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Hugh in America.

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Eddie Mair | 10:15 UK time, Thursday, 22 January 2009

Hugh sent these on Monday night:

"Hugh went to Washington, but it was full. So he's now in New York, to gather opinions about the 44th President of the USA in the city that was attacked in September 2001:

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Kichelle (4 months) and her mum, Michelle: "I voted for who won".

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He won. Flashback to November 5th.

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Hope is in the air.


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Put out more flags.


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A bus in NYC.


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Stars, stripes and sleep on the Washington Metro.


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Poignant reminder in a Washington shop window. The words spoken by Martin Luther King in Memphis the night before he was assassinated in April 1968.

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Poignant reminder of the main event in the Bush era - the hole in the sky where the twin towers of the World Trade Center used to be.


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Cynical.


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The silence of snow, in New York."

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  • 1. At 12:26pm on 22 Jan 2009, Big Sister wrote:

    What great pictures, Hugh! Very atmospheric .....

    I'm sure you were disappointed not to be at the inauguration, but I've no doubt you're experiencing some great New York hospitality (not to mention bagels and lox), not to mention the snow, the museums, Broadway and the delights of the Village.

    Thank you for these memories of a great city.

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  • 2. At 12:34pm on 22 Jan 2009, Ed Iglehart wrote:

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

  • 3. At 1:08pm on 22 Jan 2009, Vyle Hernia wrote:

    I don't believe it. Ed I breaking the house rules?

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  • 4. At 1:17pm on 22 Jan 2009, Ed Iglehart wrote:

    "Your message is off-topic....
    If you can rewrite your contribution to remove the problem, we'd be happy for you to post it again."
    Off topic????
    Subject:
    Hugh in America.

    Posting:
    Hugh, Namaste
    Enjoy New York, and thanks for the pix. If you're near Chinatown, try a couple of blocks North to Vincent's Clam Bar for a real Italian treat....

    Always good to hear from you.

    Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Peace
    ed

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  • 5. At 1:19pm on 22 Jan 2009, Charlie wrote:



    WHO in America..?

    Oh, Hugh. Good.

    Very powerful and perhaps prescient words from Dr King. Who knows..? But a GREAT man.

    I have a feeling President Obama is going to be an enormously powerful initiator of good for this very sorry World of ours. I hope so.

    Let's see...

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  • 6. At 1:24pm on 22 Jan 2009, Vyle Hernia wrote:

    Charlie (5) Perhaps his efforts in healthcare won't be stymied like those of Mrs. Clinton. The economic atmosphere may facilitate some progress this time.

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  • 7. At 1:26pm on 22 Jan 2009, Vyle Hernia wrote:

    BTW, the face on that "Mad" mag looks more like Mr. Blair to me. Is it the grin or the ears?

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  • 8. At 2:54pm on 22 Jan 2009, Charlie wrote:

    Vyle @ 06

    I hope with my heart and soul that you're absolutely right.

    I heard an acknowledged Republican political commentator on CNN a few days back saying words to the effect that Barrack won't be able to introduce a UK-style health system (or any similar European system) because Americans hate anything that smacks of socialism... I wonder.

    Seemed an odd and untested-with-the-general-public sort of statement to me.

    Nothing's free, it's all got to be paid for from taxes and Private Ins. cover is always available for those who can afford it and percieve the need.

    And, I find the American attitude to this topic all the more strange given their dedication to National Security.

    I've been brought-up to understand that National Security begins with education and health.

    I, for example was delivered by a Doctor and Mid-wife. Both intelligent and skilled professionals. I was schooled at various levels by dedicated educated professionals and have been able to pursue a career and pay - and I really, at the end of the day don't begrudge it - my due taxes. And, the NHS has been with me along the way.

    So the wheel turns.

    If a large percentage of the population are un-educated/un-skilled and at various levels of illness, what tax revenues and contribution to society can they make?

    I'm not suggesting or pretending "our" system's perfect. Far from it.

