FYI: It's "I'm Embarrassed To Be An American" Day

Junior Ill. Senator Barack Obama is on his way to France today. By the end of this media junk-it, he will have visited several foreign countries throughout Europe and the Middle East.

I would just like to say ... oh, heck - Barack already said it better than I ever could:

It’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they all speak French, they speak German, and then we go over to Europe (laughter) and all we can say is ‘Merci Beaucoup.’ (Laughter ensues) Right?!”

Ironic that about all Obama can muster up is "Merci Beaucoup" while traveling abroad.

BERLIN (AFP) — US presidential hopeful Barack Obama was due in Paris on Friday a day after telling a vast crowd of 200,000 people in Berlin that Americans and Europeans must tear down walls between estranged allies, races and faiths, in a soaring challenge to a new political generation.

Comments

[IslamoLlama]

"-- Ironic that about all Obama can muster up is "Merci Beaucoup" while traveling abroad. --"

Um... no Dan. Much like rain on your wedding day and a black fly in your chardonnay, this would be what we refer to as "unfortunate".

Furthermore, you're complaint is rather retarded. If Obama got up and commented on how America lacks not only linguists but nuclear physicists, would you be insulting Barry for his lack of a Ph.D. in particle mechanics? Had he lamented America's lack of soccer players, would you be attacking him for playing basketball?

Who are we kidding? Of course you would.

"Honey! Git da gun! Der try'n ta mak us lern foran jibba jabba!"
http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/9998.html

[chris]

Do you even have a passport?

[Mr DeBakey]

The thing I found interesting was that Obama spoke in front of 2000,000 in Berlin, Germany
Meanwhile, Candidate McCain spoke in front of 2 dozen in the Historic German Village in Columbus Ohio.
Where is McCain going today? Texas? Paris, Texas? And on to New England tomorrow?

[IslamoLlama]

http://pentdego.com/prentjes/7513d5.jpg

[templar knight]

Dan, Barack was just trying to pull off another Camelot connection. His speech in Berlin was just another reminder of his relationship with JFK, who spoke at the Berlin wall once upon a time. Very nice speech, I might add. Oh, back to the present, Barack claimed that his father was brought over to the US in an airlift from Kenya paid for by the Kennedys, which would be another Camelot connection. It's fate...fate...I tells ya', except for one minor detail. Jack and Bobby didn't have anything to do with Senior coming to America(Hm..that might make a good movie). Just another lie. Will it all end happily ever after?

Oh, by the way, this one was for THC. So he will know what a truthteller the Obama is.

[Fred Beloit]

Wow thousands upon thousands of Germans would like to vote for rock music and Obama. But why, why, do we continue to unjustly forbid felons and decent folks from other countries to vote? After all, they are citizens of the world, as we are. They should be allowed to vote. Anyone care to start a petition?

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

ZOMG! How dare Obama encourage American children to learn a skill that will make them more marketable?!?! Don't most high schools and colleges in this country already require foreign language credits already? You people get stupider by the week.

[Fred Beloit]

ZOMG! Is Obama a polyglot? Sadly, no. Is he marketable? He's the Dem candidate for Pres ain't he. Guess speaking more than one language doesn't necessarily have much to do with marketability, unless one is applying for the job of translator.

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

"In the late 1950s, Mboya was seeking support for a scholarship program that would send Kenyan students to US colleges - similar to other exchanges the US backed in developing nations during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Mboya appealed to the state department. When that trail went cold, he turned to then-senator Kennedy.

Kennedy, who chaired the senate subcommittee on Africa, arranged a $100,000 grant through his family's foundation to help Mboya keep the program running.

"It was not a matter in which we sought to be involved," Kennedy said in an August 1960 senate speech. "Nevertheless, Mr Mboya came to see us and asked for help, when none of the other foundations could give it, when the federal government had turned it down quite precisely. We felt something ought to be done."

One of the first students airlifted to America was Barack Obama Sr, who married a white Kansas native named Ann Dunham during his US studies. Their son, born in 1961 and named for his father, has only once mentioned his Kennedy connection on the campaign trail."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jan/10/usa.uselections2008

[Andy B]

Prediction: Obama's Germany speech is his "global test" moment; It's his "RAHHHH" moment; It's his "ride in a tank" moment. And yes, it's the beginning of the end.

If there is one thing American's don't want, even if they can't easily articulate it, is some haughty elitist politician telling them they shouldn't think they way they think, believe what they believe, and want and aspire for what they want and aspire for.

This isn't some poll tested perception. This is a fundamental American trait that shouldn't be visited or debated. And that's exactly what Obama did in his speech yesterday.

He softly scolded American's for being American's. He told us we are too let go of what is American and embrace what is global. This is antithetical to even democrats, not to mention average hard working American's.

