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| Celtic Radio Community > Politics & Current Events > A GREAT DAY IN OUR NATIONS HISTORY |
| Posted by: Harlot 20-Jan-2009, 11:50 AM |
| I just watched our New President take his place in History and a flood gate opened up in my head. I being born in 1952 I do remember much of what going on with race,much of what was in the South but it did make it's way to Michigan. In 1965 my cousin owned a barber shop in Jackson, what was called then "The bad side of town" it was where the colored people lived. The riots hit there, stores were burned ,windows broken out, National Guard was brought in with the orders to shoot to kill. This went on for maybe a week I don't remember for sure how long but what I do is that my cousin's shop was not touched not one window broke. A news reporter asked some men that were standing there WHY not this place, what they said was just this" This man has always treated us like we were human no better but no worse then he,then he asked my cousin some questions the only answer I can remember is the one everyone should remember is " You treat everyone the way you would like to be treated " I am so glad to have lived though all of this to have seen it all. I hope all of those men standing there that day in Jackson Michigan have been able to witness this great day. |
| Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 20-Jan-2009, 01:50 PM |
| Today is the beginning of a new era. Barak Obama is now officially the President of the United States. A man whose father was born in Kenya and whose mother was born in Kansas. A marriage that, at the time, was illegal in many parts of this country. A Christian man with an Islamic name. A man who spent part of his youth living in Indonesia with an Indonesian step-father. Truly this is a man whose credentials and background have prepared him to be, not just the leader of the U.S., but a leading voice in the world. Perhaps now is the beginning of a new appreciation for justice and freedom throughout the world. Perhaps the peoples of the world will learn that peace is the goal we should be seeking. |
| Posted by: Dogshirt 20-Jan-2009, 11:43 PM |
| I belive America has cut their own throat. Only time will tell. |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 07:58 AM |
| I wish the new President all the best but I have the impression that the American People think they have found a Messiah. When a Roman Leader was awarded a Triumph and he paraded through the streets of Rome a slave rode behind him in his chariot whispering to him "Remember you are a Man" and that is what Obama is a Man. Albeit he is now the most powerful Man on Earth, but he stands alone in that exalted position with all the reponsibilities and obligations that come with the job. If he is to succeed he is going to need the help of you the American People. All the American People. Camac. |
| Posted by: Patch 21-Jan-2009, 08:33 AM |
| Camac Well put. I am watching his appointments and like bush, in that area, he is falling short. In bush's case few qualified people would accept and in Obama's, his choices. I am hearing this from my democrat friends too. People can, in trying times, rise to the occasion though. I hope this will be the case. Neither he nor anyone else can fix the economy, and those who think so will be terribly disappointed! Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 09:01 AM |
| Patch; Not being raised in a Republic your system some times confuses the hell out of me. Unlike your system in ours you cannot be elevated to a cabinet post unless you hold a seat in Parliament. In someways though perhaps your system of appointments is better in that your have a wider field to choose from. There is a maxim or law about "an individual will rise to their own level of incompetence" can't remember who said it. The only comments I have heard here is about the Director of Homeland Security, I believe she is the Govenor of Arizona, and that is she knows nothing about the conditions on the Northern Border. Every comment up here about Hilary seems to be in a positive tone. The only other worrisome comments that have been made concerns your Secretary of Defense in that he will apply pressure for Canada to keep our troops in Afghanistan past 2011. Our Government set that as the deadline for the pull out of our combat units. Camac. |
| Posted by: Nova Scotian 21-Jan-2009, 12:07 PM |
| I am happy that America elected a Black, African American, President and the yestersday was a very historic day. I strongly disagree with the $153,000,000 that was spent on the events. It could have and should have benn done cheaper. |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 01:04 PM |
| $153,000,000 and they didn't even have any clowns. Oh sorry they did, all the politicians who cried when G.W. Left.. Camac. |
| Posted by: Patch 21-Jan-2009, 01:19 PM |
