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Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 17:46
As I write this, Obama has just reached the platform where, in less than 20 minutes, he will write a new page in history.

Inaugurations always make me very proud -- in some ways they represent the best of what the USA is and represents. This will be our 44th rendition.

tibilicus
01-20-2009, 17:50
As I write this, Obama has just reached the platform where, in less than 20 minutes, he will write a new page in history.

Inaugurations always make me very proud -- in some ways they represent the best of what the USA is and represents. This will be our 44th rendition.

Your ceremony quite frankly highlights how dull and boring our UK process is.

For these 2 hours I genuinely wish I was american..

:shame:

drone
01-20-2009, 17:57
Don't really know how the new boss is going to work out, but for the old one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwnqqj5Q1BU)...

Lemur
01-20-2009, 17:57
Anybody got any links to video?

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
01-20-2009, 18:00
Why are they treating him like Jesus Chirst? Makes me sick. He's a African American (nothing wrong with it, I'm not racist, just saying), and the deal is....? They are now making such a big deal out of it, acting like he's Jesus Christ who's coming back.


Nevertheless, it's historical, regardless of the fact I don't care much for him.


Good Luck President Obama.

Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 18:05
With one sentence it is accomplished. Barack Hussein Obama is President.

Crazed Rabbit
01-20-2009, 18:09
Watching on CNN.com

CR

ICantSpellDawg
01-20-2009, 18:11
What he has earned are our congratulations and the benefit of the doubt. I hope that he is successful by American standards and avoids the abortion debate. It is a proud day for the United States.

Lemur
01-20-2009, 18:11
CNN put me on a waiting list, the jerks. Oh well, it's not like they won't be rebroadcasting every darn thing for the next 24 hours. I'll catch it later.

In my attempt to see who was hosting video, I stumbled across this gem (http://wonkette.com/405594/liveblogging-president-obamas-gettysburg-address-to-his-nation-of-slobs#more-405594), which made me laugh sufficient to spray coffee on my keyboard:


Enjoy being Muslims, America, because that is exactly what you became when Barry spewed his secret snake code all over Abraham Lincoln’s 400-pound brown hellbox, the Bible. Let’s liveblog his declaration of jihad against you people, the whites.

Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 18:12
Why are they treating him like Jesus Chirst? Makes me sick. He's a African American (nothing wrong with it, I'm not racist, just saying), and the deal is....? They are now making such a big deal out of it, acting like he's Jesus Christ who's coming back....Good Luck President Obama.

It is not really about him anymore; it is far beyond that now.

Fragony
01-20-2009, 18:19
It is not really about him anymore; it is far beyond that now.

But it's a good thing regardless, this is truly amazing, America I salute you no way this could happen in any European country, tough but fair :balloon2:

edit: cheeky thought, america's first black president might just be the one in charge of a nation in a meltdown that's gonna losen up some tongues at the prestigious business school at the Mugabe University.

Monk
01-20-2009, 18:21
It is not really about him anymore; it is far beyond that now.

Agreed. He now represents Americans as a whole and the office of the presidency, not just his party. A position only held by 43 others in the last 200 years, today is much more about the prestige of the position and ceremony than the man himself.

I'm stuck in labs most the day, so I'll likely miss the innaguration. Maybe I can catch it tonight on a CNN re-run. :book:

||Lz3||
01-20-2009, 18:28
Hehehe, this makes me ashamed of our last presidential inauguration.... :sweatdrop:

Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 18:30
Good tone to the speech. Not quite "morning in America" but a very good sense of this moment and how he wishes to go forward.

43 have now sworn that oath and striven to do their best -- mostly -- to uphold it. I wish our new President success.

Lemur
01-20-2009, 18:31
I finally got the CNN video working, and what was my reward? A University of Chicago middle-aged poet rambling on. That's just brutal, man. That's just wrong.

Oh well, back to work.

naut
01-20-2009, 18:35
Best of luck to you America and your new President.

What the hell was up with that poem though.... Ugh, it was almost as if she just wrote out a list of things see saw in a week and then sprinkled it with a smattering of clichés and odd imagery just for :daisy:s and giggles.

Don Corleone
01-20-2009, 18:41
:unitedstates: :unitedstates: :unitedstates:

I've never been prouder to be an American than I am right now. He's not the leader I chose, but he is my leader none the less, and I am honored to have him as my president. I wish him the best of luck, and I will do all I can to respond to his call, to continue down the path, despite the hardships, and pass our legacy of freedom and propserity to the generations that follow.

They say that being a good leader is about the ability to inspire people to do that which their better selves already know that they should do. I would say in that regard, we have an excellent leader. Lemur, you're got to fine a loop of the speech. Maybe it's the emotion of the moment, but it's one of the best, one of the most inspiring, I've ever seen or heard.

As an aside, did anybody else notice CNN's cameras zoom in on Bush when Obama uttered the line about "not sacraficing our principles for our security"? Bush looked like he had swallowed a bug.


:unitedstates: :unitedstates: :unitedstates:

DemonArchangel
01-20-2009, 18:49
I don't quite know what to say besides "That was epic."

And it was.

Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 18:55
:unitedstates: :unitedstates: :unitedstates:

... As an aside, did anybody else notice CNN's cameras zoom in on Bush when Obama uttered the line about "not sacraficing our principles for our security"? Bush looked like he had swallowed a bug.



I've always thought that Bush did the Patriot Act stuff out of what he felt to be necessity, not out of some love of power or sense of cruelty. I have no doubt he found it a bit galling to have that aspect of his legacy highlighted so poignantly.

And yes, Don, I agree with you that the media had that shot planned from the moment they read their advance copy of the text. It was the primary reaction shot they highlighted Bush 43 for.

Kagemusha
01-20-2009, 19:05
Congratulations US of America. Hopefully things will now take turn to better direction.:yes:

Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 19:10
National Park police have estimated the crowd at roughly 2M people.

This means that nearly 1% of the entire country actively chose to show up -- in person -- to watch the innaugural. Impressive.

LittleGrizzly
01-20-2009, 19:30
I have no doubt he found it a bit galling to have that aspect of his legacy highlighted so poignantly.

Hopefully it will encourage future presidents to act more cautiously towards civil liberties... ill probably wait for a video on youtube or something...

tibilicus
01-20-2009, 19:40
Why are they treating him like Jesus Chirst? Makes me sick. He's a African American (nothing wrong with it, I'm not racist, just saying), and the deal is....? They are now making such a big deal out of it, acting like he's Jesus Christ who's coming back.


Nevertheless, it's historical, regardless of the fact I don't care much for him.


Good Luck President Obama.


