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World Hopes For A 'Less Arrogant America'
BERLIN - A world weary of eight years of George W. Bush was riveted Tuesday by the drama unfolding in the United States. Many were inspired by Barack Obama's focus on hope, or simply relieved that - whoever wins - the current administration is coming to an end.
From Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to the small town of Obama, Japan, the world gears up to celebrate a fresh start for America.
In Germany, where more than 200,000 flocked to see Obama this summer as he moved to burnish his foreign policy credentials during a trip to the Middle East and Europe, the election dominated television ticker crawls, newspaper headlines and Web sites.
Hundreds of thousands prepared to party through the night to watch the outcome of an election having an impact far beyond America's shores. Among the more irreverent festivities planned in Paris: a "Goodbye George" party to bid farewell to Bush.
"Like many French people, I would like Obama to win because it would really be a sign of change," said Vanessa Doubine, shopping Tuesday on the Champs-Elysees. "I deeply hope for America's image that it will be Obama."
Obama-mania was evident not only across Europe, where millions geared up for all-night vigils, but even in much of the Islamic world, where Muslims expressed hope that the Democrat would seek compromise rather than confrontation.
The Bush administration alienated Muslims by mistreating prisoners at its detention center for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and inmates at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison - human rights violations also condemned worldwide.
"I hope Obama wins (because) of the need of the world to see the U.S. represent a more cosmopolitan or universal political attitude," said Rais Yatim, the foreign minister of mostly Muslim Malaysia.
"The new president will have an impact on the economic and political situation in my country," said Muhammad al-Thaheri, 48, a civil servant in Saudi Arabia. Like so many around the world, he was rooting for Obama "because he will change the path the U.S. is on under Bush."
Nizar al-Kortas, a columnist for Kuwait's Al-Anbaa newspaper, saw an Obama victory as "a historic step to change the image of the arrogant American administration to one that is more acceptable in the world."
Yet John McCain was backed by some in countries such as Israel, where he is perceived as tougher on Iran.
Israeli leaders, who consider the U.S. their closest and most important ally, have not openly declared a preference. But privately, they have expressed concern about Obama, who has alarmed some by saying he would be ready to hold a dialogue with Tehran.
Taking a cigarette break on a Jerusalem street corner, bank employee Leah Nizri, 53, said Obama represented potentially frightening change and voiced concern about his Muslim ancestry.
"I think he'll be pleasant to Israel, but he will make changes," she said. "He's too young. I think that especially in a situation of a world recession, where things are so unclear in the world, McCain would be better than Obama."
Even in Europe, McCain got some grudging respect: Germany's mass-circulation daily Bild lionized the Republican as "the War Hero" and running mate Sarah Palin as "the Beautiful Unknown."
In Berlin, Republicans Abroad organized a "November Surprise Election Party" to watch live "how the Republican ticket McCain/Palin comes from behind and leaves the 'liberal elite media' in Europe and the United States puzzled."
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown clung to convention by refusing to say which candidate he wants to see win. Regardless of the outcome, he told Al-Arabiya television while on a tour of the Gulf, "history has been made in this campaign."
In Baghdad, a jaded Mohammed al-Tamimi said he didn't think U.S. policy on Iraq would change. Even so, "we hope that the new American president will open a new page with our country."
Kenyans made their allegiance clear: Scores packed churches on Tuesday to pray for Obama, whose late father was born in the East African nation, and hailed the candidate - himself born in Hawaii - as a "son of the soil."
"Tonight we are not going to sleep," said Valentine Wambi, 23, a student at the University of Nairobi. "It will be celebrations throughout."
Kenyans believe an Obama victory would not change their lives much but that hasn't stopped them from splashing his picture on minibuses and selling T-shirts with his name and likeness. Kenyans were planning to gather around radios and TV sets starting Tuesday night as the results come in.
"We will feast if Obama wins," said Robert Rutaro, a university president in neighboring Uganda. "We will celebrate by marching on the streets of Kampala and hold a big party later on."
