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ElgarRulesOk

Listed below are comments made by ElgarRulesOk between Sunday, 26th October 2008 and Tuesday, 28th October 2008.

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A Land of Hope 10:52am on 28 Oct 2008 To via

Americans may still get stirred up by the "ritual" associated with the constitution, but I very much doubt many are stirred by the 'meaning' of the words.

Many in the world today take great issue with "American exceptionalism" - and find very little to admire with the country or it's legacy. A more humble tone is perhaps now appropriate after the USA's recent global contributions.

For this reason I just love the Obama quote "we've been living through a period of profound irresponsibility." It hits just the right note I think - not overtly critical or pessimistic, but with enough there to make people take stock. He has a light touch does Mr Barack.

I've long wondered whether 911 would be to the US as the Titanic was to the British. There was a nation sailing along on the glories of conquest and empire. Then this unsinkable ship - the symbol of that certainty and confidence sank to the bottom of the Atlantic first time out. The confidence of a nation was snapped over night. OK - World War one sealed the deal - but the British were never quite the same. This was a good thing of course - in the long run.

Has Obama tapped into this? Is the US now a little more contrite and ready for some introspection? I do hope so.
Where's the 'real' John McCain? 09:52am on 26 Oct 2008 I don't think anyone dislikes McCain or thinks him a bad man. It's comparisons, when under the spot light, to the other guy that do for his chances.

McCain may very well suspect that GOP knew they had no chance and thought they'd take the opportunity to make up for 2000 by giving him a turn at the wheel. Why waste a really good candidate (and party funds) at a time like this - they might have thought?

Interesting comments on other blogs about potential civil unrest. Can't help thinking the Republican campaign tactic of choice is to polarize. The only true patriotic Amercian seems now to be a Republican.

Thank goodness the America of today is an informed and tolerant society - or else there'd be all manner of strife.
Love and untogetherness 06:18am on 26 Oct 2008 Krauthammer is a regular FOX contributor. He is certainly more reasonable than many that appear on that fine network. However I find his reasons for McCain support hard to follow and unpersuasive. His personal philosophy is filtering events and facts to suit. But heck - everyone is doing it these days.

The election campaign is basically the job interview from hell with a panel of around 20% of the population (the 'undecideds'. Candidates are under constant, intense pressure. CVs are read - but ultimately the choice is made on how well the candidates deal with the job interview pressure.

Obama may be young and inexperienced, however he appears to me to be handling himself extraordinary well under the unforgiving glare of this campaign. He comes across as calm, honorable, informed and intelligent. He seems to be his own man, and his ability to smoothly present his ideas stems from the fact that they ARE his own ideas, and that he actually believes in them. Right now - that seems to have more weight than actually WHAT those ideas really are - since the economic and philosophical dictinctions between most parties these days is insignificant.

Being older and more experienced doens't equal better. A country wants the leader that is right for the times. That McCain has been often right in the context of the states of the past 25 years doesn't make him the right person to lead the country forwards. Given how badly wrong many feel this direction has been - it probably disqualifies him. Obama's inexperience is being interpreted by many as 'untainted'.

Not that Mr Krauthammer is likely to see it this way. It means denying the Republican legacy. What many non US citizens fervently hope is that Obama will be the fresh start we've all been waiting for. Rather than elect a leader who is experienced at 'kicking ass', for once the states might elect someone who will reflect on the following:
"What is it that we (the states) do that incites so many to dislike/ hate us?
What is that we have done to cause the global economic crisis?
What is it that we have done to create global warming?

If Obama has this focus then not only will the states be a healthier place - it will also be a safer and better liked place as well.

Mr Krauthammer would I think elect a president better suited to addressing the symptoms, not the cause of the major issues the world and the states faces today.

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