It's more of the fact that 60 years ago black people weren't allowed to drink from the same water fountains as white people but now an African American is leading the worlds super power. It's a testimony to the change that has happened in the world since then and the huge steps forward we are taking as people to end intolerance of others.


It's also more significant as it marks the end of a president with one of the lowest approval ratings of all time, who is finally leaving office and marks the day where not just America but the world can start to clear up the economic problems, stop the blood shed in the middle east and finally start to clear up all of the mess the Bush administration made.

Obviously I know that he isn't going to be a miracle maker and he'll do well to fix half those problems but the fact is as an American you should be happy the finally have a leader who wont throw away your civil liberties in the name of anti terror legislation and wont support torture as a means of defence.

Basically be grateful. No matter what you think of Obama surely he can't do as bad as Bush, well it's debatable if that's even possible.

Banquo's Ghost
01-20-2009, 19:43
It was indeed an inspiring speech.

I was moved by the appeals to history - as an Irishman, invoking the ancestors and their struggles guarantees a lump to my throat, even if it's other people's ancestors. It struck the right note of solemnity in face of momentous events, and inspiration that those events are small in the light of the sacrifices and achievements of prior generations.

Though many of us over the waters are jealous of how America has re-invented herself again, it is the jealousy of an aged relative truly proud of the achievements of youth. A faint nostalgia rather than an envy. Inaugurations embody that hope and speak to us all.

:bow:

Strike For The South
01-20-2009, 19:48
Bush Clinton Bush Obama

:usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa::usa:

Lorenzo_H
01-20-2009, 20:32
Did the Chief Justice fumble his words?

drone
01-20-2009, 20:48
Yup. Roberts misplaced "faithfully", I believe.

Hooahguy
01-20-2009, 21:27
In my attempt to see who was hosting video, I stumbled across this gem (http://wonkette.com/405594/liveblogging-president-obamas-gettysburg-address-to-his-nation-of-slobs#more-405594), which made me laugh sufficient to spray coffee on my keyboard:


Enjoy being Muslims, America, because that is exactly what you became when Barry spewed his secret snake code all over Abraham Lincoln’s 400-pound brown hellbox, the Bible. Let’s liveblog his declaration of jihad against you people, the whites.

that.... was.... hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am SO posting that on my facebook page!:2thumbsup:

:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

on a more serious note, i wish president obama the best of luck!

Husar
01-20-2009, 21:27
I saw it live on Joost, surprisingly good stream with absolutely no problems.

The speech he held I also found very inspiring, though a bit critical here and there.
The speech of that woman after him was, well, if that's what Lemur meant I agree. :laugh4:

Seamus Fermanagh
01-20-2009, 21:33
I saw it live on Joost, surprisingly good stream with absolutely no problems.

The speech he held I also found very inspiring, though a bit critical here and there.
The speech of that woman after him was, well, if that's what Lemur meant I agree. :laugh4:


President Obama's speech was solidly done, with a clear and sober tone. It was not, regrettably, a speech for the ages as were FDR's 2nd, Kennedy's, or Reagan's 1st.

The woman following him was reciting poetry. I will refrain from commenting on either the poesy itself or the oral interpretation. I will only note that it did serve to begin clearing The Mall.

Spino
01-20-2009, 21:45
President Obama's speech was solidly done, with a clear and sober tone. It was not, regrettably, a speech for the ages as were FDR's 2nd, Kennedy's, or Reagan's 1st.

The woman following him was reciting poetry. I will refrain from commenting on either the poesy itself or the oral interpretation. I will only note that it did serve to begin clearing The Mall.

The problem with Obama's speech was that it sounded like the same sales pitch he was dishing out on the campaign trail. A few nice bits were sandwiched in between the 'must mention' bullet points.

As to the poet, that was truly bad stuff. I mean truly bad. Kudos to modern artists & poets lowering the bar to previously unimaginable depths. Personally I would have preferred to see a crack addled monkey toss paint at a canvas for 5 minutes. Appropriate or not it certainly would have done wonders to keep the attention of that mammoth crowd.

Xiahou
01-20-2009, 22:36
The problem with Obama's speech was that it sounded like the same sales pitch he was dishing out on the campaign trail. A few nice bits were sandwiched in between the 'must mention' bullet points.Yeah, the speech gets a big "meh" from me. Seemed pretty boilerplate.


As to the poet, that was truly bad stuff. I mean truly bad.Come on, I thought the poem was comic gold. :laugh4:

I've gotta say- Obama, sure he's big government liberal, but I'm willing to take a wait and see approach. Clinton managed to do some good on a few issues and maybe Obama will do the same. But what really creeps me out is the fact that we now have Joe Biden as VP.... every time I think about that, it still makes my skin crawl. :sweatdrop:

GeneralHankerchief
01-20-2009, 22:51
I was actually at the Mall for the event. I'll provide a report for you guys in a few hours after I get some rest (up since 3:30 plus an 8-mile walk to get back to my dorm is not conducive to good reporting).

Meneldil
01-20-2009, 22:52
Good luck to Obama and the US. I know Realpolitik and petty interests are always involved at some point, but I hope they will become once again the beacon of hope and freedom they are supposed to be. :2thumbsup:

Lemur
01-20-2009, 22:57
I've gotta say- Obama, sure he's big government liberal, but I'm willing to take a wait and see approach.
I believe you, millions wouldn't.

Hooahguy
01-20-2009, 23:15
my baby bro was watching "Bob the builder" and then i realized something.
obama and bob have the same slogan: "yes we can."

it would have been funny if obamas slogan had been taken off of the show, and funnier if he dressed up as bob for the inaguration and then said "Barack the builder- can we fix it?!"

just some thoughts.
:laugh4:

drone
01-20-2009, 23:19
my baby bro was watching "Bob the builder" and then i realized something.
obama and bob have the same slogan: "yes we can."

it would have been funny if obamas slogan had been taken off of the show, and funnier if he dressed up as bob for the inaguration and then said "Barack the builder- can we fix it?!"

just some thoughts.
:laugh4:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXytgKiAHQ

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=barack+the+builder+yes+we+can&search_type=&aq=1&oq=barack+the+buil

King Jan III Sobieski
01-20-2009, 23:27
Nevertheless, I'd like to wish our new president all the best. :dizzy2::book::dizzy2::yes::beam:

Tribesman
01-20-2009, 23:54
But it's a good thing regardless, this is truly amazing, America I salute you no way this could happen in any European country, tough but fair
Is that because Europe doesn't have such large numbers or concentrations of them and doesn't have countries with the electoral system that America has ?

As for the inauguration itself....hasn't Aretha got old .

Strike For The South
01-21-2009, 00:30
Is that because Europe doesn't have such large numbers or concentrations of them and doesn't have countries with the electoral system that America has ?

