#44...

Congratulations to President Obama on winning his second term, albeit with a reduced majority. I recall very well writing about his 2008 victory here four years ago.  What I wrote then about Mr Obama still stands, but I am now able to add that I consider him to be a good thing for America and wish him well in his struggles with the many problems he faces.

My friends and I are greatly relieved that his opponent failed to prevail; we found the idea of a right-wing bible-basher in the White House somewhat disturbing; compliments are due though for Mr Romney's dignified concession of defeat.  He is better acting the statesman than pontificating about a  double "second coming" apparently to be in Missouri and Jerusalem.

Until the next time

President Lincoln's 200th Birthday

Image source: Wikipedia

The United States are gearing up to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of their most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln was born on 12th February 1809 in Kentucky. Whilst he was young, his family moved to Indiana and later to Illinois. Nevertheless, many states are claiming their own special association with the great man as this article discusses.

Lincoln, a founding father of the Republican Party, was undeniably a great and good man: he spent nearly all of his adult life fighting against slavery. And in office running the the Civil War, he proved to be a fine commander-in-chief. One small example: he replaced General Meade with General Ulysses Simpson Grant (later a president himself of course). There was plenty of jealousy and backbiting amongst the Union generals and complaints reached the President: "Sir, he [Grant] drinks!" someone told Lincoln. Lincoln replied "Find out which brand and send a bottle to each of my generals."

The Lincoln memorial. Image source: here

The International Herald Tribune is one of my favourite sources, as my readers may have noticed. I should add that I have great respect for American journalism; the "dumbing-down" of English newspapers is quickly put into sharp relief when one takes the time to read any of the great American papers - the IHT, Boston Globe, Washington Post, New York Times etc., etc.

This article from the IHT, beautifully written, gives a superb overview of Lincoln, and from an attractive angle: the piece, credited to the Associated Press is centred around the Lincoln Memorial.

Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, has been mentioned quite often recently in connexion with the election of the 44th President.

As the French say, nous verrons.

Until the next time.

US Presidential Update

Image source: here

Those of you who live in England will be familiar with the "Party-Political Broadcast", ten minutes of mind-numbing stuff from the various political parties, that usually appears around nine o'clock in the evening.

Once upon a time, I think it might have been in the 1970s, a Conservative General Election victory was followed up by some party-political broadcasts entitled "Report to the People" which I suppose was intended to demonstrate that all the promises made in the election campaign had been, or were being, met.  Of course this series of broadcasts ceased relatively quickly.

This lengthy introduction relates to the fact that I am determined to be "difficult" about Mr Obama's election as President of the United States.  This is not because I believe that Mr Obama will be a bad president - far from it - but I am determined to do my little bit to stop the nauseating self-congratulation that I have witnessed here in France on television.  The gullibility of the general public beggars belief, but really I should know well enough by now not to be surprised.  Whatever are they expecting from Mr Obama?  Do they imagine that as a true American he does not believe in "America First"?

There was a "special" after the news today on France 2 TV, showing various black - and white - people in tears following the announcement of the election result.  There was one individual in a t-shirt bearing a likeness of Mr Obama, accompanied by a red star!  There was a group of misguided individuals chanting "Af-ri-ca, Af-ri-ca".  They should visit the Congo or Zimbabwe rather than visit that on us... EDIT: or Nigeria for that matter.

Now to the real stuff - realpolitik - the things a real US President does and deals with; forget the touchy-feely nonsense: let's start with the US plan to install a missile defence shield in central Europe.  I quote from this BBC article:

In a statement published on his website on Saturday, Poland's president said Mr Obama had "emphasised the importance of the strategic partnership of Poland and the United States and expressed hope in the continuation of political and military co-operation between our countries."

"He also said that the missile defence project would continue," the statement added.

When asked about the declaration, McDonough said that the US president-elect had had "a good conversation" with Mr Kaczynski about the American-Polish alliance and discussed missile defence, but "made no commitment on it".

