America has resoundingly elected its first black President proving, that in America anything is possible. That’s the headline around the world, which generally celebrated the election of President Barack Obama. The world loves it when America rediscovers its normal spirit of optimism and this election represents a new hope in the eyes of those who have long been in opposition.
Whether you like him or not, whether you support or oppose him, Obama is seen as the agent of change, a phrase he has repeatedly uttered on his own behalf. The media had conspired to elevate Obama to almost Messianic status whilst, against him, McCain ran a sometimes very uninspired and strategically inept campaign.
It became apparent that Obama was seen as the future and McCain the past, and once that had become the common perception the older, whiter man had no real chance. Ironically Obama is more a product of Hawaii and his half white parentage than he is the normal African American urban black experience of his adopted hometown, Chicago.
However, what really killed McCain’s chances were two facts; the first that he was a Republican contender trying to follow on from President Bush and he is the most unpopular holder of that office, ever. Bush is more unpopular than Nixon was at his nadir and that is difficult to achieve. The second, and possibly even more decisive factor against McCain is the financial tsunami that has undercut and eroded the foundations of the American economy. During the election campaign every time the Dow Jones went down so did McCain’s popularity, and it has gone a long way down.
The electorate of the USA voted in record numbers to put Obama in the White House and, amid emotional scenes in many American cities and these were echoed around the world. Obama’s resounding success was celebrated with widespread and deep emotion bordering in some places on mass hysteria.
McCain accepted his defeat with the typical good grace of a true American hero, and the country now need to gather together behind Obama, because to rally to his cause is to be patriotic.
This column has repeatedly argued that Obama, if elected, will be tested by the leaders of America’s enemies, such as Russia and Iran and, of course, Al-Qaeda. I see no reason to change that view; and if that was not enough he also has to deal with the incredibly difficult economic problems facing the country and the world and let’s not forget Iraq and Afghanistan. I am also sure that there are crazies who will want to harm America’s new President before he even assumes office in January, since that is the way of the country’s extremists when confronted by agents of change.
The difference now is that there will be no acceptable excuses or blame attaching to anyone else. Now the American people will expect, in fact, demand, that their man Obama can change everything for the better.
The situation reminds me, emotionally, very much of Tony Blair with a tint, when he first came to power in the UK. It is hard to remember that at that stage Prime Minister Blair was thought by his supporters to walk on water, he could do no wrong. Blair walked on water until it was discovered that there were holes in his feet. Then we witnessed how supporters turn against their heroes when they feel let down by them. The very people who were so thrilled by his initial victories now loathe Blair. I am sure that Obama is aware of unrealistically high expectations that can and probably will haunt his term in office.
Obama does look and sound good, and projects a new and positive image for America and as a world citizen I truly hope that he can live up to his promise. He won this election against huge odds when many thought it was impossible, and I don’t mean his fight against McCain. No, when he overcame Hillary Clinton, he beat an opponent who had the money and the political machine behind her and that was a remarkable achievement. Now President Obama faces seemingly impossible odds again, this time in his new job, and I have my doubts, but then again, I didn’t think he could beat Clinton.
Change has come to America; Barack Obama will soon be in the White House. Many now say that they are again proud to be American. I believe Americans should have always been proud. We all pray for President Obama to enjoy every success but let’s hope that his countrymen don’t expect miracles, their new leader has an almost impossibly difficult job ahead of him.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
VotingDiscuss
During the current American election I have received a pretty big electronic postbag. Here is a sample for you to share. These flowed from my blog of yesterday where I implored my American friends to vote, whatever their preference. I have edited for space, but kept the intent, typos and even my own errors, for which I apologize!
Many thanks to my contributors.
Tony, I could not disagree with you more. America is stock full of
idiots who have no knowledge of candidate platforms and will vote
blindly..
To which I responded,
Hi Steve,
If voting was just decided on IQ, it would be down to just me and you
and a couple of friends in MENSA who, I must be the first to state,
can't find their own ass in the dark. If voting was based on knowledge
then George W could not have stood let alone voted! The man's entire
foreign travel experience before becoming President was one trip to
Mexico. It used to be decided by your wealth, or land, in different
countries, and yet, in democracies it (the right to vote) is supposedly decided by universal suffrage. To be universal it should be mandatory, not because we all know so much, or are so clever, or rich or are men, but because everyone has a voice in a democracy, even the bloody idiots!
