Freedom now stands alone

Twinky Winky Pony Palin

It's called democracy Melanie. Suck it up.

Or are you not entirely comfortable with that idea?

Twinky Winky Pony Palin

Oh, and where is 'freedom standing alone' exactly?

kiwi

Talking the talk is one thing, walking the talk is entirely different. I, for one, will be interested to see Obama put his (lots of) money where his mouth is.

THX1138

Leave the wingnuts to circle their wagons and howl at the moon. I'm off out to enjoy myself.

jose garcia

with the way he has manipulated the system to silence any critics
BEFORE the election, imagine what he can do now that he has the power

logdon

Twinky Winky Pony Palin
November 5th, 2008 11:06am
It's called democracy Melanie. Suck it up.

Or are you not entirely comfortable with that idea?

Stupid name. Even stupider comment. Suck it up? Maybe Twinky Winky (I could think of something more appropriate with one letter change) is revealing more than he/she thought. Or is he/she a Hoover sales person? And is this an object lesson in puerile cliche'd patronisation? 'Comfortable with that idea'? Grow up Twinky.

Daniel

Melanie - I have always admired greatly your strong defence of Israel and stand against Islamic extremism, but I'm afraid your judgement has deserted you on this occasion, in a way that detracts from your overall message. The passage of time will prove this to be the case. Obama will support Israel and take the fight to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, which is where the primary focus should always have been.

However passionate your belief in the war against terror and Islamic extremism, I just don't see how you can ignore or dismiss the disastrous legacy of the past 8 years. You simply cannot expect the US electorate to continue endorsing foreign and economic policies that have proven so miserably ineffective in achieving their stated objectives. The America of George Bush was not the America that came to Europe's aid in two world wars and the Cold War. The neo-cons were extreme, ideologically blinkered, dogmatic and ultimately - like all ideological zealots - the authors of their own demise.

A final point: my best friend at college was once a member of the militant tendency - does this make me a communist? (In fact, I am a member of the Conservative Party.) You make far too much of Obama's past associations and need to lighten up a bit. It's not going to be the disaster you think - promise!

Howard

Your man and your ideals were beaten fair and square. Obama deserves credit for his victory and the way he achieved this. Comment should wait until he actually takes office.

Be like America and embrace change. Clearly you do not understand the country or it's culture. The States is fed up with the old order and wants to be renewed. That is precisely what will happen.

Be positive for once!

sadjoe

Our media Obamanation is born. No excuses now, they own the country. Obama must be more than "present" in the White House - I'm agnostic, but today pray for him and my country.

Ronnie

So logdon, what you are actually saying is...what are you actually saying?

David

Absolute piffle.

hippiepooter

Great words Melanie. If President Elect Obama is the hard left, black power anti-semite that I fear he is, no doubt after he's freed the Al Qa'eda terrorists from Guantanamo, he'll put his opponents there instead.

Patrick

Daniel, you sound competent but in the end you've lifted the same old vapid, nebulous cliches the pro-hope-and-change camp. No, your militant friend does not make you a communist, this is a pathetic argument. But every shady, suspicious and downright dangerous association from Obama's past are totally relevant to his political and ideological present and future. They were'nt just old friends. They were allies. They served on boards together, handed out funds together, received funds together, "community organised" together, learned from, been mentored by, and much more.

Melanie has not "made too much of them". Like so many pragmatic conservatives, she hasn't made enough.

"It's not going to be the disaster you think - promise!"

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Huw Thornton

I don't agree with you at all about John McCain, Melanie. He fought until the end, and I think that no other Republican could do anything like as well as he did. His concession speech was a model of decency, typical of him. Due to his efforts, what could have been a wipeout is a simple defeat - the Republicans live to fight another day.

It's too early for post mortems. I'd only say that if the Republicans were to adopt the mean-minded childish paranoia which certain participants have shown in the debate, they would turn defeat into permanent eclipse.

Allan@Aberdeen

One should also know this about Obama and his records:

1. Occidental College records — Not released

2. Columbia College records — Not released

3. Columbia Thesis paper — ‘not available’

4. Harvard College records — Not released

5. Selective Service Registration — Not released

6. Medical records — Not released

7. Illinois State Senate schedule — ‘not available’

8. Law practice client list — Not released

9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate — Not released

10. Embossed, signed, paper Certification of Live Birth — Not released

11. Harvard Law Review articles published — None

12. University of Chicago scholarly articles — None

13. Record of baptism— Not released or ‘not available’

14. Illinois State Senate records—’not available’

Ronnie

Hippiepooter, do you ever think that these people should be tried in a court of law on the basis the evidence that has been gathered against them? Or are they to be detained without charge, indefinitely, as would be the case in a bog-standard dictatorship?

Mr. Blobby

If you dare criticize or publish a bad news article about Obama, they will call it a "smear", even if its true; it wont appear in the world media.

Watching the news reporters ask Americans live why they are voting for Obama and they have no idea, they fail to respond and chant: "CHANGE!".

The media won this election, journalism died.

Jan

Melanie -- You are sooo right and now we in America will pay dearly for what has just taken place. Thank you for your honesty and straightforwardness -- something we did not see in our local media at all. We are no longer the USA as we are not "united". America has made a huge mistake and will absolutely regret this.

Tony Blair's cousin (twice removed)

Obama Hussien Barak has beguiled America with fine words in the fashion of a snake-charmer. He imitates the Tony Blair effect that we eventually came to abhor.

We should not judge the man by what he says, but what he does.

His history demonstrates important abiguities about his origins and background. His early association with Islam and his dubious connections with Keynan politics and the emergence of a thugish Islamic influence resulting in riots and death in Kenya. Then there is the former lengthy connection with a black racist church and his association with former terrorists who currently regret their previous ineffectiveness. And what about his connections with organised crime?

Such a background would prohibit his membership of the FBI or CIA which he will soon control.

No wonder he was silent on many questionable aspects of his life. It will be interesting to see what emerges in the future that will be another smear on his character.

America's new dawn is going to prove a nightmare in which the race issue will exacerbate its progress hitherto.

Rob van de Broek

@Daniel
How are Obama's policies going to be more effective in curbing rising islamism and the danger of 9/11 type attacks? Bush was perhaps too ambitious in the war on terror, but Obama doesn't seem to have a vision at all, other than talk talk talk, and we know how well that worked for the middle east "peace process".
Chavez, the PLO, Putin and friends are rejoicing today, they disagree with you and think the US had grown weak.

Ronnie

Patrick, you forgot to say that they are unrepentant.

Pete in Albuquerque NM USA

Melanie,

Well said. What scares me the most is that liberals who are bent on destroying America as we have known it actually fervently believe they are right. They have drunk the kool aid.
To live in a society where the norms of the "last great generation" are now held in mockery is a very odd thing indeed.

Americans have become so obsessed with their own individual rights and feeding their own insatiable appetite for self realization that the have by and large turned their back on all that is objectively right and good and instead believe the lie that they are the beginning and the end.

I believe Barack Hussein Obama is sincere in his world view. I am also sure he is sincerely wrong. I am sure it will mean the of much that is good in our society.
As an American, and as a Christian, I will pray for him, hope for my country and do my best to shine a light as the world becomes darker.

David

Medical records, eh?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/palin-campaign-stonewalls-on-medical-records/

LAKEWOOD, Ohio (CNN) – With less than 24 hours to go before the presidential election, Sarah Palin still has not released her medical records and there is no indication the campaign is planning to do so.

John McCain, Barack Obama and Joseph Biden have all provided details about their medical history.

Daniel

Patrick - if Obama is as bad as you and Melanie think he is, why did Colin Powell endorse him? Or is even he now to be labelled and smeared as a surrender monkey? Re: the war on terror, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and I have an open mind on whether Obama can make a better fist of it than George Bush and his right wing clique. He could hardly do worse! Have you any idea how many Iraqis died because Bush didn't commit enough troops to begin with?

John

Melanie, I live in a Kool Aid Nation.

Tas Walker

They must now look elsewhere. Where to?

Frank P

Remember Dunkirk, Melanie! Battle lost, but the beginning of the fight back began in the desert before the war was eventually won. Back to the sand and searing heat! As for the poor bloody infantry already there and holding the fort, what must they be thinking about the decadence that they may (or may not) come home to? We must resume our support for what they are attempting to achieve; this Hollywood farce has been a distraction; it has also now become a reality that the entranced ones will have to live with as the pop corn and tear-stained tissues get swept up after the jamboree and they realise the promises are about as ephemeral as the scripts that he read out; the scripts of lies that will follow the tissues into the garbage cans. Already the apologists in the Media are at work - "He will have to pick up the mess left by Bush ... Bush ...Bush ... Bush ... Bush .... Bush ... Bush ... Bush ... Bush 'n’ Cheyne-ne-ne-ne-ne .....! (echo fades as all echoes and excuses must).”

Whether a Barack in the hand, will be worth much in the burning of the Bush, remains to be seen. My forecast is that this line of propaganda will singe The One’s wings very quickly. The fate of Icarus will ensue. The punters will soon get fed up with excuses and start to make their inevitable demands.

Freddy and Fanny f****d it for ya, folks! Not Georgie-Porgie. You couldn’t afford that crap. There's nothing left in the pot. Boil the scripts and eat those, they may sustain you for a while as Statism begins to bite and Ingsoc begins to boom over the Tannoy. Good Luck to my many America friends, but remember (as some of you pointed out when you told us to butt out) we couldn't vote in this fiasco so it's down to you.

Rupert

Bravo Melanie, thank you from Kansas!

Dixon

The thing that baffles me most these days is quite where Christopher Hitchens now stands on anything?

Neuroskeptic

"Millions of Americans remain lion-hearted, decent, rational and sturdy."

They won.

Birchsmirch

John Birch pontificates:

Hope trumped fear and it must be galling to have no one listening to your demonizing.

David

Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz called the U.S. election an "example of democracy at its best," citing Americans' "plethora of opportunities" to learn about the candidates' policies and stance on key issues. It also paid tribute to Obama's unifying influence, saying, "Whites and blacks, Jews and Muslims, all decided to give their votes to a candidate who is young, black and lacking in governmental experience," and expressed its hope that the President-elect would "rehabilitate the status of a superpower that remains unrivaled in its influence over the peace and welfare of all humanity."

Robert van de Broek

"Already the apologists in the Media are at work - "He will have to pick up the mess left by Bush ... Bush ...Bush ... Bush ... Bush .... Bush ... Bush ... Bush ... Bush 'n’ Cheyne-ne-ne-ne-ne .....!"

hehe exactly how every dutch newspaper editorial reads this morning. the media is shedding all pretense of neutrality today, raving about the messiah coming just in time to save the world, but one step a time ofcourse because Dubya "brought america to the edge of the abyss" (thats a quote from a news-article, not an opinion-piece)

Ronnie

Do you actually write this mess Frank P, or do you simply cut and paste very randomly from the internet?

You are trying too hard. Let it flow.

Ronnie

Mr Blobby, give it six months and you will have plenty of negative articles on President Obama to celebrate. The fashion will pass as it always does.

An American

All of the Commies are slithering out of their holes and proclaiming victory. Obama will be timid at first then with time will go into his Socialist mode. I compared Obama to Hitler several weeks ago and got shot down for it....give him time...he fits the mold. The only difference is instead of destroying and conquering Europe, Obama is intent on destroying the US and everything it stands for...He hates this country and its people with a passion. His call for the Fairness Doctrine, a strong National Army and past anti-gun votes are just a few signs that point to subjugation of the masses. But on the positive note, Obama under-estimates most of the American people. We're individualists, unlike the Germans, and its hard to subjugate individualists. He's got a real fight on his hands. Pray for us.

Gone to Texas

Melanie, my husband and I think your take is right on target; the many negative comments you are getting here make the point. We are grieved our nation is rejecting and villifying the principles it was founded upon -- sold its soul for a mess of pottage.

Mary from Illinois, USA

What pushed it over for Obama was the youth vote (18-29 years old) who (interestingly) got their info from the internet as opposed to the traditional news sources (as if that would have made a difference) I hope the Americans who voted for Obama are content. You know that saying: "be careful what you wish for"? This is a wish I did not want granted. No time to lick our wounds however as we conservatives have much work to do. God bless America!

An American

Melanie, Your column is right on. McCain never had a chance...those of us in the southwest didn't even get to cast a vote in our primary for our choice for President...McCain was proclaimed our candidate. So conservatives marched to the polls, held our noses and voted against Obama...not for McCain. McCain ran a terrible campaign...Palin was the only bright light true conservative in this race. Obama was a sitting duck...but McCain didn't have the guts or intelligence to take the fight to him. Conservatives never liked McCain...it would have been better to have lost with Romney and kept our conservative values and souls.

Jorge Banner

You couldn't be more right. The nuts have taken over the asylum. God help us. This is a dark day for the human race.

Emmet

No matter what catastrophes Obama presides over, Bush will be blamed. We really are in an Orwellian world. The lefty nutters have taken over the madhouse.

Flashy

Millions of Americans remain lion-hearted, decent, rational and sturdy, and they voted for Obama.

Joe Strummer

So The Messiah is elected. I can only say God help America.

Shocked and Appalled

"at the suspension of reason and its replacement by thuggery"

Have you even been paying attention over the last 20 years?! Does "reason" mean "going against all available evidence"?! Does forcing through laws and WARS despite incredible resistance and protest not count as "thuggery"?

"And it was a Democrat-controlled Congress that helped provoke the sub-prime lending crisis that triggered the current financial meltdown."

Crises like this don't just happen. They take decades of bad decision and build-up. Wanna look back over the last 2 decades and see who's been in control to make this one happen?

What planet exactly are YOU living on, Melanie?

Rob van de Broek

the alcoholic bums taken to the polls by Acorn
the black masses who went voting for "da brother"
the new KiDz which got their KeWl education from bushorchimp.com
the feminists who were "totally insulted" by Sarah Palin

to some they are lion-hearted, decent, rational and sturdy.

Si, N

Ha ha ha aha ha haha hahaha haha hah hahaha hahhhha hahahaha haaha hahah ahaha haha hah ha aha ha ah aha ha ha ha hah hah hah ha aha ha he ho hoh

tee hee heeeh hahahahaha haha ha hah hahaha hahaha hahaha hahhaha hahahaha haaha haha haha haha haha hahaha ahahahhhaha haha

Tee hee!

nicodemus31

@Daniel 1.02pm)

"Patrick - if Obama is as bad as you and Melanie think he is, why did Colin Powell endorse him?"

Surely a rhetorical question. How can any serious assessor of this election claim that Obama's victory has sounded the death knell to the racist underbelly of the American political & cultural experience when we are reliably informed that 95 percent of the national non-white vote went to Obama?

The sight of the BBC & Sky news people fighting back the tears of joy as they announced the result made me want to vomit.

Pip

A sad day.

This is just the beginning of the end. What a darn shambles. So many idiots, so little time.

An marxist loving idiot just posted, elsewhere:
By far the most important event since 9/11

I prefer: By far the most dangerous event since 9/11

Well said Melanie.

derek

Democracy (which I assume everyone here believes in) chose Obama. Deal with it. Hope for the best. It required all my strength to remain sane during Bush's last 8 years. I did it. You can too.

A question to all you doubters - what can make you have faith in Obama?

EC

Joe Strummner: "So The Messiah is elected. I can only say God help America."

Wot! You mean that HE that walketh amongst us is only the messenger??? This is such a disappointment because I had hoped that HE was going to be the next regeneration of Dr Who after David Tennant. Also, it is a well known fact that Time Lords don't "do" birth certificates either - for fear of creating a paradox in the space-time continuum. Spooky!

Nick Kaplan

Hope is the first step on the road to disapointment...

How can Obama possibly live up to the expectations put on him? If I had thought he deserved to be President in the first place I would feel sorry for him. Now is time to sit and wait and watch the inevitable happen, how long will it be before people are fed up of the fact that this mans real abilities will never match his rhetoric?

Verity

Dixon writes: "The thing that baffles me most these days is quite where Christopher Hitchens now stands on anything?"

Never mind, Dixon; at least we know where Andrew Sullivan stands. Pro gay marriage. Very pro gay marriage. Extremely pro gay marriage.

AF Austin, Texas

I wonder why the Obama lovers even bother to comment on your site. Strange.

We are now entering into the slow slimy slide into socialism. I am truly horrified that we may become England. I read Dick Morris to get hope.

You are right on target, ignore the nuts who spend time to post here and say nothing.

Robbit

Brilliant summary of the situation, Melanie. Yet again.
Thank you.

Joe Strummer

On reflection, I don't really blame Americans for taking the easy way out and voting for Obama. They knew they'd face accusations for years to come of how their country is institutionally racist to the core if they'd done otherwise in electing McCain. So let the mad parade and worship of the Great Leader Kim Yong-il, sorry, Barack Obama begin....let's just hope he doesn't end the world during his tenure.

David

"Pro gay marriage. Very pro gay marriage. Extremely pro gay marriage."

That's nice. What's wrong with people who love each other wanting to get hitched?

George

Eben Marks (November 5th, 2008 2:29pm) queries "the suspension of reason and its replacement by thuggery".

The suspension of reason comes has been abundant in the mainstream media's point blank refusal to ask questions of this candidate's past, his judgement and his character.

Instead of concerning itself with Bill 'We didn't do enough' Ayers and Jeremiah 'God damn America' Wright, they targeted Sarah Palin's wardrobe - as if a few autumnal classic separates are going to undermine the American Constitution.

Remember the mainstream media devoting whole front pages to hanging chads?

Compare that with the litany of thuggery carried out by Obama supporters. We even have some first-hand accounts on this blog by some posters.

This has been going on in the run-up to the election and even on election day itself yet it has hardly concerneed the press.

Melanie is right, freedom stands alone. It's no longer under a flag - our flag.

From a lifetime of hanging on our porch, Old Glory was brought in today and will now be furled out indoors. America - the real America - remains in our hearts. Our flag doesn't belong out in the 'America' of Barack Obama - I won't have that man sully the values of my country.

Let America die if that's what the useful idiots think will help.

The rest of us must retain her values for when the same snivelling creeps come back wanting to be rescued.

Michelle O de Vulgarian

To keep the people dumb and dumber, so eventually a "rock star" is in the white house. Yes, it is democracy. Democracy can be so easily manipulated especially if the majority cannot think for themselves. Hugo Chávez, anyone? The thug of Venezuela will be so pleased he is having a big cousin now. A president elected via infomercials and Hollywood marketing. Fantastic! Infomercials are used to push useless junk products to gullible people. I can certainly see the parallel. God BLESS AMERICA! People in Taxas, I salute you!

BTW, did you see the old relic of hammer and sickle flag O supporters waving in their "irrational exuberance"?

Laura Richburg

Hold off on the post-mortem of American exceptionalism just yet, Melanie. Obama does not have a monarchical hold on congress and he has not yet amended the constitution to establish his permanent dictatorship. It is not for nothing that we have and embrace our 2nd amendment. We were formed in the fire of revolution, and enough of us still remember that.

Chingford Man

Another characteristically brave article by Melanie, especially on a day like this. To those who criticise her for not joining in the hype, some of us remember 1997 and a sleek, TV-friendly lawyer full of soundbites but with a strange vacuum at his core. That's why we absent ourselves from the party. We realise what Britain looks like today.

America, you have been warned.

An American

Derek,
You aks what can make me have faith and believe in Obama?
How about a lobotomy?

Mary from Illinois, USA

CRISIS NUMBER ONE? RUSSIA ANNOUNCED (WED.) IT WILL MOVE MISSILES NEAR POLAND

Brenda

This is so well said and so true.

Those who do not understand, do not have the foundation of America's Original Documents and Doctrines internalized.

They have not perceived True Freedom for Mankind.

They seek refuge in smallness and the satisfaction of immediate needs alone.

Well done, Melanie Phillips!

May we see a true return to American's Founder's ideals in 4 years, and the minimal departure therefrom in the meantime.

An American

George,
I agree with you on the press...they did everything but place the crown on the Messiah's anointed head. We can fight back however....stop watching liberal TV, stop buying all the products they advertise and let the companys know why...stop buying and reading all the liberal newspapers and magazines...same with their advertisers...let them know...money talks. Get your information from the internet. Stop supporting Hollywood.
Let's destroy the socialists newspapers, magazines and Hollywood that are helping destroy America.

john

Daniel,

Only time will tell. I am really worried about all the people Obama has had backing him from the state of Illinois and what favors he needs grant for this victory. America has been taken by a slick ad campaign where there has been much sizzle and hardly no steak.
I would like to see the culprits that allowed this financial crisis to take place be held accountable but since the majority of them are democrats and organizations like ACORN justice will not be served.

An American's Husband

derek
you can convince me to have faith in obama if you can show me that:
- socialism motivates people to work harder
- conversion of 90% of the u.s. power supply to solar and biomass can occur in 10 years.
- a voting democracy can sustain itself with 9 appointed judges in robes making new laws because they think it is the right thing to do.
- freedom of speech can continue to exist when federal laws will be passed to shut the opposition up. (momentum for the fairness doctrine is already building. google senators bingaman and schumer)
- a federal police force that is "as strong as the u.s. military" will not turn into what it has become in many other countries, a gang of thugs.
- that nationalization of the finance, drug, banking, energy, insurance enterprises will not lead to the demise of capitalism.

and so on.
pretty easy to lay this out for you. but this kind of convincing only occurs in fiction like orwells' 1984.
cheers
an american's husband

Johan Potgieter

What a nation of morons. Maybe there is hope yet in Sarah Palin's Free Alaskan Republic. If I were an Israeli Jew, I'd be very, very worried right now.

Harvey

Pete - You're just no fun ;)

See that nice Mr Obama won btw...

phil

Melanie this time you have got it wrong .the Republicans lost because they chose the wrong candidate ,a decent man too old for this task and not fit for purpose ,that was obvious to anyone who could see, and a vice P who was unelectable -that was the incompetence of their party.Now if they wish to complain they should look inwards at themselves and admit they lost a winnable election !

Ronnie your "friend" Frank P of course cuts and pastes along with his pal Verity and both massage each others ego,s on a regular basis by writing nonsense and applauding each other --- -he recently wrote 28/10 on "the content of his character" thread , that all our PM,s were bonkers- quote - "Suggestions please - and be prepared for some explosive scoffing and hysterical snorting if you attempt it!"--ok I offered Winston and of course he didn't reply or back down -he,s just full of P and wind-well they say there is no fool like an old fool,!! these threads have been full of this for months but now they will have to shut up as we have a new president and hopefully a better future

.The fools and bigots have been shown up for what they are even to the extent of giving the supreme idiot SiN a belly laugh at their expense .,how on earth can they have sunk me so low that I have been seen on the same side of the fence as him ?
None of them know what Obama will bring ,nor do I of course but we can hope and pray that he will be what he says he is, rather than what these people have accused him of without a break .The American nation has spoken loud and clear and they are far more numerate and knowledgeable than V and FP,

Sorry Melanie you know I have respect for most of what you stand for but this time I believe you were wrong ,but I retain the fear that you might just be right -we shall see .

An American's Husband

i went to bed in a semi-capitalist country and woke up in a socialist one. it is like a bad nightmare that has no end. however, this was not totally unexpected. it has been coming on for years but it was my selfish but fervent hope that i would pass along before it reached a tipping point and
became irrevocable. unlucky me. i will see the demise of the american way: nation of laws, free markets, freedom of speech, secret elections and so on.
obama (during this campaign) has opined that our constitution is fundamentally flawed. as a result the courts, particularly the supreme court, has only weighed in on matters of legal justice and has chosen not to be concerned with social justice. obama goes on to say that the latter is
"redistributional justice", code words for taking money from some and giving it to others who have not earned it. as a constitutiional scholar i assume his positions are carefully considered and not just off the cuff. since obama will appoint the next three supreme court justices. redustribution
will become the new american way.
during my lifetime i have seen the slow strangulation of free enterprise in this nation. we have in effect nationalized insurance, financial markets,
banks, hmo's and many other industries. we are well on our way to nationalizing oil and other energy-producing industries and the proposed total conversion of our electrical supply to wind, solar and biomass will have the heavy hand of the federal program managers directing it. in addition, the government will pick winners and losers. obama will (promised during this campaign) make cap and trade on carbon emmisions so onerous that any investor who tries to make electricity with coal will "go bankrupt". his
words, not mine.
there have been numerous recent assaults on freedom of speech. i am not
just talking about speech codes on campuses and the terror that
conservatives are subjected to when they attempt to articulate their points of view at campus seminars. that sort of stuff is just mob rule. i am talking about free speach becoming a violation of federal law. for instance, schumer, bingaman, pelosi and many others have promised to institute the
fairness doctrine that is just a thinly disguised move to silence the opposition. obama and other democrats will eliminate the secret elections
for the formation of unions. i believe that obama's porposed "national police force that is as big and powerful as the u.s. military" will see to
it that these laws are enforced.
i have not commented on the personal shortcomings of obama. he may or may not hate america. but he certainly has embedded himself almost exclusively in a group of people who do. it makes one wonder.
i have two closing thoughts. first, giving wealth to those who do not earn it
destroys motivation and hard work. the second relates to the largest voting block in the history of the u.s., namely the 40% who pay no income tax who
voted in extremely high percentages for obama. the quote that is relevant is
from benjamin franklin:"When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."

John M

Where is the over qualified cabbie. Too intelligent but still a cab driver. Has he left the universe?

David

"CRISIS NUMBER ONE?"

Bush is President until January 09.

It would really help if people knew what they were talking about.

Mark Solomon

McCain did run a terrible campaign, but he was the only candidate the Republicans could have run. Once the financial crisis hit, that was it anyway. Obama's election is a terrible muddled headed mistake, as usual the sheeple have been taken in by the glib and empty headed self propagandist and will pay the price.

The big news today is Russia moving missiles back into the Kaliningrad enclave to directly threaten Poland and the US ABM shield. That is what American enemies think of Obama - that he is weak and will not respond to their threats. They tried the same trick on JFK but he called their bluff. I suspect Obama will simply overlook the move. Europe got the man they wanted but now will have to pay the price - spend more on defence. A sad day for us all.

Robin Levett

@Patrick:

The board that Obama and Ayers (a respected education professor at the time) served on together did indeed dispense money. That money was from the Annenbergs (which is why the initiative was called the Chicago Annenberg Challenge); that's Ambassador Walter Annenberg (appointed Ambassador by Nixon), and his wife Leonore Annenberg, appointed Chief of Protocol at the State Department by Reagan. Both Annenbergs "palled around" with Reagan; and Leonore endorsed McCain's campaign for the presidency. So either you have to accept Nixon, Reagan and indeed McCain "palled around" with not just terrorists, but funders of terrorists; or you can get a bit of perspective? Unappetising prospect, perhaps, but those are your choices.

Conservative Cabbie

Congratulations to the Obama supporters, FWIW, some thoughts.

1. President Barack Obama - never thought I'd see a black President in my lifetime. An historic achievement.

2. I find the notion of a black first family even more remarkable than a black President for some reason - proof of what a great country America truly is.

3. All is not lost for the right, this wasn't a defeat of seismic proportions. I don't want to diminish Obama's win, 52% of the popular vote is a substantial endorsement, but it is not unassailable, it is only as many as Bush won in 2004. A lot of those votes have been loaned for now, a lurch to the left or a failed foreign policy will send them back to the right in four years.

4. No real Palin effect it seems, neither positive or negative. Americans really do vote the top of the ticket - as it should be.

5. The GOP don't need to lurch to the right or veer to the left, America is still a right nation. The message does need to change though. Whilst still retaining their principles, the right need to put a more positive spin on their values, demonstrate why conservatism is good for the people and the country. Invite people in, don't force people away.

6. The right need to be steadfast in their resistance to government excess and attacks on American's freedoms. It will be tough with a diminished minority in congress but they need to take principled stands against excessive spending, card check, the fairness doctrine et al. The American people will reward them in four years.

I switched on Fox today hoping to watch a stump speech, find out what the latest poll says, see if any scandal has hit. Nothing. What am I going to do with myself for the next three years?

BFree

OH dear, Chingford Man.
What a choice you had in 97.
Worn out/washed up Major, or bright change Blair.
Next time it'll be GB, or a sleek TV friendly ex PR man full of soundbites but with a strange vacuum at his core.
Hard choice again for you?

An American

David,
Your statement on the Israeli newspaper's congratulatory statements to Obama was so naive.
Obama's America will not protect Israel's safety. Several months ago Obama promised Hamas he would support them taking half of Jerusalem...Obama asked that they keep this secret until his election...but they just had to annouce it yesterday in celebration of the Messiah's victory.
I wouldn't want to wake up and be an Israeli this morning. To my friends in Israel...you are in my prayers.

Frank P

Twinky Winky Pony Palin

"It's called democracy Melanie, suck it up".

This is obviously a photo of you, twinky:

http://instapinch.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/dentures.jpg

Jill

Thanks for expressing it for us, Melanie. There are a silver linings and signs that we are not finished at all. We are just getting started.

The elite conservatives abandoned us. We have evidence of ugly discrimination against the working and middle class. It cut across party lines: Remember Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin. Good riddance to the elites.

The Democratic Party controls the White House and Congress and will appoint judges, but they did not win in numbers they hoped in Congress or in local elections across the US. We'll build again from the ground up, since the only other option is to quit. Obama and the far left will be a flash in the pan.

Let Americans experience "spread the wealth" and "civilian national security force." It will be the best argument conservatives ever had. We'll be able to defend the US Constitution and freedom with power because people will understand through negative experience. Small business and pro-family Immigrants who come here from socialist countries are rabid anti-Marxists. Americans after just one or two years of Obama may be pleading with conservatives for rescue.

The MSM is already excusing Obama in office to reframe and direct the population’s future angst. They know Obama's popularity will fall. They compare the economy to the Great Depression as a way to blame capitalism and grant Obama license to make mistakes without accountability. They do not want us to do to Obama what they did to Bush. There are numerous pro-Bush articles this day talking about the things he accomplished, things they should have been reporting for the last four years. They are wooing conservatives who are mad at them, and they are making a slow transition in style and tone so we won't notice any stark difference in reporting (Bush to Obama).

I'm listening on conservative talk radio to an American boy (around twelve years old) who wrote a book, "Define Conservatism." (Go to defineconservatism.com) He says, "[conservatives] need to fight and can't wait for someone to come along and pick them up." (We can't look elsewhere, Melanie. That's what moochers and big babies do.) The boy says ‘the Republicans did not clearly articulate the definition of capitalism to the electorate. This [election] is our process; it is peaceful, and there are consequences and responsibilities that come with elections.' (So cute.) There is always hope when such statements come from children.

Rush Limbaugh makes a good point, too. He says, conservatism was not on the ballot yesterday...bi-partisan liberal republicanism was. And about the elites, he says we should make certain they don't come back. He says it will be easier for conservatives since moderates got what they want, and it did not work. They are the ones who hindered us. We have the rebirth of principled conservative opposition to the extreme left. All the moderate liberal Republicans lost their seats in Congress!!! yeeeee hahahahahaaaaaaaa!!!!

There is always this: There is a slim hope that Obama will not be just another big government, anti-business, pro-terrorist, tax and spend Democrat... (crickets)

Dont give up on us, yet, Melanie!!! We have a three part election: this election we got rid of moderate liberal Republicans; the next two elections we will get rid of the socialists.

David Lindsay

At the same time as they voted heavily for Obama in California, and comfortably for him in Florida, they also voted (very strongly in Florida, at least) to define marriage as only ever the union of one man and one woman.

That is one of several illustrations of the fact that this is a victory for morally and socially conservative foreign policy realists (as far from pacifism as from neoconservatism).

If Democrats, whether permanently or even for the purposes of a single election, they are only ever and by definition Democrats for economically populist reasons. Which are, of course, the right reasons.

Those who the people who have put Obama in. And those are the people who could and should put him right back out again in 2012 if he does not deliver the goods on all three of economic populism, moral and social conservatism (at the very least, don't make matters any worse), and foreign policy realism.

Yes, of course he is going to beat Sarah Palin anyway. But he has no absolute right to be the Democratic nominee at all.

Look at the huge numbers now registering as Democrats. They cannot be Hard Leftists, diehard liberals or peaceniks, since people like that were already registered Democrats.

And they might not always have nowhere else to go.

derek

an american's husband:

- socialism motivates people to work harder
* you have no clue as to what you are talking about if you think Obama is a socialist. that's just not my liberal MSM telling me that either.

- conversion of 90% of the u.s. power supply to solar and biomass can occur in 10 years.
* you don't like energy independence as a goal?

