WARNING: UNPATRIOTIC! This could either bring Obama down, or ensure him the presidency:

[DetlefK]

First off: I'm no US-citizen. I'm a german student of physics.
This morning, my thoughts wandered off to the US. I condensed them into a political speech and somehow I thought, it would fit best for Obama.

Feel free to copy or plagiarize it.

While you read it, imagine, you would hear it with Barack Obamas voice.




Title: NO, WE'RE NOT

It's time for a reality-check concerning the state of our nation: NO! WE'RE NOT!


(short pause for effect)


WE'RE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.


(short pause for effect)


As long as we have secret prison camps around the world, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we torture our prisoners, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we mince words and say "WE DON'T TORTURE." because we refuse to CALL it torture, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we ship our prisoners to countries which are known for torture in their prisons, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

The russian poet Dostojevski once said: "The degree of civilization of a society can be measured by the way it treats it's prisoners." BY THAT MEASUREMENT, WE'RE NOT MAKING GOOD AT ALL.


(short pause for applause)


The republican party is very enthusiastic to go to war with other countries, as long as it's not their sons and daughters who die.

As long as we start wars of aggression on foreign countries, that pose no risk to us, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we have to blackmail and bribe some of the smallest countries in the world to join our "COALITION OF THE WILLING", WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we can't even define VICTORY or DEFEAT in Iraq, in a war that continues to cost us HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of YOUR TAXPAYER-MONEY per YEAR and THOUSANDS of YOUR DEAD SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.


(short pause for applause)


My fellow colleague, Senator McCain, is obviously very proud of the policies of President George W. Bush and has adopted them to a great part.

As long as we have a tax policy, PAID FOR BY RICH LOBBYISTS AND PANDERING TO THE RICH, while at the same time ROBBING THE MIDDLE-CLASS, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we have the HIGHEST NATIONAL DEBT OF ANY NATION IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as the most responsible positions of our government and our nation as a whole ARE FILLED WITH POLITICAL HACKS AND CRONIES, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.
HECK OF A JOB, BROWNIE!

As long as our electronic ballots are counted by PRIVATE COMPANIES, who are proven to SUPPORT ONE SPECIFIC POLITICAL PARTY, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY ON EARTH.

As long as NATIONAL SECURITY BRIEFINGS remain unnoticed, because the president happens to be on VACATION PLAYING GOLF, WE DON'T HAVE THE BEST GOVERNMENT ON EARTH.


(short pause for applause)


In the recent months and years, we have witnessed a severe loss of our civil rights.

As long as YOU are ILLEGALLY SPIED ON by YOUR GOVERNMENT, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as the Justice Department is REDUCED to PROVIDING POLITICAL COVER AND MAKING UP WACKY LEGAL JUSTIFICATIONS TO CIRCUMVENT LAWS AND DEFY COMMON SENSE, WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

As long as we have a president WHO DEFIES LAW AND CONSTITUTION, a president who NEGLECTS HIS OWN LAWS BY USING LEGALLY USELESS "SIGNING STATEMENTS", WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.


(long pause for applause)


As long as politicians and the patriotism of these politicians are reduced to whether or not they wear cheap flag pins, we are not the greatest society on earth.

As long as we depend on foreign oil, as long as BIG OIL and the big car companies continue to loot YOUR POCKETS with high gas-prices and gas-guzzling cars, we are not the greatest society on earth.

As long as the costs of a single illness or ACCIDENT can RUIN YOUR LIFE, because you lack heath-care, we are not the greatest society on earth.


(short pause for applause)


As long as we're not the beacon of freedom for the world, we are BY FAR not the greatest nation on earth.

This nation has seen a steady decline in the past 8 years. Ask yourself: "With these kinds of republican policies being employed to our nation, am I now better of than 8 years ago?"

General Carl Schurz once said: "Our country right or wrong. When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right." In November, the voters will face a grave choice.

Let's face it: We are no longer the greatest nation on earth.

I say, we can be the greatest nation on earth again.

WE CAN BE THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

WE CAN BE THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY ON EARTH.

WE CAN BE THE GREATEST SOCIETY ON EARTH.

YES! WE! CAN!





I hope it's good. I've put every ounce of psychology and political tricks I know into it. Maybe it's a bit too berating.

[Vinca]

1. Too many catch phrases to pull from context and use in neg. commercials.

Your point makes perfect sense, though.

[DetlefK]

9. How do you pull THAT out of context?

I kept the sentences short, personal and blue-collar-style.

This text rubs the truth into your face. You can't even recognize it's existence without acknowledging the fundamental failures of the Bush administration and the republican party.

In Germany we have a saying: "Auf einen groben Klotz gehört ein grober Keil." "A coarse log needs a coarse wedge." (based on a method to chop wood)

[Exilednight]

18. For a German, you have a great grasp of the English language, but lack understanding................

of the American psyche. American's do not like being told they are not great.

[Eurobabe]

19. I was about to say the same thing

those idiomatic phrases are a real bitch to learn. This guy must be a genius. :eyes:

[baldguy]

22. Look what happened when he said people in PA were "bitter"

and therefor clung to their religion and their guns.

He never said that, of course. But that's all you heard on the "news".

[Vinca]

24. The phrase "we're not the greatest nation on earth" would be pulled

from the speech and used again Obama in a matter of seconds. It would be a train wreck.