| Camac: Clinton does not worry me as much as some of the others. Our system does offer a wider range of possibilities but someone who had ben elected by people who knew them at one point has its merits also. Nova Scotian: I agree the money could have been better spent but more troubling is that a tremendous amount came from the corporations that have been bailed out and are probably in need of more assistance now. Those are the actions that did away with deregulation and led us to where we are. Personally, I would have refused the money on the basis that it "appeared" improper. I intend to be supportive until such time as I see that Obama is violating his oath "to defend the Constitution--" or, to a lesser degree, his policies cause a worse economic situation (run away inflation). I do not know that this will happen and suspect that he will take his duties seriously. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Patch 21-Jan-2009, 01:22 PM | ||
With his approval rating, the politicians and comedians were about the only ones who cried. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 01:26 PM |
| Patch; HEAR, HEAR. Camac. |
| Posted by: Nova Scotian 21-Jan-2009, 02:07 PM | ||
The thin I find most ironic of all is how the same folks who critized Bush ,on how he spent $43,000,000 on his last inaguration, arn't saying a thing about Obama spending $153,000,000. Hummmm, You can't say that's not hypocritical nwo can we  ? I brought up the subject at work and was told by a co-worker that since the country is in such misery, we need to have a little fun and joy. That is the very reason we're in the financial crisis we're in today. The selfish I want it and I want it NOW attitude  . I can see it now. No matter what Obama say or does how good or bad, he'll never get the critizem Bush got since day one . I support and pray for President. He's going to need it . |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 21-Jan-2009, 02:12 PM | ||
I would be more concerned about this if I were not watching the man himself as closely. I don't think he is besotted with himself, as an individual with a huge, daunting set of challenges in front of him, the way the people are besotted with the inflated -- yes, messianic -- image of him. I don't believe he buys into the image, although he may have taken advantage of it to get himself elected. I don't think I agree that he stands alone -- he had the sense to wrap a thick, protective cabinet around him, and I think he will listen to them and seek them out, unlike his predecessor. Also, the crowd of starry-eyed followers at this point are thinking of what he represents symbolically in terms of the country's recent and more distant past, but he, I think, is already looking to what his personal effect is going to be on the immediate and far-reaching future. The inauguration is taking account of both -- but if you ask me what impresses me more, the symbolism of taking the oath on Lincoln's bible or that flint-and-steel address devoid of all prettiness (though I am very sure he could have delivered one of the more literary-styled things we love to make children recite when the conflict is long over), it would be the address above all. I think he may not yet know what he's doing in every particular, and only going through it will bring him that -- but he knows what he's there for, and the people can make the symbolic celebration of it that they will, without turning his head. I think we better damned well put the drinks and balloons down, and give him a level-headed chance, and get behind him and push. What other choice is there now? |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 02:17 PM |
| NovaScotian; I all seriousness I agree with you but then I have no right to complain as I am an outsider looking in. We don't have inaugruations in Canada just a swearing in of the P.M. and his Cabinet by the Govenor General. A lot simpler and less expensive. $153 mil does seem excessive. Camac. |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 21-Jan-2009, 02:25 PM | ||
Stressed plebians want bread and circuses.  On the other hand, there were over a million people on that mall. You better believe a whole pile of that money went on hyper-tight security, and sure, you could have said "No people can come, watch it at home on the telly for safety's sake" -- but who could ever make that stick? or would really want to? |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 02:34 PM |
| stoirmeil; As I stated I'm an outsider but I will say this it gave the world a spectacle and sent a message that maybe just maybe with you united as your are right now some will think twice before messing with you. Last time I remember seeing you yanks so enthused was with Kennedy. Even got us Canucks going then and the same seems to be happening again for there were celebrations all over Canada in honour of his inaugural. Camac. |
