Obama fires up Berlin Wall celebrations- surprise message beamed into ceremonies at Brandenburg Gate

[jefferson_dem]

Obama fires up Berlin Wall celebrations
by Simon Sturdee

A video address from US President Obama provided the icing on the cake to celebrations marking 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall sounded the death knell for communism in Europe.

In the surprise message beamed into ceremonies at the Brandenburg Gate, once on the border between East and West Berlin, Obama told cheering crowds: "Even in the face of tyranny. people insisted that the world could change."

Obama's address came after German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR), on Monday led a throng leaders through the Brandenburg Gate for the climax of a day of emotional celebrations.

More than 100,000 revellers braved wet November weather to see Merkel and leaders including Russian President Dmitry Medvedev give rousing speeches before 1,000 giant dominoes on the former path of the wall were toppled.

With former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and ex-Polish president Lech Walesa also present, the crowd was treated to a live orchestra, a fireworks display and music from Bon Jovi.

The Scorpions hit "Wind of Change", which became the unofficial theme tune of the fall of the Berlin Wall, also rang out through the drizzle.

"Let us never forget November 9, 1989, nor the sacrifices that made it possible," Obama said. "Together, let us keep the light of freedom burning bright for all who live in the darkness of tyranny and believe in the hope of a brighter day."

<SNIP>

http://www.insing.com/news/international/Obama-fires-up-Berlin-Wall-celebrations/id-8ffd0100/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Any video of not only Obama's address but the crowd reaction out there?

[Clio the Leo]

4. Video...

.... of Sec. Clinton and POTUS...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwgxH3rHEVg

[Beaverhausen]

7. thanks for that link

some ugly comments on that page. yuck

[Cha]

2. Cool! Way to

surprise them in their happiness, President Obama~

[David__77]

3. The hypocrisy is repellent, coming from anyone.

Who is leading global tyranny today? What "sacrifices" is he referring to? The self-destruction of the Russian ruling class in 1988-1991? The government of East Germany peacefully abdicated its position. The sacrifices I care about are the fighters against German fascism. They were betrayed in 1989.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Next time piss up instead of on my parade.

[JVS]

8. They should have never let Gorby be General Secretary!!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. LOL

:nopity:

[NYC_SKP]

5. WOW! Just like the Bat Signal. Dadadadadadadadada BatMan!!!

[HopeOverFear]

10. LMAO is that what it looked like?