As for the inauguration itself....hasn't Aretha got old .


True colors?

~;)

Wishazu
01-21-2009, 00:59
I watched it all on TV over here after I finished work. Maybe it`s just because I`m not American but I was quite bored. Anyways, hopefully he`ll do a good job for you lot.

Devastatin Dave
01-21-2009, 01:00
Change?
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/religion/post/2009/01/61651854/1

"help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right"

Sounds like the same race victimhood crap we've endured since the 60's. For God's sakes, we just stuck an unqualified black man in the white house, what else can white people do to make "right". :laugh4:

The next four years of, "you can't criticise Obama, that's racist!!!" is going to get old quick.

Hosakawa Tito
01-21-2009, 01:28
I do solemnly swear...line, please? (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/i-do-solemnly-swear/?partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig)

Here's your chance to throw him out on a technicality, Dave, no mulligans. paging Kenneth Starr...~;)

GeneralHankerchief
01-21-2009, 01:44
Okay, here are my on-site thoughts.

(Note: Some of it may be rambling, as well as the fact that a lot of it is familiarized with the city's geography. I'll try to pare it down so that people unfamiliar with DC get the idea.)

I woke up at 3:30 AM, and left with a group of friends around 4, which is when the Metro (DC's subway system) opens. Got to the nearest Metro station and the place was packed already. Not a good sign. The first train went by, already completely full. Luckily, the second train was fine so we all squeezed in. After a couple of incidents on the train, we got off at the Farragut North stop, which is a moderate walk away from the Mall.

Got to the Mall and started walking in the direction of the Capitol, passing the Washington Monument as well as a few news HQs. We eventually settled on a spot of dirt and gravel roughly a quarter-mile away from the Capitol, with a good view of a JumboTron screen (in case you remember the overheads, there was one up near the front, and then a row on the opposite side of the Mall. We were behind the first JumboTron in that row). All in all, we were all settled in a bit before 5:30 AM.

It was cold. Gloves, hoods, anything to help block the temperature, came out. One girl had enough of it and went home just as the sun was starting to come up. She was from Upstate NY, too, which gives you an idea of how bad it was.

When we arrived, a good portion of the Mall (closer to the Washingtom Monument) was still open and for the most part people-free. By sunrise, there were people as far back as I could see. I'm told from eyewitnesses that the crowd eventually extended well beyond the Monument and even pushed to the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool (well over a mile away from the Capitol).

Slowly, time passed. When I wasn't trying to get warm I took a look at the crowd around me. The thing that struck me the most was the ratio of black people to white people, with the whites being heavily outnumbered. When you think of DC, you usually think of all of the politicians and lobbyists related to it, and forget that a large majority of the city's population is black. I was definitely reminded of this fact today. To a man, they all seemed to be wearing Obama gear, and were clearly in a good mood. I'm searching to find the right word for the overall tone they had, and although nothing really matches, I think the closest descriptor is "peaceful vindication". I heard several comments throughout the day that Obama had "finally did it" and that this day was the realization of thousands, if not millions, of dreams. There was no malice, no "time to reverse the tables" sort of thinking. It was all "we did it, things are finally going to be right". I think this general lack of malice is a great sign for the country, as it means that perhaps we've finally closed the book on racism. I can only hope that the feeling stays as the GOP no doubt attempts to oppose the Obama Administration in certain areas.

All in all, the crowd was very liberal, as you might expect. My friends who arrived later were telling me that farther back, by the Monument, you got the crazies and weirdos, like one guy who dressed up like a tree. Closer up front though, where I was, as the dignitaries were introduced, the Democratic figures on the whole got way more applause than the Republican ones did. This held true even for the controversial Democratic people (Pelosi, who got big applause) and the relatively noncontroversial Republicans (a relatively indifferent reaction to Bush 41). Bush 43 was the only person who got openly booed, and there was a small chanting of "na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goo-ood bye" going on.

However - and this, along with the tone of the black crowd gives me a great hope for the future of the country - once Obama was into his speech, and wholeheartedly gave thanks to the outgoing president for his service, the boos turned into applause and some cheers. To me, the applause didn't sound reserved, as if the crowd was clapping only because it was told to. I think the audience, no matter their feelings as to the past eight years, looked deep down and recognized the man's good parts, and (belatedly) saluted him for it. If, as in these two cases, if we can get past our conflict-ridden histories and move on for the good of everyone, then I have hope for our country's future. At the very least, its tone if not his policies.

Obama's speech, while partially focusing on the policies (which, being a fiscal conservative, made me slightly uneasy), also heavily hit on the conclusion I made in the above paragraph, which is exactly what I think he needed to do. For this reason, his speech - while not in the same rhetorical vein as JFK's or the "I Have a Dream" speech - was successful.

I also need to give a special mention to the Rick Warren invocation, which was very powerful and, in my opinion, the best speech of the day. For all the controversy surrounding his appointment, he made it perfectly clear that he wants nothing more than to see Obama do well and the country to prosper, which goes well with what I thought to be the theme of the day. It also takes something, in this day and age, to get two million Americans from all backgrounds, standing, with our heads down, to recite the Lord's Prayer.

Despite all this, the inauguration ended on something of a low note for me. Although the sun warmed us up some, I was still freezing and left immediately following Obama's speech, not bothering to listen to the poet and whatever pastor they had on afterwards. I made a beeline for the nearest Metro station, L'Enfant Plaza, which was massive and I figured would be able to handle the crowd of people. It took me about 20 minutes to get to the nearest station entrance, at which point we (I was separated from my group by this time) were informed by the Army that the entrance was closed and the nearest one was about a block down the street.

Well, it took me about 20 more minutes to get back to the street I was originally on, and I looked ahead and saw something out of a disaster movie where the city was being evacuated. We were going nowhere, and I had no chance of getting to that station in anything remotely resembling good time. So I trek off, fighting through the crowds of people, looking for additional exits from the Mall area. The only problem was that pretty much every single artery was clogged with people. There were all kinds of rumors that the Metro was closed, that it wouldn't be open until the parade was over, etc.

I eventually ended up taking a ridiculously roundabout route, finally getting into the city proper at Foggy Bottom (above the Lincoln Memorial, which is really far away from where I was), and trying to see if the situation at that Metro station was any better. From two blocks away, I saw a huge crowd by it, and figured not to bother. I could have headed east and tried the Farragut North station, where I got on, but I figured the situation wasn't any different there, and besides, my campus was to the northwest. So I just decided to keep on walking and several uphill miles later, I arrived home.

All said, my inauguration experience took around 12 hours, from the time I left (4 AM) to the time I got back and sat down (4 PM). It was a lot to take in for one day, and while I'm glad I went and experienced it, I wish the conditions and planning had been a bit better.

