Banjo I have watched your posts with interest and until just of late not seen such negativity from you.
We share more than an age group, ideas we both have supported are another thing.
Our age gives us a view of history some younger than us can never have.
I do not believe age or IQ are a barrier to understanding.
My lifetime learning has taught me not to pre judge.
Mate another thread reminds me of my very poor education in the formal since.
But I do not talk as I write, my view is we are so much better world today than yesterday.
Obama, first generation African America/ and America is so much better than Bush, remember the lynchings in the south in our lifetime.
Think of Nelson Mandela imprisoned in our lives then leading his country in that same life.
Both have no magic wands.
Both give us hope beyond anything I ever dreamed of.
I am no longer from the extreme left, with pride I know extremes right or left are not for me.
But Banjo I remain left of center till death this man will take us on a journey that I may not see the end of, hope is worth while do not let only the bad in America turn your head
And even if I spell it wrong Mr Armstrong still sings what a wonderful world in my head.

Banjo

You're not cynical you are sour.

If you can't perceive a difference between the politics, intelligence, integrity and sincerity between someone like Obama and Palin..... there's just no pleasing you at all is there?

No one, least of all Obama, expects to solve all the world's problems - he said as much in his acceptance speech.

I think by now everyone on OLO knows you are not at all impressed by any politicians. We get it.

Now move on.

In the end Americans decided what kind
of election they wanted to participate in -
the politics of cynicism or the politics of hope.

They chose hope.

As Barack Obama told them:

"America, this is our moment. This is our time.
Our time to turn the page of the policies
of the past."

"It's not because John McCain doesn't care.
It's because John McCain doesn't get it!"

That's why John McCain lost the election.

"We have been told we cannot do this by
a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder
and more dissonant in the weeks to come.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check.

We've been warned against offering the people
of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely
story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope.

For when we have faced down impossible odds; when
we've been told that we're not ready, or we
shouldn't try, or that we can't, generations of
Americans have responded with a simple creed
that sums up the spirit of the people.

Yes we can."

That's why Barack Obama won this election.

Will he achieve what he promised?

Yes he will!

Of that I have no doubt.

Banjo you have spoken the truth and many don’t like that especially Fractelle. You have dashed her hope of a better world under Obama’s leadership. However, with Bush out of the office, there is no other way except to go up.

Philip Tang

Whatha? How have my hopes been dashed?

Speak for yourself, you are only person on this thread who apparently agrees with Banjo.

I am still relishing the thought that a right-wing white man and his religious fundy running mate are no longer a threat to the USA and the rest of the world.

Read it and weep.

Fractelle, banjo wrote,

“Years ago I allowed myself to succumb to hope for a 'better world' but the many disappointments have dashed that. The false promises, lies and self interest of politicians, of all sides, I have seen and from what i have seen in many posts of yours, you have also. Not to mention the deceit and corruption from those held in high esteem.”

This accords with the Judeo/Christian tradition of what one wise-man wrote very long ago,

“If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!” (Ecc 5:8).

For this reason, Obama could have spoken with greater moral authority had he declared openly where his $640 millions campaign fund came from. It’s an open secret that a sizable portion came from captains of industries and foreign donors.