Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 1:15 am Post subject: The US presidential election
I know many of you here don't like her, but a part of me wishes Hillary Clinton and Mme. Royal win their respective elections, so that they can join Angela Merkel, Mary McAleese, Helen Clarke and other great gals in the sisterhood in leading the world. 'Cause you all know, us ladies always got something to prove!
Last edited by Elaine on Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:41 am; edited 1 time in total
I know many of you here don't like her, but a part of me wishes Hillary Clinton and Mme. Royal win their respective elections, so that they can join Angela Merkel, Mary McAleese, Helen Clarke and other great gals in the sisterhood in leading the world. 'Cause you all know, us ladies always got something to prove!
We do need more women in power. And I do like Mme Royal. As for Hillary.... as I said, we do need more women in power, so I hope she loses... _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Speaking of woman leaders. Our biggest opposition party (Democratic Alliance) will elect a new leader this Sunday. The frontrunner at this stage is the mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille. I've met her, she's great! I hope she wins.
_________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Last edited by André in Zuid-Afrika on Fri May 04, 2007 3:25 am; edited 1 time in total
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 1:26 am Post subject:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
Elaine wrote:
I know many of you here don't like her, but a part of me wishes Hillary Clinton and Mme. Royal win their respective elections, so that they can join Angela Merkel, Mary McAleese, Helen Clarke and other great gals in the sisterhood in leading the world. 'Cause you all know, us ladies always got something to prove!
We do need more women in power. And I do like Mme Royal. As for Hillary.... as I said, we do need more women in power, so I hope she loses...
2 snaps up and around the world, "Haaaaayyyyy!! Poor Hil, can't get no respect.
But seriously now... you guys aren't really going to elect Hilllary as president, are you?
Seriously, lovely people of the US of A, in all kindness, you can't afford another president the world laughs at.... _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
I think it is stupid whenever a political candidate is supported based on gender lines. Politics is not something as frivolous as having a massive ego boost from seeing an unprecedented crop of women leaders in the global arena.
I lionise Baroness Thatcher but that is because she was magnificent. It has nothing to do with she breaking the political glass ceiling.
Besides, there is nothing for female politicians to prove. We all know that women are as competent as men in every aspect. But I think there would always be lesser women than men in politics. Based on my own set of general and unscientific observations, I feel that most girls are just not very interested in politics. The rare breed who takes more than a passing interest in politics is an exquisite gem. _________________ Hillary Clinton is an acquired taste which I have clearly yet to acquire.
Speaking of woman leaders. Our biggest opposition party (Democratic Alliance) will elect a new leader this Sunday. The frontrunner at this stage is the mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille. I've met her, she's great! I hope she wins.
And so it's happened. Helen Zille was elected new leader of the DA this morning. Best thing to happen in SA politics in a long time. _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:
Has anyone here been keeping up with the Iowa Caucus? (anyone? anyone?...). Mme Clinton was supposed to be a sure thing, but she ended up placing third behind Obama and Edwards. They're saying she'll do better in New Hampshire, but I'm not so sure about that. As for Huckabee's victory... ugh.
Has anyone here been keeping up with the Iowa Caucus? (anyone? anyone?...). Mme Clinton was supposed to be a sure thing, but she ended up placing third behind Obama and Edwards. They're saying she'll do better in New Hampshire, but I'm not so sure about that. As for Huckabee's victory... ugh.
Yeh, I was surprised by that! I have no problem with Obama (not a Hillary fan myself, as you probably know), but I'm worried about Huckabee... You guys aren't going to elect him, are you? _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:36 am Post subject:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
You guys aren't going to elect him, are you?
I certainly hope not! That would be a travesty of major proportions. The last thing we need is another Christian Crusader* in the White House!
A few revealing things about Huckabee's political stance (all sourced in wikipedia):
- Huckabee supports the ongoing War in Iraq and the troop surge.
- In 1992, Huckabee said that "homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk." In 2007, his view that homosexuality is sinful and not normal has not changed.
- Huckabee opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and civil unions.
- In 1992, Huckabee indicated that he was against homosexuals serving in the military, and did not believe that women should be allowed in combat
- Huckabee is against gun control.
- Huckabee supports the death penalty
- Huckabee has voiced his support of creationism. He was quoted in July 2004 on Arkansans Ask, his regular show on the Arkansas Educational Television Network: "I think that students also should be given exposure to the theories not only of evolution but to the basis of those who believe in creationism." Huckabee also stated "I do not necessarily buy into the traditional Darwinian theory, personally."
- Huckabee has expressed concern that Guantanamo Bay detention camp is a distraction from the Global War on Terror.
