US President Barack Obama is facing his first crisis since being re-elected, after celebrity couple Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez announced they were breaking up.
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Obama Victory Speech Electrifies Faithful
Barack Obama yesterday celebrated his US presidential race victory by giving a stirring speech to his supporters.
The newly re-elected President electrified a huge crowd in his home-town Chicago last night, with a soaring speech about hope and change.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
How About It, Mr Obama?
Dear Mr Obama,
If you're doing nothing much at the end of your four year presidential term, would you mind popping over here and sorting us out?
If you're doing nothing much at the end of your four year presidential term, would you mind popping over here and sorting us out?
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Obama Inspires Crowd With Speech Reminding Them That He's Not The Other Guy
Barack Obama told supporters to remember that he was not the other guy, as he accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president yesterday.
President Obama's speech marked the climax of the three-day convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The President began his speech by setting out his vision for a stronger and fairer America.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Right Thinking: A Stark Choice
Watching the national conventions of the two main American political parties these last two weeks has been a chilling reminder to me of the peril the world stands in.America is confronted with a stark choice: do they support the man who loves his country and was born in his country, or do they re-elect the crazed foreign-born dictatorial lunatic?
Anyone who reads my columns knows that I eschew extremist language of any sort, because it's not conducive to good debate. But anyone who thinks Barack "Hitler" Obama isn't the greatest threat to the security and peace of all citizens of this world is deluding themselves.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
President Newt?
Spare a thought for our US friends. Their economy may be a powerhouse (even if at present it is staggering a bit), but when it comes to "government of the people, by the people, for the people", they are little better than animals.
That one of the current group of Republican crazies running for office may become President in a year or so is difficult to imagine. Yet it remains a possibility. It would be like Don Brash becoming PM here. Oh, wait, that almost happened...
Previously the Republican nomination race was regarded as being a non-contest. Mitt Romney was supposed to have it sorted and was a sure thing. However, Newt Gingrich's victory in South Carolina has upset most predictions and given the former House Speaker huge momentum. There are plenty of reasons why voters ought to dislike Romney, not the least being his evasiveness when queried over tax matters and his insistence that being a cut-throat businessman would make him a good leader of the nation.
But the thing his Republican rivals seem most fixated on is the fact he's a Mormon. Go figure.
Maybe hardcore Republicans are wired differently. That might explain their inability to see what seems to be in plain view. Take Newt Gingrich as an example. He's now being billed as a "conservative revolutionary", as if the two concepts aren't contradictory, and the "grassroots" candidate. But Gingrich is as Establishment as they come, having been Republican House Speaker (before being dumped after an ethics scandal), and he's been a Washington insider for the better part of 30 years.
That ethics scandal would be enough to send most politicians into permanent disgrace, but not Gingrich. Nor does it seem to matter that during the period when he was attacking Bill Clinton over the Lewinsky affair he was himself engaged in an adulterous affair. I guess some people can forgive any sort of dishonesty and hypocrisy in a candidate, so long as he's not a Mormon.
Right now it would be easy to dismiss the entire Republican Party as a joke, and assume that Barack Obama will clean the floor come November. This would be a mistake. How many of us were convinced that the village idiot by the name of George W. Bush would never be elected, or re-elected?
The Republicans have a got shot at winning because, for all his grand eloquence, for all his stirring oratory, Barack Obama has been a colossal disappointment. He promised change and a new approach, but has delivered precious little. Washington is run by corporate lobbyists, and the House representatives who make the laws spend most of their time either campaigning for office or fundraising. The two-yearly electoral cycle contributes to corporate capture of the political system and makes it difficult for politicians to enact policies harmful to big business.
This is why the Democrats blew the once-in-a-generation opportunity they had in 2008 to reform the entire system. They controlled the House and Senate, and their man was in the White House. But the Democrat Party are so compromised by corporate lobbyists and so divided that they couldn't organise a brawl in a Mongrel Mob vs Black Power rugby league game.
