US ELECTION '08 - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

11/05/2008 12:32:34 PM · #1104

Originally posted by Louis:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:
It's funny how some expect open mindedness of others but find it hard to provide the same themselves.

Who, in particular?

This was not in reference to anyone at dpc. It was a general statement made about a lot of people, American or not, who expect tolerance of their views but show no tolerance for other views.

11/05/2008 12:42:35 PM · #1105

Originally posted by Gordon:

Some country is going to no doubt try to flex it's muscles and see how Obama reacts, much like happened with the similarly experienced JFK.

As noted earlier, I think that's unlikely. With Obama decreasing international tension and demonstrating the ability to surround himself with smart people and wise policies, it would be a foolish move. Our allies would be more likely to back us up, and he's smart enough to make sure the response would NOT benefit the aggressor.

posthumous

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/05/2008 12:43:55 PM · #1106

Originally posted by TCGuru:

*sigh*

We have a first lady who says, "Baby daddy!" Will wonders never cease...........

Sounds like you are misunderestimating her. She and Barack have a better command of the language than any of the other candidates running and better than any Republican president since ... well... Herbert Hoover or so.

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

11/05/2008 12:47:10 PM · #1107

"Misunderestimating"...? I think Reagan had a fairly decent grasp of zee Eeenglish, too.

Eyesup

Nikon D300

11/05/2008 12:49:31 PM · #1108

Originally posted by TCGuru:

*sigh*

We have a first lady who says, "Baby daddy!" Will wonders never cease...........

Are you serious???

So what if she does?

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/05/2008 12:54:45 PM · #1109

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by Gordon:
Some country is going to no doubt try to flex it's muscles and see how Obama reacts, much like happened with the similarly experienced JFK.

As noted earlier, I think that's unlikely. With Obama decreasing international tension and demonstrating the ability to surround himself with smart people and wise policies, it would be a foolish move. Our allies would be more likely to back us up, and he's smart enough to make sure the response would NOT benefit the aggressor.

There have been plenty of countries willing to make pretty foolish moves in the last century. I doubt it'll be any different in this one.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/05/2008 12:55:19 PM · #1110

Originally posted by scalvert:

Well, biden promised it ("Mark my words"), and he said we would not like the Obama response. I hope you are smarter then Biden though, as I'd rather not see us tested. And if we are tested I hope I like our response!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/05/2008 12:56:02 PM · #1111

Originally posted by Phil:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Phil:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Phil:
I guess some were too busy baa baaing to see the fact that I said I didn't agree with his policies and they aren't the reason I'm voting for him.

Oh well.

I understand why you voted for him.

I just don't think that's the way to break away from 2 party rule.

Actually, it's the only way.

If he got 5% of the popular vote then the Libertarians would receive the same funding as the dems and repubs along with a podium at the debates in 2012. I don't see any other feasible way, do you?

I couldn't live with myself had McCain won and I had voted for a 3rd party candidate.

He wasn't going to win. If, in the states that had an overwhelming majority for Obama (and vice versa), voters would've applid common sense and voted Libertarian we would've had a viable third party in 2012. Instead, we'll be stuck right where we are now.

Two words: Ross Perot

one2one

Olympus E-5

Olympus 7-14mm f/4.0 Zuiko Digital Zoom

11/05/2008 01:09:45 PM · #1112

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Phil:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Phil:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Phil:
I guess some were too busy baa baaing to see the fact that I said I didn't agree with his policies and they aren't the reason I'm voting for him.

Oh well.

I understand why you voted for him.

I just don't think that's the way to break away from 2 party rule.

Actually, it's the only way.

If he got 5% of the popular vote then the Libertarians would receive the same funding as the dems and repubs along with a podium at the debates in 2012. I don't see any other feasible way, do you?

I couldn't live with myself had McCain won and I had voted for a 3rd party candidate.

He wasn't going to win. If, in the states that had an overwhelming majority for Obama (and vice versa), voters would've applid common sense and voted Libertarian we would've had a viable third party in 2012. Instead, we'll be stuck right where we are now.

Two words: Ross Perot

Bush Sr.'s Ralph Nader. ;]

Btw, how did Nader do last night?

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

11/05/2008 01:15:01 PM · #1113

Originally posted by Gordon:

There have been plenty of countries willing to make pretty foolish moves in the last century. I doubt it'll be any different in this one.