- In a 1992 statement, Huckabee advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general population.[156] In 2007, Huckabee no longer advocates such an isolation, but he stands by his earlier view, saying that in 1992 "there was still a great deal of, I think, uncertainty about just how widespread AIDS was, how it could be transmitted. So we know more now than we did in 1992, all of us do -- hopefully."[157] However, by 1992 it was well known that HIV/AIDS could not be spread by casual contact.[158][156] In the same statement, Huckabee also opposed increasing federal funding for HIV/AIDS research and suggested that Hollywood celebrities should provide additional funds instead. Huckabee now supports additional funding for HIV/AIDS research.
- Huckabee has credited divine intervention with some of his political success.
*Note: I am in no way opposed to Christians, just the intolerant ones who try to impose their beliefs on others and insist that it's the only way to salvation.
I certainly hope not! That would be a travesty of major proportions. The last thing we need is another Christian Crusader* in the White House!
A few revealing things about Huckabee's political stance (all sourced in wikipedia):
- Huckabee supports the ongoing War in Iraq and the troop surge.
- In 1992, Huckabee said that "homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk." In 2007, his view that homosexuality is sinful and not normal has not changed.
- Huckabee opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and civil unions.
- In 1992, Huckabee indicated that he was against homosexuals serving in the military, and did not believe that women should be allowed in combat
- Huckabee is against gun control.
- Huckabee supports the death penalty
- Huckabee has voiced his support of creationism. He was quoted in July 2004 on Arkansans Ask, his regular show on the Arkansas Educational Television Network: "I think that students also should be given exposure to the theories not only of evolution but to the basis of those who believe in creationism." Huckabee also stated "I do not necessarily buy into the traditional Darwinian theory, personally."
- Huckabee has expressed concern that Guantanamo Bay detention camp is a distraction from the Global War on Terror.
- In a 1992 statement, Huckabee advocated isolating AIDS patients from the general population.[156] In 2007, Huckabee no longer advocates such an isolation, but he stands by his earlier view, saying that in 1992 "there was still a great deal of, I think, uncertainty about just how widespread AIDS was, how it could be transmitted. So we know more now than we did in 1992, all of us do -- hopefully."[157] However, by 1992 it was well known that HIV/AIDS could not be spread by casual contact.[158][156] In the same statement, Huckabee also opposed increasing federal funding for HIV/AIDS research and suggested that Hollywood celebrities should provide additional funds instead. Huckabee now supports additional funding for HIV/AIDS research.
- Huckabee has credited divine intervention with some of his political success.
*Note: I am in no way opposed to Christians, just the intolerant ones who try to impose their beliefs on others and insist that it's the only way to salvation.
Agree with the small print. The man is nuts (saying that as a Christian, his ideas are not what I could possibly support, we have a political party here [thankfully with little support] with similar ideas). _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:07 am Post subject:
André in Zuid-Afrika wrote:
Agree also with the small print. The man is nuts (saying that as a Christian, his ideas are not what I could possibly suppurt, we have a political party here [thankfully with little support] with similar ideas).
The thing is, he made a bunch of hateful comments before he decided to make a go for the White House, and now those comments have come back to haunt him. So of course now he's been backpedaling and tweaking his remarks to make himself more palatable to the general public. But I ain't no fool! A leopard cannot change his spots overnight.
Does that political party of which you speak have any chance of winning your elections? What's so scary is that such parties can easily win over here.
[quote="Elaine"]A leopard cannot change his spots overnight.
Quote:
Exactly.
[quote="Elaine"]Does that political party of which you speak have any chance of winning your elections? What's so scary is that such parties can easily win over here.
Not a change, thankfully! They call themselves the African Christian Democratic Party (democratic, yeh right), they got only about 2% of the vote last time. But they do make a lot of noise. _________________ Toe ek jonk was, het ek al die antwoorde geken. Nou verstaan ek nie eens die vrae nie.
Speaking of woman leaders. Our biggest opposition party (Democratic Alliance) will elect a new leader this Sunday. The frontrunner at this stage is the mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille. I've met her, she's great! I hope she wins.
And so it's happened. Helen Zille was elected new leader of the DA this morning. Best thing to happen in SA politics in a long time.
Our biggest opposition party, the Scottish Labour Party, has also recently 'elected' (i.e. unopposed, like Gordon Brown) a woman leader in the form of Wendy Alexander:
There has already been a major scandal surrounding her, because it has recently emerged that she accepted illegal donations during the run-up to the election last year.
We also have Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister:
And Annabel Goldie, the leader of the second largest opposition party, the Scottish Conservatives:
I certainly hope not! That would be a travesty of major proportions. The last thing we need is another Christian Crusader* in the White House!
He's got no chance, has he ? I'm glad Clinton got a good slap in the face : she ended after Edwards, no ? The only problem I've got with Obama is his mentioning religion (bible, god, etc) everytime — at least that's what I read in the papers here. Is that religious obsession true ?
