Obama wins US election

[Adzma]

Just thought I'd chuck a topic on here for anyone who's interested or who hasn't heard the news yet. ;) If you go to the BBC website you can see the results and both Obama's and McCain's speeches. You probably can on some of the US news sites too but meh. :p

[jaydisc]

I couldn't be happier :D

[kup]

I have been following this all day!

[Robzy]

Yeah, me too!

[jacksplatt11]

Yeah I had the TV going in the background most of the day, and all that was really on was coverage of the election.. Happy with the result

[The_Damned]

bout time i dont know if the world could have handled more of the same.

[Pulse]

I'm just glad the months & months of coverage our media has been giving this election is finally over... :)

[dirge]

I'm just glad Redneck McHockeymom wont end up with her hand on the button.

[SilverDragon]

I was following this in school during my free periods (so no work was done...). We even managed to get the New York Times' coverage on the overhead projector in Biology. Hugging and cheering ensued when Obama won.

Not that anyone was supporting McCain. We didn't really want to see another old guy as president.

I really liked McCain's speech. It was so good in that it was supportive of Obama even though his supporters were booing him as he endorsed the man who beat him.

Obama's speech was fantastic! I got a real sense of hope from him, especially with his line 'white and black...gay or straight' since I never expected a president of the USA to ever address differences in sexuality.

Go Obama! *starts playing The Touch*

[TheDirtyDigger]

I'm just glad Redneck McHockeymom wont end up with her hand on the button.

You know I was rooting for her!

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2844/sarahpalinpantsuitvh0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Golden Phoenix]

Good on him. I hope he can do some good.
I'm just worried about all the rednecks, I betcha they ain't happy.

[blackie]

now if only all the money spent on this election would have gone to a better cause, like poverty, then many more of the problems in the world would be solved, unlike the one small problem that has been solved...

[Lord_Zed]

Obama certainly gave a great victory speech, acknowledging Americans of all creed and background. I'm kinda envious of how charged up the ones who are partying tonight are, lets hope he lives up to his promises and when his no longer the President leaves the world a better place.

I think it's ironic, that perhaps George W Bush's greatest legacy may be making it possible for Obama to win the presidency, while I'm not trying to undermine Obama's credentials I doubt he would have won such a convincing victory, or drawn such massive voter turnout, had George W not been so unpopular.

I loke forward to George W's memoirs entitled, "How I sunk the republican Party and almost sunk America"

[GoktimusPrime]

McCain was gracious and a gentleman in defeat. McCain had a hard battle to fight - after so many years of Bush I think many Americans have become disillusioned with the Republican party.

Also a belated nod to Stephen Harper for his re-election as Canadian Prime Minister last month. That's what I'm talking aboot!

[STL]

Though it wasn't my intention, I ended up following this at Jaydisc's today and I found ironically as one of the commentators said that this was one of those days you would remember where you were when Barack Obama became president and I found myself grinning as Jaydisc's kid wreaked havoc across the lounge room, crush the antenna and crush my newly acquired Transformer figures. Boy, I'll remember this day for some time yet.


I think it's ironic, that perhaps George W Bush's greatest legacy may be making it possible for Obama to win the presidency, while I'm not trying to undermine Obama's credentials I doubt he would have won such a convincing victory, or drawn such massive voter turnout, had George W not been so unpopular.


I agree with that assessment entirely. I mean, if you put things into perspective, Bush's approval rating was below 15% IIRC. This was only ever going to be an election that the Democrats could lose

I like McCain's speech too surprisngly. It wasn't one of those woe to us, we did great speeches, it was concessional and sincerely recognised Obama's achievement. I hope he keeps to his word and works with Obama as much as he can moving forward.


now if only all the money spent on this election would have gone to a better cause, like poverty, then many more of the problems in the world would be solved, unlike the one small problem that has been solved...

That's a debate I've had w/ my gf and a few mates. To bring about change, you need someone with real credentials and inspires people to change. You have to spend that money to show what you value, to prove that its something you're willing to spend on.

Of course, that doesn't change the fact that while Obama's speech was being made, there were plenty of homeless people who just wouldn't have given a $%#. And that's what I found myself thinking of while I watched today at Jaydisc's joint. I didn't want to spoil the expectant mood but what I think we need to see is how this pans out.