Steve’s answer;
I tend to agree with you but I still hold to the notion you should at
least know something about the candidate your voting for. The Howard
Stern radio show did a skit where an interviewer went to Harlem NY
and asked the "man on the street" questions such as who are you voting for. To a man/woman they said Obama. Then the interviewer went on to ask if they agreed with "Obamas" policies and proceeded to recite McCain policy and everyone agreed. Proving they had absolutely no knowledge of either candidate. Then the icing on the cake came. The interviewer asked if Obama wins will they be okay with Sarah Palin as the V.P.? Everyone said it would be fine.... go figure. Anyway it's sad that people don't take a more active role in educating themselves but it is what it is.
Next is one from Dick, to which there can be no response.
Let's hope that the next two days are among the happiest in history and that the crucial corner is turned. Will somebody please advise Howard Dean that he has two friends in Malibu who will celebrate his genius, dedication and compassion in the highest when those numbers roll in, Karl Rove's best efforts to steal history notwithstanding. Interesting that Rove spells his first name the same way any self-respecting Nazi might but... don't tell McPain this because it will inspire a new Palin speech... he also spells it the same way Karl... are you sitting?... MARX did. Does that make him a Marxist or merely a socialist?
Dick also wrote me another e-mail,
Tony, thanks... I'm not sure I go along with the Australians. I think
people who are too sloth to educate themselves about the candidates and the issues are better off left out of the count. I think every citizen who feels himself informed should vote.
From concerned citizen Marjorie there was this,
We're already having some insanity starting over the voting. There's a Republican guy on the overpass of the 101 in Santa Barbara with army fatigues and a gun screaming obscenities about Obama. I suppose tomorrow all hell may break loose! Aren't you glad you're in London? This may be politics answer to the West Hollywood Halloween celebration on Santa Monica Blvd. Stay tuned.........
And indirectly, via Stevie, what Ms. Brigitte Bardot think of it all;
French film legend-turned-activist Brigitte Bardot took a swipe at Sarah
Palin on Tuesday, saying the US vice presidential candidate was a disgrace to women.
"I hope you lose these elections because that would be a victory for
the world," Bardot wrote in an open letter to Republican John McCain's
running mate in the November vote.
"By denying the responsibility of man in global warming, by advocating gun rights and making statements that are disconcertingly stupid, you
are a disgrace to women and you alone represent a terrible threat, a true
environmental catastrophe," wrote Bardot.
The screen icon from the 1960s, who now heads an animal rights foundation, went on to assail Palin for supporting Arctic oil exploration that could jeopardize delicate animal habitats and for dismissing measures to protect polar bears.
"This shows your total lack of responsibility, your inability to protect or simply respect animal life," Bardot wrote.
In a final salvo against Palin, the 74-year-old ex-star picked up on
Palin's depiction of herself as a pitbull wearing lipstick and said she
"implored" her not to compare herself to dogs.
"I know them well and I can assure you that no pitbull, no dog, nor any other animal for that matter is as dangerous as you are," Bardot wrote.
My considered response it to ask what can you write when faced with such words, voiced by such a level headed champion of all things fluffy that bark?
I received this from Don,
Well said. It's a shame you don't have the e-mail address of every
American!
Perhaps I should have just featured Don’s message? Whatever way you look at it America, VOTE!
Many thanks to my contributors.
Tony, I could not disagree with you more. America is stock full of
idiots who have no knowledge of candidate platforms and will vote
blindly..
To which I responded,
Hi Steve,
If voting was just decided on IQ, it would be down to just me and you
and a couple of friends in MENSA who, I must be the first to state,
can't find their own ass in the dark. If voting was based on knowledge
then George W could not have stood let alone voted! The man's entire
foreign travel experience before becoming President was one trip to
Mexico. It used to be decided by your wealth, or land, in different
countries, and yet, in democracies it (the right to vote) is supposedly decided by universal suffrage. To be universal it should be mandatory, not because we all know so much, or are so clever, or rich or are men, but because everyone has a voice in a democracy, even the bloody idiots!