I hope this post was insightful to you from a perspective of someone who was actually there. :bow:

CountArach
01-21-2009, 01:54
Well I stayed up all night to watch the thing (He was scheduled to take the oath at 4am...) and I have to say it is amazing to see just how many people turned out. For all the flack that Obama took during the campaign about being nothing but rhetoric this just went to show you what his rhetoric was capable of doing. Looking at the faces of the people there you could see the mood of the nation changing from one of hopelessness, to pure hope itself. A national revival such as this is healthy for all nations to undertake regularly and I don't think it could come at a better time for America.

Congratulations President Obama - serve your country and the citizens of the world proudly, truthfully and well.

Caius
01-21-2009, 02:50
Gud luck Obama. I wish him luck. I think he has the potential to do a lot of things for ye country.

Tribesman
01-21-2009, 04:07
True colors?

Thats a song by Steinberg isn't it ?

Hosakawa Tito
01-21-2009, 04:14
Thanks for the on the scene report GeneralHankerchief. Too bad you couldn't score one of those steam grates. Did you notice any of the usual array of homeless vagabonds about or did security remove them?

Strike For The South
01-21-2009, 04:17
Thats a song by Steinberg isn't it ?


You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Tribesman
01-21-2009, 04:22
See they could have used that as a poem instead of that :daisy: they had at the inauguration .

Strike For The South
01-21-2009, 04:24
See they could have used that as a poem instead of that :daisy: they had at the inauguration .

I would've gone with this.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZEoqjdrcIs

Seamus Fermanagh
01-21-2009, 05:43
GH:

You WALKED from L'Enfant to Hoya High (I'm guessing you meant Georgetown)? In today's weather? SERIOUS Nanook points lad!

GeneralHankerchief
01-21-2009, 05:45
Hosa: No, the grates were long claimed before I arrived. But I think it was just normal people who thought ahead; the hobos were nowhere to be seen.

Seamus: Nope, try Tenleytown and American U. :wink:

LittleGrizzly
01-21-2009, 08:09
But it's a good thing regardless, this is truly amazing, America I salute you no way this could happen in any European country, tough but fair

We got a scottish pm... doesn't that count for anything ?

I wish Obama best of luck, im unsure on the guy but my thinking is along the lines of things can only get better...

HoreTore
01-21-2009, 08:21
Is that because Europe doesn't have such large numbers or concentrations of them and doesn't have countries with the electoral system that America has ?

Shhh.... Let the yanks have their moment, no need to tell them that our immigrant populations are just that - immigrants - who came here only some 30 odd years ago...

African americans are just that - americans. Just as american as any other human living there. Actually, a little less american than the indians, but whatever. When you elect, say, and Indian or Arab, then we can talk.

The bottom line is, our africans are immigrants(the jews are our only real "native aliens", and I do believe we've elected them). African Americans are Americans. Being black shouldn't be an issue at all, really. But being an immigrant, ie. coming from one culture and having to learn another culture, etc. is a significantly bigger step.

Though, it could be pointed out that Sarky is Hungarian, and as such an immigrant, much more than Obama ~;)

Tribesman
01-21-2009, 12:43
African americans are just that - americans. Just as american as any other human living there. Actually, a little less american than the indians, but whatever. When you elect, say, and Indian or Arab, then we can talk.

Well they can't do that , even if the arab or indian gets citizenship they still can't be elected as the office is only open to natural americans .
So for example while Bustamante was a hispanic he could get elected for state governement and could run for president , but Arnie who is "white" could run for state government but not for president .
So while you mention Sarko as an example of a son of an immigrant being elected as President I suppose Ireland can go one better by having had several actual immigrants elected as President and several minorities elected to that office too .
Ireland the banana republic that is the true leader of freedom and beacon of democracy in the western world .
:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

Ronin
01-21-2009, 13:46
I would've gone with this.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZEoqjdrcIs

You surprise me Strike....

I though you´d go with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SVDYBNrY

;)

Idaho
01-21-2009, 14:35
Change?
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/religion/post/2009/01/61651854/1

"help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right"

Sounds like the same race victimhood crap we've endured since the 60's. For God's sakes, we just stuck an unqualified black man in the white house, what else can white people do to make "right". :laugh4:

The next four years of, "you can't criticise Obama, that's racist!!!" is going to get old quick.

Much as I love you Dave, I am deeply relieved that your lot of neo-con religio-corporate *&%$s have been consigned, with the contempt that only history can muster, to the political dustbin.

I still think that Obama will be a company man within a year or two and will largely dissapoint.

KukriKhan
01-21-2009, 15:14
I still think that Obama will be a company man within a year or two and will largely dissapoint.

Your prediction leads to my biggest fear for Mr. O: the teeming masses he mobilized during his campaign, who (wrongly) think he's gonna pay their mortgage and car-payment, and all they gotta do is point to the "I Voted for Obama" pin on their shirt - are gonna be severely disappointed when those payments don't arrive in the next 24 months.

He never explicitly promised that stuff, but many expect it anyway. How hard will they turn on him?

He's gonna have to continue 'selling' his slow-moving programs (whatever they are) to an impatient public.

Uesugi Kenshin
01-21-2009, 15:46
National Park police have estimated the crowd at roughly 2M people.

This means that nearly 1% of the entire country actively chose to show up -- in person -- to watch the innaugural. Impressive.

That's awesome. I was there yesterday. My electoral politics seminar from last semester headed down to D.C. from Gettysburg at about 4:30. And I'll tell ya the city was packed. It took us maybe two to three hours to get to the mall from Shady Grove. The part of the class that I was with ended up just below and to the right of the Washington Monument. We were on the mound of the monument so we could look out over much of the crowd, though of course not to the capital for some reason. It was awesome. My toes nearly froze off, but the crowd was really excited and aside being nervous that Obama wouldn't make it through the ceremony or that he wouldn't live up to all of the expectations we have for him it was awesome.

Did anyone else notice during the Invocation when the guy said "KinSHASHA!" the whole crowd cracked up at that one.

Also at the end somewhere, I forget exactly what speech it was, but some guy made some rather extreme comments on race including "When the white man can do the right man" or something like that which I think was a bit overboard. But other than that it was an awesome ceremony and experience.

ICantSpellDawg
01-21-2009, 16:08
Yesterday was an rather important day in American history and I congratulate the first African American to become President - BUT - I'm a bit suprised by the comments on his speech so far.

I thought It wasn't that great - that it was a bit hackneyed and jumbled, pulling in as many heart warming jibblets as it could in order to satisfy the huddled masses. To be honest, I was expecting more.