Obama arguably one of the most brilliant orators I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. If you look at the mechanics of his speech, it's really public speaking101. But his delivery, his appearance is what defines him. He carries that confidence, that hope.

The real test lies ahead though and not in his speeches. Obama is a voice of change but there is a machine in place in America, a machine that's to used to running the way it has been for so long, a stale machine that needs to be rejuvenated and there can be no mistake about how big the task ahead is for Obama. But of all the candidates, he's the one I'd have faith in to lead the way.

In all though it did make me feel a bit sad to be Australian. We haven't had a transformational leader like this. Ever. One that could inspire the people and move us forward on a united front.

- Bob Hawke = right...
- Paul Keating = ...
- John Howard = the antithesis to everything Obama represents, a divisive and petty conservative
- Kevin Rudd = trying but just doesn't cut the mustard as transformational, his speech writer is excellent but his delivery lacks the punch and belief, far too clinical
- (Potentiallly) Malcolm Turnball = smug, arrogant upper class business men who might be extremely competent but will never really inspire us.

And w/ the types involved in Australian politics, I doubt we'll have one which is a pity really. But then again, hopefully we'll never get into a situation as bad as the US and need leaders like those

[autobreadticon]

the world is gonna end in 2010-2012 does it really matter? Obama gonna have to fight the new Iran-Russia maybe pact :rolleyes:

[1orion2many]

You know I was rooting for her!

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2844/sarahpalinpantsuitvh0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

She reminds me of Sally Fields when she was younger:D.

[Pulse]

The only reason I was mildly interested in this was because of...

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/Pulse_Warrior/Random/ObamaGirl.jpg :)

[griffin]

I give him 6 months before one of the many redneck, gun-toting, white supremists take hime out. They would be seething right now, having their sacred symbol (the presidency) tainted by that which they most hate (blacks, who are seen as little more than animals in their mind). There'll be a rush on which white supremist group is first to 'save the nation' by removing their new black 'master'.
The secret service are sure gonna be busy...

[jacksplatt11]

... gun-toting ...

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x4/jacksplatt11/0830-palin-gun.jpg

[TheDirtyDigger]

I give him 6 months before one of the many redneck, gun-toting, white supremacists take him out....

I'll take that bet. My money's on nine months!

[Bartrim]

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x4/jacksplatt11/0830-palin-gun.jpg

Why am I slightly aroused when I looked at this picture????:eek:

In all seriousness congrats to Obama. Hope you can make a change

[i_amtrunks]

I give him 6 months before one of the many redneck, gun-toting, white supremists take him out.

It's sad that both my gf and I thought the same thing when he was declared winner. Her first thought was "I hope he doesnt get shot now" (I knew he wouldnt since his speech was made from behind bullet proof glass shielding), whereas mine was "Hope he makes it to his swear in in January."

Both speeches were fantastic, I don't think McCain would have been a bad president, but his constant gaffes in interviews and general errors (biggest one was choosing Palin) reminded me far too much of Bush. (at least McCain has a good excuse for having mental blanks, unlike Bush).

What I truly would have loved to have seen would have been as to how much sucking up Howard would have done to Obama, and I wonder how much Obama would tolerate.
Alas the two incompetents (Howard and Bush) managed to run themselves and their parties out of contention at the next election. [/sarcasm] :D

[Golden Phoenix]

Alas the two incompetents (Howard and Bush) managed to run themselves and their parties out of contention at the next election. [/sarcasm] :D

I'm still getting used to the idea that some one who appears to be competent will be running America

[TheDirtyDigger]

I'm still getting used to the idea that some one who appears to be competent will be running America

Don't be mistaken. Bush was never running America. He was just the figurehead for a lot of other bastards. Blaming Bush for America is like blaming Ronald McDonald for the hamburgers. (Thank you Ultimate Thor for that analogy :D)

[GoktimusPrime]

I give him 6 months before one of the many redneck, gun-toting, white supremists take hime out.
Reminds me of that joke Eddie Murphy made about the first black American President on Saturday Night Live and Delirious. ;) "He won't stay still!"

Sad but true... they already caught some whackos who were planning on assassinating Obama (and killing other blacks) during his campaign. It's gonna get worse now that he's President.