Steve’s answer;
I tend to agree with you but I still hold to the notion you should at
least know something about the candidate your voting for. The Howard
Stern radio show did a skit where an interviewer went to Harlem NY
and asked the "man on the street" questions such as who are you voting for. To a man/woman they said Obama. Then the interviewer went on to ask if they agreed with "Obamas" policies and proceeded to recite McCain policy and everyone agreed. Proving they had absolutely no knowledge of either candidate. Then the icing on the cake came. The interviewer asked if Obama wins will they be okay with Sarah Palin as the V.P.? Everyone said it would be fine.... go figure. Anyway it's sad that people don't take a more active role in educating themselves but it is what it is.
Next is one from Dick, to which there can be no response.
Let's hope that the next two days are among the happiest in history and that the crucial corner is turned. Will somebody please advise Howard Dean that he has two friends in Malibu who will celebrate his genius, dedication and compassion in the highest when those numbers roll in, Karl Rove's best efforts to steal history notwithstanding. Interesting that Rove spells his first name the same way any self-respecting Nazi might but... don't tell McPain this because it will inspire a new Palin speech... he also spells it the same way Karl... are you sitting?... MARX did. Does that make him a Marxist or merely a socialist?
Dick also wrote me another e-mail,
Tony, thanks... I'm not sure I go along with the Australians. I think
people who are too sloth to educate themselves about the candidates and the issues are better off left out of the count. I think every citizen who feels himself informed should vote.
From concerned citizen Marjorie there was this,
We're already having some insanity starting over the voting. There's a Republican guy on the overpass of the 101 in Santa Barbara with army fatigues and a gun screaming obscenities about Obama. I suppose tomorrow all hell may break loose! Aren't you glad you're in London? This may be politics answer to the West Hollywood Halloween celebration on Santa Monica Blvd. Stay tuned.........
And indirectly, via Stevie, what Ms. Brigitte Bardot think of it all;
French film legend-turned-activist Brigitte Bardot took a swipe at Sarah
Palin on Tuesday, saying the US vice presidential candidate was a disgrace to women.
"I hope you lose these elections because that would be a victory for
the world," Bardot wrote in an open letter to Republican John McCain's
running mate in the November vote.
"By denying the responsibility of man in global warming, by advocating gun rights and making statements that are disconcertingly stupid, you
are a disgrace to women and you alone represent a terrible threat, a true
environmental catastrophe," wrote Bardot.
The screen icon from the 1960s, who now heads an animal rights foundation, went on to assail Palin for supporting Arctic oil exploration that could jeopardize delicate animal habitats and for dismissing measures to protect polar bears.
"This shows your total lack of responsibility, your inability to protect or simply respect animal life," Bardot wrote.
In a final salvo against Palin, the 74-year-old ex-star picked up on
Palin's depiction of herself as a pitbull wearing lipstick and said she
"implored" her not to compare herself to dogs.
"I know them well and I can assure you that no pitbull, no dog, nor any other animal for that matter is as dangerous as you are," Bardot wrote.
My considered response it to ask what can you write when faced with such words, voiced by such a level headed champion of all things fluffy that bark?
I received this from Don,
Well said. It's a shame you don't have the e-mail address of every
American!
Perhaps I should have just featured Don’s message? Whatever way you look at it America, VOTE!
Monday, November 3, 2008
VOTE
I want to add my two cents worth to the great election debate in the United States. My message is very simple, but terribly important. Please, all my American friends, I don’t dare tell you how to vote, but I can ask you, as a concerned friend of your country to make sure you get off your bums and VOTE!
It could not be a more important election and every vote could be vital. Remember that it was just a few spoiled ballot papers in Florida that stopped us experiencing President Al Gore, and the world might have been a very different place right now. I’m not saying better or worse, you’ll draw your own conclusions on that.
It looks like it might be an Obama landslide but stranger things have happened and bigger odds overturned. When the pundits all nod their heads in unison and say it’s a foregone conclusion you had better be prepared for big shocks.
As a friendly observer all I will say is that democracy demands that you get out and vote, and make sure as many of your friends and family are similarly encouraged and energized. The world deserves of your country’s best, and that means your vote counts.