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

"Guess speaking more than one language doesn't necessarily have much to do with marketability, unless one is applying for the job of translator."

Wow. The charming denseness of the North American wingnut. Do you even have a passport? Have you ever conducted business internationally? Ever sought a high-paying professional gig where being multi-lingual will earn you thousands more per year? Ask someone with a clue, Fwed.

[Fred Beloit]

"You people get stupider by the week."
Yes, Totally, but surely it must be dawning on a bright person like you that many of us are far too stupid even right now to understand and appreciate the beauty and truth of your rhetorical flourishes and penetrating insights. Why not give up on us?

[Mr DeBakey]

Since when is ignorance & insularity a virtue?

[Fred Beloit]

"The charming denseness of the North American wingnut." Tell me, Totally, what other of the world's tongues do you have at your command. I hope you speak Arabic or Russian. If not you will lose out. That seems to be where most of the money is these days.

[Fred Beloit]

And, DaBookie, what fluencies are yours?

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

"Since when is ignorance & insularity a virtue?"

Since the wingers realized that they can win elections by exploiting the same.

[seekeronos]

"--- The thing I found interesting was that Obama spoke in front of 2000,000 in Berlin, Germany
Meanwhile, Candidate McCain spoke in front of 2 dozen in the Historic German Village in Columbus Ohio.
Where is McCain going today? Texas? Paris, Texas? And on to New England tomorrow? ---"

Funny item, this whole thing is.

Last I checked, the campaign was for President of the United States, and not World Emperor.

About 90% of Obama's trip to Eurasia is pretentious showboating.

Meanwhile, other presidential candidates (Dr. Baldwin, Mr. Barr, and Sen. McCain are speaking to Americans.

As for the whole language thing, I don't see what the fuss is about. If you want to learn a foreign language, that's fine. But there is no reason to be embarrassed for being monolingual. And that comes much more from our British heritage, when Britain ruled (or significantly influenced) most of the civilised world.

We are a monolingual nation for the most part, and currently we speak a language recognized by most of the world as the international language, the "lingua mundi". It is quite a bit different from Europe which consists of several geographically compact nations with numerous tongues.

For Europeans, it is as common to know at least two if not three languages (most often their own mother tongue, then English, then whatever major regional power's language (such as German, French, or Russian depending upon whose orbit you are in).

But y'all liberals shouldn't fret. Between Chinese expansionism and La Raza agitating for non-assimilation of Latinos /Mesoamericans we will likely be trilingually English, Spanish and Mandarin speakers in a couple-three generations from now.

[Fred Beloit]

Answers? Silence. I guess these two polyglots are just ignorant and insular uniglots. Probably products of a unionized education.

"Where is McCain going today? Texas? Paris, Texas? And on to New England tomorrow?" It seems DaBookie likes to be trendy. Obama is trendy. DaBookie wants McCain to be trendy. If McCain becomes trendy, undoubtedly DaBookie will vote for McCain."

[Totally Heterosexual Conservative]

"Answers? Silence." - Fwed

Good point, Fwed, ye old master of strawmen and distraction: "Do you even have a passport? Have you ever conducted business internationally? Ever sought a high-paying professional gig where being multi-lingual will earn you thousands more per year?"

Answers? Silence. Go back to bed.

[Fwed Beloit]

"I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the deserts bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.

I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellisburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.

(Thanks Mr Cash. RIP)

I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- Dan, Barack was just trying to pull off another Camelot connection. His speech in Berlin was just another reminder of his relationship with JFK, who spoke at the Berlin wall once upon a time. --"

Well, Kennedy and Reagen. And Clinton, too, I might add.
Now, Kennedy and Reagen were two of the most popular Presidents of the 20th Century, so I can see how Obama might not want to try and patent himself after those particular dynamic figures. Better to go the McCain route and play at a Bush Third Term.

"-- It seems DaBookie likes to be trendy. Obama is trendy. DaBookie wants McCain to be trendy. If McCain becomes trendy, undoubtedly DaBookie will vote for McCain. --"

Lols! Yeah, you're just voting for Obama because he's pretty and talks nice. And he's cool. I bet you'd vote for Bono from U2 if he ran for President. Or George Carlin. Or Jay Zee. Because you're stupid.

I'm voting for McCain cause I'm smrt.

People who don't vote for my candidate are all retarded and if Obama wins, its only because America is dumb.

Yeah. That'll win votes. We've got this shit in the bag.

[seekeronos]

And what non-English languages do you have a native-level fluency in, THC? Mr. Debakey? Islamollama?

Sure you all don't mean to tell us wingers that you are all polyglots (unless of course, you are actually all the same person)...?