In the sleepy Japanese coastal town of Obama - which translates as "little beach" - images of him adorned banners along a main shopping street, and preparations for an election day victory party were in full swing.
Election fever also ran high in Vietnam, where McCain was held as a prisoner of war for more than five years after being shot down in Hanoi during a 1967 bombing run.
"He's patriotic," said Le Lan Anh, a Vietnamese novelist and real estate tycoon. "As a soldier, he came here to destroy my country, but I admire his dignity."
Kole reported from Vienna, Austria. AP correspondents worldwide contributed.
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105 Comments so far
Show All"He's patriotic," said Le Lan Anh, a Vietnamese novelist and real estate tycoon. "As a soldier, he came here to destroy my country, but I admire his dignity."
?????
It must be their Buddhist traditions or something, but the Vietnamese are foriving and magnanimous to a fault!
Yes, and I have found that Catholic Vietnamese (compared to the Budddhists) in particular can be pretty right-wing and imperialist ass-kissing.
A neighboring Vietnamese immigrant family were the only Republicans on my street in my old neighborhood.
The fear of communism blinded Rome to the imperialism of the U.S.. In turn, with the Vietnam war, the Catholic Church was an agent of the U.S. and the fear of Catholics being abused in North Vietnam was a fraudelant smokescreen.
I can only say the Catholic Church has been no more duped on the abuses of capitalism than the American people.
The Vietnamese people, buddist, catholic or whatever are an understanding and forgiving people. Even when they were fighting us, the people were not angry in the sense of hate, but of "get the heck out of my country" angry.
I liked the people then and now, They are invariably hard workers and tend to work for their children. Most that have come here exemplify all our old American values. They didn't learn them here they just got to use them here. I believe they are among the best of us. Among the best of Americans.
Some are Republican, some are Democrats, many are Independents, no different than other American's.
.A bit of a shallow view follows:
The women are beautiful, the food is wonderful and the countryside was incredible, before we got there of course.
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We see things, not as they are, but as we are.
Anais Nin
And it is again, the food is better and the women more beautiful....of course as to the latter, I'm older, all women look more beautiful.
By the way, I won't tell anyone else.
McCain is George C. Scott at the end of "Patton", walking his dog toward the windmill whose blades will shortly cast him down into the mud. And Obama is Dave McKay, the character played by Robert Redford in "The Candidate" who, after moving to the "center", unexpectedly wins his election and then has to ask his campaign manager what he'll do next. The next president will still be The American Empire, still humping vigorously down the road, still smacking its chewing gum, still eating with its mouth open, still taking steroids and pumping iron to maintain that 50 inch chest, still acting like a bunch of shit-faced arrested adolescents at a football game tail gate party. To be an empire is to be a heroin addict who will eventually be found face down on the bathroom floor, dead from an overdose.
"To be an empire is to be a heroin addict who will eventually be found face down on the bathroom floor, dead from an overdose."
What a metaphor! It works in many ways, I really like it... kudos. If you were a famous historical figure I'd be quoting you often :)
Despite the best efforts of the "Forces of Evil" and the "Dark Side", this will become "A Day of Jubilee" ....... 'Bout time!
"He's patriotic," said Le Lan Anh, a Vietnamese novelist and real estate tycoon. "As a soldier, he came here to destroy my country, but I admire his dignity."
The poor and the rich in developing countries understand that the aggressive criminal types are the ones that make money and get ahead in their world, absent inheritance.
Even the poor admire criminals and other successful conservatives who prey on them in the name of God and country.
Hey ezf, I know I'm bad company, but nice perseverance.
Unfortunately thanks to the filters of the corporate media, people outside the US are largely having to judge Obama based on just impressons and even stereotypical notions.
I can hardly blame them, If I was a European it would be hard to look at a picture of Obama and not assume someone of such a multracial background wouldn't be a cosmopolitan, and therefore, less jingoist and imperialist.
But alas, such an assumption is likely to be in error, as they don't know how quickly the virus of USAn exceptionalism can infect the first-generation children of an innigrant.