- a voting democracy can sustain itself with 9 appointed judges in robes making new laws because they think it is the right thing to do.
* and what new laws might a Supreme Court that currently only has 2 justices that were appointed by a Democratic president make?

- freedom of speech can continue to exist when federal laws will be passed to shut the opposition up. (momentum for the fairness doctrine is already building. google senators bingaman and schumer)
* Obama and I are both not fans of the Fairness Doctrine. But the extreme right-wing slant you pulled by describing the Fairness Doctrine has an attempt to shut the opposition up is typical of a Limbaugh fan. How about the freedom of speech that went out the window with the Patriot Act?

- a federal police force that is "as strong as the u.s. military" will not turn into what it has become in many other countries, a gang of thugs.
* again, an extreme right-wing slant. this one is pretty insane too. if you listen to the whole speech he is explicitly describing Americans serving their country in the way of community service - not as a police force. is this seriously an argument you are using? i can only hope you take the time to find out these things yourself instead of from Limbaugh/WND/Drudge/etc.

- that nationalization of the finance, drug, banking, energy, insurance enterprises will not lead to the demise of capitalism.
* there are whole sectors of the market that are too risky for any capitalist to invest in. had the financial industry been operating under some regulation, the market lends itself to capitalism as well as production. there is a balance needed. The complete lack of government involvement in the financial industry is why we are where we are today.

- pretty easy to lay this out for you. but this kind of convincing only occurs in fiction like orwells' 1984.
* yeah...i still believe there is hope for you.

derek

Happy, Windsor

Seems there is a Comment Deletion virus on this thread!

Doesn't like the word 'Smear' (or its derivatives) by the look of it.

David

"Your statement on the Israeli newspaper's congratulatory statements to Obama was so naive."

It was the paper's own statement.
Further 77 per cent of Jewish voters voted Obama, according to CNN exit polls.
Obama was the first US presidential candidate to explicitely state Jerusalem was the eternal capital of Israel; conversely Bush was the first US president to state that there must be a Palestinian state along the 67 borders.

Which one is best for Israel?

"Whilst still retaining their principles, the right need to put a more positive spin on their values, demonstrate why conservatism is good for the people and the country. Invite people in, don't force people away."

I agree. The problem is, the GOP is increasingly becoming populated by negatives. Against gay marriage (I thought marriage was supposed to be something consrvatives support?) , against imimigrants (I thought hard working people who get off their arses and seek work to better themselves and their familes was something conservatives support?) etc etc. There's a whole raft of things that conservatives are for, but which the GOP has decided don't apply because they don't like a particular group of people.

Which is another thing I though conservatives were for - not telling people how they should live their lives.

There is a positive way forward, and McCain of 2000 showed some of it (see South Park for the rest...). But I'm becoming increasingly convinced the GOP cannot see it.

Brendan M. Kelly

Has Mark Steyn been channeling Melanie Philips?

"I congratulate Senator Obama on a remarkable and decisive victory. It was in many ways the final battle in a war the Republican Party didn’t even bother fighting — the “long march through the institutions.” While the Senator certainly enjoyed the patronage of the Chicago machine, he is not primarily a political figure: Whether “educators” like William Ayers or therapeutic pop-culture types like Oprah, his closest associations are beyond the world of electoral politics. He emerged rather from all the cultural turf the GOP largely abandoned during its 30-year winning streak at the ballot box, and his victory demonstrates the folly of assuming that folks will continue to pull the lever for guys with an R after their name every other November even as all the other institutions in society become de facto liberal one-party states.

Bill Bennett asked me on the air the other day why voters were so hot for this hope’n’change mush, and I suggested that it’s the dominant vernacular of the age. Go into almost any American grade-school and stroll the corridors: you’ll find the walls lined with Sharpie-bright supersized touchy-feely abstractions: “RESPECT,” “DREAM,” “TOGETHER,” “DIVERSITY.” By contrast, Mister Maverick talked of “reaching across the aisle” and ending “earmarks,” which may sound heroic in Washington but ring shriveled and reductive to anyone who’s not obsessed with legislative process. This dead language embodied the narrow sliver of turf on which he was fighting, while Obama was bestriding the broader cultural space. Republicans need to start their own long march back through all the institutions they ceded. Otherwise, the default mode of this society will be liberal, and what’s left of the Republican party will be reduced (as in other parts of the west) to begging the electorate for the occasional opportunity to prove it can run the liberal state just as well as liberals can."

mike

i'm sure your people can go back and rig the ballot again like last time. there's still time!
and by the way, what is the problem? the last eight years of right wing republican blunders have been what exactly? a success?

fellow traveller

Cabbie

thanks for that reasoned response.

Melanie

"...teaching American children to despise the founding values of their country and hijacking discourse by the minority power-grab of victim-culture."

Which is about as far from the actual content of his patriotic, "yes we can" acceptance speech as you could possibly get.

I've no problem with anyone here saying that Obama is untested, that republicans should be a strong opposition, that we still have to create workable solutions to the problems of fundamentalism. Change brings risks and will upset many people.

But taking all the available evidence and manipulating it to make it say the opposite of what was actually said is just a way to distract from the real problems we all face today.

daniel

Brendon, re. Mark Steyn's contribution, I used to read Mark avidly when he had interesting things to say about the war on terror and appeasement of islamic extremism. The last time this happened was about five years ago, ie before his confident assertion that Osama Bin Laden had been reduced to a few specks of DNA proved a little premature. This, after all, is the man who predicted that the Iraq War would be a "cakewalk". Now he's just another has been neo-con, put out to pasture like all the rest. He's right, of course, that the Republicans need to re-think their strategy, but he's part of the problem, not the solution.

Verity

Daniel, a lot of deeply unsophisticted posts on this thread this morning, but I'm choosing to respond to yours because it encapsulates everything that is wrong with Marxism in its fight against civilisation.

Do you really think Mr Bush is responsible for global turmoil and the collapse of the financial markets (I know this isn't your point, because you're too provincial to appreciate its gravity; it boils down to your hatred of Republican principles - but the hands of the President are tied, quite rightly, and if the Congress doesn't let him do what he wants to do, he cannot carry out a programme. This Congress will bend the knee to Obama and we will see major disasters from his hate-driven, ill thought out "policies"). Now you've elevated the mobster complicit in the collapse of the American mortgage industry and sending the world teetering on the brink of financial turmoil, to run the show - and a Democratic Congress may be complicit, although I would hope for some voices of sanity, even among Democrats.

How very naive and stupid. You also have, for the first time in American history, a First Lady who has publicly stated that she hates America.

Way to go.

You write, with a silly little ignorant grin of triumph, "A final point: my best friend at college was once a member of the militant tendency - does this make me a communist?"

I'm not getting the connection here. Had your friend murdered 13 people and stated publically that he wished it had been more? William Ayres, who sponsored the beginning of Obama's run for the presidency in his living room, with fellow terrorist/murderer Bernadine Dohrn, who has also stated, "We didn't do enough" has publically avowed his continued interest in destroying America. This terrorist also slid Obama - as unqualified as he is for anything other than being a poster boy for affirmative action, into important, destructive organisations, like ACORN. Obama, after three years in the Senate doing bugger all is, out of over 300 Congresspeople, the second-largest recipient of funds from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. To help you with the maths - he's 298 ahead of every other senator and representative.

Prediction: When things get really, really bad, look for secessions.

I can't wait to see Texas an independent republic again. Its motto is currently Six Flags over Texas. Let it be seven! There's a similar robustness of spirit and contempt for Washington in Alaska, and I would look at them as a possibility, too. The two richest states in the nation.

And what was the state referred to, the one with vast reserves of coal, when Obama said he was going to "bankrupt the coal industry". Expect them to go, too.

But never mind. They're ecstatic in Kenya.

SAL

About 10 years after Hitler wrote Mein Kampf—Hitler’s manifesto on HEGEMONY of the German people—a Sardinian Communist intellectual by the name of ANTONIO GRAMSCI, while also in jail, wrote his own manifesto on how to subvert western societies from within. Since Marxism was a failure, Gramsci reasoned that the only way to topple the repressive Western institutions was by, what he called, “a long march through the culture” subverting the main pillars of Western civilization, including Christianity, capitalism, authority, the family, morality, tradition, sexual restraint, loyalty, patriotism, nationalism, heredity, ethnocentrism, convention, conservatism and especially the language. At the heart of his teachings were to covertly take control, you had to secure HEGEMONY over the elites in a society starting with, and in order of priority:

1. Academia
2. The Media
3. Judicial
4. Pop culture
5. Political

On November the fourth, a giant step forward on that long march through the culture is complete.

George Steiner

Somebody asked the question who will Obambi toss under the bus first?

As his Moslem heritage and his own inclination dictates, as a socialist and a lawyer, he will toss first Israel.

He will engage with all of the enemies of the United States, Syria, Iran, Palestinians, et all. And as he said, will change the world.

At least he will try. Since by this time Israel will have a new government lead by Netanyahu instead of the hapless Olmert, tossing will not be easy. You may not have noticed but when asked a direct question. Will you defend Israel? Obambi’s answer was “we will do a cost benefit analysis”.

This is a good answer. Netanyahu will be able to make a good offer of the cost to the Arabs and Obambi will see the benefit of not tossing. This will be the first lesson in cost benefit analysis. But he will have many more.

David

"They're ecstatic in Kenya."

And the US, which is the most important thing. The parties looked fantastic.

James

56 million Americans voted against Obama despite everything. This is a day of mourning. Our Republic is in peril. Terrorists everywhere are rejoicing and sending congratulations to Obama. They know who their friends are. To those celebrating keep this in mind: you are on your own now. We will not help you. Good luck or better yet salaam (get used to Arabic).

Marco Polo

I pity the true Americans like "An American's husband" and others on here who are dismayed at the Election of Obama. He is very correct that he has woken up to a Socialist USA and that is a very worrying situation. Socialists are absolutely fantastic at creating new ideas, bringing in change and of course creating as many new laws as they possibly can. The only problem is they don't think it through. They just haven't got a clue what to do when it all goes pear shaped and always leave it to the right to sort it out. Oddly enough the right are right by name and nature. Maybe we should change the left to 'Wrong' going along the same lines?
I would hate to be an Israeli Jew right now and in fact in the future. I really wonder what's going to happen when the new US administration sit down with the Islamic Terrorists:

USA : What could we do to stop Al Qaeda waging war on the West and USA in particular?
Terrorists : Let us destroy Israel
USA : Erm...that's a bit drastic, I don't think we could....
Terrorists: Ok we continue to wage Jihad on the West and USA.
USA : Ok, erm you can attack Israel, you and as many other countries as long as we have your word that you will stop attacking the West?
Terrorists : Ok, we attack Israel and then we talk about the future of West....
USA : But wait I though....
Terrorists: No, your choice, we destroy Israel and remove the infidels from Islamic Soil and that is for payment of all the Muslims America has killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, then we talk, or else we have no deal?
USA : Erm ok, we agree....

It's sad to see that the USA is about to experience the same as what Britain's experienced here under NuLabour.
It still amazes me that the Left wing are just so intent on sitting on a tree bough while they saw away at the trunk. Nothing more than madness. America, the most powerful Nation in the World in 2.5months will be under the control of a Man with very dubious ties and a society, that has voted him in because of his colour. They will watch as their country becomes even more multicultural. They will watch as immigration increases and they are given more rights as Americans. They will see their tradesmen get frustrated as they lose work to foreigners undercutting them by 50%. The Left will then realise when they haven't got work and their company's being sued by Ali Babah because he had to walk through a room where people were eating bacon, that voting in Obama was about as clever as putting a chocolate fireguard in from the fire. They will look on in dismay as American soldiers are spat on and attacked by the many 'new' Multiculturals living in the USA who, unlike previous ones, have no intention of embracing American culture and ways of life but instead to come and destroy it and instil their own, from their land of birth. They will pull their hair out as more political correctness comes into play and calling anything black will end them up on a law suit for racism...

I can see it all now and I have to say I'll laugh when the left wingers in America, the ardent Democrats realise that they've really got it wrong this time, just like many Labour supporters here. The problem is, will you realise soon enough or will the rot set in and seriously damage the very foundations and strength of your country? Remember that once something's gone, it's gone for good. I may be the Harbinger of Doom like Melanie Phillips and others, but let's just hope that the above doesn't happen to America and Obama does pull through, because if it doesn't you're all really going to :

Remember, remember the 5th of November the day you elected Obama. Your country will suffer, your freedoms will die and you'll be pulling your hair out screaming "oh Mama"!

emberposse

Not much change: Democrat wins and the west's biggest enemies line up to offer congratulations.

Oh, and Kenya has a national holiday. How sweet.

I'm looking forward to former President Carter being given the job of SoS and talking to Iran without pre-conditions.

Have a fun 4 years people.

Kennybhoy

conservative cabbie wrote

"What am I going to do with myself for the next three years?"

Invest in gold or a nuclear shelter maybe....?

For myself "I am off to die with Odin."

rob r

Oh the howling and gnashing of teeth! You'd think Stalin had seized power by force rather than a liberal centrist being voted in by a huge majority...

Groovy Times

I usually agree with Melanie on issues concerning Israel and anti-Semitism, and admire her courage, intellect and incisive prose on defending Jews and their rights, but I can't get my head round this anti-Obama obsession. Is he not a product of the democratic values that Melanie espouses? And the alternative? - Sarah Palin second in charge to that whistling old fogey?

Conservative Cabbie

David

I agree largely on conservatism going forward.

The conservatism movement should primarily be a low tax fiscally responsible movement. It should target education reform (America performs terribly) and energy independence as two of it's main policies. I see energy being the main debate come 2012 assuming the economy recovers somewhat and there are no new wars.

Social conservatism is fine, but as I said, they need to adopt a more positive, embracing culture here. It's fine to be pro-life, that's a fundamental tenet of the American conservative movement, but rather than criminalising people, they need to focus on adoption and support as ways to encourage women, particularly young women, to not abort.

As for gay marriage, I believe I'm right in saying that all the propositions to ban gay marriage passed - they appear to be on the side of the majority here. Personally, I have no problem with it. However, I do understand that religious values assert that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Again, this view should be tempered by ensuring that the rights of gay couples are protected.

There biggest problem is going to be immigration. If they have a chance of winning in 2012, at least 1 if not 2 of Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico will need to be won. They got hammered last night by the latino vote, something they will need to turn around. Unfortunately, this is an area I don't see the right compromising on - I'm not even sure what the compromise can be. Amnesty will be unacceptable to the right and a "path to citizenship" seems to be unacceptable to the latino community.

The conservatives will need a dynamic, principled leader. Who that person is, Palin, Jindal or whomever, I don't know although my early money's on Jindal (although I want Palin). Bill Kristol made an interesting point last night about the future of the GOP. Four years ago following Kerry's defeat, Barack Obama was just a state senator. Perhaps the future leader is someone we don't even know about yet.

Herbert Thornton

It will not be surprising if Obama succeeds in implementing some policies that turn out to be unsuccessful, or even cause more harm than good, but I am not so pessimistic as to believe that he is going to be a disaster. Even with a Democratic majority in Congress, his power will fall a lot shorter of dictatorship than is usually the case with the office of Prime Minister in any of the British Parliamentary systems.

Melanie cites - presumably as a Bad Thing - the infiltration of "Islamic Banking" principles into the U.S. banking system but I do not understand her objections to it. Banking is quite a different matter from stoning innocent women to death for being raped.

The current banking system of the entire western world is certainly not ideal as is shown by its allowing the devising and proliferation of worthless "securities" that caused the financial crisis, and by the fact that it has allowed those who touted and trafficked in these worthless financial instruments to enrich themselves on a scale that deserves the description of "criminal".

If the principles of Islamic banking would have prevented this disaster then they deserve at least to be looked at - the fact that the word "Islamic" is attached to them should not, of itself, make them unthinkable - any more than the stigma of "Nazi" that people tend to associate with Hjalmar Schacht's highly successful financial management on behalf of Hitler should render his financial concepts unthinkable.

On foreign policy, I am not so ready to condemn Obama. I prefer to keep an open mind. For example, if he fulfills his indications of support for Israel and a stepped-up campaign against Al Qaeda it will be something we should welcome.

With respect to Russia, I have no idea what direction he will take. Some people are saying that Obama will fail to curb Russian ambitions. I think we should hope not that he will increase hostility between the U.S. and Russia, but that he will lessen it.

The U.S. has already made great mistakes - under both Presidents Clinton and Bush - in its policies with respect to the Balkans and the countries bordering on Russia. President Bush's cavalier rejection of the Russian offer to cooperate in the establishment of radar facilities that would detect Iranian missile launches and his insistence instead on positioning radar sites just outside Russia's borders was a very great mistake.

We have to hope that Obama will come to a rapprochement with Russia: if he does, it should not be condemned as weakness, but welcomed as statesmanship. Russia is in fact potentially America's most important ally in the current struggle between the civilised world and Islam. Obama should do everything possible to turn the American-Russian relationship into a firm alliance.

Kathie in Arizona USA

My name is Kathie and I live in Arizona in the States. I read a few of the comments written here and I'm afraid many of you don't quite understand America. First of all I voted for John McCain because he's a very good man and a strong leader. Second of all, everything about the election seemed fixed or predetermined and that is really not fair in an election. Before all the count was in - he (Obama) had been elected President. Here being a man who has a Muslim name, who went to a church for years that spewed hatred for whites, a man who rarely changes his expression and doesn't make very good eye contact, who doesn't salute the flag or feel patriotic and one who doesn't really seem to care about the people as much as he cares about being the "First Of"

And unfortunately, our country is now filled with drug controlled, lazy people who want to be taken care of and bailed out of problems. They don't want to work but the rest of us work hard. It's the people who are unwilling to change themselves that wanted the change - but at what price?

I was sad with the election results and many other people here are as well - only in the United States, everything is deemed politically correct and most people do not speak out or against what the majority wants. And that, my dear English friends, is the sad part of this story.

You can take that or leave it or what is it you said to Melanie - Suck it Up!

Norm

My take on this is that McCain was a sacrificial lamb. My American friends who are lifelong Republicans voted for Obama because of Bush. The Rebublicans knew this would happen so they put up someone who was decent but expendable. Just like Tony Blair v The Tories in 97. The people were sick of the Tories just as Americans were sick of Bush. So McCain introduced Palin. The Republicans now have someone who can attack Obama and will get heard because she's a woman and she may well become the first woman President. In four years when the country has seen Obama for what he is and Palin who by that time will have been groomed just like Obama will succeed. The democrats are scared of her that is why she has suffered such a mauling in the media. But next time around Obama will have a record to defend and that is when he will be vunerable. The left has cut the heart out of Britain and America is next in line.

Barackobama

Verity has hit a nail on the head with her suggestion that the confederate states should secede. The problems with US politics can be summarised into three items:

1 The president is too powerful. Apart from being able to make war and having a qualified power to veto congressional legislation, the president has massive powers of patronage. This is good if you like his/her politics. But bad when you don't. The US came into existence principally because the small number of rich, white males who controlled the economy of the colonies in 1776 didn't like King George III (since no more people could vote after the revolution than before, the break with the crown was not about democracy, and since slavery was implicitly allowed in the US constitution, it wasn't about human rights either). They replaced the unwritten UK constitution with rules that vested power in an American King, called president so it sounded different, to prevent anarchy/libertarianism. Since 1783, the British monarch has been stripped of power, but the president of the US just seems to get more. Conservatives that fear Obama and libertarians that want to end presidential fiat should combine to strip the presidency of all but ceremonial duties (then it wouldn't matter if Obama was an Islamic Marxist terror agent).
2 Congress doesn't work. The principal of an elected legislature with a limited term debating and passing laws is the cornerstone of democracy. If it's not working, reform it (difficult, I know).
3 The US is far too big (and diverse). A management consultant might suggest five or more homogenous sovereign but associated entities: the confederacy for Verity and conservatives; New England for Liberals, Marxists, Islamists and terror gangs; the Pacific coast for the culturally heterodox; the southern Mid-West for Catholics and the northern mid-west for people who like snow. Alaska should, of course, become independent under President Palin.
This would defuse the tensions mounting in the US between people who, from what I read on this blog, seem to hate each other almost to the point of violence. At a stroke, there would be an end to big government in Washington (because it would return to being an irrelevant border town between the north and south). It would probably be more economically efficient. And it would be less threatening to the rest of the world (and also be less likely to be blamed for everything as well).
I suspect this may have been what the Founding Fathers really intended.
True conservatives and genuine libertarians should welcome the abolition of an inherently defective innovation in government that has been tried for more than two centuries and still, it appears, doesn't work. Alternatively, Americans could continue being very rude about each other. This is something that I was taught was evidence of being badly raised.

Elizabeth

Being an amateur family tree historian I'm rather concerned at the entries I found when I googled "Barack Hussein Obama"+"birth certificate". Reducing the problem to its basics, if BHO was born in Kenya (as suggested in some detail) then he was ineligible to stand for the Presidency (IIRC Henry Kissinger was never able to stand for President because he was born outside the USA). If this is the case then BHO has lied one of the biggest lies of all time - now why would that be? One internet poster has carried out a very detailed technical analysis of the Certificate of Live Birth purported to be that of BHO that makes disturbing reading. I very, very much hope that I'm wrong and that there's a reasonable explanation for this state of affairs.

logdon

At the risk of repeating myself, I'll repeat myself. Here's a morality tale.

Obama’s leaky plumbing

Barack Obama discovers a leak under his sink, so he calls Joe the Plumber to come and fix it.

Joe drives to Obama’s house, which is located in a very nice neighborhood and where it’s clear that all the residents make more than $250,000 per year.

Joe arrives and takes his tools into the house. Joe is led to the room that contains the leaky pipe under a sink. Joe assesses the problem and tells Obama, who is standing near the door, that it’s an easy repair that will take less than 10 minutes.

Obama asks Joe how much it will cost.

Joe immediately says, "$9,500."

$9,500?" Obama asks, stunned. "But you said it’s an easy repair!"

"Yes, but what I do is charge a lot more to my clients who make more than $250,000 per year so I can fix the plumbing of everybody who makes less than that for free," explains Joe. "It’s always been my philosophy. As a matter of fact, I lobbied government to pass this philosophy as law, and it did pass earlier this year, so now all plumbers have to do business this way. It’s known as ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act of 2008.’ Surprised you haven’t heard of it, senator."

In spite of that, Obama tells Joe there’s no way he’s paying that much for a small plumbing repair, so Joe leaves.

Obama spends the next hour flipping through the phone book looking for another plumber, but he finds that all other plumbing businesses listed have gone out of business. Not wanting to pay Joe’s price, Obama does nothing.

The leak under Obama’s sink goes unrepaired for the next several days.

A week later the leak is so bad that Obama has had to put a bucket under the sink. The bucket fills up quickly and has to be emptied every hour, and there’s a risk that the room will flood, so Obama calls Joe and pleads with him to return.

Joe goes back to Obama’s house, looks at the leaky pipe, and says "Let’s see - this will cost you about $21,000."

"A few days ago you told me it would cost $9,500!" Obama quickly fires back.

Joe explains the reason for the dramatic increase. "Well, because of the ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act,’ a lot of rich people are learning how to fix their own plumbing, so there are fewer of you paying for all the free plumbing I’m doing for the people who make less than $250,000. As a result, the rate I have to charge my wealthy paying customers rises every day.

"Not only that, but for some reason the demand for plumbing work from the group of people who get it for free has skyrocketed, and there’s a long waiting list of those who need repairs. This has put a lot of my fellow plumbers out of business, and they’re not being replaced - nobody is going into the plumbing business because they know they won’t make any money. I’m hurting now too - all thanks to greedy rich people like you who won’t pay their fair share."

Obama tries to straighten out the plumber: "Of course you’re hurting, Joe! Don’t you get it? If all the rich people learn how to fix their own plumbing and you refuse to charge the poorer people for your services, you’ll be broke, and then what will you do?"

Joe immediately replies, "Run for president, apparently."

Last laugh for the plumber? Ha, bloody ha!

D Day

Unfortunately, there is no where else to look. Certainly not Britain. You appear to be a lonely voice among "Conservatives" who have no principles at all.

Daibhidh MacAdhaimh

I might have agreed with your assessment before I went to sleep last night. However, when I awoke to the election results this morning, I felt a pleasing sense of relief.
Call it the work of an epiphany or some other ethereal experience if you like, but Obama's victory seemed to me to be a welcome breath of fresh political air - and boy, don't we in the socially and economically conflict ridden West need it at present.
I was once a bitter leftist who over years of dissilusionment has lurched steadily towards and occupied right-wing bitterness - not a healthy frame of mind for anybody to sustain. Nah, I can't bring myself to viewing Obama's win through a glass darkly; it'd eat me up again if I did. As the bible says, all authority under heaven is given by God. Therefore it's not just the people but more importantly, it is God that has appointed him head of government in the same way He appointed the present incumbent whether or not we like either of them or past presidents - God is no respector of man. I'm not persuaded that Obama is a full-blown socialist certainly not in the 'to every man his need' category unless he plans to lead by example. If anything, his plans look set to be a reprise of Keynesian economics.
Americans only digest so much of a president's ideology. They have the assurance of congress and senate elections every two and four years to check any excess.
If conservative instincts do need to be stroked reassuringly, perhaps de Valera's 'the majority are not always right' dictum suffices for now.
In the meantime, I've sacked my right-wing tendencies and their collective bitterness and retreated to the centre of political gravity from where I am prepared to give Obama the benefit of the doubt.
May God bless and protect him in the exercise of the compelling and challenging governing task that lies ahead.

john doe

Here's Martin Luther King on Israel

http://christianactionforisrael.org/antiholo/ml_king.html

I can't imagine such an impassioned plea from Obambi

Hayward Maberley

SAL,
Surface Air Lifted?
Godwin's Law, first formulated in 1990 by Mike Godwin, states;
"As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."
Dodds Corollary to this states;
"When debating a particular subject, if a comparison or implied connection is drawn between the opponent's argument and Hitler and the Nazi Party, the maker of that statement is automatically discredited and the debate is automatically lost by the person or group who referenced the connection to Hitler or the Nazis."
Congratulations & commiserations

Richard

The worst part is going to be the bloody smugness exuding from every liberal, leftwing and wet conservative rag and reporter.
The McCain campaign was incoherent to a degree but it was also a very honest and decent campaign. In my view, the incoherence of the campaign actually stems from the incoherence of mainstream rightwing thinking. Intellectually the fightback against liberal-leftism has only just begun. I've posted on my blog and elsewhere that the Republicans need to tackle the domestic issues - they have ruled on foreign policy thanks to McCain and Bush's bravery on the "surge" in Iraq. But this election was decided by the media and by the issue of the economy - where were the journalists who would look at the Democrats slogans on the economy and shred them as nonsense, explaining that lack of restrictive regulation was not the cause of the crisis but the sub-prime market, pushed by the Democrats? The answer is that those journalists are confined to a few like Charles Krauthammer or on excellent papers such as The Weekly Standard.
Conservatism has to pick up from here and develop a One Nation model. We should care for the poor and unfortunate, create openings so that capital and wealth can flourish, creating work and in that way, "spreading the wealth around".
If the conservatives in the USA cannot bring themselves to contemplate an NHS style system, then I have proposed an alternative "lite" model that will outflank the Democrats and play a part in a fightback centred on patriotism, reform of government, honour and ethics.
I'll put it here below:
"The federal government provides a basic healthcare voucher which consumers can use to shop around for the best healthcare deal. In return for the abolition of corporation tax on healthcare providers, the government and the healthcare providers agree on a basic regulatory framework of consumer rights, a set of standardised insurance plans into which consumers must buy and an agreed limiting of drug prices based on a compromise between market and R&D costs and affordability for consumers. This would act in the same manner, I believe, as the regulatory framework the British government uses for energy, telephony etc in Britain where the companies then compete on price and service within a framework that guarentees a competative market."
The education system must be tackled, starting at state and district level to start to eradicate the poison being fed into young minds but above all to restore the education system to its real mission - the effective and competative EDUCATION of children. Children in the USA and Britain cannot do Victorian or Edwardian mathematics...they cannot do the mathematics taught to me in the early 1990s (and that wasn't up to much).
"Progressive" liberal ideas in education aim at dismantling class barriers but by aiming at equivalence actually reinforce these by making family money the deciding factor in education. Private schools by and large provide a better standard of basic education than the state schools - this is not due to any inherent virtue of private education but to the drivel that teachers now teach. Even if in Britian we started on an ideal reconstruction of education, because the teachers know nothing but the National Curriculum, it would take two or three generations to repair the damage wrought since the early 1970s.
I come from the Labour Party and remain there because there are still a few who will fight Islamic terrorism, who believe that national defence is NOT a form of state terrorism and who despair at the intellectual state of the West. Why am I not in the Conservative Party? Because the Conservatives will not care about the poorest but will ignore or spit on them. Because of David Cameron, who though I applaud him for attacking the BBC over Rossgate (even though he was saying only what everyone else was thinking), remains in my estimation, a vapid, hollow salesman. I'll attract derision here for saying Tony Blair was not at anypoint that. Blair was and remains a decent, principled and noble man for whom I have the deepest respect - even if he is wrong on AGW.

Verity

SAL - Although I certainly agree with your post, most of the people who mention Gramsci on these pages - and he is mentioned two or three times every week in various contexts -refer to "the long march through the institutions".

I believe this is the correct quotation. "Long march through the culture" just sounds so namby-pamby and New Labouresque.

Anyway, the rest of your post was interesting and if you want to make dark references to Gramsci in the expectation that people will know who you are talking about, you are in the right place.

Roberta

I can’t say I buy of the analyses being made about what it all means.

Daniel Finkelstein (who normally knows better) in The Times today says the momentum behind this victory is mainly to do with demographics. Yet if we look at the popular vote it was 53% for Obama and 47% for McCain.

This was despite McCain’s dreadful campaign (I have never found him an inspiring candidate, this election was always about the lesser of two evils), despite the tainted Republican image for incompetence in Washington over the last eight years and despite the level of media bias against him.

Even with all those handicaps, the polls still show that the turning point for the McCain camp was the financial meltdown.

The lesson - and either many right wing commentators don’t get this or don’t feel they should actually put it in writing - is, if you can, shut your mouth. Don’t start offering up analyses such as the ‘fundamentals of the American economy are strong’ - or whatever it was McCain said - and any other hostages to fortune.

What was the Obama soundbite to counter that? There wasn’t one. He knew the right response: just hide behind your aides as much as you can.

On the subject of media bias, Channel 4 News has just had an interview with Time magazine’s senior correspondent Joe Klein and he was joking about how Michelle Obama teased him about how he couldn’t write a book on them because they were so boring. Jon Snow picked up the joke by mentioning Obama’s Mandelsonian mortgage.

Klein’s response? There isn’t any politician in America who doesn’t have a skeleton in their cupboard.

So that’s all right, then. Let’s all take our cue from Time magazine and say Mr Mandelson should be pardoned.

This epitomises the mainstream media’s handling of Obama. All normal levels of scrutiny are simply abandoned. The story of a dodgy mortgage involving a convicted felon is left cold. Why?

Imagine a contemporary remake of All The Presidents’ Men. What would it be called now? All The President’s Fawning Men?

Deep Throat: “Follow the money.”

Reporter: “Everybody’s got a skeleton in their cupboard, go back to bed.”

The End.

Roll credits.

This film was brought to you by the Hollywood for Obama campaign.

Verity

Anyway! Who do we want to be Palin's running mate in 2012?

I still favour Bobby Jindal and he will have completed two terms of governorship of Louisiana (God willing) by then.

Palin's attractive, quick of wit and the First Dude is a looker, and there is an independence of spirit about them. Bobby Jindal is witty, urbane, vastly competent and has a beautiful wife.

They're both dedicated to freedom and free enterprise and they're both immensely personable.

David

Of course, logdon's tale fails if you have Obama saying "Oh yes, that sounds decent, fair enough."

It's actually reminiscent of how many doctors operated pre-NHS. They charged their richer patients more in order to allow them to treat the poor for free.

Joe Camel

Melanie, I look forward to reading your views on Obama's choice of chief of staff, fellow Chicago pol Rahm Emanuel.

Apparently strongly pro-Israel, close to AIPAC, the son of an Irgun fighter, holding (one source says) dual Israel-US nationality . . . Sounds promising, wouldn't you say?

JK

I just heard this from a friend in Chicago.

Someone asked one of the platform workers why the bulletproof glass for the acceptance speech was so high.

He goes: “Have you seen the size of the chip on Michelle’s shoulder?”

derek

Verity,
Do you really think Sarah Palin has any chance to be successful in a run at President? if she is the Rep. Party nominee, they will lose again and again and again.