So why would people vote for the party that promised change and delivered more of the same? They may as well give their vote to that other party of snake-oil salespeople. Or just stay home and not vote at all.
There's plenty of time to go, and maybe the Republican nominee will turn out to be the campaign trainwreck we all expect him to be. But I'm not willing to put my money on an Obama victory, and I can well imagine that come this time next year they'll be inaugurating President Mitt. Or President Newt.
That one of the current group of Republican crazies running for office may become President in a year or so is difficult to imagine. Yet it remains a possibility. It would be like Don Brash becoming PM here. Oh, wait, that almost happened...
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| Copyright Gage Skidmore, 2012 |
But the thing his Republican rivals seem most fixated on is the fact he's a Mormon. Go figure.
Maybe hardcore Republicans are wired differently. That might explain their inability to see what seems to be in plain view. Take Newt Gingrich as an example. He's now being billed as a "conservative revolutionary", as if the two concepts aren't contradictory, and the "grassroots" candidate. But Gingrich is as Establishment as they come, having been Republican House Speaker (before being dumped after an ethics scandal), and he's been a Washington insider for the better part of 30 years.
That ethics scandal would be enough to send most politicians into permanent disgrace, but not Gingrich. Nor does it seem to matter that during the period when he was attacking Bill Clinton over the Lewinsky affair he was himself engaged in an adulterous affair. I guess some people can forgive any sort of dishonesty and hypocrisy in a candidate, so long as he's not a Mormon.
Right now it would be easy to dismiss the entire Republican Party as a joke, and assume that Barack Obama will clean the floor come November. This would be a mistake. How many of us were convinced that the village idiot by the name of George W. Bush would never be elected, or re-elected?
The Republicans have a got shot at winning because, for all his grand eloquence, for all his stirring oratory, Barack Obama has been a colossal disappointment. He promised change and a new approach, but has delivered precious little. Washington is run by corporate lobbyists, and the House representatives who make the laws spend most of their time either campaigning for office or fundraising. The two-yearly electoral cycle contributes to corporate capture of the political system and makes it difficult for politicians to enact policies harmful to big business.
This is why the Democrats blew the once-in-a-generation opportunity they had in 2008 to reform the entire system. They controlled the House and Senate, and their man was in the White House. But the Democrat Party are so compromised by corporate lobbyists and so divided that they couldn't organise a brawl in a Mongrel Mob vs Black Power rugby league game.
So why would people vote for the party that promised change and delivered more of the same? They may as well give their vote to that other party of snake-oil salespeople. Or just stay home and not vote at all.
There's plenty of time to go, and maybe the Republican nominee will turn out to be the campaign trainwreck we all expect him to be. But I'm not willing to put my money on an Obama victory, and I can well imagine that come this time next year they'll be inaugurating President Mitt. Or President Newt.
Friday, July 8, 2011
PM Gets Date With Obama: Will Key Put Out?
Labour may have a whole tax policy ready to be released in time for the election campaign, but John Key was quick to respond. Key today showed us the central piece in National's re-election campaign.
From the Herald:
Yes, I know Key will be waving the flag for all of us, and that we should all be glad that little NZ is being permitted to talk to the grownups for once. But I also wonder what concessions Key may have made to get facetime and photo-ops with Obama. We're currently negotiating a trade deal with the US, and IP matters are of some concern to the US. These negotiations are taking place in secret, and so the timing of Key's visit is intriguing. Will Key and Obama discuss the Trans Pacific Partnership? Will New Zealand sacrifice Pharmac and agree to stricter copyright laws in return for access to US markets and a handshake with the President?
What's more likely is that Obama is merely being polite in extending the invitation to the White House. He probably sees plenty of leaders from other tin-pot nations and failed states, so it's probably no big deal to him, even if it is to us. Sometimes a photo-op is nothing more than that.
From the Herald:
Prime Minister John Key has got his long-awaited date with "POTUS," the President of the United States, Barack Obama, at the White House.Smile, shake hands, repeat.
