barack obama a new hope ?

[jay cluskey]

what are your hopes for the world now that mr obama is in power ?
do you think these changes will come about
and finaly 4 our american friends , maybe you did not want mr obama in power , now that he is , what are your hopes and thoughts .
personaly im happy . I think changes will come about,i just hope everyone else is willing to change

 

[bite ya]

Well apart from everything middle east (as a ex serviceman) and bringing our boys home as 3 x 6mth tours over 3yrs (which is having the worse effect on divorces in the armed services for years) i would love to see some real detailed projects and policy on what we are doing to our oceans!

Sorry i've just watched SharkWater!

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I'm delighted. Its like a breath of fresh air for me. I have no illusions that he will be able to wave a magic wand and fix everything that Bush is leaving to him, but it least its a change in the right direction. Maybe we can regain the respect of the world.

The inauguration was at 9 AM local time here in CA. We got up early to watch all the preceding stuff. I pinned on my "Veterans for Obama" pin. We never drink this early, but my wife insisted on a bottle of champaign for the occasion, so how could I argue with her.

When he took the oath of office, the audience was asked to stand. We stood up too, and then toasted and hugged each other.

Did I mention that I'm pleased that he won?

 

[BatRay]

I have no doubt as to his intentions to make improvements, but he had people criticizing him and pulling at him from all sides even before the inauguration. He's got his work cut out for him with the numerous people who believe that he owes them something because his dad was from Kenya or because they disagree with his cabinet choices. One of the plusses is that he has the media on his side, and that is a huge help with public opinion and should make his job a bit easier. I do not envy him, but I hope he does well.

However, I do disagree with his wife's choice of a mustard-yellow dress and jacket for the inauguration, but that's a matter of personal taste. With the media coverage of her clothing, she'll be the next Jackie O.

For the record, I did not vote for Obama, but I wish him well, and my country besides

 

[cdavis]

What Bill said!!!!

Connor

 

[jay cluskey]

just to quote bite ya on his sentiments
i too would like to see r boys brought home
i would like to see peace in the middle east . a friend recently posted some pictures of gaza on new years eve i shall unfortunately remember those pictures for the rest of my life i dont want to say what i saw i find it hard writing about it now
i did not think it would be possible to see peace in northern ireland in my life time and it happened
i hope the same can be said for the middle east .

 

[kelp princess]

i think today will be Barack's last easy day on the job!
:blackeye

i was not someone who fell under the rapture of his campaign, but it does show you exactly what our country can accomplish - when many individual voices gather together behind one cause - and one goal - history can be made. the significance of this election is huge in our short American history.

i think the tough work starts now though, and i think every US citizen has to also do their part in helping to revitalize our economy and our global policies.

someone wiser than me recently said how Barack Obama isn't going to single-handedly save us - but rather that we will have to help save him given the enormity of the challenges we face right now.

i think that rings true and welcome the chance to pitch-in and see my fellow Americans attach a can-do attitude to the years ahead.

i also think diplomacy will now take a greater priority and that bodes well for our international relations. change is good!

cheers,

kp

 

[BatRay]

I hope for peace too, Jay. It is beyond my imagination what would bring a lasting peace to that area, but hope is always good.

Well said, KP. Besides, everyday life probably won't change much for most Americans.

 

[Jon]

Hell yeah!

 

[joe123321]

I am very excited, hopefully he pulls through on that whole change thing

 

[Salehthefish]

Actually i have allergy towards pilitics politicians etc... When i hear such words specially these days i can imagine dirts with bad smell etc... Reason behind that and it is my own point of view and even i do not like to speak about politics but here it is; We can see and it is obvious that money is ruling the world and i believe it is not religion things going on... Whether its christianity Islam or Jewish they all came from same GOD and regardless which one is the right one my point is that they all have something common still there and not converted or messed with it which is love peace and very nice meanings, which we can not see it is been applied anywhere these days... Its is just money rules the world...