They would be seething right now, having their sacred symbol (the presidency) tainted by that which they most hate (blacks, who are seen as little more than animals in their mind). There'll be a rush on which white supremist group is first to 'save the nation' by removing their new black 'master'.
Stupid viewpoint aside, it's kinda funny how they feel that Obama is somehow racially inferior from having African heritage... despite the fact that is half white. I think many more sensible people see Obama as being the potential bridge between race relations being the son of a black father and white mother.


The secret service are sure gonna be busy...
Sad but true. :(

Let's hope that Obama doesn't follow the same tragic fate as Lincoln, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. <touch.wood>

[Bartrim]

Reminds me of that joke Eddie Murphy made about the first black American President on Saturday Night Live and Delirious. ;) "He won't stay still!"



I remember that joke lol :D

I am curious as to what security measures they'll take when Obama travels to those "enlightened" parts of the U.S.A

[Lord_Zed]

Let's hope that Obama doesn't follow the same tragic fate as Lincoln, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. <touch.wood>

Don't forget Kennedy, Garfield and Mckinley, and several other presidents surived assasintaion attempts. Seems like about 25% of US persidents experience assasination attempts. It's a dangerous job, now wonder his wife was concerned.

[Bartrim]

Just looking at all these names has got my scratching my head. Why do they kill/try to kill the good ones and let someone like Bush sit in office for the maximum term. It defies logic.

[Hereticpoo]

When a redneck organisation tries to take out Obama, it'd be interesting to see his reaction.

Does he play the conserative card and say, "I feel bad that these people are too ignorant to ever let go of thier bigotry."

Or does he use the magic "terror" blanket, and declare the KKK a terrorist organistion. Therefore allowing security agencies to annihilate the group.

I also hope an inquiry is made into the Bush administration. I hope they find the Bush puppet guilty of falsifing an attack on the Pentagon (a traitorist act = death penalty depending on severity), declaring an illegal war, and for rigging the 2004 US Presindential election.

Good luck Mr Obama.

[Pulse]

Why am I slightly aroused when I looked at this picture????:eek:


Hold on, Aren't you married? :D

I've got a crush on her (http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/Pulse_Warrior/Random/ObamaGirl.jpg) but I actually prefer blondes... :o

[autobreadticon]

The only reason I was mildly interested in this was because of...

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/Pulse_Warrior/Random/ObamaGirl.jpg :)

:D lol, she should be thanked by Obama in person

[Golden Phoenix]

Does he play the conserative card and say, "I feel bad that these people are too ignorant to ever let go of thier bigotry."

Or does he use the magic "terror" blanket, and declare the KKK a terrorist organistion. Therefore allowing security agencies to annihilate the group

I would do both. I'd publicly do the former, so you look nice and peaceful. But I'd stick them on the terrorist list and allow the security forces to take them down

[GoktimusPrime]

Don't forget Kennedy, Garfield and Mckinley, and several other presidents surived assasintaion attempts. Seems like about 25% of US persidents experience assasination attempts. It's a dangerous job, now wonder his wife was concerned.
Oh yeah... but being perceived as black just makes him a bigger target and exacerbates the danger.


Why do they kill/try to kill the good ones and let someone like Bush sit in office for the maximum term. It defies logic.
There was that sniper in Washington DC, although I don't think he was targeting Bush. Then there was the dude who hugged John Howard while holding a screwdriver. :p


When a redneck organisation tries to take out Obama, it'd be interesting to see his reaction.

Does he play the conserative card and say, "I feel bad that these people are too ignorant to ever let go of thier bigotry."

Or does he use the magic "terror" blanket, and declare the KKK a terrorist organistion. Therefore allowing security agencies to annihilate the group.
Terrorism is defined as "the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes" and "the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorisation." The KKK and other such violent extreme white supremist groups are well known for using violence and threats to create fear and submission among black people for their racist political agenda - I'd say that fits the definition of terrorism well enough.

[Rampage]

what are Letterman, Leno & Conan going to do now G-dubya is almost gone

98% of their material revolves around how much of a douche George is

[TheDirtyDigger]

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6156/prezjg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Hereticpoo]

Hold on, Aren't you married? :D

I've got a crush on her (http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/Pulse_Warrior/Random/ObamaGirl.jpg) but I actually prefer blondes... :o

Marriage is the CAUSE, not the CURE! :D

[GoktimusPrime]

The Yanks are gonna need to get their new President one of these babies...

http://www.foxnews.com/photoessay/photoessay_3774_images/0416081400_M_041608_pope26.jpg

[kup]

An Obama mobile?

