so how is that hope and change working out for you
-
In a country where a massive swing is winning 55% to 45%, there will always be people who would buy such a bumper sticker, just as there would be people who bought childrens books explaining how Obama was the saviour ( and while I would lean towards Obama over Bush, I found that plain scary ).
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
Christian Graus wrote:
In a country where a massive swing is winning 55% to 45%
So a change of 6% would eliminate a "massive" swing? That must be the new math I heard about. . . :laugh: Christian, there certainly are people who worship at the shrine of St. Obama, but most of them would have been quite content serving as acolytes of St. Hilary as well. The "massive swing" voters were, in large part responding to their deep discontent with Bush, and operating in line with a fine old American tradition called, "Throw dah bums out!" Certainly the Republicans who offered more of the same old, with an emphasis on the old, gave the electorate no real reason to reject Obama. The American press (and even more so the overseas press, I imagine) will not cover in detail - or even admit in some cases - that there is slowly growing discontent with Obama both on the left and on the right. The problem with having promised to be all things to all people is that sooner or later some little kid says, "The Emperor has no clothes!"
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
-
Christian Graus wrote:
In a country where a massive swing is winning 55% to 45%
So a change of 6% would eliminate a "massive" swing? That must be the new math I heard about. . . :laugh: Christian, there certainly are people who worship at the shrine of St. Obama, but most of them would have been quite content serving as acolytes of St. Hilary as well. The "massive swing" voters were, in large part responding to their deep discontent with Bush, and operating in line with a fine old American tradition called, "Throw dah bums out!" Certainly the Republicans who offered more of the same old, with an emphasis on the old, gave the electorate no real reason to reject Obama. The American press (and even more so the overseas press, I imagine) will not cover in detail - or even admit in some cases - that there is slowly growing discontent with Obama both on the left and on the right. The problem with having promised to be all things to all people is that sooner or later some little kid says, "The Emperor has no clothes!"
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
Oakman wrote:
Christian, there certainly are people who worship at the shrine of St. Obama, but most of them would have been quite content serving as acolytes of St. Hilary as well. The "massive swing" voters were, in large part responding to their deep discontent with Bush, and operating in line with a fine old American tradition called, "Throw dah bums out!" Certainly the Republicans who offered more of the same old, with an emphasis on the old, gave the electorate no real reason to reject Obama.
Sure. And yet, would they have printed books about Hillary ? I guess maybe. It doesn't change my point. They called it a landslide, and the figures I heard still left plenty of people voting Republican, which means plenty of market for those stickers, which was my only point.
Oakman wrote:
The American press (and even more so the overseas press, I imagine) will not cover in detail - or even admit in some cases - that there is slowly growing discontent with Obama both on the left and on the right. The problem with having promised to be all things to all people is that sooner or later some little kid says, "The Emperor has no clothes!"
The problem every person who gets elected faces, is making their promises gel with reality.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
Oakman wrote:
Christian, there certainly are people who worship at the shrine of St. Obama, but most of them would have been quite content serving as acolytes of St. Hilary as well. The "massive swing" voters were, in large part responding to their deep discontent with Bush, and operating in line with a fine old American tradition called, "Throw dah bums out!" Certainly the Republicans who offered more of the same old, with an emphasis on the old, gave the electorate no real reason to reject Obama.
Sure. And yet, would they have printed books about Hillary ? I guess maybe. It doesn't change my point. They called it a landslide, and the figures I heard still left plenty of people voting Republican, which means plenty of market for those stickers, which was my only point.
Oakman wrote:
The American press (and even more so the overseas press, I imagine) will not cover in detail - or even admit in some cases - that there is slowly growing discontent with Obama both on the left and on the right. The problem with having promised to be all things to all people is that sooner or later some little kid says, "The Emperor has no clothes!"
The problem every person who gets elected faces, is making their promises gel with reality.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
Christian Graus wrote:
They called it a landslide,
And indeed it was. The American electoral system means that a slight majority in the popular vote can sometimes translate into an large majority of electoral college votes.
Christian Graus wrote:
The problem every person who gets elected faces, is making their promises gel with reality.
Absolutely. But Obama was a more promising a candidate than most. There were some, I wasn't among them, who said that he revealed his lack of real experience by making promises that the other, more knowledgeable, candidates wouldn't make because they knew they'd be held accountable. I have to admit that it seems that they were right. By the way, between you and John, I'm beginning to think he was elected president of Australia, as well as France. Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man? edit: typos only
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
modified on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:28 PM
-
Christian Graus wrote:
They called it a landslide,
And indeed it was. The American electoral system means that a slight majority in the popular vote can sometimes translate into an large majority of electoral college votes.
Christian Graus wrote:
The problem every person who gets elected faces, is making their promises gel with reality.
Absolutely. But Obama was a more promising a candidate than most. There were some, I wasn't among them, who said that he revealed his lack of real experience by making promises that the other, more knowledgeable, candidates wouldn't make because they knew they'd be held accountable. I have to admit that it seems that they were right. By the way, between you and John, I'm beginning to think he was elected president of Australia, as well as France. Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man? edit: typos only
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
modified on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:28 PM
Oakman wrote:
By the way, between you and John, I'm beginning to think he was elected president of Australia, as well as France. Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man?
Well, the whole world was dragged into Bushes war on terror, so we all feel affected. Obama got a lot of good press here, plus I spend a lot of time in the US ( hence having seen the Obama books written for kids ). I'd say my view is more jaundiced than most.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
Oakman wrote:
By the way, between you and John, I'm beginning to think he was elected president of Australia, as well as France. Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man?
Well, the whole world was dragged into Bushes war on terror, so we all feel affected. Obama got a lot of good press here, plus I spend a lot of time in the US ( hence having seen the Obama books written for kids ). I'd say my view is more jaundiced than most.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
Christian Graus wrote:
I'd say my view is more jaundiced than most.