| Posted by: Patch 21-Jan-2009, 02:43 PM |
| It was my understanding that Washington DC and the federal government paid for the security in it's entirety. DC was actually subsidized in part for their contribution by the Fed. Govt. The 153 M was for the festivities only. Considering our plight, that amount was but a pittance. One could also argue that the festivities took the nations mind off their problems for a while, that being a good thing. The festivities are financed by private sector donations, usually with the expectation of something in return. It has been that way for many presidential elections. "Something for Something". Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Nova Scotian 21-Jan-2009, 03:02 PM | ||
To be honest with you, just a swearing in, would be just fine with me. |
| Posted by: Nova Scotian 21-Jan-2009, 03:17 PM | ||
Patch, the glitz, glitter and glamour could have been spared in the name of conserving our national finances. It would have made a great example to the whole nation. "One could also argue that the festivities took the nations mind off their problems for a while, that being a good thing." There goes the selfish American attitude again. I need to spend money to wash away my sorrows. I'm sorry but this is just how I see that statement. The Government is expecting all those who put them in office to make changes but they can just go on spending, spending, spending. But thats ok. It wasn't for Bush, it was for Obama. I guess that makes it ok. I would have really respected and praised Obama if he had stood up before inaguration and said lets keep it simple and at a low price tag in light of what the country is going through. One who agrees is Demond Wilson of Sanford and son who stated his displeasure in the 153 million dollar price tag. |
| Posted by: gwenlee 21-Jan-2009, 03:49 PM | ||
I read the 153 million was only for the celebration not security. I too am amazed that there was so much criticism about the money spent on the last inauguration and the media hasn't said a thing about this inauguration. I think these events have gotten way out of control. |
| Posted by: valpal59 21-Jan-2009, 03:57 PM | ||
I have to agree with Nove Scotian. All of us know that we are going to have to make some changes in how we handle our finances so we can get through this. It would have been great to see him set an example for the nation and to have kept it simple. It said to me that he is "all blow and no go" just like the rest of the politicians. IMHO. Val |
| Posted by: Camac 21-Jan-2009, 03:58 PM |
| gwenlee; Let's face it Georgie was liked and there were cheers when he left and not all were of goodbye. Camac. |
| Posted by: flora 21-Jan-2009, 03:58 PM |
| I am concerned with the attitude of some that everything is going to be all right now. It is going to take time and it will get worse before it will get better, no matter who was President. Have you ever noticed the before and after profiles of all the Presidents? We can't imagine the conflicts and stress that they have to go through and they all pay a price in their health. Flora |
| Posted by: Patch 21-Jan-2009, 04:15 PM | ||
Very true!! I did see today that he froze the pay levels of many of the Washington support personnel. It is an example. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Patch 21-Jan-2009, 04:22 PM | ||||
It is excessive, but the media wants it too and our government is lubricated with money (the latter being a bad thing). Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 21-Jan-2009, 06:39 PM | ||
Do you think this public outpouring would have been satisfied with Obama having a small, private high tea with the outgoing president, and a cozy indoor swearing in, like a new Prime Minister with the Queen? It wasn't just the media that pumped it up, eihter -- this was a grassroots level celebration. The size of the symbolic event, for the people that supported the election of this candidate, was met with a commensurate expenditure; nothing like that many people turned out to see Bush inaugurated, because there was no particular reason for them to. This week's turnout was a demonstration of solidarity and emotional release like few other inaugurations in history. Bush's and Obama's swearing in were not equal or even comparable, in terms of being "only" inaugurations, and something like this amount was needed to accommodate an event that was bursting to happen whether they calculated on it or not. Let's face it -- you didn't want him elected, so you will hardly approve of his victory celebration in any respect, and expense is a convenient and topical hook to hang the disapproval on. Besides -- think of the money we are soon going to start saving on tanks, ordinance and troop deployment. I think he'll make up the $153M that could have been used to give all possible rehab and proper lifelong care of maybe 10 permanently handicapped soldiers and fully educate their children, pretty quickly. Just as an idea of the proportions. |
