White house http://www.newsflavor.com/tags/White house New posts about White house Obama Vs. American Views http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Obama-Vs-American-Views.355555 Recently I wrote about the U.S. presidential election, but even with the results in, I continue to be struck by the international response. Shortly after the results were announced, I began receiving calls and emails from friends and clients all over the world, expressing a range of emotions including excitement, discomfort, reservation and hope. This in itself is quite remarkable and gives me hope at a time when our world needs, more than ever, to work together to face our mounting challenges.

Of course, in Britain and in much of Europe, Obama's victory has been met with both excitement and enthusiasm for the American people and for what they accomplished. Europeans seem to believe that this election represents a shift in thinking about American policies and racial issues. They feel that this decision will help to redeem America in the eyes of those who have developed negative feelings over the last decade.

A long-time client in Hong Kong also rang to tell me how pleased the Chinese people seemed by the fact that the U.S. has finally elected a bi-racial president, especially one who has been so vocal about his strong global views. Even in the Middle East, there seems to be a feeling of relief as a result of president-elect Obama's views on the U.S. involvement in the war-torn regions in that part of the world.

I very much enjoyed following the enthusiastic responses in Africa, and in particular in Kenya, the homeland of Obama's father. The African people obviously feel a close tie to this man who represents a strong connection between the two continents. Likewise, the pride that many African-Americans have expressed in lieu of the president-elect's achievements has also been very touching.

Of course, I know that not everyone is happy with the election results but there are still points that should be celebrated. It is good to see that so many American citizens chose to take advantage of their right and privilege to vote. The substantial increase in voters who actually went to the polls is remarkable and represents hope for the democratic process. Likewise, the fact that many Americans looked beyond race when they marked their ballot choice is a win for democracy for all the world's citizens.

It is important for all of us to feel hope and to feel the ability to make our world a better place.

]]> Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:44:21 PST A Different Election http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/A-Different-Election.340591 The November 4th election was different. The lines for voting had a different feel; the angles that the media took were different; the reason for knowing it was Election Day was different.

America had a cause. The cause was not necessarily relegated to one candidate. The cause this time was just to have a voice again. Americans by the thousands awoke from a political slumber and reinvested in their country by participating in the election.

Let's hope it doesn't stop there. Voting for a candidate, whether your choice wins or not, does not let you off the hook. You still have the responsibility to stay informed on what the president-elect, and later the president, intends to do. Who surrounds the president? What do other countries think of the president and his actions?

I'm closely following Barack Obama's choice of candidates and staff members. If he does not surround himself with an array of viewpoints and knowledge, we'll end up on a road that has no yield signs, or wastes our time and spirit with detours that we didn't ask for.

Obama has laid out a long list of promises. He is an inspirational speaker. He seems to understand that America wants different. But he's got a huge job ahead of him turning different into better in a majority's eyes.

I firmly believe if Barack Obama does not take the pulse of America after every action he takes for the first two years of his presidency, he won't get a second term.

On the other hand, if Americans don't speak up, write letters, discuss and debate the pros and cons of his actions, they've given him a free ticket to do as he pleases. Americans have to let him know he was elected to provide for the good of the country, not for the good of a political party, or lobbyists, or his memoirs. He was made president to lead, not to rule.

Our forefathers knew this, from experience. They had already experienced governments that dictated and answered only to small influential groups. They sat down over two hundred years ago and crafted documents and policies for a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Obama has to understand that Americans are the country. People create industry, People spend money. People travel. People fight the wars. This country is people first.

But we as Americans need to return to the thoughts and hopes of our forefathers as well. We have to demand a government that is of the people. This means a government where your integrity and your knowledge are valued by the people you lead. We have to continue to show passion for elections, even the smallest, or this will not be a government by the people. It will be a government by the influencers. And Americans have to hold the government, federal, state, and local, accountable or this will not be a country for the people. It will be a government influenced by some, heralded by enemies and laughed at by nations we once thought of as secondary.

We can't waste this opportunity. If we do, we deserve whoever and whatever takes up residence on Philadelphia Avenue.

]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:52:18 PST Committed to Change http://www.newsflavor.com/Politics/US-Politics/Committed-to-Change.338969 This county was established on the basis and underlining principles of a democratic republic. With this type of government, the people are obligated to vote for candidates that they feel would best run the country. In the present, the country calls again on the votes of the people to choose a leader to dig us out of the economic troublesome pit. We must choose the candidate that we think will stay true to what he has promised; however, we must be careful to vote based on a balance of what we need personally and what the country needs as a whole. Barack Obama, a democrat from Illinois, would be the best choice for President of the United States.

