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TechnoratiWorld 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.
![[]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/mccainobama1104.jpg "mccainobama1104.jpg")
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.
105 Comments so far
Show AllAlong with his key domestic initiatives, what Mr Obama now tries to do in Afghanistan will be certainly one and possibly THE crucial test of his fittness to lead.
Will he actually persue the same, insane Empire foreign policy as his predecessors - as he seems to be promising? Or will he make a decisive break with Amerika Uber Alles thinking?
Many Obama supporters have excused his electioneering promise to (essentially) 'leave-Iraq-but-then-go-into-Afghanistan-bigtime,' as nothing more than his campaigning cleverness, designed to keep rabid rightwing media and conservative swing voters off-balance -- just long enough to get elected.
They maintain that Obama is neither inclined, nor would ever be stupid or corrupt enough to repeat the full-bore maddness of Iraq in Afghanistan -- and that we'el all clearly see, soon enough, Obama winding-down and abandoning both expressions of US Empire.
It may for some people be a viable proposition that, 'in the real world:' any true-intended reformer of a polity as misgoverned and citizen-hypnotized as the US, would necessarily have to rhetorically campaign-fudge his/her way into the Top Job, in order to have half a chance of revitalizing, over time, both democratic processes and humane policies from within.
But even if you accept this nostrum at the outset, for sake of 'hope' - let's say, there have to be benchmarks 'in time' by which you jugde whether your hope is justified in relation to the leader's subsequent actions or is instead a delusion.
If Obama can't or won't begin to abandon US Empire values abroad, fairly quickly, that in itself will be proof-plenty that he's failed to even begin taking on the Oligarchy at home. And that, in sum, will render him just another, useless pseudo-reformer asking for endless amounts of time in which to do finally, nothing.
Because I wish my country well, I also for the moment wish Obama well.
And in saying 'for the moment,' I sure as hell don't mean for very long.
This title sounds like it belongs on "The Onion".
Joe
Josephine Ortez
Good One!
Note the pictures of McCain 'n' Obama. Both lookin' pretty scary
The entire US Empire is heading for retirement along with the Imperial Chimp and Darth Viper. The past eight years was a referendum not only on the extreme right neocons but on the lesser extreme right triangulators. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You're either with the neocons or against them. It's like how you're either with the terrorists or against them.
Now that he has been elected, can Obama now then please get his act together and impeach Bush in this last month.
To me, the only significance of an Obama election is the total humiliation of Republicans.
Remember, if Obama starts to disappoint, start looking at the Greens for your consolation. Never again pay attention to that other end of the political spectrum. Republicans can never be the solution for the Democratic party's woes.
it's over cd; don't ever forget how ugly you became.
i've been here for years.
i damn sure won't forget how insulting you all became this last year.
as you benefit from BO's policies.
Go
To
Hell.
How Ugly You all Became. Shame on you.
Mr translucent writes, "it's over cd; don't ever forget how ugly you became.... Go To Hell...How Ugly You all Became. Shame on you..."
- You think this only because you don't really understand what's involved. Naturally, to someone with your superficial perceptions, criticism of a candidate whose personality you happen to like would seem vicious & incomprehensibly immoral; & you'd be apt to take it very personally. However, it's not personal.
You write, "i damn sure won't forget how insulting you all became this last year. as you benefit from BO's policies..."
- Did we benefit from BO's policies in the last year? Or do you imagine we'll benefit from them in the next year? I wonder which ones you mean. Do you mean the one about expanding the military? The Wall St bailout? The immunity he helped give to the telecoms?
What you perceive as "insults" are merely the efforts of those who know more than you, to explain to you what's going on.
Translucent, the rank and file people of the country, and the nations of the world are the benefactors. The bigoted and the selfish are the losers. The nasty slime, distortions and lies of the McCain campaign are shameful. The way his mob booed his mention of his opponent was a stain on their honor.
But a new day is all of ours with much work and careful thought.
Please read translucents, notes again, my dear Chlorocardium!
