Watching history being made

i caught the last half in the pub. but i wasn't listening too intently

Your mum's looking a lot better after her operation

You will never know my disappointment during the second half of that image. I wanna puke on your Mum's johnson now

amazing speach.

as a resident of Illinois, I have been familiar with Obama and first voted for him in 1998. those of you have say he's just a politician floating lofty rhetoric simply are not versed in what he has accomplished and your knowledge is filtered by the media and only rests upon sloganeering and borrowed phrases. I know what he did as a representative for my home state and I know his record in the US Senate - he earned my vote on November 7th.

it is a new day in this nation and we're going to be moving past the filthy Bush years and past the culture wars of the baby boomer generation into a new politic that respects science rather than toss it aside in favor of religious faith, chooses the pragmatic over the hopelessly ideological, and one that will harness the power of government and grassroots organizing to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and schools and make the first real step towards a green energy policy as well as opting for diplomacy first rather than the bomb first -- actions which were sorely lacking during the Bush years if not entirely aggravated and extended by Bush's pro-corporate pro-industrial military complex agenda.

If you honestly believe Obama is not going to be any different and is not cut of a different fabric than Bush, then you're simply ignorant and not paying attention or so far into tin-foil hat land you're cannot see clearly.

thanks for the trannie porn while i'm browsing at work :/

as a resident of Illinois, I have been familiar with Obama and first voted for him in 1998. those of you have say he's just a politician floating lofty rhetoric simply are not versed in what he has accomplished and your knowledge is filtered by the media and only rests upon sloganeering and borrowed phrases. I know what he did as a representative for my home state and I know his record in the US Senate - he earned my vote on November 7th.

it is a new day in this nation and we're going to be moving past the filthy Bush years and past the culture wars of the baby boomer generation into a new politic that respects science rather than toss it aside in favor of religious faith, chooses the pragmatic over the hopelessly ideological, and one that will harness the power of government and grassroots organizing to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and schools and make the first real step towards a green energy policy as well as opting for diplomacy first rather than the bomb first -- actions which were sorely lacking during the Bush years if not entirely aggravated and extended by Bush's pro-corporate pro-industrial military complex agenda.

If you honestly believe Obama is not going to be any different and is not cut of a different fabric than Bush, then you're simply ignorant and not paying attention or so far into tin-foil hat land you're cannot see clearly.

I've been voting in US elections since 1990, and although that hardly makes me more 'qualified' to have an opinion, it certainly gives me years of experience being disappointed. The whole Obama 'change' and 'hope' thing isn't really any different than Clinton in '92. Everybody was 'hopeful' for 'change' after 12 years of Reagan/Bush/Quayle. And what did we get? NAFTA, more GATT (and eventually WTO), still no national health care and continued American militarism.

There are no major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. So they define themselves on wedge issues (abortion, gun control) and cultural rhetoric. I think the most telling part of Obama's campaign to date was his choice of appointments. Almost all of them.

So yeah, he may have different views on evolution or science or whatever. Big deal. I would never argue Obama was any worse than Bush and I certainly see him as an improvement, in general terms. But the fact that we have to celebrate his election solely because he's 'not as bad as the other guy' is disgusting and underlines the futility of American politics.

yes, you and Murtle, so what?

excellent.

Obama? who the fuck is that.. ? :)

if he hadn't of messed up the " i do solemnly swear ....." bit, i think i was in line for a tear to be shed for the first time in 20 years or so
very moving moment for the whole of the world, just think where the blacks were only 20 years ago in america ( and in some parts 20 minutes ago, alabama for example ) to now, an immigrant from kenya arriving in the us of a to becoming president
THAT HAS TO BE A KICK IN THE BUTT FOR ALL THE MOANERS OUT THERE
See what can be achieved with a bit of hard work and some dedication ( thats what it takes to be a record breakerrrrrrrrrr )

Shame they had to go on about GOD so much in the speech. though

I've been voting in US elections since 1990, and although that hardly makes me more 'qualified' to have an opinion, it certainly gives me years of experience being disappointed. The whole Obama 'change' and 'hope' thing isn't really any different than Clinton in '92. Everybody was 'hopeful' for 'change' after 12 years of Reagan/Bush/Quayle. And what did we get? NAFTA, more GATT (and eventually WTO), still no national health care and continued American militarism.

There are no major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties. So they define themselves on wedge issues (abortion, gun control) and cultural rhetoric. I think the most telling part of Obama's campaign to date was his choice of appointments. Almost all of them.

So yeah, he may have different views on evolution or science or whatever. Big deal. I would never argue Obama was any worse than Bush and I certainly see him as an improvement, in general terms. But the fact that we have to celebrate his election solely because he's 'not as bad as the other guy' is disgusting and underlines the futility of American politics.