Education is one of the oldest and most important elements of this country. It is a topic that influences and encourages many students to go out and vote. Obama plans to create a new program called American Opportunity Tax Credit, which will ensure that the first $4,000 of college tuition is free for most Americans and it will pay for two-thirds the tuition cost at a public university. However, this credit will only be available to people who engage in 100 hours of community service. Obama also plans to make applying for financial aid easier by simply including a box to check on tax forms. As for elementary and high schools, Obama will require all schools to be accredited and will also create a voluntary national performance assessment “so we can be sure the every new educator is trained and ready to walk into the classroom and start teaching effectively. ” The Teacher Residency Programs will supply 30,000 well-prepared recruits to schools in need.

The war in Iraq is debated upon and causes much controversy in the race for Presidency. However, arguing about how just or unjust the war is will not bring troops home or end the war for that matter. The war is a reality and the President needs to deal with it. Obama will put military commanders in conjunction with the Iraqi government responsible for all timetables and phases of troop removal. His plan calls for one to two brigades be removed every month, so that most of the troops are removed by 2010. A small force will remain in Iraq to provide protection to Americans and to launch counter attack against al Qaeda. “They will not build permanent bases...but will continue efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces. ”

Health care is a large part of the overall wellbeing of the citizens in the U.S. Currently, healthcare is being disputed weather it should be run individually or by the government. Obama will require insurance companies to cover pre-existing medical conditions so that all Americans, regardless of health, can have good premiums. He will ensure everyone who needs healthcare will receive a tax credit and will require the collection and reporting of health care costs by hospitals. The costs of catastrophic illnesses for workers and employers will be reduced and Obama will reform the competitive insurance market.

Within the last four months, the economy has quickly depleted. Obama's plan for the economy involves providing a tax break “to all families making under $250,000 per year. ” For anyone making more than that per year, Obama would tax them to the same level as President Clinton. Obama also intends on giving families an emergency $1,000 rebate on rising energy bills to counter the excessive, unfair profit of the oil companies. This $1,000 payment would be the first of Obama's plan to provide $1,000 per year for tax relief. The plan would include a fund to stop cuts in health, education, and housing on the state and local levels. The relief plan would also prevent cutbacks in road and bridge maintenance and school repair, saving more than 1 million jobs.

These four main issues are just a few of many that our country struggles against. The plans of Barack Obama are the best for my future, my family's future, and the future of this country. Obama calls on the citizens to be a part of the change that he will commence in Washington because the change will affect them as much as anyone else. “I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours.”

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:47:18 PST Obama's Election Leaves Many Black People Dazed, But Hopeful http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Obamas-Election-Leaves-Many-Black-People-Dazed-But-Hopeful.336897 If you see black people wandering around with dazed looks on their faces, its not because they have partying too much over Barack Obama's election success. They are in shock.  Truth be told, most black people are still trying to wrap their minds around the fact, that a black man is going to a resident of the White House for the next for years.

Many older black people said they doubted they would live to see this day. Most of us younger black folks grew up knowing in our hearts that it would eventually happen but not this soon. This is like science fiction becoming real. Black people have had to turn to movies and TV shows to find images of a black chief executive. But this is not Tommy "Tiny" Lister in "The Fifth Element," this is not Morgan Freeman in "Deep Impact" and this is not Dennis Haysbert in "24" -- this is real life!! It's like waking up and discovering that the star ship Enterprise really exists.

When I say President Barack Obama, I find the words strange in my mouth. Who would have thought that a skinny black guy with a strange name would have a snowball's chance in hell of being elected president of the United States? Many black people, already cynical from years of disapointment, gave the junior senator from Illinois little chance of going all the way when he launched his campaign in early 2008. But Obama battled through a bruising primary and sailed through one of the ugliest campaigns we have seen in a long time. Many media watchers claim that Obama was the press' golden boy, but their is a lot of evidence that against that. 