[Avalux]

2. Great points and I agree, however -

most Americans will turn off and become defensive when told we're NOT the greatest nation on earth. You must understand the mindset of the typical American, especially one who has never been exposed to other cultures and countries. We have an arrogance; we are the greatest and can kick anyone's ass if they try to challenge us.

Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. America is like a know-it-all teenager on a joyride.

[RC]

3. Sounds good to me

Telling the truth over here gets you ignored or vilified before it goes down the memory hole.

[sabbat hunter]

4. It might work better

If Obama said "we are the greatest nation on earth, it is time for us to start acting like it"

[1776Forever]

10. Oh I like that a lot!!!!!!!!!

:thumbsup: :hi:

Lou Dobbs, who we sometimes listened too just to see what he was spewing, was terrible last night talking down Rev. Wright and I had to turn him off because I couldn't stand the hate speech. It is like Mr. Dobbs thinks we are perfect in this country and can do NO wrong. I agree with Sen. Obama that we are and should be continuing to achieve a more perfect Union but the United States is far from perfect as is any country in the world and we have lost our way in the last 8 years even more!

Time for change!!!

[Tribetime]

20. You hit the nail on the head

[BOHICA06]

5. Political Suicide .....

or how to make sure that George Mcgovern's defeat looks "close"

[Window]

6. All very good points and well written, but I'm afraid the ignorant among us will say

Sen. Obama is parroting Rev. Wright.

[GoesTo11]

7. Turn it around

We are the greatest nation on earth - so our prison camps are fair and needed.
We are the greatest nation on earth - so we can run a deficit and then grow out of it.
We are the greatest nation on earth - so what we do isn't torture.
We are the greatest nation on earth - so our government will only spy on those who should be spied on

This is pretty much the standard view.

[EFerrari]

8. Welcome to DU, DetlefK

:)

[jbane]

11. The Repukes would....

Take that speach and kill Obama with it. It would however give Rush, Hannity, and Glenn Beck enough material for about 3 months worth of shows.

[QC]

12. That would not only bring Obama down,

but also the rest of the ticket, all the way down to city council and mayor races.

[1776Forever]

13. 1st let me say it is nice to have you here - we need your prospective as the world is flat now :)

Your ideas seem to be a strong indication of what I have heard from others around the world recently. My friend just traveled to Italy a year ago and heard this a couple of times from people there who found out she was a US citizen.

I think Obama has said this in different words. He has said many times in his speeches that we must keep "striving" for a more perfect union. Of all the candidates out there I think he can relate to this global issue more since he has lived overseas and also has relatives in Africa. These issues are VERY real and need to be addressed in the future and I hope they are brought up in the General Election because they show just how much the Bush Administration has tarnished the US reputation in the world with his horrible policies!

Haben Sie vielen Dank!!

:headbang: :yourock: :headbang:

[0007]

14. bttft and recommend with many kudos for a great post.

[DetlefK]

15. Seriously. Pretend you are a right-wing-pundit. How could you turn this speech against Obama?

Stop being afraid, goddamit. Republicans play this game the hard way. AND YOU HAVE TO DO THE SAME!

[Dreamer Tatum]

16. Yeah, getting people to feel like shit is a time-honored political winner

:eyes:

[npincus]

17. Sorry- it's a BIG loser. Would play right into GOP and RW-nut hands,

The circles that it would play well with in are already voting Democrat.

Thoughtful piece, but political suicide.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Sorry. No Either In The Equation At All. He'd Be Eaten Alive.

[mckeown1128]

23. You give Americans too much credit.

Most will not listen to the whole speech but only the news sound bites of the "not the greatest country on earth." Republicans will come out and say "see he's part of the blame america first crowd" or "see he hates america." The news media will draw parallels to Rev. Wright. Obama would be forced out of the race. Americans don't care enough to get the truth. Most just want the sound bite and spoon fed analysis.


But, don't get me wrong. I like the speech. I think it is great... but unfortunately truth and honesty means squat for Americans.

[bigbrother05]

25. Have no argument with your premise, but Murikans wouldn't hear past the first sentence

Quite well thought out and written, but this is essentially the framing that put Rev. Wright on the hot seat. The RW and MSM would just pull out the "WE ARE NOT THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH" piece and run it 24/7.

Many on this board would love to see this kind of clear-sighted honesty, but realize there is a large group of US citizens/voters that would view such frank speech as akin to treason without bothering to understand the context.

Welcome to DU! Hope you stay around and provide your views to our discussions. IMO, it is encouraging that our friends overseas are still optimistic about our political process and our good intentions.

BTW, lived in Heidelberg (03-06) and miss it greatly. Good luck in your studies.

[krkaufman]

26. In a better country, perhaps, but Americans have demonstrated their susceptibility ...

... to the hive mind of the mainstream media and the only message that would reach the voters is that "Obama hates America." Just look how the arguably accurate "bitter" comments were taken out of context and used against him.

[Arugula Latte]

27. I agree completely with your sentiments -- that's a very good speech. BUT,

it is very risky. The rightwing corporate mainstream media here would pummel Obama with it.

[DearAbby]

28. I like it a lot!

But remember how they got their shorts in a twist over "Bitter"
and the flap about Pastorgate...Although these actions caused retailiations against this country...they don't like hearing it.

Great post.

[Innocent Smith]

29. stick to physics