Originally Posted by dodgy

Yes, I understand that. But it isn't pointed and acerbic, either. It's a bit, well.......Tired? Hackneyed? Take yer pick

My pick would be 'to the point'. It might be tired if it were constant, but it only crops up when it is aimed at something. If we are to respect the views of others as our responsibility as citizens of a democracy, is there no excuse to wonder where the respect for our view is to be found?
Conversely, if we find something in another culture that we feel doesn't warrant any respect, such as female circumcision for example, are we to just sit with our mouths shut?
If Muslim clerics want to show their outrage whenever they feel slighted, they should expect to be questioned as to where their outrage has gone when others are slighted or worse by their religion or cultural behaviour.
Personally I find it offensive to keep slaves. There is no modifier to this statement which says "Unless you are a Muslim". I find the sexual mutilation of children offensive. NOT, 'I find the sexual mutilation of children offensive unless it is done by Muslims'.
Some things are wrong and sometimes we ask where our fellow citizens stand in regard to them. If they don't answer or we don't like their answer sometimes we make a political cartoon about it.

He doesn't seem to be doing bad so far

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Barack Obama's 100-day report card

Originally Posted by slogger

He hasnt done anything he promised has he ? so 1 outa 5 for simply staying alive

100-DAY MILESTONES


Guantanamo closure ordered
Ban on abortion funds lifted
Obama unveils executive pay cap
Stimulus plan signed into law
Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan
Obama ends stem cell funding ban
Iran offered a 'new beginning'
Obama promotes nuclear-free world
Obama publishes 'torture' memos
Cuba offered 'new beginning'

Originally Posted by slogger

He speaks the truth but so many wont listen to him

I like that.

Originally Posted by The Reverend Counter

100-DAY MILESTONES


Guantanamo closure ordered
Ban on abortion funds lifted
Obama unveils executive pay cap
Stimulus plan signed into law
Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan
Obama ends stem cell funding ban
Iran offered a 'new beginning'
Obama promotes nuclear-free world
Obama publishes 'torture' memos
Cuba offered 'new beginning'

Yebbut, apart from that?

Originally Posted by The Reverend Counter

He doesn't seem to be doing bad so far

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Barack Obama's 100-day report card

I'm wondering why it is OK to promise what can't be delivered in the first place and then when the guy doesn't deliver it is an acceptable excuse to say that the reality of the situation is very different when you are in office? We knew that already. It's so well known that it is cliche. How then do we vote for someone because he promises to change what can't be changed?

It's nice that Obama is trying to improve the way America is perceived by other countries. But being nice isn't going to change anyones agenda. The only good that will be accomplished is how forieners feel about us. Not how they work with us.

Originally Posted by murcan

I'm wondering why it is OK to promise what can't be delivered in the first place and then when the guy doesn't deliver it is an acceptable excuse to say that the reality of the situation is very different when you are in office? We knew that already. It's so well known that it is cliche. How then do we vote for someone because he promises to change what can't be changed?

Thats what all politicians do isn't it?

Originally Posted by murcan

It's nice that Obama is trying to improve the way America is perceived by other countries. But being nice isn't going to change anyones agenda. The only good that will be accomplished is how forieners feel about us. Not how they work with us.

Any improvment* in how the USA is perceived by the rest of the world has got to be a good thing, not least because it will make america (and the world) safer.

Its hard to see what he could have done to make it worse though

Originally Posted by The Reverend Counter

Thats what all politicians do isn't it?
Yeah, so let's not try to gloss it over. Bullshit is bullshit. It doesn't matter who takes advantage by it.



Any improvment* in how the USA is perceived by the rest of the world has got to be a good thing, not least because it will make america (and the world) safer.

Its hard to see what he could have done to make it worse though

How would being friendly and nice make the world safer. We are the big dog. Everyone hates the big dog because they think that they should be the big dog. Americans like to be liked, but being friendly to two faced, tin pot wannabes wears thin after a while.

Originally Posted by murcan

How would being friendly and nice make the world safer. We are the big dog. Everyone hates the big dog because they think that they should be the big dog. Americans like to be liked, but being friendly to two faced, tin pot wannabes wears thin after a while.

Do you really think that the rest of the 'civilised'* world dislikes america because its the big dog?

I think you will find its because of its perceived greed, insularity and selfishness, most of the world would be quite happy with a big dog that had global interests at heart.



*clearly two faced, tin pot wannabes are excluded from this definition