Any black candidate running in era where FOX News is the most watched news channel in the country knew he was going to have a tough time ahead of him. Obama needed to have singular toughness about him to withstand a campaign in which he was accused of being a socialist, communist, terrorist, Arab, Muslim, America hater, baby killer and just plain unpatriotic. I didn't help when you have a major news outlet like FOX running every rumor, lie and smear as if its the gospel truth. If those words sound harsh, remember it was FOX News who ran the story about Obama attending a madrassa, even though it had been proven to false, it was FOX News, who dubbed the Obamas' fist bump as a salute to terrorists, it was FOX News who ran the heavily edited quote from Rev. Jeremiah Wright on an endless loop, and those a just a few of the lies passed off as news. 

The Republican party was also a formidable opponent who were willing to use every dirty trick in the book to hang on to power. Towards the end of the campaign the rhetoric and the shenanigans coming out of the GOP where reprehensible. A GOP campaign worker tried to launch a false story about a fictitious black man who carved the letter B into her face. And confidential information about Obama's aunt immigration status was leaked to the media. McCain campaign rallies became orgies of hate speech with attendees screaming for Obama's death. Newsweek has recently revealed that the Secret Service reported a spike in death threats around the time the McCain-Palin team was calling for Obama's blood. 

But Obama prevailed. Any candidate seeking the highest office in the land has to go through a trial by fire, but things are always tougher for black people. (Very few things come to us easily.) Obama has shown the world what American can be at its best, and he has also challenged the black community to reach for the sky. Obama's election will have a ripple effect not only in the United States, but around the world. I'm sure that somewhere in the United States there are Asian, Latino and Arab children looking at Obama and saying, if he can do it so can I. Around the world ethnic minorities are going to start asking why they are not represented in their governments. 

As we plunge deeper into the 21st century it will become increasingly important for the government to look like the people it represents. In a browner America, voters will start to question why all the major decisions are made by old, white men. (Incidentally, Obama's election means that there are currently no Blacks, Latinos or Asians in the U.S. Senate.) Obama's incredible election shows that era is over. We haven't reached the Promised Land yet, but we're getting close. 

]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:36:26 PST Obama: His Religion, Our Perception http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Obama-His-Religion-Our-Perception.327951 As the day’s countdown to the election, the campaign’s have gone from passionate and inspired to ugly and malicious.  It’s really quite disappointing.  And disturbing.  And I’m not just talking about the things being said, but also the implications behind them. 

Cool chick, writing warrior and friend, Blogging Naveen, recently shared Campbell Brown’s fabulous commentary, So what if Obama were a Muslim or an Arab?  It’s worth the read, but, should you be short on time, the title alone communicates the crux of the message, “When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words?”  

Sure, in 1961 some people thought being Catholic would be an insurmountable barrier to the White House.  0bviously, JFK’s win proved it was not.  And now it seems, I don’t know, silly or crazy, to think that anyone was even concerned.  But they were.  Catholicism and potential ties to the Vatican were feared.  Unnecessarily.  It leaves me sad to think that in the last 40+ years instead of becoming more enlightened we’ve just switched up which religion we slander.  Brown eloquently and accurately points out that, “we've all been too quick to accept the idea that calling someone Muslim is a slur.”

I consider one of the best hours of television to be the West Wing episode that followed 9/11.  It was simple, yet profound.  When I hear ‘Muslim’ or ‘Arab’ so casually used and accepted as a means to diminish or malign I think of the mess hall scene.  The White House has been attacked and is in lockdown.  Josh and Donna are left to entertain a group of touring teens who are trying to understand the events of the day.  Josh explains to his room full of students (and a home audience of xenophobes) that radical Muslims who support jihad against America, or Islamic extremists, are to Islam as the KKK is to Christianity.  Meaning, they are both fringe elements. 

Now, I don’t know any KKK members (that I’m aware of!) but I know a heck of a lot of Christians and I wonder, how would you feel, if every time someone referred to you as a Christian, the implication was that you might be a Klan member?  I know it’s an absurd idea, but so is the implication that being Muslim is an automatic link terrorism.

Sigh.

Yeah, yeah, I know.  Obama is Christian, not Muslim.  But, so what if he were?

]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:04:43 PST Obama and OJ Simpson: Two Men, Same Race, Different Destinies http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Obama-and-OJ-Simpson-Two-Men-Same-Race-Different-Destinies.317367 The predominant news headlines to-date, whichever border of the globe we represent, has been the $700 billion cash injection into Wall Street, the financial headquarters of the world by the United States Government. The rationale behind the bill which was fronted by US Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and George Bush is aimed at buying up bad debts- or 'toxic debts'- from the mortgage books of distressed banks in order to free up credit for various financial institutions. On paper the initial three-page proposal looked good but in practice there were sceptics within the House of Representative, hence the reason for the first rejection of the bill leading to chaos and panic in the global stock market earlier on in the week.

