Speaking of Obama

[Snoopy]

Good thing ~ Bad thing?

Given that the other option was so obviously a bad thing do we think that Obama is going to be the great saviour of the free world as the BBC and most Americans seem to believe or are we in for more of the same?

Personally I do not see him as the new Lincoln or even Roosevelt. JFK was much hyped but frankly that was really all it was Hype. Had he lived who knows what cock-ups he would have led the world into ~ but we will never have the answer to that one so people will continue to believe the myth that his early promise and early death has left us with ~ ie that he was a Great President.

But getting back to Nissan Hut Obama ~ More Hype or Real Promise (as opposed to desperate hopes)?

[Uncle Mort]

I think there's a hint of desperation colouring* people's feeling towards Obama and the coming administration. However, that should give him the 'leeway' to make unpopular but necessary changes to the American economy and to it's foreign policy.

Here's hoping anyway.




*no pun intended

[Bar Wench]

I think it will be nigh on impossible for him to live up to the hope and expectation that an awful lot of Americans seem to have for him. Having said that I don't think he could do any worse. He is at least articulate, personally I do think he will change things. Whether that will be for the better or not is another matter, but at this stage of the game a shake up is needed. I just hope he is up to the job. I would have voted for him.

[Snoopy]

I think it will be nigh on impossible for him to live up to the hope and expectation that an awful lot of Americans seem to have for him. Having said that I don't think he could do any worse. He is at least articulate, personally I do think he will change things. Whether that will be for the better or not is another matter, but at this stage of the game a shake up is needed. I just hope he is up to the job. I would have voted for him.

Given his opponent a dog could have got elected ....................... Hmmmmmmmmmm 

[Darwins Selection]

Why do thay make all this fuss about a black president?

Zimbabwe has had one for years and that worked out OK.

[Grumpmeister]

I think it will be nigh on impossible for him to live up to the hope and expectation that an awful lot of Americans seem to have for him. Having said that I don't think he could do any worse. He is at least articulate, personally I do think he will change things. Whether that will be for the better or not is another matter, but at this stage of the game a shake up is needed. I just hope he is up to the job. I would have voted for him.

Given his opponent a dog could have got elected ....................... Hmmmmmmmmmm 

All you need is American citizenship Odie 

[Snoopy]

Have you seen all the bollox that is going on in the UK ~ just because he is Black? Can you imagine if he does get shot ~ it'll be worse than the appalling Diana's funeral.

Events across the UK are being held as Britons share in US celebrations marking the historic inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama.

Parties include 20109 Change, a musical celebration at London's indigO2. Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool will also hold events.

Organisers say it is important for UK communities to mark Mr Obama's success.

Operation Black Vote said his victory could have "huge value" in encouraging ethnic minorities into politics.

The Queen sent a personal message of support to Barack Obama on the eve of his inauguration ceremony. While her words have not been released, it is understood she sent him best wishes for the swearing-in event and his presidency - the 12th during her reign.

On Tuesday, Gordon Brown's spokesman said the prime minister was writing a letter to Mr Obama, congratulating him and assuring him that Britain "stands ready to work very closely with his administration on many of the international challenges that we face".

Mr Brown and the new president share "many of the same values" and are adopting a very similar approach to tackling the economic crisis, the spokesman added.

Positive role model

Speaking at an inauguration event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, North London, Matilda Macattram, from Black Mental Health UK, told the BBC that Mr Obama was an inspiration.

"He is a man of integrity, character, good values, compassion and he's a leader of our age," she said.   We're going to see him sitting at the top table and that's going to inspire lots of people

"He's managed to connect with so many people because he tunes in and understands the needs of the hour. He's willing, committed and capable of being able to take people through what is obviously quite a difficult season in America's lifetime and globally."

Bola Ogun, from the Windsor Fellowship, which tries to raise black achievement, said Mr Obama's presidency would remind young people "that hard work, dedication and doing the right things can pay off.

"We see all the negative images of black people within our society and what Barack Obama is going to do is balance that out," he said.

"We're going to see him sitting at the top table… and that's going to be positive to inspire lots of people."

Earlier, campaign group Operation Black Vote said Mr Obama's inauguration could give a big boost to its mission, which is to see the House of Commons' current 15 MPs from ethnic backgrounds increased to 60 or 70 in order to represent the reality of modern Britain.