I'm all for having the best candidate, regardless of party. Sarah Palin would be worse than GW Bush.

Republican American

Just like American companies sell their products through advertising so did Obama sell his candidacy. And like people fall for the promises of marketers so fell the majority of Americans.
I agree with many of Melanie’s concerns for the years ahead but let us not forget that one man, even a President, cannot change the infrastructure of America. Even with a majority of Democrats in Congress there are still checks and balances to ensure that all US citizens are represented.
I fervently agree with John McCain’s statement -
“I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him[Obama], but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited. Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans.”
Obama’s reign will be scrutinized and any and all shortfalls will be noted (not by US media of course) and in 4 years (or 8) he too will pass to the arena of million-dollar-ex-president-speakers.

Dave M

Daniel is quite correct in all he outlines in his comment. Yes, I can see why Melanie has misgivings over the possibility of the U.S, abandoning its Anglo/European values as this is what happened to the Romans when more ethnically diverse emperors were put into office. Even so, Daniel points out correctly what a disaster for the U.S. Bush has been. He's spent billions of dollars to overthrow a secular Iraq, strengthen Iran and inevitably weaken Israel. True, Bush does have a sound knowledge of American economic matters but is a virtual ignoramus when it comes to the rest of the globe around him. Obama, on the other hand, is an educated African American who overcame many obstacles to get where he is at this time. He carries a huge burden on his shoulders as he will not wish to let down all the thousands of black and white voters who trusted him to deliver. His task will be to rebuild a strong economy, use more diplomacy in international affairs and, sure, he will support Israel when push comes to shove. The real difficulty here is Obama, through no fault of his own, is a divisive figure. Many thousands of Americans are horrified he has come into office and genuinely believe he's going to bring about huge changes for the worse. In reality, I suspect he will be very level headed and cautious. Time will tell.

fellow traveller

Kathie

"our country is now filled with drug controlled, lazy people who want to be taken care of and bailed out of problems. They don't want to work but the rest of us work hard."

I don't want to be divisive at that time, but that's certainly not Barack Obama's fault. Maybe part of his vision for the US is that in the future there will be fewer of these people, which would be good for all of us. It certainly is in the substance of his policies (tax breaks for companies creating jobs in the US) and his rhetoric last night.

I understand how you feel though.

Me

Verity, whom every is Palin's running mate they must have money and lots of it. Too bad Schwarzenegger was not born in America. The Terminator would surely keep the riff raff out of our country ;)

Hickory

...and the winner is, democracy!
The people have spoken. But I'd like to thank Melanie and others for all the dire warnings. I, being a careful type, shall don my hard hat when outdoors so that the sky shall simply bounce off my bonce.

USA CITIZEN - Beth

Thank you for your perspective Melanie!

I first learned of your column from your very poignient paragraph (below) that is circulating throughout the US. The Media sold Obama to America. The US Media didn't investigate him at all, or ask him any tough questions - they slammed Palin who is sharp + impressive. The entire NEWS industry (aside from FOXNEWS?) needs to be put under an oath for UNBIASED NEWS. Does this problem occur in the UK? It disgusts me + 56,079,500 Americans (vs. the 63,423,384 that voted for Obama).

McCain didn't get a fair shake. McCain + Palin were the ones who campaigned with honesty, integrity, they were straight-forward and ready to put-forth change. They only had ~20% of the funding that Obama had.

- 'Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations' (Washington Post 10/29) from non-citizens, untraceable credit cards, where McCain's donation system would not allow such donations that could not be proved. Obama's campaign was filled with lies + called all the McCain truths about him "Smears".
- Acorn- a public tax-paid business that OPENLY endorsed Obama.
- Obama's Aunt Zeituni is living illegally (since 2004) 'on the dole' in Boston Public Housing.... "refusing to leave the U.S. for her Kenyan homeland when a judge rejected her request for asylum four years ago, the Associated Press is reporting.""
- Many questions of Obama's heritage, nationality + religion.

THE ONE GOOD THING ABOUT AN OBAMA PRESIDENCY:: The African American people will finally believe that Americans (white, hispanic, other) are not prejudice, and that they all have a chance to succeed- don't blame race for your problems - they are in control of their destiny, let's hope they take advantage of that.

Apologies for rambling...

Thanks for keeping it real Melanie.
-Beth

--------------------------------

Allan@Aberdeen- THX - VERY GOOD points re: OBAMA hiding his history! If a person cannot be truthful about themselves, what else do they have? I think what he is hiding may be dual citizenship (Indonesian) and/or religion (Muslim).

THOSE BRITS DO HAVE A WAY WITH WORDS!
"You have to pinch yourself - a Marxist radical who all his life has been mentored by, sat at the feet of, worshiped with, befriended, endorsed the philosophy of, funded and been in turn funded, politically promoted and supported by a nexus comprising of black power anti-white racists, Jew-haters, revolutionary Marxists, unrepentant former terrorists and Chicago mobsters, is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it's considered impolite to say so."
- Melanie Philips, The Spectator ( UK) 10/14/08

Lynn Brooks

The Bible tells the story of ancient Israel who told God thru the judge Samuel: "We want a king! We don't want a judge and we don't want God to be over us. We want a king like all the nations around us."

God warned them, "A king will tax you, take your property, make you work in his fields and send you to war. Having a king will destroy you."

They insisted and "God gave them a king"...who taxed them, took their property, put them to work for him and sent them to war. Having a king eventually destroyed the nation.

America wanted a king...

Dave

Kathie

"our country is now filled with drug controlled, lazy people who want to be taken care of and bailed out of problems."

What, like bankers?

Nevergive up

Melanie...I could weep for my country today.

You are so right in most of your observations. I differ a bit with you about McCain. I didn't agree with him on everything but he has spent his life serving this country and serving it well. He has decency, honesty and integrity and wants the best for our country. You saw that in his concession speech last night. Will this country produce men like him again? I don't know, but I fear not.

An American

Republican American,
Please don't quote McCain's concession speech to me. He was a weak candidate who was afraid to say how dishonerable,dishonest,cowardly and ineffectual his fellow Senators and Congressmen have been for decades... McCain was more concerned about what his fellow Senators thought of him than his concern for the future of our country. McCain is 'old' Washington and old Washington must go.... if we are to save our country from a socialist future. And may I say you may be a Republican but you are not a Conservative and neither was McCain...that's why he lost. He didn't have a strong conservative message or platform to stand on.
I will not come together with and support the political and press socialist thugs who spent 7 years vilifying President Bush while trying to destroy our great country...Shame on you...why don't act like a real man instead of a complete wuss!

Joseph Czarniowski

I wrote this Open letter to Family and friends early this morning.

Shalom Mishpachah, extended Family,

Now we glean from what has been the most turbulent election process that I can remember.

There is one thing that stands out in this fiasco, one man took the public by storm, in every way possible, aside from penitentiary style incarceration.

But, in the long run we will find out just how much we have been incarcerated in our own little world of what we were calling freedom, as we determine from coming events that we were never a free nation. Held up to its own longings for self surrender, we have given over to hype, solace, and vagabond initiatives that will choke off the blood flow to our lifeless brains, and that, the American public.

So, my friends, this is the final blow that sets up the One World Government Globally. Make no mistake of it, we are in for a turbulent ride down a waterfall, and at the bottom is death by drowning in the underflow and hydraulic suction seen only a few times throughout HisStory.

We got the President we deserve! As a people, we have given over to forces we cannot even imagine, the control of our very lives. In the aftermath of coming events there will be a rainbow promised in Scripture, but mark me well, "Few will live through current events to see it." I say 'current events,' because it will relent as one big tumultuous corridor of corralled and pent up disarray, and we will be again fooled daily by smooth words without content as we have these past few years, only to give everything over to forces not in our best interest as either a Nation, or a People.

Tomorrow will tell the tale of this hungering for true freedom we thought we have fought for, for decades. Now we are going to listen, as we see less hope as time marches toward the biggest train wreck this Planet has ever seen. Our hopes, will be seen as dashed away one by one over the next few years. Both mankind's ruthlessness for power, and Biblically Prophetic occurrence will be our food as we slip down the slope to disarray in both our lives and in our families. The betrayal spoken of in Scripture is here, but will be seen vividly shortly and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Time has come to draw in your personal forces and proceed with self made plans to combat the onslaught of mans inhumanity to man, as it invades our lives. Time has taken its toll on unsuspecting followers of men, instead of following our Creator and His warnings of things that will come are here for the tasting, and the food we have from now on will be difficult to swallow, but swallow we must, for the end of what we know and have known as life on this planet is going to reveal itself like the snarling teeth of a wild boar which this country has dined on delicately for so long in the face of its own demise.

So my friends and family, take a good look around in these coming months, for you will never see these times again. What has passed, has passed blindly, and very soon we will long for what we were thinking we had. Pure foolishness has been our food both politically and spiritually, as even our so called teachers in Churchianity have helped lead the masses into discontent unknowingly, and from these mussings we will be brought to the ground, returned from where we came.

Regards
Joseph

rob

Suck it up Twinky Winky? I think the point was that America as defined by its historic values may, very soon, no longer exist, and that this will be a consequence of media hype and a subversive , destructive left wing campaign. Very soon we could all be 'sucking it up' and missing the America that the (progressive ??????) left has selfishly attempted to destroy for decades. Look at Obamha's past, his racist outlook and central part in Americas current economic problems. Ask yourself what sort of country contain's voters that vote for a president based on colour, 97% of blacks voted for Obamha, many because Obamha is (50% anyway) black, and then heralds it as progress. Maybe this is something that you twinky winky should'nt be entirely comfortable with.

USA CITIZEN - Beth

Thank you for your perspective Melanie-

The MEDIA SOLD OBAMA TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Plain + Simple.
McCain + Palin ran an honest, truthful, straight-forward campaign, it's amazing they did so well, considering what they were up against.

-Palin is smart + thought-provoking. The Media pounced on her, unfair.
- The US Media did not thoroughly investigate Obama or ask him tough questions. Obama had a pass on relationships with his angry friends.
-Obama had big $$ received illegally for flashy graphics, a big staff of bloggers who disputed 'Obama Smears' (which were, in fact, truths).
- Obama had twice as much money than McCain, due to Obama's illegal funding... FEDS are investigating now. "Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations," Washington Post.
- Obama's Aunt is living on the dole as an illegally in Boston
"Barack Obama's Aunt [Zeituni Onyango] revealed this week to be dwelling in a Boston slum, is living in the United States illegally, refusing to leave the U.S. for her Kenyan homeland when a judge rejected her request for asylum four years ago, the Associated Press is reporting."
-Obama had a pass on his religion, what is it really? Muslim? Christian? his nationality? Arab?, his citizenship? Indonesian/American?

AN American: I'm with you, maybe we shouldn't be blogging, they might come to our house....

USA CITIZEN - Beth

oh yeah,
Does the UK press act in a biased manner? Do they take an 'oath of truth' or anything when they report on the ""NEWS""?
Thank you from across the pond.

Steve Klein

This is a good piece overall. Only Melanie Phillips still does not get it. We are in this situation largely because of Bush's immoral policies. Phillips insists Bush did not begin appeasing our enemies until he was into his second term of office.
Phillips: "But in the second term, Bush stopped being Bush. His foreign policy lurched from paralysis to appeasement...."
Stopped being Bush? Need we remind Ms. Phillps?
ARIEL SHARON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: : “I call on the Western democracies and primarily the leader of the free world, the United States: Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938 when enlightened European democracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for a convenient temporary solution. Do not try to appease the Arabs on our expense. This is unacceptable to us. Israel will not be Czechoslovakia. Israel will fight terrorism.”

CNN's JOHN KING: What angered Washington most was Sharon's comparison to Europe ceding parts of Czechoslovakia to Hitler, suggesting that in its aggressive effort to court Arab nations for the coalition against terrorism, the United States was turning its back on Israel's security.

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: The president believes that these remarks are unacceptable. Israel can have no better or stronger friend than the United States, and better friend than President Bush.

KING: Secretary of State Colin called Sharon once to voice the president's displeasure, then again later, after the prime minister agreed to issue a conciliatory statement.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0110/06/smn.06.html

CNN SATURDAY MORNING NEWS
Israel and the U.S. Involved in a Public Spat
Aired October 6, 2001 - 09:21 ET

Jill

Verity
November 5th, 2008 6:37pm

Thanks, Verity.

Larry Shapiro

What a neagative and unwarrented criticism of Barack Obama by Melanie Phillips. Demonizing him because of the actions and philosophies of his associates without any evidence whatsoever that he shares these attitudes denies him the simple justice inherent in being considered innocent until proven guilty.

Jill

Me
November 5th, 2008 10:36pm
Verity, whom every is Palin's running mate they must have money and lots of it. Too bad Schwarzenegger was not born in America. The Terminator would surely keep the riff raff out of our country ;)
--------------------------
There's a handful of younger Conservative leaders, like LA's governor. I read today that the Republican Party must change the way they choose delegates and get rid of any centrists--the kind that choose McCain and ignore conservatives. They should choose some of us at this thread.

Fred

You are right Melanie. 'They must now look elsewhere'. But where? There are now very few options anywhere. Whereas during the 1930s, when the Germans launched an horrendous assault on civilisation and the middle classes everywhere, there was still a free USA, not to mention the British Empire (given huge support at the time by the Australians, who had a magnificent all-volunteer army that was critical in defeating the Germans in North Africa, not to mention earlier on the Western Front). But now there is no-one and certainly no hope should be put on the weak and dispirited Europeans.

Tregonsee

Melanie,

We here in the colonies had a true perfect storm. I agree, as a Republican, that we let our principles slip. However, we were also guilty of the same sort of blindness to what was happening on the Left that the Clinton administration was toward terrorism. The signs were there, and a few noticed them. By any standard, Barack Obama is the most unqualified major party candidate in living memory, nurtured by those who do not wish the country well, and who would and did go beyond the law to insure his election. When he swears to "protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic," he will by his own words be lying. And I use that word in the true meaning, not the way it is so casually misused. Even now it is hard to believe that polics left over from the 1960s could suddenly be the principles of an administration in 2009.

Treg

Sharon T

I just caught the full victory speech. Tears and gibberish. The ‘Princess Obama‘ tag fits him perfectly.

“Respond to Pearl Habor. Yes, we can. Put a man on the moon. Yes, we can. Tie my hollow rhetoric into all these historic events to make it look as though I’m actually saying something? Yes, you can. Get away with it? Yes, you can.”

It works, though.

Kathie points out:

“our country is now filled with drug controlled, lazy people who want to be taken care of and bailed out of problems. They don\'t want to work but the rest of us work hard.”

Our ‘fellow traveller’ says: “Maybe part of his vision for the US is that in the future there will be fewer of these people, which would be good for all of us. It certainly is in the substance of his policies.”

The substance of his policies, fellow traveller, is to hand out tax credits to people who don’t work ie, who don’t pay tax.

His policy is to do exactly what New Labour does: let the middle classes break their backs twice over - once to pay for everything for themselves and then a second time to pay for all the spongers and layabouts.

Apropos Daniel Finkelstein, I also didn’t get his other criticisms of the Republicans’ messiah ads. He didn’t like them. But the polls showed they worked.

I will say, though, that the Republicans backfired on their two picks. The Republicans made a very good calculation on the political character of their two running mates. The maverick element was strategically right - but only if these two could perform in the arena. They didn’t.

Neither could do A-grade hand-to-hand combat either in interviews or the debates.

Sarah Palin has been very spitefully treated when compared with the Ayers, Wright and other Obama skeletons but you cannot afford to blow interviews with C grade performances - especially with such a hostile media.

I agree with The Spectator’s Americano blog on which it noted that McCain had to show - not tell - in his debates. He did not.

In their defence, McCain and Palin may not have been so bad had the election been about national security, which is what I think was planned on.

No matter how bad the economy, this presidency will, given the times we live in, be judged on national security. The terrorists and their taqqya accomplices aren’t going anywhere. That will show up Obama’s failings, but the sad thing for the rest of us is that time is running out and having him in the White House will waste precious time.

In relation to Britain, the Conservatives can console themselves with the fact that compared with McCain, Call Me Dave can defend and attack in interviews and debates to the required standard.

The frustration I had watching the presidential debates was that someone such as Rudy Giuliani really would have drawn out Obama’s weaknesses in a much clearer way than McCain ever got close to. Leadership above all is about communicating. The Republicans need a performer as effective as CMD.

One final thought, the Republicans must - above all else - reacquire a reputation for competence - that was what destroyed the Conservative Party.

I speak to many Americans who are aware that they face cultural annihilation at the hands of radical Islam but they need to get through the day, too. They want to know they have jobs and food on the table.

Funny, too, how Obama directed his clinging to guns and religion comment not at the Islamists in the Middle East, but at his fellow Americans. As if the jihadists there sit there cross legged in the desert reading Susan Sontag and Richard Dawkins in some post-Allah world. Another double standard observed by the mainstream media.

To return to the point, people cannot live without job security and financial security and many Republicans just seem to want to get that message into their party’s dumb head and get the snouts out of the trough.

Mehran

This is Oprah Winfrey's reaction to the victory of the One:

'It feels like hope won. It feels like it's not just victory for Barack Obama. It feels like America did the right thing. It feels like there's a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened here, like nothing ever in our lifetimes did we expect this to happen. It feels like anything is now possible.'

As you see every sentence starts with 'it feels like'.

This election result has been the culmination of years of Oprah-fication of America, where critical thinking cool-headedness and reason - never the forte of the 'arty' types - have been actively discouraged by the (extremely well-paid) liberal media personalities, such as Miss Winfrey, in favour of touchy-feely emotional incontinence. (Something that is sadly also happening in Britain).

The election of the Messiah, far from being the realisation of the American Dream (as it's claimed)is actually the product of a self-pitying and declining culture: a nation no longer confident about its abilities to change the change the world for the better. It is truly heart-breaking to see a once vibrant and confident power being reduced to this.

sean birnie

"Ha ha ha aha ha haha hahaha haha hah hahaha hahhhha hahahaha haaha hahah ahaha haha hah ha aha ha ah aha ha ha ha hah hah hah ha aha ha he ho hoh

tee hee heeeh hahahahaha haha ha hah hahaha hahaha hahaha hahhaha hahahaha haaha haha haha haha haha hahaha ahahahhhaha haha

Tee hee!" ...ad infinitum.

Thanks Si, N for the most eloquent moonbat comment of the night and one that I can actually agree with. You wanted him, well you got him... tee hee hee ha ha ha etc.

Pure schadenfreude of course. I'm so looking forward to when reality, as described by Melanie, actually sets in. After all, you do love poverty, chaos and war, don't you?

Or don't you?

Israel

Me:

"Verity, whom every is Palin's running mate they must have money and lots of it. Too bad Schwarzenegger was not born in America. The Terminator would surely keep the riff raff out of our country ;)"

Ermmmm..............

I suppose it would be silly of me to point out that a fictional character played by the Austrian ex-strong man wouldn't really be an aid in keeping the riff-raff out of the country expecially as you're someone whose party had Foghorn Leghorn impersonator Fred Thompson as a serious candidate for president.

Or would that be rude?

Vicki

Melanie, thanks so much for your articles. They are thought provoking and articulate a lot of what I would like to express. I look forward to them and pass them on to others.

It is a sad day for human life. Everyone wanted change so bad they would have voted for the devil (they did, didn't they?). Voters wanted change, Hitler promised change. Voters wanted prosperity, Hitler promised that. They didn't care about life, Hitler didn't either.

Sad and mourning here in Arizona!

kiernter

We've heard for eight years how horrible the United States is. Now all the libs have finally gained release-- they love America again. But for how long?

d1carter

God Save the USA...

Jill

Your man and your ideals were beaten fair and square. Obama deserves credit for his victory and the way he achieved this. Comment should wait until he actually takes office.

Be like America and embrace change. Clearly you do not understand the country or it's culture. The States is fed up with the old order and wants to be renewed. That is precisely what will happen.

Be positive for once!
--------------------------

You sound like an Obama supporter when you tell people when they can talk. At least 56 out of 118 million Americas are talking and saying things Obama might not like.

As for waiting until he's in office? You want McCain supporters to show the same respect and loyalty to Obama that Democrats showed Bush? Here, you have an advantage because Obama's opposition is pro-American. We will not ridicule the office of presidency around the world, lie about our young fighting men and women, vote to cut off funding to them, or instigate world wide economic catastrophes--all for political gain.

You did not see Republicans on the streets smashing shop windows and stealing TVs. We did not threaten to “move to Canada” if O won. You did not see Republicans refusing to accept the outcome of the election--as Obama was prepared to do. You can count on us to do the right thing. You can also count on us to disagree loudly when we disagree. We operate through the process and play by the rules and everybody knows it. That’s been one of our “weaknesses.” Another weakness has been moderates in the Republican Party. They are gone.

Liberal Republicanism lost yesterday, as represented by the bi-partisan reach-across-the-aisle and get- your-arm-broken McCain.

The Democratic constituents who voted for Obama need to learn to take criticism—even from overseas!, and learn how to lead.

I demand of the next president to continue the Bush Doctrine defined as a perfect record of ZERO American civilians murdered by terrorists since 9/11.

[ABC Primer for Ovoters: Between 1979 and 9/11 there were 10,000 American civilians killed in the same war on terror.]

One last thing, several studies came out this year debunking the grumpy conservative myth. It turns out that conservatives are naturally cheerful. They have a well-developed sense of humor. They beat the liberals on both scores. Add principles and a tendency to crunch data in casual conversation. What's not to love ;)

Dixon

Actually, all this hoopla seems strangely familiar...its like that night a neighbour where I used to live was running about ecstatically proclaiming to the world the landslide victory of New Labour!

His loud demonstrations of joy seemed to be a "get back" at everyone he didnt like ( basically anyone who wasnt a venal lefty dirt-bag like himself ) ...on the basis that said people were all "them" and presupposed to be Tory. Well, he had his "one in the eye" ( as he saw it ) on the "us" ( as he deemed it )...I wonder what that dimmock feels about New Labour today?

The same is going to happen with Obammie. He will either be dissapointingly sensible to the Looney Left who voted for him, or else he'll be as Loony Left as the sensible voters who switched to him refused to believe. One way or the other, he's destined to be detested by one half of his supporters!

Bill M

This is funny and perhaps quite true for many:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/89632

Jill

Good post Kathie in Arizona. :) thanks for sharing.

Dee Villa

I am from the USA and proud to be an American. What has happened yesterday is trully a travesty to our freedom. I couldn't agree with you more. As a matter of fact you didn't go far enough. You should have brought out about Obama's marxist connections that he's surrounded himself with for the last 20 years. And why has he had sealed all of his college records ??

Dee Villa

To Allen@Aberdeen. You are so correct. What is going to happen to the country that we love so much ? I knew of some things that were kept hidden but you have surely opened my eyes even wider. Thanks

Verity

Dave - This is the best yet: " Obama, on the other hand, is an educated African American who overcame many obstacles to get where he is at this time."

He is? He did?

Oh? What "obstacles"? Like favouritism? "Reverse discrimination"? "Affirmative action"? He was perfect. Handsome, well-built ... biddable ...

I have always sensed something weak, insecure and biddable about this individual

He's an "African American?"

As defined as a descendent of people who were captured by their own people and sold to Arab slavers and transported across the Atlantic in holds of ships, in chains, to be auctioned off in the United States?

Until the British Navy shut down the lines, this is what was happening.

Obama's family was part of this?

No.

His father came willingly, determinedly to the US of his own free will, obviously expecting to benefit from his colour.

He was an opportunist. Nothing wrong with that, but let's not pretend he was taken to the United States in chains in the hold of a ship. By the time Obama's daddy hopped a ship or a plane the world had changed.

Obama had a very disturbed childhood, to say the least and he seems to have no history between when his mother carted him back to Hawaii after "marrying" and presumably divorcing his stepfather, and suddenly turning up at Harvard on a "reverse discrimation" programme.

This man reeks of privilege. As does his wife, on two "scholarships" to study, well, nothing it seems ... but aggression.

Obama's a weak man on a gravy train. He's not in control.

Sue

Well said Melanie!

Fellow Traveler...
" Maybe part of his vision for the US is that in the future there will be fewer of these people, which would be good for all of us. It certainly is in the substance of his policies (tax breaks for companies creating jobs in the US) and his rhetoric last night."

There is absolutly NOTHING in Obama's plans for redistributing the wealth in America, that will "create jobs". These sort of tax and spend policies have been tried by Democrats and liberal Republicans before...it always means fewer jobs, more inflation, and ultimately more folks on Government handouts.

"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves." -- Abraham Lincoln

Mr. Sutoro has managed to purchase the Obama presidency, in spite of multiple nefarious associations in his personal life, which point to a very worrisome militant, leftist ideology. By hook or crook, with the generous help of a shamelessly biased press, and millions of dollars of support provided by powerful liberals, Barry made it in.

Informed Americans shudder at the socialist future that awaits this once strong democracy. As Barry "levels" the field, and rewrites our country's constitution to fit his leftist agenda, I predict a massive wave of 'buyer's remorse'. When the consequences of his tax and spend policies begin to ripple across this land, the reality will set in.

Socialism doesn't generate jobs, and businesses are already laying workers off in anticipation of the financial effects of an Obama presidency. So hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen, it's gonna be a rough ride.

Antimedia

Look elsewhere? To where? There IS no elsewhere.

Antimedia

"A final point: my best friend at college was once a member of the militant tendency - does this make me a communist? (In fact, I am a member of the Conservative Party.) You make far too much of Obama's past associations and need to lighten up a bit. It's not going to be the disaster you think - promise!"

Really? His father was a communist. His adopted father was a communist. His mentor was a communist. He writes in Dreams of My Father that he "sought out Marxist professors". He worked hand in hand with a communist for 20 years on projects to pervert education to socialist propaganda mills.

The only consistent thread of his entire life has been Marxism. I doubt that he will abandon it now, now that he has grasped the brass ring.

Vladimir Weissman - Copenhagen

Thanks, Ms. Philips!
But I hope you are wrong. The millions that e.g. defeated the "Illegal Immigrant Bill" will not give up.
Remember Carter? That's what it looks like. The Cons will come back. They have emphatically learned a lesson. Already in 2010, they can form a new Congress. And Obama might still choose good cabinet ministers and key advisors.
So: cheer up. And keep us informed.
Thanks again and G-d Bless!

Veronica Redmond

I worked my buns off for McCain/Palin this year - contributed lots of money,made daily calls on the phonebank, walked the neighborhoods and carried those damn signs in the rallys. I was shocked by the margin BHO won. However, I, for one, will support him as my
President and pray daily that he makes good and wise decisions for our country. I will support him until he does something that doesn't deserve support. It's a great time for the conservatives to regroup and come back strong and organized in two years. After all, isn't that what a democracy is all about?

Roy

Well said Melanie, your opinion I would value more than all the Greek Philosophers the whole British establishment and all these valued comments put together. One would like to think you are wrong but knowing British standards have unredeemably sunk never to be seen again, that surely seems the way it’s going. Having first hand knowledge of some Commonwealth countries who are gathering momentum to follow suit as if being pulled by a piped piper playing a mixed melody but always intoxicating enough to blind and disable before dropping us into the pit of pacifism and impotence.

Slack Alice

Can I just add that he is far from far left???
I dont understand what the fuss is about?
He will no doubt turn out to be just like all the other before him.
A true far left leader will not happen in our life time. Relax.

Slack Alice

Can I also add that America is was corrupt from the on set. I see people commenting about the "One World Government".
I suggest you do your research as this has been on the cards since America gained independants. Federal Reserve anyone???

david skinner

Unless folks recognise the world of spiritual forces, they will be blind to what Obama stands for. If people not only cannot see an iceberg coming up but wilfully and purposefully refuse to see it , no amount of pleading and discussion will penetrate the concrete casing, a billion miles thick that surrounds such of a mind . Christians have stood in amazement that a whole nation, nay the whole world has been seduced and deluded by this man. Why can they not see and understand the patently obvious? Only the spirit of Jesus Christ can penetrate such darkness. Though Christians are the largest faith group in the world, nominally at least, they are still in the minority. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Worldwide_percentage_of_Adherents_by_Religion.png

John Birch

Conservative Cabbie: Fox News is now offering details on McCain's Palin problem. Apparently, she didn't know that Africa is a continent, couldn't name the countries in NAFTA, was difficult to work with, and refused preparation help for the interview with Katie Couric. When she flopped in that interview, she then blamed staff and was apparently difficult to work with in general. In other words, don't count on seeing her as the Republican candidate in four years because undoubtedly there is more of this to come out yet.

mixed metaphors on speed

Joseph Czarniowski

You wrote that open letter to family and friends.

Did any of them understand a word of it?

Dave

Verity: Palin for 2012? Really. I suspect even you might change your "mind" as more information comes out about her.
Latest news, she didn't know the countries in NAFTA and thought Africa was a country rather than a continent.
Source? Fox News. Fair and Balanced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWZHTJsR4Bc&e

phil

Joseph Czarniowski- how sad to read your words -we may well be entering a brave new world where all people will have a fair shot at what they aspire too -please do not condemn us all to your depression without giving it a try -I remember Kennedy and he broke new boundaries didn't he ?

Norberto Collado Abreu

Sarah Palin, a woman who according to FOX NEWS, doesnt know whether Africa is a country or a continent, and thinks that South Africa is a part of a country...I really hope this moron runs for office in 2012, because that will guaranteed victory for Obama

Tancred

America has a long history of snake oil salesmen.

They just keep falling for the same old lines.

Personaly I judge a person by the company theu keep.

Obama doesn't come out well from such scrutiny.

Perhaps they need 4 or 8 years of such rule to realise that just what am unfettered Liberal Left will reak upon their nation.

Thankfully however, unlike the British, Americans can still bear arms.

I fear they will need them as the socialist tide advances across their land.

The Liquidator

'but as the result of a culture war in which western civilisation is losing out to a far-left agenda which has become mainstream, teaching American children to despise the founding values of their country and hijacking discourse by the minority power-grab of victim-culture.'

You have got to be kidding me.

David

One of the amusing things to note is that Arnie is more left wing than McCain, being more like a Guliani Republican.

Mary from Illinois, USA

TO ALL CONSERVATIVES IN USA: I JUST PURCHASED MY JINDAL 2012 BUMPER STICKERS! NOW THIS IS HOPE!!!

Leon

Howard, ( "You do not understand...it's [sic] culture", clearly has Obamaesque pretensions to be an agent of change. Howard wants to change English grammar/spelling.

David

Well said, Veronica. You are a credit to your party.

Mondragon

OOOaahhh (to the tune of 'The Laughing Policeman)
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ohh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Ha ha ha
Ohh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha HA HA HA

So decisive the reps couldn't steal it. The world is the winner.

Hayward Maberley

Vicki in Arizona,
Godwin's Law, first formulated in 1990 by Mike Godwin, states;
"As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."
Dodds Corollary to this states;
"When debating a particular subject, if a comparison or implied connection is drawn between the opponent's argument and Hitler and the Nazi Party, the maker of that statement is automatically discredited and the debate is automatically lost by the person or group who referenced the connection to Hitler or the Nazis."
Congratulations & commiserations

The TriGuy

Melanie has many good points. But Twinkie (by the way, I love your pastries!) is right: it is a democracy and the people have spoken. That's what so wonderful about this country. But I hope that Veronica's ideals (which are similar to those of my family) will be the path we follow. Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.
As to McCain, he was not my choice in the beginning. He was weak, lacked direction and was too much of an appeaser to suit my taste. History is rife with examples of what that has gotten in the face of strength of will and purpose. As to his campaign, he appeared to be more concerned with keeping friends in the Senate--when he returned--than in winning the election.
All that being said, I am so very glad this whole thing is over. Can we get on with life now?

Hayward Maberley

Melanie et al.,
Well the audience was not convinced. McNasty and The Diva failed to impress with their performance,.
Not quite Götterdämmerung more like I Pagliacci, it all ended in tears.
And now the reviews are coming in, with even the faithful on Fox panning The Diva.
Ther is plenty of room and the time for improvement before 2012. With a lot of coaching and remedial classes in current affairs,geography and politics The Diva might give a better performance in 2012.

An American

Norberto and his fellow liberals are intent on destroying Sarah Palin. The reason is that there is a future for this intelligent, energetic, photogenic Conservative woman. First, I don't believe what McCain's so-called staff said about Palin. Second, McCain has always been a jealous, petty sort and I think he and his staff resent that Palin came off better, was more popular and had a larger following than McCain. I very much appreciate Palin's hard work and contribution to this campaign. She is a moral person who walks the walk and doesn't destroy innocent sweet babies because they are less than perfect. She has my respect.

derek

Funny how Fox News is reporting the same stories that the liberal-biased MSM was reporting before the election was over.