Personally I support the Australian voting system in which it is, I understand, illegal not to vote. That way you don’t get sloth and failure to launch as apathetic excuses. This world needs you America, so vote!
So if you’re a desperate McCain supporter you need to keep going that extra few yards, and if you’re an Obama fan you must not take anything for granted, it isn’t over until every vote has been counted.
It could not be a more important election and every vote could be vital. Remember that it was just a few spoiled ballot papers in Florida that stopped us experiencing President Al Gore, and the world might have been a very different place right now. I’m not saying better or worse, you’ll draw your own conclusions on that.
It looks like it might be an Obama landslide but stranger things have happened and bigger odds overturned. When the pundits all nod their heads in unison and say it’s a foregone conclusion you had better be prepared for big shocks.
As a friendly observer all I will say is that democracy demands that you get out and vote, and make sure as many of your friends and family are similarly encouraged and energized. The world deserves of your country’s best, and that means your vote counts.
Personally I support the Australian voting system in which it is, I understand, illegal not to vote. That way you don’t get sloth and failure to launch as apathetic excuses. This world needs you America, so vote!
So if you’re a desperate McCain supporter you need to keep going that extra few yards, and if you’re an Obama fan you must not take anything for granted, it isn’t over until every vote has been counted.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
TheDemocraticRepublicofCongo
There is always something awful happening in Africa, it seems as if that wonderful continent is cursed with trouble. Currently there are terrible massacres, pillaging and rapes being inflicted on vast numbers of innocent people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There is always something undemocratic about any country that labels itself as Democratic. It’s also suspect and dangerous when countries change their name. I remember some visits to Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it doesn’t sound like anything has changed for the better. This is a personal story from my past of just how unpredictable and dangerous equatorial Africa can be.
It was in the mid 1970’s, I was line producer of a film called Shout at the Devil, being partly filmed in South Africa. We had a deal with a French airline UTA, and they routed their jets from Paris via Kinshasa, the hub of that country. I became used to stopping over in the then shanty type airport, or around the equator a bit, in the equally hot and humid Libreville, capital of another former colonial country, Gabon. Both were not fun places and I could fill a book with my experiences in Gabon, but we’ll focus on DR Congo.
On this particular trip I was with my wife and the airplane was scheduled to stop at Libreville, which was about half way down Africa, and, although an annoying interruption of our flight to Johannesburg, would give us the chance to stretch our legs. As we were descending the pilot announced that there had been a change of plan and we were diverting to Kinshasa. It didn’t make much difference to most of the passengers, but the man sitting one row ahead of us, and to our right in the first class cabin became very agitated. He was a black man, dressed smartly in a Saville Row suit, and I could see the perspiration break out on his face. He spoke quietly to the stewardess who smiled prettily and shrugged with Gallic dismissal that said, “what can I do about it?”
The plane touched down and I vividly remember that there was a change of normal arrangements. At that time, in those places it was unusual for all the passengers to disembark but on this occasion we were ordered to de-plane. We saw the sweating passenger say that he refused to alight but two men in uniform escorted him off a couple of minutes ahead of the rest of us.
I noticed that the man’s passport and personal possessions were still on his seat as we walked down the stairs of the plane. We felt the terrible suffocating heat hit us like a wet towel as we shuffled into the breezeblock building, which then served as the terminal. We entered an area where the ground staff handed us room temperature soft drinks and we sat on rickety wooden slated seats. Next to us, just a few yards away was a partition wall that finished a few feet shy of the ceiling, it was partially topped by some corrugated iron. You could see a single bulb light and, some half obscured shadows of people in the room were visible. We could certainly hear some raised voices that were muffled by the wall, that and the sound of the occasional punch and slap and the moans of a man in pain and discomfort.
No one did anything; to be honest we were all too scared of the armed guards who were watching us all too closely.
After a pause of about fifteen minutes we were instructed to return to the plane, which we did. Every passenger could hear the continuation of the beating of our fellow traveler. Back on the plane we noticed that the man’s personal possessions were still on his seat and we pointed this out to the cabin crew. We asked that they do something to get him back, after all wasn’t the captain responsible for his passengers. Our question was met with another of those Gallic shrugs and we were told to return to our seats, which, to my shame, I did. I don’t know what else I could have done, and I have no idea what happened to the man.
