Futurist Gerald Celente has been predicting the dissolution of the USA into separate regions. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2qDW34Fr64) Now that the USA's political establishment is so transparently hypocritical and in the pockets of the finance industry it is easier to see this happening. (They were in their pockets before - it was just not as easy to see.) Pilger is right - the eyes of the average Joe are being opened fast. Seems that looking for change and leadership in Washington is like looking for a sustainable lifestyle in Manhattan.

John Pilger's summary of Obama is the well reasoned and referenced article that Ted Bromund's rant never was.

A (cynical) look at politics American style. I pray he is wrong. I fear that he's right.

The Madmen weren't so mad that they couldn't see another term of Republicanism as imperial suicide, so they took an intelligent and charismatic man and applied every advertising trick known. I just recently finished with a discussion thread regarding the impact that media has on men and women, interestingly I was castigated for even suggesting that men are more moved by the visual than women; that women require an emotional 'hook'. Well Obama has it all for both sexes; he and his family are exceptionally beautiful charming people. Have we all been fooled? Or will Obama prove to be more than the puppetmasters anticipated?

Don't know what Pilger is up to, but if proven true, he has exposed the biggest socio-political trick in history.

Obama even looked like the first American leader prepared to share the blame which many of us believed in.

Of course, the trouble with Pilger he's never been really able to work out what's best for a better world, anyhow, so I'm still more of a mite suspicious?

Cheers, BB, WA.

I guess this article shows the difference in intelligence between
journalists like Pilger, who need to write something to make a
living, and a politician like Obama, who actually thinks through
the consequences of his actions.

Let's say that Summers had simply let the banks collapse. BTW,
it was insurer AIG which has received most funding so far.
What would be the consequences? How many dominoes would fall?
How many of you could survive for months, if your bank shut its
doors tomorrow? Could your employer even pay you?

Its highly likely that the US Govt will get its money back from
banks, less likely from the MV industry. The economy can function
without GM, but not without a banking system.

The same principle applies to Gitmo, Afghanistan, etc. You have
to think through the consequences of your actions, which is what
Obama is wisely doing. All credit to him.

I don't remember Murdoch backing Obama too much. He seemed to think
that he lacked understanding in economics. The Fox Channels are
still his largest critics today.

Yes, Axelrod organised a great campaign for Obama, using people
power and the net. It shows ability to organise and think outside
of the old square. Once again credit to him.

Sounds to me more like Pilger was having a bad hair day and needed
to fill some lines, to earn his living for the day. Hardly a well
thought out article.

Obama will prove to be more dangerous tham Bush because of his messiah status.The corporate elites will pull the strings and Obama will dance to their tune.

After I read Arjay's last post, I can breathe a sigh of relief, Arjay's continuous conspiracy theory is aired once again. All is right with the world.

He regularly makes these unsupported statements like the above, and I think maybe Pilger was just having a "bad hair day" after all.

Obama does not now or at any time in the past present as someone who is easily manipulated. He does, however, have to tread a very fine line and I never expected that I would be happy with every decision he has or will make.

Yabby's point about Murdoch not being entirely on board with Obama during the election campaign is pertinent.

Thanks to all for restoring my optimism meter to it's former high level.