He was criticising those of us who crtitized Obama's pro-war, conservative positions. Sure, Obamas elections has a lot of significant symbolism, but no comcrete genuilely progressive proposals. The idea that we will bask in progress under Obama is utter noinsense! It is you unquestionining supporters of Obama who are in for a unhappy suprise - or are you all pro-war, anti-worker conserviatives in disguise yourselves? I think it is the latter.
BTW, just minutes ago, it was announced that Obama's Chief of Staff will be the right-wing, "war-on-terror" loving, Palestine-hating, progressive-backstabbing Rahm Emmanuel. So her we go...
If we want genuine progress - free medicare for all, dismantling the war machine, abolition of all nuclear arms, ending US imperialism, we need to forget about Obama doing anything and form solid orgainazations in every congressional district! This is what Ralph Nader is proposing. Nader will be putting up a website - likely to be called "november5.org" will sonn be up - seroius organizers only please!
If Nader and all of the 15 or so parties that have a candidate run for president united so they wouldn't split their votes, they would begin to have influence.
Then if they could face the reality of the winner take all system they could with all their energy become a force within the system...which in reality is one party with a left and right wing.
Then work to get their candidates elected as Democrats or Republicans whichever party needs their ideas like instant runoff voting, single payer healthcare and other good stuff.
They would make better progress also as new progressive lobbyists. That is how power is won in this system.
There were about 15 third party candidates for prez on the ballot so they have all dissapated their power to effect change with their votes.
Third parties are great for education and new ideas but when they blow their energy by splitting the progressive votes, they only hurt themselves... If you want it all now, you wont get it.
.Errr does your 'understanding' of third party politics extend to the platforms of those various parties? Platforms which are dichotomous to each other. Imagine the Greens allying with the lIbertarians....light another doobie dude.
.
We see things, not as they are, but as we are.
Anais Nin
That's a good point. I counted all the votes of all the candidates in CA for President that were not for either the Democrat or the Republican. It came to over 186,500 votes. All split between like 5 people. Why can't they all get together and CHOSE ONE to be a powerful force? We might have a chance in heck if they did.
Gabriola Island, BC calling... Got this, thought of y'all:
Date: Mon, Nov 3, 2008
Dear Red States:
If you manage to steal this election, too, we've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and all of the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California.
To sum up:
You get Texas, Oklahoma, and all the slave states.
We get stem cell research and the best beaches.
We get the Statue of Liberty.
You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft.
You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard.
You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85% of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs.
You get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue.
You get to make the Red States pay their fair share.
Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22% lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families.
You get a bunch of single moms.
Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and hope that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire.
With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of: 80% of the country's fresh water; more than 90% of the pineapple and lettuce; 92% of the nation's fresh fruit; 95% of America's quality wines; 90% of all cheese; 90% of the high tech industry; 95% of the corn and soybeans (thanks, Iowa!); most of the US low-sulfur coal; all living redwoods, sequoias and condors; all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools plus Stanford, CalTech and MIT.
With the Red States, on the other hand: you will have to cope with 88% of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs); 92% of all US mosquitoes; nearly 100% of the tornadoes; 90% of the hurricanes; 99% of all Southern Baptists; virtually 100% of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson, and the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.
Additionally: 38% of those in the Red States believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale; 62% believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws; 44% say that evolution is only a theory; 53% believe that Saddam was involved in 9/11; and 61% of you crazy bastards believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties.
Peace out,
Blue States
That's hilarious -- and so TRUE!!! THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! It made my day!
What unfounded arrogance and offensive trash.
I look at is as satirical, and pretty funny. A satire of Palin's "Real America" speeches.
-----------------------------------
I think, therefore I am dangerous.
Agreed, incredibly arrigant and elitist - like so many those who show such unwarranted enthusiasm for Obama!
Ah quit whinning.... angry conservatives.
BRAVO! BRAVO!
Can we include Austin, Texas with the Blue Crowd then please? We've behaved, you know, for quite some time as the Blue Jewel in the dry red texas desert.
BTW We have good music to offer, plus some computer knowledge, and tons of highly intelligent foreign students.