Mr Key will meet Mr Obama on July 22, Washington time, or early July 23 New Zealand time.
Mr Key has met Mr Obama on several occasions including in April last year when he was invited by Mr Obama to his Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.
He went the White House on that occasion but to meet with Vice-President Joe Biden.
But this will be the first one-on-one with Mr Obama.
Yes, I know Key will be waving the flag for all of us, and that we should all be glad that little NZ is being permitted to talk to the grownups for once. But I also wonder what concessions Key may have made to get facetime and photo-ops with Obama. We're currently negotiating a trade deal with the US, and IP matters are of some concern to the US. These negotiations are taking place in secret, and so the timing of Key's visit is intriguing. Will Key and Obama discuss the Trans Pacific Partnership? Will New Zealand sacrifice Pharmac and agree to stricter copyright laws in return for access to US markets and a handshake with the President?
What's more likely is that Obama is merely being polite in extending the invitation to the White House. He probably sees plenty of leaders from other tin-pot nations and failed states, so it's probably no big deal to him, even if it is to us. Sometimes a photo-op is nothing more than that.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A Cynical And Desperate Attempt To Get More Blog Traffic
Celebrity name suppression, Michael Jackson, Sarah Palin, Auckland celebrity, sex, Justin Bieber, who is the Auckland celebrity? Jesus, how to make a bomb, Barack Obama, Hitler, crochet, household name, Hone Harawira, online gambling, 46 year old man, Lady Gaga.
That should do it. It's just a pity this Blogger platform limits labels to 200 characters.
That should do it. It's just a pity this Blogger platform limits labels to 200 characters.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Did Obama Kill Jesus Too?
I know I already posted someone on my Hall of Shame today, but I found another wingnut blaming Obama for the evils of the world.
Mind you, this is quite a small evil. In fact, some might even applaud Obama for this.
Chuck Norris might be good at beating up the bad guys, but he's also a right-wing loon. He writes a number of angry columns for a range of nutty publications, foaming at the liberal atheistic society America has become.
In this column he claims the US has hit a low because Obama has distanced himself from the Boy Scouts of America.
But the real jaw-dropper is when Norris compares Obama to Pontius Pilate:
There may not be a new Internet law, but there sure is a new category in the Hall of Fame: the "Just Like Jesus" Achievement Award.
To be fair, Norris isn't goijg to be the sole recipient of the award. Len Brown gets an award for this. And before him US evangelist George Rekers compared being caught out with a rent-boy to the trials of the Messiah.
Congratulations to all three.
Mind you, this is quite a small evil. In fact, some might even applaud Obama for this.
Chuck Norris might be good at beating up the bad guys, but he's also a right-wing loon. He writes a number of angry columns for a range of nutty publications, foaming at the liberal atheistic society America has become.
In this column he claims the US has hit a low because Obama has distanced himself from the Boy Scouts of America.
As I pointed out, the White House has delayed Eagle Scout certificate signings, denied the invitation to go to the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary gala, downplayed Obama's acceptance of BSA's honorary presidency, dodged official communications about the BSA, not defended the BSA against cultural attacks, and diminished Obama's all-around role as BSA's honorary president.Sure, whatever. Obama may have more important things to do than attend Boy Scout events. I believe there are a couple of foreign wars going on.
But the real jaw-dropper is when Norris compares Obama to Pontius Pilate:
Just as Pontius Pilate washed his hands of any buy-in to Jesus' execution, the White House continually is whitewashing its connection and responsibility to the BSA. And just as Pontius Pilate's actions prompted us to question what good came from his position, President Obama has caused us to wonder what good has come from his role as honorary president of BSA.There ought to be a new law of the Internet: an equivalent to Godwin's Law, if you will. People who compare themselves to Jesus, or who compare the trials they or their supporters are undergoing to the trials and tribulations of Jesus.
There may not be a new Internet law, but there sure is a new category in the Hall of Fame: the "Just Like Jesus" Achievement Award.
