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At the moment in America, expectations are pretty low and there seems to be a lot of goodwill towards Obama. Hopefully things stay like that.
At the moment in America, expectations are pretty low and there seems to be a lot of goodwill towards Obama. Hopefully things stay like that.
Think those expectations will be pretty high after that speech.
At the moment in America, expectations are pretty low and there seems to be a lot of goodwill towards Obama. Hopefully things stay like that.
Think those expectations will be pretty high after that speech.
I didn't think the speech was a typical Obama speech. When he first started campaigning, he always had a clear do-anything message. After he won the election, he toned things down somewhat. In his speech today, he toned things down a lot more, making it clear the road ahead will be tough and that everybody has to play their part to improve things.
At the start, that was one of the reasons why I wasn't sure whether to support Obama or not. A mixture of McCain's experience, Clinton's policies and Obama's charisma, energy and vision would have been nice. Since the election campaign died down, however, my view has changed slightly. All of the rhetoric you get from both sides of the campaign has died down and Obama's message has become more appealing. He doesn't seem as protectionist as the Republicans etc. tried to make out and has toned down some of what he has been saying. Moreover, I think real change is needed now. One of my biggest gripes about politicians is things not being decided on ideology alone, but on political manoeuvring etc. Ironically, we've already seen this on the campaign trail and the Obama talking now is not quite the same as six months ago. That said, he does seem to realise the need to unite America, politically and socially etc., and anything that could increase the chances of getting people to work together for the common good has to be a step forward from the same old, same old.
At the start, that was one of the reasons why I wasn't sure whether to support Obama or not. A mixture of McCain's experience, Clinton's policies and Obama's charisma, energy and vision would have been nice. Since the election campaign died down, however, my view has changed slightly. All of the rhetoric you get from both sides of the campaign has died down and Obama's message has become more appealing. He doesn't seem as protectionist as the Republicans etc. tried to make out and has toned down some of what he has been saying. Moreover, I think real change is needed now. One of my biggest gripes about politicians is things not being decided on ideology alone, but on political manoeuvring etc. Ironically, we've already seen this on the campaign trail and the Obama talking now is not quite the same as six months ago. That said, he does seem to realise the need to unite America, politically and socially etc., and anything that could increase the chances of getting people to work together for the common good has to be a step forward from the same old, same old.
I suppose it all depends on how he gets on with the Congress.
He faces a huge challenge, and not everyone will be happy. He is going to have the shortest Honeymoon Period since one FDR, and even then the New Deal didn't do anything to bring the US out of depression in the 1930s, without entry into World War 2.
I hope he is sucessful, but at the same time, I often feel apathetic about politics, especially from a British point of view. People seem more interested in America (granted their importance is huge) than our own country's Politics!
At the start, that was one of the reasons why I wasn't sure whether to support Obama or not. A mixture of McCain's experience, Clinton's policies and Obama's charisma, energy and vision would have been nice. Since the election campaign died down, however, my view has changed slightly. All of the rhetoric you get from both sides of the campaign has died down and Obama's message has become more appealing. He doesn't seem as protectionist as the Republicans etc. tried to make out and has toned down some of what he has been saying. Moreover, I think real change is needed now. One of my biggest gripes about politicians is things not being decided on ideology alone, but on political manoeuvring etc. Ironically, we've already seen this on the campaign trail and the Obama talking now is not quite the same as six months ago. That said, he does seem to realise the need to unite America, politically and socially etc., and anything that could increase the chances of getting people to work together for the common good has to be a step forward from the same old, same old.
I suppose it all depends on how he gets on with the Congress.
He faces a huge challenge, and not everyone will be happy. He is going to have the shortest Honeymoon Period since one FDR, and even then the New Deal didn't do anything to bring the US out of depression in the 1930s, without entry into World War 2.
I hope he is sucessful, but at the same time, I often feel apathetic about politics, especially from a British point of view. People seem more interested in America (granted their importance is huge) than our own country's Politics!
Can you blame us? You look at America and see a charismatic black man with ability to inspire the nation become the president. Then we look at the UK parliament and see dour faced Gordon Brown and Eton-idiot David Cameron arguing with each other like a bunch of kids!! Its pathetic!!