Location: San Francisco, Noord-Kalifornië, Noord-Amerika
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:
My man, Dennis Kucinich, wasn't included in ABC's New Hampshire debate. Kucinich filed a complaint against the network. I agree with his objections, as expressed in his interview with Bill Moyers (scroll down in the article to see the video of Bill Moyers Journal, January 4). Among other things, he said, "How can you have a debate if you don't have a voice that challenges all the others?"
Personally, I make it a point not to give a crap until much closer to the elections -- partially because all of the posturing annoys me, and partially because so much can change between now and then.
I would have no problem voting for Hil, myself. Obama strikes me as a flash in the pan, or better yet, a candidate for another year. If we had to have a Republican in the Oval Office, I'd prefer Giuliani or McCain (who, out of all the candidates, probably actually deserves the post -- carefull what you wish for, though, Johnny!). They aren't likely to win their party's nomination, though, I think. Too moderate. Republicans seem to like their politicians more at the far end (off the deep end?)
As for not needing another president the world laughs at, well, we're not likely to notice or care about any chuckles abroad. Sorry, but it's true. 'Cause when you get down to it, we mainly elect the president for internal usage. Foreign policy rarely makes or breaks any of them, no matter how good or bad they are at it. It's the perceived success or failure of their domestic policies that resonate with the average voter. _________________ An apple a day....
As for not needing another president the world laughs at, well, we're not likely to notice or care about any chuckles abroad. Sorry, but it's true. 'Cause when you get down to it, we mainly elect the president for internal usage. Foreign policy rarely makes or breaks any of them, no matter how good or bad they are at it. It's the perceived success or failure of their domestic policies that resonate with the average voter.
That's certainly true. Actually, soon after Sarkozy's election last year, I remember seeing some Americans on a forum who had interpreted it primarily as France voting in favour of increased co-operation with the United States. But as you say, ultimately, that sort of thing doesn't really enter into it too much.
Likewise, the 2003 invasion of Iraq was always massively unpopular amongst the general population in Britain, and its unpopularity only increased as the venture progressed. But although Labour did loose relatively considerable support in the 2005 election to the Liberal Democrats and other parties who had opposed the invasion, but ultimately, the Iraq war in itself did not motivate enough people enough to want to kick Tony Blair and his Labour government out and vote Charles Kennedy and a LibDem government in (though it should be noted that only 35% of people who voted actually voted Labour in that election, which is even crazier than the American system in my view).
Not being an expert in the US politics , I think my support would be for Obama if I had to shoose one. the only second choice for me would be Hilary, but I would have some problems with her position in favour with the previous foreign afairs policy, and with the fact that it would make a 25 years story made only with Bush and clinton families... which is for me a real problem for a democracy.
I don't know Obama well, maybe some things would bother me too, but finally I naturally would have more sympathy for him. The fact of being from a 'mixed' origin would be for me an important symbol I would be glad the US show to the world if I was American.
The same way I am quite happy to see that in the new generation of french polititians we begin to see more and more "colored people" as we politically correctly say.
In the actual governement, three of them are the most famous, and are at once women and of African origins - Even if we can disagree with their actions or political thinking, or accusing Sarkozy of shoosing them just for being a symbol or a message for the populations of Africa roots in France.
But I'm seriously ask myself if the "deep Americans", traditional republicans (and maybe some democrats too?) are ready to elected a person who is seen as black?
One interesting thing about Obama is that he doesn't really make an issue of him being black. I've heard some people accuse him to distance himself from the 'African-American' community somewhat, believing that this is a deliberate attempt to appeal to the majority of Americans. But ultimately, he grew up mainly outwith the continental United States and then went to Harvard, so it seems quite possible that he doesn't really identify with the majority of black Americans anyway.
Out of the Democratic candidates, I support either Dennis Kucinich or Mike Gravel. Incidentally, Mike Gravel is actually a Unitarian (like me), though I wouldn't want to seem biased in favour of him because of his religious affiliation. But unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely that the Democrats will choose either of those as their official candidate.
Ultimately, I will probably support whomever the Green Party choose as their candidate. I don't know much the various Green candidates at all, but for some reason I rather like Cynthia McKinney:
I'm slightly suspicious though because she was a Democrat until a few months ago, which makes me wonder the extent to which she really advocates Green politics as I understand it. Actually, former Green candidate Elaine Brown withdrew her candidacy and resigned her membership of the Green Party a few weeks ago on the grounds that the leadership of the party had been 'seized by neo-liberal men' who have transformed it into 'a repository for erstwhile, disgruntled Democrats'.
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Poor Hil, can't get no respect.
But unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely that the Democrats will choose either of those as their official candidate.