However, by Friday  of  the  same  week , the  bill was passed into law after a vote of 263 to 171, so the world can once again hold its breath and watch the fallout of the financial 'bail-out' or 'rescue', whatever terminology we wish to adopt-all dependant on what side we´re on in the debate: pro or anti. Amid the furore one individual who is currently riding the crestwave of this financial impasse is none other than Barack Obama whose latest opinion poll rating conducted by CNN as we speak is 49% to John Mccain´s 43%.

One attributable reason is the fact that the American people who were once suspicious of Obama are now beginning to identify his opposite number, Mccain, more and more with the current Bush administration. Beginning to see the Septuagenarian Republican and his 'hockey mom' sidekick as part and parcel of the failure George Bush´s administration truly represents. The catastrophe in administration which aims to reward CEO´s at Wall Street, at the expense of the hardworking taxpayers, whose Dollars it is will be used in revitalising or 'bailing-out' a financial system already in shambles.

Against this backdrop, the only way forward come November 4th is 'change'. And in attaining this much sought after change, the only ray of hope in the horizon appears to illuminate from the direction of the man some Independents, alongside Hilary supporters initially saw as the pariah of politics; not to be touched with the 'barge-pole', but now the last man standing, the 'messiah', Mr Barack Obama.

However, as Obama edges closer to the re-writing of American history, as a worthy ambassador for Afro-Americans and his entire race around the globe, it seems for some reasons, African Americans won´t be allowed to eat their cakes and at the same time have it so fast - Not without another twist of irony in this whole drama . Because while it is all but certain Obama will be heading to the White House-barring unforeseen 'dirty tricks' and bigotry by the Republicans- once the votes are cast on the 4th of November, another African American; an iconic figure; a symbol of all things racially divisive in America, O.J Simpson, will be heading in the opposite direction: Jail.

Thirteen years after being exonerated, discharged and acquitted for the double murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ron Goldberg, O.J Simpson in his inimitably negative style has once again graced our headlines, when last week he was found guilty on a 12- count charge, which included serious offences of firearms possession and kidnapping. Over a decade on from this troubled man´s first brush with the law, Kharma it seems, never slept. Once an American hero; an accomplished football (NFL) star and actor, celebrated by all races in America, now a much despised figure, ostracised by all sections of the country. time Barack Obama might be elected President.

We can draw opposite parallels between these two men: One accorded the status of a political 'saviour', who will shake up the status quo in Washington. The status quo that rewards 'fat cats' at the expense of middle-class America. At the forefront of this political revolution stands a 'messiah' who against all odds will unite America at home and launder it´s tarnished image abroad.

And whilst the democratic loving spectators of the world anticipate 'genuine change' at Washington´s helm of affairs,( mind you not the McCain/Palin kind of 'change'), they would still be haunted by the 'Ghost of Christmas past' in the mould of Mr. Orenthal James Simpson, another African American whose destiny is far from the keys to the White House. A man, unlike Barack who won´t be flying on the US presidential plane (Airforce One). A man who won´t be addressing the nation in a presidential acceptance speech come January 2009. A man who will be given a prison uniform, a prison number. And to cap it all up, the only attention he will be getting won't be from voters but from fellow convicts. Yes, convicts. Some of whom might even feel justice wasn´t served in the Nicole/ Goldman case thirteen years ago - Let us not be surprised at the likelihood of convicts exercising inner consciences of their own when O.J's 'new friends' seize the opportunity to hand down a taste of 'jungle justice' on him in his tenure behind bars, before serving out what is increasingly likely to be a life term sentence for the already 61 years old controversial figure.

For Obama and O.J Simpson, be it as it may, one thing remains for certain : Of these two men, one will be present at the dinner table, as a president-elect or better still a free man, enjoying a Christmas roast with his family come December 25th, and the other? Well then , your guess could only be as good as mine.