Just for that you are invited to Northern California where we will show you how to 'get a script' and grow something legally that is worth more than a hippie's ponytail in 'Lubbock.'
Everything loose in the country rolls to Cali; don't be late.
Thought this day would never come. After eight years of bumbling Bush, we are to be free at last.
The wars should end, the economy should heal, the country should be one again.
Once the old ways of thinking are erased, this country can be restored to its original glory.
Good riddance to Bush and his neocon cronies. May they ever be reminded of the havoc they caused in the world and to this great country.
Never again!
This country is not going to be one again because it never has been except maybe July 5th 1776. This election is going to be a blowout in electorial votes and closeish popular vote (52/47) for Obama. That still means that half the nation is angry, you just get to be in the happy half for a bit. No real changes. The economy is not going to changs, the military is not going to change, support for Israel is not going to change. Tomorrow looks a lot like yesterday really except there is someone in the WH that likes wine better than blow. Don't get me wrong, that is an improvement, but this is not the dawn of a new era.
"The economy is not going to changs, the military is not going to change, support for Israel is not going to change."
Wrong... everything changes including Israel.
Dog, of course you are dead on; listen not to anyone who would dilute the beauty of this moment.
It has been a nightmare beyond scripting,
It is ending,
I cast my first vote in a lifetime for him; Myself and so many others;
Obama. YES!
it's only tenage wasteland.
the exodus is here.
they're all wasted.
From the Devil's Interval; That would be a suspeneded fourth.
What a great day.
Obama.
"The wars should end, the economy should heal, the country should be one again."
I hate to rain on you parade, but if you go check out the chat on the Freeper site, you will see tha the country will still be far from being one again.
Hey, I just thought of something ....
Where were all of the Obamabots when Kerry ran, or when Gore ran ??? Those who are voting for Obama who did not vote for Kerry or Gore enabled Bush to pillage for 4 or 8 years ! Shame on all of you !
I just thought of something too... there were no Obama voters when Kerry and Gore ran because Obama was not runnng.
Times have changed... What a shame!
Obamabots are basically the lefts version of the Bushiites, party loyaltists embracing their religous cult figure. My mother was on a plane coming from Europe and some German businessmen were bad mouthing Bush in English in the row behind her, so she stood up and faced them and raised her fists and scolded them, saying through clenched teeth and her face burning red, "Don't you dare say those things about our President, he is a good man". Shut them up for the rest of the flight, intimidated by my mothers religous fervor for her President I guess, or maybe thye just spoke German the rest of the flight.
The independents determine who gets to be President. McCain was perhaps the worst candidate the Republicans could have run against any Democrat given his Bush support and his self-professsed ignorance on the economy. That they chose him suggests they conceded the election to the Democrats. The Dems and Republicans are owned by the same leaders. It's kind of like in the old days when the agent of 2 boxers have them go up against each other, and he would determine which one should win (Sonny, you go down for the count in the 4th or you never fight again), and places his bets accordingly.
Obama will just scr*w us in a greener and more articulate way than Bush did. The only change will be for the worse, and the elite will win their bets and collect big time, as thye did under Bush. But who knows, maybe he will surprise me, guess I will have to wait and see. I would love to be wrong for a change.
?
Back then, there was no other 3rd party that would help split the Reps votes. We have Bob Barr NOW. The Reps are doomed.
Why on earth would anyone think that a person who has done little and yet likens himself to the world's greatest leaders and humanitarians would not be arrogant ???
Round up the Repugs and KICK THEM OUT!!
Republican philosophy is EMPTY.
GOP Party is WASHED UP.
Bush Administration is CRIMINALLY COMPLICITE.
McCain's campaign is A FAILURE.
Conservative fiscal (ir)responsibility KILLED OUR ECONOMY.
Neocon agenda has made America HATED AROUND THE WORLD.
So long and thanks for all the BUSHiT.
Because this article relates to a previous comment I made elsewhere I've taken the liberty of reproducing it here. It is also the subject of a post on my blog.
