Comments on: Obama in Berlin: so much about the UK’s special relationship

By: EvilEuropean

EvilEuropean — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:41:27 +0000

There is nothing ‘special’ about the special relationship. It has been a one sided affair for along time, one that helps keep Europe divided. The USA now uses NATO and the special relationship to divide and prevent a more constructive European defence policy.
Ironically, its in the USA own intrest to have a strong Europe, but at the same time they have got use to having European nations follow its lead….a result of the Cold War.

Saying that, the UK has alot more leverage that it realises. Alot of those US military bases around the world are on UK territory!

By: Frazer

Frazer — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:57:51 +0000

You are right – the Brits do need the comfort blanket of a US – UK special relationship, and they have for a long time not really appreciated that this “special relationship” might not necessarily be the most important European relationship for the USA. Mind you that’s not all the Brits (well most of my fellow countrymen and women) have got seriously wrong…

By: Jon Worth

Jon Worth — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:33:56 +0000

Agh, you were taken in with the rhetoric too! OK, Obama is a master speech maker, but the words struck me as being rather empty, don’t you think? Spend some time in the USA and then you’ll have a different conception of ‘Freiheit’ or the lack of it.

As for the special relationship – I agree that the Brits have got it wrong for a long time.

By: Barack Obama’s European Vacation | Nosemonkey’s EUtopia

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:11:10 +0000

[...] (though if you do want a good range of analysis, try Kosmopolit, Federal Union, EU Referendum, Jan’s EU Blog and Mark [...]

By: ESLaPorte

ESLaPorte — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:32:40 +0000

The Bush right-wing talking heads are complaining that Obama talked too much about the Berliners and their tribulations during the Berlin Airlift – and not enough about American military power. That’s punctuates the trouble with the Bush right-wing, looking down at others and only bring concern about the American end of the “partnership.” Barack should have gloated more about American power and less about our “allies.”

Second – I am glad that Barack brought up immigration and his African father. He did this in the heart of Europe in the backdrop of the harsh and punitive “Return” Directive, which allows Member States to jail illegal immigrants for 18 months and the ban them European Continent for five years. Also, down in Italy, we are seeing the abuse of the Roma in a manner not witnessed since the end of WWII. Barack included this story about his father in the backdrop the building of Fortress Europe and the coming of harsh immigration policies sweeping the continent. This was a much needed part of Barack’s speech toward Europe.

It is hoped that when President Obama takes office, he will challenge Europe on the growing number of harsh and punitive immigration policies…