I've heard speeches by Obama that I was the first to say were talented beyond contemporary measure - this was nowhere near one of them. It was Ok, better than many speeches that I've heard, but a bit stale.

Anyway, here is a heretical brit's take on it.

link (http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/alex_spillius/blog/2009/01/20/barack_obama_inauguration_his_worst_speech)

Idaho
01-21-2009, 17:11
Your prediction leads to my biggest fear for Mr. O: the teeming masses he mobilized during his campaign, who (wrongly) think he's gonna pay their mortgage and car-payment, and all they gotta do is point to the "I Voted for Obama" pin on their shirt - are gonna be severely disappointed when those payments don't arrive in the next 24 months.

He never explicitly promised that stuff, but many expect it anyway. How hard will they turn on him?

He's gonna have to continue 'selling' his slow-moving programs (whatever they are) to an impatient public.

Yeah those people should just accept that in the richest country in the world, large swathes should have 3rd world levels of poverty, violence and infant mortality :book:

Hosakawa Tito
01-21-2009, 17:25
Your prediction leads to my biggest fear for Mr. O: the teeming masses he mobilized during his campaign, who (wrongly) think he's gonna pay their mortgage and car-payment, and all they gotta do is point to the "I Voted for Obama" pin on their shirt - are gonna be severely disappointed when those payments don't arrive in the next 24 months.

He never explicitly promised that stuff, but many expect it anyway. How hard will they turn on him?

He's gonna have to continue 'selling' his slow-moving programs (whatever they are) to an impatient public.

I agree with Idaho & Kukri. Peoples expectations may be unrealistically high, though it's understandable considering recent events. Presidents can do nothing without the cooperation of the Legislature, and financially, this administration is limited in manuever room.

I'll take positive, open and fairminded action & policies to flowery speeches any day.

Banquo's Ghost
01-21-2009, 17:43
It's odd. I heard a speech talking about sacrifice, hard work and community spirit, invoking the best of the US values of self-reliance. A speech that highlighted the recent "gimme" culture as being spoilt and oh-so-over.

I'd have called it a sober and conservative speech. He talked about taking a pay-cut to save your neighbour's job. He talked about recognising that a good life doesn't come easy, and never should have done (or appear to have done so). He talked about the best of America being her "never say die", never give up optimism. He offered peace with enemies as long as they unclench their fists and unbending enmity if they choose not to.

Apart from the fiscal bail-outs that pretty much every politician in the Western world seems to be bent on providing, I didn't catch much about hand-outs - but a lot about fixing things by hard work and personal responsibility. He eschewed the false partisanship about big/little government in favour of government that works.

Now all this is just a speech, but it struck me as a very conservative speech that if it had been given by a "Conservative" politician, might well have had that grouping swooning. But then US conservatism has me constantly baffled.

:shrug:

It had inspirational imagery, but lots of practicality too. A good speech for the times.

Husar
01-21-2009, 17:59
I agree banquo, at the beginning of his speech he already said something along the lines that it's not a leaser who can drag a country out of the mud, but the people through their hard work and dedication. He didn't get a lot of applause for that though.

Seamus Fermanagh
01-21-2009, 19:07
It's odd. I heard a speech talking about sacrifice, hard work and community spirit, invoking the best of the US values of self-reliance. A speech that highlighted the recent "gimme" culture as being spoilt and oh-so-over.

I'd have called it a sober and conservative speech. He talked about taking a pay-cut to save your neighbour's job. He talked about recognising that a good life doesn't come easy, and never should have done (or appear to have done so). He talked about the best of America being her "never say die", never give up optimism. He offered peace with enemies as long as they unclench their fists and unbending enmity if they choose not to.

Apart from the fiscal bail-outs that pretty much every politician in the Western world seems to be bent on providing, I didn't catch much about hand-outs - but a lot about fixing things by hard work and personal responsibility. He eschewed the false partisanship about big/little government in favour of government that works.

Now all this is just a speech, but it struck me as a very conservative speech that if it had been given by a "Conservative" politician, might well have had that grouping swooning. But then US conservatism has me constantly baffled.

:shrug:

It had inspirational imagery, but lots of practicality too. A good speech for the times.

Yes, it did have that tone at several points. In fact, you could argue with some effect that only Obama's implicit emphasis on the Federal government as the focus of these efforts runs counter to conservative ideas. Kukri' is suggesting, of course, that while Obama outlined a more reasonable agenda in the tone and issues he addressed, that "restraint" may not play well to a good portion of his voters. There are more than a few who are likely to think (unrealistically) that change delayed past June 2009 is not change at all.

Idaho:

The number of US citizens and residents living in "3rd world" poverty conditions is so small as to be inconsequential. "Poverty" in the USA often carries a standard of living that would be envied by the truly poor in Soweto, Sao Paolo, or Djakarta.

Infant Mortality is very low, and our statistics so scrupulously gathered that it may well be that our actual infant mortality rate is as low or lower than many places that claim to be better but may not be claiming so on equally scrupulous data. Other than those infants who are purposefully killed prior to birth, it is very rare for an infant to die here.

Violence we have, truly, but at "Third World" levels? I suspect not. If we'd change our strategy on stopping drug abuse and addiction, a large portion of that violence may well disappear.

Vladimir
01-21-2009, 19:26
Much as I love you Dave, I am deeply relieved that your lot of neo-con religio-corporate *&%$s have been consigned, with the contempt that only history can muster, to the political dustbin.

I still think that Obama will be a company man within a year or two and will largely dissapoint.

That's a good observation. It's commonly remarked that after two years a "leader" surrounds himself in a transparent bubble. All the yes-men and aids he trusts the most tell him what he wants to hear and he becomes the led.

Lemur
01-21-2009, 19:27
For some strange reason, CNN took this headline down pretty quickly:


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/obamaballs.jpg

drone
01-21-2009, 19:35
I wonder if he passed on this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iB34tVsbBw).

Lemur
01-21-2009, 19:37
This is pretty cool — a satellite image of the crowd (http://www.popsci.com/content/inauguration-day) at the inauguration.

Vladimir
01-21-2009, 19:38
It's odd. I heard a speech talking about sacrifice, hard work and community spirit, invoking the best of the US values of self-reliance. A speech that highlighted the recent "gimme" culture as being spoilt and oh-so-over.

I'd have called it a sober and conservative speech. He talked about taking a pay-cut to save your neighbour's job. He talked about recognising that a good life doesn't come easy, and never should have done (or appear to have done so). He talked about the best of America being her "never say die", never give up optimism. He offered peace with enemies as long as they unclench their fists and unbending enmity if they choose not to.