| Posted by: TheCarolinaScotsman 21-Jan-2009, 08:30 PM |
| While not commenting directly about this inauguration, I would mention that the celebration accompaning every inauguration since Andrew Jackson has been critisized as being excessive. |
| Posted by: Nova Scotian 21-Jan-2009, 08:34 PM | ||||
Oh it's no wounder. Like I said, Bush recieved plenty of critizim for the 43 million for his inaguration. But not speaking ill of President Obama, he's the media's golden child. He can do no wrong it seems like. stoirmeil, the point is that it could have been done a whole lot cheaper as an example to the nation that the Government is willing to sacrifice to save money to get out of debt. I think it's extreamly hypocritical to expect the nation to change their habits in spending while they spend on things they could have done without. That goes for the Republicans and the Democrats. |
| Posted by: valpal59 22-Jan-2009, 09:12 AM | ||
No, I did not vote for him, but he is our President and he has my respect. I did not say he did not deserve a victory celebration because he did. It was an historical occassion and I am glad I was able to witness it in my lifetime. I just think it would have been great to see him lead by example and show the nation that he understands that everyone is going to have to sacrifice to make it through this crisis. Val |
| Posted by: Patch 22-Jan-2009, 10:11 AM | ||
I agree for the most part. However cutting our preparedness to any great degree will insure that we will be learning a foreign language, probably Farci. The other option is the nuclear back up we posess and life will end as we know it. We will leave our legacy to cockroaches and a few burrowing creatures. Also military equipment production creates jobs. It has been said that without WW2, the depression of 29 would have continued for a long time. That may be the only way we get out of this, assuming that global war can be kept a "land" war. Teddy Roosevelt said it well, "walk softly and carry a big stick". Economic calamity breeds unrest in the world and no matter who our president is, we will NOT be liked!! Obama is an intelligent man but he is not the Messiah as the press and part of the population seem to think. I am trusting that he will make intelligent decisions and honor his oath of office. We can not ask more. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Camac 22-Jan-2009, 10:35 AM |
| Patch; Obama has a hell of a up hill battle to fight to over come the legacy of dislike and mistrust the Bush Administration has left in its' wake. I can say with almost certainty that Bush was despised in parts of Canada and distrusted in the rest. We even had a Parliamentarian call him a Moron. Camac. |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 22-Jan-2009, 11:32 AM | ||
World War II may have contributed to ending the depression of the 1930s, but ramping up war production, and prosecuting or prolonging the present wars themselves to justify it, in order to alleviate financial crisis is a terrible, bass-ackwards way to envision a solution. The expenditure simply bleeds whatever production gains there are right back out again in a situation like we are in now -- if that was going to work it would have by now. What we have is a mind-blowing war-induced deficit, not a revitalized economy, and a terrible financial and human burden of ruined lives that we have to be responsible to rehabilitate, and in many cases continue to support for life. They have known about these head injuries from blast percussion and IED's that blow up into the face for years; I was reading reports on the lasting cognitive damage from the first Gulf war almost 15 years ago. The VA system can't bear the cost, and it's not going to suddenly start being able to. If we just took care of that problem alone in full public awareness, we would see how much we cannot afford to "defend" proactively, destructively and aggressively the way we did by invading Iraq, and call it mere preparedness. Prepared is at home, and I am not proposing cutting back on preparedness expenditure. But aggression expenditure is bleeding us as dry as any banking crisis. There's no reason to assume anyone with an effective air force or missile delivery system would choose to initiate aggression limited to land war -- why should they? And if it's going to be nuclear, it's going to be from the air and it's going to go everywhere. Nobody ran in on foot to set off Fat Man and Little Boy. We are not going to be "learning Farsi," or Arabic for that matter, if the thing in Iraq is wrapped up sooner and stops being a drain on our resources. Iraq was never an issue to be attacked with massive force in the first place, and it was never a defensive move in response to a genuine