America's Eyes Are Open

[kai]

I don't think it will be much of a shock, kai, since he and Biden campaigned on exactly the plan for Afghanistan that you describe. What do you think Democrat supporters are expecting, and on what do you base your opinion?
I base my opinion on the fact that most people i speak to are not expecting an escalation of war its more of a "Bush out" and Obama cure all, attitude perhaps i am wrong and they are prepared for it, i sincerely hope so
Re the Daily Mail, it's not any different in format or tone from the Sun, Mirror and Star from what I can see. What makes you say it's not a tabloid? (I asked Wampus to confirm, since I don't read any of them - I read the guardian, the independent and BBC websites for news, plus trawl for varied sources on particular areas of interest. He confirms it is, but it aims for a less hysterical tone than the others to appeal to the middle class).

due to that fact that i am english read the papers here and know that the daily mail is considered to be more up market then the likes of the sun etc and tabloid is the format, it used to be a broadsheet.

 

[kai]

BarackObama.com | Remarks of Senator Obama: The War We Need to Win

ok then get ready for it its going to be a big one , and dont forget Pakistan is already threatening to pull cooperation. and i agree its a war we need to win i hope he is up for the job.

 

[tomspug]

I wasn't trying to imply that certain news sites aren't more credible than others. I was simply pointing out that EVERY newspaper goes for the drama and marketability that you're talking about. Some simply use better grammar than others...

Remember the front page NYT article about some chick McCain... "associated with"? If that's not a tabloid, I don't know what is.

 

[tomspug]

The war in Afghanistan is going to be a shock for the Obamaites, it needs a surge ,a massive troop reinforcement, and something needs to be done about the Pakistani northern territories which are a haven to Taliban and Alqieda. This alone will make him a war time president, or cut and run of course

I think Obama's been pretty realistic about Afghanistan, but unrealistic about Iraq and Pakistan. He used the "pull out of Iraq" line to get elected, but it will take him just as long as it would have with McCain.

 

[PureX]

Day One: Obama faces a Cold War threat and a warning from Israel | Mail Online

Just reading this article, I can feel it. You can feel that something is going to change, you don't know what. It's that feeling you get before you jump into a pool, like when you round a corner and you don't know what will be there.

The President of the United States IS the most important person in the world, and right now the world is watching Obama. It's crazy that so much attention could ever be given to just one person. What's fascinating is that it feels like Obama is taking us with him into the world, into the shoes of the President.

Bush was a closed-door president. He shut himself off from his people, which protected him from ridicule, but it also denied the American people perspective and understanding. We will know soon enough just what Bush has been doing for the past eight years, everything that we have been left in the dark about.

What really IS our relationship with Russia? With China? With Israel? With Tehran? With Afghanistan? It's like we don't even know. All we have had is headlines and body counts for the last eight years. Now that our eyes are on Obama, our eyes are finally off of ourselves and on the world, where they should have been all along. Has the CHANGE we needed this whole time... been merely perspective? I think so.

I feel like we are participating in history, and that history is going to be worth remembering. It's about time.

Tom,

First of all, that's pretty good writing. (your post)

Secondly, I think you're making an astute observation. I don't think The Grand Pubah Putin and his new underling like this business with Obama one bit. Just when they were starting to feel nice and strong and powerful and important, here comes this new guy from the U.S. with new ideas and the world appeal of a rock star, while they're just a couple of the same old Russian bully-boys in black leather jackets. Sucks to be them. However, I'm hoping that Obama will be clever enough to use this appeal in the near future to inject a little much needed humility into the world of the Russian leadership. I personally would like to see us establish a friendship with Russia, but I doubt that's going to be possible while Putin remains in control over there.

I truly agree with you that Obama seems to be completely serious about opening up his presidency to the American people. And I like this as well. It means we all stand or fall together, with our eyes open, as we should.

 

[kai]

I think Obama's been pretty realistic about Afghanistan, but unrealistic about Iraq and Pakistan. He used the "pull out of Iraq" line to get elected, but it will take him just as long as it would have with McCain.

Success in Afghanistan hinges directy on the northern territories of Pakistan ,there will be no victory while the enemy can hit and run from there.and Pakistan is not willing or able to do anything about it.


and if anyone thinks he is going to pull ALL troops out of Iraq they are living in cloud cuckoo land

 

[Heartfelt]

I think Obama's been pretty realistic about Afghanistan, but unrealistic about Iraq and Pakistan. He used the "pull out of Iraq" line to get elected, but it will take him just as long as it would have with McCain.

I agree with you...anyone with some age on their side know that Presidential politics is ALL talk and when they get elected there is not a lot of action once they take THAT seat of 'big' power...can you just imagine what goes through their thoughts...all the "What if's"...by the time they get done second guessing themselves there is a new issue to deal with...frankly if 9-11 had happeded with Obama in power I doubt he would have done much different...but who can say...it was such a shock to have our country hit in that way...everyone was all for going and kicking butt in any place Bin Ladin may have been...at least we got the consolation prize of putting that one horrible monster out of business...It is however sad that Bin Ladin escaped...let's see just what Obama is made out of now...I still think we better hold on cuz it's gonna be quite a ride. Perhaps his advisors will be more truthful with him than Bush's were.

 

[kai]

I agree with you...anyone with some age on their side know that Presidential politics is ALL talk and when they get elected there is not a lot of action once they take THAT seat of 'big' power...can you just imagine what goes through their thoughts...all the "What if's"...by the time they get done second guessing themselves there is a new issue to deal with...frankly if 9-11 had happeded with Obama in power I doubt he would have done much different...but who can say...it was such a shock to have our country hit in that way...everyone was all for going and kicking butt in any place Bin Ladin may have been...at least we got the consolation prize of putting that one horrible monster out of business...It is however sad that Bin Ladin escaped...let's see just what Obama is made out of now...I still think we better hold on cuz it's gonna be quite a ride. Perhaps his advisors will be more truthful with him than Bush's were.

if you still want Bin Laden then you wont find him in Afghanistan, Obamas security advisers will tell him what most people who follow the war in Afghanistan already know , he is in Northern Pakistan, and so is the Taliban and Alqueda ,thats the problem facing the new president, what the heck is he going to do?