After the flight I did make an enquiry to the airline and initially they blandly told me they didn’t know anything about the incident. When I became a little more insistent they told me I had misunderstood and the passenger in question had simply changed his travel arrangements and had decided to stay in Zaire. Leaving his papers had been a mistake.
I have no idea what was really happening but I do know, for sure, that the man was a very reluctant visitor to Zaire and that his fate was terrifying.
The likelihood is that all sides of the political, tribal and racial equation are equally in the wrong. The central perception our Western leaders need to grasp is that these problems will continue to unravel because they are tribal and embedded in long and bitter historical disputes that transcend borders and nationalities. And, before we climb on our high horse of Western superiority let me remind my readers of our own tribal conflicts between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere, Christian and Muslim in the Sudan and elsewhere, Serb and Croat and Muslim and Christian in former Yugoslavia and, nearer to home, Protestant and Catholic in Northern Ireland. So, let’s not throw stones, and see if we can help.
There is always something undemocratic about any country that labels itself as Democratic. It’s also suspect and dangerous when countries change their name. I remember some visits to Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, and it doesn’t sound like anything has changed for the better. This is a personal story from my past of just how unpredictable and dangerous equatorial Africa can be.
It was in the mid 1970’s, I was line producer of a film called Shout at the Devil, being partly filmed in South Africa. We had a deal with a French airline UTA, and they routed their jets from Paris via Kinshasa, the hub of that country. I became used to stopping over in the then shanty type airport, or around the equator a bit, in the equally hot and humid Libreville, capital of another former colonial country, Gabon. Both were not fun places and I could fill a book with my experiences in Gabon, but we’ll focus on DR Congo.
On this particular trip I was with my wife and the airplane was scheduled to stop at Libreville, which was about half way down Africa, and, although an annoying interruption of our flight to Johannesburg, would give us the chance to stretch our legs. As we were descending the pilot announced that there had been a change of plan and we were diverting to Kinshasa. It didn’t make much difference to most of the passengers, but the man sitting one row ahead of us, and to our right in the first class cabin became very agitated. He was a black man, dressed smartly in a Saville Row suit, and I could see the perspiration break out on his face. He spoke quietly to the stewardess who smiled prettily and shrugged with Gallic dismissal that said, “what can I do about it?”
The plane touched down and I vividly remember that there was a change of normal arrangements. At that time, in those places it was unusual for all the passengers to disembark but on this occasion we were ordered to de-plane. We saw the sweating passenger say that he refused to alight but two men in uniform escorted him off a couple of minutes ahead of the rest of us.
I noticed that the man’s passport and personal possessions were still on his seat as we walked down the stairs of the plane. We felt the terrible suffocating heat hit us like a wet towel as we shuffled into the breezeblock building, which then served as the terminal. We entered an area where the ground staff handed us room temperature soft drinks and we sat on rickety wooden slated seats. Next to us, just a few yards away was a partition wall that finished a few feet shy of the ceiling, it was partially topped by some corrugated iron. You could see a single bulb light and, some half obscured shadows of people in the room were visible. We could certainly hear some raised voices that were muffled by the wall, that and the sound of the occasional punch and slap and the moans of a man in pain and discomfort.
No one did anything; to be honest we were all too scared of the armed guards who were watching us all too closely.
After a pause of about fifteen minutes we were instructed to return to the plane, which we did. Every passenger could hear the continuation of the beating of our fellow traveler. Back on the plane we noticed that the man’s personal possessions were still on his seat and we pointed this out to the cabin crew. We asked that they do something to get him back, after all wasn’t the captain responsible for his passengers. Our question was met with another of those Gallic shrugs and we were told to return to our seats, which, to my shame, I did. I don’t know what else I could have done, and I have no idea what happened to the man.
After the flight I did make an enquiry to the airline and initially they blandly told me they didn’t know anything about the incident. When I became a little more insistent they told me I had misunderstood and the passenger in question had simply changed his travel arrangements and had decided to stay in Zaire. Leaving his papers had been a mistake.
I have no idea what was really happening but I do know, for sure, that the man was a very reluctant visitor to Zaire and that his fate was terrifying.
