US Presidential Election 2012

Everyone else here is unafraid to unleash his or her ill-thought scandalous Left Wing tripe - why can't I?

I don't know, Orwell, but sometimes I think you only come here to try and stir up trouble... And when no one bites, you start on with a whole lot of (on the surface, at least) inane garbage. And what if no one still bites? Is it off to do some gardening while feeling a little glow in your pin sized heart?

Actually...

But it's only a coincidence, Odo!

Pettytyrant101 wrote:I didn't take to Romney but I didnt have as strong a reaction to him as you Orwell.
The one I found terrifying was Condoleeza Rice, she's also very clever, and I found her underlying message highly disturbing.

Gotta love some good old-fashioned American imperialism, with a vague hint of the white man's burden thrown in.

Also, because it isn't remembered enough: Condoleezza Rice personally approved the use of torture. In my opinion, someone like her has no business being given a national stage even if it's just at a convention. It's shameful not just for the GOP but for the entire country.

And when no one bites,- Odo

I was afraid to interupt.

Condoleezza Rice personally approved the use of torture.- Eldo

She was a leading aggressive hawk in a government of hawks- I can see her running for office yet.

The thing about Condie Rice is that she wasn't always like this. I know people who worked closely with her when she was on the faculty at Stanford. She had a powerful intellect and an open mind, and she was highly respected in her field (I think it was international relations specializing in the Soviet Union.) When she was appointed to Bush's cabinet they were shocked and appalled by her sudden shift to ideological partisanship.

It's also interesting to compare Romney's positions now to his fairly liberal positions as Governor of New York when he was apparently quite progressive.

I blame Karl Rove for all of this. I don't know how he brainwashes them, but once they have a private meeting with him and his money people they all come out sounding exactly like George W Bush.

Chuck Norris has joined Ted Nugent, Hank Williams, Jr., Dave Mustaine (and to a lesser extent Clint Eastwood) on the celebrity train of Obama hatred: 2012 edition.



"1000 Years of Darkness"

Obama = Sauron
Chuck Norris= Gandalf
Mitt = Frodo

Have I got this right

Found a lovely piece on Fox about Obama and Israel.

'Mitt Romney had an interesting, controversial, and completely ignored line during his speech at the Republican National Convention. Mitt said “Obama has thrown Israel under the bus.”
President Obama has gone rogue.
Can you imagine what Obama is capable of after the Presidential election -- if he never again has to answer to Jewish voters?
Given the cold shoulder Obama has given Israel since his inauguration, it is not a major shock that he is the first US president to refuse to help Israel defend her citizens and national security.
Obama’s true radical nature -- he really is no friend of Israel.
we all know Obama loves to please Russian President Putin. Rumors from sources in both Washington and Moscow report that Putin has asked Obama to handcuff Israel. We all heard Obama tell the Russians “Sit tight and give me space, this is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” Unfortunately, it’s now clear one of those "flexible items" is to abandon Israel.'

Amazing bit of writing- they manage to paint him as an enemy of Israel and in league with the Commies!

I am amazed that many Americans still think we are in the 60's.

Democrats with their Free Love and the Love of Dangerous Drugs for Fun and the "World owes me a living" attitude.

Republicans with their Good Social Order (Publicly), every excess and pollution of their own stated Morals (Privately), and "Get other people to work hard with poor pay for my personal profit" attitude.

(Actually America reminds me of Ozhobbitstan in many ways! )

(I also just realized how boring my position is, 'live and let live", "treat others as would want to be treated yourself", "do my work as conscientiously as I can,", "mind my own business, unless other folk are really trespassing on the freedoms of others." Dull! )

Orwell wrote:I am amazed that many Americans still think we are in the 60's.

The trouble is we don't have the Communists to blame for everything on, and to justify our astronomical defense budget on anymore. It makes everything harder to explain now that we become so co-dependent with Asia.

I watched Michelle Obamas speech today.
Its quite an odd concept to British eyes- in UK politics the spouse of a PM is not in the limelight- they dont generally make speeches except sometimes at party conference.
They just get on with their own jobs or whatever they do and remain in the background. You rarely hear about them.
After all they were not the ones elected.

Its obviously quite different in US politics.
So to the Americans here I have a question?
What is the importance to you, the electorate of knowing about and hearing the Presidents wife speak?

The First Lady has in recent decades played a political role and perhaps more importantly a social role as one of the most prominent people in the country. Eleanor Roosevelt (who went on to become one of the principal authors of the UN Declaration of Human Rights) was probably the first to begin to expand the role of First Lady. However, the main reason why wives of candidates speak is to try to give a personal perspective of the candidate as a human being. This is especially important if the candidate is seen as distant or aloof.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/good-evening-its-an-honor-to-be-used-as-a-politica,29437/

That said, I thought Michelle Obama gave far and away the best speech of opening night. Deval Patrick and Julian Castro also did really good. I was curious to see how Martin O'Malley, the Governor of Maryland and a probable 2016 hopeful did, but I wasn't too impressed by his speech. He and most of the others were typical, forgettable convention fair.

So when you come to cast you vote- who are you voting for? Is it like a package deal- a vote for the President and their partner?
And does a First Wife have any official powers?

Yes, in January either Michelle Obama or Ann Romney will be crowned Queen of America and then the long, slow dismantling of democracy in this country will be complete.

...

No, they don't have any official powers and we're still waiting on a Presidential spouse who will ruin elective democracy.

You seem defensive Eldo!

Im just curious as they have such a prominant role in comparison to the UK system.
And you cant just crown a Queen- takes centuries of inbreeding before you get Royalty.

Call it a learned response!

I can see how it would be weird but it's a mostly informal position and the extent of what the First Lady does varies considerably from individual to individual.

A number of First Ladies have chosen to stay more or less out of the limelight, but it is definitely seen as a strength to have a wife who is willing to champion certain causes. Without any direct authority they are often able to shine a spotlight on critical social issues and focus debates without it being as threatening, much like some ex-Presidents do. Maybe it's closer to your princes, princesses, and prince-consorts.

Elenore Roosevelt was definitely a pioneer in this and a hero to a generation of women, many of whom could remember not being able to vote. But I think the pattern of strong Presidential wives goes all the way back to Abigail Adams, the second First Lady.

I'm voting for Obama.

Does that mean Fjordlandia is becoming a State of the Union?

nope. but I think that a land who basically runs the entire world should deside its president from votes from all the countries in the world. Including Fjordlandia.

Fair enough. All you've got to do is sign this paper that acknowledges the the USA runs you......

.... no.

Could be a more Pop Idol / popularity contest approach to it.

Or the old facebook method of LIKE for Obama, and SHARE for Romney