The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

chinthee · 06-05-2008, 01:56 PM

^Norton, yes, he's made this his 'signature' issue for now. But I'm not sure we can extrapolate that his taking the intelligent long term view on this issue will allow him to overcome the tremendous Washington political insider machine. In that respect, Hilary/Bill & McCain are probably better versed in how to negotiate long terms goals while still providing the carrots to the masses short term.

Norton · 06-05-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinthee

In that respect, Hilary/Bill & McCain are probably better versed in how to negotiate long terms goals while still providing the carrots to the masses short term.

Good point but in the end will Hillary and McCain ever have any hope of making any real change. Obama may have a daunting task ahead but even if he can only set in motion change in the mind set of Congress and the country he will have done what has long been needed to restore America's domestic condition and international standing. His vision for America and his superior skill at communicating his vision far surpass that of either Hillary or McCain. He and as importantly congress, will have to deal with the day to day issues facing Americans. He cannot compromise the vision of making America a better place and restoring it's standing to "fix" only the symptoms spawned from ill considered US domestic and international policies.

chinthee · 06-05-2008, 02:31 PM

^Norton, the reason I support Obama is more exactly what you have mentioned. I think the US needs an image makeover. I think the US needs a major foreign policy revision. Of course, any president will be saddled with health care and economy issues. Those are not easy fixes.

But, overall, the emotional aspect of a fresh new direction with a fresh new half-black President named Hussein I think promises greater potential to reach out to our enemies than the policy of not talking to them or ignoring them.

sabang · 06-05-2008, 02:46 PM

Gawd you're on fire today Norton.

already greened ya though.

Norton · 06-05-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinthee

But, overall, the emotional aspect of a fresh new direction with a fresh new half-black President named Hussein I think promises greater potential to reach out to our enemies than the policy of not talking to them or ignoring them.

Clearly his policies on the international front hold the promise of real change in that arena. You mentioned the difficulty he will have with Washington insiders. In this regard his charisma is also a great strength. Average Americans may not be able to state exactly what needs to change but they certainly know America is in desperate need of change. If he, as I believe he can, inspire Americans to do what needs to be done to make the change the Washington insiders will, as they always have, jump on the band wagon with little objection.

One area of his policies I question is what may be a rush to pull all troops out of Iraq. He needs to establish an approach which will not leave a worse situation than the one he inherits. Talk about a daunting challenge.

Norton · 06-05-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabang

Gawd you're on fire today Norton. already greened ya though.

As with us all sometimes the words just come out and other days we are just thinking.

Boon Mee · 07-05-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

the problem that won't go away.

I think it pretty much has gone away for 99% but thanks for reminding us! I will follow this with my undivided attention.

"Birds of a feather flock together." -- Anonymous

Jet Gorgon · 07-05-2008, 09:29 AM

Ya. Good idea. Get Obama in as prez to pacify the muslim masses and the weak-kneed western nations and then the US political machinery and admin will have better cover for whatever they want to do. Brill. Vote Bambam.

chinthee · 07-05-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Ya. Good idea. Get Obama in as prez to pacify the muslim masses and the weak-kneed western nations and then the US political machinery and admin will have better cover for whatever they want to do. Brill. Vote Bambam.

Yeah, exactly. Think of it kind of like the repo points. This is a chance to reload the reds for the next 8 years by giving lots of greens. We'll need a big supply of reds to battle China's emergence.

Jet Gorgon · 08-05-2008, 07:53 AM

^ Ya! How about India? Do they have an agenda for takeover?

chinthee · 08-05-2008, 09:40 AM

^India does not seem to have any agenda except to someday vaporize Pakistan. That may change as they start flexing their muscles.

chinthee · 09-05-2008, 06:12 PM

The age issue won't go away, and I think Obama will capitalize on it. McCain is truly too old to lead the world's most powerful nation.

Obama: McCain 'losing bearings'

Quote:

Obama got a taste of what is ahead following an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on ''The Situation Room,'' where Obama said McCain is ''losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination.'' Obama was reacting to a statement McCain made that Obama is favored by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. Last month, Hamas political adviser Ahmed Yousef said they liked Obama.

Quote:

McCain senior adviser Mark Salter shot out a memo saying the ''bearings'' crack was ''not a particular clever way'' of making an issue of McCain's age. Obama's ''new brand'' of politics, said Salter, was really an attack, and that ''is called hypocrisy.''

Obama: McCain 'losing bearings' :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Lynn Sweet

I'm sure that age is an issue at some point. Obama's 46, and in 4 years he'll be an "old-timer" and irrelevant according to some members on this board. But McCain at this advanced age, is certainly too old to withstand the rigours of this office.

He is no Ronald Reagan.

Boon Mee · 10-05-2008, 07:39 PM

BO needs another history lesson. What we got here? Another Neville Chamberlain?

"In his victory speech after the North Carolina primary, Sen. Barack Obama said something that is all the more remarkable for how little it has been remarked upon. In defending his stated intent to meet with America's enemies without preconditions, Sen. Obama said: "I trust the American people to understand that it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did."