    But, I hear there are some 50 million Americans who have no Health-Care protection at all and therefore rely on what are effectively "Charitable" medical services.

    Imagine contracting say, Cancer or any other life-threatening disease, and having no definitive "affordable" and readily accessible course of treatment available. How can a "modern" society have allow such a situation to develope..?

    This much I promise Vyle. If Pres. Obama's Administration does bring in health care coverage, available to all Americans, including the millions un-employed, you and I will celebrate and I shall buy the drinks. And, Very Happily.

    And, actually, I fully hope and believe I shall have to meet that obligation during the next couple or three years...

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  • 9. At 3:27pm on 22 Jan 2009, Big Sister wrote:

    Vyle (7): Perhaps it is intended to be a hybrid picture? Which could be pretty appropriate (and no, I'm not saying Obama is another Blair).

    I wonder how long it will be before Mr. Blair is replaced in the Middle East, or will his friendship with Mrs. Clinton keep him secure in the post? While I don't think he should have been appointed, now that he is there I would like to see a great deal more productive activity from him. Perhaps he may just have to admit the limits of his abilities?

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  • 10. At 3:50pm on 22 Jan 2009, Ed Iglehart wrote:

    Sis,

    "I would like to see a great deal more productive activity from him. Perhaps he may just have to admit the limits of his abilities? "
    Don't hold your breath on either count.

    ;-((
    ed

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  • 11. At 4:44pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    VH 7, Alfred E Neuman has been used on the cover of MAD as himself and others for years.

    http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/Bush-Quotes-ngin.jpg

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  • 12. At 4:46pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    BS 9, C'mon, you must know who Alfred E Neuman is.

    http://msa4.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/alfred_e_neuman.jpg

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  • 13. At 4:47pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    Neuman would be a good Milliband.

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  • 14. At 4:51pm on 22 Jan 2009, U12196018 wrote:

    Tony Blair has always looked like Alfred E Neuman.

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  • 15. At 5:06pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    QL 14,

    Also, Blair as Stan Laurel:

    http://blog.reidreport.com/uploaded_images/blair-719703.bmp

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  • 16. At 5:09pm on 22 Jan 2009, ValeryP wrote:

    Oh, Mad magazine, we used to get them sent over from the USA by a family friend as a treat. My brother and I hoarded and read and re-read them in the '60s. Happy days.

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  • 17. At 5:24pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    VP 16, For years I had a cardboard cut-out of the MAD zeppelin hanging up in my bedroom in Cleveland. It disintigrated while being taken down, or so I was told, when I was living in Winchester in the 1970s and my parents moved.


    http://www.collectmad.com/COLLECTIBLES/Specials/worst8.jpg

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  • 18. At 5:29pm on 22 Jan 2009, Big Sister wrote:

    DMN: I used to read Mad too, and do, of course, recognise the character, but was picking up from Vyle's point - and I think he has a point! ;)

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  • 19. At 5:33pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    BS 18, But did you have the zeppelin?

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  • 20. At 5:34pm on 22 Jan 2009, Big Sister wrote:

    Nope. My grandmother saw one being shot down, if that's any help? I doubt it was yours though.

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  • 21. At 5:37pm on 22 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    BS 20, As it was hanging from my bedroom ceiling, I doubt it.

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  • 22. At 6:49pm on 22 Jan 2009, Big Sister wrote:

    21: ;o)

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  • 23. At 10:10am on 23 Jan 2009, ValeryP wrote:

    I don't know where our magazines went either DMcN, though I suspect they were left on the rafters in the attic with a load of other bits and pieces which were overlooked when we moved house.

    However, I do have a couple of paperback books I picked up at a jumble sale some years back. I introduced my son to them and he was just as entranced - despite their being somewhat dated!

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  • 24. At 10:16am on 23 Jan 2009, David_McNickle wrote:

    VP 23, I gave my pile of MAD magazines to the son of some friends. They were very pleased.

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