Writing as a former American expatriate who still travels extensively outside of the USA (which makes me all too rare amongst my fellow Americans), I have spent many quality hours attempting to explain how such a manifest idiot like Dubya could occupy the White House. If Obama manages to beat the Republican voter suppression efforts, I hope that an awareness of the world outside the borders of the USA becomes part of his administration.
Obama comes in with a better awareness and appreciation than GWB has after 8 years.
"I have spent many quality hours attempting to explain how such a manifest idiot like Dubya could occupy the White House."
Now what was your explanation........................?????????? (LOL)
Culture (xenophobic & insular) & political dirty tricks (5 Supreme Court justices in 2000, voting irregularities in Ohio in 2004 plus Kerry being a putz).
Oke-b-bedokey!
I voted for Obama in Florida and it feels good. The line was only about an hour long and there were about 15 third party and independent candidates for president on the ballot including the write in spot.
No electronic machine's here. I filled the circle on a paper ballot in with pen and the results were scanned
At least I feel we are gonna be a less Arrogant Country and we still got to work for the best.
It will be a world wide party day, even in places where they know from long experience that nothing much will change. It will be a celebration not of change or redemption, but of the beauty of hope. You don't have to believe in God to celebrate Christmas, and you don't have to be a political optimist to share in the dreams that Obama can not fulfill. My martini fixings are in the icebox for tonight' s election returns. I'll go back to being a cynic tomorrow.
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Ah…
I love the smell of Camelot in the morning.
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I get your metaphor, but at the real(!?) Camelot there weren't any sewers and the rode a lot of horses and yes, those are live chickens running around. Baths? What are those?
It is going to be good for everyone everywhere regardless of who wins because the winner is NOT Bush. It will be especially good if it is Obama.
However; remember that no matter who wins, there is still the sewer, the horse poo in the streets, chicken crap and not enough showers to go 'round.
.
Leave it to someone to turn their vision of Camelot into a sewer...
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
3. The glamorous ambience of Washington, D.C., during the administration of President John F. Kennedy, 1961–63.
You know, I wrote a little something yesterday, that was very to me uplifting and meaningful, you know... hopeful.
And some one had to come along and write some cynical, negative drag everyone down reply.
And now today I write another simple inspirational non-controversial comment, and another asshole appears to offer their snide comments.
You know – if on this day – of all days – you can’t offer some small positive energy to the world as it rejoices – for just one day for God’s sake – then shut the fuck up will ya and let a few other people enjoy their hope… please!
Perhaps a good starting point for you would be to review the title of the article you are commenting under…
World Hopes For A 'Less Arrogant America' – it fits you perfectly!!!
My God – what would we all have done if you hadn’t so wisely reminded us all of “there is still the sewer, the horse poo in the streets, chicken crap and not enough showers to go 'round???
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Hey Keith. Just want you to know that there is nothing that positive about Camelot or today. This is just another day really. A lot of work to do and not a lot to be excited about.
Curb your enthusiasm a little friend. :-)
Anyway it seems that you attract a lot of snide comments. Wonder if that has some cause. As my brother always says, how come the assholes only come out when I'm driving.
Also remember that he is going to send more troops to Afganistan. He is not going to immediately remove troops from Iraq. He supports Israel. He is not going to institute single payer health care. He gets MASSIVE donations from financial institutions and the Insurance giants. ...
Like I say, just another day. :-)
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Hey - My guess is I'm as hard left as you - but I feel sorry for you if you can't even take a one day vacation from your sad cynical life to rejoice - must you hang out here all day reminding all of your negative world-view and making provocative little remarks??? - try this - leave the keyboard - go help someone less fortunate than you.
You are not my friend, you are the type of person I used to be.
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LMAO. You are exactly the type of person I am only you still have your head up your sunshine, sunshine.
Your little references to Kennedy, who got us into Vietnam, bombed Cuba, helped force the Berlin Wall, put nuclear missles into Turkey, launched the first nuclear SLBMs (Polaris), created the "missle-gap", and created the School of the Americas and the Green Berets, well that sort of make me nausious.