The likelihood is that all sides of the political, tribal and racial equation are equally in the wrong. The central perception our Western leaders need to grasp is that these problems will continue to unravel because they are tribal and embedded in long and bitter historical disputes that transcend borders and nationalities. And, before we climb on our high horse of Western superiority let me remind my readers of our own tribal conflicts between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere, Christian and Muslim in the Sudan and elsewhere, Serb and Croat and Muslim and Christian in former Yugoslavia and, nearer to home, Protestant and Catholic in Northern Ireland. So, let’s not throw stones, and see if we can help.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
TheSunWillComeOutTomorrw
Recently, in fact every day for a few months now, we have been inundated with bad news. It has come at us all relentlessly and with monotonous regularity. Mainly this has concerned the collapsing economies of each of our countries, and then, because this is not quite bad enough, we are reminded it is a global recession. In case you incorrectly assumed that you might, in your corner of the world, get away with it, they’re going to make sure you realize that you are just about to catch it in the ear.
In case you think you’re so rich and secure that you’re immune to the vicissitudes of the economic storms raging just outside your door, and then wait for it, the terrorists are bound to get you.
Just when you’re safely through the security issues and have convinced yourself its OK to go through the airport check in you are somberly reminded that we are having the worst war situations since the Second World War in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All these issues are, obviously, terrible problems, and all too real, but give us a break. It wouldn’t be dishonest to talk these issues up a little less. After all it must be clear to everyone that the more we talk up these problems the more we worsen these situations to the detriment of all. We are talking ourselves into a recession and, if we carry on in this depressive mood we could actually tilt into much worse. It is not necessary and it will be very stupid if we become the architects of our own destruction in the ultimate act of suicidal stupidity.
We will get through this economic situation and come out the other end more prosperous in my opinion. The worst case scenario will be a better regulated environment and enhanced self discipline.
Our military will get out of Iraq, as they will, eventually, from Afghanistan.
In fact we would all benefit from a little less pontification and a bit more reconstruction, and, as I have repeatedly said in this column, the sun will, eventually come out tomorrow.
In case you think you’re so rich and secure that you’re immune to the vicissitudes of the economic storms raging just outside your door, and then wait for it, the terrorists are bound to get you.
Just when you’re safely through the security issues and have convinced yourself its OK to go through the airport check in you are somberly reminded that we are having the worst war situations since the Second World War in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All these issues are, obviously, terrible problems, and all too real, but give us a break. It wouldn’t be dishonest to talk these issues up a little less. After all it must be clear to everyone that the more we talk up these problems the more we worsen these situations to the detriment of all. We are talking ourselves into a recession and, if we carry on in this depressive mood we could actually tilt into much worse. It is not necessary and it will be very stupid if we become the architects of our own destruction in the ultimate act of suicidal stupidity.
We will get through this economic situation and come out the other end more prosperous in my opinion. The worst case scenario will be a better regulated environment and enhanced self discipline.
Our military will get out of Iraq, as they will, eventually, from Afghanistan.
In fact we would all benefit from a little less pontification and a bit more reconstruction, and, as I have repeatedly said in this column, the sun will, eventually come out tomorrow.
Friday, October 31, 2008
ObamaQuestions
I seem to be hitting a nerve with my American friends regarding the upcoming Presidential election. It’s not like we share some special knowledge, but perhaps simply because we are looking at these issues from a slightly different, British angle.
In Britain we remember when Margaret Thatcher was first standing as the leader of the Conservative Party. They were fast approaching their first opportunity in government for quite some time. All the polls indicated that Maggie was going to win but as the date for the election approached her supporters were becoming extremely nervous. Remember that the economic situation in the UK at the time was so hopeless that the country was thought to be ungovernable. Many were emigrating, and my family and I had moved to the States to avoid the 3 days work week, punitive taxation and power black outs.
Would the people who said they were going to vote for a woman actually going to do so in the privacy of the voting booth? Would it have meant that the country was misogynistic if it did not?
Luckily for Mrs. Thatcher, and many say for the UK, they overwhelmingly did so, with the result that the UK had its iron lady as its Prime Minister. The secondary result was the renaissance of the British economy that, from that time only knew growth and prosperity over 44 successive quarters, until now!
The same type of hypothesis applies to Barack Obama. Will the American people really vote for a black man just like they say they will do? Is the country racist if it does not?
