The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

chinthee

^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

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.

__________________
There is such a thing as a nation being so right that it does not need to convince others by force that it is right.

Woodrow Wilson

chinthee

^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

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

Norton

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

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

Boon Mee

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

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.

chinthee

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

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

chinthee

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

chinthee

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'

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

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

Norton

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

Boon Mee

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

raycarey

why don't you just type 'god'?

are you a fundamentalist christian boon mee?

god help us.

raycarey

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

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

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?

raycarey

oh my god, boon mee won't type 'god'.