But suddenly, I somehow do not think that most liberals are international translators by trade. In fact, I'd venture to guess that like most of us, they are largely monolingual, with perhaps an elementary knowledge of a second language, unless they are first or possibly second generation children of immigrants.

Well travelled, perhaps. Well spoken, ... well, perhaps not so well after all?

[Fred Beloit]

"Yeah. That'll win votes. We've got this shit in the bag."

Thank you, thank you, Moe. You got the Anglo-Saxon in just at the last second. You really had me in suspense. I feel as if I were no longer standing in...the gathering dusk.

Now what about those lips, huh?

[seekeronos]

"--- Yeah. That'll win votes. We've got this **** in the bag. ---"

Ah, Presumption.

*sniff*sniff*sniff*

Yup, that would also be the sweet smell of eventual failure: watered by the fresh rains of "Bravo Sierra" coming down from the MSM on high.

It reminds me of a recent episode of Jon Stewart's less than entertaining show where he comments about Obama's whirlwind traveling sideshow throughout the world, after a clip of someone mentioning that Obama gave a speech in the Temple of Hercules:

"Oh... McCain is sooooo screwed!"

As if to say that this single event of seeming self-gratifyingly praise of the Obamessiah giving his very own sermon on (Hercules') mount isn't either the unvarnished TRVTH or is indeed a setup for a nasty Fall (pun intended).

[Fred Beloit]

"Well traveled, perhaps. Well spoken, ... well, perhaps not so well after all?"

But seek, don't forget the multi-million dollar deals DaBookie and Totally do daily in exotic locale's, and all because they learned to get a passport in high school.

[Worst President Ever]

"Jon Stewart's less than entertaining show"

Don't watch it then.

Yeah, why would we care a bit about what any other country thinks. We can do the whole Global War on Terror on our own, we don't need no help. And hey, we're already the biggest debtor nation in the world, we'll just keep borrowing from them to finance it.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- And what non-English languages do you have a native-level fluency in, THC? Mr. Debakey? Islamollama? --"

See, that's kinda the joke here, Fred. Very few people have native-level fluency in foreign languages, and we consider that a problem. Barry agrees and is proposing that we encourage and increase second language skills at earlier grade levels.

Stating "you don't speak German, but the Germans largely speak English" just re-enforces the fact that we've got a problem. Should only ploygots be allowed to petition for increased language education? Does this apply to any other fields, Fred?

I don't have an art degree. Am I allowed to petition my community to build an art museum? I don't have a pilot's license. Am I prohibited from asking for better FAA funding. I don't farm. Should I be allowed to talk about irrigation in my area? I'm not a member of the military, and yet here I am protesting the Iraq War. Is that against the rules as well?

What bizarre standards you've erected. People who don't have things aren't allowed to ask for them.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- It reminds me of a recent episode of Jon Stewart's less than entertaining show where he comments about Obama's whirlwind traveling sideshow throughout the world, after a clip of someone mentioning that Obama gave a speech in the Temple of Hercules --"

LOLS! So I was watching this hyper-liberal totally partisan show by this incredibly un-funny comedian that I think is highly over rated and I personally can't stand, like I always do, and...

Man-Bear Pig! Man-Bear Pig!
Now excuse me, while I tell you how outrageously liberal and offensive South Park is.

[Fred Beloit]

Moe, you little hypocrite:

"Jon Stewart's less than entertaining show"
Don't watch it then."

You come on here and daily insult this blog and the conservatives who enjoy it. You clearly don't enjoy it. Why show up? (Note to regulars: This ought to bet good)

[Fred Beloit]

No. See, Moe, you are confusing me with seek.

"'-- And what non-English languages do you have a native-level fluency in, THC? Mr. Debakey? Islamollama? --"

See, that's kinda the joke here, Fred."

[JustOneMan]

Isnt Jon Stewarts real name - Jonathan Leibowitz? Gee wonder what he is hiding?

[Fred Beloit]

WWWhhhhaaa WWWhhhhaaa WWWhhhhaaa: FALSE ANALOGY ALERT WWWhhhhaaa WWWhhhhaaa WWWhhhhaaa.

Moe say: "I don't have an art degree. Am I allowed to petition my community to build an art museum? I don't have a pilot's license. Am I prohibited from asking for better FAA funding. I don't farm. Should I be allowed to talk about irrigation in my area?"

Obama tells every one of us we need to learn a foreign language. He isn't petitioning, asking, or talking about. He is preaching. If he gets enough power, he will be insisting or demanding. Naughty twister of logic, Moe.

[Fred Beloit]

"Moe, you little hypocrite:" Shucks I done called out the wrong hypocrite. It was Herr Verst who wrote: "Jon Stewart's less than entertaining show"
Don't watch it then."