Apart from the fiscal bail-outs that pretty much every politician in the Western world seems to be bent on providing, I didn't catch much about hand-outs - but a lot about fixing things by hard work and personal responsibility. He eschewed the false partisanship about big/little government in favour of government that works.

Now all this is just a speech, but it struck me as a very conservative speech that if it had been given by a "Conservative" politician, might well have had that grouping swooning. But then US conservatism has me constantly baffled.

:shrug:

It had inspirational imagery, but lots of practicality too. A good speech for the times.

You see, that’s the point. All through out the campaign his vague rhetoric encourages people to pick out portions they like and use their mind to fill in the gaps. Barack Obama, the man, the president, teaches us a valuable lesson in cognitive biases.

Listen to his inaugural address! The man tried to cover the entire spectrum. Compare it to his statements on the stimulus package. Look at his nominees. Finally, look at how .org members are reacting in this thread. Think about their biases and make the determination yourself.

Perhaps some psychologist can explain it better than I but that is the essence of the man.

Lemur
01-21-2009, 19:53
It's okay, Vladimir, according to Fox News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LUtNway9x4) he might not even be President.

Vladimir
01-21-2009, 20:08
It's okay, Vladimir, according to Fox News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LUtNway9x4) he might not even be President.

I heard that on my right wing radio too ~;) (back to those biases). Technically it's true, but he can take the oath in private to make it "official" if too many people object. Hey, if a technicality will get you off murder charges...but that means Biden is president. No thank you.

Strike For The South
01-21-2009, 20:12
It's okay, Vladimir, according to Fox News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LUtNway9x4) he might not even be President.

That either the funniest or saddest thing I've ever seen. That man is a genius of comedy (I hope)

CountArach
01-21-2009, 21:49
That either the funniest or saddest thing I've ever seen. That man is a genius of comedy (I hope)
Yeah, what a bizarre claim...

So America is a Parliamentary system now, right?

Strike For The South
01-21-2009, 21:52
No the Western hemisphere is all presidential. (Excluding Canada and Cuba but in all reality, who cares?)

Xiahou
01-21-2009, 23:06
It's okay, Vladimir, according to Fox News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LUtNway9x4) he might not even be President.Well, academically, it's an interesting question. I believe Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur both retook their oaths for similar reasons.

Any challenges to Obama's presidency would likely be heard by the Supreme Court, and it's hard to imagine Robert's would find against Obama since he gave the oath. But nonetheless, constitutional scholars (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/20/MNAF15E20I.DTL) have said that Obama should retake the oath- if nothing else, it would give the conspiracy nuts one less thing to worry about.

Goofball
01-21-2009, 23:38
:unitedstates: :unitedstates: :unitedstates:

I've never been prouder to be an American than I am right now. He's not the leader I chose, but he is my leader none the less, and I am honored to have him as my president. I wish him the best of luck, and I will do all I can to respond to his call, to continue down the path, despite the hardships, and pass our legacy of freedom and propserity to the generations that follow.

They say that being a good leader is about the ability to inspire people to do that which their better selves already know that they should do. I would say in that regard, we have an excellent leader. Lemur, you're got to fine a loop of the speech. Maybe it's the emotion of the moment, but it's one of the best, one of the most inspiring, I've ever seen or heard.

As an aside, did anybody else notice CNN's cameras zoom in on Bush when Obama uttered the line about "not sacraficing our principles for our security"? Bush looked like he had swallowed a bug.


:unitedstates: :unitedstates: :unitedstates:

hehe.

I watched the speech on KIRO 7 (Crazed Rabbit, you're probably familiar with that station) on the big-screen in the lobby of my office. The close captioning was turned on, and man, somebody should definitely be fired over that particular piece of :daisy:. I actually broke out laughing a few times because the spelling and contextual errors they made were so comical. I wish I could get a transcript of it. It really bugs me, because it ruined for me what should have been a fairly inspiring moment.

Spino
01-22-2009, 01:33
Your prediction leads to my biggest fear for Mr. O: the teeming masses he mobilized during his campaign, who (wrongly) think he's gonna pay their mortgage and car-payment, and all they gotta do is point to the "I Voted for Obama" pin on their shirt - are gonna be severely disappointed when those payments don't arrive in the next 24 months.

He never explicitly promised that stuff, but many expect it anyway. How hard will they turn on him?

He's gonna have to continue 'selling' his slow-moving programs (whatever they are) to an impatient public.

Anyone fool enough to get the mob worked up in such a state simply so he/she can get elected deserves whatever fate they have in store for him. Live by the mob, die by the mob.


Yeah those people should just accept that in the richest country in the world, large swathes should have 3rd world levels of poverty, violence and infant mortality :book:

Shots fired from the ideological bell tower! The sniper returns! SAVE YOURSELVES!

Vladimir
01-22-2009, 03:03
Civil war averted (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28780417/?gt1=42003).

CountArach
01-22-2009, 03:10
I lol'ed with Biden.

Idaho
01-22-2009, 11:25
But then US conservatism has me constantly baffled.

:shrug:

It's just the same as UK Conservatism. £100 billion given to banks, arms manufacturers or road builders is sound investment. £1billion given to stop children living in poverty is money wasted on scroungers. £1billion given to improve public transport is empty subsidy. £1billion given so that pensioners who have paid a lifetime of tax can afford to stave off hyperthermia this winter is money down the drain.

KukriKhan
01-22-2009, 20:32
Watching the new Head Press Flak Gibbs give his first briefing and Q&A to the DC press corps: a whole lotta "we've begun the process", "we've initiated a study", etc coming out, and the journo's aren't liking it much. They fire back with:

"How is it 'transparancy, when..."
"How is it leadership by example, if..."
"How is it 'no lobbiests here', when the DoD #2 guy..."

Pretty short "honeymoon" - at least for the Press Sec'ty.

Xiahou
01-22-2009, 20:37
This article was too good not to share. It turns out that the media doesn't know much about Obama and they have a series of questions they'd like him to answer. Usually, this is done before the election, but better late than never i guess. :beam:

What we don't know about Obama (http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090122/pl_politico/17769)
Here are the questions (read the full article for more detail):
DOES HE REALLY THINK AFGHANISTAN IS WINNABLE?
DO DEFICITS MATTER?
HOW FAST IS TOO FAST IN IRAQ?
WHAT’S IN THE FILES?
DO UNIONS WEAR WHITE HATS?
CAN U.S. POWER SAVE DARFUR?
HOW MUCH DOES HE HAVE TO PLACATE THE LEFT?

Hooahguy
01-26-2009, 00:34
the music wasnt live? (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/arts/music/23band.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=obama%20band%20cold&st=cse)
:inquisitive:

seireikhaan
01-26-2009, 00:39
My guess is that string instruments may not perform the best in frigid temperatures.