Obama does not share the exact views on NAFTA or free trade in general as Clinton. See his comments during the debates regarding labor laws and dealing with Colombia or countries with dismal human rights as an example.

And as for Clinton and health care, his initiative was blocked by Republicans who controlled Congress. Obama would have less hurdles in that regard with the Democratic majority and the popularity of the program among the public these days.

And working for the Clinton administration does not mean an exact adherence to his policies nearly a decade later. Take Emanuel for example - he was chosen for his tough ability to keep the party in line to forward the Obama agenda and not for his personal opinions. Obama will be the one calling the shots and making policy not those who work for him.

Regarding "militarism" - I dont see anything particularly questionable in Obama's agenda -- he will be pushing for a withdrawal from Iraq, a refocus on Afghanistan and the border region with Pakistan, and sitting down for the sake of dipolmacy with controversial heads of state. I dont see new war on the agenda - I see negotiations. And besides Kosovo and the continued sanctions of Iraq, I dont recall Clinton's "militarism" being all that bad. And I think Obama would have more reservations that Clinton ever had with engaging in warfare considering the last eight years.

And this reminds me of the whole "there is no difference between Gore and Bush" talk among the left circa 2000 - how did that work out? I think we messed that one up pretty bad.

It looked bloody cold.
Did you see that 4x4 that was following the president around? do you know what was inside...?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvYV5QZtevk

Obama does not share the exact views on NAFTA or free trade in general as Clinton. See his comments during the debates regarding labor laws and dealing with Colombia or countries with dismal human rights as an example.

And as for Clinton and health care, his initiative was blocked by Republicans who controlled Congress. Obama would have less hurdles in that regard with the Democratic majority and the popularity of the program among the public these days.

And working for the Clinton administration does not mean an exact adherence to his policies nearly a decade later. Take Emanuel for example - he was chosen for his tough ability to keep the party in line to forward the Obama agenda and not for his personal opinions. Obama will be the one calling the shots and making policy not those who work for him.

Regarding "militarism" - I dont see anything particularly questionable in Obama's agenda -- he will be pushing for a withdrawal from Iraq, a refocus on Afghanistan and the border region with Pakistan, and sitting down for the sake of dipolmacy with controversial heads of state. I dont see new war on the agenda - I see negotiations. And besides Kosovo and the continued sanctions of Iraq, I dont recall Clinton's "militarism" being all that bad. And I think Obama would have more reservations that Clinton ever had with engaging in warfare considering the last eight years.

And this reminds me of the whole "there is no difference between Gore and Bush" talk among the left circa 2000 - how did that work out? I think we messed that one up pretty bad.

Clinton was anti-NAFTA during the election. To be more accurate, he said he wouldn't support NAFTA without some major changes. And then he got elected and rammed it through Congress, completely against the wishes of organized labor... the people that may very well have gotten him elected in the first place. The Republicans did not kill national health care as much as Clinton allowed it to die slowly and quietly.

Obama has said he would support invading Pakistan if necessary. Obama's camp were very quiet about the recent Gaza situation and he has made it VERY clear that he is a 'friend' of Israel.

As far as Clinton's militarism.... his best moment was destroying an aspirin factory in Sudan to take the heat of himself for the Lewinsky scandal.

Btw... there is no real difference between Gore and Bush. They belong to the same people. But had Gore won in 2000, we would've still ended up with the whole 9/11 thing and would've ended up in Afghanistan. Whether or not we would've ended up in Iraq remains to be seen. I'm certainly willing to admit that might have been something we would've avoided. Probably would've avoided.

But we'd still have the whole 'credit crunch.'

wow. i want one of those to trail me. it would get me down oxford street a lot faster.

aaaahh, look at ritchie's star-struck little face..

i don't think people are overjoyed at the new america to come
i think they are overjoyed that that tit george w. has gone

if he hadn't of messed up the " i do solemnly swear ....." bit, i think i was in line for a tear to be shed for the first time in 20 years or so
very moving moment for the whole of the world, just think where the blacks were only 20 years ago in america ( and in some parts 20 minutes ago, alabama for example ) to now, an immigrant from kenya arriving in the us of a to becoming president
THAT HAS TO BE A KICK IN THE BUTT FOR ALL THE MOANERS OUT THERE
See what can be achieved with a bit of hard work and some dedication ( thats what it takes to be a record breakerrrrrrrrrr )

Shame they had to go on about GOD so much in the speech. though

very well said mate!