No doubt. There have always been wacko rulers (Zimbabwe, North Korea, Iran, etc.) ready to do something monumentally stupid, and that wouldn't change with ANY president. The difference is that I believe Obama would be more capable of keeping his cool under pressure, rallying the support of international allies, and delivering an effective response than any recent president. Any doubts about experience should have been silenced by the way he ran this race, inspired hope in grueling times, solicited (and heeded) the opinions of competent advisors, and utterly trounced his opponent. His campaign was smoothly run, well thought out, and engaged the American people in the process. It's likely that his presidency will follow that same approach.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/05/2008 01:26:46 PM · #1114

Originally posted by scalvert:

...His campaign was smoothly run, well thought out, and engaged the American people in the process. It's likely that his presidency will follow that same approach.

I was and continue to be ever so impressed by his ability to speak in a public forum... even moreso after hearing him speak last evening.

I was transfixed when I heard him praise all around him and bestowing kudos and making laudable comments about the various individuals and groups that provided support to his campaign. Particularly effective was the comments he made about the life of a 106 year old woman, and all of the things she had witnessed in her life and how he hoped his own children could witness further advancements in American achievements.

This man seems to have a knack for uniting people, listening to their views and getting the various factions involved to share the burden for the common good and I wish him and all of american society well.

Ray

posthumous

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/05/2008 01:30:23 PM · #1115

Originally posted by scalvert:

"Misunderestimating"...? I think Reagan had a fairly decent grasp of zee Eeenglish, too.

The verb "to misunderestimate" is one of Dubya's many additions to our fine language.

The Obamas have more than a fairly decent grasp of English.

Louis

Nikon D800

11/05/2008 01:35:29 PM · #1116

Originally posted by posthumous:

The Obamas have more than a fairly decent grasp of English.

Frankly, I haven't heard a more elegant rhetorician in my lifetime than Obama. The fact that his words resonate with me is a bonus. :-P

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

11/05/2008 01:36:05 PM · #1117

I do hope that Obama doesn't make the same mistake that Bush did by assuming that David Plouffe's (or Karl Rove's) success as a campaign manager will translate into him being a good advisor in the white house. I'm afraid Plouffe is far too good at spin and polarity (like Rove) and will only cause damage. Best to thank him for a good job and then keep him on the shelf for the 2012 campaign.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

11/05/2008 01:36:49 PM · #1118

Originally posted by Louis:

Originally posted by posthumous:
The Obamas have more than a fairly decent grasp of English.

Frankly, I haven't heard a more elegant rhetorician in my lifetime than Obama. The fact that his words resonate with me is a bonus. :-P

I'll nominate Tony Blair. He was magical with words.

cynthiann

Nikon D810

11/05/2008 01:38:13 PM · #1119

I sought out a youtube video of his speech last night to watch it again.

It occurred to me that this was my first time ever to search for a presidential speech on YouTube without needing a good laugh.

He is an awesome speaker!

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

11/05/2008 01:40:03 PM · #1120

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Louis:

Originally posted by posthumous:
The Obamas have more than a fairly decent grasp of English.

Frankly, I haven't heard a more elegant rhetorician in my lifetime than Obama. The fact that his words resonate with me is a bonus. :-P

I'll nominate Tony Blair. He was magical with words.

Yes, that's right. Could also be the accent. :P Or the level of decorum in Parliament (compared to here).

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

11/05/2008 01:43:48 PM · #1121

Originally posted by Louis:

Yes, that's right. Could also be the accent. :P Or the level of decorum in Parliament (compared to here).

Yes, it's definitely possible I am simply mesmerized by the English accent. ;) I've thought of that possibility...

posthumous

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/05/2008 01:46:07 PM · #1122

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Agreed. The Bush Administration was notorious for combining politics with governance to an unprecedented degree. The government was basically hijacked for 8 years by a gang of outlaws.

11/05/2008 01:50:51 PM · #1123

What Ray said. In addition, there's this important point from todays NY Times-

"From far away, this is how it looks: There is a country out there where tens of millions of white Christians, voting freely, select as their leader a black man of modest origin, the son of a Muslim. There is a place on earthâ�� call it Americaâ�� where such a thing happens."

This is huge. IMO we've been fed a horribly misguided notion that terrorists attack the U.S. because they hate our freedoms or our way of life. As Bin Laden himself noted, if that were true he would have attacked Sweden. What Islamic militants really hate us for is the very thing WE fear from them: a growing fundamentalism that has made us suspicious and intolerant of others. A threat. This election alone, this single act, is a more devastating blow to terrorists than a thousand cruise missiles. With this one act, America demonstrates that its ideal of freedom, equality and tolerance is not an empty promise, and it strikes at the very heart of the fears that divide people and allow radicals to recruit suicide bombers.

...and then there's California... :-(