Location: FR | IC luftballons | Page 20 - photo thread: there be PPRuNe's most beautiful woman...
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The last time I looked, GWB's approval ratings according to opinion polls were in the region of 20-something % amongst Americans that responded. Yet, back in 2001, even Jacques Chirac proclaimed that "we are all Americans...".
Ever since about 2003 when I joined PPRuNe, it's always been mainly the same people here in JB that have been the most vociferous supporters of GWB (though BenThere has been noticeably absent most recently)...
They continue to espouse the same old failed policies except that today, the banner is headed by John McCain. The question I'd like to ask is that if over 2 out of 3 Americans today disapprove of GWB, and John McCain's policies will hardly change from those already set in concrete under GWB, just where (or how) do the same players here in JB get their gumption to carry on with their endless arguments which convince noone (even me, and I'm pretty open-minded) here?
I have to admit that I'm almost as guilty. I have a lot of humility but a strong tendency to bite back if I feel threatened. It's a sign of my own insecurity I guess...?!
The USA needs to get the rest of the world behind her if the world is to stand a chance. There are 2 starkly obvious choices:
1) Vote for John McCain and simply wait for another 9/11 or Iraqi invasion catastrophy, or
2) Vote for Obama, regain the confidence of the rest of the world and simply pray...?!
It will never happen, even if Powell agreed the powers that own, er sorry, run the DNC will never allow such a ticket.
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1) Vote for John McCain and simply wait for another 9/11 or Iraqi invasion catastrophy, or
2) Vote for Obama, regain the confidence of the rest of the world and simply pray...?!
Not too sure where you are going here. There will be another 9/11 type attack, of that you can go to the bank with. The real questions is, who do you want to be in the office of the President when the attack happens, a man with experience with war and its terrible affects and years of experience in government, or someone with no experience in either who makes really nice speeches with the word 'change' in the speech a lot?
Of course Obama, being a attorney, could alway sue the attackers.
To be honest I'm really waiting for the Democratic Convention when Hillary drops the shoe.
I believe, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that myself and others have shown 'real proof' that Senator McCain has character.
Con-pilot:
1. All opinion is, by definition biased. "Biased opinion" is redundant, really. This is why I was careful to voice not my opinion, but that of your more mainstream historian, biased as it may still be.
2. I'd forgotten about Ulysses Grant, don't know that much about him after the civil war, thank you for mentioning him.
3. On evidence of Mr. McCain's conduct in Vietnam, I'll grant you having proven his character...
But I'm still puzzled. John McCain's character was murdered in the last election by the guy that ended up in the oval office (again). Nobody seemed to mind at the time. GWB himself seems to have shown a definite absence of character in his life prior to entering the white house.. yet i did not hinder him getting elected twice. And after getting rid of McCain in the primary he beat another decorated war hero in the general election.
Hmmm.. so it's not about character at all then...
Could it be it's just about the brand? Could it be that half the people will vote Republican and the other half Democrat no matter what made-up turkey is on the ballot for either side? That would make this thread slightly moot, now wouldn't it?
Location: FR | IC luftballons | Page 20 - photo thread: there be PPRuNe's most beautiful woman...
Posts: 297
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Of course Obama, being a attorney, could alway sue the attackers.
And John McCain might simply seek refuge behind sharpened bamboo barricades in the White House gardens (bamboo grows really fast I'm told) until it's safe to come out again (not that it would make any difference going by precedent)...or even Presidential precedence?!
What we need today are politicians who're willing to lead their infantry into battle. I don't care whether John McCain rides a white stallion into Iran. But if he does it, I'll swallow my pride...
In many respects the election of the US President could have longer term and more far reaching consequences for me than the election of a new Prime Minister.
Short of McCain or BO pushing the end the world now button it's a popular sentiment only. My Governor has more impact on my long term planning than the President, just the same the local county board of Supervisors influence trumps that of the Governor.
If it's your opinion the President of the US wields more influence than your countries PM, perhaps you should be looking to your PM as the problem rather than the US President.
galaxyflyer...
IRT Doug Hegdahl, you are mistaken in an instance or two, though nothing really material.
Seaman Apprentice Douglas Hegdahl, USN was blown off the deck of the USS Canberra by the concussion of a 5-inch gun (he was 19, it was night, and he was foolish enough to go topside during a bombardment). He was picked up by Vietnamese fishermen and eventually wound up in the Hanoi Hilton. I believe he was the only enlisted man held there, though I may be mistaken. He was not a civilian, so therefore he was subject to the code of conduct. While imprisoned, he played upon his bumpkin looks and ways and convinced the Viet Cong that he was an idiot so he had more or less free run of the compound. Over time, he managed to disable several trucks in the prison compound by putting dirt and other debris in their fuel tanks.
Over time, he memorized the names of all those imprisoned and recited them to the tune of 'Old MacDonald'. He didn't want to leave his comrades behind, but was DIRECTED to do so by the SRO.
After arriving in Washington and being debriefed and giving information on those prisoners being held, he later was flown at H. Ross Perot's expense to the Paris Peace Talks. When a member of the N. Vietnamese delegation spoke of "humane treatment" in the camps, Hegdahl said: "I was there." The subject was never brought up again.
He later became an instructor at SERE school. Last I heard he was still able to recite all 256 of the names from memory.