What the world needs from America, post-Bush is:
1. An acceptance that America is a small part of the world, not the center of it.
2. An acceptance that greed and American-style capitalism is destroying our planet.
3. An acceptance that greed and American-style capitalism is reducing humans to the level of moronic, two-legged pigs.
4. An acceptance that might is not right and that war solves no problems.
5. An acceptance that the American political system is deeply flawed and needs radical change (21 months and billions of dollars to elect a President is a joke).
6. An acceptance that American religious fanaticism is dangerous and irrational.
7. An acceptance that American society is not a model for the world but is deeply divided and flawed.
8. An acceptance that America is currently being run by greedy corporations, Zionists, fear-mongering politicians and corrupt media barons.
9. An acceptance that most Americans are poorly educated, easily manipulated and know little about the rest of the world (only 13% of Americans have passports).
10. A willingness by America, which is a victim of its own propaganda, to accept its many failing and seek help from other countries so that it can heal itself and become a responsible, peace-loving nation.
Surely this is not too much to ask for?
www.dangerouscreation.com
Replace Zionists with Christian fundamentalists and I agree.
-----------------------------------
I think, therefore I am dangerous.
Boil all this down and you have one thing squirming on the bottom. Corporate Control. We MUST "Seperate Corporate from State" just like our founding fore fathers did with the church. We must ELIMINATE the horribly destructive notion of "Corporate Persona"
that was "railroaded" through by The Super Rich.
These are what would be a wonderful begining.
From just this one person's perspective, the begining will not begin, until the people of the USA are brought to the point that they have no other choice but to change or become a foot note in history's long march, sometimes backwards, but always on the march.
I believe that the USA is now on the verge of either a great overhaul of their society and political system, or the world stepping in and intervening on behalf of the rest of man kind, animal kind, and the environment in general.
Whatever is decided as to "what is a good start", should be decided by the people and move upon immediately.
The rest of the world is becoming more and more fearful of the USA---and for cause---and may, very soon come to the realization that they have no other choice---but to "smack the giant" that threatens everyone and anyone for the slightest reasons.
Your web site shows that you appear to have a pure heart, and honorable intentions.
I learned from a very young age one simple truth that helped my people survive the "wrath of the Giant"---
"If your heart is pure and your intentions are honorable, you will have the strength of ten"................
You and many others may need the strength of ten----soon.
America has never been anything but arrogant---and they are loathe to make changes----just try to remember their own "civil war"---the one question then being-- did one person have the right to own another person? The Americans killed more of themselves in that war----than all of the other wars they have participated in combined-----and it took another 99 years ---the 1964 civil Rights Act----to make any real changes.......
The Americans are dangerous people----to others and to themselves--- to all other life forms as well as the planet.
They will not let go of that arrogance easily---expect a bloody resistance.
Sioux Rose
Good evening, Native Son: Many of your points and examples are valid; however, can we group AMERICA as "one" people? It is such a patchwork, itself composed of many immigrant populations. If you mean the original wealthy Europeans who landed here (and those just following orders), or the elites that have largely controlled US policy, then your analogies are more just and fair. I believe in reincarnation, and plenty of people in the US, likely in this forum, were NOT the White settlers. In fact, given their interest in social justice and more progressive values, there's every reason to believe they have ALREADY suffered, and as a result, come to appreciate others' perspectives, come to consider the JUST society. To place blanket blame upon a people that itself is heterogeneous, many of whom passionately disagree with the policies of their nation, is misplaced. As for the arrogant, the ignorant, the complacent, and the FOX "news" crowd who just are so miserable with their lives that they identify with a voice that tells them they are better than someone else, or presents them with a target for their massive angst, THEN your arrow is presciently pointed!
Perhaps you misunderstand my point----it is basically this----
There most likely are not enough people such as yourself and many others who read this and many other postings on this wonderful forum----to make a difference:
You are out numbered. You are a minority and have not control over the majority who appear to be directly opposite from you.
you are an endangered "life form"-----and you have no protection against the one's who have dominated this country from the begining---
But it was good of you to stand up for the others.
Your heart is pure and your intentions are honorable----and you will have the strength of ten, which is good: you will need it.
