Cotton Candy, Popcorn, And German Chocolate For The Folks In The Back

David Brooks ignores Obama's dis of Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson and looks for the substance of Obama's speech.  He is still looking:

...[Per Obama's speech] The Berlin blockade was thwarted because people came together. Apartheid ended because people came together and walls tumbled. Winning the cold war was the same: “People of the world,” Obama declared, “look at Berlin, where a wall came down, a continent came together and history proved there is no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.”

When I first heard this sort of radically optimistic speech in Iowa, I have to confess my American soul was stirred. It seemed like the overture for a new yet quintessentially American campaign.

But now it is more than half a year on, and the post-partisanship of Iowa has given way to the post-nationalism of Berlin, and it turns out that the vague overture is the entire symphony. The golden rhetoric impresses less, the evasion of hard choices strikes one more.

When John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan went to Berlin, their rhetoric soared, but their optimism was grounded in the reality of politics, conflict and hard choices. Kennedy didn’t dream of the universal brotherhood of man. He drew lines that reflected hard realities: “There are some who say, in Europe and elsewhere, we can work with the Communists. Let them come to Berlin.” Reagan didn’t call for a kumbaya moment. He cited tough policies that sparked harsh political disagreements — the deployment of U.S. missiles in response to the Soviet SS-20s — but still worked.

In Berlin, Obama made exactly one point with which it was possible to disagree. In the best paragraph of the speech, Obama called on Germans to send more troops to Afghanistan.

The argument will probably fall on deaf ears. The vast majority of Germans oppose that policy. But at least Obama made an argument.

Steven Erlanger of the Times makes a similar point:

News Analysis

Obama, Vague on Issues, Pleases Crowd in Europe

By STEVEN ERLANGER

PARIS — For Senator Barack Obama, who came to Europe once in the last four years, making a stop in London on his way to Russia, the response of many Europeans to his potential presidency has been gratifying — emotional, responsive, replete with the sense of hope he seeks to engender about a more flexible, less ideological America.

European governments and politicians are not so sure.

On Thursday evening in a glittering Berlin, Mr. Obama delivered a tone poem to American and European ideals and shared history.

But he was vague on crucial issues of trade, defense and foreign policy that currently divide Washington from Europe and are likely to continue to do so even if he becomes president — issues ranging from Russia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan to new refueling tankers and chlorinated chickens, the focus of an 11-year European ban on American poultry imports.

Kumbaya, baby - our next President.

NOT FEELING THE FEELING: Now this is just disrespectful. 

Comments

[clarice]

PUK, what really used to get me angry about British food was the utter snobbery of it..the assumption that if you weren't willing to shell out way more for it than you'd pay anywhere here or on the Continent you had no taste buds and would be happy eating utter swill.

Good food could always be had but at an outrageously high price.

[hit and run]

CNN shows Edwards with 6 pledged delegates.

[clarice]

Elliott--meals at the Fortnum grill are also very nice and reasonable for London.

[clarice]

Well, then Edwards delegates aren't of much use to RW, are they?

[clarice]

I think the Edwards thing is less likely a political hit than Rielle or her friends yanking the rug out from Silky Pony. If by some odd chance he were nominated he'd have an impossible time publicly acknowledging Rielle and the child for years and years.

[Soylent Red]

Elliot:

Go to church at St. Martins in Trafalgar square and listen to baroque music.

Two of the best meals I ever ate were a shepherd's pie and beer in Oxford, and a plate of haggis and potatoes in Edinburgh. British cooking is pretty good if you ask me.

[clarice]

I've eaten food all over the world and the only time I ever got food poisoning on a trip abroad was in England eating shepherd's pie.

You liked haggis? That explains a hell of a lot, Soylent.

[Elliott]

a plate of haggis and potatoes in Edinburgh

My goodness, you are brave. But, we knew that already.

By the way, where would you recommend to eat in Omaha?

[hit and run]

Soylent:
a plate of haggis and potatoes in Edinburgh

I had dinner with a Scottish neighbor last night (no haggis).

He related the story of a recent meeting at work were he found another Scotsman.

After the meeting my neighbor said to his fellow countryman, "We should go grab a Scottish lunch sometime."

To which the fellow replied, "Yeah, I know a great Indian restaurant on just up the road."

Apparently eating Indian food is Scottish.

Especially after throwing a few back at the pub.

Who knew?

[Jane]

It also seems Stanley was under 18 when he got her pregnant. I do not know what the statutory rape age in Hawaii was at the time.

My guess is Obama is scared about something other than this background. All this stuff goes to is: Look what humble beginnings I came from. And that's not a bad thing in my book. So there is something else going on.

[clarice]

For as long as I can remember the best reasonably priced food in the UK was to be had at Indian restaurants.

[Soylent Red]

My goodness, you are brave.

When in Rome you know... To me that's part of the allure of visiting other cultures. And a compelling region to never visit Africa.