if he hadn't of messed up the " i do solemnly swear ....." bit, i think i was in line for a tear to be shed for the first time in 20 years or so
very moving moment for the whole of the world, just think where the blacks were only 20 years ago in america ( and in some parts 20 minutes ago, alabama for example ) to now, an immigrant from kenya arriving in the us of a to becoming president
THAT HAS TO BE A KICK IN THE BUTT FOR ALL THE MOANERS OUT THERE
See what can be achieved with a bit of hard work and some dedication ( thats what it takes to be a record breakerrrrrrrrrr )

Shame they had to go on about GOD so much in the speech. though

How much time have you spent in Alabama? In 1988?

just think where the blacks were only 20 years ago in america ( and in some parts 20 minutes ago, alabama for example ) to now, an immigrant from kenya arriving in the us of a to becoming president

Shame they had to go on about GOD so much in the speech. though

It's certainly a step in the right direction, but Obama isn't an African immigrant. He was born and brought up in Hawaii, mostly by his middle class white grandparents.

I'm pretty sure Colin Powell once said something like 'I've got where I am through hard work and the fact that I neither look nor sound too black.'

As to the god stuff, the day an avowed non-believer gets in the White House is the day Hell freezes over (pun intended).

uhm... waaaaaaay to much information

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=neCIg0BiXbE

people can be as cynical about this as they want, but i truly believe that this is a major step in the right direction for the usa. of course, politicians are politicians, and obama is not going to be perfect, probably not even going to be close to perfect... but when he first came on the scene as a possible presidential candidate a couple years ago i never thought he'd make it to the office, and i really think it says a lot about the state of the usa that he has.

i watched the inauguration with a bunch of americans in budapest, and as cheesy as much of it was (very superbowl-ish i thought... and what was with that awful poem?), i still could not stop grinning and we were all so happy... one thing no one can deny is how his time in the spotlight has incited such enthusiasm within a population that has been largely politically apathetic for quite some time now, i think that's my favorite thing about it. i can't really imagine anyone else doing that... people care, and they're paying attention, and that is already a change.. i saw him speak last spring and the crowds who descended on the small-ish town where i was living were just unbelievable, and the level of support was so strong and real. and now, it's actually happened, and he's really the president, which still seems surreal. and yesterday, on his first day, he made moves to close down guantanomo as well as freeze salaries for top government employees. it's easy to get cynical (though it's also wrong to blindly follow), but i feel like if everybody had that attitude nothing in the world would ever change for the better.

people can be as cynical about this as they want, but i truly believe that this is a major step in the right direction for the usa. of course, politicians are politicians, and obama is not going to be perfect, probably not even going to be close to perfect... but when he first came on the scene as a possible presidential candidate a couple years ago i never thought he'd make it to the office, and i really think it says a lot about the state of the usa that he has.

i watched the inauguration with a bunch of americans in budapest, and as cheesy as much of it was (very superbowl-ish i thought... and what was with that awful poem?), i still could not stop grinning and we were all so happy... one thing no one can deny is how his time in the spotlight has incited such enthusiasm within a population that has been largely politically apathetic for quite some time now, i think that's my favorite thing about it. i can't really imagine anyone else doing that... people care, and they're paying attention, and that is already a change.. i saw him speak last spring and the crowds who descended on the small-ish town where i was living were just unbelievable, and the level of support was so strong and real. and now, it's actually happened, and he's really the president, which still seems surreal. and yesterday, on his first day, he made moves to close down guantanomo as well as freeze salaries for top government employees. it's easy to get cynical (though it's also wrong to blindly follow), but i feel like if everybody had that attitude nothing in the world would ever change for the better.

Barack Obama is just another neoliberal like George Bush and Bill Clinton. People like that only represent the wealthy. They serve their corporate benefactors, not the electorate.

Barack Obama is just another neoliberal like George Bush and Bill Clinton. People like that only represent the wealthy. They serve their corporate benefactors, not the electorate.

George Bush a liberal? Sue your teachers.

It's all good except for the constant onslaught of WEST WING OBSESSIVES. This was a double page spread on page 6 of the Guardian today. 6! fucking hell.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/22/barack-obama-white-house-layout

edit: well, 6 and 7.

As far as Clinton's militarism.... his best moment was destroying an aspirin factory in Sudan to take the heat of himself for the Lewinsky scandal.

It was actually even worse; a major pharmaceutical plant; the death toll as a result has been estimated at 10,000. Making 'liberal' Clinton one of the worst mass murderers in history. That's not counting the sanctions on Iraq of course which led to an estimated 500,000 extra child deaths. Something which Albright described as a "price worth paying".
Given the record of American presidents - and especially the records of liberal heroes such as Kennedy and Clinton - it's not cynical to have doubts about Obama.