At the start, that was one of the reasons why I wasn't sure whether to support Obama or not. A mixture of McCain's experience, Clinton's policies and Obama's charisma, energy and vision would have been nice. Since the election campaign died down, however, my view has changed slightly. All of the rhetoric you get from both sides of the campaign has died down and Obama's message has become more appealing. He doesn't seem as protectionist as the Republicans etc. tried to make out and has toned down some of what he has been saying. Moreover, I think real change is needed now. One of my biggest gripes about politicians is things not being decided on ideology alone, but on political manoeuvring etc. Ironically, we've already seen this on the campaign trail and the Obama talking now is not quite the same as six months ago. That said, he does seem to realise the need to unite America, politically and socially etc., and anything that could increase the chances of getting people to work together for the common good has to be a step forward from the same old, same old.
I suppose it all depends on how he gets on with the Congress.
He faces a huge challenge, and not everyone will be happy. He is going to have the shortest Honeymoon Period since one FDR, and even then the New Deal didn't do anything to bring the US out of depression in the 1930s, without entry into World War 2.
I hope he is sucessful, but at the same time, I often feel apathetic about politics, especially from a British point of view. People seem more interested in America (granted their importance is huge) than our own country's Politics!
Can you blame us? You look at America and see a charismatic black man with ability to inspire the nation become the president. Then we look at the UK parliament and see dour faced Gordon Brown and Eton-idiot David Cameron arguing with each other like a bunch of kids!! Its pathetic!!
Our political system isn't about that though. We are governed under a parliament, as you know, which doesn't require a presidential style of leadership. I'll admit Brown and Cameron are hardly the most exciting leaders to front our system, but they are only part of their elected parties.
At the start, that was one of the reasons why I wasn't sure whether to support Obama or not. A mixture of McCain's experience, Clinton's policies and Obama's charisma, energy and vision would have been nice. Since the election campaign died down, however, my view has changed slightly. All of the rhetoric you get from both sides of the campaign has died down and Obama's message has become more appealing. He doesn't seem as protectionist as the Republicans etc. tried to make out and has toned down some of what he has been saying. Moreover, I think real change is needed now. One of my biggest gripes about politicians is things not being decided on ideology alone, but on political manoeuvring etc. Ironically, we've already seen this on the campaign trail and the Obama talking now is not quite the same as six months ago. That said, he does seem to realise the need to unite America, politically and socially etc., and anything that could increase the chances of getting people to work together for the common good has to be a step forward from the same old, same old.
I suppose it all depends on how he gets on with the Congress.
He faces a huge challenge, and not everyone will be happy. He is going to have the shortest Honeymoon Period since one FDR, and even then the New Deal didn't do anything to bring the US out of depression in the 1930s, without entry into World War 2.
I hope he is sucessful, but at the same time, I often feel apathetic about politics, especially from a British point of view. People seem more interested in America (granted their importance is huge) than our own country's Politics!
Can you blame us? You look at America and see a charismatic black man with ability to inspire the nation become the president. Then we look at the UK parliament and see dour faced Gordon Brown and Eton-idiot David Cameron arguing with each other like a bunch of kids!! Its pathetic!!
Our political system isn't about that though. We are governed under a parliament, as you know, which doesn't require a presidential style of leadership. I'll admit Brown and Cameron are hardly the most exciting leaders to front our system, but they are only part of their elected parties.
It still doesn't mean that they cannot lead the country in a way that makes people optimistic. Labour and the Tory's walk around saying the same things everyday. There entire front bench has about as much charisma as a piece of cheese. And on top of that they are paying themselves exorbitant salaries and expenses then have the nerve to tell people around the country that they understand what they are going through!!
Watch PMQ tomorrow, I bet you that instead of coming up with a policy to get Britain out of the recession they will be duckling to Obama and trying to align themselves with him.
At the start, that was one of the reasons why I wasn't sure whether to support Obama or not. A mixture of McCain's experience, Clinton's policies and Obama's charisma, energy and vision would have been nice. Since the election campaign died down, however, my view has changed slightly. All of the rhetoric you get from both sides of the campaign has died down and Obama's message has become more appealing. He doesn't seem as protectionist as the Republicans etc. tried to make out and has toned down some of what he has been saying. Moreover, I think real change is needed now. One of my biggest gripes about politicians is things not being decided on ideology alone, but on political manoeuvring etc. Ironically, we've already seen this on the campaign trail and the Obama talking now is not quite the same as six months ago. That said, he does seem to realise the need to unite America, politically and socially etc., and anything that could increase the chances of getting people to work together for the common good has to be a step forward from the same old, same old.
I suppose it all depends on how he gets on with the Congress.
He faces a huge challenge, and not everyone will be happy. He is going to have the shortest Honeymoon Period since one FDR, and even then the New Deal didn't do anything to bring the US out of depression in the 1930s, without entry into World War 2.