Wonder why that might be????? Maybe the MSM was reporting the real stories the whole time and Fox News was reporting the conservative-biased news during the election.

all you all that are blaming this on the MSM need to acknowledge reality.

Dixon

Slack Alice
November 6th, 2008 7:52am:
" Can I also add that America is was corrupt from the on set. I see people commenting about the "One World Government".
I suggest you do your research as this has been on the cards since America gained independants. Federal Reserve anyone???"

Can anyone actually understand what "Slack Alice" is trying to say?

All I can fathom is that he/she connnot distinguish between similar sounding but verydifferent words, such as "independence" and "independants".

Dixon

...in fact, "independants" is not a word that actually exists at all!

hennesli

Neoconservatism died yesterday and the world rejoices. Ive been thoroughly entertained all day reading the hysterical ramblings of those like melanie and the drones at LGF in response to the Obama win.

Norberto Collado Abreu

"An American", please believe me when I tell you I dont want to destroy this woman, I want her to run in 2012, because that will all but guarantee Obama 8 years in power. And if you dont believe the rumours from McCaines aides, lets just examine what he have heard from her mouth: When asked what newspapers or magazines she read...
Sarah Palin: I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.
KC: But, like, what ones specifically? I'm curious.
SP: All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years.
KC: Can you name a few?
SP: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news too

She had absolutely no idea what the Bush Doctrine was, she embarassed herself over the whole "Alaska is near Russia, therefore I am qualified on foreign policy" fiasco, and so on.

The woman is moron, an utter imbecile, but as I said before, she has my full support as the Republican candidate for 2012

Verity

Jill writes: "Verity, whom every is Palin's running mate they must have money and lots of it."

That's why we have what is known as "fundraising". If I'm not mistaken, thug and low-life Barrack Obama raised $800m for his campaign.

Tregonsee writes: "Even now it is hard to believe that polics left over from the 1960s could suddenly be the principles of an administration in 2009".

Yes. Put so bluntly, it is chilling.

Dave 8:34, who whimpers that Palin did not know that Africa is a continent - trust me, if ignorance of geography is a yardstick, do you believe Tony Blair would ever have made it into No 10? He knows where Africa and the Middle East are now, but had you asked him to point out Africa, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Brazil on an UNMARKED atlas before he warmed his seat on the gravy train, you would have had an equal fit of the giggles.

Guliani would have been a better candidate for fighting the Obama abomination because he's a meaner fighter, which is what it would have taken.

Wetherby Pond

"She is a moral person who walks the walk"

Yes, but she doesn't talk the talk, does she? Unless it's been carefully pre-scripted and rehearsed to within an inch of its life, otherwise it comes out as incoherent gibberish - as we've all seen on too many occasions to list.

She never did give that promised press conference, did she? Or indeed a single interview that could in any way be described as tough, come to that. Is this really someone you want leading your country?

David Lindsay

Conservative Cabbie, Obama took ninety-seven per cent of the black vote, and no one is more hostile to illegal immigration, no one is more sceptical even about a great deal of legal immigration, no one is more committed to America as an English-speaking country, and nop one is more conservative morally (although plenty of other people are equally so), than the blacks and their churches.

The blacks and their churches are among those whom Obama owes in a very big way.

By contrast, McCain wanted to give an amnesty to illegal immigrants. But then, any "free"-marketeer must by definition be in favour of unrestricted migration.

Ben-Tsiyon (ha rishon)

Dixon missed out his middle name ! His full name is Christopher Creep Hitchens.

King Prawn

Melanie,

I am shocked at the way that you are still berating Tony Blair.

He is the only British politician who can see the Islamic threat that we have. This is a man who risked all to rightly support the Iraq War and eventually lost his job because of his support for Israel during its 2006 war with Hizbollah.

I am afraid he brought the Labour Party as far as it could be brought to responsible government. You could see where he wanted to go on important issues like the education, NHS and welfare reform.

To compare him to Obama is a joke. Obama is a person who will negotiate away the West's freedoms with any movement from our enemies.

Everyone thinks that Afghanistan is the real front in the War On Terror. It wasn't, Iraq was.

Everyone says the Iraq War was about oil. I don't think so. The war was about drawing the jihadists into a war on American terms many miles away from Western land. And let's be honest, if that is the case then its been so successful that the Iraqi Sunni population is now totally rejecting Al Qaeda.

It may be impossible to believe now, but Blair and Bush will probably be seen as great leaders in a few years time.

Frank P

Sue (4.45am)

An excellent post and one worthy of the America I know and love. It will be a rough ride, as you point out, the repercussions will be felt over here, but the mooncalves that have swallowed the stale socialist hackneyed agitprop, and regurgitate it on this blog, are blind to anything that shines light on the deceit and false promises of their Utopian nonsense.

Jealousy drives them; the undeserving ugly, weak and lazy, demanding that the able and ingenious not only share the rewards of their ability and ingenuity but submit also to the dictates of a state run by the parasites of their own persuasion. History shows us that tolerance and generosity is always perceived as weakness and exploited by such creatures. Levelling down is their subliminal mantra. Your country will retain its innate strength, despite the current upsurge of 'liberal' (Ingsoc for Marxist) politics. This sham will be exposed for what it is quite soon as the OBambi shill becomes so much veal in the abattoir of the Washington political meat factory.

In the meantime the world will have to adjust a little on its axis as it realigns, before it resumes turning in the same old way. Never lose sight of the fact that although the European mainstream media portrays public opinion over here as predominately anti-American, Melanie Phillips represents a much larger body of opinion that the MSM would admit - and I'm sure you know why.

The transatlantic alliance must be maintained at any cost in the dangerous times ahead; despite the damage reeked on the markets by the destructive subversive leftist elements on the one hand and the opportunistic exploitation of the 'unacceptable face of capitalism' on the other. It is the free market that will prevail and find its own equilibrium quickly despite the setbacks that the Obama 'experiment' will bring in the short term.

From this side of the Pond the demographics are worrying; your assimilative structures are more adaptive to migration than ours (though I understand that your current levels are testing). You insist on the American element of citizenship being the over-riding factor in your acceptance of their entry. Here we cede the Britishness and subvert our own culture in favour of theirs: virtual Dhimmitude. Thus we aboriginals look west for whatever is left of our culture to survive and south to our Australasian cousins. The UK is virtually a goner. Blair was the Trojan horse that was allowed through our gates. Beware Obama! I’m confident America will not be the push-over that the UK was in the face of the Gramscian march, despite this ominous set back. I suggest you marshal the bailiffs for as early an ejection of the incoming tenants as you can achieve, even before they take up occupancy, as I’m sure the processes will take some time. We’re into 11 years of squatters in No. 10 here and still not sure of an eviction even using 2010 as a provisional target date. And the faeces on the walls there may be traceable for years to come even if we succeed.

Good luck in your endeavours. Melanie doesn’t get involved in the fray of the commentariat here and who can blame her? But speaking personally I’m grateful that you have and others from the US have expressed their support for her on this blog. I hope it gives her the strength to keep battling, albeit against a background of abuse from the usual inane suspects.

Verity

Wetherby Pond writes: "She never did give that promised press conference, did she?"

Who stopped her, I wonder? Who ruled it out? Senator McCain?

Jill

Rush said Obama will probably be like Clinton in this way: Clinton never stopped campaigning all through office. Obama will do the same. He already started campaigning for his second term.

As for his legacy, Elites are working on it. There will be a unity among the elites to blame Republicans for every failure of the Dems in the White House and Congress (nothing new). However, part of the reason will be to mitigate widespread disappointment in O's job performance. It would crush so many people if O makes a mockery of Blacks; but we know the election already has. There was a concerted effort to make sure O wins because they feared he did not merit winning.

It's the kind of discrimination that results from political correctness, as well as collective guilt within the Democratic Party, and those who do it don't recognize it. They will continue promoting him during his term. There will be a concerted effort to make sure his popularity remains high. He won't be accountable for his actions in office. We can look forward to at least four years of being called racists and divisive if we criticize the president's job performance, or if we disagree with the Democratic Party. History will rewrite his presidency to purge any embarrassments; and those mistakes that cannot be purged will be pinned on Republicans.

If you doubt me, which of the two parties represented slavers and segregationists?

a) Republican
b) Democratic

Which of the two parties fought against Jim Crow laws and the KKK at the end of the Civil War until 1964 Civil Rights Act?

a) Democratic
b) Republican

Of which two parties did O-supporters have to fear "a Bradley effect"?

a) Republican
b) Democratic (also called "yellow dog Democrats" for their undying southern-inspired loyalty to their great-grandfather's party.)

(answer for all is b.)

You will look long and hard to find a historian who will tell you that the KKK was a terrorist arm of the Democratic Party. Any historian who does suffers public flaying. The Democrat's genuine history has been sanitized, and they hijacked the Republican’s record on civil rights. Republicans did not stop them. Republicans stand up for everybody else except for themselves it seems.

Black Republicans, however, have been working hard to set the record straight. Many black defenders of the Republican Party had fought for civil rights as Republicans in the 1950s and 60s. They did not defect to the Democrats in exchange for socialist promises. They rightly discerned that social programs increase social problems. They also knew from experience that blacks had already achieved middle class status in the 1950s despite Jim Crow. (Capitalism in a free market overcame racism.) For them, it was not materialism they were fighting for, but national principles of our founding. The Civil Rights movement was about forcing southern state and local governments to recognize the US Constitution’s “Bill of Rights.” The goal was accomplished.

Neither party’s nature has changed. The Democratic Party runs over the US Constitution’s “Bill of Rights,” and the Republican Party tries to stop them. The irony is Dems are using a black man as President to do it. To me, this is the greatest mockery.

There was a time when the Democratic Party and Thomas Jefferson were the same. They will not find healing until they return to Jefferson.

Thank you for reading.

derek

HELLO???
Does anyone think it's a little disturbing that the McCain campaign are basically admitting they were ready to put a person who didn't know Africa was a continent a heart beat away from being President. Now THAT's what an American collapse would look like, people. Get real.

phil

Veronica Redmond how refreshing and oh so different to the hariden verity who shames us all.We need to get together to bring this world back to where it should be and your sentiments are a wonderful message to all those who tried there best ,some winning and some having to try again -I raise my hat to you ,YOU ARE A TRUE aMERICAN LADY

Mary from Illinois, USA

Not to fret Melanie. We Americans may on occasion get knocked down but not for long. There is already a renewed energy and focus on rebuilding the conservative movement. In fact I already purchased my Jindal/Palin 2012 bumper stickers! I think "The Fair Tax"(.org) is another movement whose time has come--it is anti socialistic--The People can and will change America in the right direction if they are willing to get involved

john doe

"it is a democracy and the people have spoken."

Utter nonsense. It is not a democracy. It's a system of mass indoctrination, brainwashing and mind control. In a true democracy the population is informed and educated about what is going on behind the facade of snake oil salesmen, soft shoe shufflers and frauds that specialise in hoodwinking the people into believing in them. The people have not spoken. To speak you need to know. The people do not know. The Germans democratically voted Hitler in, but they were also relentlessly mesmerised and saturated with seductive promises and glib vague concepts, giving them hope for change. Goebbels would be so proud of the MSM and Obama's propaganda machine. It has been run exactly on the principles he laid out for effective manipulation of the people.
Democracy? Humbug!

phil

Veronica apologies the capital A in American lady slipped on my keyboard -a senior moment :)

Simeon Collins

It seems certain people don't actually now what they're fearful of in regards to Obama's pending term in office. Let's clear a few things up.

1) Obama is not a socialist. There is a gigantic difference between 'socialism' and social development. Whilst many of you have expressed fear that Obama will 'take from the hard-working rich and dish out to the slack and lazy poor' I must inform you that you are greatly misguided. Obama's long term plan is that of any socially aware leading politician in that he wishes to improve the quality of life, healthcare, education and employment opportunities of the lower classes, which will in turn lead to less crime, a boosted and strengthened economy & and a greater quality of life for all Americans (which I assume everyone can agree are ideals that would once more enhance the view of America as the greatest nation on earth). Policies like this can only serve to promote the idea of the American dream which has sadly been impossible to attain for so many impoverished citizens.

2) "I'm so looking forward to when reality, as described by Melanie, actually sets in. After all, you do love poverty, chaos and war, don't you?". Sean Birnie this is perhaps the stupidest comment I've ever read on a Melanie Phillips blog (and there are plethora of nonsensical ramblings to choose from I assure you!) Obama's intentions are to reduce poverty (which is fairly obvious from looking at any of his social/economic policies) and end the war in Iraq (which as we know is a war which has divided your country and was started by a Republican Government without UN backing) as well as discuss in civil terms the situation in Iran with a view to a peaceful solution. I think your irrational fear mongering is truly representative of the current negative stereotype of Americans and Republicans who loathe change. Let us be clear, the current system has failed so many Americans it is ridiculous, if you would truly prefer an anti-utilitarian world where the greed of the few restricts and ruins the lives of the many then not only are you a lousy American and Christian, you also suck as a human being.

3) Islam and Terrorism. Whilst there are a certain dedicated few that believe Terrorism is a neccessary course of action, I assure you this is not the case for the vast, VAST majority of Muslims. There is (an arguably justifyable) hatred of Americans in the middle-east at this moment in time as the war on terror, in particular the invasion and occupancy of Iraq (perpetuated by clearly false intelligence involving WMD's), is viewed as a sham and just a method for large American oil companies like to get their hands on the rich natural resources that Iraq possesses (see the 'food-for-oil' programme for evidence of this, possibly the mmost dispicable doctrine ever created). The fact that Obama has a name influenced by Islam means nothing. He has said frequently that he is not a Muslim. If he had ever truly been a Muslim and he denounced his faith is the fashion that he has, then under Sharia law he would be executed for rejecting his faith. I think that is evidence enough that bringing Chritian America to its knees submissively to hail the great Allah is not very high up on his agenda as President... The fact that many Muslim counries are ecstatic that Obama was victorious owes to the same reasoning that most other nations in the world are ecstatic, its time for a positive change, which is what Obama has intention of doing. Don't fear the enslavement of the American people, he has remarked on a large number of occasions that his story is one that could take place only in the realm of the United States, proof enough that his love for the country he serves is unparalleled.

4) The mainstream Media effect. This is the part I hope to explain without sounding patronising. For many publishers and reporters who possess, as the nature of the job would entail, a view of the wider world, there was only one option for Presidency. With his progressive and developmental plans for education, healthcare and foreign policy, Barack Obama was clearly the way forward not only for the United States but for the world in general. This, I believe, also ties in with the 'a vote for John McCain ties into racism' debate. For some, perhaps foolishly, a vote for the Republican candidate would have been seen as such step backwards for America that anyone who voted this way must have some sort of prejudice towards a man with a Black heritage. Although this view is pretty blinkered, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a multitude of people in the less cosmopolitan areas of the US voted in this way.

Although nobody in recent US history has been anywhere near as divisive as Barack Obama, have faith that the majority of your compatriots voted in a Democratic way to elect him as 44th President of your country, and at very least give his ideals a chance. Let's face it, he guaranteed to be a better job than the incumbent!

Regards from the LDN.

Dougal

Wetherby Pond: "Is this really someone you want leading your country?"

Well WP these morons don't want her running the USA, they want her to be the worlds largest superpower!! God help us all if that happens. SHhe is certainly not intelligent, and I simply can't trust anyone who hides behind that much makeup.

David

"Who stopped her, I wonder? Who ruled it out? "

Anyone with any sense after the previous car crashes of interviews.

Conservative Cabbie

John Birch
Israel
Derek et al

Ah, the joy of an uncritical mind - it must be nice to live in a world where you just accept facts reported with no thought as to why they are being reported so. I can see why Obama won, such slavish acceptance of an uncritical media by uncritical minds.

This is why I love Sarah Palin.

When asked about tension in the camp, she replied that there was no tension, that: "I love him...I honour him". Asked about going rogue, she jokingly told the interviewer that that just meant she was returning phone calls to reporters behind the campaign's back. Asked about hurt feelings, she replied “This is politics! Of course not. It’s rough and tumble and you’ve got to have a thick skin just like I’ve got.” asked about the media she replied “disappointment in the media — don’t take it personally.”

Class, integrity and humour. I realise, as Obama fans, that these are alien concepts to you, they're not exactly the top characteristics on Obama's resume, but those are the reasons I love Sarah Palin.

Conservative Cabbie

Verity

It's really annoying when this site just swallows up replies, I posted one this morning in response to your question about the 2012 ticket. I'll give it another go.

Firstly, I think it's a toss up right now between Jindal and Palin as to who gets the top spot, it'll depend who the party and the fundraisers get behind. Whilst the base will want Palin, I suspect the party will choose Jindal, as a Yale graduate and Rhodes Scholar, even arrogant liberals won't be able to accuse him of being dumb.

On to the VP choices.

1. Have a look at Eric Cantor. He's a representative from Virginia, looks to become the next chief whip in the house. He's young, 44, and is the only jewish rep. the GOP have. He's served as Chairman of the Congressional Taskforce on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare and has served on both the House Financial Services Committee and the House International Relations Committee, so he has some strong knowledge. He's also very pro-Israeli, he believes in cutting off all financial support to Palestine so I imagine Melanie will like him.

His plusses are that he's Jewish , a demographic that overwhelmingly supported Obama, he's from Virginia which will be an absolutely crucial state come 2012, he apparently is an excellent fundraiser and is popular in Pennsylvania and Florida too.

2. We've discussed General Petreaus before. Trouble is, we don't know whether he even is a republican or whether he has political ambitions. Like you, I think he'd be better as Secretary of State or Head of the Joint Chiefs.

3. Fred Thompson. Very popular within the party and a real attack dog. Apparently though, he doesn't like campaigning so probably a non starter.

4. How about Michele Bachmann, check her out on wiki, she's a representative from Minnesota who made her name recently calling Obama and other members of Democrats in congress un-american. She's an anti-abortion campaigner (the type that stands outside abortion clinics praying). She believes intelligent design should be taught in schools alongside evolution. She is basically Palin plus. I'd love her to get it just to witness liberal descent into complete derangement, if you thought their response to Palin was dispicable, I'd love to see how they react to Michele Bachmann. Andrew Sullivan's blood pressure would go through the roof.

Michael

Hey Conservative Cabbie!

I'm glad you love Sarah Palin.

Maybe you two can get together, and you could, I dunno, maybe teach her where Africa is? And what it is?

Ideal first date territory that.

raymond joseph douglas

I.too feel abandoned,by the main parties here in the UK.

Conservative Cabbie

John M

Where is the over qualified cabbie. Too intelligent but still a cab driver. Has he left the universe?

The one thing I never lay claim too is intelligence.

As for over-qualified to be a cabbie, not me, I have the worlds worst memory, not exactly a good qualification for a Cabbie - thank God for sat-nav.

Israel

Conservative Cabbie:

"Class, integrity and humour. I realise, as Obama fans, that these are alien concepts to you, they're not exactly the top characteristics on Obama's resume, but those are the reasons I love Sarah Palin."

Cabbie mate, l luv ya and i'm in a great mood two days later (so are a lot of people here in my part of South London l may add) and l know you would like a bit of a set-to to make you feel better about the fact that the US sent such a stinging rebuke to McCain/Palin by leaving them with Texas, Kansas, South Carolina and the surrounding states. You may think that "Class, Integrity and Humour" are alien concepts to Obama fans, but l can hold my head up with pride as l know that President Elect Barack Hussain Obama has not been found guilty of ethics violations (as well as facing more when she gets back), did not charge his state for nights spent at home, and when he mentioned his opponents name at his rallies and people booed he on every occasion said "You don't need to boo, just vote". How something like that lacks class l don't know. Everyone on both sides of the campaign ticket had a sense of humour, the top one being McCain (his delivery of the McCain Fine Gold during his SNL appearence had me rolling) if you didn't find it funny thats up to you. I know youy don't like him. I know that you agree with Melanie and spout most of the same things as her (even though you don't use drudge as your main information pipeline). The simple fact is that MOST PEOPLE IN THE STATES DON'T AGREE WITH YOU. You will have many more chances in the next four years to act like Richard of Gloucester (or more likely King Priam's daughter Cassandra) maybe even starting next week, if reports of what the Bush administration have done now are correct. Keep up the dialogue, l would hate to see you disappear and l will keep reading your comments with interest. Now Arsenal are out of the title race and the scousers are going back to last season's form the football season is starting to get interesting again. I am surprised that there hasn't been a further commentary from Melanie though. Surely she must have something to say now, or has the massive Jewish support for Obama left her more than a bit shell shocked? I would have thought she would have something to say about that moron Clarkson and the BBC as she had a lot to say about Brand and Ross!!!

Augustus

Of course the world has changed overnight:-

-America will be loved above all nations.
-The terrorists will have no reason to attack ever again.
-There will be no more wars or poverty.
-The planet will cool during the next four years.
-The slaughters in Darfur and the Congo will miraculously end.
-The military can now be disbanded.
-Everyone will get free medical care.
-Government will be both mother and father.
-There will be no more racism.
-Crime will subside dramatically.
-China will suddenly stop building a new coal-fired power plant every week.
-North Korea will end its nuclear programme.
-The Arabs will love the Jews.
_Hamas and Hezbollah will amend their charters and embrace Israel.
-The Government will simply print as much money as they need to pay for everything.

And all to thunderous applause!

Jakes Combri

As a South African, I can only say good luck to the poor guys and girls in the states, we had the first black president, and we are paying for it with our lives, our livelyhood, and more, when the USA accused us of being racists, we had to swallow it, now it is their turn, all of the best there in the land of the born free and taxed to death.

Conservative Cabbie

Israel

I don't like John McCain. Don't know where you got that idea. A true American hero.

I'm glad you're happy Obama won, if you'd read some of my earlier posts, you would have seen that I was happy to acknowledge his success and was pleased for his supporters. Maybe you're unclear about the meaning of class - I think of it as being able to resist the temptation to gloat, to win gracefully. Try it, it'll make you feel good in yourself.

Israel

Cabbie:

My Cassandra analogy was wrong.

Her curse was to predict the truth and not be believed. The idea that you or Melanie are in anyway like that crosses the border of the absured and into the land of ridiculous fantasy.

The Misanthropist

So! Politics is, as see once again so crudely demonstrated, the simplest of games, and as such appeals inevitably to the simple-minded: no amount of reasoned analysis on this or any other blog can dignify its essential puerility. - Witness the infantile, nay, emotionally-arrested tongue-sticking out pose of victorious 'Democrats' whose exhilaration seems to stem from nothing more intellectually complex than a playground exclamation 'Look daddy, look mummy - we've elected a black man! Aren't we clever?'- That said, if you decide to play the game yourself, you'd better be prepared to play hard. The playgrounds of history are full of snot-nosed kids crying into their torn jersey-sleeves. Black Republicans - and there are many deeply admirable such voters need - now more than ever - to stand up and offer America a way out of Obama's vilely inverted racist culture. And their white brothers and sisters need to support them in every way they can. Two can play the inverse race card game...

Ozzy

Excellent article.

The vultures of tyranny have been circling the gates of freedom for some time now.

As soon as Obama siezes the key I expect the gates to be flung open to welcome in the carrion birds of horror to gorge on the twitching corpse of liberty.

Verity

Augustus - On your list, you forgot to mention the endorphin effect. Not just will the oceans cease to rise, but so will weight! Endorfins will flood the bodies of every American man, woman and child and there will be no more comfort eating and no one will ever get fat again! Pets, too, will slender down from the feel-good factor of their owners.

Conservative Cabbie - Many thanks for your very interesting assessment. Both Palin and Jindal are strong, personable characters and they're both have natural presence - as in, they have natural star quality.

I tend to agree that the choice for president may be Jindal, partly due to the Rhodes Scholar thing - although Bill Clinton was also a Rhodes Scholar... uh ...

I am not sure that Palin would stand for VP again. No matter what the circumstances, she's a one-time loser for this position, and Americans just don't take to losers. She could get the nomination for president by saying she's Number One-spot material, which is actually true. Had she been running for president with McCain as the VP candidate, I think they could have won. As it is, Obama only squeaked in with 53% of the vote. Anway, that's yesterday's battle.

I do follow your reasoning, though. Unfortunately, in Jindal and Palin we have two excellent presidential candidates, but neither of them would shine as VP (IMO). Do you think one would run as the other's VP? I hae ma doots.

But they're both very viable for the top spot.

For VP, from what you've written, Eric Cantor looks very good. And understands that terrorism isn't about revenge for feeling misunderstood, so that would make a welcome change.

General Petreaus, agreed. We don't know where he stands politically, and we shouldn't. (Of course, we don't know where Colin Powell stands, either, except all over the place wherever there's a job opportunity). Best reserve Petreaus for Joints Chiefs of Staff or Sec'y of Defense, as you noted. Don't know the Michele lady, but she could frighten people off. Also, people may have gone off the name Michel(l)e by then.

Thanks for a thought-provoking post! (Agree about Fred Thompson, which is a pity; but there it is.)

Thanks again and have a good day!

Jasmine

Look at this from Simeon Collins:

“Obama's long term plan is that of any socially aware leading politician in that he wishes to improve the quality of life, healthcare, education and employment opportunities of the lower classes, which will in turn lead to less crime, a boosted and strengthened economy.”

This is why people link Obama with Blair.

This has all been done in the UK over the last decade. The education system there has had the biggest investment it has ever had in the history of that country.

Result? Business leaders there are in despair at the decline in literacy and numeracy.

The UK’s healthcare system is a mess. One of the reasons being the NHS - the taxpayer - picks up the tab no matter what. That means people don’t have any incentive to take care of themselves. Want to get in a bust up on a Friday night? In the UK it’s OK, you won’t have to pay the bill - the state will. That is one of the reasons why the country is so violent.

The NHS is also routinely exploited by what the Press over there calls ‘health tourists’, people who take a plane from anywhere in the world to give birth, have their illness or whatever - and who pays for it? Their taxpayers do.

No wonder their country is in so much debt. A look over a few British websites soon opened my eyes to the truth of what actually happens with a state healthcare system.

As for crime and the economy. Which country was it that made it to the front of Time magazine for its world class youth crime rate? You guessed it.

The ‘boosted’ economy, says Simeon? Guess who has the worst banking system now outside of Iceland? Yes, it’s the UK.

Oh, and look at this headline:

‘IMF: UK to be worst hit in global economic downturn’

http://www.financemarkets.co.uk/2008/10/08/imf-uk-to-be-worst-hit-in-global-economic-downturn/

Anyone who has studied British politics will know that Obama is borrowing a lot of domestic policy ideas from Blair. These can be summed up as: spend, spend, spend on useless social programme after useless social programme - as set out in Simeon Collins‘ apple pie nonsense.

Simeon’s delusions go on: “Obama's intentions are to… end the war.”

Really? What’s he going to do?

Have a chat with Allah and get The Koran revised?

The call to “Make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home: an evil fate” was uttered before our country even existed.

It’s not a response to George W Bush and it certainly won’t disappear once he’s out of office. This is a war that goes back to the Gates of Vienna and beyond.

It only stops when we all submit to Islam. Us, Israel, India. Everywhere. That’s the deal on the table - submit.

It was the same centuries ago and it’s the same now.

“There is (an arguably justifyable) hatred of Americans in the middle-east.”

What’s justifiable about this?

"Slay them wherever you find them...Idolatry is worse than carnage...Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme." (Surah 2:190-)

And this:

"Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends." (Surah 5:51)

And so on:

"...make war on the leaders of unbelief...Make war on them: God will chastize them at your hands and humble them. He will grant you victory over them..." (Surah 9:12-)

This is what they’re up against in Delhi, up against in Paris, up against in Madrid and what we’re up against because we‘re the only country with any chance of stopping it.

The mainstream media share your delusions and wish that entering a state of denial might yield better results than trying to tackle the problem head on.

It didn‘t work in the 1930s and it won‘t work now.

jdona

Everyone needs to slow down some here. Don't overlook that 56 million Americans did not vote for Obama and will stand in firm defiance of him and in between him and his ideologues. The President has power, but he is subject to the laws and the princples of the American Constitution. The Republicans are already regrouping and they will wage a fierce comeback for the next congressional elections in 2 years. And they will have a lot of help from the groups that don't support Obama and consider him too extreme. Americans like change to a certain extent, but they don't like to go overboard. There are so many watchdog groups that are already springing up the biggest risk is that his administration will be paralyzed from day one. And he hasn't even been sworn in yet. So I don't think anyone needs to worry here. He doesn't have a filibuster proof majority and the Republicans are not weasels. They will fight back, along with about 20% of the Democrats who did not vote for him and who do not support him.

Marlene

I reluctantly voted for McCain because not voting was a vote for Obama. McCain had similar solutions as Obama, cap and trade, global warming etc. Obama is a self-invented empty suit egomaniac. I was trying to stay positive, and now after reading your what is for me icing on the cake column, I am going to have myself a good cry. I am a Jew born and raised in Brooklyn, thank G-d I moved to Georgia...I still have my common sense.

David

Conservative Cabbie,

When the press were slavering after Palin's daughter and her preganancy, Obama said "My mother had me when I was 18"

Class, integrity and decency? The man has it in spades.

Israel

Cabbie:

I wasn't gloating, and l hope you don't think that l have totally lumped you in with the pessimistic ranks of negative hyperbole that have infested this site in the last 48 hours. I am extremely proud of Obama for winning the election in the way he did. Did he resort to the same kind of attacks that those who were employed by McCain did back in 2000 on McCain himself? There are many, many skelentons in McCain's closet but Obama didn't go there. There are many who are involved with missing POW's from Vietnam who have a deep hatred for McCain who would of come forward at the drop of a hat to critcize him, and before anyone else thinks i've gone too far or stepped over the line to put forward the idea of criticizing a war veteran and hero just two words for you, John Kerry (oh yeah, l forgot I.O.K.I.Y.A.R). Yes, there are those who are supporting Obama are gloating on this site, but are you really surprised? Some of the vitriol aimed at the candidates has been intense on both sides, but if you really think that some on the side of McCain on this site (expecially Melanie, logdon, Frank P, an american and Verity) would not have gloated extensively if McCain had won then l will swap you your house for the five majic beans in my pocket!!!

By the way, Man City have just scored!!

Israel

The Misanthropist:

Since there hasn't been a black republican in the House or Senate since J.C. Watts lost just where are you going to find one to put forward to advance the republican message? Do you really think that McCain/Palin stump speeches have been a booster for black republican recruitment? It's been a few years since Ken Mehlman has been in charge of the RNC and even that didn't do too much good did it.

derek

Conservative Cabbie,
I certainly don't appreciate you saying I have an uncritical mind, because by all definitions, I believe that to be not true, and have never specifically disrespected you.

However, that's besides the point. The complaints are that the MSM is too liberal, but they didn't even get to question Palin enough to let everyone in the world know that she did not know who was in NAFTA or that Africa was a continent and not a country. Who won that battle of getting their agenda across???? Conservatives! Can you imagine the horrible state of the USA had Palin (who has shown over and over how little she knows and understands of the rest of the world) been president?

And the Obama supporters are "uncritical" and over won by fan fare??? Give me a break.

I hate to say it, but probably everybody who posts on here is smarter than that girl. And for the Republicans to seriously put her up for VP is considered "anti-American" in my book. Heck, that could even be considered treason to some. Think of the liability. Jesus.

derek

"Country First" seems like a joke now.

Verity

Conservative Cabbie - I looked up Eric Cantor and he looks good physically. Intelligent, with a strong face. Good presentation.

But he's only a Representative! He's not even a Senator ... and I really don't like the idea of Senators standing for the top jobs. They are engaged day after day talking and doing deals, not running anything, and the President needs strong chief executive experience. (Which is another reason Obama is going to fail. He's a sub-surface wheeler-dealer, not a chief executive.) Joe Biden's been a member of the world's top talking shop for God knows how long, but he couldn't run a bath. (As an aside, he claims to have graduated in the top half of his class in law school. Turns out he was 189th out of 297 students. I recall that Jimmy Carter claimed to have graduated Number One in his class in - was it? - nuclear engineering or something, and he was actually way down the list of achievers. Interesting how the Dems have to lie their way into jobs.)

That's why a Governor is always to be preferred, IMO. I just don't think a Representative, no matter how intelligent and quick witted and right thinking he is, can possibly qualify to run for President or Vice President.

Jen

I am an American and your last paragraph sums up exactly how I feel. I did not vote for Barack Obama and there were millions and millions of other Americans (55.8 million to be exact) who did not get caught up in the Obama hype (63 million). Let's not forget, he only won a little more than half of the popular vote. He didn't win by a landslide.

south american italian

You guys wouldn't be so optimistic if you were down here in South America.

