So sang Therapy? in the rather excellent track Stop it your killing me. And that's a pretty fair statement about things - in the first part we are living in a world of fear, and for those old enough to remember it is almost like the living in fear of the bomb back in the early 80's, except this time instead of an all out attack that will send us all into oblivion, it's minimalist radical groups hell bent on terror. The economy has gone into freefall with house repossessions on the rise, banks failing, job losses and raising inflation. Every day the news websites carry more horror stories of once skilled people living in their cars as their houses were repossessed, or property values in Detroit so low you can buy a place for less than a thousand dollars. Frankly it ain't looking too peachy at the moment.
It has hit me personally - as you are well aware the bank where I have worked just the last 4 months has just gone into liquidation with the possibility of bankruptcy, and it's all thanks to bad loans to Lehman Brothers who when they crashed, took us with them. Fortunately I am waiting on a written offer following a verbal one, but I am one of the lucky ones - there are millions of people heading for unemployment, destitution and a very unsure future, and sadly it looks like it will get worse before it gets better.
But tomorrow is the chance for the whole world to change, and it's all dependant on one nation going to the polls to choose one man to be the leader of the most powerful and influential country on the planet. It is very scary that one country should be so dominant, especially one which is so young, but that is the way the world is. The frightening fact of the matter is that this country is also one of the most terrifying places to be, if you are not an American - somewhat hypocritical as the country prides itself on being made up from immigrants of all walks of life, yet it is famous for being fairly intrinsic, and since 9/11 this has for many been an opportunity to breed a new form of nationalism, and as I try and think of a perfect example, the best I can come up with is the lampooning in Team America World Police with the song "America - Fuck yeah!". I am of course not saying this of all US Citizens, but there is a large element of the population whose brand of banner waving is almost unnerving to behold.
I've been to the states a few times since 1997 and have noticed increasingly the change in the country. On my first visit I was treated as a novelty being a foreigner. On my last visit I felt threatened and was treated with distinct suspicion - its natural a nation should become more alert after such an awful attack, yet I never hear of such stories in London. Perhaps this is of course because London has been attacked many times before, but still from a land that is a supposed number 1 ally to be looked upon with complete distrust was alarming at least.
But back to my point – tomorrow a nation decides between two men to lead this nation for the next 4 years, and the choice is between a member of the old regime – basically a carbon copy of the guy who just spent the last 8 years making a complete mess of the country (only apparently an even bigger screw up – take the time to read this very interesting article) or for a mixed-race ex-civil rights lawyer with what appears to be a genuine compassion for welfare, veterans rights and politics beyond the US borders. McCain on the other hand – a third generation Naval commander who it appears breezed through various Naval attachments screwing up left right and centre, whilst all the time getting away with murder because Daddy and Grandpappy were US admirals. This is the man who crashed no less than three aircraft whilst in service and behaved like the proverbial spoilt brat to get his way through life. Having just watched W. this past weekend, it seems like him and Dubya are peas in a pod.
Obama of course is no angel – he’s owned up to doing Columbian marching powder and weed at Uni, but he does seem on paper to be a little more “wholesome” for want of a better word. In an attempt to try and gain an unbalanced insight into both parties, a read of the wikipedia entries for both men shows them to be of very different stock – Barack someone who has persevered through his life to get to where he is, whilst McCain someone who just did enough to scrape by, and I just get the feeling that’s how he will treat the presidency if elected. The world needs change and I think if Barack will be voted in he will genuinely push for that – try and build some bridges with nations who have become detached (or worse) from the US, work on policies to solve things like the healthcare and welfare issues within the states. McCain – sure he will try and deal with some of these policies, but will he be just another puppet like the last guy - Anyone remember Bush's 3 month vacation after being elected? I think McCain will be pretty much the same. Obama however you can see in his campaigning has worked relentlessly, McCain given slightly less effort - if you look at the history as well - Barack a magna cum laude from Harvard, McCain 894/899 in his Naval academy class - bit of a difference eh? And I can see this same application and effort being continued by either candidate if they are succesful.