Vice president Ashok Viswanathan said he believed, with the correct systems in place, the UK could see a black leader of one of the main political parties within the next 10 to 15 years, and a black prime minister within 30.

Operation Black Vote will be celebrating Mr Obama's inauguration at Altitude 360, Millbank, London from 1500 GMT.

Other key UK events include:

Democrats Abroad London Inaugural Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. The organisation also has events planned in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Cheltenham, Oxford and Cambridge
The Ibbamo Trust - a charity helping people reach their full potential - hosts a 20109 Change party at the O2 arena's indigO2, which will include performances from musicians and speakers
A Yes, We Did inauguration party - attended by singers Kelly Rowland and Mica Paris - at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, London. It will recognise black Britons who have made a difference
Dare to Dream: Yes, You Can event at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham, north London, including exhibitions, music, performance, and debate
Live screening of the ceremony and party at Queen's University, Belfast
Live screening of the inauguration and music from local DJs at the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre in Toxteth, Liverpool
Live screening at the West Indian Centre, Leeds But Britons have not been content to celebrate at home and watch the inauguration via satellite link.

 
Ruth Pitter, 47, and Valerie Mower, 44, both from Bristol, are among those who have headed to Washington to share in the moment on US soil.

They will be joining the two million people expected in the US capital to watch Mr Obama sworn in on Tuesday.

"The whole experience of Obama getting in and of us going to be among five million people, to be in that crowd and part of history, I think we're very lucky to have that opportunity," said Ms Mower.

Ms Pitter added that she is hopeful the historical election across the Atlantic will have a global impact.

"I feel this is the time now for my community to really see a change," she said.

Waxworks of Mr Obama in the Oval Office have been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London, Berlin, New York and Shanghai.

Anyone notice a theme or is it just me?

[Snoopy]

I think it will be nigh on impossible for him to live up to the hope and expectation that an awful lot of Americans seem to have for him. Having said that I don't think he could do any worse. He is at least articulate, personally I do think he will change things. Whether that will be for the better or not is another matter, but at this stage of the game a shake up is needed. I just hope he is up to the job. I would have voted for him.

Given his opponent a dog could have got elected ....................... Hmmmmmmmmmm 

All you need is American citizenship Odie 

It is Snoopy and I am a citizen of the Beagle World ~ there is no greater honour.

[Barman]

He's not even a proper black like... 

Can you say half-cast or is that racist...?

[Snoopy]

He is tinted ~ that is all that matters to these people. Fact is he is an unproven, low ranking senator who has sailed to high office on his colour and a determination by middle America that they did not want another dose of the Clintons. This is a classic case of Political Correctness gone mad. I hope he does a good job but somehow I doubt it. The whole thing is like something out of the Wizard of Oz ~ all smoke and mirrors. Following the same route, by train, that Lincoln followed. Memorial to Martin Luther King yesterday en route. Calls to God to steer him down the right path. Comparisons to JFK (does this mean he'll screw anything that crosses his path?)
AND now today's Guardian "Does this open the way to a Black Prime Minister?"

All utter bulls hit!

Meanwhile this country (and sod the others we are what concerns me at the moment) goes to hell in a handcart and Obama says he will not see Brown first, he would prefer to meet Sarkozy. Brown says "Och that doesn't matter, I have written him a letter". Shoulda learned to use a Blackberry Gordon.

[Uncle Mort]

You're a cynical chap Snoopy. I can only hope you're wrong.

[Snoopy]

You're probably right Uncle but perhaps I've seen too much of the world to be otherwise.

I find this strangely worrying too.

Obama was in his final school year when he was taught by Bill Messer
When Barack Obama takes the oath to become the 44th president of the United States, it will be a proud moment for retired teacher Bill Messer.

For the 74-year-old Welshman was a lecturer at the private Hawaii high school which the young Obama attended.

He remembers an "athletic and extremely popular" 17-year-old who was "oddly quiet," despite his articulacy.
 

[Uncle Mort]

Not this bit?

For the 74-year-old Welshman was a lecturer at the private Hawaii high school which the young Obama attended.

 

[Snoopy]

That too 

[Barman]

What do J F Kennedy, John Lennon and Barak Obama all got in common...?


Nothing............................


YET !!!