The truth is that the world really would prefer America to choose Obama, not because they especially love him, but due to the fact that they believe he represents a new beginning, a hope that there might be a step change in the way America behaves abroad as the remaining superpower.
Personally I don’t share the common perception that McCain is such a bad choice, or that Obama will be such a great one. I am highly nervous about both their choices for running mate. Joe Biden is simply a windbag, probably just about suited for the non-job of being number 2 to Obama. But it is much more likely that whoever is the back up to McCain has a better than even choice of being promoted to President. Palin in that role is more than scary.
Whoever wins will have to sort out some livable arrangements for an acceptable pull out from Iraq in the kind of time frame the Iraqi political leaders are talking about, over the next 18 to 36 months. Most of the slack will unfortunately be taken up by some kind of troop surge against the Taliban in Afghanistan to achieve the same type of result. Whatever our liberal hearts might wish for, there is no way to avoid the confrontation with the exporters of terrorism. Remember they were bombing you long before you thought of defending your country.
The real big elephant in the room for whoever leads America is how good are they going to be when dealing with the economy. That needs an alchemist who has a great deal of luck, because the job might be more about timing and long term planning in a global context than it is simply turning the US economic taps on and off. So far neither Obama nor McCain has offered any meaningful answers for these problems, and it could be that so far, there are no answers available for anyone to give.
In Britain we remember when Margaret Thatcher was first standing as the leader of the Conservative Party. They were fast approaching their first opportunity in government for quite some time. All the polls indicated that Maggie was going to win but as the date for the election approached her supporters were becoming extremely nervous. Remember that the economic situation in the UK at the time was so hopeless that the country was thought to be ungovernable. Many were emigrating, and my family and I had moved to the States to avoid the 3 days work week, punitive taxation and power black outs.
Would the people who said they were going to vote for a woman actually going to do so in the privacy of the voting booth? Would it have meant that the country was misogynistic if it did not?
Luckily for Mrs. Thatcher, and many say for the UK, they overwhelmingly did so, with the result that the UK had its iron lady as its Prime Minister. The secondary result was the renaissance of the British economy that, from that time only knew growth and prosperity over 44 successive quarters, until now!
The same type of hypothesis applies to Barack Obama. Will the American people really vote for a black man just like they say they will do? Is the country racist if it does not?
The truth is that the world really would prefer America to choose Obama, not because they especially love him, but due to the fact that they believe he represents a new beginning, a hope that there might be a step change in the way America behaves abroad as the remaining superpower.
Personally I don’t share the common perception that McCain is such a bad choice, or that Obama will be such a great one. I am highly nervous about both their choices for running mate. Joe Biden is simply a windbag, probably just about suited for the non-job of being number 2 to Obama. But it is much more likely that whoever is the back up to McCain has a better than even choice of being promoted to President. Palin in that role is more than scary.
Whoever wins will have to sort out some livable arrangements for an acceptable pull out from Iraq in the kind of time frame the Iraqi political leaders are talking about, over the next 18 to 36 months. Most of the slack will unfortunately be taken up by some kind of troop surge against the Taliban in Afghanistan to achieve the same type of result. Whatever our liberal hearts might wish for, there is no way to avoid the confrontation with the exporters of terrorism. Remember they were bombing you long before you thought of defending your country.
The real big elephant in the room for whoever leads America is how good are they going to be when dealing with the economy. That needs an alchemist who has a great deal of luck, because the job might be more about timing and long term planning in a global context than it is simply turning the US economic taps on and off. So far neither Obama nor McCain has offered any meaningful answers for these problems, and it could be that so far, there are no answers available for anyone to give.
ObamaQuestions
I seem to be hitting a nerve with my American friends regarding the upcoming Presidential election. It’s not like we share some special knowledge, but perhaps simply because we are looking at these issues from a slightly different, British angle.
In Britain we remember when Margaret Thatcher was first standing as the leader of the Conservative Party. They were fast approaching their first opportunity in government for quite some time. All the polls indicated that Maggie was going to win but as the date for the election approached her supporters were becoming extremely nervous. Remember that the economic situation in the UK at the time was so hopeless that the country was thought to be ungovernable. Many were emigrating, and my family and I had moved to the States to avoid the 3 days work week, punitive taxation and power black outs.