Obama incorporates anti-americanism. Either he will fit the image - and that will be disastruous for the whole world - or not - and that will be disastruous for Amercica. Thus, for the whole world.

Conservative Cabbie

David

Don't understand your post. I'm not being funny, I just don't get the 18 reference, please expand.

Israel

Do I really think Obama lacks class? Actually, no. Do I have genuine concerns about the way he views freedom of speech and democracy? Yes. However, the people have spoken and for now I'm on the losing side, that's OK, that's the way it should work.

As for me agreeing with Melanie on everything she writes, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I don't believe in a marxist conspiracy, a Gramscian plot or an Islamist one. I think Obama will rule from just left of centre in his first term (he'll want re-election after all). I have plenty of problems with Obama though, which I've been able to think of all by myself. Not bad for a rightist.

Ps Football. Pah! Namby-pamby prima donnas. If you're looking for a prober sport, baseball and American Football, now we're talking. Go Sox, go Patriots!

Conservative Cabbie

Verity

I agree that a Governor for the top job is the best way. After this year, I'm not sure we'll see a legislator get nominated for the top of the ticket by the GOP again. However, the VP does provide a link from the executive branch to the legislative branch so I think he'd be fine for VP. I really named him as he's a new one to me and he looked interesting.

As to Palin and Jindal, they'll go head to head in the primaries. I think a lot of it will come down to fund raising and who has the better surrogates. Both have strong conservative credentials, equally pro second amendment and pro-life, who will the advocates for those positions support? Palin has one big advantage right now, the local party dignatries love her because she mobilised volunteers in massive numbers, something always necessary in campaigns. Unfortunately, she has one big disadvantage too, she's got a huge target on her back right now. The Dems will bend over backwards to beat her when she goes for re-election in Alaska,the media will continue to gleefully report her negatives and not her positives and GOP insiders opposed to her will continuously snipe at her. I'm not sure she'll be able to survive all that politically.

It might make sense for both Palin and Jindal to sit out 2012, let Romney get beaten. Americans tend to give their Presidents two terms. In 2016, both will have served two terms as Governors, Jindal will only be 45, Palin 50ish.

I was kidding with Michele Bachmann, I would just love to see Andrew Sullivan's reaction. From a purely male perspective though, it really would be the hottest ticket in town.

Hayward Maberley

Melanie et al.
From Clive Davis Blog
Niall Ferguson adds his thoughts to a mini-symposium in today's Guardian:"I started out as an adviser to your rival; you won me over. It wasn't so much your rhetorical skills, though they are second to none. It was the substance of what you had to say, from talks with Iran to taxation. It was also your extraordinary composure under pressure. Well, you are going to need that quality in the four years that lie ahead, and especially in your first 100 days. Because I have some bad news for you. You've talked of tax cuts and spending increases that could cost around a trillion dollars. Unfortunately, that money has already been spent by your predecessor in bailing out the banking system. You won't easily be able to spend it again. So watch out for the bond market; it's getting nervous. And tell your fellow Democrats to try to copy your composure. Winning this election was a phenomenal achievement. But now the really hard work begins - of governing in a recession."
A rational and reasonable statement would you not say, from someone who uses such in his writings.

Tom - Brazil

Absolutely precise article.

Progressists throughout the world have been trying to literally criminalise the conservative values and agenda. They count on the precious help of objective allies such as islamic extremists, african dictators and south-american socialists to keep on imposing this new agenda, which stresses in its first article the hate of USA and western civilisation.

All different sorts of left-oriented groups still cannot stand their defeat on the economic level and regrouped themselves for a different battle in the cultural field.

Unfortunately, conservatives have not yet realised that they are under a massive attack and refuse to battle back arguing that "communism" is over just because the former leftists adopted market-oriented economies. They seem to forget that free economy is just one of the aspects of a free society. Some key cultural values are as important as the economy in a free society. In fact, these values are the background of the entire society and they are under severe attack. Obama´s election is just the last and most significant sign of this attack.

It is time for conservatism to prepare for this battle. The first step has to be admitting its existance.

James Hanley

It's sad to know the UK has such blithering idiots, too. Look at the type of people here who are agreeing with you-the fear-mongers and vicious haters. I'd be ashamed to attract such company.

André Morais Filho

I'm brazilian, but conscious of the importance the United States have for the West. It's said Melanie, but we're seeing the America of Whitman and Emerson turn into the America of hip-hop, to say it briefly.

josef krystof

Please get a clue. The "the suspension of reason and its replacement by thuggery" was from 2000 to 2008. That's when the president broke the law with impunity to spy on and lie to his countrymen, torture his enemies, and shred the constitution he swore to protect.

We want a liberal country, an sensible social democracy. All those "thugs" trying to use "socialist" as an insult when in fact what the USA could use is a leavening of our capitalism with more socialist safeguards.

Cathy

I for one, am an American who did not vote for Obama and the only thing that I take issue with Melanie's piece is her closing statement that my country is no longer the home of the free and the brave.

There are many of us who are profoundly disturbed by the potential direction in which Obama could take us. Freedom isn't free. It is going to cost us a lot of hard work, involvement, and increased public service (activism even). (Yes I am a registered Republican) We are networking even now. We will be putting pressure on our congressmen and women, to hopefully steer their decisions. We are casting aside our complacency and our getting ready to work.

We did learn one thing from Obama. "YES WE CAN" preserve our nation.

Travis the Adult

You're right! You're all right! Us American's, we sure did it. Look what we've gotten ourselves into now! How stupid can we get? I mean really... honestly... for God's sake! We're so stupid! We've got some kind of death wish don't we! We're like tiny infants with no understanding of how things really are! How can we even be expected to make decisions for ourselves? The fabric of society is going to tear apart and the earth is going to open up and swallow our country asunder! Fire balls from the heavens will rain down upon our heathenist society and engulf every last creatin who voted for Obama! He is the One that is foretold by the Good Book... Or maybe you're all just a bunch of over-reacting nutjobs. Grow up and listen to yourselves! It must be really sad to live with such fear... I truly feel sorry for all of you. Now... I and the rest of the adults are gonna roll up our sleaves and start working towards making things work in this country for once. You guys keep on wailing away... and maybe when you've tuckered yourselves out, and blown your noses, things will have changed. No thanks to any of you.

Howard H

Yes it is a democracy and we should be proud for that fact. The unfortunate part is that it is to easy to run for candidacy of our highest office. BEFORE anyone even attempts to run for President they should meet certain criteria and pass security checks. (I know I will get comments like; "Oh well who is going to decide what those should be") I would answer, "lets let common sense guide us" but after this election I dont have much faith in common sense anymore.
Some of those pre requisites SHOULD infact be the mandatory release and submission of certain documents and records that reveal a sense of history into who this candidate really is, so that we can see for our selves and NOT just see or be blinded by what the candidate wants us to see, or by who ever he decides to portray himself as when he woke up that day and decided to run for President.

I mean come on this is the highest office in our country and I am not comfortable enough to say that ANYONE really knows who this guy REALLY is.

I have to say he did run a very good campaign. Close to flawless. He is a very inspirational speaker, I agree. I learned early to beware of those who talk so smoothly. They are the ones you have to watch out for. His campaign went so well, because he had a huge war chest of campaign funds and avoided any REAL topics and issues. And Guess what? The American People and the MEDIA let him get away with it. He said what every he needed to depending on who was standing in front of him at that moment, and basically promised the American people that ALL their problems will magically disappear if he was elected. They media portrayed him to be who they wanted him to be, and not for who he REALLY is, what he REALLY stands for, and most importantly WHO stands behind him. HELL yes a presidential candidate's past associations and track record should matter. If he was a republican candidate, (black, white or other) he would have been held to a much higher standard, and none of what so easily was tossed aside with Obama would have been let go and dismissed as easily.
He based his WHOLE campaign on the fact that he was NOT George Bush or a Repulican, that along with the fact that he is a black man was ALL he needed to get elected.
I asked many personal friends who they were voting for, and the ones who were voting for Obama, like robots, and products of a well paid for campaign, they all answered "I'm voting for change" or "No more of the same" COME ON!!! Very few, if any actually had an intelligent answer, and moreover knew anything of substance about the candidate they were going to elect for president.
I am proud for America and that we have grown enough to elect a black president. NO im not a racist and every time I spoke against Obama or for McCain that was the first thing I was called. But aside from proving that a black man can run and be elected president, Obama proved that even the White House is for sale.
I do fear for this country and its future since the outcome of this election. Half of me wants Obama to do EVERYTHING he promised to do, so that when this country turns to crap and goes deeper into economic turmoil, I can gloat like the Obama supporters are gloating now, and I can point my finger and say "I told you so" The other part of me wants Obama to be like every other politician and NOT follow through with their empty promises, so this country can survive and stand strong!

We have change... Now lets HOPE!

David

"Let's not forget, he only won a little more than half of the popular vote. He didn't win by a landslide."

Interestingly he got a higher percentage share than Reagan on 1980 and 10 million more votes.

CC,

When Palin was picked, one of the things the press did was to go after her daughter, who was a pregnant unmarried teen. Obama at a press conference said that his mother gave birth to him when she was about the same age and that he respects Ms Palin's choice. It killed the story stone dead, and got the press off of Ms Palin's case.

It was the measure of a decent man with integrity. Both he and McCain conducted the campaign with decency in the face of certain others who would have resulted to scrabbling in the dirt.

Pedro Erik

To me, Obama presidency will be fun, because we will see that "the change" will be timid. But for the world, I agree with you, it will be extremely dangerous. The world needs a strong America. Sorry, but the Europeans used to be weak in defending western principles and culture. Despite they had witnessed Churchil and de Gaulle, and have theorist like Burke, Chesterton and Gibbon (Ok, all British).

Let me say that I reached your blog through the best blogger in Brazil, called Reinaldo Azevedo.

Verity

First, these Blogs pages were perpetrated by the illiteratti of the computer world. They don't understand the use of actual words and making it convenient to use them. The notion of putting the Comments box at the top of a blog which may have 200 comments on it, to be scrolled through by someone reading the last post and wishing to add their own comment could only have been thought of during a full moon.

Does this illiterate not understand that people scroll back and forth to check facts, quotes and spellings and no one wants to spend half their lives scrolling through over 200 comments.

I intended to respond to Conservative Cabbie, but by the time I'd scrolled up again through over 200 comments, I'd forgotten the sentence that provoked my thought and what the response actually was.

This is the act of "a website designer". I cannot put it any more strongly than that.

Move the Comments box south.

Hayward Maberley

John Doe,
It is interesting that many of the NeoTheocons now posting keep bring up Hitler/Nazis.I have posted before concerning Godwins Law & Dodds Corollary.
However you then introduced Dr Paul Joseph Goebbels, he who together with Hitler were, if not the creators of The Big Lie, two of its most adept practitioners.
However Five Deferment Dick and others in the noisome Cabal of NeoTheocons were pretty adept as well. Well past the absolute proof that Iraq had nothing to do with the events of 11 September Five Deferment Dick was still spouting that Big Lie
as well as the others such as al Qa'ida being in Iraq prior to the Fiasco. Of course he was joined by The Poodle with his own whopper concerning the 45 minute launch and the very dodgy dossier.

phil

Cabbie you are taking the result in a classy way ,,well done,I knew you would ,as is veronica -this is what is needed in a proper society -to try one,s best until the race is run and accept winning and losing with equal grace .sen Mcain did precisely that -just wish others would do the same and try to pull the world out of the mess it is in

-I see the usual suspects are still carping even looking for the next incumbent before Obama has even had his first day in office .My judgement is that you are worth more than that and I wish you didnt associate your beliefs with the fragrant one whose whole ethos I find despicable .The man needs to be given a fair chance to prove himself and his words -I will be the first to shout foul if he does not .

Dan Dartington

Melanie,
you watched his acceptance speech I presume. In it he stated the exact opposite of what you assertion in the penultimate paragraph. He talked clearly and eloquantly of his belief in the ideals of America. What's the point in commenting when you don't go from what he said but from what you believe he's thinking? It's not analysis in any meaningful way. When he's president you, and anyone else, can comment on his actions, but right now you're just making stuff up.

You allege that Mr Obama believes the constitution to be flawed, possibly by his use of the term 'perfecting our union'. As originally ratified the constitution contained the following; "Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons" The 'all other persons' means slaves, by the way. Not hard to see why someone might think it's flawed, apart from you apparently. More importantly his phrase "perfecting the union" is a deliberate echo of the preamble to contstitution ; "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." The concept of the continuing perfecting of the Union is there at the begining and is the ideal that Mr Obama is claiming as his inheritance, the inheritance of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson et al.
but you wouldn't see that would you?
have fun for the next four (eight?) years
Dan

Sue

dereck said:
"Funny how Fox News is reporting the same stories that the liberal-biased MSM was reporting before the election was over.

Wonder why that might be????? Maybe the MSM was reporting the real stories the whole time and Fox News was reporting the conservative-biased news during the election.

all you all that are blaming this on the MSM need to acknowledge reality."

Hog wash, the MSM includes FOX, particularly now. FOX softened it's investigation and commentary as the election approached, preparing themselves to "fit" in the new paradigm. They want to keep their jobs. They'll play devil's advocate with liberals until the two party system shifts. It's not a surprise that they aren't defending conservative values and are back peddling on there positions. It a business, not a mission. They, like so many conservatives have decided to become "politically correct".

blackessej

Hmmm...I've felt abandoned, horrified, and deeply apprehensive about the future for the last eight years. Now I feel like a weight has been lifted. I think it's because the jerk who's been supposedly representing me and my country has been running around kicking all of the ant hills of the world and stirring up fear and contemptment while simultaneously encouraging apathy and indifference among his populace. Now, finally after all these years, I feel empowered, optimistic, and courageous.

Fernando

Not only Americans feel that way, but freedom-lovers from many countries. America stood up for freedom many times in the past. Will this happen again in the future?

George Steiner

For what it is worth fellows, I don’t know what the Obambi euphoria is all about. As far as I know most American blacks are descendants of slaves. Obambi is descendant of a white mother and a black Kenyan Muslim. A real first generation Kenyan American at best. Had he been a real American black man, descendent of slaves I would go along with some of the euphoria.

Americans have in fact elected a foreigner as their president. I know he is technically an American. Maybe. But he has proclaimed himself to be citizen of the world. If I said such a thing as a throw away line signifying that I am comfortable anywhere, that would be one thing. But the One didn’t mean that.

The first group of people who will be disappointed will be American blacks. And they will show it. Many of you claim to know what the One is or isn’t. Still he is for sure a converso. They in the original have kept their old faith in secret. May be he does too.

Having a star studded cast of helpers takes only money. But they will squabble and how will the One know whose advice to take?

Sue

Frank P.- Thanks for the hearty welcome! Yes, it appears Melanie is a gem, and I'm happy to have found her. Though I certainly appreciate your hopefulness for America, I'm none the less dubious about the ability of this country to reverse the slide at this point.

Somewhere on this posting, "Jill" made a splendid commentary/prophesy about future Obama presidency.

Verity

Fernando writes: "Not only Americans feel that way, but freedom-lovers from many countries. America stood up for freedom many times in the past. Will this happen again in the future?"

Yes, Fernando, we all understand that everyone wants to be "free". What countries have actually fought for freedom, Fernando? Could you name some? The United States, which you admit fought for freedom in the past and perhaps again in the future? (against who, by the way?), Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India ... can you see where I'm going with this?

Of course everyone wants to be free. Who actually fought for freedom?

Verity

Move the Comments box south.

Who will join me in this plea - or, in today's terminology - demand?

Verity

I have to come back to Fernando's self-indulgent flaccid idiocy: "Not only Americans feel that way, but freedom-lovers from many countries. America stood up for freedom many times in the past. Will this happen again in the future?

The whole world are "freedom lovers" Fernando. This does not give them a badge. If they haven't done anything to preserve freedom, they don't count.

Also, site designers, move the Comments box south.

Israel

Conservative Cabbie:

I went to a live American Football game once and once only when l was in the US. I WANT THAT FOUR HOURS OF MY LIFE BACK!!!

Now if you said Lacrosse, which l played as a teenager until girls and strong larger became more interesting, then you would have a buddy to share the tab with.

I'm really amazed at some of the right wingers on this site. Eight years ago Bush ran as the candidate for change who would be bipartizan in his approach to govern. What he meant was "agree with everything l say, no matter what". Under him you saw the largest growth in government as well as the largest expansion of debt, and the standing of the US plummet due to his stupidity and braggadocio. He was aided by a congress who walked in lock step with him every step of the way for six years and not a peep from most on the right, just a smug view that he "had a mandate" and that was all there was to say. Well, Obama has a true mandate. He received more of the vote than Bush, he won more States and he has a large caucus in the House and Senate. As much as some here would like to say that after two years of campaigning they don't know what Obama is for (the irony of people using the internet to discuss Obama's policies while his website, which has a list of his policies, is just a couple of clicks away can be refected apon by others) a lot of others do. On Palin l have to say that it will be interesting if she does come back for 2012. She has strong support from the religious right, commentators like Kristol and bloggers like Johnson of LGF but from the reaction of people like George Will and Peggy Noonan expecially to the revelation about Palin and Africa she may not have the following that some on here think. In fact, there seems to be the beginning of a circular firing squad happening right now. Personally i'm interested to see how that goes!!

Relugus

Its funny how Melanie is enraged at the thought of socialist policies being implemented for the poor and working/middle class. Strange, then, that looking through the archives, it seems Melanie was not at all offended by the socialism which Bush used to bail out the Wall Street fat cats. Melanie, if she is, as she claims to be, a "conservative", should have been furious at the bailout, yet she was, curiously, silent. To her, welfare handouts to the rich is just fine and dandy.
Corporate welfare exploded under Bush, but not a word from Melanie.

The Bush Administration f***ed up everything it touched; inept planning and execution of the Iraq war until Petraeus came along and used smart "soft power" tactics.

Obama takes Afghanistan more seriously than Bush (who was only ever interested in Iraq) ever did.

Bush spent taxpayers money the same way he used to consume alchohol. Tell me, Melanie, how does borrowing money from China make America safer?

Cathy

Howard H-
Hope is not something that just comes magically to you. Hope is something you create for yourself, out of the fruits of your own aspirations and labors.

So if you don't like the Change that is about to come upon us, but would Hope for something better in the future, roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Whatever your party affiliation is or is not, get involved, even in small ways. Keep track of how your congress people are voting. Contact them and let them know where you'd like to see them go. If you can blog here, you can just as easily email them. And there are websites where you can track just what they are doing in congress, and follow specific pieces of legislation.

This is going be especially important during the course of this administration.

My take on this is that those of us who took the time to study the candidates and place a well thought out and educated vote in this election (yes I confess bias in that statement) are now going to to have take the extra time and effort to make up for those who didn't, and get more involved. Criticize me if you wish for making what I admit could be a judgemental statement. Simple fact is, we need to spend less time watching TV and more time following what's happening in Washington, and communicating, communicating, communicating with those who are representing us.

Simeon

jasmine

1) are you baffled enough to suggest that the NHS is a worse system than the current US healthcare plan? either you are completely void of any empathy whatsoever or you simply do not know. Over 50million Americans DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE and worse still is the pre-existing conditions scandal which allows insurance companies to select who they treat in disgusting manner. If you seriously believe in letting the poor rot and die in such a manner then god help you!

2) Tony Blair is not Barack Obama. Let me also include that Labour won the 2001 election by an even larger landslide than in 1997 because the first four years of blairs term were seen as a success, however, the decision to follow that buffoon Bush into Iraq (a decision which was ALWAYS going to alient blair from the british people) was clearly his downfall, the conservatives didnt win that election largely because Michael Howard is possibly the least likeable man on planet earth. If our two nations hadnt been fighting a war we couldnt afford the money could have been put to somewhat better use. Also let me inform you, UK borrowing is currently at around 35% of GDP whereas US borrowing is nearly double that, a far cry from 8yrs ago with the surplus Clinton left the Republicans wouldnt you agree??

3) Islam is not a violent religion. september 11th was truly a tragedy. however if you consider the meaning of the word tragedy you will understand that I mean it was of the US's own making. Less than 10,000 Americans died in 9/11 (that is not me for a moment trivialising the loss of innocent lives), do you know how many arabs have died in the Gulf and Iraq wars??the figure dwarfs anything that Islam and radical muslims have done to the western world. also Jihad does not mean violent war. the main meaning of Jihad is the battle within oneself to become a better muslim and person. the external jihad encapsulates what is just when you feel your people are being degraded (Guantanamo bay) and slaughtered. The fact is, however much you wish to quote from the Qu'ran, christians have killed far more innocent people than muslims have, please do a little historical research if you are honestly ignorant.

on a personal note jasmine if you have this little faith in the people of this planet, feel free to go somewhere else...

Bob in Obamination

So now, finally, the media decides after it's far too late to unjump into the abyss, to take a few tepid steps in the direction of doing the job they should have done a year ago. Charlie Rose, John Meacham, and Evan Thomas had a nice, fearful discussion about the fact that they had no idea who Barack Obama is. That there was even a "creepy personality of cult" about him.That he's "deeply manipulative". A few nights ago, the same thing with Tom Brokaw. "There's a lot about him we don't know". Where was this even a month ago, let alone a year? That despite two books, no one knows anything about him. These self absorbed prima donnas who are supposedly the watchdog of the political system have been so busy protecting the yard of the democratic party, that they had no idea that they did their best at defeating someone with a more liberal than conservative ideology, has proven that he can and will reach across the aisle. He's stabbed more conservative Republicans in the back than anyone. McCain was their darling 2 years ago. Now they've stabbed him in the back so they could have the honor of having the first black president. Never mind the fact that the man has spent only 143 or so days as a senator. They, along with the leftist machinery in this nation have elected a man who no one knows anything about, who associates with a list of shady characters, and one murderer on that list. They chucked their well known, record proved, old buddy overboard in exchange for Barack Obama. By their own admission, a complete unknown. A plebe with a messianic complex is about to be in charge of a multi-trillion dollar corporation. His one promise is to spread the wealth. The stock market has had the largest post election sell-off in history. And that just after an already massive sell-off. The democrats have already been talking about their upcoming attack on free speech (the "fairness" doctrine). Now, they are talking about buying out, federalizing, all 401K plans. That is, removing them from the stock market.

Have you had you "uh-oh" moment yet? The media is just starting to.

Frank P

Melanie

Pretty please ... I'm with V - move the commentary box south! Or, after numerous vain requests from Verity me and several others since this site opened, do we not deserve a rational reply as to why not, perhaps?

Pete H/James F? Not much to ask given the hits of which you are so proud? An explanation? A good one would shut me up, but by Gaaard! It had better be really good 'un.

Verity

You need to read Protein Wisdom's last entry about Sarah Palin (and the comments thereafter) Caption: Carl Cameron and Shep Smith Fox News Uberdouches; there is mischief afoot and I hereby nominate you for membership of the outlawry!

http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=13611

Appears that Fox, for obvious reasons, has gone all O-barmy after the act. Hell, I'm gonna write a book called "Melanie Alone". 'Mongst the paid hacks this seems to be it!

Particlarly as The (Other) One (yes - our Great Leader Andrew Neil) remained in the Big Apple, shipped over his two regulars on the couch and invited Gerry Springer, and other Obamites for an away fixture of 'This Week' (at great expense to us licence fee payers and maybe a double dip on expenses from the subscription of this Magazine, justified in the exes by the piece in Coffee House, no doubt). It was an Obama lovefest with nary a voice of dissent. Completely racist in content, until they suddenly caught themselves on and tried to readjust. Utterly feckin' nauseating, with Diane Abbott oozing ...erm ... well just oozing! They even called the Scottish by-election as a win for Brown! Hope they're wrong, but the way things are going ....?

diana

well obama was not my choice buti will support him. now can we get the republican party back from
the loonies.

Frank P

Sue

Sorry, just spotted you comment about Fox; we're on the same wavelength there too, as you can by my message to Verity.

Verity

Cathy - You are right! I seriously intend to take some time off from weaving my peace baskets.

Dixon

...which by MY analogy, makes the person I quoted one of the snakes!

derek

Cathy,
You say "My take on this is that those of us who took the time to study the candidates and place a well thought out and educated vote in this election (yes I confess bias in that statement) are now going to to have take the extra time and effort to make up for those who didn't".

But somehow Obama had the endorsement of the most Nobel Prize winners of any presidential candidate ever. You're right...those guys must not think about what they are doing.

Bob Builder

This is quite simply rubbish. Where are the justifications for "thuggery"? For the "teaching American children to despise the founding values of their country and hijacking discourse by the minority power-grab of victim-culture."??

I don't think I have ever read anything less reasoned. This is not journalism, it is shouting "It's not FAIR!"

Sue

Dan Dartington said:

"More importantly his phrase "perfecting the union" is a deliberate echo of the preamble to constitution ; "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." The concept of the continuing perfecting of the Union is there at the beginning"

You’re wrong Dan. There's nothing in the preamble that states in any way that the founding fathers viewed the Union as being subject to or in need of any continuing "perfecting".

The statement reads in the PRESENT tense, and the term is "perfect", used as an adjective to describe the Union.
No tinkering necessary, no verb tense implied. Echo? Hardly!

I'm sure Melanie heard Obama's speech, and that her comments rose from what she had already learned of the man...not just what she imagined he was about.

I'm not an investigative reporter, but it didn't take me long to find actual recorded interviews of Obama making questionable comments about his views on the constitution and his belief that it needed changing. Melanie didn't "allege" anything that wasn't already available on the internet for the persistent researcher.

Add that to his long associations with nefarious individuals, who clearly have indicated their hatred for America, you get a pretty good idea about this guy's ideology at least.

I heard the speech and what I heard was the bleating of a Judas goat!

Here's one of the interviews, hear it for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck

Oh, and DO NOT imply that anyone who is not black can't really understand his point of view. It's not gonna fly. There are loads of people in America now, who have come from countries that more recently than 200 years ago have perpetrated slavery and all sorts of human rights crimes.

If any playing field is more level now in America, it is race. Although you wouldn't know it to see the news. This is one Polish/Irish/American Indian that has NO guilt about what happened to black men and women in early American history.
Do I have sorrow and compassion for those who suffered? Definately! Do I protest such behavior as slavery? Undoubtedly! But that was then and this is now...get over it.

I'm not beating the poor me drum, looking for reperations over what happened to my great, great, great, great grandparents on the Trail of Tears, when white men drove the Cherokee across the nation to resettle in the west.

Stephen Williams

Palin seemed to more of a conservative but she is now under attack from her own side, any thoughts on this?

Conservative Cabbie

David

You're right on Obama's point about Palin's daughter. However, he's also the man who literally gave the bird to both Hillary and John McCain, called a reporter "sweetie" and told Hillary "you're likeable enough". I'd say he's batting .250 on the classy scale. I also believe, although I'm sure you'll disagree, that the "lipstick on a pig" comment was deliberate.

Phil

Are you suggesting that I shouldn't be talking about who the GOP should put up in 2012? I don't see the problem with it, I've really enjoyed the campaign over the last year, I need to fill the hole. Whilst I can acknowledge his win, I'm afraid I can't get excited about his Presidency, I need my campaign fix.

Conservative Cabbie

Verity

Seconded.

Conservative Cabbie

Hayward

Reasonable comments, except, he says that Obama won him over with his substance on taxation but then goes on to add that Obama talks of tax cuts and spending increases but that there is no money in the coffers to do this. I'm sorry, but if someone as dumb as me can see the gaping hole in that logic, then I'm afraid I don't agree that his view is at all rational.

Those of us on the right would say that this is symptomatic of the lefts loss of critical thinking on Obama, they've just accepted seriously flawed thinking without questioning it at all. They've clung onto intangibles and catchphrases. "hope", "change", "post-partisanship" - where's the substance?

He won though, so what do I know.

Conservative Cabbie

Simeon

Like Obama, you call 9/11 a tragedy. No Simeon, an earthquake is a tragedy, a volcano is a tragedy. 9/11 was cold-blooded murder on a gargantuan scale. To liken it to events in Iraq and Afghanistan is ridiculous. I'm happy that American and British troops never deliberately target civilians.

The accidental death of innocent lives, now that is tragic, murder is not.

israel

Is Melanie okay?

From one or two posts a day to now nothing?

Has the massive swing of Jewish voters in the US to Obama surprised her? I mean, all those people who don't believe that he is some sort of secret radical muslim socialist wanting to convert them all under the sword!! And his choice of Rahm Emmanuel!! Wow, what an anti Israeli pick he is!!!

Nothing from Melanie on Clarkson's comments or the overly PC brigade's attempt to deny good people the chance to be foster parents because they smoke?

COME ON!!! There must be something in the last few days she would like to comment on!! It's not like the world has just stopped is it.

yank in london

I am a "lion-hearted, decent, rational and sturdy" American who does not find myself "abandoned, horrified, [or] deeply apprehensive for the future of their country and the free world". That is a description of how I, and a great many of my countrymen (also "lion-hearted, decent, rational and sturdy") spent the past eight years.

Jill

Jen wrote: I am an American and your last paragraph sums up exactly how I feel. I did not vote for Barack Obama and there were millions and millions of other Americans (55.8 million to be exact) who did not get caught up in the Obama hype (63 million). Let's not forget, he only won a little more than half of the popular vote. He didn't win by a landslide.
--------------------------

Hi Jen, I am proud to be an American for the same reasons as you, reasons that have nothing to do with the psychological ability to vote for a black Marxist instead of a white Marxist.

Here's something that might cheer us up. Lucianne has a cartoon today. The front page on a newspaper from 2004 says, "Bush Won 51%: Nation Divided;" another one says, "Obama Won 52%: Nation United."

Don't be shy to round your figure to 56 million. The Democratic Ministry of Current Truth (Mainstream media) would if it was them. They would add ten more. My figures are 56 Counter Revolutionaries to 62 Marxists. The numbers changed slightly over the last few days as they are still counting ballots in some areas.

Apparently, Obama won by only six million in popular vote. He squeaked into office just like Bush.

Are you ready to backlash? Get ready to rumble in Congress and at local level. I wrote the Republican Party congress members and told them to boot the moderates out of leadership (i.e., anyone who voted for the bailout). We do not want compromisers in leadership. They should not be allowed near a Republican telephone or computer, either. Any Republican who says "reform" or "bi-partisan" automatically gets a cherry belly. Don't forget to call and show your unsupport for liberal Republicans.

As for voters, I'm preparing a series of editorials for the local newspapers. We have to candy coat basic economics principles so the ingrates or uninitiated in freedom issues might accidentally learn something. They are not going to suddenly pick up the "Declaration of Independence," and read it for the first time. But, a lot of them are suddenly looking at newspapers for the first time in their lives.

We need to be there for them when they become disenchanted with The One.

Until then, don't forget to stop payment on the rent or car insurance for any unmarried women or youthful Obama voters in your family!! The exit polls show 70% of unmarried women voted for O. I know exactly who that group is. Tell them to get a second job (like you did) or go stand in line like in Cuba for five hours for their check from Obama and that you are buying gold for your old age. When you are older you will move in with them. What ever we do, we should not reward stupid behavior.
Hannity, I think, did a few man on the street interviews this fall. Some O voters thought Sarah Palin was Obama's VP.

Glad you are keeping the faith.

Chris

I understand that it stems in large part from a culturally-ingrained patriotism and a deep (and admirable) attachment to the vision of the founding fathers for America, but what exactly is the rational objection to the notion that the Constitution is not perfect? Constitutions should be living documents, and politicians should be brave enough to recognise where and when they need updating. The founding fathers were obviously wise and intelligent men, but they weren't all-knowing, and the document they drafted reflected the values, politics and legal environment with which they were familiar. It doesn't seem to me that it should be too controversial to suggest that what they produced was imperfect, particularly when viewed and applied in 2008; in fact, refusing to examine it critically and, where appropriate, propose revisions, strikes me as the worst kind of intellectual poverty/cowardice.

phil

Conservative Cabbie-no not at all,I have realised from way back that you apply common sense and good humour to your views even though I do not agree with all of them .It is of course absolutely legitimate to think of who your next candidate should be ,but the difference is when some here(who I will name)do it in a way to disparage the newly elected president of a nation that they do not even belong to. A president who has not even been given a chance to make good on his words and promises .
A free nation has overwhelmingly approved Sen Obama and whilst you may feel it is the wrong choice and begin to prepare for the next election ,I believe respect should be given to the American people and their president-who has felt joy right round the world except in these threads.