[chris]

I see overfed midwestern/southern rubes every day here in Manhattan. Before they learn a foreign language they should learn to get decent haircuts and clothes that fit them properly.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- Isnt Jon Stewarts real name - Jonathan Leibowitz? Gee wonder what he is hiding? --"

His Lucky Charms.

"-- Obama tells every one of us we need to learn a foreign language. He isn't petitioning, asking, or talking about. He is preaching. If he gets enough power, he will be insisting or demanding. Naughty twister of logic, Moe. --"

He's not petitioning or asking or talking about it? ORLY? Soon he'll be insisting? Demanding? I can see it plain as day. 2012, and the "You don't speak Spanish" Gulags will be admitting their first serial English-only speakers. I assume this'll be after he nationalizes all major news organizations and makes Islam the state religion.

If only we'd voted McCain! If only we'd listened!

[seekeronos]

"--- It was Herr Verst who wrote: "Jon Stewart's less than entertaining show"
Don't watch it then." ---"

Indeed... my eyes were assaulted with Mr. Liebowitz's (Stewart's) dreadfully hyper-partisan, hyper-liberal show as I surfed from ESPN to the History channel.

Like an azure vortex of evil, its tendrils drew me in for a few seconds, until I managed to reach for the cloves of garlic and the remote used to keep those liberal programmes at bay.

Trust me, I most certainly do not make a habit of viewing the pablum spewed up by Messrs. Liebowitz or Colbert (to be pronounced in its proper Irish intonation as "kohl-BURT").

[Spartan112]

"Last I checked, the campaign was for President of the United States, and not World Emperor."

Someone needs to remind W and Cheney about that I believe.

[seekeronos]

"--- See, that's kinda the joke here, .... Very few people have native-level fluency in foreign languages, and we consider that a problem. Barry agrees and is proposing that we encourage and increase second language skills at earlier grade levels. ---"

Here is what it is: we do not NEED a federal mandate to speak a second language in grammar school. Local school districts can decide for themselves if that is a need for their districts or not; or individual families may decide to acquire a second language tutor or enroll their kids into a class or a school that has early foreign language programmes.

But as I said, there really isn't much of a need to teach kids how to speak Mandarin or Russian or French or even Spanish: it IS necessary that all kids learn English first. That is the de facto national language, and this will actually work to the benefit of immigrants that they learn to assimilate and speak our language.

I'm sure that it works the same in other countries: though they _may_ speak my language, I will definitely have more success by learning theirs should I ever decide to live their for an extended time. I was fortunate to have lived in West Germany as a youth, and learned to converse (if not perfectly) in German; I really had to learn it in order to make friends with other kids in the neighbourhood who were (not surprisingly) German nationals.

I speak and read Japanese (though not on a native level) but I actually had to learn it when staying in Japan and speaking with my wife's family, most of whom, like typical Japanese, learned English in middle school, but rarely make much use of it in their adult life. If I ever get called to missionary work there, or otherwise move there on business, I would focus much more on learning it unto native fluency.

By comparison, my small smattering of Spanish is useful when I go on vacation to Mexico or elsewhere in Latin America, but I really can't hold a meaningful conversation beyond "I'd like a beer please" (Quiero que una cervesa por favor) or "Which way to the post office" (Donde esta la officina de correo) and similar dialogue.

Most of my business and life is spent here in the US or in other English dominant countries... forcing schools to pay for language instruction when it is not really practical for most Americans seems to be another excuse to expend taxpayer money and the intrusiveness of federal government.

Forcing/mandating the learning of multiple languages it just for the sake of national "bragging rights" is wasteful. Let parents decide if they want to spend the money and time to teach their kids other languages.

[SacTownMan]

Wow he issued a "soaring challenge".

I am so starting to feel a tingly feeling in my leg again!

I am feeling so inspired right now!

When he loses this fall he can go run for Grand PuBah of the world next.

[seekeronos]

Spartan quotes me at: "Last I checked, the campaign was for President of the United States, and not World Emperor."

Then he says:

"--- Someone needs to remind W and Cheney about that I believe. ---"

Indeed? W. and Cheney did not campaign in foreign nations nor particularly sought their approval of their candidacy for office.

They did certainly make an attempt to assert themselves beyond the Constitutional bounds of their office, but this really is not terribly different from most holders of their offices since the time of Lincoln, with the more egregious offenders generally tending to be those of the Democratic Party, and certainly every president since FDR.

[JustOneMan]

"So this is our moment. This is our time." Bono 2005

"This is our moment, this is our time." Obama 2008

Gee...the plot thickens...all of his best lines are stolen!!!

[tally]

barrack hussein obama aka barry soreto sucks.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

Ah come on, at least he didn't stand up there and declare himself a jelly donut like the last "bestest democrat ever".

ICH BEIN EIN BERLINER!!!!!