[Lint]

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6156/prezjg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

You need the one with the poster caption :D

http://blog.microbrainx.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/obama.JPG

[i_amtrunks]

what are Letterman, Leno & Conan going to do now G-dubya is almost gone

98% of their material revolves around how much of a douche George is

Yeah if McCain had gotten in, they could have continued with the "bad Speeches, gaffes and memory lapse" jokes that Bush is so well known for, not to mention the old age and Palin jokes they could have made.

What have they got now? A VP who barely talks and an incredibly well spoken polite, intelligent President.

[jaydisc]

A VP who barely talks...

He's just been overshadowed by Obama, especially in international media. He's an intelligent, arrogant loudmouth.

[TheDirtyDigger]

He's just been overshadowed by Obama, especially in international media. He's an intelligent, arrogant loudmouth.

Yeah from what I've read he's put his foot in his mouth a few times and has been described as 'verbose' on a few occasions.

[TheDirtyDigger]

The only downside I can possibly see to Obama's presidency is that the Republicans have always been more favourable to Australia in foreign relations than the Democrats have.

[Paulbot]

I was happy to see Obama win... but unhappy to see a liberal state like California vote yes to their Proposition 8 and overturn some good progress they were finally making.

[jaydisc]

Yeah, the whole prop 8 situation is shockingly bad, especially for California.

[GoktimusPrime]

+1 I agree. The timing is really odd too. On a Federal level America's taken a great stride forward in terms the realisation of equality, yet at a state level California could be seen as taking a step in the opposite direction. :/

Before Hillary Clinton surrendered her attempt in running for the Democrats presidential candidate I thought that it was an interesting competition between her and Obama as it meant that there was a possibility that the next American President could either be a woman or a black man - either way it would represent the next step in the realisation of egalitarianism in the United States.

Ironically Helen Clark has just lost in the Federal elections in New Zealand, thus ending the administration of NZ's second female PM.

Now... I wonder how long it will be before Australia will have a PM who's not a white male. Julia Gillard perhaps?

The Deputy PM demonstrates the Australian salute...
http://larvatusprodeo.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/n_julia_narrowweb__300x3820.jpg BLOODY FLIES!

[Bartrim]

Hold on, Aren't you married? :D



Just because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can't look at the menu :p

[i_amtrunks]

Just because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can't look at the menu :p

I assume then that your missus never looks over your shoulder while you're typing? :p

[Bartrim]

I assume then that your missus never looks over your shoulder while you're typing? :p

No... atleast not while I'm at work anyway:D

[STL]

Anyone watching the inauguration tonight? I'm contemplating doing it while playing some Lego.

I'm figuring I'm a uni bum (only just still tho :( :( :( ) and it might be one of the last few allnighters I pull to watch something on TV. Sure it, ain't sport but this is pretty momentous.

[Gutsman Heavy]

meh, unless someone shoots him, then I'll be pissed I missed it.

[roller]

how is it that the this topic started in November?

He aint no Roosevelt, FDR for the win!!:D

[GoktimusPrime]

I stayed up and watched it. It was quite spectacular. To me some memorable moments were:

+ The massive number of people (2,000,000+) who turned up to National Mall. Apparently they had to close off entry to avoid overcrowding and they showed people crowded on tops of nearby hotels and buildings to watch from afar. I've not seen anything like this outside of celebrations like New Year's Eve, and even then the ocean of people who patiently waited for hours... incredible.

+ The wide ranging demographics represented in that crowd - frail and fit, young and old, rich and poor... people from all kinds of various backgrounds, not only middle-class whites. Families who had travelled across the country to be there.

+ Crowds chanting "O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!" - you could feel the love.

+ Before Bush appeared I said to my wife that if I were there, I would boo Bush when he appeared. When he did appear I was booing my TV and giving him a thumbs down... but I was surprised to hear the crowd booing him too! While Bush currently only has a 27% approval rating (Cheney has an approval rating of 13%), even the reporters were surprised to hear the booing saying that Americans are usually fairly nice to an outgoing President, even if he's not popular. But the fact that people felt compelled to publicly jeer him really amazed me and speaks volumes about the amount animosity that Americans are feeling about Dubya. I think that Americans are currently ecstatic not only in looking forward to what Obama can do, but also in saying good riddence to Bush (though my wife quickly pointed out that it was the American people who elected to keep Bush (http://www.jibjab.com/originals/this_land)).