Camelot this is not and hopefully never will be. That was the beginning of the shining city on the hill that did no wrong around the world. The beginning of the Empire.
You can't afford to take a vacation sunshine. You need to get to work and fix this place and Obama smelling like a tart is not gong to do it alone.
Again. Have a nice one Keith. :-)
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Hey there Goose2,
I have taken awhile to think over what all that you said above, and thought I would drop back to tell you the true epiphany I had as a result of your comments:
Over the last 5-6 years I have spent a LOT of time reading political blogs, and occasionally commenting.
YOUR comments helped me to see that I need to eliminate reading blogs from my daily routine.
It will be hard to do, because I love to hear all the news and various opinions, but I figure the time and energy I recoup can really benefit the 5 solar thermal projects I’m developing and bringing to market, so I really want to thank you for the little breakthrough I just achieved.
I probably piss away 4-6 hours a week late at night lurking around on blogs that really can be put to much better use!
How about that; your negative combative attitude actually helped another person out, who hopefully will create products that benefit the future of the planet!!!
Good luck to you if you decide to work on your issues.
I will print this out and use it as a daily reminder of how far I have journeyed, and strengthen my commitment to living a positive meaningful life. Thanks again.
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Wow! Now that's inspiring!
Well, glad to hear you are going to be sleeping a little more or whatever you do late at night now that you aren't going to be here.
Amazing you are bringing products to market when you seem to have problems sticking to your guns. Of course being niave isn't a real winner in business either.
Anyway. Enjoy the night. Obama is going to win handily. In the morning might want to think how that is going to equate with Palestinians still being killed by Israelis that your white knight supports. How single payer health is not going to happen. Maybe wonder how those troops in Afganistan are doing and how the new ones that are going to be sent there, how they are feeling with an Obama win.
Maybe go see Spamalot since your interested in Camelot....
Anyway... Bu-buy. :-)
May Bush die slowly and painfully.
It is a new day for this world.
What a horror show it has been.
Obama. Yes. Yes. Yes.
And the people who have observed how the United States of America and other western countries are actually run are under no illusions at all that things will change. Obama, like McCain are both puppets of the Ruling Elite, just as Bush is so whoever wins this farce which passes as an election will be following the agenda of the Ruling Elite.
JFK tried to go against the wishes of the ruling families and we all know what happened to him, so whoever wins this election will continue the erosion of civil liberties and escalate fear through war and false-flag terror operations whilst waving the flag and repeating "God bless America" at the end of every speech whilst the Ruling Elite get richer and richer through more bailouts and the consolidation of resources as the few corporations and banks merge and the wet dream of the Ruling Elite is realised in first American Facism followed by Global Facism.
With the puppet mainstream media brainwashing the vast majority of the population into voting for Tweedle-Dee or Tweedle-Dumb and ignoring all the third party candidates the term democracy is just Orwellian speak and what has been will continue as whoever wins will just be another puppet of the Ruling Elite, yet the sheeple have bought (yet again) that voting for one of these tools will bring about a change for the better after being let down time and time again by the same parties which have only managed to divide the population into either being Republican or Democrat rather than unite the population into being American at home and Earthican on the global level.
The only way to stop this downward spiral is to take control of our own lives and see each and every one of us as equal, unfortunately the Ruling Elite have created a society that is unequal and brainwashed the vast majority into believing that this is the only way it can be. Break the programming, free your mind, escape from the pyramid and realise that we are all equal and stop relying on the system to make the world a better place because it's like the Easter Bunny it's a fantasy which is never going happen.
Equalitism Now!
peace and now
Yes and I don't rely on the system to make the world a better place and we all have a voice and energy for a better world each and every day in our own lives.
It only took me an hour to cast my vote.
Jim, after the concertina wire falls, after Cheney is gone, then will be the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.
We have been so assaulted; I and many are now motivated to assault back, legally; I think change can be manifest under Barack, but it will require not forgetting and activism.