When in Omaha, eat at Johnny's Steakhouse or Gorat's. There is an Italian place called La Traviata on Cuming Street (somewhere around 50th)that's pretty good. If it's still there, the Old Market District has a pretty good cajun place called Boutsy LeDoux's. On 19th street south of downtown is a place called The Bohemian Cafe that makes Czech and Bavarian food, if you want to get your schnitzel on.

For lunch, eat at Goldberg's on Dodge Street at about 55th Street. Downtown there is a diner called Big Daddy's that makes slap-yo-mama-good Monte Cristo sandwiches. For fast food eat at Bronco's, which are located all over town.

For drinks, go to Barrett's Barleycorn or Pauli's on Leavenworth. On weekends drink at The Dubliner downtown, listen to Irish music and marvel at the pro-PIRA graffiti on the bathroom walls.

Let me know when you're there. I'm trying to arrange a stretch of training at the Afghan Studies Center at UN-O. Perhaps we can link up.

[Soylent Red]

Clarice:

Oh yeah. I forgot about London and Indian food. I'm not a huge fan of Indian food, but you can get super good curried chicken in London.

Oh! and eat at a Greek place off of high Street Kensington stop on the green line called Halapi. Pistachio ice cream and Greek coffee....mmmm. The wait staff will participate in your ouzo poisoning as well.

[clarice]

Well, I LOVE Indian food..all kinds of Indian food..vindaloos to Moghul grills and everything in between.
This morning, in fact, I made my own version of Indian style omelets for breakfast.

Saute in butter chopped tomato,onion and minced hot pepper with curry powder--after the onion has turned opaque--toss eggs beaten with yogurt or sour cream or heavy cream on top--cover until almost completely cooked--sprinkle on chopped cilantro, salt and pepper and eat up.

[hit and run]

So I'm sitting here in my kitchen, with the beans on the stove waiting to be poured over the rice that is just finishing its steam bath, both to be consumed shortly, a beer just cracked open, back door to the garage is open and the radio out there is on. Since we've been talking music lately, I just have to say, "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult is a pretty good song, but damn if there isn't a noticable amount of cow bell in it. I'm not sure why, but for some reason, in the back of my head, I think, maybe it needs a little more cow bell?

And even more strange, something I have no idea why I am now considering, but who do you think has had more plastic surgery, Bruce Jenner or Janice Dickinson?

And most unsettling of all, I am sitting here with an almost irresistable urge to go really explore the studio space.

Weird.

Oh wait. Metallica is now on.

"...sleep with one eye open....gripping your pillow tight..."

Ahhhh, I have refound my center.

[clarice]

When does your family return, Hit..Just asking--not that I'm getting concerned or anything.

[JM Hanes]

Reminds me of an old Gallic proverb: The French are famous for their food, the English for their table manners. Hasn't been true in London for about twenty years now, though. These days, you can probably even choose your own goat.

Sorry SR, but haggis is to allure, what anti-matter is to matter.

[hit and run]

On Friday I fly to Texas to then drive back with them.

[BobS]

Rock On, Hit!!!

[PeterUK]

Clarice,
In England you have to eat where the workers eat,follow the natives,there are some great fish and chip shops.Daves Chippy is the finest in the known universe.

Have a look at some Georgian and Victorian recipe books,they were most adventurous.What screwed English food was WWII,everything was rationed,larks tongues in aspic went right out of the window.

[BobS]

PUK: Youre doing yeoman's work today in convincing me that English cousine is not so bad

[MayBee]

I had an amazing dinner in London. It was at a Turkish restaurant, and I crave it to this day.

[glenda waggoner]

Hit-
Bruce Jenner, for sure. But Pelosi sure has that wide-awake eye-stare, as she slums in the leadership.
PeterUK-the chips sound good but that marmite???
And McCain's speech yesterday about win/lose
war/campaign had a little fight in it-his talk with Wolfie seemed he just smiled real
big to not show his "infamous" temper at the idiotic questions.
And Barak Obama's background???His real name
is Kareem Smith Washington or something. I hope the RNC is busy making a "phone the soldiers" ad--after all, we all should and could phone a vet today and thank them.
And Clarice-
The takedown of Wexler by Lady Heather of NM
was a classic. Chris Matthews was totally
quieted.
Happy Hot Saturday from the Texas Gulf Coast

[Jane]

Glenda,

How was Dolly near you?

[Elliott]

Soylent,

Thanks for the recommendations. To use the delightful phrase of a Le Carre character, I have "a business commitment," and will be there for the next few days.

Should you ever be in the vicinity of the secure, undisclosed location from which I usually make contact with the JOM braintrust, I believe it may be possible to bring your views on Indian cuisine into closer alignment with Clarice's.

[Ann]

My loathing of the RW seems never to end; knowing her friends own the NE, I think she took out Edwards and had a hand in the Wexler story. Both of them turned on her and you just don't do that.

Yes, Mr. Obama I am cynical of your party.

[BobS]

Oh, goodie, Ann! A conspiracy.

[BobS]

BTW, I don't care for Wexler either. But isn't he in the clear on this one? Anyone know?

