Congratulations to President Obama.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

You mean *another mistake* ? Being not a republican and pledging policy to ease the US out of Iraq and Afghanistan was probably enough to get Obahma over the line. USA's war mongering and general aggression has meant a loss of respect on the world stage and they are looking to correct that. Voting out the republicans was just the start.

You're right there Mark - it's the rock and a hard place syndrome. No-one can ever be everything to all people, but it has been a particularly aggressive administration. Then again, the collective threat to the US hasn't been as prevalent since, well, I'm not sure when. I'm not sure of the last time throughout history that the US public have been on the receiving end of extremists in commercial jets on US soil. It must have been a tough few years to try and balance the retaliatory measures as "best they saw fit".

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

It must have been a tough few years to try and balance the retaliatory measures as best they saw fit.

Balance?? Balance!! Is this some attempt at black humour?

How many innocent civilians have died in the 'war on terror'? Another 18 just the other day. The 'balance' under Bush has been that foreigners don't count.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

Balance?? Balance!! Is this some attempt at black humour?

I thought that was obvious. A little dry maybe.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I thought that was obvious. A little dry maybe.

OK. My apologies.

[tornado33]

The world has gotten to be a much nicer place for me since Kevin Rudd became PM of Australia and now Barack Obhama became US president (well President elect for now). The old right wing governments, which had ideals of greed that led to the global crisis in the first place have been done away with, outmoded by more decent caring people. There may yet be hope for Humanity afterall

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

. It must have been a tough few years to try and balance the retaliatory measures as best they saw fit.

Jeese Chris , Your taste in white wine must be *extremely* dry

What country did the 9/11 terrorists come from ?

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Jeese Chris , Your taste in white wine must be *extremely* dry

What country did the 9/11 terrorists come from ?

LOL! Geez - OK, I've put little rabbits ears around the offending passage for everyone.

Saudi, for the most part, weren't they? That, Lebanese and UAE.

[Jen]

i don't do politics

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Jen

i don't do politics

Well - I won't be voting for you then.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

Well - I won't be voting for you then.

[avandonk]

Those so called leaders Bush and Cheney have cost the American people over four thousand of their young! Meanwhile Cheney is getting very rich via Haliburton that supplies the 'effort' in Iraq. The party is over and as usual YOU will pick up the bill!


Bert

Their greed is only exceeded by their stupidity and ignorance!

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

You mean *another mistake* ? Being not a republican and pledging policy to ease the US out of Iraq and Afghanistan was probably enough to get Obahma over the line. USA's war mongering and general aggression has meant a loss of respect on the world stage and they are looking to correct that. Voting out the republicans was just the start.

Careful some yank will probably wade in call you nasty names and accuse us of ANTIAMERICANISM for saying such things, despite you being 110% correct.

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

LOL! Geez - OK, I've put little rabbits ears around the offending passage for everyone.

Saudi, for the most part, weren't they? That, Lebanese and UAE.

And next question , who apart from China (the "communist" one) do the yanks owe the most money too ?

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by avandonk

Those so called leaders Bush and Cheney have cost the American people over four thousand of their young! Meanwhile Cheney is getting very rich via Haliburton that supplies the 'effort' in Iraq. The party is over and as usual YOU will pick up the bill!


Bert

Their greed is only exceeded by their stupidity and ignorance!

I still don't understand why Bush Jr and Cheney were NOT indicted before now ?

[mick pinner]

To believe an American president, any American president, can change the world is ridiculous and wishful thinking. l am certainly not anti American but that country is going down the s-bend at a rate never before seen, not just because of the recent monetary crisis but an ever increasing pressure just to keep the infrastructure going. No president up to now has even made a dent in the declining American economy. Obama may have all the best intentions ( don't they all ) but the excuses will come, he will have enough on his plate with home economics that world affairs will take a backward step. Even if he brings the troops home we will be no better of than we were before we will be just back where we started.

[Kal (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

And next question , who apart from China (the "communist" one) do the yanks owe the most money too ?

According to this wiki entry, Japan

Foreign owners of US Treasury Securities (August 2008)
Nation billions of dollars
Japan585.9
Mainland China541.0
United Kingdom307.4

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by Kal

According to this wiki entry, Japan

Foreign owners of US Treasury Securities (August 2008)
Nation billions of dollars
Japan585.9
Mainland China541.0
United Kingdom307.4

August 2008 is quite dated .... a lot has happened since August and all except Obama's election for the USA was BAD and extremely costly.

[GrahamL]

And next question , who apart from China (the "communist" one) do the yanks owe the most money too ?

While not a big player in world eccenomics Ian .. I would say the drug cartels of south america .. though not the most savy of investment advisers .. they have historicaly always gone with the most stable global cuurency... If these guys arn't happy to hold US dollars In there tax free world .. I really wonder when other nations will have a good look at the same .

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2...ed-euros_N.htm

[PCH (Paul)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

The guys's been in congress for three years and he's suddenly the leader of the free world. We're kidding, right?

Great.

Not on. Change for changes' sake? I seem to remember McCain barracking for the anti-sub prime camp, not Obama. Yet, Obama is taking credit for the "fix". We don't know this guy from a bar of soap. He's now in charge of us all.

Sounds familiar.... wake up people! It's great to see that those who wanted to vote for him can "congradulate" the man.,.. - and actually be able to spell.

Gotta be honest Chris, I was wondering what his qualifications were myself. I'm not totally convinced that even a considerably longer period in the somewhat limited role as senator is sufficient training for the top job.

Though having said that, I'm not sure exactly what training would be enough, as there isn't really another position quite like it is there Unless they practiced in one of the 40 or so countries they've invaded in the last 50 years

Cheers,

[norm]

This was certainly history in the making. Sure there were the dramatics and the speeches, but why the hell not. I am glad to have witnessed history and see it unfold.

The guy maybe seen as inexperienced in the political front and yes time will be the judge, but what of experience? I think the experience dialogue is over rated and played over too many times. How do you get experience until you get a crack at it? Its not like he is going to be making decisions on his own anyway.....

America needed a change badly and hopefully Obama will provide the catalyst for this.