Barack Obama was in Strasbourg, France, giving a speech that may go down in history as the moment that the "re-boot" button was pushed on American relations with Europe. The era of "You are with us, or you are with the terrorists" is over.
There is little doubt that in a matter of days, Barack Obama has transformed America's place in the world. Obama speaking in Strasbourg, a city that stands as a symbol of unity between France and Germany, President Obama continued to lead. Using his professorial style that gives praise with one hand and criticism with the other, Obama boldly stated:
"In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world," and that "there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive." He followed that frank statement of humility with an observation of Europe's own foibles. The President told a crowd of roughly 1,000 German and French citizens that Europeans have often accepted "an anti-Americanism that is at once casual, but can also be insidious." He reminded Europeans that they have too readily "chose to blame Americans for much of what is bad," without looking at "all that we have done that is good."
He literally shouted as he reminded all in attendance that he has called for the "Closing of Guantanamo," and that "America will not torture!" And, his words were met by the applause and cheers of people who accepted his words with sincerity. Earlier in the day, French President Sarkozy agreed to accept a French prisoner being held in Guantanamo, if it would help facilitate the closure of the notorious American gulag.
He opened the floor to ordinary European citizens who asked better questions than any American journalist. He answered each of their questions slowly, so that the translators could keep up, with respect, with honesty, and in a manner that does honor to us all.
As this tall, calm, empathetic African-American man reminded the French of their own ideals of libérté, égalité, fraternité, I couldn't help but think that the world I woke up to had changed inexorably...
All while most of us were sleeping.
(Video of the entire town hall is here via C-Span, thanks to paddykraska) Any help embedding it from the Kos staff would be appreciated.
In the meantime, you can read this: "Obama gets big cheers at French town hall meeting."
Oh, thank you for the Rec' list. Grandma and Grandpa are doing fine folks. Send them some more postcards.