+ John Williams composed a song especially for Obama's inaugaration ... major nerd-fappage! :D

+ I heard "My Country T'is of Thee" for the first time... okay, that's seriously a KO of "God Save The King/Queen" - somewhat weird to hear the tune for the UK national anthem during what otherwise felt like a very American occasion. The words were different but tbh all I was hearing in my mind was, "God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen!" etc. but at the same time see images of stars and stripes on the TV instead of the Union Jack. I'm sure there's some historical-cultural significance to it that I don't understand...

+ It was great to hear a President who can speak English! And his "gospel" style of oration is quite powerful and inspirational, much like Martin Luther King. There's a name for this style of oration but I forget what it is (it's on the tip of my tongue... gah!).

+ Obama's speech impressed me with:
* The celebration of diversity and the secular nature of the United States (he even acknowledged atheists!).
* Acknowledgement of the world and the need for the U.S. to rebuild damaged relations with other countries, particularly the Muslim world.
* Re-iterating the Spider-Man ethos: with great power comes great responsibility. Acknowledging that we are currently in a global crisis due to irresponsible and reckless behaviour and that responsibility is something that is important to the States' recovery.

+ Check out all that bullet-proof glass!

+ One of the speakers (the Reverend) made reference to this event being another great step in the realisation of Dr. King's dream and the dream of all who cherish and fought for his values. Obama remarked that less than 60 years ago his father would have been refused service at a local restaurant and the fact that the son of an African immigrant can now become President - reiterating the words of his campaign - Yes We Can (and I heard the crowd chanting this slogan too). It really injects a powerful feeling of hope.

Even as a non-American I cannot help but feel the joy and happiness for Americans today... reminds me of when Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa.

"Congratulations, Mr. President." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMyPf4qvdbw)

...now let's hope he can deliver. Either way, he can't be as bad as Bush. He just can't.

[kup]

I stayed up too. I was also impressed by the speech and he pretty clearly did put down the way the Bush administration has been running things since Septermber 11 without directly pointing the fingure and spoiling the event.


As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.

Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

And so, to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.

[Gutsman Heavy]

so he's alive? cool, didn't need to stay up.

[GoktimusPrime]

Heh.. I must say that I had one eye peeled for something nasty - as I'm sure the CIA were too. Apparently they had over 12500 agents deployed for his protection as well as bulletproof glass (the Whitehouse balcony was especially refitted) and new armoured Presidental limousine with state-of-the-art technology and capable of withstanding grenade attacks. Phwoar.

The secret service are gonna have their hands full protecting Obama for the rest of his presidency. (-_-)

But it's interesting to see how people instantly relate so much better to Obama than they did with Bush. Bush was the son of a statesman living in wealth and luxury with some people suspecting that his father's money helped him to complete his military service and university education (it's hard to believe that a person like him could even complete high school on his own merit); whereas Obama comes from a broken family, raised in the slums, went through a difficult youth where he admits that he did some bad things - yet rose above it and through hard work got himself an education and now the highest post in his nation. It seems that people see him more as a fellow citizen and less like a rich elitist.

Bush was born into a very powerful family whereas Obama is more of a self-made man. And I think it could be his personal hard-working ethic that people are relying on to lead the States into a better direction.

Heh, not that long ago we said goodbye to Howard, now we say goodbye to his buddy Bush. :D

[Golden Phoenix]

new armoured Presidental limousine with state-of-the-art technology and capable of withstanding grenade attacks. Phwoar.
Apparently it is pretty much a tank that looks like a limo. Or at least that is what the American reporters were saying as Obama was driven from the white house

The secret service are gonna have their hands full protecting Obama for the rest of his presidency. (-_-)
They would have been on edge when he got out of the limo/tank and started walking from the inauguration

[Lord_Zed]

There was a bit of a Political Dynasty forming with Bush - Clinton - Bush Presidency, Could have even been a Clinton again.

As a President who was not born into power he's a much needed break from the norm, not unlike Andrew Jackson the first President who wasn't a founding father or son of a President, also the first president to suffer an assasination attempt uhoh!

With Obama's Inaguration America once again has regenerated some goodwill around the world, lets hope they build on it, unlike last time.

[roller]

There was a bit of a Political Dynasty forming with Bush - Clinton - Bush Presidency, Could have even been a Clinton again.