Google will dig up all sorts of information on Hegdahl, Richard Stratton, James Stockdale, Bud Day, and others and how they managed leadership and self-enforcement of the Code of Conduct. Big brass ones that clank together... that's all I'm saying.
If it's your opinion the President of the US wields more influence than your countries PM, perhaps you should be looking to your PM as the problem rather than the US President.
WHAT?! Accept responsibility for the actions of my own government as it relates to the United States?!
Sir, this is intolerable! If I had the means of showing my displeasure, it would be crisp stalks of broccoli at dawn for you and I.
WC and BH. I can't tell whether you are missing the point deliberately, but you are certainly missing it. Your responses suggest an attitude no better than the Island and siege mentality of many of my brethren in the UK.
I can't comment on the impact of GWB within the US, but his leadership has had a considerable negative impact on the global perception of the US. As for the UK PM, he doesn't seem to be making much impact anywhere at the moment.
So let's try this approach: do you agree that the choice of president in the US will have an impact on the rest of the world or do you think it will have no impact at all?
but his leadership has had a considerable negative impact on the global perception of the US.
So who cares, I certainly don't, why would anyone, what difference does it make? And don't start with the terrorism card - the dickheads were bombing US interests abroad well before GWB was elected if you recall.
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So let's try this approach: do you agree that the choice of president in the US will have an impact on the rest of the world or do you think it will have no impact at all?
It has an impact. Negative or positive I don't give a toss. What's the point of going on and on about it?
Now, GWB is an idiot and I'll be glad to see him "retire". McCain is the lesser of the two evils and so I hope he wins. BHO had not even served two years as a senator before he launched his campaign. He should learn to walk before he runs.
I'm not missing any point, I'm simply playing mythbuster to your populist Euro sentiment.
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but his leadership has had a considerable negative impact on the global perception of the US.
That's a helluva lot different, and shows little relation to...
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In many respects the election of the US President could have longer term and more far reaching consequences for me than the election of a new Prime Minister.
I never liked moving targets.
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do you agree that the choice of president in the US will have an impact on the rest of the world or do you think it will have no impact at all?
Make an impact? Sure, Gordo becoming PM had an impact here so I imagine the next Prez will have some degree of impact there.
There impact and then there's impact. Will the trains not run on time, the rubbish not get picked up? Will you be made redundant the day BO or McCain is sworn in. If those or events of similar magnitude happen, then I apoligize you are correct.
If someone in Cardiff wakes up and see a rainbow on the horizon and chalk it up to BO winning the election. I don't know, I can't devine what the Euro elite will discuss at martini parties.
Don't mistake water cooler talking points about the role of the US and it's next President as anything larger than it is.
I'd be interested to know what you changes you think will happen to YOU (as your post says) as a result of a new President.
Location: FR | IC luftballons | Page 20 - photo thread: there be PPRuNe's most beautiful woman...
Posts: 297
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I'd be interested to know what you changes you think will happen to YOU (as your post says) as a result of a new President.]
Hmmmm, where should one start, there are so many angles...?! But how about, if there was a new US President who wasn't so paranoid / ignorant / servile to certain interests etc., more western democracies would renege on their introduction of increasingly Orwellian laws which do little to improve security but serve merely as an excuse for more authoritarian government?!
PS. When you mention water coolers, are you speaking of those weird contraptions with huge plastic bottles balanced on top which often burp? They've become very common here in Europe over the past few years. The ones over here not only serve cold water, but also offer Europeans water at ambient temperature as an alternative at the simple push of a button. Do your water coolers offer this choice...?!
A bit of pointed humor on my part, not of missing your point. I disagree with your point, but I understood it
As westie put it better than I, I'll await your response.
I find it amusing that non-US folks think the US President far more powerful than US citizens do.
It's that pesky checks and balances thing that makes it so. Our Congress has an equal role in funding whatever adventures the occupant of 1600 Penn embarks. So the blame, if needed, gets spread around. But that's not nearly as satisfying as focusing on one man.
So, if you want to blame the US and GWB in particular, for all the world's ills, ok, knock yourself out.
Saying it doesn't make it so, however.
What will you do when he leaves office? I see McCain drawing that fire if he wins, but am wondering how you will place it on Obama if that comes to pass?
If it comes down to it, I'd rather have my country strong and pursuing its national interests than liked and pursuing Europe's.
And I think that's the rub. If we'd only do what you wanted, you'd be fine with the US. How'd that work when Britain ran the show?
Location: FR | IC luftballons | Page 20 - photo thread: there be PPRuNe's most beautiful woman...
Posts: 297
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You should be a politician, you said a lot and didn't say a thing at the same time.
And I'm extremely disappointed to inform you that because I wasn't born in the USA (or Panama), I'm not eligible to be either John McCain's or Barack Obama's running mate. I know you'd vote for me, but sadly, I cannot be your next VP.
Location: FR | IC luftballons | Page 20 - photo thread: there be PPRuNe's most beautiful woman...
Posts: 297
I was just thinking (ORAC can be so inspiring)...
Lots of Americans might confuse Obama with Osama (bin Laden). In N. America, I'm told that it's very simple to change your name to whatever you wish. So I was just wondering, if it's that important (to Americans generally and/or Obama in particular), should he consider changing his name? And if so, to what...?!
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