threat. We can't sit there forever, and if the cover has been blown off that can of worms we can't put it back on. We can leave in 2 years or 20 years -- what is going to happen when we go is still out of our control. I'm a lot more interested in how much better our population's English has to become from the ground up, rather than our Farsi, once the focus is on education policy that really works, for the young and also for not so young people who have to be retrained for the kind of changed economic opportunities we have coming up. That and the health care of our entire population from cradle to grave are our most legitimate "war efforts" now. Camac -- your parliamentarian who called Bush a moron owes honest morons everywhere a sincere apology.  |
| Posted by: Camac 22-Jan-2009, 12:00 PM |
| stpirmeil;; She did apologize but because that was the first time she had publice derided Bush and his administration she was expelled from Caucus and had to sit as an Independent. Camac. |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 22-Jan-2009, 12:05 PM | ||
Probably better for her to sit as an independent -- but what I mean is that lumping Bush in with morons gives honest moronicity itself an undeservedly bad name. |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 22-Jan-2009, 01:31 PM |
| But don't you wonder how the poor guy is going to quit smoking? http://news.yahoo.com/edcartoons/patoliphant;_ylt=ArjFUo66r5MuY_XmGdSZTygI_b4F |
| Posted by: Patch 22-Jan-2009, 02:45 PM |
| Camac: Bush pretty much assured that Obama would win and McCain would loose. Obama won by presenting himself as an instrument of change though I hope people do not expect too much too soon. Stoirmeil: I am sorry If I suggested that I promote war. I do not, War is not good as you stated, in that the toll is much too high and families are being destroyed trying to support severely injured veterans. Most of the public is not aware of the debilitating injuries unless they know of a family dealing with it. It appears that the judgement calls of the medical personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan may not be too good. A lady I know here lost her son to suicide less than three months after he returned home from his third tour in Iraq. There are many veterans that need psychological assistance after returning home and little help is available through VA. Also, because we do not manufacture that much of our military armament today. it would not jump start OUR economy Much is now produced off shore. There will never be another global war that does not involve nuclear weapons. My comment on Farci was related to the terrorist's who will not be going away. Your thoughts on Iraq mirror my own. I do not believe there were terrorist's in Iraq until we deposed Hussain and created a vacuum that we had no plan to fill. I see Iraq going back to a dictatorship or theocracy and into a bloody civil war when we leave. Education will be critical but there must be labor jobs to maintain the economy. If an economy is 'specialized" it will fail. Also, you can not spend your way out of this type of crisis. We do not have the resources to pay for retraining, unemployment, health care and an employment program to provide jobs. China has cut back on lending to us and printing money will lead to horrendous inflation, thus grinding poverty or worse for most of the country. We are truly "between a rock and a hard place!" Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Camac 22-Jan-2009, 02:58 PM |
| Patch; There are two quotes that come to mind about War, The first by von Clausewitz: "War is the last Expediency of Diplomacy" or words to that effect. The second I can't remember who said it: "War is Man at his Best and His Worst" I get the distinct impression that Obama will talk until the words run out but I wouldn't want to try his patience to that point. I do not envy the man his job. Camac. PS; there is a third statement I just thought of; "The Honour in War is in the minds of the old men who fought it" |
| Posted by: Patch 22-Jan-2009, 04:03 PM | ||
I had heard the first one. As to the last one, it is the reason I do not belong to the "military service clubs" any longer. I do not want to reminisce nor can I re: my duties in the military. I will take my memories with me to the grave. I believe you are right about Obama in that he will not be so fast to go to war. However, no free world leader can allow his country to be placed in harms way. If we downsize the military too much, we may find ourselves in a situation where our nuclear umbrella is all we have to draw on. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: gwenlee 25-Jan-2009, 10:27 AM | ||
A tea party? Like the Boston Tea Party? A revolutionary thought a quiet change of the guard.   |
| Posted by: Camac 25-Jan-2009, 10:50 AM |