As a President who was not born into power he's a much needed break from the norm, not unlike Andrew Jackson the first President who wasn't a founding father or son of a President, also the first president to suffer an assasination attempt uhoh!
.

Im sure if i was an american i would say to this , "Old Hickory kicked British Ass!!!!" :D

[Lint]

Apparently it is pretty much a tank that looks like a limo. Or at least that is what the American reporters were saying as Obama was driven from the white house

They would have been on edge when he got out of the limo/tank and started walking from the inauguration

The limo tank should be Obama's transformer bodyguard and they should name him 'Democrat Prime/Convoy' :p

[liegeprime]

meh, unless someone shoots him, then I'll be pissed I missed it.

You mustve read my mind. All over TV its saying - WATCH IT LIVE OUR COVERAGE OF blah blah blah!. I went like Meh! Sif there's gonna be a riot or sumthink, meh. Wouldve been cool if COBRA was real, that wouldve been a perfect time to strike.....now that wouldve been an interesting AND historical viewing .....2 million mwahahahahahah thats significant, yesssss :p prepare the Weather Dominator at once!

[SilverDragon]

I do hope that he can deliver on his promises-it'll be very hard for him to do so. At the very least, he can't be as bad as Bush.


Apparently it is pretty much a tank that looks like a limo. Or at least that is what the American reporters were saying as Obama was driven from the white house

I call it the Obamamobile. To the Obamacave, Biden!

[GoktimusPrime]

For anyone who may be skeptical about whether or not people in the audience jeered at Bush watch this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS0o_N7aHpk) and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ne2YaCXn1w&NR=1) and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYT8-Ny9ELA&feature=related) and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cq6GOJYALc&feature=related). Oh, and this video as Bush departs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR0qtrSChPA&feature=related). :)

"Everyone take off your Reeboks!" <---ROFL!! :D

[dirge]

Heh, not that long ago we said goodbye to Howard, now we say goodbye to his buddy Bush. :D

I wouldn't quite tar Howard with the same brush as Bush. Howard did some good things while Prime Minister, along with a few bad things. He was a smart operator, which made him fairly effective early on, but became too caught up in his own bubble. Bush... was useless from the start.

[Golden Phoenix]

Bush... was useless from the start.

Found this. Thought it was relevent
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jimmey-11/other/political-pictures-former-president-george-bush.jpg

[TheDirtyDigger]

George W. Bush. US president: January 20, 2001 - January 19, 2009. Born of privilege. Unimpressive by every measure. A history of underachievement. Chosen by big money. Arranged through electoral fraud. Installed by the Supreme Court. Empowered by a dubious "terrorist" act, and ending with a record unmatched by the worst of his predecessors. Assessing the Bush legacy - from its illegitimate birth; through its lawless, belligerent years; to the world potentially on the brink at its end. Exploring it fully as a change of command approaches, and an unenviable task awaits the new incumbent.

As Texas Governor

Looking to Election 2000, big monied interests knew what they wanted and got it in George W. Bush. In his 2000 book, "The Dirty Truth," Rick Abraham (a former Texas environmental law enforcement officer) documented his record as Texas governor from 1995 - 2000 when "he championed the agenda of the state's biggest and worst corporate polluters," according to commentator, author, and former Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower. In return for huge political contributions and jump-starting his presidential bid, he:

-- lobbied for a national radioactive waste dump in Texas;

-- told the public it was mostly for x-rays and other hospital waste;

-- solicited nuclear power waste from other states;

-- corrupted the state's environmental standards to accommodate polluters;

-- failed to provide protection from industrial pollution, air toxins, and hazardous wastes;

-- did it all secretly;

-- stripped municipalities of local control over land use and environmental protections;

-- let state parks languish in decay and disrepair, and this was only his environmental record.

He was staunchly pro-business, anti-civil liberties, unresponsive to public needs, and presided over more state executions than any other governor in the nation since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976. His own aides at the time called him a man who enjoys killing, and not one to trust with the presidency as it turned out.

Elections 2000 and 2004 - Tainted by Fraud

On December 12, 2000 the Supreme Court hijacked an electoral process that was deeply flawed and rigged to elect George Bush. It coronated him president after three days earlier halting the Florida vote recount on the spurious grounds that it violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. It was the first time ever in US history that the High Court reversed a popular vote (5 - 4) to install its own preferred candidate.

