American Views Abroad


Friday, July 25, 2008
 

Desperately seeking the other America or why else would 200,000 citizens of another country stand for hours after having to go through security checks to hear Obama speak? Very many of those who attended are not necessarily fluent in English. Yet they came after years of being deeply disturbed and disappointed at US policies.

It is one thing to get up bleary eyed at three in the morning to hear a speech thousands of miles away or to find it on the Internet after having read the various commentaries on it. Yesterday one could settle in to experience the man and his speech at normal operating times. It was a rare glimpse to see just how accurate media reports have been on how this one candidate is.

Obama came across as striving for a dialogue with others. He appeared neither arrogant nor in any way a pop star or entertainer. There was nothing messianic in his speech. He approached the crowd with a genuine smile, started off declaring he wasn't speaking as a candidate, but rather as two citizens, that of the US and of the world. What surprised a leading national newspaper here was the fact he not only talked to US voters at home, but (correctly) remembered to speak to his European audience. How can you be in Berlin and not use the image of a Wall and relate it to the world today? Breaking down walls has to be the dominant theme in these times.

Reading through various US papers on the web today, there is an underlying theme that there are US voters still unsure if they can throw their support to him because they find him lacking in experience. He's all talk seems to be the motto and what exactly are his plans should he become President?

What were the Current Occupier's plans before he entered the White House? Were the voters fully aware of them pre-November 2000? When you start out trying to accomplish something politically, shouldn't the first move be with words? Words lead to actions and programs, but first let's get to know how the candidate ticks and thinks. Let's get a world picture from him (or her) and take it from there.



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