"That he made this statement, and that it passed without comment by the journalists covering his speech indicates either breathtaking ignorance of history on the part of both, or deceit."

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Obama Needs a History Lesson

G_D help us...

Norton · 10-05-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

"That he made this statement, and that it passed without comment by the journalists covering his speech indicates either breathtaking ignorance of history on the part of both, or deceit."

Maybe it was because they didn't hear him whisper "like Neville Chamberlain".

Boon Mee · 10-05-2008, 07:56 PM

^
Reached later for comment, BO said: "Can't I just eat my waffle"

raycarey · 10-05-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

G_D help us

why don't you just type 'god'?

are you a fundamentalist christian boon mee?

god help us.

raycarey · 10-05-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

In his victory speech after the North Carolina primary, Sen. Barack Obama said something that is all the more remarkable for how little it has been remarked upon. In defending his stated intent to meet with America's enemies without preconditions, Sen. Obama said:

"I trust the American people to understand that it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did."

That he made this statement, and that it passed without comment by the journalists covering his speech indicates either breathtaking ignorance of history on the part of both, or deceit."

what in (gasp!) god's name is wrong with that statement?

reagan also talked with his 'enemies' the soviets, didn't he?
this has to be about the 4th or 5th time you've been asked this question, but for some reason you never answer it. gee, i wonder why that is.

sabang · 10-05-2008, 10:03 PM

It's a damn good statement. I mean, if the USA had shown some clear record of Victory to show me that my attitudes needed adjustment, I would do so. But lets face it, the opposite has been the case.

Boon Mee · 11-05-2008, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raycarey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

G_D help us

why don't you just type 'god'?

are you a fundamentalist christian boon mee?

god help us.

Why do you type only in lower case there, teach?

Fundamentalist Christians are the only ones who have respect for the Grand Architect of the Universe?

10-05-2008, 07:39 PM	#473 (permalink)
Boon Mee Senior Member Last Online: 20-08-2008 06:39 PM Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 8,673	BO needs another history lesson. What we got here? Another Neville Chamberlain? "In his victory speech after the North Carolina primary, Sen. Barack Obama said something that is all the more remarkable for how little it has been remarked upon. In defending his stated intent to meet with America's enemies without preconditions, Sen. Obama said: "I trust the American people to understand that it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did." "That he made this statement, and that it passed without comment by the journalists covering his speech indicates either breathtaking ignorance of history on the part of both, or deceit." RealClearPolitics - Articles - Obama Needs a History Lesson G_D help us... __________________ ผมเป็นคนบ้านนอก

06-05-2008, 01:56 PM	#461 (permalink)
chinthee Sundance is my bff Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,789	^Norton, yes, he's made this his 'signature' issue for now. But I'm not sure we can extrapolate that his taking the intelligent long term view on this issue will allow him to overcome the tremendous Washington political insider machine. In that respect, Hilary/Bill & McCain are probably better versed in how to negotiate long terms goals while still providing the carrots to the masses short term.

06-05-2008, 02:31 PM	#463 (permalink)
chinthee Sundance is my bff Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,789	^Norton, the reason I support Obama is more exactly what you have mentioned. I think the US needs an image makeover. I think the US needs a major foreign policy revision. Of course, any president will be saddled with health care and economy issues. Those are not easy fixes. But, overall, the emotional aspect of a fresh new direction with a fresh new half-black President named Hussein I think promises greater potential to reach out to our enemies than the policy of not talking to them or ignoring them.

06-05-2008, 02:46 PM	#464 (permalink)
sabang Watching the Wheels Last Online: Yesterday 07:15 AM Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: east of Pattaya Posts: 7,266	Gawd you're on fire today Norton. already greened ya though.

07-05-2008, 09:29 AM	#468 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Today 02:31 AM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 5,716	Ya. Good idea. Get Obama in as prez to pacify the muslim masses and the weak-kneed western nations and then the US political machinery and admin will have better cover for whatever they want to do. Brill. Vote Bambam.

08-05-2008, 07:53 AM	#470 (permalink)
Jet Gorgon What the Dormouse Said Last Online: Today 02:31 AM Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rabbit Hole Posts: 5,716	^ Ya! How about India? Do they have an agenda for takeover?

08-05-2008, 09:40 AM	#471 (permalink)
chinthee Sundance is my bff Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 5,789	^India does not seem to have any agenda except to someday vaporize Pakistan. That may change as they start flexing their muscles.

10-05-2008, 07:56 PM	#475 (permalink)
Boon Mee Senior Member Last Online: 20-08-2008 06:39 PM Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 8,673	^ Reached later for comment, BO said: "Can't I just eat my waffle"

10-05-2008, 10:03 PM	#478 (permalink)
sabang Watching the Wheels Last Online: Yesterday 07:15 AM Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: east of Pattaya Posts: 7,266	It's a damn good statement. I mean, if the USA had shown some clear record of Victory to show me that my attitudes needed adjustment, I would do so. But lets face it, the opposite has been the case.