What a great day.
Brother let go of your intellectual and political purity for just a moment and just enjoy the multitudes of people of color, men, women and children, in crowds swaying to the music shoulder to shoulder with white men, women and children at Obama rallies. That's what's important! Not what Barack Obama said because he need to win an election.
Fascism and death were inevitable with a McCain/Palin victory. Now there is hope! No guarantees, just hope and a mighty struggle ahead of us all.
Justice, then Peace.
Couldn't resist http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh9BmNuqeiQ
A couple of things:
1)"World Hopes For A 'Less Arrogant America'" - The average American and the average politician will always be arrogant but perhaps an Obama administration could make us at least 1% less arrogant.(?) Will that matter to the rest of the world?
2)Israel - They feel a bit uneasy with an Obama administration. Maybe he will enforce the many UN resolutions and make Israel get out of the occupied territories. They know mccain will bomb, bomb, bomb - bomb, bomb Iran and keep them on the map.
3)It is scary that the mccain folks are acting like they'll win. It sounds too much like the eve of the 2000 election when bush II and bush I sat watching the returns and arrogantly predicted that they'd win no problem. Maybe they know something we don't. Rigged Diebold machines, voter suppression, Supreme Court standing by...??? Should we read more into that palin wink?
No, that Palin wink is not the future.
The wink means "at least I am Cute when I lose".
I live in an important swing state, so i just drank the obama kool aid. (I guess i feel the need for a mass confession.) I stood in front of that diebold machine for a very long time. But i kept thinking, "what if my state goes for Mccain, how will i feel"? And then i thought, "well, then that is how it goes"...Actually, now that i am writing this, i wish i could vote again, now...
I have no expectations at all. It is Bill Clinton part two.
Maybe when people realize it is business as usual under obama, people will begin to need to 'think'.
Obama is going to be better than McCain, but there is a lot of work to do and he is no saviour on a white horse.
Ex-actly. There are no absolutes; Obama will be much better than eight more years of the same horrors. But he is not a saint.
Obama.
.I wonder at the use of the word 'better'. A kinder gentler obeisance to the corporate rule of our nation, coupled with an ability to make flowery speeches containing nothing of substance may not be better. Our children dying in Afghanistan and Pakistan may not be better than those kids dying in Iraq. I guess we will shortly see what has become better.....
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We see things, not as they are, but as we are.
Anais Nin
I agree with you.
This morning I voted based on my analysis of the facts - not what any pundits, politicians, or corporate pushers had to say.
Did you?
"Even in Europe, McCain got some grudging respect: Germany's mass-circulation daily Bild lionized the Republican as "the War Hero" and running mate Sarah Palin as "the Beautiful Unknown."
Ha, Ha, Ha, You Betcha!!! ..This makes sense since The Bild is one of Europe's biggest tabloid newspapers.
Another "Beautiful Unknown" they promoted was their "Bild Lilly" a cartoon character who was basically a cute, lovable, brainless ho with severe eye makeup.
The rights to this character were purchased by Mattel Corp. and in 1959 and Bild Lilly became the Barbie Doll.
Killer illuminating post on a great day.
Oh, Brave New World, with fresh ideas & innocent faces, like..Holbrooke, Powell, Allbright, Rubin, Lugar, Biden, Bzrezinski, and all the other imperialist warmongers, neo-liberals, and Israel-firsters whom "Hopey" Obama will bring onboard. Yes, the Republicans need to go, but not much will change, and reality will soon bite.
This really boils down to whether you are an American or not. If you are an American you will vote for Obama or Independent. If you are not an American, you will vote for McCain. It really is that simple.
How arrogant you are. This is about as obnoxious as saying if you are "intelligent" or "not a racist" you'll vote for Obama.
But don't hate me too much, I voted 3rd party. :-)
Americans vote for whom they like. Fortunately in America we get to do that. And whomever you voted for is right because that is what you believe.
Americans vote because of fear...unless you voted 3rd party.