Okay.... so in theory it isn't till tuesday, however with the weekend and monday being a public holiday (ironically for Martin Luther King) in affect from last friday at 9pm, Obama's new teams took over the running of all the US deptartments.....
now I admit I have never really paid notice to the inaugurations in the past, but this one is huge because it feels like I am personally involved in this one, for various different reasons as i have explained before, just like I was on election night...
the events have already started with the journey from philadelpia to washington yesterday.... then there is a huge concert going on tonight, I am sure it will be on all the news channels if you want a gander and various different balls taking place.....
I am now off till wednesday from work.. I really wanted to try and take it all in.. the sense of excitment and being a part of history... I would have love to have gone, but they are expecting anywhere up to 5 million people to head into washington just to try and be a part of it...
So I am going to put on my "american" hat and ask two questions.....
Are people in britian paying any real attention to this, as in other than all the bits on the news channels.....
what would people like to see from the next Obama administration? I think this is more of a "hope" question than anything too political.....
I am interested to hear your views, but please try not to turn it into an american bashing thread... I want to hear about the future rather than dwell on the past.....
sean xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To be honest I'm not much interested in the inauguration in itself. I suspect it will be very flamboyant and noisy but not particularly relevant politically. I am, however, interested in his tenure and what he will do, both in the US and with the international arena.
He seems to be a global-aware person with plans to make real improvements to the US. But I fear he will be dragged into mediocrity by the US politics machine. Just like a radical UK Prime-minister would be dragged into line by the Sir Humprhies of our Government. I watch and wait with interest.
I will (well hope to) watch the inauguration in itself.
But as to what he will bring to the party and gov will remain to be seen.
I think the world and his dog is waiting for Obama to take the lead.
G Dubbya has been an absolute washout since the election (if not before) and seems to have taken his bat home. Never before have I ever sensed a President just "dump" the American people after his party lost an election and in the run up to leaving office.
That says it all. GW Bush was the worth thing the American people could have possibly experienced in their recent history.
Maybe the hope for the American future lies in Obama; I do hope so.
Coincidently, and I do hope you won't mind me asking this off topic as it were, but about the Senators who have been appointed to the Obama team; is it correct that their seats are open for appointment by the Mayor rather than their being a further election?
I remember reading somewhere that JFK's daughter is punting herself for S. Hilary Clinton's seat as she is (rightfully) being appointed as Secretary of State to replace Condolesa Rice.
I'm sure you have a view on this Fabs
The inauguration of Barack Obama....
Well i have to be honest with you the actual ceremony
dosen't bother me in the slightest.
The point i have in mind is whether he will uphold some of the things he has said in all his speeches that he has made to the party faithful.
If he is like most politicians who say one thing before they get into when they get into power they do the totally opposite.
So all hail the new era in politics and let us see what will happen in the world and America.
Yes, I'll be watching; yes, I have thoughts - but this is just a flying forum visit so will get 'em down next time am in.
:thumbup:
We are fortunate enough to have several very good friends in the U.S. and having obviously chatted about this from both the European and U.S. perspectives, I think that the one word that summed up the feelings and comments was....
Hope....
After the efforts of dear ol' George (God knows who his advisors were, but they deserve a large kick up the arse)Obama is going to need a bloody large JCB to shovel the crap out of the way before he can start getting the tasks moving.
We will no doubt watch the ceremony on the news and be wishing the guy the greatest amount of luck in the world whilst hoping that that history doesn't repeat itself when a President doesn't toe the 'acceptable' line of certain parties.
We are fortunate enough to have several very good friends in the U.S. and having obviously chatted about this from both the European and U.S. perspectives, I think that the one word that summed up the feelings and comments was....
Hope....
After the efforts of dear ol' George (God knows who his advisors were, but they deserve a large kick up the arse)Obama is going to need a bloody large JCB to shovel the crap out of the way before he can start getting the tasks moving.
We will no doubt watch the ceremony on the news and be wishing the guy the greatest amount of luck in the world whilst hoping that that history doesn't repeat itself when a President doesn't toe the 'acceptable' line of certain parties.
Obama 'can't lose'.
If there is change, and there is imrpvements, he will be looked upon (rightly so) very favourably, if he doesn't, then it can be pointed out that he took over from GWB, in a recession, so therefore is onto a hiding to nothing.
I'm quite looking forward to seeing what he aims to do, it is said that if America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold, so decisions there, could have quite an impact on policy here.
One thing that has impressed me from what I have seen so far, he is very much for the American people, and there really is nothing wrong with that, choosing a politician that promises to do the best for his country is exactly whats needed.
Love him or hate him, GWB will be remembered in Africa as a good thing...
It was the Bush administration who first brought the Darfur situation to the World's attention...and promptly kicked out the western oil companies who were active there. Unfortunately, the Chinese were soon to take advantage. Bush also organised the massive humanitarian relief programme to that region.
Overall, foreign aid doubled during the Bush administration, and in Africa it quadrupled from $ in 2001 to $5bn in 2008.
Additional billions of dollars were allocated to support his programmes to fight malaria and HIV/Aids and to reward good governance, programmes which have been viewed as a great success.
The rest of the world may give GWB a big thumbs down, but for us Africans he has made a positive contribution to the continent.
No interest whatsoever in the inaugeration.
Dave_Notts
I think the whole world is interested in the inaugeration. Love it or hate it The USA has a massive impact on the world be it good or bad.
I watched him make his speech at the concert today and I couldn't help but be impressed at his air of composure, his delivery is the very epitome of a statesman.
I feel he has it within his powers to unite the American people and maybe even the world.
Then I woke up.
He has to dominate the establishment that has led so many to lose respect for will mean he makes enemies within, I just hope they realise there is no presidency must be based on principles and ethics beyond the pursuit of the $.
I sincerely hope he becomes the man I think he could be .... time will tell.
Regularly its difficult to draw my attention away from porn and pap novels long enough to even register our own political stories , let alone those of the USA. However I have heard several of BO's (unfortunate initials) speeches and have read with great interest something of his background and rise to his current has a fascinating story and as an individual his list of achievements make him an impressive person long before his political impact.
Of course its impossible to really predict or second guess the route of any senior politician,especially in America. The lives and achievements of political figures do not interest me, but what always interests me is the story of singular and special individuals who make a massive impression on the world. I have always enjoyed reading of such people -rare as they are -and dont ask me why but I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that Barrack may just be one of those people. Call it idiot intuition.
A secular prayer for President Obama - I like the sentiments behind this.
All day long I have been thinking about Shawshank Redemption and Morgan Freemans words on hope.
'Hope is a dangerous thing'........
.............but almost always more productive than cynicism Dunc...........and thats coming from me!
I don't believe he did get in on his 'colour' .If you think you can win a US election with the black vote you haven't done the math.
I'm an old cynic just like yourself, but truly it is worth having a surf around and reading something of the man and his story thus far - of if you are afraid of biased internet reporting try listen again at Radio 4 - they did an excellent bio on him last week.
I realise we have to take all politics with a pinch of salt, but since the revolution looks a ways off yet and we seem stuck with the status quo - it does do an old cynics heart some good when he gets the idea that an exceptional statesman may be approaching.
Have a read anyway, its an interesting story either way.