To be fair, Norris isn't goijg to be the sole recipient of the award. Len Brown gets an award for this. And before him US evangelist George Rekers compared being caught out with a rent-boy to the trials of the Messiah.
Congratulations to all three.
GOP Fool Says Afghanistan Mess Obama's Fault
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele
If there was ever any doubt the Republican Party continues to move further and further away from that area of ground most of us know as "reality", this must be it.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele expressed an unusual interpretation of the relationship between Barack Obama and the war in Afghanistan at a Connecticut fundraiser Thursday.I may not be an expert on the complex situation in Afghanistan, but I seem to recall the US invaded that country in 2001, seven years before Obama was President.
"This was a war of Obama's choosing," Michael Steele said at the event. "This is not something the United States has actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."
Steele also accused Obama of "demonizing Iraq while saying the battle really should be in Afghanistan."
"Well, if he's such a student of history, has he not understood that, you know, that's the one thing you don't do is engage in a land war in Afghanistan, alright, because everyone who's tried over a thousand years of history has failed," Steele continued.
Or is that just what the Socialists want me to think? And maybe the Kenyan tyrant is responsible for Iraq too. And for the financial meltdown.
In fact, could Comrade Obama be the evil mastermind behind the global warming conspiracy?
Michael Steele deserves recognition for his efforts. He is the new Imperator Fish Fool of the Moment.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
We Don't Know How Lucky We Are
Here is some depressing news from the US.
Fox News is now the most trusted news channel in the US. According to a poll recently conducted about half of the US public trust them. Be afraid.
But if this frightens you. it gets worse. It appears Obama currently has the power to order the assassination of US citizens anywhere in the world, and without any judicial oversight, if they are suspected of being involved in terrorism. Suspected by whom, you ask? The Government. The President. Pretty frightening, especially if you consider that a number of "terrorists" detained at Guantanamo have now been released for lack of evidence.
To be fair, Bush II also claimed this assassination right, but Obama has done nothing to reign in these extraordinary powers.
Sometimes we forget how good we have it in this small tinpot nation we call home.
Fox News is now the most trusted news channel in the US. According to a poll recently conducted about half of the US public trust them. Be afraid.
But if this frightens you. it gets worse. It appears Obama currently has the power to order the assassination of US citizens anywhere in the world, and without any judicial oversight, if they are suspected of being involved in terrorism. Suspected by whom, you ask? The Government. The President. Pretty frightening, especially if you consider that a number of "terrorists" detained at Guantanamo have now been released for lack of evidence.
To be fair, Bush II also claimed this assassination right, but Obama has done nothing to reign in these extraordinary powers.
Sometimes we forget how good we have it in this small tinpot nation we call home.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
US Hate Politics
It seems the opposition to Barack Obama has moved from the hysterical to the outright offensive.
Here is a picture of a sign seen at a Republican Party anti-healthcare rally last week.
In case you can't tell (the photo isn't as clear as it could be), it's a photo of Holocaust victims piled up. The sign reads "National Socialist Health Care: Dachau, Germany – 1945”.
That's right - Obama's plans are now being openly compared to the Holocaust. The irony is that some of the people using horror images of the Holocaust to make a point are marching alongside hardcore anti-Semites.
I wonder how you reason with people who truly believe such comparisons are reasonable ones to make. Should anyone bother?
Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel has said of such signs: "This kind of political hatred is indecent and disgusting". For his troubles he attracted the ire of the Teabaggers. Read some of the comments on this Politico article, some of which are so hateful you can only laugh (because the only other reaction appropriate for the situation would be to weep inconsolably). Like this one:
Here is a picture of a sign seen at a Republican Party anti-healthcare rally last week.
In case you can't tell (the photo isn't as clear as it could be), it's a photo of Holocaust victims piled up. The sign reads "National Socialist Health Care: Dachau, Germany – 1945”.
That's right - Obama's plans are now being openly compared to the Holocaust. The irony is that some of the people using horror images of the Holocaust to make a point are marching alongside hardcore anti-Semites.