I’m not one for sitting up all night watching UK elections – come to think of it I only ever voted once, but tomorrow night I’ll be up all the way through this election as I truly think that this outcome will affect just about everyone on the planet in one way or another. The last 8 years have been depressing for a lot of people, and 4 more years of the same, or possibly worse, is the last thing we all need.
Sorry for the length, but it’s the 4000th. Yes I could of tried to write some prose, but as I have confessed many times, I am not the greatest writer – hence being on here so long and still only reaching this level. But if a peak like this is to be made, better to speak of something worth writing about eh?
quote:Originally posted by Waynster: tomorrow a nation decides between two men to lead this nation for the next 4 years
Lovely post and all that...but we have more than two options.
Here's a list of persons running for POTUS on the Massachusetts ballot:
Chuck Baldwin Bob Barr John McCain Cynthia McKinney Ralph Nader Barack Obama
Granted only two of them have a legitimate chance to win thanks to the Commission on Presidential Debates -- an organization that decided that only candidates polling at 15% or higher can take part in the debate.
I'll not be voting for Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama -- when you look very closely at the two parties platforms you'll see that there really isn't all that much of a difference...no *real* change is going to take plae no matter which one of these RepubliCrats wins...
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quote:Originally posted by ralph: I'll not be voting for Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama -- when you look very closely at the two parties platforms you'll see that there really isn't all that much of a difference...no *real* change is going to take plae no matter which one of these RepubliCrats wins...
I think the fact that if McCain wins then Palin is likely to be President in the neat future is a good enough reason to vote for Obama.
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quote:Originally posted by Cherry In Hove: I think the fact that if McCain wins then Palin is likely to be President in the neat future is a good enough reason to vote for Obama.
My state currently favors Obama by over 15 percentage points. Me not voting for him makes no difference -- we don't elect our leader based on the popular vote.
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I was staying in Albany, but we nipped over the border to wander around Mass MoCA, and then get lost in the driving rain. Stockbridge is very pretty - we drove through it three times...
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Did you hear the *Canadian DJ who phoned Palin and apparently convinced her that he was Nicolas Sarkozy?
quote: At one point during the phone call, aired three days before the US election, Mr Audette told Mrs Palin he could see her as president one day.
Laughingly, the Republican candidate replied: "Maybe in eight years."
Mr Audette said he would be keen to join her on a helicopter hunting trip.
"I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun," he said in an exaggerated French accent.
In other Palin news, I'm informed that a pornographic film has recently been released, with the title: Nailin' Palin Episode I starring Joe the Plumber. One can only assume that Barrack O'Bummer, Joe Wide-on and John McPain will follow...
quote:Originally posted by herbs: I was staying in Albany, but we nipped over the border to wander around Mass MoCA, and then get lost in the driving rain. Stockbridge is very pretty - we drove through it three times...
Ah...you were much closer to me than you could imagine. Western Mass is very pretty...pity you got there after the peak leap-peeping season.
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quote:Originally posted by herbs: Quite scenic, though a bit OTT on the whole halloween thing.
I'm intrigued to know in which ways Massachusetts warrants a special OTT Halloween mention. From what I see, absolutely everywhere is completely OTT at Halloween. Do they actually summon demons and sacrifice babies there or something?
One of my children's friends actually had an "anti-Halloween" party. It involved various 'interesting-to-children' scientific experiments and traditional games. I wasn't clear if they were Dawkinsists, trying to distract children from superstition by making everything scientific, or if they were God-botherers trying to distract children from worshipping satan and getting bad teeth.
They seem to have enjoyed themselves anyway, which suggests to me that children couldn't really give a toss either way.
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Only because it was the only countryfied bit of the USofA we saw, and each porch had an effigy hanging from it, loads of pumpkins, and some cobwebs draped all over it.
In NYC where we spent the rest of the time, things were marginally more restrained. Though there was a shop near our 'apartment' that was a block deep, two storeys high, selling nothing but halloween costumes, brains in bags, etc. One man, with armfuls of stuff, barked at an assistant 'Double-zip nurse costume in extra large. Must be the double-zip. Extra large'. The mind boggles...