For its part, the media cheerled the process and wholeheartedly approved. They, too, got their man in Washington. The rallied around him ever since, ignored his high crimes and misdemeanors, the economy in disarray, and continue to support him in spite of his lowest-ever approval rating for any president. He surpassed Harry Truman at the depth of the Korean War and Richard Nixon during Watergate, and will be judged by history as our worst and most disgraceful president ever.

Election 2000 made it possible. Investigative journalists like Greg Palast documented how mostly poor African- Americans and Latinos were removed from voter roles for having falsely been "identified" as ex-felons and thus unable to vote in states like Florida. Various other obstructions were also used. Ballot boxes in African-American districts were missing and uncounted. State troopers were positioned near polling sites in black precincts to intimidate and delay voters by searching their cars and setting up roadblocks. Some precincts demanded two photo IDs. Florida law requires only one.

African-American students at schools like Florida A&M signed up in force as first-time voters but were obstructed at polling stations. They were turned away because they couldn't show a registration card or drivers license. However, Florida lets eligible residents sign an affidavit (not provided) and swear they hadn't voted.

In African-American and other Democrat districts, voters were turned away and directed to vote elsewhere. They were never mailed registration cards, and they were told they showed up too late and polls were closed. Many requesting absentee ballots never got them, and evidence emerged of forged ones for George Bush. Similar practices showed up in other states like Ohio, New Hampshire, Missouri and Tennessee that narrowly went for Bush over Gore. And all the above was besides the hanging, dimpled, and pregnant chads or otherwise disqualified Florida votes that never were counted but should have been.

Election 2004 was even worse than 2000 because technology smoothed the way with electronic ease. In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) passed as a way to facilitate fraud. It ushered in the age of privatized voting on touchtone electronic voting machines - owned, programmed, operated and controlled by giant corporations with close Republican ties. Today, over 80% of all votes are cast and counted this way. Most states require no verifiable paper receipts, so it's easy to manipulate outcomes, and not just for president.

They helped reelect Bush at a time his approval rating hovered around 40%. Most voters believed the country was headed in the wrong direction, and most polls had Kerry a heavy favorite. In addition, a record 16.8 million new voters registered, mostly Democrats. Nonetheless, Bush got 11.6 million more votes than in 2000, won with a comfortable three million vote margin, and Florida and Ohio made the difference. Either one going for Kerry would have changed the outcome, and again electoral fraud was rife and well-documented. Some of it included:

-- millions of absentee ballots never mailed to Democrats or arrived too late;

-- malfunctioning voting machines in Democrat districts wiped out huge numbers of crucial votes;

-- according to Greg Palast, over three million votes cast but never counted because of rejected "provisional ballots" (for registered voters unlisted on rolls); "spoiled ballots" (ones malfunctioning machines didn't count); uncounted absentee ballots for minor reasons; and black and Latino voters stripped from the roles for the same reasons as in 2000;

-- major deviations in 30 states between exit polls and final results; way beyond margins of error and indicative of fraud; in all but four states, discrepancies favored Bush;

-- Ohio was ground zero, much like Florida in 2000 that also went for Bush in 2004; 357,000 Ohio voters, overwhelmingly Democrat, were prevented from voting or their votes weren't counted; Bush carried the state by 118,599; clear proof he lost; Kerry won, and was elected president;

-- Democrat precincts got too few voting machines; voters were obstructed by long lines, malfunctioning machines, numerous instances of being told they were at the wrong precinct, and most disturbing:

-- one in every four Ohio registrants showing up to vote discovered they weren't listed on the rolls because Republican Secretary of State and co-chair of Bush's reelection committee, Kenneth Blackwell, ordered them purged.

These and other fraudulent practices greased the way for George Bush's illegitimate reelection and the continued fallout from it.

[roller]

i keep telling people everywhere

the only system that works is Vehicon Beast Machines style rule

[GoktimusPrime]

-- solicited nuclearnew-kew-ler power waste from other states;
Fix'd! :D

[roller]

I think it was long before George Double ya came into office, but the cartoon 'Mission hill" had 'Nookular" which he said years later :)

[GoktimusPrime]

"You can't say nuclear, that really scares me." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Q-sRdV7SY) ;)

[Golden Phoenix]

"You can't say nuclear, that really scares me." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Q-sRdV7SY) ;)

Gotta love the bit with Clinton(s) in it