Job Discussion Forums

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

Who's talking about 'certainty'?

If you'd read my previous post, you'll have seen that I do hope that Obama fulfills even half the expectations people have of him, but because - appearances aside - he is very much a part of the US political establishment, I have serious doubts that his election represents any significant change.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:

Dear Cleopatra,

I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your posting:

"I'd like to think that Obama offers change we can believe in, but cynics like me recall that old saw: "If voting changed anything, they'd ban it."

I took the phrase, "I'd like to think" followed by " . . . but cynics like me . . ."

to indicate an unreal situation, in the same way that "I'd like to believe you, but I can't" would.

Regards,
John

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

Another thing I'm wondering about - is it just a coincidence that Israel "withdrew" from Gaza at exactly the same time that Dubya "withdrew" from the White House?

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:29 pm Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Most people on these boards consider the US inherently evil and their own political systems apparently beyond reproach. I never hear anything about the British imperial roots of the never-ending Middle Eastern problems nor Arabs' own responsibility for their behavior. I sense greatness in Obama, the first time since JFK (and the latter was no angel, strictly speaking...he was a politician). Are your politicians more legitimate than the election of Obama? How integrated are Muslims into your society? How integrated are people of color into your society and politics? Do you have a lower house comprised of 9% people of color in your systems? Frankly, I don't see any analysis going on here, just the old knee-jerk anti-Americanism. Most people here also seem to have the self-serving notion, due to vested interests, that a US administration can be acceptable only if it becomes Al Jazeera, a representative of Middle Eastern Muslims to the exclusion of the American people. Obama is not the president of the Middle East, nor does the electorate want him to be. For one thing, our values are diametrically opposed to Middle Eastern values. Nonetheless, Obama believes what he says in regard to attempting to establish basically a humanistic administration and foreign policy. He's made a small start on his first full day in office: ordering the closing of Gitmo, although it could take up to a year.That's on his first day. And it flies in the face of the self-appointed sages here who think they know something about American politics, but obviously don't have a clue, who sit here and say he won't represent any change from Bush. As Obama said, in a biblical reference, it is time to set aside childish things. That should go for a lot of the posters here.