Would the people who said they were going to vote for a woman actually going to do so in the privacy of the voting booth? Would it have meant that the country was misogynistic if it did not?
Luckily for Mrs. Thatcher, and many say for the UK, they overwhelmingly did so, with the result that the UK had its iron lady as its Prime Minister. The secondary result was the renaissance of the British economy that, from that time only knew growth and prosperity over 44 successive quarters, until now!
The same type of hypothesis applies to Barack Obama. Will the American people really vote for a black man just like they say they will do? Is the country racist if it does not?
The truth is that the world really would prefer America to choose Obama, not because they especially love him, but due to the fact that they believe he represents a new beginning, a hope that there might be a step change in the way America behaves abroad as the remaining superpower.
Personally I don’t share the common perception that McCain is such a bad choice, or that Obama will be such a great one. I am highly nervous about both their choices for running mate. Joe Biden is simply a windbag, probably just about suited for the non-job of being number 2 to Obama. But it is much more likely that whoever is the back up to McCain has a better than even choice of being promoted to President. Palin in that role is more than scary.
Whoever wins will have to sort out some livable arrangements for an acceptable pull out from Iraq in the kind of time frame the Iraqi political leaders are talking about, over the next 18 to 36 months. Most of the slack will unfortunately be taken up by some kind of troop surge against the Taliban in Afghanistan to achieve the same type of result. Whatever our liberal hearts might wish for, there is no way to avoid the confrontation with the exporters of terrorism. Remember they were bombing you long before you thought of defending your country.
The real big elephant in the room for whoever leads America is how good are they going to be when dealing with the economy. That needs an alchemist who has a great deal of luck, because the job might be more about timing and long term planning in a global context than it is simply turning the US economic taps on and off. So far neither Obama nor McCain has offered any meaningful answers for these problems, and it could be that so far, there are no answers available for anyone to give.
In Britain we remember when Margaret Thatcher was first standing as the leader of the Conservative Party. They were fast approaching their first opportunity in government for quite some time. All the polls indicated that Maggie was going to win but as the date for the election approached her supporters were becoming extremely nervous. Remember that the economic situation in the UK at the time was so hopeless that the country was thought to be ungovernable. Many were emigrating, and my family and I had moved to the States to avoid the 3 days work week, punitive taxation and power black outs.
Would the people who said they were going to vote for a woman actually going to do so in the privacy of the voting booth? Would it have meant that the country was misogynistic if it did not?
Luckily for Mrs. Thatcher, and many say for the UK, they overwhelmingly did so, with the result that the UK had its iron lady as its Prime Minister. The secondary result was the renaissance of the British economy that, from that time only knew growth and prosperity over 44 successive quarters, until now!
The same type of hypothesis applies to Barack Obama. Will the American people really vote for a black man just like they say they will do? Is the country racist if it does not?
The truth is that the world really would prefer America to choose Obama, not because they especially love him, but due to the fact that they believe he represents a new beginning, a hope that there might be a step change in the way America behaves abroad as the remaining superpower.
Personally I don’t share the common perception that McCain is such a bad choice, or that Obama will be such a great one. I am highly nervous about both their choices for running mate. Joe Biden is simply a windbag, probably just about suited for the non-job of being number 2 to Obama. But it is much more likely that whoever is the back up to McCain has a better than even choice of being promoted to President. Palin in that role is more than scary.
Whoever wins will have to sort out some livable arrangements for an acceptable pull out from Iraq in the kind of time frame the Iraqi political leaders are talking about, over the next 18 to 36 months. Most of the slack will unfortunately be taken up by some kind of troop surge against the Taliban in Afghanistan to achieve the same type of result. Whatever our liberal hearts might wish for, there is no way to avoid the confrontation with the exporters of terrorism. Remember they were bombing you long before you thought of defending your country.
The real big elephant in the room for whoever leads America is how good are they going to be when dealing with the economy. That needs an alchemist who has a great deal of luck, because the job might be more about timing and long term planning in a global context than it is simply turning the US economic taps on and off. So far neither Obama nor McCain has offered any meaningful answers for these problems, and it could be that so far, there are no answers available for anyone to give.
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