They stayed delighted . . . he loved them, as only Obama can do

[bigtree]

from Salon:




Dahlia Lithwick on What It Was Like to Be at Obama's Jerusalem Speech

Busloads of wisecracking Israeli students in T-shirts and jeans crushed up against a gate for over an hour in the hot sun, lining up at 1 p.m. for a 5 p.m. speech by Barack Obama. Each tried to outdo the other in performing American-accented English (Israelis, as it turns out, can do flawless American accents, whereas Obama’s Hebrew sounds like Siri talking). Trading insults and jokes and snapping photos (“Look, the Technion students are finally getting off their air-conditioned bus, they must be opening the gates!”), it could have been the ordinary Israeli not-line for the usual Israeli event.

Most of the students were secular, although a fair number of religious youngsters were present, as well as Arab students and extremely orthodox Haredim. I heard some English, but very little. The organizers were true to the promise that Obama would speak to Israeli students, first and foremost. There was the usual press to get through the main gate, a pair of security checks inside the large Jerusalem performing arts theater, and then some mild rioting at the ice-cream sellers, where people who had been lined up for two hours in the baking sun bickered over the omnipresent Israeli not-line and why the medium sized scoop was the same as the extra large.

The stage was decorated with massive flags and secret servicemen, and the crowd was respectful through the singing of both the Israeli and American anthems (where did so many Israelis learn the “Star Spangled Banner”?). And when the president jogged up to the podium, without fanfare or introduction or any preamble, they were delighted.

They stayed delighted. Through the hard truths and the awkward pauses, they applauded and stood and roared. Often whole paragraphs were drowned out by clapping. The lingering impression of the whole week has been that Obama had this country at “Hello”—that Israelis wanted to love Obama; they just needed to hear that he loved them too.

So he loved them, as only Obama can do . . .


read more: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/03/obama_s_jerusalem_speech_he_empathized_with_israelis_and_asked_them_to_do.html?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=sm&utm_campaign=button_toolbar

related:

Obama Speaks in Jerusalem: 'This is a blunt speech that is going well, right over Netanyahu's head
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022546546

FULL SPEECH: Text of Obama's address to the Israeli people http://bit.ly/Z2rlRd

[ZRT2209]

1. I hope Glenn Beck shits a brick

[woo me with science]

2. Bwah!

"They stayed delighted . . . he loved them, as only Obama can do..."

That line sounds like someone is trying to describe Jesus!

Bigtree, you have now surpassed even yourself in finding rhapsodic headlines about Obama. The wording in this one is even sillier in its attempted deification than the one you posted a while back about His "Glory" and "Radiance."

Once again, repeat after me: Politicians are PEOPLE, mere mortals all!

[treestar]

8. The description of those students

Suggest you should never go abroad. It appears that people abroad are far worse than the worst of cheerleaders you will find here.

People indeed are people but I get from your post that they never can be a bright or positive force ever. And I would assume you have to think so of yourself, too.

[bigtree]

9. so, you're objecting to the words 'delight' and 'love'

. . . that's just pathetic, wmws.

What kind of world are you advocating that people abroad shouldn't feel and express 'delight' at seeing our President in person; or, one in which the President shouldn't express 'love' for the people he's relating to?

What a sad life you must lead. You've gone so far that I can only describe your response as hatred and bitterness.

'Glory" and "radiance" are offensive to you? So much hate. I really do pity you. I sincerely hope that you don't succeed in influencing people with such a negative and resentful outlook as you project on the issues and events you choose to promote here. I think we need MORE expressions of 'love,' delight,' 'glory,' and 'radiance' here at DU; if only to elicit a cynical smile from the sad depths of your dark and bitter heart.

Yes, the President is human. That means that he's certainly deserving of the loving expressions humanity that many, many Americans and others abroad offer.

(btw, I did know that the title would elicit a response or two like yours. I post these warm and loving accounts deliberately, to serve as an alternative to the hateful expressions that some here find necessary to dissent.)

[SidDithers]

11. ...

Sid

[Zax2me]

12. It is almost patronizing....

But does read a little as if it is worship.

[bigtree]

13. to read it as worship

. . . reads more like projection, than a credible indictment of the subject.

It's a curious thing, to me, to exclude politicians from expressions of love, adoration, or other enthusiasms. More curious to scorn such expressions while, at the same time, stressing the humanness of the subject - as woo does here.

Nothing in the article or the title speaks to 'worship,' as I understand the term and practice; except, maybe as a derision or an insult to the author; or against those who publish these descriptions of the President's visit.

The suggestion is as demeaning as it was during the first primary campaign Mr. Obama waged against Hillary Clinton. I can only view that type of derision as predictable part of the thrust and parry of politics. I think these efforts to deride expressions of 'love' and such which some may direct toward the President are much more pernicious, in a real and impacting sense. We only have to look to the last campaign to gauge and measure the impact and influence of derisive, personal attacks.

I know of ZERO negative effects of 'loving' speech proffered in support of this President.

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks for this. I heard the speech.

Of course, as a fan of the President, I thought it was great. I hope that's not a bad thing now.

[bigtree]

7. nothing wrong at all with that

. . . or, with Democratic folks expecting and advocating for more (or a different direction) from this President. I'm glad this speech was as well received as it was. I think this public approach will go a long way in influencing Israeli leaders to relate to the president's initiatives and dealings with their country.

[Tracyjo]

4. It is a wonderful speech. n/t

[Aristus]

5. The author seems mystified as to why many so many Israelis speak

English with flawless American accents.

It's simple. Many American Jews possess dual Israeli citizenship, and divide their time between countries. Especially true of young people returning to Israel to do their national service.

[bigtree]

6. exactly right, Aristus

. . . that explanation hold for a variety of questions about Israelis' affinity for, knowledge of, or interest in, America.

[geek tragedy]

10. Is the number that high? I live in NYC and have never met someone who held dual-nationality.

I know a lot of Israelis are immigrants from the US or descended from Americans.

Edited to add: looks like about 300k ex-pats/dual citizens in Israel, per a quick google search.

[Cha]

14. "Obama reaches out to Israelis—and asks them to do the same for Palestinians."

thank you, bigtree~