I hope Obama comes to my base here in Germany

[lebkuchen]

and I hope he holds an open forum with anyone who wishes to be a part of the audience, AFTER he holds a closed forum with military family members and does what any good CPT would do when taking over as commander of a company that's been sorely mismanaged: get the "company" to talk and express its concerns.

Obama has been very proactive with soldiers from his state who have written to him. His outreach has been excellent.

[Flabbergasted]

1. Wo bist du? nt

[lebkuchen]

2. Let's just say that

Conn/Ledward Barracks would be a good stopping-off point. It's infantry/armor/field artillery, came back from Iraq last November with 55 soldiers killed, who knows how many wounded, lots of transition going on, lots of uncertainty, many social concerns, and these folks, soldier and family alike, although taking the brunt of the conflict during deployments, tend to complain the least. It's way past due for the Bush administration to pay them a visit and let them vent because they will be deploying again after their 12 months of rest time is up. However, the Bush administration doesn't have the guts to meet these hard-working folks face to face, and neither does McCain. Obama should fill that vaccuum and listen to them, not speech make. They've already heard Bush's promises, and help wasn't on the way. Quite the opposite. I think listening is what Obama has already done this week at Walter Reed...kept it low-key, didn't USE soldiers, as Bush has done, as a way to self-promote. Obama went to listen and learn from the wounded. He will be able to use that knowledge to good purpose for the rest of his campaign.

He should also pay a visit the German SPD chair Kurt Beck, who has taken the unprecedented lead for European leaders in endorsing a US candidate for president--Obama. Obama must be brilliant and attuned to culture when meeting because these Germans are well-educated, and Bush has broken every diplomatic rule possible on his visits. And please, no mention of god.

In London Obama should visit Eva Schloss, Anna Frank's posthumous step-sister, who has endorsed Obama and continues to fight against bigotry wherever she travels. Also, Miep Gies, one of four people who helped the Frank family, turns 100 in February. She is in the Netherlands (I'm pretty sure), and Obama should quietly pay his respects if Gies is able to take visitors.

Last, Obama should reach out to Europeans and to the world by playing a bit of soccer with a some local "verein" (club), or even the German team itself, which could win it all today against Spain (though I really like Spain's goalie, so I'm partial).

[Flabbergasted]

3. My wife is from Schweinfurt.....

I thought she said they were going to close it.

In any case I feel for your sacrifice. I'm not sure that should mean anything to you, but I hope you are well, stay well, and return home soon.