| stoirmeil; No one despises war more that soldiers do and it would be great if we all could downsize our militarys but keep in mind the old Roman Adage :If you would have Peace, then prepare for War". I am afraid that in to-days world this is a Truism. Camac. |
| Posted by: Patch 25-Jan-2009, 11:09 AM | ||
Diplomacy may "forestall" a war but greed, power, hate and jealousy will insure that wars continue until we do ourselves in! Peace, love and agreement will never be a world wide attributeIt is the nature of the human race. The only deterrent is the ability to strike back with more force than the country that attacked you. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Antwn 25-Jan-2009, 04:30 PM |
| I believe Farsi is the language of Iran, being the decendent of Persian. The majority language of Iraq is Arabic. At any rate, if there's going to be an important second language to be spoken in the US, that language has already become Spanish. I agree that the inauguration was a $150 million celebration largely to commemorate a threshold having been crossed - that millions of people who complained that our representative government did not represent them now have been shown differently. Its a milestone. It also ensured the lack of Bush era continuity, which is a relief for many. Personally I'm much more miffed that the $350 billion dollars approved by Congress to supposedly save our economy, but that nobody can account for at the moment, is not being investigated. I think all those responsible should find out what happended to it, and if they can't be immediately impeached. I know, that's not going to happen, but it amazes me that such blatant and egregious incompetence gets by with a shrugged shoulder. In comparison to that, an $150 million inauguration is trivial in my opinion. We spend ten times that amount on a stealth bomber. |
| Posted by: Patch 25-Jan-2009, 06:31 PM | ||
Until such time as those who caused this situation and continue to do so are punished severely, nothing will be fixed and eventually the money will dry up. Either because of mistrust or crushing inflation. The thing that really bothers me is the amount of money donated to the inaugural fund by those who took bail outs! Now that we are dealing in hundreds of billions and in trillions, millions are just change to our government. I do believe that the govt. is losing sight of the fact that it is money, not just numbers!! Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Antwn 25-Jan-2009, 07:20 PM | ||
OUR money! Rest assured, no one will be punished. Big money is big power and influence including among those in Congress. The jerks who walked away with $200 million dollars after bankrupting their companies will retire to their mansions in the Hamptons, sip their brandy in the sunroom by the pool and plan what congresspeople they can buy so they'll get away with their next ethical transgression with equal impunity. No punishment - no accountabiltiy. |
| Posted by: Patch 25-Jan-2009, 11:29 PM |
| Unfortunately that includes both main political parties. I do not expect those responsible to be punished thus the mismanagement and "theft" will continue. For that reason, I have no confidence that anyone can fix the financial crisis we find ourselves in. In fact, I suspect it will get nothing but worse! Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Camac 26-Jan-2009, 09:22 AM |
| Patch; Today the Throne Speach will be delivered by the G.G. and Parliament will open. To-morrow the Budget will be announced and we will find out about our stimulus package to kickstart the Economy. We will also get an idea if the opposition will bring the Government down and we will either have a coalition government or an election. Either one is going to make the you know what hit the fan. I am all for getting rid of the Conservatives, but not now, wait until the summer or fall and give the country time to start down the recovery road. No matter how we slice it both are countries are in deep doo doo now and everyone has to pull to-gether. Camac. |
| Posted by: Patch 26-Jan-2009, 11:16 AM |
| We get virtually no Canadian news here. I get some from the BBC. I got some news on our stimulus package today and find that it is parsed out over three years. Also, I am going to have to read the bill as they say it is filled with entitlements. We will see if Obama veto's it. He was not going to allow entitlements! We do not have line item veto powers any more as it that provision was struck down by the Supreme Court some years ago. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: Camac 26-Jan-2009, 12:14 PM |