"His position is as it was throughout the campaign, that he supports deploying a missile defence system when the technology is proved to be workable," Mr McDonough told the Associated Press. 

This is bullshit: the US has already declared that the system is in no way intended or designed to, shoot down Russian missiles - indeed I recall that the US invited senior Russian military personnel to inspect the facilities etc.  Politics in action No  1.

Here's No 2: concerning Iran.  The International Herald Tribune, one of my favourite sources for news items, is associated with the New York Times and Boston Globe.  These are not right-wing publications and indeed I get the impression that they are more inclined to a Democratic point of view.  In an article published today I read:

Iran's head of parliament on Saturday criticised U.S. President-elect Barack Obama for saying its development of a nuclear weapon would be "unacceptable" and repeated the Islamic state's call for fundamental policy change.

"Obama must know that the change he talks about is a fundamental change and not changing of colours or tactics," Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said in comments on state radio.

Larijani, echoing Iran's official line, called on Obama to carry out his campaign slogans of U.S. foreign policy change, including change to U.S. dealings with Iran.

"Repeating objections to Iran's nuclear programme will be taking a step in the wrong direction."

Obama, at his first news conference since Tuesday's election, said on Friday an international effort must be made to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, adding that the country's development of a nuclear weapon was "unacceptable."

President-elect Obama is an American, further he is about to become President and Commander-in-Chief of the USA.  As I wrote on 5th November, he is not likely to be a cuddly little pussycat; his achievements to date suggest that he is a tough egg and I see no reason why he should change.  The "touchy-feelies" should take note.

If you have read this far, you might wonder at the purpose of my rather lengthy introduction to this article.  Well, it was just to indicate that I have no intention of publishing regular updates for the next four years!

Until the next time.

#44...

Is Senator Barack Obama, voted in as President with a very substantial majority.

I think that anyone who is expecting a gentle pussycat is in for a shock; I thought that Mr Obama's victory speech demonstrated a degree of tough determination that of course, a US President should possess. I believe that he will be good for America and notwithstanding his obvious steely qualities, good for the world too.

Credit is due to Senator McCain for his dignified acceptance of defeat; I feel he is a decent man, hamstrung by his inept choice of a vice-presidential candidate (despite his generous and gentlemanly comments after his defeat) and further hamstrung by the eight years preceding his presidential campaign.

I have one gripe: what is all this rubbish about Senator Obama being "America's first black president"? The president-elect is as much white as he is black.

Perhaps that's a good thing?

Until the next time

United States Presidential Election 4th November 2008

I should like to take this opportunity to say "hello" to all my American readers, who far outnumber those I have from other countries.

Thank you for your support and regular visits - some comments would be nice from time to time though - and I hope that you will continue to look in at my various ramblings.

Meanwhile, I wish you all the best for tomorrow and good luck to your preferred candidate! (Tonight I am being strictly neutral).

Until the next time

Mrs Sixpack for Veep?

Early in September, I had occasion to refer to Mrs Todd Palin, still the Republican nominee for Vice-President of the U.S.A.

I have been quite relaxed about her since that time, because she spouts mostly either platitudes or nonsense and although this is far from rare in any politician, she is rather an extreme example; in consequence, I doubt she has added to Mr McCain's election chances, which appear slim at present.

I was disturbed today though to read in an IHT article that she has strong support amongst certain sections of the American population:

All the while, Palin's stoutest defenders are often the Joe Sixpacks in her crowds, who shrug off her critics, ridiculers and perceived adversaries in the news media. They say they appreciate Palin for, above all else, how "real" and "like us" she is.

Image source: Here

Great. Mrs Joe Sixpack: as they say, a "heartbeat away from the presidency."

How very reassuring.

Meanwhile it has been reported that former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell has endorsed Mr Barack Obama's candidature. He gives a number of reasons for his endorsement of Mr Obama, amongst which, referring to Mrs Palin, he said "I don't believe that she is ready to be President of the United States."

That then is something that General Powell and I have in common, although I would add that I doubt that she will ever be ready.

Until the next time