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quote:A governing system with separation of powers, significant checks and balances, and the majority of legislative election outcomes determined by incumbent strength, not national trends, fosters slow change in national policy. That is what the authors of the Constitution intended. Critical issues will dominate the 2008 election. While on some issues the new president will be able to act without congressional concurrence, on many more, the policies of the U.S. government, if not the rhetoric, will change only slightly.
Having said that, it's probably true that it's the rhetoric coming from the White House that most affects what everyone thinks about US politics, rather than what actually happens.
quote:Originally posted by herbs: brains in bags, etc.
you can buy sheeps heads in cling film for £2.60 in a shop round the corner from me. I've been tempted. I'm sure there are some artistic possibilities with a bunch of skinned, google eyed sheeps heads.
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Right, I'm trying to work out all the ins and outs of this US election.
Tomorrow voters choose the President, the House of Representatives and two thirds of the Senate. All okay there.
Once elected, the President chooses the Cabinet -- but who from? Can they be anyone? Do they have to be from the House/Senate, or can anyone get the job? Does the Prez just appoint his/her favourite senior advisers?
In which case, these are politicans not elected by the people, right? (though approved by Congress) Or am I all wrong?
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quote:Originally posted by mart: In which case, these are politicans not elected by the people, right? (though approved by Congress) Or am I all wrong?
Yes. They are "politicians" not elected by the people but approved by Congress. *I* could be a member of the cabinet. Although getting me past Congress would be a bit tricky.
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You know what would be funny? If McCain won and then dropped dead on the spot, that would be funny. America's already treated like a smelly, demented paedo by the rest of the world, imagine its popularity if that conniving fundamentalist ditz was at the helm.
quote:Originally posted by herbs: I was staying in Albany, but we nipped over the border to wander around Mass MoCA, and then get lost in the driving rain. Stockbridge is very pretty - we drove through it three times...
Wish you'd have let us know, we could have done a Massmeat or something. Still, nice time of year to visit New England.
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quote:Originally posted by mart: Having said that, it's probably true that it's the rhetoric coming from the White House that most affects what everyone thinks about US politics, rather than what actually happens.
True, the president has the power of the bully pulpit - but there's also been a movement toward unchecked executive power that's behind much of the most troubling changes of the W presidency. Signing statements that approve legislation but stipulate at the same time it will not be enacted or followed. Executive orders approving interrogation techniques amounting to torture. And the list goes on.
Then again there is the strong likelihood that tomorrow will end with a strong majority of Democrats in both houses of Congress, so there's an actual chance policy changes could be made and implemented. The cautionary note of course that, if given the keys, will they go too far too fast and give the Republicans a chance to regain power in Congress in 2010 (repeating the 'mistakes' of Clinton's first term, which paved the way for Newt Gengrich and company)?
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quote:Originally posted by Black Mask: You know what would be funny? If McCain won and then dropped dead on the spot, that would be funny. America's already treated like a smelly, demented paedo by the rest of the world, imagine its popularity if that conniving fundamentalist ditz was at the helm.
That wouldn't be funny. And you wouldn't be laughing when we decided to try to take over the world (moreso) because God told her to.
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quote:Originally posted by herbs: I was staying in Albany, but we nipped over the border to wander around Mass MoCA, and then get lost in the driving rain. Stockbridge is very pretty - we drove through it three times...
Wish you'd have let us know, we could have done a Massmeat or something. Still, nice time of year to visit New England.
I did think of it... but we were staying with friends, who were driving us around, and had a strict schedule of sightseeing, and it would have been one of those 'dont cross the streams' kind of moments, with only me knowing these yanks from the internet, and stuff. You know.
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Well, Ryanair will soon be offering flights across the Atlantic for 8 pounds, apparently, so we can all just jump on a plane and turn up at the Frooster house unexpected one day, for a big party. Cheerleaders giving up their virginity on the parents' double bed, football players banging chests and drinking beer by the pool. All that.
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Does anyone know a person called Ryan who isn't a terrible waste of humanflesh? I've never flown with Ryanair but the image it conjures in my mind is one of complete bratty idiocy.
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