[PeterUK]

Another example of British culinary Genius A potato crisp in the likeness of Obama

[centralcal]

OT (not food related) . . .

Did anyone read the piece in the WSJ yesterday about the similarities between Bush and Batman?

LUN

It turns out to be a very moving and thought provoking piece. I had no intention of see this latest Batman movie, but now I wonder if I should. Anyone here see it? If so, I like your thoughts on the article I linked.

[glenda waggoner]

Jane- Dolly was gracious. A couple of cloudy days and enough rain to perk up the plants. I am in the Houston/Galveston area
up coast.

[Porchlight]

a plate of haggis and potatoes in Edinburgh

Song for you Soylent
Click track 3 in the little box in the upper RH corner
Not the best recording, and it starts with a bit of accordion noodling, but hang with it..

Live at the Blue Heron, Missoula, MT

I ate the haggis, by and by
Hallelujah

[hit and run]

Glenda:
I am in the Houston/Galveston area
up coast.

We will pass through Houston, probably about this time one week from today. We won't stray off I-10 though.

We'll wave and honk!

[cathyf]

About 8-9 years ago there was a restaurant called Beppe's on Paddington Rd one in from the corner of Baker St. They made a four-cheese gnocchi that was to die for... When my son was 16 months old, he put away an entire adult portion and then went into a food coma. My husband and I had the first uninterrupted meal in 16 months after we ordered another gnocchi for him!

[clarice]

Ah, yes, the lark's tongue,PUK. Yes, WWII and the lengthy rationing even after the war did it, I'm afraid. In the US restaurants were badly done in by Prohibition followed by the depression and war and except for local specialty spots it was only until after Julia Child that interest in good cooking was revived. 1950 was probably the lowest point of all--bad eating having spread to the home--see Lilek's book on Execrable Cooking to see how wretched home recipes were then. URGHHHHH

[hit and run]

Porchlight, I can't wait until my The Gourds t-shirt comes!

[BobS]

Obama says the trip wasn't going to help anyhow:

http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/721677.html

[glenda waggoner]

Hit:
I'm 45 miles south of I-10, about a mile from Galveston Bay, but the only water I get in is my backyard pool. Never liked the sand. We will have a beer with our steaks&shrimp to toast you and yours as you drive-by.
And a silent prayer, remember-my congressman is the lovely Ron Paul(that's
Ron not Rue)

[Soylent Red]

Thanks for the tune Porch.

Hit: Try the White Album. I listened to it driving yesterday and re-remembered what a great album is. And there is little or no cowbell in it.

Or, if you prefer heavier, try the Scorpions, who BTW, were playing at a venue in Berlin close to where the Obamessiah spoke. I recommend "Virgin Killer".

As for you Clarice...

Provided the Army doesn't screw me again, Aug 3-Sep 12 in Alexandria.

[clarice]

Jane, Did I mention Obama Sr's THIRD wife--another American woman? I forgot about her I think. The attraction to a drunk, communist philanderer of limited means seems to escape me.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4406813.ece>"Enry the 8th he was

[clarice]

Soylrnt I will be gone Aud 2-9 and then the 13th thru the 19th of August. Let's try to get together after that, (Of course, if you need anything between those two trips, buzz me.)

[bad]

From Clarice's link, Obama's brother in China:

Contacted by The Sunday Times last week, Ndesandjo said: “Thanks for your interest. However I am not giving interviews at this time.”

Obama's family and friends are very protective, either of Obama or themselves.

[Sue]

bad,

I notice his brother Mark doesn't use the Obama name.

[Porchlight]

Cool, Hit! I hope you like it.

The White Album keeps coming up, here and elsewhere. Unofficial JOM theme album for the summer.

[centralcal]

Don't know if there are any Protein Wisdom readers here.

Jeff has said goodbye.

[Porchlight]

Wow, centralcal. That sucks. I knew he'd been on hiatus but I figured he'd just keep posting sporadically and let Karl et al. handle the bulk of it.

[Jane]

Jeff has said goodbye.

That makes me sad. He's a talented guy.

[kim]

While my Goldberg gently weeps.
====================

[kim]

Oh, good heavens; while my Goldstein gently weeps.
==============================

[kim]

Speaking of melting moons, it's a bad progressivism rising.
==================================

[bad]

I notice his brother Mark doesn't use the Obama name.

The article didn't explain where his name came from or maybe I was just inattentive. I assumed it was his mother's name.

[bad]

Sue, I like this part of the article:

Any family connection between the Democratic presidential contender and the flood of Chinese imports that are blamed by many Americans for destroying American jobs could be politically embarrassing.

Obama has staked out a populist position on trade with China in the US election campaign, calling in December 2007 for a ban on all toys from Chinese factories until safety inspections were put in place.

LUN

[Rachael]

Thanks for the information...I bookmarked your site, and I appreciate your time and effort to make your blog a success!

[battery]

Your blog is interesting!

Keep up the good work!

[sophy]

Please do not hesitate to have Hellgate London Palladium . It is funny.