]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:50:56 PST 2008 American Election: Who’s the Hero? Will It be Barack Obama or John Mccain? http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/2008-American-Election-Whos-the-Hero-Will-It-be-Barack-Obama-or-John-McCain.311739 Very soon, the 56th consecutive quadrennial United States presidential election is coming around the corner. All the Americans will have to go out to poll their hero respectively on the election date which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2008. This presidential election of 2008 is one notable historical election not only for Americans themselves but also for the world as it is the first time an African American candidate, Barack Obama is nominated for the United States' presidential post. It'll be a day which all Americans will make their votes wisely to address their voices of change as they've been very disappointed towards the Bush administration which has seen to fail to lead the United State to the steady economical growth as due to that most investors have lost confidence in the American's Wall Street share market.

Photo credit: XinHuanet/ AFP

In this election, two horses have been chosen to run the track to compete to win for a stay in the White House. The white horse is represented by the Republican Party, John McCain, who is the senior United States Senator from Arizona, while the black horse is represented by the Democratic Party, Barack Obama, who is also the junior United States Senator from Illinois as the election nominees respectively.

More media coverage, both locally and globally, plus the Americans themselves, and the world have utmost enthusiasts to know who'll be the hero in this presidential election. Does Barack Obama have more horse power than John McCain or vice versa? Who'll end up moving into the White House to become the United States' 56th president, Obama or McCain?

Photo credit: XinHuanet/ AFP

First, of course, there's Obama, a son for a white mother and a Kenyan father. His favorite food is chilli and he's good at basketball. His strong supporter, Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has a talent to solve crossword puzzles. These two American idols have now captured global attentions. Their popularities and fames, particularly Obama, has been extremely rated high by the media and publics as compared to his opponent, McCain. The desire rate to vote for John McCain, according to the latest statistic, is very low. That means before the real 2008 Presidential Election on November 4, Obama has won himself the first ticket in people's heart.

Photo credit: XinHuanet/ AFP

Being BLACK is one thing for Obama, but his young, active, optimistic and enthusiastic will definitely breathe the life back into the dilemma of the “land of the free, home of the brave”. His winning in the nominee of presidential election shows that Americans can now accept the BLACK, and can now live harmony with the BLACK community. This is a good sign as compared to the worst conditions that the BLACK people had to face before the era of the President Lincoln, in which the discrimination between BLACK and WHITE was so obvious. Nowadays, as our world has stepped into the stage of globalization, the color shouldn't become the obstacle for the progress, growth and well-being of the mankind.

Photo credit: XinHuanet/ AFP

I'm sure that Obama is not making history for his race alone, but he's showing his voice for all Americans for the problems they're facing now. I do believe that he's making history for America in terms of his ways of thinking, how he carries himself, but the foremost thing is how his prominent role in a global stage.

Photos credit: Xinhuanet/Reuters

McCain in contrary to Obama, he is a bit old fashioned in his thinking. His old fashioned way of thinking, of course I'm sure is not the key element that all Americans need for a fast paced economic growth and technology based living. Though he is a smart person who has a great political head on his shoulders, his charisma and energy to rule America will not that much of Obama. If McCain is selected for President, then he's making his history as the oldest American nominated for a presidential post. Governor Sarah Parin will run her Vice-President duty on the Republican side, who has bended herself into the melting pot of gender equality, maverick politics and working-class. And they must have showed the world the different faces standing proudly in front of the White House.

Photos credit: XinHuanet/ AFP; Xinhuanet/Reuters

McCain is a war veteran with all his philosophies dealing much with the war. Of course, he has a brilliant mind in his dominating field of foreign affairs which seem to rival his competitor, Barack Obama. McCain stands still for his strong platform of unconventional politics, experience and military allegiance. Nevertheless, due to his age of 71, his presence in this election is regarded to be an unusual. Despite of his old age, he has an unprecedented energy and stamina. But, even so, his age has made him to be unfavorable for the winning ticket in the White House.

Photo credit: Xinhuanet/Reuters

I think Obama would be influential particularly in his thoughts of energy independence, technological improvements for deprived and rural communities, racial equality, universal healthcare, culminating the war in Iraq, and reformation for the political system. In contrast, McCain is a type of person who does not have the strongest strengths of commitment to change America, as his speech is focus more on wars rather than emphasizing for the society's needs to look for a change. I truly believe that Obama could play his role and commitment to change the tendency in Washington as in his speech he said he wishes to turn America in a position that it has never been before. This change of position is with regards of the position of the self-discovery as well as the position to gain the respect around the globe. I' m amazed and inspired by Obama's speech when he comments on statements made by his reverend Wright, which is another aspect showing his excellent leadership. Indeed, the capability to transform the tone of Washington lies more obviously on Obama than McCain. Obama has 101 reasons to strive to bring people's good living condition, high-quality of the America ahead of his good quality of the good tongue.