Your words do not offend me but those of verity and frank p (the two backslappers) demean all who might have preferred a Republican win .Their incessant despicable criticism of someone they can know little about sickens me and is continuing in spite of knowing the race is run.-their self approval knows no bounds ,no matter that the world disagrees with them perhaps someone will arrive in their attics and give them a taste of honey instead of the nail biters remedy of bitters -Veronica is a fine example of how to accept the nations choice (not defeat,just choice) Sen Mcain has done just that and I SEE HIM AS A MAN WHO DIDNT LOSE ,JUST DIDNT WIN so I congratulate them both as a true example of how humans should behave .

I have said all along that I found Sen Mcain an admirable man but not in this case fit for purpose ,in fact one whose age and choice of VP had put us in a potentially very dangerous position-Sen Obama was certainly not my original choice ,but I warmed to him and to some of his ideas -no not high taxation and trade restriction-America has said no to the signs "no Blacks ,Jews or Dogs need apply"- they have said no to the dialogue of Donald Rumsfield et al , they are giving an example to those parts of the world who will preclude others because of their skin or religion ,and it wasn't only the great Martin Luther King who had a dream that one day this would happen -I did too.So I applaud their choice and pray that Sen Obama will become a great president of a great nation.

Grumpy

Hey Melanie - wassup.

Israel-kinda agree with you mate-what sort of undercover islamist would pick not one but two Jews (Emmanuel and now David Axelrod the strategist) to work in very close conjunction.
Kinda getting a good feeling about this new lad!

Jill

Israel-kinda agree with you mate-what sort of undercover islamist would pick not one but two Jews (Emmanuel and now David Axelrod the strategist) to work in very close conjunction.
Kinda getting a good feeling about this new lad!
-------------------------

The kind who would support Obama's radical marxist agenda. Emmanuel is a rabid partisan. The choice signaled to the Republicans across the USA that bipartisanship is off the table. The choice means O is governing from the far, far left.

Jim T

You think the US will be radicalised overnight? Or the US has changed dramatically? Don't think so. One black President does not mean Instant Communism people, just get a grip! After 8 years of rather thorough conservative government I suppose a centrist politician would appear like Lenin. Don't Americans remember FDR, JFK or LBJ? Much more radical then Obama ever promises to be, but clearly not communists. LOL!. Indeed these days they are considered Presidential Heroes. Looking at Obama, his most "radical" plans - universal health care and middle income tax cuts - is a policy supported by both sides of politics within the other Anglophonic Western allies of the US (Australia and the UK, for example). A little comparative analysis here would help, no Melanie? Are Australians less "free" due to near universal health care? Is Britain a socialist republic because it taxes the wealthy more than the poor? Honestly, the USA will still be the USA we all know, just a bit more centrist, and frankly judging from Obama, not by much. A centrist America is a good thing.

Jeb, Texas

Simeon, you say: “Islam is not a violent religion.”

Jasmine never said it was.

She just quoted The Koran - and the first thing you wanted to say to that is: “Islam is not a violent religion.”

Go figure.

Grumpy

Jill
Marxist agenda - obviously by that you mean somebody who intends to help out the large group of ordinary wage earners rather than the Texan oil interests and good ole dickless cheney.
As for partianship and 'far far left', lets wait and see shall we. Although some of you uber conservatives could interpret something like a more equitable medical scheme, I'm sure as something hatched in the halls of the old Kremlin.

Jackie

On Melanie Phillips’s post directly below this one, ‘Join The Dots’, someone else pointed out the fears that the Brazilian Olavo de Carvalho has over Obama in his piece ‘The Candidate of Fear‘:

http://www.olavodecarvalho.org/english/articles/081024dc_en.html

and he was sneered at. De Carvalho was described as “out there” by one of the commenters.

Yet via the power of the web on this post we learn just how many other South Americans share de Carvalho’s concerns - and I agree with them.

I was earlier today trying to translate your piece to a friend of mine out here and I think I did OK. They may speak a different language from you out here, Melanie, but one language they desperately understand is that of freedom.

It seems that Melanie Phillips is one of the few commentators in Europe who even understands the fundamentals of freedom. The rest of the chatterers seem to have forgotten what underpins their societies or are just so drunk they‘d rather not understand.

Well, not in South America. There have been and are still so many spiteful left-wing leaders down here who present themselves with the same phonily ‘progressive’ veneer that Obama does that they see straight through him.

Joe Camel

Jill, you see Rahm Emanuel as "a rabid partisan" and conclude that "the choice signaled to the Republicans across the USA [is] that bipartisanship is off the table."

You are clearly much better informed than Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, who stubbornly refuses to see it your way. In fact he goes so far as to assert in a press release:

"He can be a tough partisan but also understands the need to work together. [. . .} I worked closely with him during the presidential debate negotiations which were completed in record time. When we hit a rough spot, he always looked for a path forward. I consider Rahm to be a friend and colleague. He’s tough but fair. Honest, direct, and candid. [. . .] I look forward to working with him in his new position."
http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/

(Thanks to tim at Harry's Place)

Dixon

My last comment was a footnote to my previous comment. But the previous comment didnt appear. Thus making my last comment open to speculative misinterpretation. Or, at best, unintelligible.

Sorry about that!

Mandy

The most terrifying aspect for the United States and the world is that this man will, right after he is sworn in, have access to the nuclear codes.

Joe Camel

Cabbie, it's news to me that Obama told Hillary "you're likeable enough". He's starting to go up in my estimation already, given that the Rodham must be one of the most dislikeable personalities ever to have contaminated US politics.

Remember when "Stop Hillary" was the neo-cons battle cry? Well, Obama stopped her, didn't he?

Augustus

Freedom Now Stands Alone, and without the press:-

ABC (All Barack Channel), NBC (Nightly Barack Channel), CBS (Covering Barack Seriously), and others; and they all get goose bumps when he speaks. When the Evil Bush is gone, what will they have to talk about? Barack's favourite food? The thoughts of the great leader?

The unification of a subservient press, a socialist president, scary economic times (ironically brought about by the party who has just benefitted from it), and an uncritical electorate, all hold grave implications for liberty. Who will be left to tell the story?

Verity

Simeon says: "Over 50million Americans DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE."

But they have free access to county hospitals, which are roughly on a par with the British NHS, so bugger off. I'm sick of this manipulative whining about health care.

More drool from Simeon: " Islam is not a violent religion." Are you out of your friggin' mind? Have you read the Q'ran?

1. What about the hundreds of "honour killings" of young girls/women who refuse to marry the man (often a drooling knuckle-dragger with a recessive gene from a cave in Pakistan or somewhere) her parents have chosen for her. Don't listen to your daughter! Just solve the problem by killing her. Or sending her overseas to "see relatives" and they will kill her there for you.

2. What about the gruesome mutiliation of the genitals of little girls?

3. Again, at the risk of inducing a giant yawn in those who've read it before: What about the take-over of the US embassy in Teheran, with extreme violence against people who are protected by international agreements - embassy personnel - and holding it for a year? What about bombing the Israeli embassy in Bueones Aires? What about driving a truck loaded with explosives into the US Marine barracks in the dead of night and murdering more than 200 sleeping Marines? What about the first attempt on the WTC? What about the murder and mayhem in the train station in Madrid? What about the killings and maimings on London Transport? What about the killings and maimings of young people on an evening out in Bali? What about the dim-witted attempt on Glasgow Airport where a truck loaded with explosives was stopped at the entrance by bollards, duh?You dismiss the 3,000 who died in the second WTC attempt. What about the public hanging of homosexuals because they happened to have been born gay? What about burying women who are suspected of committing adultery in the sand up to their necks and indulging in the sport of stoning them to death? "Har, har, har! Looks like I broke her nose! Mint tea all round!"

Bob in Obamination: "the media decides after it's far too late to unjump into the abyss." Brilliant phrase! In fact, your whole post was most readable.

Frank P - Thanks for Protein Wisdom. I will go there this morning.

Again, this blog was designed by website designers who cannot use joined-up writing. It's how it looks that counts for them because they are largely illiterate about anything outside html.

If Melanie is to get over 200 comments, asking posters to waste their time scrolling back and forth, often several times as they check back whata fellow poster wrote, is too juvenile. Someone needs to order these people to change the design of this page by putting the comment box, as in every other publication in the world, at the bottom of the page after the most recent comments.

Cathy

Derek - Thanks for the Ditto.

Jill - Thanks for the inspriration. I second you on pressing our congressmen and women to not only strengthen our party, but also to follow the direction of We the People in Washington.

I also like your idea of writing editorials, and my copycat you on that one.

I am mad as hell, but how I feel is not important.

What I am going to DO ABOUT IT is.

Barackobama

Sarah Palin is a bad representative of the conservative case who will, if allowed to pursue her impulses and encouraged by opportunistic political hacks, undermine support for the cause she ostensibly champions. Conservatism is intuitively compelling to practically everyone with a mature mind. But it has to be supported with an interest in learning as well. Palin’s ignorance reflects the fact that for most of her life she was a member of a millenarian cult that restricts teaching to what is in the bible, and a highly distorted interpretation of the Holy Book at that. This approach has no historical basis in Christianity (or Judaism) where engagement with the world has been a cornerstone. There is nothing in Christianity that suggests you should retreat to Alaska to avoid the flood you expect to signal the end of times and other ideas pedaled by the cult she was raised in. Palin’s mental formation and a view of the world skewed by decades of anti-intellectual teaching is dangerous to the future of conservatism in the US. This requires conservative politicians with an educated view of the world as well as a high degree of personal integrity (which Palin seems to have in great amounts). The last thing it needs is disciples of anti-thought post-Christian fads that have gathered up millions of followers, mainly from the ranks of the millions failed by the US education system. People like that repel the conservative majority. And they make conservatives look as hapless as Palin did practically ever time she uttered an unscripted word.

Verity

Augustus writes: "ABC (All Barack Channel), NBC (Nightly Barack Channel), CBS (Covering Barack Seriously), and others; and they all get goose bumps when he speaks."

What about that fool newsman who said he "feel a tingle up my leg when Obama speaks". He is still all of a tingle? Has the tingle subsided? Has it migrated further up his leg? Inquiring minds want to know!

derek

You know what's funny -

The comments section has turned into an debate between the radical-minded who think Obama is too radical, and the moderate and level-headed who think Obama is moderate and level-headed.

Dave M

I don't think Obama will be anything like as bad as Conservatives imagine and he may turn out to be a competent President. What worries me more is something Maggie Thatcher once referred to, namely that America is losing its European/Anglo identity. Not that Obama himself doesn't hold western liberal values but in the future there may be other presidents who will be of a different mentality. Basically, Obama was voted in by a strong block of African American and Hispanic voters. In a couple more decades the Hispanic voting block or immigrant voting block will possibly make the Republicans obsolete. My argument against multiculturalism and liberal immigration has always been based on what we see in the U.S. today, comparing that to the Roman experience. Essentially the Romans did lose their national identity and values that made then a world power because they embraced multiculturalism and winded up with many ethnically diverse emperors. Some of these were good ones (as I believe Obama will be) but others introduced religions and values that undermined the entire social structure. If you don't have single national identity and set of tried and tested values that unite that society, the whole edifice will come crumbling down. The more diverse America becomes, the weaker it's going to be in the final analysis.Indeed, today, America reminds me of Rome in 200 A.D. when Rome was on the verge of collapse but somehow managed to stay afloat and delay the final fall.

Karl M

Wow. Are we on the same planet!?

Obama's election means the Bush-clone McCain doesn't get to wreak further devastation on the world in the name of 'America', and there is more hope for all of us.

I was surprised by a transformation of feeling towards America almost overnight as a result of Obama's election. He may or may not deliver a better America, and a better world, but he's got a far better chance of succeeding in those aims than McCain would have had.

I continue to await the day that Melanie says something that makes _any_ sense to me...

John Birch

Conservative Cabbie: Obama did not "flip the bird" to Clinton and McCain. Watch the video of both instead of relying on a still posted by Drudge on his website. Btw, one of the big losers of this election has been Matt Drudge who was touting a tightening of polls by cherry picking ones that served his own agenda. As for the "sweetie" comment, he personally rang the reporter the next day and apologized.

phil

The fragrant one says"What about that fool newsman who said he "feel a tingle up my leg when Obama speaks". He is still all of a tingle? Has the tingle subsided? Has it migrated further up his leg? Inquiring minds want to know"

OBVIOUSLY CANT INCLUDE HER THEN
oh boy at least every so often she does amuse me. come on verity send me an insult .I,m beginning to think you don't care-I will send you one of those M+S 10 pound dinners for two as a thank you ,maybe you will share it with frank p.--don't worry no southern fried chicken and black eyed peas .

with all these gifts frank might even honour his promise to comment on my choice of CHURCHILL on the content thread -well ok I know you don't read my more serious stuff -now there,s a chance for an insult.:)
This really is fun after an unpleasant few months

phil

Derek you are far to sensible for this thread and any number that have preceded it.We plough a lonely furrow but I sleep at night especially when I think of all the unfortunate people who will benefit from this momentous week.
.The other consolation is that every other place I read on this subject ,joy prevails-and so much of it from people normally right of centre like me .My hero Melanie has been having a lot of bad hair days these last few months (she has really lost me on this subject) so I hope we can all get back to reality now and may her good sense revisit us very soon .
As it is nearly my birthday may I have a wish that the fragrant one nods off into the M+ S free moussaka that I have offered to treat her to,she may well find her darling frank under the béchamel sauce -oh lovely day
-best regards to one of the few sane posters here recently .

An American's Husband

chris
our constitution is a living document. the founders recognized it was imperfect and added a method to change it. the amendment process has been used 27 times. most of these changes were good: bill of rights, universal suffarage, etc. a few were bad: allowing income to be taxed. but the amendment process is difficult to avoid capricious tinkering and the founders never imagined that judges in robes would mold our constitution to fit their own personal views

Mary from Illinois, USA

To Simeon Collins (11/6): You are correct Obama is not a socialist--he is a communist! Your rhetoric is so freshman (naive). You should be so proud of yourself for the ability to spout the leftist garbage--you bought it hook line and sinker, Comrade!

Simeon

Jeb, Texas

You need to re-read what Jasmine wrote. her assertion that Obama could not end the war without being able to 'change the Qu'ran' implies that the Qu'ran preaches war and is in effect violent, thus justifying my introduction of 'Islam is not a violent religion'...

manfromlaramie

Hate to break it to you Mel, but the last bastion of freedom to which you refer is surrounded by a 20ft security fence, together with a large slice of another country.

Hysteria

@ Verity - agree the comments about the website build - we need to move to a chat environment - perhaps with some logon security thingy - the present system is no lnger fit for purpose espcially as there is an increasing contribution level from outide the UK time-zone.

This is leading to some disjointed comments, missing posts and so on.

But do we hear any feedback from the moderators or the Spectator - ?? Nope

Hysteria

oh - and where is Melanie?

derek

Sue,
If you really think FOX NEWS has a liberal bias (or is a member of the "liberal media elite" I've heard about during this campaign season) you have a very distorted view of the world and ideologies.

Bob in Obamination

"Islam is not a violent religion. september 11th was truly a tragedy."

Laughing out loud. Anything that follows that bit is wasted energy Simeon. Read an effing book. Paul Fregosi's "Jihad" would be a pretty good starting spot.

fellow traveller

Jackie: "They may speak a different language from you out here, Melanie, but one language they desperately understand is that of freedom."

I too have some experience of Brazil Jackie, and one thing I know for sure is that de Carvalho does not reflect mainstream Brazilian opinion. His arch-enemy, president Lula, now has popularity ratings nudging 80 per cent - and not surprising, considering that he has finally done something practical to help narrow the gap between rich and poor that is a scandal in a nation potentially as prosperous as Brazil.

de Carvalho's lazy anti-Marxist scaremongering might be all the rage with Sao Paulo's cocktail party set, but if he had any respect for democracy, he'd put a sock in it.

(PS this blog swallowed my last comment on de Carvalho's allegations about Obama: if you want the true story about why anarchists targeted the RNC, just go to their web site to find out it was 1. Because that's where they lived, and 2. They specifically say they hate the Democrats just as much, but democrats weren't in power. It seems your philosopher's research didn't actually extend to much more than exaggerating a news story for credulous people who were unlikely to read the truth in English)

rinpoche

So in the end you did think it was a "joke Republican ticket consisting of an erratic old man and a brainless, wacko, gun-toting beauty queen" after all?

Regrading Obama's comments in terms, the US constitution is happily not set in stone (mutton chops whatever) and is amended from time: the terms were a somewhat obscure and academic radio debate some years ago, the civil rights movement and the amendments to that constitution they have secured.

Similarly your last two paragraphs are so absurdly over-stated as not worth further notice.

However something has to be done about Iran's nuclear ambitions quite soon and I for one will not raise my hands in outrage should Israel pre-empt the issue in the coming few weeks (the irony of course is that they will be obliged to use tactical nuclear weapons).

Failing that the United States has time enough to engage in direct presidential diplomacy with Iran as Obama wants to try: 'jaw jaw' thus and who was it advocated that?

Pete Hoskin

Verity and all other calling for a comments box at the bottom of the page: your request duly noted. I can't make a unilateral decision, but I'll discuss it with folk in the office. Will keep you all updated.

Frank Pulley

Try this on for size:

http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2008/11/rahm-emanuel-was-on-freddie-mac-board.html

And so the pieces fall continue to into place.

h/t Dan Collins at Protein Wisdom (Pub)

http://proteinwisdom.com/pub/?p=2343#comment-101199

Verity

My post dated 2:12pm, beginning Simeon says: "Over 50million Americans DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE." ... has only just been posted, having apparently been lost and since superceded by later posts. Anyone who is interested can scrawl up four or five posts.

What they do at The Speccie, is, they lose posts for hours on end, in the meantime continuing to post other contributions. When the missing post is finally found, rather than stick it on the end as the latest to be posted, they stick it in what would have been the correct time slot.

This is so absurd it beggars description, but it is consonant with the placement of the Comments box at the top of the thread.

Frank P - Very entertaining posts on Protein Wisdom. Many thanks!

Sue

Cathy: Dittos to you!

Bob in Obomination: Yeah, I’d say that the wave of “Uh Ohs” will soon echo across America like a vast moan as half the nation ‘comes to’.

Derrick wrote: “But somehow Obama had the endorsement of the most Nobel Prize winners of any presidential candidate ever. You're right...those guys must not think about what they are doing.”
Just because someone wins a Nobel prize, it doesn’t mean they’re anything more than someone admired by the Nobel prize commitee. Don’t hold such “prize winners” up as proof that whomever or whatever they endorse has the ‘smartified seal of approval’ and is therefore a good thing. Did you also vote for Obama because Oprah and other Hollywood elites endorsed him? Be banished!
Jill, Kudos and Dittos on your well reasoned plan to work for the ‘re-conservatization’ of the Republican party.

Grumpy said, “some of you uber conservatives could interpret something like a more equitable medical scheme, I'm sure as something hatched in the halls of the old Kremlin.”

It will never happen. It’s a promise that’s trotted out every election, but never achieved.
When Clinton hit the White House it was Hillary’s “mission” to provide healthcare for everyone. Nothing else was mentioned after a year or so. It’s a smoke and mirrors promise.

Jill...great plan for helping to re-conservatize the Republican party!! Kudos

Oh, and those who want to fuse about the comment box location. You're just being silly. Is it too much effort to scroll up the page using the bar on the right of the page?!

American Voter

Verity: You are quite correct about the prehistoric manner of this blogsite and let's not even go into the lack of linked links... Perhaps we should take up a collection to send some poor soul at the Speccie on a Computer course.

Meanwhile, to Joe Camel: Rahm Emmanuel served on the Board of Directors of Freddie Mac when alarm bells were first beginning to ring but did nothing. His appointment by Obama as "Chief of Staff" indicates both his own stupidity and the contempt in which he holds the American public coupled with his assurance that Old Media will protect his butt in this as in everything else. First signs of defection from the ranks of the All Admiring, All Adoring:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6201900&page=1

Augustus

Ahmadinejad has congratulated Obama, and that, folks, is bad news. Not since 1979 has an Iranian leader congratulated the winner of an American presidential election. as Obama has intimated that he will sit down with all dictators he has already squandered his trump card. America has voted in a Chamberlain while a second Reagan was what was needed. And to think that there are even people who find it stange that Putin now aims rockets at Poland.

Biden was right on one point, Obama will be tested and they (the dictators) will pull out all the stops. I wish the free world every success, but Chavez, Putin, Ahmadinejad, and Castro, couldn't be happier now there's no imminent danger from the US.

Dixon

The insanity begins:
According to Obamas own web-site, he intemds to introduce compulsory community service for all age groups from the cradle to the grave:

"The Obama Administration will call on Americans to serve in order to meet the nation’s challenges. President-Elect Obama will expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and will create a new Classroom Corps to help teachers in underserved schools, as well as a new Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, and Veterans Corps. Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year. Obama will encourage retiring Americans to serve by improving programs available for individuals over age 55, while at the same time promoting youth programs such as Youth Build and Head Start."

Verity

Just as a point of interest, The Telegraph is running NINE fawning articles on Obama on its formerly highly respected editorial page.

Brennen Bearnes

"But they have free access to county hospitals, which are roughly on a par with the British NHS, so bugger off. I'm sick of this manipulative whining about health care."

Myself, I'm a bit weary of people making stuff up.

Rob

Melanie, you get madder and madder. So Obama may believe that divided, unequal and, to much of the world, hated America can change for the better, that health reform is imperative, that the war on terror hasn't worked, that cowboy capitalism actually doesn't work and makes the world less secure, you believe that this makes him "dangerous"?

No, it is neocons who couldn't tell the difference between secular Saddam and the Saudi regime, rightwingers who privatise profit and socialise costs, and losses and have screwed America's and Britain's economies, and who, above all hate and fear things that are dangerous. People like you, in fact

Liberal

The thrust of Melanie Philips' article is that the election of Barack Obama means the probable end of liberal democracy in the USA and the collapse of the West.The evidence for this wide ranging assertion is somewhat tenuous.However,I would agree the western world is in serious danger of[ economic] disintegration.The evidence for this is not tenuous,it is overwhelming.It is only necessary to read the business pages of centre-right newspapers to see the despair.I believe this is something to do with uncontrolled speculation in the financial world which turned out to be much more dangerous than terrorism or a few Trotskyites in the educational system.People on the right in the UK and USA did not notice the damage done by the enemy within.Anyway,a black US president has arrived---a cause for celebration given the history of the United States.

Conservative Cabbie

Verity

That fool newsman was chris Matthews of MSNBC. He is now saying that it is his DUTY to help Barack Obama be a good President. Funny, somehow I doubt he felt any such duty during Bush's eight years.

I love America, but sometimes (like the las year), I despair at the quality of journalism over there, they have been negligent in their vetting of Obama.

Jim

I will believe in Mr. Obama when he stands up before the world and explains why he attended a racist church for 20years, why his Aunt lives in a slum while he lives in a million $$ mansion "redistribute some wealth", provides a certified copy of his birth certificate, why did his wife receive an abusrd salary increase and then her employer a $$ million $$ funding grant approved by him, why did he receive the largest donations from freddie and fannie mac corps.,why did he say mobster Rezco only donated 15 THOUSAND when it was alot more. Mr Obama has not shown he posseses good character. Synonym of Fiber Honesty Integrity Principle. However the populist vote has spoken and now we will all see if he keeps his promises he made to the masses.

Jill

How do you define radical and moderate, Derek?

Jessica Hulcy

I just found you on the world wide web while attempting to find honest journalism to use as an example as I teach homeschooling moms in the US how to teach their tots about honesty/dishonest journalism. You're writing is a breath of fresh air about to be introduced to elementary and junior high homeschool kids as an example of one who articulates truth. Nice to meet you. Please keep up the excellent work.

Barry H

The poster who calls themself “Israel” at November 7th, 2008 11:07am asks:

“Is Melanie okay?

“From one or two posts a day to now nothing?”

True to form, this poster has trouble with facts. Melanie has penned a whole essay for the National Review on the Obama victory, ‘Preventing National Suicide’, which the rest of us have already read by clicking on the link at the right of her page at her site.

They don’t call these people ‘sleepwalkers’ for nothing. If you can't see it, here it is:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjljMGU3ODc0YzcxMDkxYTlkYWQwOWY2NDMyZDVlYTY=

Verity points out many of the legion flaws in the argument for state-funded healthcare and she is right. The charity-funded hospital care in the US means that at least people can see where the money goes.

The state-funded NHS has tried to ‘live the dream’ but in reality it is just a bottomless pit for taxpayers‘ money.

We don’t just pay for British residents, we also pay for people to come from every corner of the world to come and get ‘free’ healthcare. Of course, it’s not free at all. We pay for it - and they don‘t.

You set up a state-funded system like ours and you’ll get taken for a ride, just like we are. It’s not like the Michael Moore film on the subject, really.

What I find so weird about the campaign has been the emphasis on Obama’s colour. It feels as if it has been exploited as a sort of forcefield from any criticism from all of his radical associations. Ask a question about anti-white racist Jeremiah Wright et al and up comes the cry: “racist”.

Would this have happened had it not been for all the Jeremiah Wrightesque baggage he brings with him? That and the Harvard background has been airbrushed out for a ‘poor me’ story. The man isn't even descended from slaves.

I somehow doubt race would have been in the foreground in the way it has if the candidate had been Colin Powell. I agree with Richard Littlejohn. It’s a shame his wife stopped him from running a few years back.

By the way, I am told Olavo de Carvalho presently resides in the US but broadcasts into Brazil (in Portuguese) via the net.

He also has a book that has a peculiarly pertinent title given what the American electorate has just done.

It‘s called ‘The Collective Imbecile’.

Conservative Cabbie

Phil

I'm not going to speak as to how others react to Obama, only for myself. I'm never going to grow to like him politically, we stand at opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Having said that, I take the view that now the election has finished, I will judge him purely on his decisions and his actions.

Interesting you talk about the race issue, that is clearly one of the most positive aspects of this. I saw an interesting point online about this, namely to what extent did George Bush apponting two African-American Secretaries of State (Powell and Rice) show the american people that black figures of authority are perfectly acceptable and thus pave the way for their acceptance of Obama. Whatever people who dislike Bush think of him, the one thing they cannot accuse him of was racism.

Finally, the one inconsistency in liberal condemnation of those who criticise Obama, how is it different to the vitriolic attacks on Bush that we've witnessed over the last eight years? I'm not going to speak for you, but we've hardly been witness to a spirit of bi-partisanship from the left or respect for the decisions of the American people in the past.

The one thing we can agree on, America is a great nation - I'm sure that in four or eight years time, it will still be so.

Madmel

"The most terrifying aspect for the United States and the world is that this man will, right after he is sworn in, have access to the nuclear codes."

Yes. We should have given them to Sarah Palin.

Rob-NY

"No longer the land of the free and the home of the brave; they must now look elsewhere"

And where would that be?

Jill

Jill, you see Rahm Emanuel as "a rabid partisan" and conclude that "the choice signaled to the Republicans across the USA [is] that bipartisanship is off the table."

You are clearly much better informed than Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, who stubbornly refuses to see it your way. In fact he goes so far as to assert in a press release:

"He can be a tough partisan but also understands the need to work together. [. . .} I worked closely with him during the presidential debate negotiations which were completed in record time. When we hit a rough spot, he always looked for a path forward. I consider Rahm to be a friend and colleague. He’s tough but fair. Honest, direct, and candid. [. . .] I look forward to working with him in his new position."
http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/

(Thanks to tim at Harry's Place)
------------------------------

You're right. I should have said, "Conservatives" instead of "Republicans." Thanks for the heads up on Graham. Voters need a reminder who the sell-outs to conservative principles are. The guy Emanuel was Clinton's henchman during the Bimbo explosions. I found some extra information for ya:

"As chairman of the party caucus he is officially the fourth-most powerful Democrat but his reputation might even be larger than some more important Democrats. Many see the Chicagoan as intensely partisan and the Republicans have attacked Obama for his choice.

From Politico:

Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant issued a statement calling Emanuel "a partisan insider" and referring to him by his nickname of "Rahmbo": "Barack Obama's first decision as president-elect undermines his promise to 'heal the divides." The RNC started a new series called "Obama's Broken Promise," starting with the naming of "Hyperpartisan" Emanuel.
Our friends of the New Republic have another interesting nickname for Emanuel, "the Tony Soprano" of Congress. The LA Times paints a picture of Emanuel as a fiery but effective political operator:

Along the way, Emanuel earned a reputation for a colorful intensity unusual even in the hard-hitting world of politics. His profanity is legendary and seems designed in part to throw his interlocutors off-balance.

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/11/06/206117.aspx
END QUOTE

Those quotes are pretty mild and kind. He's a Chicago thug politician.

There's a story about him slamming a steak knife into a table repeatedly naming off the names of his enemies: "So and so," stab the table, "Dead!" "So and so," stab the table, "Dead!" He had a whole list of liberal "traitors" and Republicans. There's another famous quote when he says, "F the Republicans!" He has a foul mouth and is full of revenge. But other than that, he's a real nice man. Good choice!

Jill

Grumpy wrote: Jill
Marxist agenda - obviously by that you mean somebody who intends to help out the large group of ordinary wage earners rather than the Texan oil interests and good ole dickless cheney.
As for partianship and 'far far left', lets wait and see shall we. Although some of you uber conservatives could interpret something like a more equitable medical scheme, I'm sure as something hatched in the halls of the old Kremlin.
---------------------------

Then we understand each other perfectly, Grumpy.

"The characteristic feature of modern capitalism is mass production of goods destined for consumption by the masses. The result is a tendency toward a continuous improvement in the average standard of living, a progressing enrichment of the many. Capitalism deproletarianizes the "common man" and elevates him in the rank of a "bourgeois." [...]

"those shops and plants which cater exclusively or predominantly to the wealthier citizens' demand for refined luxuries play merely a subordinate role in the economic setting of the market economy. They never attain the size of big business. Big business always serves--directly or indirectly--the masses.

[...]

"They are the customers who are "always right," the patrons who have the power to make poor suppliers rich and rich suppliers poor."

[...]

The profit system makes those men prosper who have succeeded in filling the wants of the people in the best possible and cheapest way. Wealth can be acquired only by serving the consumers."

[...]

"the control of the material means of production is a social function, subject to the confirmation or revocation by the sovereign consumers."

Ludwig von Mises

hadrian

What horrifies me is the quasi divine status that's been so extravagently afforded Obama by a nation that traditionally is much less fixated on the potency of politics and State power. His gradiloquence and the virtually hysterical responses it called forth would be laughable if not so frightening. If it's true that many younger Americans have succumbed to this crypto socialist claptrap then the free world certainly is done for. It's what conservative theologian, R.J. Rushdoony has dubbed 'the politics of guilt and pity.' Alas, guilt for quite the wrong things, and pity extended to quite the wrong people or in such a negligent manner it can never properly ameliorate.
Still, for all that, one has to hope against hope the inflated expectations will not disappoint too deeply and common sense will prevail.
As for the colour of the man's skin it surely is entirely irrelevant though it does gainsay the charges of racialism often levelled against the States( and not without reason in the past.)

Jill

Somebody wrote this: (Sorry, lost the post!) I understand that it stems in large part from a culturally-ingrained patriotism and a deep (and admirable) attachment to the vision of the founding fathers for America, but what exactly is the rational objection to the notion that the Constitution is not perfect? Constitutions should be living documents, and politicians should be brave enough to recognise where and when they need updating. The founding fathers were obviously wise and intelligent men, but they weren't all-knowing, and the document they drafted reflected the values, politics and legal environment with which they were familiar. It doesn't seem to me that it should be too controversial to suggest that what they produced was imperfect, particularly when viewed and applied in 2008; in fact, refusing to examine it critically and, where appropriate, propose revisions, strikes me as the worst kind of intellectual poverty/cowardice.
---------------------------

Jill writes: Culturally ingrained? intellectually impoverished? Not rational? Founders might be w…r…o…n…g? We were born from rationalism…natural law...ok…I'm pretending you are not from the USA to prevent my heart from palpitating. Yes, you are not from the USA because I see you misspelled a few words. ;)

If you were from America, I wanted you do something in your car at the next ridiculous and useless STOP sign that you came to. I would want you to STOP completely. Exaggerate your law and order skills with a full complete STOP. Recite the pledge of allegiance ten times before proceeding. This would be your penance.

Now, some of the founders did not want the Constitution. They were happy with the previous document that was a loose confederacy in imitation of the Iroquois nation. The critics (ex: Patrick Henry) feared that if you write specific rights on paper, that politicians, like Obama, will think those are the only rights from God that exist. The government would assume the power to grant those rights that are not specifically enumerated.