| Patch; The Budget which will be read to-morrow will have a $34,Billion defict for this year and a $30, billion deficit for next year. If you are interested I will fill you in after I hear how hard the pocket book will be hit. The Veto does not exist in Canadian Politics. A bill can be held up by the Senate, or by the G.G. but they can merely suggest changes. The Commons is the ultimate power in Canada. More so than the Supreme Court because only the Commons can make changes to the Constitution. The only thing we have anywhere close to Veto is the "not withstanding clause" in the Constitution and that pertains merely to Constitutional Matters. Camac. Interesting Times Eh! What. |
| Posted by: oldraven 26-Jan-2009, 01:03 PM |
| Personally, I think the messianic image is entirely the part of the voters and media. He says he'll push for change and accountability, not to solve the economic crisis instantly. I also remember his eluding to there being a lot of waiting and economic pain before any solutions have had a chance to make things better. That sounds, to me, like everyone is looking to him to fix their world, but he's trying to tell them to be reasonable. It will take time, and he's not pretending it won't. Also, I can't remember hearing about that many leaders of Nations getting to work at forcing change on their first day in office. He may not be tackling every promise immediately, but he's already taken on some of his bigger goals in his first week. He hasn't been sitting around soaking up the glory, if you get what I mean. The celebration itself makes sense to me. Yes, it could have been cheaper. I won't argue with that. But I feel the sheer size of the event and all of the fanfare was deserved. That day was a lot less about the Inauguration of a President than it was about the OFFICIAL end to racial division in the US. That celebration was about the long awaited victory of the Civil Rights movement. And its' point is better made since Obama doesn't come from that movement. His roots are Kenyan, not Black (Slave). He's not a guy on either side of the coin. Half Caucasian, half African American, yet not tied to either group (even if groups have attached themselves to him). He's of a visual minority, and he got the top job. That's what matters. But people have to stop calling him a Black President. He should be a President who happens to be Black. An unimportant detail when it comes to doing his job. Continuing to put the emphasis on his colour after the big celebration is over will just serve to point out the differences between people, not the similarities. Like I said, celebrate today. I totally understand why it's a big deal to visual minorities for someone from a visual minority to get the top job in the Nation. The significance of the event marks the END of something. But it'll never end if people don't let it die. I know it's vindicating, but making people feel like crap about a history they can't change (and had no involvement in) doesn't serve to bring people together. Being Canadian, I do have some insight into issues of dragging up the past and keeping a wall between people that should be coming together. We've spent the last three decades and more making apologies for the actions of our ancestors. For many in the south, the actions happened within memory, but if they can't get past them in the coming months, when they have every opportunity and responsibility to, they'll end up spending another 50 years divided. Civil rights achieved, but no closer together. After all of this time, we still haven't managed to bring First Nations people together with the rest of Canada (though it's hard when the reservations still exist). The same goes with the French in this country. So much time is spent concentrating on what makes us different and blaming the British/Anglophoniqe/Europeans for our problems that we continue to drive each other apart, and risk further isolation every time the topic makes the headlines. Forever laying blame from one side, and forever gaining resentment on the other. I say it was good to celebrate the event, but try not to hold the cause to Obama for the next four to eight years. Move on and see your President for the man he is, not the man people see at first glance, because if you can only credit him as a Black President, you have to blame him as a Black President when he screws up. Now, as for Bush and the phony Cheney (who I believe faked the injury just so he wouldn't have to stand when Obama received his accolades and performed his duties on inauguration day), I hope the door hit them HARD! Probably the biggest reason I dislike the duo is because of a speech Bush made shortly after the Coalition of the Willing was formed. He stood at the mic and named each and every ally the US had, and then proceeded to say something to the affect of "If you're not with us, you're against us." When the US and Canada list their allies, they typically name one another first. Canada was nowhere on that list. Why? Because we refused to invade a Sovereign nation, and chose to honour the UN's resolution to stay out of Iraq (a separate war that the B/C administration successfully convinced the world was one in the same with the