Continuation from the Presidential Election thread.
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Continuation from the Presidential Election thread.
Has the breed, sex and name of dog being chosen yet?
Alaskan, Female, Sarah.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by HarpoJoyce
well what do we think, is it going to be big change or is it like usual just a whole lot of fanfare and a lot of hot air....
i know he has to face a different economic environment than recent presidents but i can't help thinking that it will be the same old tosh from this guy.
i saw this on sky movies recently and thought it all seemed very, very familiar
He is certainly constructing one of the more interesting cabinets of recent times with many former political rivals signed up.
Whether Obama has the answers or not doesn't really matter. The world economy needs a confidence boost so as soon as incumbent is gone the better.
http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowln...LAME+DUCK+.jpg
Great cartoon!
Just spotting the thread title there inspired a little wry observation.
Assume for a moment that you are a white supremacist from Colorado and speak with a broad drawwwwwwl. You therefore pronounce 'Obama' as 'Ohh-baaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh-mah'. Next, recite in character the line that follows.
"My country has such a proud history of white presidents, but with the election of a black man to the office of President our once-great nation has become a terrifying Obama-nation."
The rest of us meanwhile wonder if his election can, somewhat ironically, make the US less of an abomination. :)
Illinois Governor selling Obamas US Senate seat. Obama calls on him to quit. Click. Bizarre story when you consider the Governor knew he was being investigated. I wonder did his sales pitch include reminders that last 'owner' is now President :p
Chicago seems to have history of high profile political corruption or else they just investigate more than others.Quote:
FBI investigators said telephone intercepts showed that Mr Blagojevich had been offered campaign cash by a man who was interested in taking the seat.
Federal agents quoted by ABC News named Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr as the man who offered Mr Blagojevich the money.
In transcripts of telephone conversations released by the FBI on Tuesday, Mr Blagojevich is quoted saying that a man referred to by officials as Senate Candidate 5 would "raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him a Senator".
Lucky we don't have corruption in Ireland
Anyone listening to or watching his inauguration speech?
He's an impressive man, but can he save the world?
Tremendous and powerful speech. "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist".
Call me a cynic, but words are cheap.
pineapple stu is a cynic. Now, there you go.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Not meant to be cynical but words will soon be forgotten unless he can save the world. Expectations are far too high for him so will be interesting to see the reaction when he has to start making really tough decisions. One of the most difficult times ever to start as President.
Americans really love the pomp & ceremony.
Biden will be fun though as he will be good for Bush-esque gaffs. :p
not much else you can do in a speech though. Actions are harder unless he does some break dancing.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
A huge part of politics is inspiring people. He's done that better than any politician I've seen. He's tooled himself with some of the most highly regarded US politicians and they'll make sure he makes the right decisions. Can Obama save the world?
Yes he can!
Absolutely. Which is why I won't pay it too much heed.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
I like him, but he's already saying things like "America won't change its ways" (think that, or something very similar, was in his speech) and saying that an election promise to close Guantanemo immediately now isn't possible. Leads me to think it'll be a more likeable guy in the White House doing fairly similar things.
Good luck, Barack Hussein.
And 'God speed'.
Brian Cowen has done the opposite he has appointed tools to make sure he makes all the wrong decisionsQuote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
What Mantras are we saddled with at the moment?
"No we bloody well can't" and "Jaysus, we better not"
Michelle's a looker ;)
Does the world feel a better place today? Not seeing any significant change in World Disasters....
:confused:
Personally speaking I feel better today than yesterday. Obama can claim credit if he likes
Obamas policies on Israel/Palestine, real progressive.
Yes we can indeed.
What are you confused about Pete? Did you expect him to stop earthquakes and floods?Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Just after reading his inauguration speech, and it is powerful stuff. That said, I'm sure that we could look back through speeches from other presidents and see similar grandiose comments. How will he follow up on things is the question.
His first act - to halt the Guantanamo trials - was a positive step.
That's probably one of the dumbest comments I've seen you make on the site pete. Seriously, if that's what you're reduced to, give up.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
I agree. Only he could have prevented that vehicle accident in the South of France...Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
As for all the volcanoes, what is his policy on them?
I haven't noticed him mention them yet. Doesn't seem to be on his agenda.Quote:
Originally Posted by Red&White Rover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Joke_Alert.png
Obama retakes the Oath. Here
Just to be on the safe side. Cutting the right wing nut jobs off at the pass if you ask me, even though he officially became president at noon on Tuesday, oath or no oath.
From CNN...
'The Constitution is clear about the exact wording of the oath and as a result, some constitutional experts have said that a do-over probably wasn't necessary but also couldn't hurt. Two other previous presidents have repeated the oath because of similar issues, Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur'.
Bad start to his tenure ...Quote:
Originally Posted by strangeirish
:pQuote:
Originally Posted by pete
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Originally Posted by osarusan
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Originally Posted by dahamsta
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Originally Posted by Red&White Rover
Ah come people .... That is one seriously big whoosh for all of ye, or we need to get a few SOH donors stat !! :eek:
Nah, nerves just got the better of both men. After all, they are human, aren't they?:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Ash
On Sky News at the moment that he's signed an order to have Guantanemo closed in the next twelve months. Words are still cheap, but I'll take back the above comment. Paying too much heed to what's written in other people's tabloids on the train. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Is that in addition to the order stopping military tribunals in the camp for 120 days?
Think so, yeah. Possibly part of the same order.
He said he signed 3 orders, roughly from my understanding;
1 was to ensure no torture,
1 to close the prison inside a year &
1 was to instigate the prosecution/suitable relocation of the inmates
correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by endabob1
This is all shadow boxing and purely for media consumption when the whole world is watching closely
This is publicity management and not a whole lot else.
I firmly believe that BO will be one of the great presidents but this is all shape throwing - closing gitmo is an easy win - low hanging fruit
The real tests are to come - economy, iran, healthcare
He may change a few things on the surface, but nothing will change on any meaningful level. The US is still looking out for its own interests all the time, and if that means supporting a coup that kills hundreds of thousands again (ala Indonesia in the '60s) then that's what they'll do. Israel is still the Golden Child that can do no wrong, and will continue to be.
Cynical, I know. I so want to believe in this guy, but my head over-rules my heart on this one.
He's been POTUS for 4 days lads, get real. If you want to criticise a President on actual performance, find a Bush thread and post there. There's lots.
It is truly ridiculous he hasn't got those three sorted by now. Obama out!Quote:
Originally Posted by Angus