want to go back to Italy to visit family and have strangers ask me about America with a gleam in their eye instead of contempt.  This cowboy warmongering isolationist idea that has developed (and would seemingly continue under McCain) will only create more and more enemies for us. 

I agree...and ultimately that's why I'm planning on voting for Obama. Domestically, I don't think he's going to be good for our economy at all (hopefully I'm wrong). But I'm willing to risk that for now bc I believe our international situation is a more immediate concern. And I think Obama will do wonders for us internationally. That, along with the historical and social importance of having the first black president (since unlike previous legit candidates - Jackson and maybe Sharpton - this guy is actually qualified). Yes, that reason is not fair to McCain...but them's the breaks.

We should trust what Europe thinks about America; our laws and rules were borrowed from them.  The way of life of European nations is something we should incorporate or emulate, not scorn as being useless. 

To a certain extent...but also the Americanized version of those laws and rules are what propelled us to great heights. There was a reason so many inventions and breakthroughs happened in America. I think we need to get back to being REAL Americans (and not partyline slogans and paper patriots). We should look to Europe (and other nations) for what works and incorporate that into our own American fabric...that's what we did best "back in the day." We're supposed to be the melting pot after all, right?

The more friends we have based on trust and actions, the easier it will be to find the hidden cells of terrorists around the world.

Agree. And that's the sad irony of how our "war on terror" has actually made it tougher for us to fight terrorists.

However, we can't go too far in the other direction...sometimes we will be right and Europe will be wrong. We have to be ready to stick to our guns when we need to, and we need to be willing to listen and change course when we need to. I think that's the type of thinking and nuance and strength that Obama will bring to the table.

Knut- I don't believe Beck actually spoke the word in the specific show I listened to, but others in the media were criticizing his description of the event that way.  If you read this particular transcript, you may get that sense, but he doesn't actually say "nazi".

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0807/24/gb.01.html

Domestically, I don't think he's going to be good for our economy at all (hopefully I'm wrong).

I imagine you have a specific example, but by and large, in our lifetimes, the Democratic Party Economic strategy (bottom up) has been more beneficial to America than the Republicans - (top down).

I assume you have a specific example of what Obama is going to do that will differ from the Democratic norm?

Doesn't actually say the word "Nazi", but sure does a good job of suggesting it. Tons of invective about Obama being Marxist, and ...

Sorry, but that Beck guy seems to be completely clueless about the whole thing. 

No understanding of context, no understanding of what the parts he quotes actually mean in terms of foreign policy. And of course the capper: " He`s laying out your foreign policy. You know, you want to do that? " As if Obama discussing his  proposals or ideas for US foreign policy in Germany rather than in a US press conference is somehow going to let us "Darn foreigners" in on some top secret info that we can't get from the US press.

Part of what Obama has promised and is running on as  a presidential candidate is to restore America's standing in the world (which realistically leads to increasing its power, influence and respect) and his "performance" in Berlin is about showing HOW he intends to do that.

The US president has, for quite some time,  had the role of "Leader of the Free World". What Bush forgot was that it's a title that doesn't come with the job, but that requires the consent of the governed, in this case "The Free World". So he lost it.

Obama's putting in an application, just in case he wins. The question is, why isn't McCain?

I assume you have a specific example of what Obama is going to do that will differ from the Democratic norm?

There is a Democratic norm?  Democrats cover a broad range from ultra-liberal to leaning on the conservative side.  How can there be a Democratic norm?  Now if you are asking for an example of what Obama is going to do that will differ from the liberal norm, I could understand.  The Democratic party is made up of too varied a base to have a single norm.

Exactly Scott. And Mike, I didn't mention anything about Democratic Party Economic strategy (whatever that is).  I mentioned Obama. He's one of the most liberal Democrats out there...and I don't think that bodes well for the economy.

I disagree.  While there is a wide varitey of thought in the Democratic ranks, the bottom line in terms of economics is:  Bottom Up as opposed to the Republican's Top Down.

Again - any specifics?  Something I don't know about in terms of his stated goals, or based on his existing government record in the US Senate and ILL Legislature, or even his time as a community organizer?

I'll just use your bottom line. Bottom Up vs Top Down (although that is a GROSS oversimplification). Bottom Up sounds nice and makes you feel good about yourself...except that it doesn't work.

And what would his time as a community organizer have to do with the economy? That's like saying what would my job as a sales manager indicate about how I'd handle the economy.