retaliation to 9/11). Shortly after people in the States started eating some foolish thing called Freedom Bacon. All the while, Canadians stood side by side with US troops in Afghanistan, taking 'friendly fire' (the most disgusting term ever crafted) that went, at the time, unpunished, and continue to this day to have themselves blown up by roadside bombs.This happened about the same time that a Canadian MP stomped on a Bush doll on TV. She was fired and had to issue a public apology, yet Bush barely got a finger shaken at him by our own leaders. Not one word was ever said about that horrible speech by either federal or provincial representatives, and certainly not by the one man who should have given a very loud, heard by the world, "Wait a minute there. What did you just call us?". Our Prime Minister. At that very moment, we should have brought every last soldier home and told the Bush to deal with it on his own. But we stayed long enough that leaving now would be a severe disappointment to those Canadians who have since died there. We can't leave yet, but then, for the sake of our own pride, we should have. We went to support the USA, and their leader stood in front of the whole nation all and called us, essentially, the enemy. Now we're involved in an impossible war with an 'ism'. Because of that Canada will, for the first time in its history, lose a war, because you can't defeat a concept. That's all I need to dislike the destructive duo. And yes, I'm still waiting for a apology for that statement. Obama has every right and responsibility to make it, as well. Finally, I'm so sick of party politics, I hope Obama really does succeed in abolishing it. We really don't have anything close to a charismatic leader in Canada, and our current ones are getting worse by the day with their party bickering. Our system is designed to promote this kind of fighting, since it's based on a majority vs. opposition. It'll be a nice day when a representative actually gets to make a decision on their own instead of have to tow the party line because of a choice made by a caucus weeks before. |
| Posted by: Camac 26-Jan-2009, 01:52 PM |
| oldraven; I have to say that I agree with everything you have said. There is far to much division in the world and here in our country. We have as a nation apologized to just about everyother peoples in the world and that is our way. Our ancestors made the mistakes and caused the harm and abuse through their ignorance and prejudice and we are trying to make ammends. The Native people of Canada got a raw deal there is no denying that but the French on the other hand didn't really do so bad. The French and Indian (Seven Year War) War happened and France lost. Canada became part of the British Empire but on the most part the French of Quebec were left much as they were. Their Culture, Language and Religion were left to them and were even protected by Law and yet 250 years later we are still bickering with each other. As to our friend and ally to the south well I cheered when we said no to Iraq and I was deeply insulted and angry when Bush intimated that we were the enemy. It seemed that all we did in two World Wars, Korea, and at 9/11 were totally forgotten by him and his administration. It is not the first time though that we have been snubbed by the U.S Government and it won't be the last. Also on at least two occassions from 1941 til 1953 the U.S. left our troops hanging out to dry but they got a hell of a shock when they discovered the mettle of the Canadian Soldier. Well after all is said and done we are still the best of friends and allies and I think that when it really counts we will both be there for each other. President Obama has a long difficult road ahead of him and many, many bridges to repair and I for one wish him every success but I also realize that there will be mistakes made and some of them will more than likely upset us here, but as in the past we will get over it and carry on. One last comment. Who knows but maybe just maybe somewhere in this vast land of ours there is a leader waiting in the wings. Camac. |
| Posted by: oldraven 26-Jan-2009, 02:56 PM | ||
Here's hoping, Camac.  Iggy's already showing himself to be just another complainer with his panties in a twist. Layton, telling us that he's going to vote down the budget no matter what it looks like shows us this attitude at its' worst. Power before Service. |
| Posted by: Camac 26-Jan-2009, 03:20 PM |
| oldraven; Iggy is an intelectual along the same mould as Dion. As for Layton he wouldn't know a good idea if it jumped up and bit you know where. NDP, party of protest, and protest and protest. Sounds like an old record. Camac. |
| Posted by: Patch 02-Mar-2009, 10:48 AM |
| I just heard that another Czar has been appointed! (health care) I am beginning to feel we have passed Socialism, and gone right to Communism!!! Slàinte, Patch |