KukriKhan
01-26-2009, 14:34
the music wasnt live? (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/arts/music/23band.html?_r=1&scp=5&sq=obama%20band%20cold&st=cse)
:inquisitive:

Not a huge surprise, right? "Politics is show business for ugly people", as the wonks observe.

drone
01-26-2009, 16:54
My guess is that string instruments may not perform the best in frigid temperatures.

From what I heard this was one reason. The top-class instruments wouldn't play well in the cold (maybe even get damaged), the tone would be off and the reed instruments might freeze with breath condensation. Another reason was the inability to play properly with frozen, numb fingers.

Lemur
01-27-2009, 19:19
I just read maybe the creepiest thing I've read in months. It's in an article about Rick Warren's invocation (http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17130/) at the inauguration:


We’re a nation not just where you are free to believe or not to believe; we’re a nation founded for Him — so we could praise Him, so we could do His will.

Um, no. Just no. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin would slap you silly for saying such a thing.

Uesugi Kenshin
01-27-2009, 21:28
I just read maybe the creepiest thing I've read in months. It's in an article about Rick Warren's invocation (http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17130/) at the inauguration:


We’re a nation not just where you are free to believe or not to believe; we’re a nation founded for Him — so we could praise Him, so we could do His will.

Um, no. Just no. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin would slap you silly for saying such a thing.

Yup, I noticed a few bits like that which made me very uncomfortable at the inauguration. I just have to hope the speech primarily represents that one nuts view and not Obamas. Unfortunately the majority of Americans seem to buy into this idea that we're a Christian nation, which I'd say we most definitely are not.

Incongruous
01-27-2009, 22:12
I just read maybe the creepiest thing I've read in months. It's in an article about Rick Warren's invocation (http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17130/) at the inauguration:


We’re a nation not just where you are free to believe or not to believe; we’re a nation founded for Him — so we could praise Him, so we could do His will.

Um, no. Just no. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin would slap you silly for saying such a thing.

Wow, you're right, that is quite creepy, has there been much discussion about this little tangent where you are Lemur?

Xiahou
01-27-2009, 22:28
I just read maybe the creepiest thing I've read in months. It's in an article about Rick Warren's invocation (http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17130/) at the inauguration:


We’re a nation not just where you are free to believe or not to believe; we’re a nation founded for Him — so we could praise Him, so we could do His will.

Um, no. Just no. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin would slap you silly for saying such a thing.If that's the creepiest thing you've read in months- you don't read enough. :wink:

Lemur
01-27-2009, 22:58
To be completely clear, Rick Warren did not say that creepy line about how our nation was founded to serve the explicitly Christian God, but rather Kathryn Jean Lopez, a theo-conservative who makes her home at the National Review.

I don't believe Rick Warren is a tenth as disposed toward theocracy as Ms. Lopez appears to be.

Seamus Fermanagh
01-28-2009, 03:21
I just read maybe the creepiest thing I've read in months. It's in an article about Rick Warren's invocation (http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17130/) at the inauguration:


We’re a nation not just where you are free to believe or not to believe; we’re a nation founded for Him — so we could praise Him, so we could do His will.

Um, no. Just no. Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin would slap you silly for saying such a thing.

Lemur, I don't believe they would. All of them were well aware of the importance of religion to many Americans at the founding -- and such a view as that expressed by Warren would hardly have been uncommon.

They would have ADAMANTLY opposed any effort to take that statement of belief and make it part of the process of governance, but they were well aware of, and mostly supportive of, the positive influence that religion has had on society.

Lemur
01-28-2009, 05:20
Lemur, I don't believe they would. All of them were well aware of the importance of religion to many Americans at the founding -- and such a view as that expressed by Warren would hardly have been uncommon.
True, absolutely nothing Warren said was exceptional or disturbing. That's why I wasn't talking about him.


They would have ADAMANTLY opposed any effort to take that statement of belief and make it part of the process of governance, but they were well aware of, and mostly supportive of, the positive influence that religion has had on society.
Again, everything you say is true, and yet it has no bearing on what I was discussing. Ms. Lopez wrote: "We’re a nation not just where you are free to believe or not to believe; we’re a nation founded for Him — so we could praise Him, so we could do His will." That's a very different thing from being aware of the "positive influence that religions has had on society." Note that Ms. Lopez asserts that we are not free to believe as we like. This runs entirely counter to the Enlightenment heritage that our founding fathers drew on.

Lemur
01-28-2009, 21:53
Turns out Google and Microsoft execs gave big money to the antichrist's inauguration (http://blogs.computerworld.com/microsoft_and_google_execs_donate_450_000_to_the_obama_inauguration), whilst Apple and Yahoo resist the wiles of the dusky President. Real Networks execs also gave money to Obama -- do we need any more proof that he is Satan's spawn?

From Microsoft:

Bill Gates and his wife each donated $50,000.
CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife each donated $50,000.
Steven VanRoekel, senior director, Windows Server Solutions Group, donated $50,000.
Brad Smith, Microsoft general counsel, donated $25,000.

From Google:

CEO Eric Schmidt donated $25,000.
Co-founder Larry Page donated $25,000.
Richard Costolo, former CEO of FeedBurner and now a Google exec (I believe his title is group project manager) donated $25,000.
David Drummond, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer, donated $25,000.
Chad Hurley, Co-founder and CEO of YouTube (owned by Google) donated $25,000.

LittleGrizzly
01-28-2009, 22:03
Too much money in politics, if i thought they were doing it purely because they liked his politics i wouldn't mind but people give money and expect favours...

Incongruous
01-28-2009, 23:17
Meh, they are failry pithy sums...

Hooahguy
01-29-2009, 18:33
the clock comes back (http://www.obamaclock.org/)

:laugh4:

Lemur
01-29-2009, 18:42
the clock comes back (http://www.obamaclock.org/)
I'm loving the unintentional humor of their advertising:


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/ObamaClock.jpg

drone
01-29-2009, 18:55
They are making the big assumption that he will not get re-elected. With Bush, his countdown was Constitutionally enforced.

LittleGrizzly
01-29-2009, 19:10
Hell I learnt my lesson from the reelection of Bush II, assumption is the mother of all...

Hooahguy
01-29-2009, 20:13
I'm loving the unintentional humor of their advertising:


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/ObamaClock.jpg
lol. i installed Adblock on firefox so i dont see banenr ads...
lucky me... :beam:

Xiahou
01-31-2009, 07:52
Another Obama appointee who can't figure out how to pay their taxes (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_go_pr_wh/daschle_taxes). :help:

Former Sen. Tom Daschle, picked by President Barack Obama to lead his health reform efforts, recently filed amended tax returns to report $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest, according to a Senate document obtained by The Associated Press.

