10888 Good Morning President Obama!

Great news I think................a change is as good as a rest..................

The future suddenly looks very [COLOR=mediumturquoise]bright [/COLOR]!:yes::yes::yes:

I have great hopes for Obama's Presidency. However, I hard what might be a very telling aside on the radio today. It went something like ;-

"Obama could be likened to a dog that chases cars - its now caught a car, and doesn't know what he's going to do with it".

The inference being that he knows what he wants to do, but not necessarily how he's going to do it.

The real test is, [and I hope he succeeds], whether he can convert his vision into reality.

.

Now for the big job.
Keeping him alive!!

It is fantastic news!!

I was born in the USA, grew up there and I'm still an American citizen even though I'm also a naturalised Subject of Her Britannic Majesty who has lived in Europe for 30 years.

I, too, caught a bit of Obama's speech in Chicago this morning and found it very moving and inspiring.

However, much as I'd like to believe that today is the start of a glorious future, I can't quite buy that.

It would, I think, be very unwise for anyone to hope that the USA during the Obama presidency will suddenly become – unique amongst all nations – a country which consistently acts altruistically and with little regard for its own national interests. Today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future, the USA will continue to rely on Middle Eastern petroleum in order to function and that simple fact will continue to shape much of US foreign policy. Obama has said nothing which suggests he believes that Islamic extremism is no longer a problem and it's not the case that those extremists will alter their view of the USA when it has a different President. The enormous problems with the finances of the US government and American financial institutions remain. The balance of power – economic and military – between the USA, Russia and China continues to shift in ways we'll probably only fully understand in retrospect and the dangers of sudden lurches remain. Domestically, Obama faces huge challenges in meeting the expectations of people who themselves face huge difficulties keeping their job (or finding one), feeding their family, putting fuel in their car and keeping a roof over their heads.

It's the lot of inspirational political figures such as Obama to enter office to fanfares, much talk of a bright new dawn and high expectations, but to then watch those dreams fade and their political capital evaporate in the harsh light of reality. The main question is how long that process will take this time. I don't have great expectations of Obama, but I hope he will be able to move the USA at least a little way forward in a direction that's positive for both Americans and the rest of the world before events conspire – as they always do – to either slowly deflate his plans or bring them dramatically crashing down to earth.

Al

[quote=PAS 55;101876]Now for the big job.
Keeping him alive!![/quote]

Now ain't [I]that[/I] a fact!

:wideeyed:

"moved to italiauncovered.co.uk"

Well I wish him well - it is a really very different job which he is entering than it appeared when he first decided to run 41 months ago.

It was good to hear him in the acceptance speech reiterating his promise to take a puppy into the White House.....perhaps.....one of 'ours'? :smile:

"moved to italiauncovered.co.uk"

What a great positive post. I too cried this morning and I am American. You are right we all have a lot of work ahead. !!:smile:

[quote=alan h;101875]I have great hopes for Obama's Presidency. However, I hard what might be a very telling aside on the radio today. It went something like ;-

"Obama could be likened to a dog that chases cars - its now caught a car, and doesn't know what he's going to do with it".

[B]The inference being that he knows what he wants to do, but not necessarily how he's going to do it.[/B]

The real test is, [and I hope he succeeds], whether he can convert his vision into reality.

.[/quote]

Well that's a step up from someone who didn't know what he wanted to do and even less idea how to do it. :bigergrin:

Politics are what they are the world over but I really do wish the very best for Obama and for America itself. :smile:

Of course Obama is faced with a mountain of problems gifted to him by the previous regime. And no doubt he will founder sometimes in trying to find solutions. However that doesn't alter the fact that his background gives him a much wider vision and understanding of global issues than has been evident for many years in his country. Other countries appear to recognise that already, which must mean that he has a better chance of developing good international relations, even with "difficult" countries. And given the global nature of our current problems, that must be number one priority

In the post office queue in Perugia this morning, 2 coloured men, who by their clothes, worked for an express delivery co. (not the best of jobs or working conditions) had great grins on their faces...why? Because "...a poor but very intelligent black man is President of America" Their words not mine.

That is a nice observation Noble - but I can't help asking what are these young guys hoping for in Italy?

A few years ago I was trying to 'sell' to an intelligent young Italian undergraduate 'The American Dream' (which in the context meant the US really is a country where ANYBODY with talent can aspire to become President irrespective of background, colour, or sex).

He simply laughed at me, and yes, he has grown up into the archetypal arrogant overcharging Italian professional. One of the (many) problems with Italy is that hard work and application don't really count for much if your uncle isn't well positioned....

[quote=Noble;101963] "...a poor but very intelligent black man is President of America" Their words not mine.[/quote]More poor than Berlusconi, I suppose!

While I think that the choice is the better one for America and the rest of the world, I can't get too excited that another rich lawyer is President.

True I know what your saying hope his life insurance policy is up to date.

Well, it's been nice today to learn that Obama is suntanned - 'bello, giovane e abbronzato' according to Silvio Berlusconi, and rather widely reported.

And to learn that Gasparri thinks Obama's victory will please Al Qaeda ([url=http://dailymotion.alice.it/video/x7b3mz_gasparri-obama-sara-contenta-al-qae_news]Alice Video - Gasparri: Obama? SarÃ* contenta Al Qaeda, a video from Video-Reporter. us, elections, elezioni, usa, an[/url] etc.)

One thing I need to know when is 'Mixed Race' 'Mixed Race'
& when is 'Black' 'Black'

[quote=PAS 55;102101]One thing I need to know when is 'Mixed Race' 'Mixed Race'
& when is 'Black' 'Black'[/quote]

Depends on the newsworthiness of the subject

Louis Hamilton is frequently described as Black, but is in fact mixed race - or [more PC these days] 'dual heritage'

.

Oh God! I cant keep up - I thought it was still 'bi-racial'.

Shouldn't it be Lewis Hamilton?

Berlusconi In Tanned Obama Gaffe

(ANSA) - Moscow, November 6 - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday called United States President-elect Barack Obama ''tanned''

[url=http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-11-06_106283018.html]ANSA.it - News in English - Berlusconi in 'tanned Obama' gaffe[/url]

''God save us from imbeciles,'' he said. :yes: