Obama

**eamo1** · 26/03/2009, 11:55 AM

Reminds me of a Family Guy quotes in the episode about "the special peoples games" with presenters Diane and Tom:"a good way to get a few cheap laughs" and "one things for sure we will all be going to hell by the time this is over".

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I dont think he should have gone on that show though.People watch those shows to escape talk of recessions,politics etc.

**pete** · 26/03/2009, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by eamo1

I dont think he should have gone on that show though.People watch those shows to escape talk of recessions,politics etc.

I has been suggested that he is trying to copy Bill Clintons permanent campaigning style. Not sure it the best approach in a recession.

**pete** · 02/04/2009, 8:55 PM

Any one hear if Obama brought a better gift for Gordon Brown at the G20 summit?

Click

As he headed back home from Washington, Gordon Brown must have rummaged through his party bag with disappointment.

Because all he got was a set of DVDs. Barack Obama, the leader of the world's richest country, gave the Prime Minister a box set of 25 classic American films - a gift about as exciting as a pair of socks.

Mr Brown is not thought to be a film buff, and his reaction to the box set is unknown. But it didn't really compare to the thoughtful presents he had brought along with him.

The Prime Minister gave Mr Obama an ornamental pen holder made from the timbers of the Victorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet.

The unique present delighted Mr Obama because oak from the Gannet's sister ship, HMS Resolute, was carved to make a desk that has sat in the Oval Office in the White House since 1880.

Mr Brown also handed over a framed commission for HMS Resolute and a first edition of the seven-volume biography of Churchill by Sir Martin Gilbert.

**SkStu** · 02/04/2009, 8:58 PM

i'd take the DVD's.

**dahamsta** · 02/04/2009, 9:56 PM

Linear thinking. Sell the pen on eBay and you'd be able to afford a hell of a lot more DVDs.

**Wangball** · 07/04/2009, 12:30 PM

What Brown should do is go public with his disappointment to the Sun or some other rag, they could run a sensational front page scoop...."Gordon Brown-ed off with lame gift" or "Brown recieves Brik-a-BARACK"...a source close to Mr Brown could be attributed with having said "He thought they had a special relationship"....America's shame would be complete

EDIT*** "Give us our pen ba(ra)ck"

**superfrank** · 14/04/2009, 12:16 PM

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/.../breaking3.htm

US president Barack Obama has lifted restrictions on family ties to Cuba which had been imposed as part of the embargo against the country.

He will also allow US telecommunications firms to start providing service for Cubans.

In a major shift from the Bush administration's more hard-line approach to Havana, Mr Obama ended limits on family travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans in the United States to Cuba.

I think it's a great idea to open up to Cuba. Both sides are stubborn about it but the US are the ones with more significant global influence, therefore them making the first move is going to be a lot more beneficial to Cuba.

Can't help but think that there are US companies doing this just to make some money during the recession. Cuba will have loads of opportunities for money-making and if US companies can build a base now, then when things improve (though I don't know how badly Cuba has been affected) they'll have a customer base of some sort.

**SkStu** · 14/04/2009, 5:13 PM

finally a significant move from Barack

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0414/worldcup.html

**pete** · 15/04/2009, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

finally a significant move from Barack

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0414/worldcup.html

The US had its chance with the World Cup & I would not favour them getting it again so soon.

**superfrank** · 15/04/2009, 11:01 AM

Blatter will give it to the highest bidder.

**strangeirish** · 17/04/2009, 1:29 PM

Originally Posted by pete

The US had its chance with the World Cup & I would not favour them getting it again so soon.

I would and not just because I live here. I thought they did a brilliant job in '94 and anyone that I've talked to that was here or visiting had a great time. What's your main point of contention Pete?

**SkStu** · 17/04/2009, 2:31 PM

i would also love it to be in the States too. Soccer has grown since 1994, i think it would be a far bigger deal this time round and the Americans, credit where its due, know how to put on a show.

Though mostly i would like it there for selfish reasons...

**pete** · 17/04/2009, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by strangeirish

What's your main point of contention Pete?

Not long enough gap since last time US had the World Cup.
Games played at 12 noon in 40 degree heat.
No football grounds. Were some pitches less than minimum regulation?
Better candidates.

I have never heard any one saying a country hosted a bad World Cup.

**strangeirish** · 17/04/2009, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Not long enough gap since last time US had the World Cup.
Games played at 12 noon in 40 degree heat.
No football grounds. Were some pitches less than minimum regulation?
Better candidates.

I have never heard any one saying a country hosted a bad World Cup.

24 to 28 years is not long enough? As far as I know, all the pitches met FIFA's standards and as for the stadiums, with the exception of Orlando, were fan friendly and very impressive. There are even better stadiums now, for example, Chicagos Soldier Field. New York will have a new one also by the time it rolls around as will Dallas. Can't argue too much with you about the heat and the time, but TV dicatates that.

**thischarmingman** · 19/04/2009, 7:08 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/.../breaking3.htm

I think it's a great idea to open up to Cuba. Both sides are stubborn about it but the US are the ones with more significant global influence, therefore them making the first move is going to be a lot more beneficial to Cuba.

Can't help but think that there are US companies doing this just to make some money during the recession. Cuba will have loads of opportunities for money-making and if US companies can build a base now, then when things improve (though I don't know how badly Cuba has been affected) they'll have a customer base of some sort.

In fairness, this guy got there first:

(Series 7 to be precise)

**osarusan** · 13/05/2009, 9:11 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8048774.stm

US President Barack Obama has said the release of more photos of prisoner abuse by US soldiers is "of no benefit" and may inflame opinion against the US.
.............
The White House previously said it would not fight a court ruling ordering the release of the pictures.

Bullcrap in my opinion. The idea that he has suddenly decided they will "inflame" opinion against the US after previously saying the WH would not contest the release is ludicrous if you ask me.