KukriKhan
01-31-2009, 14:02
Another Obama appointee who can't figure out how to pay their taxes (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_go_pr_wh/daschle_taxes). :help:

Ahh, the kinder, gentler IRS. I remember 1994, the one year I actually owed tax (vs getting a refund for tax overpaid). I'd just gotten my Jury Duty check, and signed it over to the Treasury to pay the overdue amount. It bounced around the IRS for 6 weeks, then was returned to me, uncashed, with a bill for more money for penalties and late fees.

If I'd only been appointed to the Cabinet, I wouldn't have had such troubles.

Kralizec
01-31-2009, 20:50
I'm loving the unintentional humor of their advertising:

I have an ad beneath it that says "discover true African Romance!"

Lemur
02-01-2009, 18:22
Okay, this is now officially the creepiest thing I've seen in a month (http://www.freep.com/article/20090121/OBAMAINAUGURATION10/90121013).

Seamus Fermanagh
02-02-2009, 04:58
No....just...No.

Lemur
02-02-2009, 16:20
Nice to see that the same people who were whipped up into a frenzy over the Dems fielding a black man for Prez are also flipping their wigs (http://www.davidduke.com/general/gop-traitors-appoint-black-racist-as-chairman-of-the-republican-party_7443.html) over a black head of the RNC.


The Republican Party leadership in its latest act of self-immolation appointed, Michael Steele, a radical Black racist as the leader of the Party.

Steele is a passionate supporter of affirmative action programs that racially discriminate against tens of millions of White Americans. He also supports increased discrimination against White owned businesses in the awarding of non-merit and non-bid minority contracts. [...]

I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party because this will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!” And we will take 90 percent of Republicans with us into a New Party that will take its current place!

Xiahou
02-02-2009, 16:25
I thought Steele favored "affirmative action" more along economic than racial lines. I'll admit that I don't know much about the man though. Frankly, I'm not sure it matters too much what his favored policies are- his job will be fundraiser in chief and indications are that he'll be good in that role.

Jolt
02-02-2009, 17:24
AAARRGH!!! Stupid me not reading this thread. Just came back from "Introduction to International Relations Methodology" exam, and one of the major questions was the inauguration speech of Obama. BLASTS! My exam sucked.

Vladimir
02-02-2009, 18:15
AAARRGH!!! Stupid me not reading this thread. Just came back from "Introduction to International Relations Methodology" exam, and one of the major questions was the inauguration speech of Obama. BLASTS! My exam sucked.

What was the question?

I feel sorry for you.

Jolt
02-02-2009, 18:33
Bleh, it wasn't really a question. It was parts of his speech and asking to comment it, based on what we learned.

EDIT: "Comment the following excerpt of the speech of president Barack Obama, in light of the topics of the discipline that you consider pertinent and relevant."

ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88
02-02-2009, 18:46
It is not really about him anymore; it is far beyond that now.



Yeah, and weeks afterwards, they treating Senator Obama still like a god.

(I call him Senator still, can't bring myself to call him President, unless I invite over for dinner :laugh4:).

Vladimir
02-02-2009, 21:10
Bleh, it wasn't really a question. It was parts of his speech and asking to comment it, based on what we learned.

EDIT: "Comment the following excerpt of the speech of president Barack Obama, in light of the topics of the discipline that you consider pertinent and relevant."

A fair question I suppose. I hope this wasn't a litmus test question.

seireikhaan
02-03-2009, 18:35
A fair question I suppose. I hope this wasn't a litmus test question.
Barack Obama- Great president, or greatest? :bounce:

Askthepizzaguy
02-04-2009, 12:36
Barack Obama- Great president, or greatest? :bounce:

That's the spirit, conqueror.

[/pun]

Proletariat
02-13-2009, 01:49
Nvm, repeating what someone else already said.

Jolt
02-13-2009, 22:40
Woot! Just heard my marks on that Obama exam thingy, and although the exam didn't go all that well I got a 15! (Out of 20) Go me! :P It went better than I had anticipated! I scored one of the highest grades of my course :P

Lemur
02-13-2009, 22:44
15 out of 20 is w00t? I guess they're grading on a curve ...

Sen. Gregg on CNBC (//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29178820#29178820) this morning.

Jolt
02-13-2009, 23:46
The mark is 15. It's like A-? Dunno how the American system is.

EDIT: Suppose it's around B+/A-

Proletariat
02-13-2009, 23:57
An A was 100-94 in Virginia when I was going to school. 75% was an average C or maybe even D.

GeneralHankerchief
02-14-2009, 00:47
Sounds like the French system to me. 20 is elite. Anything over 15 is generally considered very good. 10 is about average.

I don't think they use percentages.

Strike For The South
02-14-2009, 01:11
Sounds like the French system to me. 20 is elite. Anything over 15 is generally considered very good. 10 is about average.

I don't think they use percentages.

They would.

Uesugi Kenshin
02-14-2009, 01:14
15/20 sounds more like an 80 to me or B-, but these things needn't translate mathematically like that. If you say it's a B+/A- then I'll trust you, you have far more knowledge of your odd grading system than I do.

Proletariat
02-14-2009, 01:18
A 94-100 C 74-79
B+ 90-93 D+ 70-73
B 84-89 D 64-69
C+ 80-83 F Below 64

http://www.fcps.edu/news/grading.htm

I'dve liked the French scale in high school. :sweatdrop:

Jolt
02-14-2009, 15:37
15/20 sounds more like an 80 to me or B-, but these things needn't translate mathematically like that. If you say it's a B+/A- then I'll trust you, you have far more knowledge of your odd grading system than I do.

Should be B, I think. 17 should be B+/A-

At least, acording to this Portugal/U.K. Grade equivalence

http://www.britishcouncil.org/pt/portugal-educacao-equivalencias-portugal-uk.htm

Uesugi Kenshin
02-14-2009, 18:00
Should be B, I think. 17 should be B+/A-

At least, acording to this Portugal/U.K. Grade equivalence

http://www.britishcouncil.org/pt/portugal-educacao-equivalencias-portugal-uk.htm

Bah, the UK doesn't know anything about grading. In America where the one true grading system is generally practiced it goes: 97-100 A+ 93-96 A 90-92 A- 87-89 B+ and so on and so on. Note the exact grading varies somewhat, but it should be High 90's = A+ middle =A low =A- for all of them. With somewhere around a 65 being the highest passing grade.

Of course noting the state of our education system maybe we are doing something wrong. Oh well my state generally fairs pretty well despite the fact that we don't have tons of dough.