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Americans have been very upset of the incompleteness, arrogance and deception of the Bush administration. They place on little hope to the present situation as most of their personal incomes have almost dried up. They've more than thousand words to express their frustrations with regards to corporate corruption, the downfall of the share market, the rise of the petrol's price, bipartisan bickering and declining dependability. Americans in general, hope for a president who can voice for their present problems, besides having fresh ideas and fresh thinking to bring the better tomorrow for the United States. Peace and growth in America means the growth and peace for the world.

Photo credit: Xinhuanet/Reuters

For most Americans, it doesn't matter if Obama is inexperience as they wish for a change. The financial crisis has benefited Obama as people were annoyed with the failure of the Free Market. Americans have to pay for a very high retirement plans, education fee and even for their home mortgages on the account of the failure of deregulation and poorest function of the Free Market. People have long desired for a better leadership or perhaps better future, something different from the current situations. The change for America is in demand. The politicians are too corrupt which requires for an immediate change. And thus Americans are now looking for someone who can turn their country into a new direction. Harry S. Truman once said, "Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better." This is why I perceive this election is a tremendous change as it offers people for the change of better tomorrow.

Photo credit: cnsphoto

If Obama is elected for President, he has succeeded to change the America's history. Mr. Obama you make your history, brilliant! Have my claps!!! Besides this new history, there'll be another new history for the United States - the Vice-President is a woman. Should I call her “White” woman or perhaps what? I just say this election stand-off is between the BLACKS and the WHITES as neither an African American nor a female has achieved the offices for President and Vice President in the American history. This eventual winning ticket is indeed to be historical for all Americans and for the world in general.

Photos credit: Xinhuanet/Reuters

While Obama and McCain are racing for presidential post, most of the Americans are struggling and suffering for seeking employments, facing with the pressure of high fuel price, and wondering around the streets. Both Obama and McCain should address their concerns very promptly and accurately. They, Americans, hope for more responses from their future Mr. President. This is Mr. President's role not to escape to answer all the questions, but he has to address his sincere concerns towards the Americans in a more positive and appropriate context.

Photo credit: Xinhuanet/AFP

Again, this is a historical event for all Americans and also for the world. Whoever gets elected will have to face the first toughest task as he has to clear up 8 years of George W. Bush's terms. Either Obama or McCain will have to show the Americans their capability to bring the America's economy back to the track to where people can afford to survive.

Photo credit: Xinhua

The way of Bush's handling the problem with military means will not solve the global problem, but it'll make the situation becomes worst and worst. The cases of Al-Qaeda and terrorism seem not to be reduced with the military pressure, but the situation is getting worst. The Iraq war has left large casualties both for American soldiers and other parties. The financial difficulties for the United States are due to much money have been spend for supporting the Iraq wars and thus expenditure is more than the print dollar to compensate for the losses; secondly, the rising prices are due to the greediness of certain speculators and despotic oil rich countries causing the fall in dollar's value; thirdly, more money are engrossed to solve other people's problem rather than rebuilding its own economic structures in America; and fourthly, the greedy speculators have been allowed to take advantage of American families who simply want to earn some pieces of lands there. The new President should be capable enough to take over his job by intending to fix all these problems. This task is important to win back every American's heart towards his role as the Mr. President of the United States while securing the confidence and trust of the investors and the world towards this giant country.

Photo credit: cnnetnew

As for my opinion, whether it be white, black, yellow or any colors, it doesn't matter much, as long as the selected president is capable to bring the progress to the country, in which the economy is stable, people have jobs and live peacefully, living conditions are good, share market is reliable and stable, people's health conditions are good and etc. As my slogan goes, who's capable, she or he will be Mrs. or Mr. President in the United States or any countries.

Photos credit: XinHuanet/ AFP

This election has made a change for America. No woman has ever served in the White House. Both Sarah Parin and Mrs. Clinton have turned up as the female candidates. Though Mrs. Clinton fell short of her victory with Obama, she is just like Sarah Parin have opened the door for the future female candidates to step through, in which I believe it is the promising factor for female to become the President of the United States in the coming future.

The peace and economic growth are both important elements for America and the world as well. The Americans shouldn't discriminate among each other just because of the color. How can all the Americans live peacefully if they still divide each other among themselves? Similarly, the world should follow the example not to discriminate each other so that all the nations can be united for the betterment of the world.

