Forum Topic

Barack Obama

How do we all feel?

Penny Crocker ● 6538d31 Comments

Gracious speeches from victor and loser. BO can talk the talk but one has to wait and see if there is any substance.

Graham Weeks ● 6538d

Might be OK.After all a great chunk of his ancestry is British.OMG! Some people will start freaking out.

Alan Brainsby ● 6538d

I think its amazing that just 40 years ago there were race riots and segregation in southern states and now there's a black president. His acceptance speech was inspiring and I hope its a new era after 8 years of Bush insanity.

David Archer ● 6538d

Yes, I agree. I just hope he gets to serve the full term !

Penny Crocker ● 6538d

And he did it without Hilary - thank  goodness for that!

Barbara Yerolemou ● 6538d

I agree.Some women politicians are screechers and bitchy with it. Funny how they tend to be from the left of the political spectrum.

Alan Brainsby ● 6538d

No Googling please just GK.Which major world country held a national election recently?What were the main parties? Who won and what 'position' was won?Bonus point: Which 'developing' country plans to hold an election for leader before the year is out?

Marlene Plimley ● 6538d

How recent is "recently".  I dont suppose Malawi counts as a major world country, does it?

Barbara Yerolemou ● 6538d

I know Canada did but don't know who won or even who was in the running. Don't know about the developing world

Penny Crocker ● 6538d

What's a "world country"?

Mark Dudley ● 6538d

Bit gratuitous Alan! Even if you don't like Hilary Clinton, why generalise from her to all female politicians? I wouldn't generalise from Bush, McCain, Brown or Galloway to all male politicians. And what about Ms Palin? Totally ghastly but neither particularly screechy nor a model or emblem of other female politicians. And I'm not sure where the "bitchy" comment comes in at all.Apart from that, I too am rather relieved by the election of Obama and quite touched by some of the response. Let's hope he delivers.

Sara Nathan ● 6538d

Not entirely gratuitous.Those female politicians who do screech and are bitchy/bloody-minded are generally those who would be considered pumpkin +ve and have little else going for them. There are/were several examples in the present UK government.

Alan Brainsby ● 6538d

I defend Alan's right to call some female politicians screechy but I disagree that Hilary was one of those!  There are many female politicians who are a credit to government ie from the Tory side Justine Greening and Teresa Villiers.  I'm afraid I dont know the Labour ones so well.

Barbara Yerolemou ● 6537d

My real point was that many female politicians, and many females who aren't politicians, appear as dogmatic individuals, ie they are so set in their thoughts it is nigh impossible to debate with them whether they are right or otherwise.Margaret Thatcher was almost unique - she was nearly always right. Her responses were always measured and seemed to indicate a thoughtful approach to the answer.When watching some of the government's female ministers in television news interviews you'll see what I mean. And why do female presenters on children's programmes always seem to shout?

Alan Brainsby ● 6537d

I find Harriet Harman really irritating but I do like Margaret Becket. Disagree about Thatcher....she made me sream ! I always thought Linda Chalker was great and it surprised me that she didn't go on to bigger things but maybe that was from choice? Barbara, any idea?

Penny Crocker ● 6537d

There are some very funny posts on Chiswick Forum about the 1st question Obama will ask on his arrival at the White House. Livened my day.

Penny Crocker ● 6537d

Jacqui Smith always seems eloquent and makes her points calmly but firmly.

Susan Kelly ● 6537d

The tone of the Scotch parliament must have improved after that female, Wendy Alexander resigned. In fact she is a prime example of what I meant.

Alan Brainsby ● 6537d

I think Holyrood remains a forum for the whinging Scotch, regardless of the male/female issue.Jacqui Smith often looks as though she might cry in the face of hostile questioning but usually manages to hold the Government line.I have always admired Shirley Williams (now Baroness), who comes across as intelligent, consistent and reasonable, unlike most British politicians.

Doug Witherspoon ● 6537d

"I have always admired Shirley Williams (now Baroness), who comes across as intelligent, consistent and reasonable, unlike most British politicians."Sadly, that is so true.Most politicians seem to achieve their position through shouting the loudest.If admittance to parliament were based, besides votes, on intelligence the whole government could meet in an upper room in a pub. Preferably a Fuller's.

Alan Brainsby ● 6537d

I fear that few of them would drink London Pride though. Being a Londoner doesn't seem to be a la mode these days. Far  more fashionable to sport a regional accent. Now, that should start a few responses.

Penny Crocker ● 6536d

I was thinking more of Fuller's ESB...

Alan Brainsby ● 6536d

They'd  talk even more cr*p them

Penny Crocker ● 6536d

And slurred...... regardless of accent!

Alan Brainsby ● 6536d

I liked Linda Chalker.  The gossip is that she had real husband problems which got her down and eventually out.  I must try and find out what she is doing now, now that you mention her.

Barbara Yerolemou ● 6536d

I heard Linda at YC conferences - eloquent (no screech) and thoughtful.It was once said to me "Women don't think, thoughts only occur to them!"If this statement is true then Linda is an exception.

Alan Brainsby ● 6536d

Oooh Alan, how very dare you sir

Penny Crocker ● 6536d

Just occurred to you, did it? ;)

Alan Brainsby ● 6536d

Penny gets a kewpie doll.Which country held an election?Canada, a member of the G7, G8 and G20 held a federal election on October 14th 2008 just over 3 weeks ago. What were the main parties?Conservative, Liberal, New Democratic Party and Bloc QuebecoisWho won and what 'position' was won?Stephen Harper who called the election won, again  with a minority and is still Prime Minister.The Liberals are the opposition.Bonus point: Which 'developing' country plans to hold an election for leader before the year is out?Well a bit cheeky but Quebec who wishes it was an independent country and still ‘developing’ by trying to wipe out the English language goes to the polls on Dec. 8th.The Liberal leader has called an election. I do not think separation or 'sovereignity' is on the agenda though this time.

Marlene Plimley ● 6536d

well I feel aaaaaaaaaallllllllllllrrrrrrrriiiiiiiggggghhhhhhttttt!

Al Stuart ● 6535d

Lawdy! Lawdy!

Alan Brainsby ● 6535d