Though it is as i mentioned above but always with new blood we hope better blood circulation I am not sure what else can Mr Obama do but seems some good steps were done so far. We hope all best for all people in all world...

Note: It is just my opinion...

 

[Adrian]

I'm there with you Saleh, big business has far more influence in gov't than we imagine. However, world consciousness is rising and this is fanning the winds of change. It can take time but there's a momentum gaining, and hopefully with time there won't be any shadows for the grey men to hide in. People are seriously starting to get tired of the same old sh*t, and any organization or government that doesn't keep up and change along with this new perception is simply not going to survive. That is my hope anyway.

 

[fcallagy]

He certainly is charasmatic and thats badly needed. He does seem to be a leader in the passion with which he speaks and we can all hope the actions will follow. Of course he is one man and one person cant change the world but tell that to Ghandi/ Mandela/ Rosa Parkes/Martin Luther all individuals that changed our world not just theirs.

I think he will lead the US back to where it should be a country to be proud of, as so many of us from all over the world (not just the Irish) have relations there and the only way he will do this is through leading his country.

Go barack Go

 

[Mr. X]

What Bill said!!!!

Connor

Ditto (except I don't have a Veterans for Obama pin, of course).

He's already fulfilled two important expectations:
- he's US president & he's not George W. Bush
- first US President of colour
Good going for the first 24 hours!

My hope is for "peace & love & all that good stuff". Thankfully, that looks possible, likely even. Financially, my prediction for the immediate future, no matter who is in power, is "Pain" (to quote Mr. T in Rocky 3). I'd like to say "the only way is up" but personal experience leads me to believe that things can always get worse and they very often do.

I read yesterday that the British Taxpayers will foot the bill for our government (I hope Obama doesn't associate himself with this bunch) writing off a £2.5 billion loan to a billionaire Russian olligarch. It's part of the tax payer bail out of Royal Bank of Scotland (currently worth £4billion having made losses of £6billion last year). It's always good to know that we are working hard, paying excessive taxes to help sustain the life-styles of Russian olligarch billionaires & Icelanders.:blackeye

 

[podge]

As with all things political we’ll just have to wait and see, and what will be will be.
The good people of the US have spoken and now we’ll all have to hope for the best.
You never know this guy might just be able to tell the difference between money, oil and politics. Although those 3 things do seem to go hand in hand these days.
Wishing for the best
Paul

 

[DeepThought]

Is it true that Obama's campaign was funded by a lot of people giving small donations, rather than the usual corporations and people with interests?
Could it be that for a change the US has a president who doesn't owe his throne to the corporations?

 

[cdavis]

A large fraction of Obama's campaign contributions came from people giving small amounts, like $100. This is VERY different from anything in the past. He figured out how to tap the internet to get access to the average Joe (and Jane). He also tapped into the big money, individual and corporate, too many of whom are looking for something in return. So ,its not quite as good as it sounds to start with. Lets all hope that his base in small contributors and what looks like real integrity will protect us from special interests.

Connor

 

[Spaniard]

It will be interesting to see what Foreign Policies he adopts as America and pretty much all the developed nations are blighted by this global 'credit crunch'. Bush will always be remembered for going to war but seeing as 9/11 happened so quickly into his tenure he really had little choice - no-one could have forseen the protracted consequences this has had but for once the spotlights around the world are focussed on domestic woes. I wish him well for he has a hell of a job to do now!

 

[Mr. X]

...Bush will always be remembered for going to war but seeing as 9/11 happened so quickly into his tenure he really had little choice - no-one could have forseen the protracted consequences this has had...

Agreed 9/11 was not W's fault, in fact it was generally voiced at the time that he handled the aftermath well. The war in Iraq is a different story. That sordid little adventure was of his own choosing. That war can have dreadful, unforeseen consequences should surprise no one.

 

[Spaniard]

Well another Clinton holds a very important position - my earlier question about foreign policy now will be answered by Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State - what say you?