I wonder how you reason with people who truly believe such comparisons are reasonable ones to make. Should anyone bother?
Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel has said of such signs: "This kind of political hatred is indecent and disgusting". For his troubles he attracted the ire of the Teabaggers. Read some of the comments on this Politico article, some of which are so hateful you can only laugh (because the only other reaction appropriate for the situation would be to weep inconsolably). Like this one:
What is wrong with Nazis and swasticas? That is exactly what this country needs right now.At least this one was genuinely funny (unintentionally):
Elie is a whiner. She should stop her whining. You didn't not complane when the libs were calling Bush Hitler.It is abundantly clear that the Teabaggers have within their movement some very unpleasant people. Not to mention stupid.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Should Obama Have Got The Nobel Prize?
Arguments against:
He's been in office less than a year and hasn't had time to achieve anything.
Is still fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan. Hardly actions deserving of the Nobel Prize.
Is willing to engage in dialogue with enemies.
Is an evil Kenyan socialist monster who will destroy the fabric of society and leave us all enslaved to the Chinese or Muslims.
Arguments for:
Has pointed America in the right direction. Has renounced former administration's unilateral tactics and imperialist world view.
Is willing to engage in dialogue with enemies.
Isn't Bush.
Will piss off Fox News.
He's been in office less than a year and hasn't had time to achieve anything.
Is still fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has been increasing troop numbers in Afghanistan. Hardly actions deserving of the Nobel Prize.
Is willing to engage in dialogue with enemies.
Is an evil Kenyan socialist monster who will destroy the fabric of society and leave us all enslaved to the Chinese or Muslims.
Arguments for:
Has pointed America in the right direction. Has renounced former administration's unilateral tactics and imperialist world view.
Is willing to engage in dialogue with enemies.
Isn't Bush.
Will piss off Fox News.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Obama's Latest Groupie
From the Herald:
Reality time: nobody in the US cares about Key, his visit, or New Zealand. That's not the PM's fault. It's just the way it is. We're nobody on the global stage. The Key-Obama meeting was one of many the President had, and Obama probably forgot about it immediately afterwards. So why is it so newsworthy?
It's a big deal because of the cultural cringe factor. NZ on the global stage is like a small insecure child desperate for the big kids in the playground to like us. Whenever a foreign expert comes to NZ and says how much he/she likes our country, we go all gooey. When someone dares to criticise us over anything we get offended, outraged and hurt.
The fact that we care deeply what strangers think, rather than having the self-confidence to not worry, suggests there is still much to do before this country can ever call itself mature.
I'd care more if Obama visited NZ, because that would actually expose the most powerful person in the world to more than a handshake and polite pleasantries. But these short meet/greets, while useful, are hardly front page news.
Mr Key and the president met for the first time when Mr Obama approached the prime minister unexpectedly at a lunch hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon."Who me? Ohhhh... Mr President...."
The pair chatted for two or three minutes.
"Well it was great, he came up, I was sitting at my table and he came over and said `look it was great to see you, fantastic to have a chat on the phone, (I) look forward to seeing a lot more of you."
Reality time: nobody in the US cares about Key, his visit, or New Zealand. That's not the PM's fault. It's just the way it is. We're nobody on the global stage. The Key-Obama meeting was one of many the President had, and Obama probably forgot about it immediately afterwards. So why is it so newsworthy?
It's a big deal because of the cultural cringe factor. NZ on the global stage is like a small insecure child desperate for the big kids in the playground to like us. Whenever a foreign expert comes to NZ and says how much he/she likes our country, we go all gooey. When someone dares to criticise us over anything we get offended, outraged and hurt.
The fact that we care deeply what strangers think, rather than having the self-confidence to not worry, suggests there is still much to do before this country can ever call itself mature.
I'd care more if Obama visited NZ, because that would actually expose the most powerful person in the world to more than a handshake and polite pleasantries. But these short meet/greets, while useful, are hardly front page news.
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