It only takes 5% of Americans to be radical dissenters to bring about social change. 5% in the streets would do it.
Stephen, Native Son, et al, this is what amazes me, the lack of dissenters. Americans put up with Bush for eight years and, other than complain, did little or nothing.
However, when their homes began to fall in value and the financial crisis broke then they began to listen and think and hope for change.
I have a real belief that America can get its act together. I've been watching the election results and, thus far, they look encouraging.
If the desire for change can be maintained and the powerful vested interests kept in check while it happens, then the future might be rosy!
The world hopes so!
www.dangerouscreation.com
In the opinion of this poster, who left the US many years ago to live in a less conflictive and arrogant environment, it's asking too little.
But I also have something to ask: Why do you insist on referring to yourself as "Americans" when there are Americans in other parts of this hemisphere?
In Spanish, it is just one continent and it is called America.
And You folks are estadunidenses, norteamericanos or gringos.
The arrogant and exclusive attitude runs so deep that you don't even see how offensive it is to call yourselves Americans.
I am not hopeful.
Cuervo, I started wondering long ago why we call ourselves "Americans" while Canadians call themselves Canadians, Mexico-Mexicans, etc. I remember riding a T-Bar lift at a Canadian Ski area back in the early 70's with a guy who asked me if I was one of those "dumb Americans." I simply replied back "Yes...so are you." But yeah, you are right. It is arrogant.
Arrogance is part of the US self image of course but when we call ourselves Americans, then Canadians and Mexicans know who we are talking about...What would be the alternative..United States people? So we took the term through the evolution of language and empire.... but the fact that no other name sounds as good and short, it is too late to change after more than 200 years. The sound and efficiency of names are important,
If calling ourselves Americans is the big crime, than we are stuck because that name will not change.
Don't Canadians and the whole world call us Americans too? North Americans are Canadians and Mexicans but they have a better short sounding name than "North Americans"
Words are important but not the only thing.
Now you are free to reply with Gingos, Yankees, Idiots, Bullies, or whatever makes your day.
Glover,
I see you are advocating for a private language. Words ARE important, and they need to mean the same thing to the folks using them.
Folks from the US are called Estadunidenses, Norteamericanos, or Gringos.
If you lived where I live--in Latin America, which would you prefer to say?
I think the choice is obvious.
Get over it.
The proper term, is "USAn". Pronounced "Yoosan".
It is a contracted English translation of what the Latino/a people call us -"Estadounidese".
I have been living in Latin America for close to 20 years and I have never once heards such a silly term.
Gringos just make things up.
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.
Americans vote because of fear...unless you voted 3rd party.
Well I didn't vote third party, I'm an American and it certainly wasn't done from or caused by fear.
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.
"...If you are not an American, you will vote for McCain. It really is that simple..."
- This post is apparently from an Obama voter. Ironically, the thought process resembles Sarah Palin's, who claims that in "the real America," people are still voting for McCain.
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. :-)
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.
"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.
This morning I voted based on my analysis of the facts - not what any pundits, politicians, or corporate pushers had to say.
Did you?
Gee, that must be because you're so superior to the rest of us. Thanks for sharing your exalted opinion of yourself with us little people.
The world would like to hope for:
a MUCH less VIOLENT Gringolandia, plus a less hypocritical one, a much less self-righteous one, and one that doesn't believe it is entitled to all the resources of this planet.
But it isn't going to happen.
I agree with you.
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.....
.
We see things, not as they are, but as we are.
Anais Nin
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".
Couldn't resist http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh9BmNuqeiQ
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
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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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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. :-)
Wow! Now that's inspiring!
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.
Yeah, me too, pretty much. (Though I probably can't quite wait until tomorrow to go back to being a cynic again. That's too long. I expect the cynicism to return by late tonight, as soon as it's all official, & the composition of the new Congress is determined.)
But I'll certainly enjoy seeing the Republicans get their asses kicked in, even if it's by a worthless crew of corrupt phonies. (Ooops, that sounded a little cynical, didn't it....)
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.
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!
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.
"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.