Photo credit: koreanewnet

Any predictions in this momentous election are pointless as the situation sometimes will change on the real polling day. It's still too early to say who the winner is in this fight. No matter who comes out as a winner, it'll be one of the most surprising results ever made for the American history of all time.

Wake up, Americans! Make your votes count and do select for the candidate that you think is capable to bring your country to the optimum economic growth. Don't repeat the same mistakes or else all the Americans and the world will be suffered! Vote for a better future on behalf of your country and also for the rest of the world, and do bring trust back of investors into America and your lives concerning your government as a whole. This is the time for you to change and to clear of all the disappointment towards the Bush's policies. The choices stand before you, America - it's time to pick an appropriate candidate. Make your decision based on the integrity, responsibility, reliability, morals and voice of your candidate.

To all Americans, my American friends and honorable American staffs at Triond, I wish you good luck for the 56th consecutive quadrennial United States presidential election on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Let me complete this article with a poem.

Together we stand shoulders to shoulders,

Together we sit round the table,

Together we move our brains and motions,

We're here with a mutual dream,

One World, One Dream.

The Berlin Wall has collapsed,

Between you and me,

No more gaps,

No more color barrier,

No more fencing barrier,

No more trademarks.

And we're now sharing one same sky,

With mutual hearts and beliefs,

Towards the betterment of tomorrow,

Heading to the excellent milestone,

Not far away from a place we're now standing.

We want the peace back to the world,

We want better life for our families and generations,

We want better jobs and payments,

But we don't want the nightmare of wars.

C'mon, friends,

Vote for your voices,

Vote for your rights,

Vote for your dignity,

And most importantly vote for your pride,

And too,

For your concerning government.

]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:46:16 PST Obama or McCain http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Obama-or-McCain.304461       In my opinion they don't really give us much to work with as far as credibility, i feel they are just saying whatever we want to hear, and in my opinion that is not taking us in a new direction...A new direction is exactly what we need in the White House, I really don't feel at this time either of the candidates are going to give us that. Mccain and Obama both stress economy in their adds, yet when questioned on national TV, they totally danced around the issues and started complaining about negative add campaigning.

     Is this the type of leadership we want representing us in the White House??? If so, we may as well grab a handful of third graders and draw a name out of a hat, because to me that is exactly the behavior i saw on the last debate. Dancing around all the issues, Economy, the Energy crisis, Taxes, and as far as Joe the Plumber goes, I think he may as well throw his hat in the ring as well.

   I do believe Mccain made some good points about Obama's relationship with Ayers(the bomber) yeah we all know Obama was only 8 when the bombing took place, but that didn't stop him from having further run in's with Ayers, coincidental?? I think not...And if everything is on the up and up with Obama, fine, but, it definately doesn't hurt to look into things a little deeper.

   I feel Mccains only weakness is his running mate Palin, she came off storng and concerned in the beginning, but now, I have heard nothing but negative publicity in the media about her, they are going as far as referring her rallies to "Nazi like" rallies, that might be a stretch....maybe not , who really knows??

    The point I am trying to make is this, these candidates are just telling you what you want to hear, if you really believe they are going to do any of the things they claim to do as soon as they hit the White House gate, jot down some of the things and keep track...I bet in the end they are both lying for your VOTE, that my friends is politics at it's finest.....

   So I ask again, Obama or Mccain?? Is there any other option?? Joe the Plumber???? Quite a choice we have to make, hopefully everyone does some research on both of these candidates and goes by what they have done, NOT, what they say they will do...

      OBAMA or MCCAIN OUR LEADER????? HMMMMMM...

]]> Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:25:37 PST The End of George W. Bush http://www.newsflavor.com/Satire/The-End-of-George-W-Bush.294397

Politics bore me. Hours of men in suits on a stage rambling about the state of the nation and whatnot. What interests me is the reaction of the people to current political issues.

Thankfully, as we near the end of the first decade of the new millennium; people have learned to view politicians and their ramblings with a certain amount of humor.

One politician in particular has been ridiculed by the public, not only in his home country, America, but across the world.

George W. Bush was sworn in as the American president on January 20, 2001. At noon of the 21 January 2009, Bush will be stepping down as president of the USA. His replacement has yet to be determined.