However, the US Constitution won because of the need to limit the power of the government because any government will naturally assume power whether you name rights or not. They gave the people a fighting chance when they constrained government’s boundaries.

I'm not sure what else you mean. If the founders are wrong, it means we have no rights or that the rights come from government. What the liberals, including Obama, wants is to replace "inalienable" with "federal government." A change like that cancels out all of our rights, essentially overthrowing our government and overthrowing the American Revolution. This is why I have fought Obama so hard.

If the gov't has the power to give you a right, they have the power to take it away. If you give them power to, say, establish English as the national language, then they have the power to forbid English. Those decisions are made at the state and local level.

Whatever is not specifically stated for the federal gov't to do, is given to the states, known in the US Constitution as ‘the people.’ The closer the seat of government is to the people the more control they have over it. If Obama gets his way, he usurps our sovereign rule.

Obama and the Marxists are more than welcomed to create a town or even a state; they can name him as king and establish communism. It's been tried before in the USA. Every community like that has failed, though, just as any nation fails if they go that way. If a town or state wants to legalize homosexual marriage and mandate that every woman should have five abortions, they are free to do it. The problem comes when Vermont wants to tell Georgia to adopt Vermont’s laws. In other words, one town, region or state cannot usurp the sovereign rule of another. People in a state or community that want things the rest of the population does not want are free to leave and establish a place they like. They have constitutional freedom to do it.

It makes sense for people in Miami to declare Spanish as the official city language, but it makes no sense if the Feds tell everyone in the United States that they must speak Spanish. If they change laws at the national level, it runs over the rights of every other community in the nation. This is the battle with abortion as a national issue, along with the use of federal taxpayer funds. The Amish don't want to finance abortions in NYC.

The answer is go back to the US Constitution that gives unnamed rights to the states (in one of the clauses); let the states (aka towns, communities, the people) decide for themselves instead of a special interest group housed in a commune in Vermont. (I usually pick on California, but they voted to preserve marriage. Vermont is my second choice.)

I'm not a lawyer, but I know where my rights come from. It's more important to know where the rights come from than to be able to name them. It means I recognize a threat to my freedom when someone like Obama opens his mouth.

I don't know if I answered your q.

FYI: Socialism/Liberalism/Communism are a gutless choices and intellectually bankrupt. oh, I know, entire industries are built around them. But, if you deconstruct, say, a Raymond Carver short story, it always points to personal responsibility. Reality is the final check and balance.

Jill

jdona writes: "the Republicans are not weasels..."

the Republicans are not weasels....

the Republicans are not weasels
-------------------------

hahahahaaa I agree with your Jdona, it's just this one line is making me laugh. Did you hear about that lady jogger who ran a mile with a rabid fox on her arm?

God Bless the Republican Party. :) They need us.

Jill

Quote from radio blog:

...Ahead of a widely-expected crackdown on free speech and political dissent by the incoming Obama administration, our Dear Leader has appointed a new FCC transition czar to oversee the process.

Henry Rivera, a longtime radical leftist, lawyer and former FCC commissioner, is expected to lead the push to dismantle commercial talk radio that is favored by a number of Democratic Party senators. Rivera will play a pivotal role in preventing critics from having a public voice during Obama's tenure in office.

Rivera, who resigned from the FCC nearly a quarter-century ago during the Reagan years, believes in a doctrine of "communications policy as a civil rights issue".

His exit during the Reagan Administration paved the way for the Fairness Doctrine's repeal when the late president appointed Patricia Diaz Dennis in 1986 to fill out the rest of Rivera's term. Had this not occurred, talk radio as we know it today would not exist.

That gives Rivera's new task a great deal of personal urgency: it's a late-career, second chance opportunity to shut down opposition voices that have been allowed to flourish since his depature from the commission...

------------------------

ok people, here we go...the first wave...This is what Melanie is telling you.

There are about five thousand talk radio shows nationwide.

The above quote is from a radio blogger:

http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-appoints-radical-media-activist.html

There is some concern the new czar will include the internet. I personally doubt they will touch cable because of too many liberals on cable. Liberals tried talk radio but nobody listened to them. They had to work off grants and then still couldn't make it. I heard two Dems in interviews that do not agree with a Fairness Doctrine, but they are not leaders of The Officially Approved Party.

Frank P

Where are you, you idle sods? In your bunkers trying, like me, to escape the miasma of BO that has pervaded Planet Earth? Or just recovering from jet lag, harmful substances and eurphoria?

Israel

Jill:

"The kind who would support Obama's radical marxist agenda. Emmanuel is a rabid partisan. The choice signaled to the Republicans across the USA that bipartisanship is off the table. The choice means O is governing from the far, far left."

Eight years of the Bush administration, six years of a republican senate and house under the rubber stamp rule of Tom Delay and NOW people are supposedly worried about bipartizanship?

My god what a bunch of WATB's. The republicans and bush have been the best example of the Midas touch in reverse. Everything these people have toched has turned to moose droppings, and all McCain could offer was more of the same AND THE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT IT. Maybe if the republicans hadn't done such a p***poor job these last eight years more people in the US and around the world would be backing their position. Maybe if they hadn't treated traditional allies in such a sneering dismissive way they would be looking at a world where they would be respected. What, do you really think that any neo-con will be able to spout their usual rubbish now they have been repudiated and exposed for what they are, flat track bullys but without the gang behind them backing them up. The circular firing squad has started with the fiscal cons going up against the extreame christianists to see who will get control. It's going to be fun, and l for one will be watching with a big tub of popcorn.

Stephanie H

Melanie Phillips used to write rational articles for the Observer. Is this the same woman? Surely that Melanie Phillips would not have written the extraordinary article posted in September saying that a 'star was born' (Sarah Palin). Or was Ms Phillips writing it while sitting on her London porch, all the time insisting that she could see America? Time to return to school Ms Phillips and discover the art of rational debate. You have forgotten how to look at the bigger picture.

Jill

Hi Slack Alice,

Question: Which Corrupt Collectivist said it?:

"It's time for a real Patriot Act that brings out the patriot in all of us. We propose universal civilian service for every young American. Under this plan, All Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five will be asked to serve their country by going through three months of basic training, civil defense preparation and community service. ...

Here's how it would work. Young people will know that between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service. They'll be asked to report for three months of basic civil defense training in their state or community, where they will learn what to do in the event of biochemical, nuclear or conventional attack; how to assist others in an evacuation; how to respond when a levee breaks or we're hit by a natural disaster. These young people will be available to address their communities' most pressing needs.
Emanuel and co-author Bruce Reed insist "this is not a draft," but go on to write of young men and women, "the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service." They also warn, "[s]ome Republicans will squeal about individual freedom," ruling out any likelihood that they would let people opt out of universal citizen service.

As chief of staff, Emanuel will not be in a position to directly introduce public policy, but his enthusiasm for compulsory service, combined with Barack Obama's own plan to require high school students to perform 50 hours of government-approved service, suggest an unfortunate direction for the new administration."

Answer: Rep. Rahm Emanuel wants to force people 18 to 25 to labor for the government.

Should also fit well with Obama's call for a "National Civilian Security Force." You know, young people with guns checking old people's garbage for environmental crimes while terrorists run free.

Republicans will be busy next year.

Sue

Barackobama,
Since you don't do us the favor of proclaiming your church affiliation here, I can only assume that you have been taught some sort of a preterist view of the Revelation.

It is quite unfair to proclaim yourself educated and enlightened and mock Sarah Palin, and proclaim that she is in a millennia cult. There are more scriptural references to support a futurist view of eschatology, than a preterist view. Especially when reading and interpreting the scriptures literally.

Sarah Palin's church hardly qualifies as a CULT. They have practically the same statement of faith as most fundamental evangelical denominations. Especially regarding the most important aspect, and that being the way of salvation. Where they differ from most is a belief that miracles and signs are working today through the Holy Spirit, just as they did at the time of the apostles. So at her core, Sarah Palin is a biblical Christian, influenced, instructed and spiritually nourished in the Word of God. The world view of most evangelicals is considered “out there” by the world, because atheists and hedonists don’t see the world through the lens of Christianity and the Word of God. They don’t interpret world events based on prophesies of the last days in Scripture.

Read Melanie’s commentary for October 16 and you’ll understand the real problem that the world has with Sarah Palin, or any like-minded conservative. Ironic, in that it is precisely our faith, which establishes within us the conservative ideals and values that have been a hallmark of the Republican party.

Carolyn

The change McCain purported was in the corrupt culture of Washington.Obama led the charge to embed it further.Don't forget, only 47% voted for him not 51%.The press, whom he treated poorly and actively went after during the campaign
in various ways counter to our Freedom of Speech, morphed into a propaganda arm of his campaign negating to vet him.Thus, we have no idea of who Obama really is .We do know he has a cadre of associates who are some of the most nefarious characters possible.
Obama actually broke the campaign laws and has been given a pass.He exposed the element of Black Liberation hate of which most Whites were unaware.
The 50 plus millions who voted for McCain will not stand still,
especially, to have the 2nd Amendment nullified.They will take up their arms, first, and
Obama is playing with fire.
He was not disciplined on message. He changed it as the wind blew, and was not clear until a citizen, who came to be known as Joe the Plumber, asked him a question and he did not know the mics were open.That is when it was outed he planned to redistribute wealth.In fact, his original promise to take the limited campaign money from the government was dropped opening the computer for massive fraud and illegal contributions.His message of unity evolved to be a wedge between economic classes, pitting the Middle Class against
the wealthy.The first net amount to have proposed tax hikes earned $250K, then, $200K, so that by the end of the campaign it was $120K, or $150K.He is out to destroy the American Dream.That is what he attacked. His concepts and strategy used the Saul Alinsky playbook, "Rules for Radicals."
His allegiances of at least twenty years, were thrown under the bus when they became political liabilities.
Have no illusion, America has its supreme meglomaniac tyrant.His wife Michelle is his primary adviser.Watch her. These people are driven by Hate,
dual loyalties, anti_Semitism, anti-White motivations.He is tied in with Arab leaders, criminals, hate mongers and practitioners, and Wm. Ayres, an admitted homegrown terrorist.
Together they could constitute
a psyche ward. America has been very, very good to these people.They simply prefer to hold down their Black followers,
function with the notion the ends justify the means, and control by intimidation. Hitler's societal structure is
his example.That will become very clear in short order.He hasn't a conscience.
The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, will deliver Obama's submitted legislation.
It will be interesting to see how many in Congress, and for how long,will
fall into lock step with her.
The Republicans became inept in countering the Dem.s' lies.Thus, the Republicans are being blamed for what the Democrats did, in reality.Obama and Michelle are Affirmmative Action beneficiaries.This economic mess Bush tried no less than 25 times to correct and was overruled by the Leftist
Dems, falls right in Clinton's lap.
Do read Thomas Sowell's pre-election campaign columns
at National Review ( NRO.com).
In closing, Martin Luther King,Jr.was a Republican and never would have voted for Obama.Justice Thurgood Marshall
in his brief, or argument, for the Brown vs. Board of Education at the US Supreme Court warned of tyranny by the minority.

Joe Camel

Frank P (today at 1:19 a.m.), could I be one of the idle sods you have in mind? The election is over. My side lost it.

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2008/11/10/cartoons_20081103?slide=6#showHeader

A new game has started now, with different rules and a different scoring system, calling for different tactics. But we’re still playing to win.

AspenUSMC

I don't think anyone can make too much of Obama's past associations...mostly because they are NOT left behind him in his youth where many of us indulge in emotionally driven pursuits that the rational and sobering responsibilities of adulthood bring us away from.

No.

Obama has relationships TODAY with Ayers, Khalidi, Rezko, and Wright. A terrorist bomber who sympathizes with Soviet-brand communism, an anti-Jew activist with tenuous ties to the PLO, a mobster that helped him buy his palatial home by shady methods, and an anti-white, anti-American bigot who hides himself behind a pulpit.

I'm sorry, sir, but his "past" associations cannot be made too much of...because they are not in the past. They are here in his daily life...today.

Emmet

One man who will be celebrating is of course Osama Bin Laden, who can now expect a return to the appeasement and cowardice of the Clinton era. Who knows, the new Democratic admin might even give him a pension. Certainly Bin Laden can now reasonably expect to live to a ripe old age - just so long as Bush doesn't get him in the last few weeks of his tenure. (Note too, Al Qaida has actaully welcomed the new president - though this has not, of course, been reported by the mainstream media).

Conservative Cabbie

Israel

On partisanship, I'm afraid you're missing the point. Obama campaigned as a post-partisan candidate, it was part of his "change" mantra. Therefore, by appointing a very partisan CoS, with his first act he's going back on his promises. And with his second act, it now appears that his much vaunted tax policy might be off the table. Four days and he's in full reverse.

Conservative Cabbie

Carolyn

I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with you. Technically you're right, Martin luther King might well have been a republican, but that was a legacy of the civil war. The Democrats in the south were the party of racism, blacks voted republican because that was the party that freed them slavery. However, following the civil war legislation under LBJ, black voters switched lock stock to the Dems, southern whites switched to the GOP as a protest against the legislation. I'm fairly sure, Martin Luther King would have become a Democrat as they were the party that gave rights to the black community (and therefore most likely have voted for Obama). Of course, Obama had plenty of communist associates, another reason why he would have voted for Obama.

Only kidding on the last bit.

Danielle

ALL THIS COMMENTARY IN THE WORLD'S PRESS! OBAMA WON BECAUSE THE POPULATION SECTOR HE REPRESENTS IS REACHING 50% OF THE US! HE IS SEPTIMUS SEVERUS. GET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.

Barry Unlikely

It's useful to remember that during the Reagan years Frank Gaffney was once a member of the wonderfully named 'NUTS' - the Nuclear Utilisation Theory Section'who advocated attacking Russia on the basis that 100-150 million US dead was a price worth paying for the defeat of Communism, and never mind how many Russians would die, nor that the world would essentially end. More recenty Mr. Gaffney's position on journalists at Al Jazeera - themselves often criticised by Arab countries for airing Israeli views - were that they were fair game in the war on terror and should be killed if they broadcast any material supplied by Islamic militants.

Killing the messenger, and deciding that hell-on-earth and the ultra-mass killing of even your own citizens on the basis of a personal ideology, is so hugely insane that the people Philips so despises seem like nobel laureates in comparison.

It's also worth bearing in mind that two of the greatest threats to innocent American lives is not terrorism, but diet related heart disease and gun ownership.
Sadly, lion hearted people kill each other at a rate every year that outstrips the entire death toll atttributable to terrorism since 1982.

I happen to like America very much. I've always liked their people, and I think they deserve so much better than the delusions that Philips and Gaffney and the NRA and Bush and all their ilk serve to them.

Whether Obama can provide this remains to be seen.

Tony

Jill [November 8th, 2008 1:15am]

This is exactly the nature of what we have lived through over the last decade.

On the surface Tony Blair presented himself as a centrist and moderate but his radicalism has completely changed our country for the worse.

This is Ms Phillips writing on 6 Nov 2008: “[Blair’s] government either directly promoted or did nothing to stop the long march through Britain’s institutions — the systematic undermining of the country’s fundamental values and traditions, in line with the cultural Marxism strategy of the philosopher Antonin Gramsci.

“It tore up Britain’s (unwritten) constitution, devolving power to Scotland and changing the composition of the upper parliamentary chamber, the House of Lords, destroying the delicate equilibrium of the balance of power…

“Obama has talked about remedying what he sees as the flaws in the U.S. Constitution which promotes only “negative liberties,” or freedom from something rather than positive rights to something.

“Well, through human-rights legislation Britain has exchanged its historic concept of “negative” liberty — everything is permitted unless it is actively prohibited — for the ‘positive’ European idea that only what is codified is to be permitted.”

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjljMGU3ODc0YzcxMDkxYTlkYWQwOWY2NDMyZDVlYTY=

One thing the Republicans must not do is tear themselves apart. The margin of defeat was not very high and neither McCain or Palin excelled in the debates. I agree with Simon Heffer (a British writer) that either Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney would make great picks.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/11/08/do0801.xml&page=2

The Republicans must not go into a panic like the Conservatives did and must not try to serve up an Obama imitation (as Mr Heffer puts it, they “will get nowhere by trying to out-Obama Obama”). The Conservative leader tried to be an ‘heir to Blair’ at one time and soon dropped it when he realised how foolish it was.

A solid performer like either of those two would almost certainly have had the edge over Obama in the debates. As an outsider, I was dumbstruck when the Republicans didn’t go for Giuliani.

Jill

Jill wrote: "The kind who would support Obama's radical marxist agenda. Emmanuel is a rabid partisan. The choice signaled to the Republicans across the USA that bipartisanship is off the table. The choice means O is governing from the far, far left."

Isreal wrote: Eight years of the Bush administration, six years of a republican senate and house under the rubber stamp rule of Tom Delay and NOW people are supposedly worried about bipartizanship?

My god what a bunch of WATB's. The republicans and bush have been the best example of the Midas touch in reverse. Everything these people have toched has turned to moose droppings, and all McCain could offer was more of the same AND THE PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT IT. Maybe if the republicans hadn't done such a p***poor job these last eight years more people in the US and around the world would be backing their position. Maybe if they hadn't treated traditional allies in such a sneering dismissive way they would be looking at a world where they would be respected. What, do you really think that any neo-con will be able to spout their usual rubbish now they have been repudiated and exposed for what they are, flat track bullys but without the gang behind them backing them up. The circular firing squad has started with the fiscal cons going up against the extreame christianists to see who will get control. It's going to be fun, and l for one will be watching with a big tub of popcorn.
---------------------------

Jill responds: You're right for some wrong reasons. I never fell into the habit of blaming Bush for everything even though I did not vote for him in 2000. Blame Bush was a successful Election 2008 campaign strategy and the Democrats are loathe to give it up. It is their crutch. However, mainstream journalists are now finally reporting what Bush has accomplished in the last eight years. For one, he passed the terrorism test on 9/11. Between 1979 and 9/11, ten thousand American civilians died due to terrorists. Since then, zero died. The economy was rock solid until the election year because of the tax cuts bearing Bush’s name. The surge worked, and Bush’s second term was completely the opposite of his first term. The MSM just didn’t talk about it because it would ruin their chances in Election 2008. Melanie has written about Bush’s accomplishments and the political blame game recently. You can peruse her latest articles. It is truly a disgrace the way Bush has been treated.

You seem to fall for the false idea that the economy belongs to the executive branch. It actually belongs to no branch. Nobody is responsible for it any more than they are responsible for the sun rising today. However, the legislative has power to make laws and the president can either veto it or not. The president creates an agenda, but Congress doesn’t have to read it. You also seem not to understand that since WWII, Republicans controlled the house for only twelve years (not consecutively.) They controlled the senate for only fourteen years (not consecutively.) The Democrats controlled both the House and Senate for an uninterrupted forty-year stretch. The Democratic Party created institutional obstructions on economy in that time (mixed economy aka Keynesian).

A recent example with catastrophic results is the Democratic Party’s Fannie and Freddie, which triggered the worldwide financial problems. Bush, McCain, and the Republicans, as usual, do all they can to save the Democrats from themselves. You can find quote after quote after quote of them calling for reform of Freddie and Fannie, and quote after quote after quote of Democrats denying reality.

You sneered: “Maybe if they hadn't treated traditional allies in such a sneering dismissive way they would be looking at a world where they would be respected.”

I don’t see anti-Americans as deserving of respect, and I don’t care what they think of us. We were attacked on 9/11, and the anti-Americans among the allies backstabbed us. We should seriously consider pulling out of NATO especially with Russia eyeing Europe, now.

You sneered: “What, do you really think that any neo-con will be able to spout their usual rubbish now they have been repudiated and exposed for what they are, flat track bullys but without the gang behind them backing them up.”

I don’t know what a neo-con is, nor do I understand this sentence or some of the phrases (ex: “flat track bullys.”) When I see neo-con it is usually in the same paragraph as Bush. It might be a word for far right, but Bush is not far-right. He’s closer to the center and may even rest on the left side. He is a moderate. Define neo-con.

You are right for the wrong reasons. The Republicans have lost their commitment to conservatism and have suffered for it. McCain represented the new moderates in the Republican Party who engage in bipartisanship, and nine million conservatives did not vote in this election to teach the Republican Party a lesson. (Obama won by six million.) Every Republican Congress member who signed on for the bi-partisan bail-out struggled to keep their seat. Republicans have successfully booted every moderate congress member from the North East. That fact will have a profound effect on the Republican Party in returning to their roots.

Conservatives view Bush as a bipartisan and do not like it because when you "reach across the aisle" you get your arm broken. Negotiating with Democrats is like negotiating with terrorists; terrorists will negotiate how they want to kill you. The Conservative voters in the USA rejected moderation or socialism mixed with capitalism. Meanwhile, California and three other states voted to preserve the institution of marriage. The majority of people in the USA are conservatives according to PEW research and a study of elections. It is the Republican Party’s fault for thinking they had to become like Democrats and market their candidates as a “brand.” Conservatives do not have to sell ideas; they simply have to articulate the principles that enabled American growth and prosperity, and they win elections. It happens every time.

You are right to criticize the Republican Party, but blame rests on moderates in the Republican Party, popularly called RINOs, “Republicans in name only.”

You sneered: “The circular firing squad has started with the fiscal cons going up against the extreame christianists to see who will get control. It's going to be fun, and l for one will be watching with a big tub of popcorn.”

The Republican Party foundation does not rest on groups. It rests on principles and individualism. You'll see conservative principles shoving out the moderate theories. What exactly is an “extreame christianists?” Would that be someone who doesn’t want to die in a terrorist attack? Or someone who is not a CINO, “Christian in name only?” It’s hard to follow you because you skim from the top of the Democratic Party’s narrative (official version of events produced for mass consumption) and lack depth that comes from deeply held convictions. Enjoy your popcorn :)

phil

AspenUSMC can you help an ordinary uninformed Brit -where do you get this information from?it is of course a very important statement by you and I am intrigued as to how so many of the US voters have not been aware of it ,in particular why did 77 percent of the Jewish vote go to what you say is an anti semite -they surely are normally a very aware community.I hope you can help me settle my mind ,I would be most obliged .

You will have noticed that I actually read other peoples posts and do respond unlike so many narcissistic writers who I am sure only read what they themselves have written .am I thinking of the ace narcissists frank and verity -who knows ?

John Birch

Emmet: You talk of appeasement toward bin Laden during the Clinton era. What did the Bush administration do to get bin Laden from when it took office up until 9-11? How did invading Iraq and shifting resources from the fight in Afghanistan help to get bin Laden? What do you think George Bush meant when he said the following on March 13, 2002: "I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."

Huw Thornton

@ Conservative Cabbie

"The one thing we can agree on, America is a great nation - I'm sure that in four or eight years time, it will still be so."

Absolutely. Obama's election is not the dawning of the golden age on the one hand, or a harbinger of the end of the world on the other.

Jill

Sue writes: Where they differ from most is a belief that miracles and signs are working today through the Holy Spirit, just as they did at the time of the apostles.

Jill writes: Good post! Enjoyed it. You really know your stuff. I believe like Sarah's church believes that miracles are for today. In other words, I believe in miracles! I hope the Conservatives do, too. Here's a scripture for us:

"He will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares his steps."

It's in Psalms somewhere. It's one of those scriptures you memorize the words but not the reference ;) It's for our times.

Hayward Maberley

Verity et al.
Your whinges about where the comments box is on this site are interesting....“First, these Blogs pages were perpetrated by the illiteratti(sic) of the computer world. They don't understand the use of actual words and making it convenient to use them. The notion of putting the Comments box at the top of a blog which may have 200 comments on it, to be scrolled through by someone reading the last post and wishing to add their own comment could only have been thought of during a full moon.”
“Does this illiterate not understand that people scroll back and forth to check facts, quotes and spellings and no one wants to spend half their lives scrolling through over 200 comments.”
“Move the Comments box south.”
Who will join me in this plea - or, in today's terminology - demand?
“Also, site designers, move the Comments box south.”
Then Mr Pulley chimes in,
“Pretty please ... I'm with V - move the commentary box south! Or, after numerous vain requests from Verity me and several others since this site opened, do we not deserve a rational reply as to why not, perhaps? “
Then you Verity are back with,
“Again, this blog was designed by website designers who cannot use joined-up writing. It's how it looks that counts for them because they are largely illiterate about anything outside html”
“This is so absurd it beggars description, but it is consonant with the placement of the Comments box at the top of the thread
Then Hysteria chimes in
“@ Verity - agree the comments about the website build - we need to move to a chat environment - perhaps with some logon security thingy - the present system is no lnger fit for purpose espcially as there is an increasing contribution level from outide the UK time-zone.”
Then American Voter chimes in
“Verity: You are quite correct about the prehistoric manner of this blogsite and let's not even go into the lack of linked links... Perhaps we should take up a collection to send some poor soul at the Speccie on a Computer course.”
Verity, in the above you refer in your usual disparaging fashion to anything/anybody that does not suit you frame of mind.
A reponse from Pete Hoskin @ The Spectator,
“Verity and all other calling for a comments box at the bottom of the page: your request duly noted. I can't make a unilateral decision, but I'll discuss it with folk in the office. Will keep you all updated.”
Well I may be able to give ta probable and rational explanation that Mr Pulley seeks,
until The Spectator management see fit to, although it may not please you Verity et al
I doubt that the IT personnel maintaining The Spectator sites are “the illiteratti(sic) of the computer world” nor would they be lunatics.
I suggest this because my son-in-law to be is one such IT person and he is neither illiterate nor lunatic. He does much the same for a publishing organisation in Australia. He says that all the blogs and postings to them at The Spectator would operate in the same way.
What has probably happened is that management at The Spectator has chosen a specific application to manage the blogs and the posts to those blogs. The “illiterati”, only two of t as you call them, Verity, may have been consulted but the final decision was not theirs, it was probably the “bean counters” One of several applications has been chosen, possibly Vignette or Fatwire, on the basis of efficiencies in cost, effort and time. This enables the blog contributors to load their blogs in the easiest and most efficient manner AND that that the posts are all handled in the same way.
An easy solution, Verity et al. is to C & P the article that is of interest as a document, put in the comments around the topic to be addressed, D the unwanted sections and P the piece back as a post.
No scrolling up and down and no need to whinge!
Another, though more difficult solution, Verity, is to start your own blog. Then it can be set up and run exactly as you would like it to be.
Anyroad it is only a blog, it is not a life and death matter

An American

Funny....US comedians are now saying that Obama is just too 'cool' to make fun of...they might be right...maybe there isn't anything about Obama to laugh about. When people are too much in awe or fearful of being called bigots when making fun of our leaders...it shows that our free speech continues to shut down. Obama hasn't changed...he continues to surround himself with some very unsavory, strident, far left people in his upcoming administration. And now we can't even laugh at this self-important ass...Bush jokes are going to get awfully old.

Jill

Thank you, Tony. Melanie clarifies issues so elegantly, and prioritizes them. She reminds me of the saying, do not major on the minors. I don't know anybody who voted for McCain in the Primary. The centrists in the Republican Party were running the show. Giuliani might have been good except he had a nasty public divorce, and he is pro-abortion. That was the biggest strike against him. All these things are worth digesting, but we have to move on...Congress will be on our front door step soon.

The Dems first thing, I think, will be something "small" like another stimulus package. They will choose something they "small" in order to release Republican steam. If we go head to head with all our cannons on the first challenge to the people's sovereignty, we might lose steam for next bigger battle, like the unfairness doctrine, or embezzling private savings accounts, or youth hit squads. Maybe we can use the moderates for caving in on relatively smaller things, which makes them happy. However, that may not go down very well with the nine million who refused to vote this year because the candidates were not conserv enough. They and many conservatives can't wait for the first battle whatever it is...Conserv representatives may want to rumble over first issue that pops up just to show their constituents back home they are fighters. While the public is eating up bandwidths on that issue, the Dems will schedule a midnight vote on youth hit squads.

I'm aware of picking and choosing battles, or pacing, as a citizen advocate. We're in this for the long victory. Melanie focuses on the majors. We should keep reading her editorials because she is the only writer I know who relates issues in the UK to US politics in a way regular US citizens "get it." She is sharing UK's experience for our battles. She doesn't hate us, either. Her articles are like salve poured on wounds. But, she might have a slight elitism about her because of a few things she says about Sarah Palin, who I love. I haven't figured that part out yet about Melanie. I would forgive her because nobody is perfect, and she is a freedom fighter. She might think defending our values is more important than winning popularity polls for individual politicians. I would argue that some individual politicians represent our values.

We'll keep reading and writing :)

Jawbreakeralpha

No it's not called Democracy, it's a Representative form of Governance, "We the People." Not the thugs that rose to the top of this election through fraud, deception, lies and the "dead" accomplices other wise known as the main-stream-media.

Bob from Virginia

Michelle Obama said "Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed."

Anyone remember Juan and Evita Peron. I really don't feel the need to have anyone require me to "put down, come out, move, push, shed" or do anything I do not want,or am I going to lose this option?

The best thing Obama could be for the country is awful president. I hate to thing of the US being transformed into a glorified Banana Republic complete with all providing Caudillo-patron. It can happen here.

I have not shed my cynicism as you can see.

John Birch

An American: You're right about Obama surrounding himself with far left radicals. We should be worried that his economic advisors include Paul Volcker and Warren Buffet. I've always been suspicious of Buffet and his support for meritocracy and opposition to inherited wealth. He clearly his a socialist, hence Obama's recruitment him as an advisor.

Verity

Sue writes: "Oh, and those who want to fuse about the comment box location. You're just being silly. Is it too much effort to scroll up the page using the bar on the right of the page?!"

Oooh! A question mark PLUS an exclamation point for emphasis! Well, yes, actually, Sue. For those of us who respond to the posts of others, take care to quote them accurately and take care to spell their names properly, yes, scrolling up through 250 comments and then back down again two or three times to post just one item is too much trouble, as it happens.

Liberal writes: "Anyway,a black US president has arrived---a cause for celebration given the history of the United States." You condescending twerp. How much more patronising can you get? "Black" (which Obama is not; he is half white, but that's irrelevant to your point) is not a qualification for anything. Humans are infinitely varied and have a varied, to say the least, moral code to guide them. If Thomas Sowell had been elected, I would have drunk Champagne right out of the bottle. (Not that he would dream of running.) To count black and half-black people as all one entity is creepy, needy and chillingly condescending.

Jim - Why shouldn't Obama's auntie and uncle live in a slum, his brother George lives in a shack in Nairobi on a dollar a day. Besides, the aunt doesn't live in a slum; she lives in sheltered accommodation in Boston at the expense of the Massachusetts taxpayers, despite being an illegal immigrant to was ordered out of the country four years ago.

Stephanie H - Melanie "sits on her front porch in London"????? Not very well travelled, are you, dear?

BTW, when Sarah Palin was chosen as the VP candidate, a star was born.

H Mayberly - I saw my name mentioned a few times as I scrolled over your post. Be informed that I don't read anything you write.

Pete H - Thanks for your acknowledgement of the intense discomfort this site puts posters through with this Heath Robinson set up. Not only should be comments box be moved south to accommodate those commenting on the latest posts of others, without having to scroll back and forth through 200 plus, but you chaps and chapesses should number posts. LGF can get a thousand posts on any one subject, but people find it easy to reference them because they're numbered.

That said, don't imagine for a minute, Pete, that you're not sincerely appreciated!

Dixon

Now that health care is being dragged into the debate, I would suggest that the comparisons are topsy-turvy. Instead of the US emulating us, we should be more like them.

The NHS has become a decadent absurdity, a warped perversion of its founders intentions. Instead of attending to the illness of the living, it now tries to extend the life-span of those who ought reasonably expect to have reached the end of their days. The replacement or organs that, as often as not, the recipient destroyed through abuse ( I speak with reference to a brother of mine, but look at that creep George Best for an example ) is an immensely expensive industry. For it to be available for free is a sickening, dizzyingly exorbitant illustration of how our society has lost touch with reality. And before anyone asks, no, I won’t be opting to undergo such “therapy” if I am given the choice. I realise that sooner or later we all die.

Then add in other areas of absurd over facilitation: hip replacements in people so old that they should just consider it remarkable that they are alive at all. Fertility treatment. If people want to breed they can do it at their own expense! Surely!

Altogether, the NHS could be hacked back to a third of its present scale and still do everything it was originally intended for.

Edward Cameron

Melanie claims Western Civilization is losing out to a left wing agenda. What absolute revisionist nonsense! Western Civilization is built on the Enlightenment, which champions reason and evidence over ideology. Melanie Phillips and her ilk abandoned reason long ago both on the issues and in terms of perspective. This week Americans chose to drain the poison of the Bush years from the body politic. Americans have embraced reason once more.

