Politik

After just over two months of transition Barack Obama is now the 44th American President. I managed to get away from work and home in time to watch the inauguration ceremony. I am one of the great many overseas observers whose attention has been captured and held by President Obama during the election campaigns. Who have been captivated by his eloquent and inspiring speeches, who "dare to believe" that change is afoot.

I was impressed by the speech he gave yesterday, pleased that it took a positive, but cautious tone. As I mentioned in a previous post “Optimism is the keyword here. Tentative optimism that is, I am far too sceptical to be so outwardly full of hope”.

I do believe Barack Obama will be good for the United States, and the rest of us – But I was talking to a colleague today, who has lived in the US for a long period, about the amount of hope and unrealistic optimism that is reportedly being projected on to the new President. To me, it feels like too great an expectation for people to hold – one that is unfair to project upon one man, and unfair on those projecting, because they are destined to be disappointed when those expectations cannot be met.

The world is in the grip of both a major economic and a financial crisis that reach too far into our collective society to be solved within one term of presidency. The US has troops in Afghanistan and Iraq trapped in the after effects of a very unpopular, and by some accounts disastrous military campaign. I am also aware of internal issues the citizenship of the US want to see rectified – however, on those I know very little so cannot comment further.

The point I am trying to make is – That whilst Barack Obama was the right choice for President, we should not pin all our hopes for change on him, but; as he himself has said, begin to act ourselves.

As a Briton, the American election process is interesting in another away – Its much more entertaining that our election process. It says a great deal about the American people, and those standing for office, when we see thousands, millions in yesterday’s case, actively showing support for an ideal. Whilst I don’t lack the compassion of my own compatriots, it is just not as visible, and the party conferences we do see on television are largely uninspiring. I am fully aware that this (The US09) campaign was unique, in that the Democratic Party nomination gave the possibility of either the first female, or; as it prevailed, first black president – but still, British politics lacks the excitement of the large scale rallies and big personalities running for office.

The closest we have had, in my memory, was the rise of New Labour and Tony Blair in 1997. I guess it could be put down to our (the British) collective demeanour – as a story I read today would back up.

“Polite Britons Died on Titanic
More British passengers died on the Titanic because they queued politely for lifeboats, researchers believe.
A behavioural economist says data suggests Britons in that era were more inclined to be gentlemanly while Americans were more individualist”

Source: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7843154.stm

But enough about Politics – I had only intended to post my appreciation for President Obama!

In other news: Another highly entertaining youtuber by the name of Speedyconkiwi has recently set herself a challenge of posting a vlog (video blog) a day. So far she is on day four. You should stop by her channel HERE you won’t be disappointed!

Highlights so far have been a portal to nowhere, a lesson on holding chopsticks and 10 minutes of non-linear, but highly amusing rambling.

Disclaimer: You might actually be disappointed, I don’t know you – we might have a different sense of humour. Who knows – Click the link, watch a video and find out

What the hell – Yet another youtuber (that I have recently become aware of) you might wish to check out goes by the name of Wheezywaiter

I discovered him through another vlogger, and have been laughing so hard my sides ache, ever since. Ever since yesterday – Not exactly ever since, I haven’t been laughing repeatedly for 48hours. That would be insane, and have likely got me suspended from work – possibly institutionalised.

But you get the point. He’s funny.

Adios