How will the world remember George W. Bush? Did his time in office result in a positive impact on the American economy, on the lives of the American people?

Let's take a look at some photos from protest marches, in the US and around the world, to determine the public opinion of Bush.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses…” And Bush will leave them hungry and dying in the gulf coast states.

The famous phrase, engraved on the Statue of Liberty, is from Emma Lazarus's poem "The Colossus", written in 1883. These words greeted early immigrants, welcoming them to the Americas, promising hope, freedom and comfort. The wearer of this shirt obviously feels that George Bush does not live by these words.

The only Bush I trust is my own

“It'll be like "Blam Blam! Pow pow! Blam blam! YaBoooosh! AAAARRRGGHHH! You got me!" ”

This poster depicts Bush playing with children's soldier figurines; expressing that the president didn't fully think through the current war in the East, and that his decisions regarding the war may have been childish, immature and rash.

Empty warhead found in White House

Will somebody please give Bush a blowjob so we can impeach him!

This protest poster uses a former president's infidelity to create a tongue-in-cheek opinion of the current president. Bill Clinton was impeached after having sexual relations with his secretary. Perhaps this woman feels the only way she'd see the back of Bush is if he were to follow suit.

Weapons of mass dysfunction

End Bush

Possibly a statement that many politicians will not understand, this sign cleverly uses HTML code to express the opinion that Bush's term in office must end.

I pee on bushes

Even dogs have a political opinion.

]]> Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:53:54 PST Senator Obama Rings the Bell in Belmont Presidential Debate http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/Senator-Obama-Rings-the-Bell-in-Belmont-Presidential-Debate.289235 The bell tolled at Belmont University Tuesday night.  Did you hear it?  Senator Obama is dinging and donging his way to the White House.  Barring a considerable momentum-changing incident, Barack and Michelle Obama's change of address card will read "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

That other sound you hear is a wheel that came off of Senator McCain's Straight Talk Express (Senator Obama's quote).

With one contest remaining, Senator Obama was the clear victor in this second presidential debate.  [For the record:  In the previous debate I rated Governor Palin the slight victor over Senator Biden.  {See my article Palin Wins Over Biden in Close VP Debate}].

Let's face it, Americans choose their presidents on qualities such as charisma, character, and leadership abilities.  Issues and policy rank as second rate criteria.  We all say how important the issues are, and we do hold to positions that are important to us, but we are more concerned with regal impressions.

I personally am frustrated that issues are never fully debated.  We need a format where we can resolve policy and platform differences.  Only God can truly compare and contrast these candidate's true hidden positions and discern their ultimate intentions.

Senators Obama and McCain are afraid to engage each other down to the nitty gritty detail like we Americans would like to see.  {Oh that we had Tim Russert to candidly force the issue.}  Put the issues on the table and address the specifics with candor, Senators!  Instead they focus on the "he said/she said" scenarios that turn-off voters.  Moderators are caught in a bind between personal and network agendas and the ticking clock, preventing them from fashioning the debate towards the resolution of particular issues. 

In this light, these are the reasons why Senator Obama was the clear debate winner.

  • Senator Obama is a smooth talker. His focus Tuesday night was on connecting with clarity. Senator McCain's accusatory attacks largely were ineffective, while his constant emphasis on "my record" and "my friends" was tiring. Mr. McCain's record is longer and better than Mr. Obama's, but Americans are more concerned with allure than they are with how to spell Waziristan.
  • Senator Obama came off astonishingly more credible on foreign policy than Senator McCain did. In fact, Mr. Obama bested Mr. McCain in the Arizona Senator's recognizable strength. Americans unfortunately gloss over the details of foreign policy striving instead for an image of acuity. Senator Obama has grown in his leadership persona, and he whipped Senator McCain at his own game.
  • Senator Obama painted a middling picture for himself. Moderation, french (rather than plain) vanilla, mid-American appearance is what wins presidential elections in the USA. Senator Obama's charisma overshadows issues that would normally usher any undecided conservatives to propel Senator McCain to office.

Both candidates championed their positions, but it doesn't matter.  The Nashville night was overrun by Obama charm.

Obama, who has more skeletons in his closet than does McCain, loses to McCain on character issues.  McCain, the former combat warrior who has a strong leadership persona, wins the "trustability factor."

Nevertheless, Senator McCain will not be moving into the White House for the same reason that I won't. Neither one of us has that charismatic appeal to the masses.  Senator Obama oozes the stuff.

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