Well, I must admit I have never heard you refer to him as the Second Coming, but it takes me back a little to think that you might be as critical of him as it gets in Australia.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
-
Christian Graus wrote:
They called it a landslide,
And indeed it was. The American electoral system means that a slight majority in the popular vote can sometimes translate into an large majority of electoral college votes.
Christian Graus wrote:
The problem every person who gets elected faces, is making their promises gel with reality.
Absolutely. But Obama was a more promising a candidate than most. There were some, I wasn't among them, who said that he revealed his lack of real experience by making promises that the other, more knowledgeable, candidates wouldn't make because they knew they'd be held accountable. I have to admit that it seems that they were right. By the way, between you and John, I'm beginning to think he was elected president of Australia, as well as France. Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man? edit: typos only
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
modified on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:28 PM
Oakman wrote:
Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man?
I can assure you Jon the majority of us don't really give half a shit about our own politics let alone yours. This place is so US centric these days that for the rest of us we end up with a choice of discussing your politics or nothing.
-
Oakman wrote:
Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man?
I can assure you Jon the majority of us don't really give half a shit about our own politics let alone yours. This place is so US centric these days that for the rest of us we end up with a choice of discussing your politics or nothing.
Josh Gray wrote:
I can assure you Jon the majority of us don't really give half a sh*t about our own politics let alone yours.
LOL. That is true.
John Carson
-
Oakman wrote:
Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man?
I can assure you Jon the majority of us don't really give half a shit about our own politics let alone yours. This place is so US centric these days that for the rest of us we end up with a choice of discussing your politics or nothing.
:thumbsup::thumbsup: So how about that swine flu epidemic? :laugh: :doh:
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
-
:thumbsup::thumbsup: So how about that swine flu epidemic? :laugh: :doh:
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
-
Oakman wrote:
Is there anyone one in Oz who has a more jaundiced view of the man?
I can assure you Jon the majority of us don't really give half a shit about our own politics let alone yours. This place is so US centric these days that for the rest of us we end up with a choice of discussing your politics or nothing.
I wouldn't mind hearing about other countries politics, but in my case I probably wouldn't comment other than to ask questions as I am not very knowledgeable, but I would not mind reading. I thought the update recently about Lebanon's election interesting.
-
_Damian S_ wrote:
So how about that swine flu epidemic?
This morning I was reading some articles about the perceived racial attacks on Indian students here and in Melbourne and thought that might be a good topic for a thread but decided against it.
-
_Damian S_ wrote:
So how about that swine flu epidemic?
This morning I was reading some articles about the perceived racial attacks on Indian students here and in Melbourne and thought that might be a good topic for a thread but decided against it.
yeah, that is getting ugly. Do you think it's real ?
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
Christian Graus wrote:
I'd say my view is more jaundiced than most.
Well, I must admit I have never heard you refer to him as the Second Coming, but it takes me back a little to think that you might be as critical of him as it gets in Australia.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface Both democrats and republicans are playing for the same team and it's not us. - Chris Austin
We get a highly filtered view, and most of that is rose coloured. The press was very anti Bush, so they were bound to love anyone who replaced him.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
yeah, that is getting ugly. Do you think it's real ?
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
By real do you mean is it really an issue of race? Seems to me the racial aspect of it has been blown out of all proportion by the Indian media.
Yeah, I thought that may be the case. The violence is obviously happening, but is it just that students live in poor areas, and are mostly Indian ? I find it hard to believe there's gangs wandering the streets, looking for Indians to beat up.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
Yeah, I thought that may be the case. The violence is obviously happening, but is it just that students live in poor areas, and are mostly Indian ? I find it hard to believe there's gangs wandering the streets, looking for Indians to beat up.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
My mentee from last year was a quiet Indian student, and he was assaulted and robbed here in Brisbane for his wallet and mobile phone... I'd have to say that for the large proportion of Indian students that I have met, they do provide a target for scumbags, due to their soft-spoken nature and reluctance (generally) to fight back...
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
-
My mentee from last year was a quiet Indian student, and he was assaulted and robbed here in Brisbane for his wallet and mobile phone... I'd have to say that for the large proportion of Indian students that I have met, they do provide a target for scumbags, due to their soft-spoken nature and reluctance (generally) to fight back...
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
_Damian S_ wrote:
they do provide a target for scumbags, due to their soft-spoken nature and reluctance (generally) to fight back...
Yeah, that aspect had occured to me, but that's still not the same as targetting Indians based on race. Doesn't help them much, but it does make it somewhat of a beat up.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
-
Yeah, I thought that may be the case. The violence is obviously happening, but is it just that students live in poor areas, and are mostly Indian ? I find it hard to believe there's gangs wandering the streets, looking for Indians to beat up.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. "! i don't exactly like or do programming and it only gives me a headache." - spotted in VB forums. I can do things with my brain that I can't even google. I can flex the front part of my brain instantly anytime I want. It can be exhausting and it even causes me vision problems for some reason. - CaptainSeeSharp
Christian Graus wrote:
Yeah, I thought that may be the case. The violence is obviously happening, but is it just that students live in poor areas, and are mostly Indian ? I find it hard to believe there's gangs wandering the streets, looking for Indians to beat up.
To be completely honest I do think it's a racial issue but not in the way you would suspect. There are in Sydney groups of young males of a particular background that love to beat the shit out of people. The Indian students have moved into the areas these people consider their "turf" because it's cheap and the Indian students are generally easy targets to a group of 20 young guys with something to prove to each other. Neither the police or our state government have the balls to acknowledge the problem of violence amongst our "of middle eastern decent" population. To do so would expose them to accusations of racism. From what I've read the situation in Melbourne is quite different.