I hope he is sucessful, but at the same time, I often feel apathetic about politics, especially from a British point of view. People seem more interested in America (granted their importance is huge) than our own country's Politics!
Can you blame us? You look at America and see a charismatic black man with ability to inspire the nation become the president. Then we look at the UK parliament and see dour faced Gordon Brown and Eton-idiot David Cameron arguing with each other like a bunch of kids!! Its pathetic!!
Our political system isn't about that though. We are governed under a parliament, as you know, which doesn't require a presidential style of leadership. I'll admit Brown and Cameron are hardly the most exciting leaders to front our system, but they are only part of their elected parties.
It still doesn't mean that they cannot lead the country in a way that makes people optimistic. Labour and the Tory's walk around saying the same things everyday. There entire front bench has about as much charisma as a piece of cheese. And on top of that they are paying themselves exorbitant salaries and expenses then have the nerve to tell people around the country that they understand what they are going through!!
Watch PMQ tomorrow, I bet you that instead of coming up with a policy to get Britain out of the recession they will be duckling to Obama and trying to align themselves with him.
That is very true, but alas that is the nature of the beast. Obama won't sort any of the hard pressing issues in a hurry - if ever! Yes he's brought alot of unity over many Americans, but this will soon disappear if he successful.
As for our systems, i'd agree the policy lines are now blurry between the Conservatives and New Labour. It has been going in this direction for a long time now. But times will change, we are in depressing state of affairs, but these won't get better until America act decisively. I personally don't think they will.
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
Obama to order Guantanamo closed
By Jeff Mason and Randall Mikkelsen Jeff Mason And Randall Mikkelsen 1 hr 42 mins ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is ready to issue orders on Thursday to close Guantanamo prison and overhaul the treatment of terrorism suspects, in a swift move to restore a U.S. image hurt by charges of torture.
A draft executive order obtained by Reuters on Wednesday sets a one-year deadline to close the controversial U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where foreign terrorism suspects have been detained for years without trial.
Obama, who was sworn in as president on Tuesday, is expected to issue the order on Guantanamo on Thursday. He will also ban abusive interrogations and order a review of detention policies for captured militants, said congressional aides and a White House official.
White House counsel Greg Craig and other officials briefed congressional representatives and staff on the plans on Wednesday, the aides said.
Obama pledged during his election campaign to close Guantanamo, which became a blot on the human rights record of the United States and a symbol of detainee abuse and detention without charge under the Bush administration.
"It's exactly the kind of bold action that is necessary," said Elisa Massimino, executive director of the Human Rights First advocacy group. "Both the speed and the content will send a clear message to our own people and the rest of the world that what he said ... he meant."
The draft order would require an immediate review of how to deal with the remaining Guantanamo prisoners. The military commissions set up to try detainees would also be halted pending a study.
A military judge on Wednesday suspended the cases of five suspected plotters of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and of a young Canadian man at Guantanamo, a day after Obama sought a 120-day suspension of pending cases.
ABIDING BY THE MANUAL
Another presidential order would ban CIA use of "enhanced" interrogation methods by making all U.S. agencies abide by the Army Field Manual, which bans techniques such as waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning the CIA says was used on three terrorism suspects.
Outgoing CIA chief Michael Hayden has defended the harsh techniques and called the Army manual too restrictive but says the agency would abide by limitations. The CIA declined comment on the reports.
Obama is also expected to order a review of all U.S. detention policies.
The Guantanamo draft specifies the camp "shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order." Prisoners still in detention would be returned to their home country, released or transferred to a third country or other U.S. facility.
Attorneys representing Guantanamo detainees said the time frame was too long.
"It only took days to put these men in Guantanamo, it shouldn't take a year to get them out," said Vincent Warren of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which has organized representation for the prisoners.
But an influential Republican congressman said dangerous suspects could be relocated to the United States and possibly be freed there in court challenges.
"Closing Guantanamo Bay poses significant national security concerns to the American people," said Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House of Representatives judiciary committee.
Former President George W. Bush has said many countries that criticized the United States were unwilling to take any detainees. But the draft order says diplomatic efforts by the Obama administration could lead to new locations for a "substantial number" of current detainees.
The United States still holds about 250 men at the U.S. naval base in Cuba and wants to try about 80 of them on terrorism charges.
Two al Qaeda suspects have been convicted by the military commissions at Guantanamo and one pleaded guilty. Two of the men have already returned to their home countries.
Washington has cleared 50 detainees for release but cannot return them to home countries because of the risk they would be tortured or persecuted there. Around 500 others have been freed or transferred to other governments since 2002.
(Editing by John O'Callaghan)
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