Jill

Especially for An American
November 8th, 2008 12:31pm

Grab a Shovel, the Future Looks Bright
By Comrade Whoopie
10/28/2008, 9:55 am

Comrades, our Dear Leader has spoken romantically of the Great Depression, a time when the people came together (to stand in soup lines). A time when our last Dear Leader for life, FDR, instituted the Civilian Conservation Corps. When comrade Obama takes control, we shall again see a return to that progressive era. So let us recall those bygone days.

http://thepeoplescube.com/red/viewtopic.php?t=2502

Enjoy :)

Jill

For your consideration:

Marxist tsunami won't douse liberty

Posted: November 08, 2008
1:00 am Eastern
Henry Lamb

It is not just a victory for the Democrats; it is a Marxist tsunami. The principles that have guided President-elect Obama to this point are deeply rooted in Marxist philosophy. He is now in the position to infuse government with this philosophy through his appointments and legislative agenda. Democrats Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Frank and others with recognizable names are only the face of what's in store. Behind this face is a force teaming with the power to obliterate the U.S. Constitution and the machinery of self-governance it created.

The God to whom our founders prayed for guidance has been thrown overboard by the modern Democrat Party. For at least a generation, Karl Marx has provided both inspiration and guidance to the people who are now in control of America. Republicans have not just been out-maneuvered and out-campaigned; some Republicans have been willing participants, joining the Democrats in the worship of Marxist ideals.

This Democrat tsunami is not only a defeat of Republicans; it is a defeat of freedom.

Freedom, as defined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, cannot exist when government ignores the limitations placed upon it by the Constitution. Government, led by both Democrats and Republicans, started ignoring these limitations long ago and has now grown into a people-management machine that would make Karl Marx proud.

This transformation has been possible only because the people have allowed it. Now, a majority of people expect it, and even demand it. When this tsunami settles across the land, the federal government will truly be the people-management authority of the United States. And what's worse, Democrats are likely to welcome the global central bank to be discussed at a global economic summit this month, which would transform the United States into an administrative unit of the global people-management authority – the United Nations.

Those people who have been called to carry the torch of freedom will not jump ship and move to another country, or throw in the towel and shrink into the shadows. Freedom lovers will survey the losses, inventory the resources, build a new strategy – and go to work.

The losses are not limited to the White House and Congress. Freedom has been defeated in the schoolhouse, as well as in the courthouse. To be successful, a new strategy must recognize this reality and design ways to retake these foundational institutions.

Try as it may, the Marxist tsunami cannot extinguish the flame of freedom. Freedom lovers are not without resources. In every state and every community there are people who still believe in the principles of freedom set forth in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. These people, and their faith, are a powerful resource against which even the gates of hell cannot prevail.

It took the advocates of Marxist theory several generations to convince people that government should manage all human affairs. It will take time for the advocates of freedom to convince a new generation that individual freedom spawns free enterprise that produces prosperity and a far better way to live than can be realized under a Marxist people-management regime.

The Russian people welcomed the Marxist tsunami early in the 20th century. By the end of the century, they were crushed by it. Americans who refuse to recognize that the current ascendancy of the Democrats is a Marxist tsunami will be swept up and eventually crushed by it, whether they recognize it or not.

Those who are called to carry the torch of freedom into the 21st century will find one another and begin anew to free the nation from this latest threat of tyranny. Ironically, this new strategy will include many of the tactics used to build the Marxist tsunami. For example, community organizing is a tool widely used by those who teach and advance Marxist ideas. This tool works equally well for freedom lovers. Already, in communities across the country, small organizations are working to teach the principles of freedom and how they can be incorporated into local ordinances and state law. Already, there are organizations working to get the principles of freedom restored to the institutions of education and returned to the textbooks used at every grade level.

Those who are called to carry the torch of freedom will find these organizations, get involved and go to work. Success will come, and freedom will be restored only when everyone who enjoys the fruits of freedom shares the burden of defending it. The champions of this Marxist tsunami will dance and drink and celebrate their great victory, ignorant of the giant they have awakened.

From every corner of the country, regular Americans are feeling the call and rising to find fellow patriots who are not about to let freedom die. The pending tsunami may damage the pillars of liberty, but it cannot quench freedom's torch. Together, in a thousand ways, in ten thousand communities, the flame of freedom raised by each individual will light the way and chart the course to reclaim the schoolhouse, the courthouse, the White House, Congress and the future.

Henry Lamb is the chairman of Sovereignty International and founder of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO).

Hysteria

@ a number of people !

I have used both the NHS and the US health system in anger (how many other contributors have first hand expereince of both?) - I know which works better for me and my family. (The NHS is superior IMHO)

The poster talking about us cutting and pasting to a separate document etc etc to get the blogs in - yawn - these systems should be easy to use and built around the user needs not the conveniance or technical wizzardry of the designers. Is the IT industry one of the most arrogant in this regard? Anyway - numbering the posts would be an obvious first step to improve (mind you I do not recall a blog with this many posts in the Spectator website)

Roberto Leandro

Hello

Sue

Verity, You're pleas have been heard.

Pete Hoskin wrote:

"November 7th, 2008 5:40pm
Verity and all other calling for a comments box at the bottom of the page: your request duly noted. I can't make a unilateral decision, but I'll discuss it with folk in the office. Will keep you all updated."

Congratulations Verity, I could see how important this was to you. Now if you could get all the posts listed in sequential order that would be great.

Please note that I used not a single exclaimation mark in respect of your sensibilities. :D

Frank P

Pete Hoskin

Re commentary box. Thanks for seeking assistance on that request, we await the decision with extended patience. After all, if I recall correctly, all the other blogs under the aegis of the Speccie have their commentary box after the last comment to be posted, so it can't be impossible with the software you are using. I have been trepidatious about following up previous requests because I thought perhaps Melanie had a reason for keeping it that way and I would certainly always defer to her wishes about her own blog and put up with the inconvenience - to facilitate the best progressive (in the true sense)journalist/author around.

Joe Camel

No Joe, I wasn't addressing the 'idle sods' remark at any of the commentariat; the blog was left unattended by the 'moderator' for at least 12 hours yesterday (I gave up in the end) and I was suggesting that all the Speccie staff were still non compissed mentis from (a) the boondoggle to the US, or (b)the celebrations of the New World Order in Old Queen Street yesterday. :-) Wouldn't dream of offending our American friends - except the the pricks (and prickesses) who voted for the cabal of creeping communism and their flaky, furtive, front-man.

Dixon

If we are now debating the set out of the comments thread, I would suggest that a very simple measure would be multiple pages.

On another site I go to it is very quick and easy to go straight to the latest exchanges. whereas here ( on my dial up connection ) it takes several minutes of waiting for the page to load and themn more irritating scrolling up and down to locate where one left off.

also, a system which permits direct quoting of other posters comments works very smoothl;y and makes the whole debate much clearer in all respects. The different "he said she saids" otherwise get very complicated, as in this thread, where about seven different topics are under discussionsimultaneously.

That last conjunction of two words kind of resembles it!

I agree with another poster, the IT obsessives seem to think that IOT is the be-and-end-all of everything rather than a tool for other, more important, purposes. Whats more, people who design programs seem to have little experience of how absurdly over-elaborate they often are in general use. Onbe false twitch of a finger on a mouse and hours of work up the spout!

Using a PC shouldnt require the manual dexterity of Jehudi Menhuin!

phil

Hayward Maberley you are a lucky man, count your blessings the fragrant one ,her of narcissistic tendencies does not read your posts ,mine neither .but of course the lady lies because we know she does .Both her and her follower frank p pretend to ignore us .I find it flattering and so should you ,as they both are unable to deal with normal people i.e. those that state their thoughts without resort to insults and innuendo .Stand tall Howard you are a man of reason in a sea of right wing thoughtless lunatics.I absolve the cabbie ,who tries to use reason .and any others who have not joined this class of haters .

Verity

Frank P - I've just scrolled up over 250 posts to respond to yours and ... I've forgotten what I was going to say.

Oh, yes! It's not just Melanie's blog. It's all three Blogs that are cursed with this format. Stephen's, Melanie's and Clive David's.

BTW is there a Spectator-imposed hair code for Eponymous bloggers? Do Melanie, Stephen and Clive go to the same hairdresser?

George Steiner

The Obambi apologists will want to contemplate this.

Your 40 or 50 years past, what you have done, where you have been, whom you have known has no bearing on who you are, what you will do in the future.

So when you go for your next interview or meet your next date, just offer Hope&Change. The interviewer will throw you out, and your date will laugh at you.

Frank P

Verity

I stand corrected; two of the three personalised blogs are upside down and without wishing to be invidious (would I?) Stephen doesn't attract enough traffic to matter, while Clive has dumped his comments box anyway. It was the Coffee House and The Wall blogs that have the box sensibly located.

While you're there, take a look at this garbage:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Racism-In-Labour-Party-Would-Block-A-British-Barack-Obama-Says-Watchdog-Chief/Article/200811215147184

They won't give up, will they? Not until 'merit and quality first' is superceded by 'skin colour first (provided it's black), socialism second, meritocracy - WTF does that mean?'

When is somebody going to start demanding that capable experienced people should be elected to government, regardless of pigmentation and that chips on shoulders are a disqualification.

Sue

Jill, Great comments all. Thanks for sharing other juicy commentaries in lieu of Melanie.

I've just ordered a fist full of bumper stickers renouncing the 'fairness doctrine' and praising free speech.

They're not going to get that one without a real revolt on their hands.

Hm? Maybe a new revolution wouldn't be so bad? Keep the powder dry!

kat in your hat

Melanie, they are brainwashed. They just don't understand because they are unable to see it. I'm a democrat and saw it easily. Then again, I am also someone who doesn't have faith in the MSM, and I always questioned my teachers. Most people accept just about anything. I am telling you, even if something horrible happens (and it will) these people will still not be able to put two and two together.

AF - Austin, TX

"1939 December

7th – Thursday. “Lift up your hearts”. Five minutes of devotion on BBC for first time. Then physical exercise."

Funny isn't it. 1940's BBC Devotion....Ha

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/britainatwar/britainatwarreadersmemories/3234265/Britain-at-War-War-through-the-eyes-of-an-Ascot-family-1939-46.html

Verity

Highly regarded English columnist Matthew Parris has called Obama "a daring opportunist" and I think that is close.

How could anyone with his background - or, actually, non-background as we know absolutely nothing about him - ever have entertained the notion that he could run for President of The United States and win?

To me, the whole thing is eerie and has been since day one.

Conservative Cabbie

Re Rudi Giuliani

A couple of posters (too much scrolling involved to find out who) have stated that Giuliani would have been better opposition to Obama.

Need I remind them just how poor his primary campaign was. He ignored the early states, Iowa, NH and S Carolina, and focused entirely on Florida, California and N York. By the time super tuesday came round, McCain already had momentum, Romney and Huckabee were already demonstrating that they were the main opposition and Giuliani hadn't even got started. When political scientists study how not to run a primary campaign, it will be Giuliani's they refer too.

Conservative Cabbie

Israel

In an earlier comment, you referred to Fred Thompson as a criticism of the republican party. Leaving aside the fact that I quite like him, need I remind you that it is the Democrats who are seating a former member of the KKK in the senate. I'll take Fred over a member of the KKK any day of the week.

Tina

Yes, Frank, I too saw the ludicrous comments by Trevor Phillips, but he is paid to say that sort of thing.

If he doesn’t, he puts himself out of work - and he won't do that.

If someone is paid taxpayers’ money to whine, they will whine. That’s why that wretched quango has to be scrapped.

I just thought it was reminiscent of the whole Ian Blair thing.

Having spent years nurturing chips on shoulders, the Labour Party gets hoist on its own petard. Serve them right.

It will never end so long as we have that rotten quango that Trevor Phillips heads.

The whole method was so predictable too.

The calculation in Trevor Phillips' head was something like: “Race is always pretty untouchable and never more than this week because of the Obama win.” So off he fired.

But then the backlash came.

And what did Trevor Phillips do then?

Easy. What he and his useless ilk always do. If the first card in the PC deck doesn‘t work, pull out another. So Trevor Phillips duly said words to the effect “oh no, it was broader, I meant gender and class too”.

Course you did, Trev.

It’s the only method of attack and defence these people know. If one PC argument gets shown up, drag in another and another so you get more grievance groups to back you up.

This man is a millionaire from this grievance industry. So if you’re struggling to pay the mortgage this winter, get your chin up because he and his quango is paid for all out of taxpayers’ money.

Sue

Frank P., Verity and all,
Here's a tip for comment/scrolling delima. Open a new document and as you scroll along reading, stop and make remarks in the document. Once you've scrolled and read and responded to everything you want to, cut and paste the info into the box on top.

It's even handier than relying on the box on the bottom, in that it will always be on the ready for your comments. Cheers!

EC

The comments box is exactly where it should be. One can leave a comment without having to wade through, in this case, 365+ deposits. Putting the comments box at the bottom would be a really dumb idea. The user should have the choice of displaying the comments in whichever chronological sequence they like. However this still might not satisfy the professional malcontents who it would appear will accept nothing less than a procession of golden elephants. In defence of programmers I would say that if the "illiteratti"(sic)of blogosphere cannot be bothered to use the slider bar and/or if the inconvenience and discomfort of making FREE use of these facilities becomes too unbearable then blog off elsewhere.

Hayward Maberley

Verity et al.
"Oh, yes! It's not just Melanie's blog. It's all three Blogs that are cursed with this format. Stephen's, Melanie's and Clive David's."
Top Comment Box Blogs at The Spectator are, from a quick browse ;
Melanie Phillips, Stephen Pollard, but not Clive Davis. For Clive you send an email to him at AOL.
Trading Floor is as well. Interesting that is has a contributor by the name of Peter Hoskin. Could this be the same Pete Hoskin that put up a post here addressing the problem?
The Americano, The Billabong, a strange blog name for a concession to readers in the Wide Brown Land are all Top Comment Box Blogs.
Only blogs put up on The Coffee House seem to be Bottom Comment Box.
So it must be possible to do so for the others if they really want to do so. I find it hard to believe that their application would be that hard to change.

Frank P

Sue

Thanks! Always grateful for good advice and never too old to learn.

EC

Heh,heh,heh. That's another way of looking at it. But didn't you just wade through 365 'deposits' in order to read the suggestions, and then wade back to the comment box to veto them? I think that's what Verity was getting at. It's the repetition of ploughing through posts that you've already read (or in some cases deliberately not read having noted who made it) that is sometimes irksome. But Sue's suggestion is cool, as my grand kiddies would say.

As for the 'FREE' jibe, I subscribe to the magazine, don't you? And as the techies undoubtedly get paid and the commentariat contributes its 'illiterate' efforts and time for bugger all, voluntarily, it seems a fair exchange. Are you suggesting we pay for commenting? Most of us, it seems, are here to support Melanie and her seemingly inexhaustible efforts to enlighten us with excellent research and splendid analysis. As for those who disagree with that last sentence, then perhaps it is they that should, as you amusingly suggest, blog off! But then, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, aren't they? And if anyone thinks this is a good place to express one without getting some flak, then they will soon be disabused of the notion. I'm still with Verity, as your point (on this occasion) is not persuasive.

Verity

Sue - Do you mean your post seriously or as a bit of Marx Brothers? What's your real name? Heath Robinson? (Or, if you're American, Rube Goldberg? We're bilingual in these parts.)

Max Marandino

Regarding south america , witch is where i'm from . We can only expect the worse from a Obama mandate . Talk means enemies of America are gaining time . With a mandate coming to a end for Álvaro Uribe the last stronghold of rule of law in the region , Latin America doesn't have a bright future . It's a shame .

Verity

Sue: What's a "delima"?

I'm not going to scroll down through 350 posts in case you explained it in your comment.

You seem to be bossy and boring. Never a good combination.

Sue

I've been searching on line for any grassroots groups getting started to resist the Obamanization of America. I've been particularly concerned about hints that Obama plans to try and get the 'fairness doctrine' reinstated, and also to have it drift over into sites on the internet.

I found a great site if anyone is interested in working to protect America from this socialist.

The website says: "FreedomMarch.org is a vehicle for American Citizens to participate in taking back our nation. Obama slipped into office by being actively sheltered by the mainstream media, and should Obama enact even a portion of his radical agenda, our nation risks serious and permanent injury."

Check it out: http://www.freedommarch.org

Israel

Jill:

Love your responses, most are very funny. You are right no US civilians have died on American soil since 9/11 (which actually happened on bush's watch or do we just ignore the Aug 6th 2001 security briefing about terrorists determined to attack in US like he did?). You fail to mention that before that the largest deaths due to terrorism was actually Tim McVeigh but i'm sure you just mean brown skinned terrorists so lets more on. Of your ten thousand killed how many were actually military? I only ask because they would not be classed as civilians, would they?

You say the economy was rock solid until the election year? Some would say differrent, l mean, it's not that long since Enron crashed is it? And i'm sure that you read the predictions by Paul Krugman a couple of years ago where he predicted that the foundations of sand that the US economy was built on would be washed away. Then again what would a Nobel Prize winning economist know?

I did know about the democrats controlling the House and Senate for fourty years. When the got too bad and too useless they were voted out first under Gingrich in 1995 until the defenestrated him and then again in 2002 under Delay until he fell under the weight of his own corruption. The question you should be asking is why did they only control Congress for such a short period of time? What is it about republicans when in charge of Congress they do so badly that people quickly remove them from control?

I love the fact that republicans have latched onto the canard about the 2006 deregulation of Fannie and Freddie should not have happened !! It's as if Milton Friedman had never been born!! What is also funny is the mass collective amnesia on the right about the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (which McCain voted for in 1999), which passed in the Senate by a vote of 54-44. The deregulation bill loosened restrictions on the activities of banks, brokerage houses, and insurance companies. This was accompanied in 2000 by The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 introduced on Dec 14th 2000 in the House and a companion bill introduced in the Senate on Dec 15th 2000. Don't you think that creating the CDS (credit default swap) market which ended up being a $62 trillion dollar market (an increase from $900 billion in 2000), which is FIVE TIMES the size of the holdings of the New York Stock Exchange, allowing brokers to dip into hedge funds and use their money to speculate on the scock market did more damage than a man in Des Moines who was unable to meet a payment on his mortgage? This crisis is due to greedy speculators in unregulated markets which is what people are trying to deny.
You say the anti-American allies backstabbed the US? My god, the entire western world was behind the US after 9/11!! Even Arab countries were showing their support!! There was a real chance for real consensus and bush cocked it up. Maybe you should compare the countries who went into Iraq in 1991 to the ones who went into Iraq this time. The simple fact is that what was being pushed was not true and was not believed, unless you are going to say that WMD's WERE actually found in Iraq, if so you had better tell the bush administration (and Donald Rumsfeld as he was sure they were around there somewhere).

After eight years of bush you are trying to say that you don't know what a neo-con (as in Neo-Conservative) is? Really? So the guys in the White House and the policies they have been promoting and the Bush Doctrine are all things you have never heard of? You are trying to say that you have never heard of PNAC (Project for a New American Century) and the 25 people who signed the letter to Bill Clinton calling for regieme change in Iraq in 1999, most of whom ended up in the bush administration? REALLY? I'm also amazed that you actually consider bush as a bipartizan leader. Are you forgetting aht he said after the 2004 election about having political capital that he was going to spend? Or the media loudly proclaimg that he now had a mandate? In the six years that the republicans controlled the two houses in Congress the only bill from bush l can remember not being passed was the privatization of Social Security.
You claim the institution of marriage was preserved, me l say it was never in danger. Then again personally l don't think marriage is that important. I know the Mormons and the Catholic Church did, look at all the money they pumped into this fight to win it!! Of course you do have that "Seperation of Church and State" thing but why let little inconsequential things like the Constitution of the United States get in the way when you're out to stop teh gay, eh? You say that the majority of the US are conservatives according to PEW? Thats interesting because only 22% of counties voted more republican in this election and that was in the Appalacian region. The rest went democratic including NORTH CAROLINA!! . An impressive 26 states -- over half -- sported double-digit gains over 2004 for the democratic ticket. Indiana was the biggest gainer at +22, followed by North Dakota at +20. Western states including North Dakota (+20), Montana (+17), Nebraska (+17), Utah (+17), New Mexico (+16), California (+14), Nevada (+14), Colorado (+12), Idaho (+12), Oregon (+11), Washington (+10) all saw large gains for democrats. That doesn't really tally with what you are saying.
I know that i'm right to blame the republicans, thank you very much, but the ones l blame are those who would demonize people who disagreed with them or didn't follow their extreme christianist views. Oh yeah, you say you don't know what an extreme christianist is. They are the hypocrits who scream abstinance instead of promoting contraceptive methods which would cut down pregnancies, the morons who would deny research to ease suffering because they view it as against their backwards thinking version of religion as spouted by some sweating fat bejewelled faker in a "mega church" whose 900 toll number flashes on screen to relieve the gullible of their hard earned coin, the scumbags who are more concerned with the rights of the rapist that they have no problem or compassion in forcing a woman to carry to term that rapist's baby "because all lives are sacred" but would jump at the chance to pull the switch at an execution, who at the drop of a hat would go to war and see nothing wrong with the deaths of civilians in other countries as they think they are of "the wrong faith", but most of all l mean those who think that Exodus 20:2–17 should be the most important tenet of the christian faith instead of Matthew 5:3-12 and Matthew 25:35-45. These viewpoints l have actually come from deeply held convictions but then a party of closeted self-loathing gays, serial adulterers, users of prostitutes, convicted criminals, procurers of underaged sex from boys and girls supported by a thrice married, drug addicted, bloated, overt racist radio host wouldn't know that would they :-)

Israel

Israel

In an earlier comment, you referred to Fred Thompson as a criticism of the republican party. Leaving aside the fact that I quite like him, need I remind you that it is the Democrats who are seating a former member of the KKK in the senate. I'll take Fred over a member of the KKK any day of the week.

Cabbie:

Yes l know about Robert Byrd. I also know that he has expressed regret for what he did and the decisions he made. I suppose he's there because of the spirit of forgiveness from those democrats who believe him sincere. It's not like he's George Wallace or Strom Thurmgold is it? That's not to say that republicans are'nt forgiving just look at Larry Craig and David "Diaper Boy" Vitter!!

Israel

Cabbie:

Thank you for your post on Dr Martin Luther King. I'm sure if l had posted it it would have been sneered at. I really don't know what type of brain freeze has happened to some commentators on the right. Dr King opposed the Vietnam war, do they really think he would have agreed with the Iraq war?

By the way, someone really should try and check up on Melanie. It's been four days now!!!

michaeld

Thank you,thank you for speaking our minds!

Ronnie

Conservative Cabbie, re Rudy Giuliani, I agree with you 100%. I've never seen such a cack-handed 'campaign'.

In a modern primary campaign you need media exposure, as much and as early as possible. If you are not there at the begining, then you are just not there. You never catch up on votes and you do not attract the funding to allow you to have a continuing impact once you've wasted your initial 'war chest'.

Giulian's approach was arrogant and lazy.

fellow traveller

Jill: "Henry Lamb is the chairman of Sovereignty International and founder of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO)."

Just a bit of background on Henry: Sovereignty International is a wacko collection of right-wingers that claims the united Nations is using environmental regulations to establish a "one world government".

The Environmental Conservation Organisation is one of those wacky groups that does the opposite of what it sounds like: it's a front for land developers to fight against regulations that preserve your environment, and funded by them.

EC

"Spreading the wealth around."
Ever wondered where Obama was going to start? Ever wondered what advice Gordy gave to Barmy? An annual raid on pension funds. Well, it worked for Gordy. BO might go one step further and even take them into state "care."

Why anybody with a job or savings voted for BO is mystery. Mass hypnotism?

Ronnie

Jill, thank you for your 'Marxist Tsunami' post. I read it while listening to Anchors Aweigh.

In common with most of the other hysterics around here, you wouldn't know Marxism if it jumped up and bit you on the ass.

Ronnie

Frank P says, 'But then, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, aren't they? And if anyone thinks this is a good place to express one without getting some flak, then they will soon be disabused of the notion.'

Really Frank? Aren't you the P who complains about those who disagree with you having the temerity to post here?

Aren't you the P who proudly announces that he doesn't read the posts of those who dare to disagree with him? As if anyone actuallly cares.

I think changing your post name to 'Frank P' was ill advised. Those who have recently joined us here won't know what the 'P' stands for.

Or will they...?

Ronnie

Israel and Cabbie, does this mean that Robert Byrd has 'repented'?

Benjamin Croft

So easy to take this position. Forced into looking at things from a ridiculous angle by articles like this: I'm not black myself but, having some sympathy with a black radical agenda, hasn't the pendulum just swung the other way? After having more or less white religious wierdo racists in power - just a point of view - (for at least 8 years but perhaps longer), just for the sake of equality should we not try it the other way? How is it going to be any worse? Only for the whites who have had so good? Presumably some of the people who are spreading vitriol about the Obama campaign. In any event, even if this were true he couldn't mess things up like the supremely incompetent bush administration.

Barry H

Peter Hitchens is agog that Barack Obama has been allowed to get away with the list of sordid allies he has built up in his past. What other politician could get away with this?

Hitchens goes from the lunacy of that to the ridiculous speeches Obama has been allowed to get away with - especially the one he gave upon winning.

We have a politician here called David Cameron who tried two seconds of this sort of guff by talking about 'letting the sun shine through', or something, and he was nearly eaten alive by the press. Although, funnily enough, when Obama spewed the same sort of tripe, the journalists who criticised Cameron here, grovelled before Obama.

Hitchens summarises:

"The United States, having for the most part a deeply conservative people, had until now just about stood out against many of the mistakes which have ruined so much of the rest of the world.

"Suspicious of welfare addiction, feeble justice and high taxes, totally committed to preserving its own national sovereignty, unabashedly Christian in a world part secular and part Muslim, suspicious of the Great Global Warming panic, it was unique.

"These strengths had been fading for some time, mainly due to poorly controlled mass immigration and to the march of political correctness. They had also been weakened by the failure of America’s conservative party – the Republicans – to fight on the cultural and moral fronts.

"They preferred to posture on the world stage. Scared of confronting Left-wing teachers and sexual revolutionaries at home, they could order soldiers to be brave on their behalf in far-off deserts. And now the US, like Britain before it, has begun the long slow descent into the Third World. How sad. Where now is our last best hope on Earth?"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1084111/PETER-HITCHENS-The-night-waved-goodbye-America--best-hope-Earth.html

john doe

My God...some people on here really do like the sound of their own voice. Too much verbal diarrhoea. I think some commenters here are writing full blown long winded op-eds. Tiresome. Whatever happened to keeping it short and simple.
Apropos the layout...I recommend the Little Green Footballs system. It's very user friendly with the comments box at the bottom, numbered comments and quote/reply options. Pity about what's happening over there though with CJ demonising and banning Robert Spencer of all people. Tragic.

Joe Camel

The Wall Street Journal seems to have found a bright side to look at. There’s an interview with Rahm Emanuel in Saturday’s paper. An excerpt:

“Mr. Emanuel has a reputation as a bullying political operative who stops at nothing to fill seats in Congress with Democrats. In 2006, he made a tactical decision to recruit candidates who opposed abortion rights and gun control to run in more conservative-leaning districts. It meant passing over more ideologically pure candidates, which didn’t sit well with some orthodox liberals. [. . .] An Obama administration could very well be planning to govern from the center.”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122611134918910647.html

Rob

Many of the comments on this blog scare the piss out of me; the ignorance aout the world, political understanding and the hatred and fear.

Obama is not a socialist. He could just about fit onto the right of the spectrum defined in Europe as "social democrat" I hope so. I cn never understand what the right, and particularly the brain dead variety posting on here, don't like about people receiving medical treatment according to need rather than the ability to pay, why obscene inequality is not good for social cohesion, why protecting the environment is a good thing, why supporting corrupt regimes does not win friends... it really isn't rocket science - even Sarah Palin might begin to understand.

The west is more in danger from the craven support for the vile Saudi regime than it is from talking to pragmatic politicians in Iran, for example.

The US now has an articulate leader who is broadly supported around the world. The sad and mad neocons and rednecks, who delight in their ignorance aand anti intellectualism lost last week and good riddance.

Colin West

Now that the UAS has 'suspend[ed].. reason' and replaced it with 'thuggery', opened the way 'for sharia law to be imposed upon America’s banking system', provided solace to 'enemies of [...] freedom and the west', by electing a man who 'Pals around with terrorists' -- I can only hope that good conservatives, like Mel (if I may), Peter Hitchens and Sarah Palin keep the courage of their convictions and declare war on the United States of America. After all if these were good enough reasons for war in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and for bravely supporting the Isareli invasion of Lebanon -- it would be invidious and irrational for my fellow conservatives not to advocate the same military decision to this disgraceful democratic decision.

Dixon

john doe
November 9th, 2008 11:39am:
"Apropos the layout...I recommend the Little Green Footballs system. It's very user friendly with the comments box at the bottom, numbered comments and quote/reply options. Pity about what's happening over there though with CJ demonising and banning Robert Spencer of all people. Tragic."

Now you mention it... Much as I recommend LGF still, I think that CJ has gone a few cycle trips too far. As a poster who supported all the core themes of the site I was utterly appalled to find my comments twisted and traduced into "holocaust denial". What I had actually said was that there ARE some people who deny the holocaust, not that I was one of them. He knew this full well but popped up on the thread to selectively mis-quote me and suggest I was a holocaust denier. Then at about 4AM UK time, when I was in bed, asked me to refute this charge!

I hurriedly logged on next day to post my unambiguous deneial of being a denier...only to find I had been banned without being given the opportunity.

Thats LGF CJ's perverse version of "justice" and "democracy". His personally skewed "take" on the things he sets himself up as championing!

Verity

BTW, does anyone know why, at their victory party, Michelle was wearing an old couch cover? Couldn't she have had some outfits sent over to choose from? Or maybe she did! She's no Jackie Kennedy, that is for sure.

Dixon

EC
November 8th, 2008 10:22pm:
" In defence of programmers I would say that if the "illiteratti"(sic)of blogosphere cannot be bothered to use the slider bar and/or if the inconvenience and discomfort of making FREE use of these facilities becomes too unbearable then blog off elsewhere."

Simple fact forgotten by those who take broadband for granted ( paid for ):
YOU CANNOT USE THE SLIDER BAR UNTIL THE PAGE HAS LOADED, WHICH, WHEN IT IS THIS LONG, TAKES AGES ON DIAL-UP! IF YOU TRY, IT JUST KEEPS FLIPPING BACK TO THE TOP!

My comment about programmers, had you read it properly, clearly did not refer to forums or the internet but applications, such as in graphics programs, in which there are thousands of nuances accessed by conditional application of a few input variables, resulting in a requirement that the user carefully navigate every mouse-click.

Perhaps the corollary to “verbal diahorrea” that you mention is your own “gadfly eye”, skimming across the surface of the written world blithely misinterpreting the opinions or statements of everyone around you!

Verity

I'd like to note how much I appreciate Jill, and others, showing the British how insisting that legislators listen to the electorate is done. I lived in the US for several years and was impressed by how Americans would formulate group actions and insist that legislators act as the electorate wishes.

They don't do that in Britain, which is why Tony Blair, and now Gordon Brown, got away with ramming programmes through that the electorate didn't want, and dismissing criticism with a sneer. It's why Gordon Brown broke, without apology, his firm election commitment not to sign Britain into the Lisbon Treaty. And had the unutterable gall to say, "Oh, it isn't a real treat, so it's OK." The British should have stormed No 10 (except they are frightened of the riot police which have almost Stasi-like powers now; but the British have allowed this to happen).

Protest in Britain is individual and ineffective. Someone will sit down and spend hours crafting a letter to an MP in the hope that it will impress him/her with its eloquence and reason. He'll get some standard, "Thank you for your input" response and that will be the end of that.

I have urged American style group action for years - bullying, if you will - those people who are supposed to be representing the electorate, not their own interests and career advancement.

The Americans have a firm grasp of this, and organise themselves and utilise the power of the group. Three or four thousand emails in a legislator's mailbox from constituents who all say, "Do not vote for this measure", has a mystical resonance for someone who wants to get reelected and continue their privileged life.

I hope the Americans posting will keep us all up to date on the results of their lobbying. It would be nice to see the Brits take the gloves off and deliver a few blows to the body politic.

(Bringing back the unutterly vile wide boy Peter Mandelson is but the latest demonstration of the contempt in which Gordon Brown holds the voters.)

The British voter would do well to take a lesson from our more effective American cousins.

Israel