Why Would Anyone Welcome Obama To Ireland?

RichieC · 22-03-2011 10:43PM

Gnobe wrote: »

Why??

He expanded the Afghan war, fails to close guantanamo, recently reallowed israelis to build in palestinian areas. I don't mind him, but he's not God. He needs to be held accountable for some of his actions, not sympathised because "he's not Bush".

I don't believe he had much choice, I'm not all that confident that the president is even actually the real leader of that country.

Frankly he'd probably of gotten a bullet in the head if he tried to draw down that war.

gargleblaster · 22-03-2011 10:47PM

RichieC wrote: »

I don't believe he had much choice, I'm not all that confident that the president is even actually the real leader of that country.

Frankly he'd probably of gotten a bullet in the head if he tried to draw down that war.

spot ****ing on. eisenhower warned about the power of the military complex 50 years ago. imagine how powerful they are now.

there are some things that are within a president's power to change, and some that aren't. he's far from perfect, but only fools would expect perfection.

Sykk · 22-03-2011 10:49PM

Gnobe wrote: »

Ok just for consistency you were ok with Bush's visit too then?

Just look back and think of how stupid you just made yourself look.

I don't think I can be bothered to try justify my answer to someone of your intelligence when clearly you'd take nothing for an answer.

UsernameInUse · 22-03-2011 10:55PM

RichieC wrote: »

I don't believe he had much choice, I'm not all that confident that the president is even actually the real leader of that country.

Frankly he'd probably of gotten a bullet in the head if he tried to draw down that war.

I couldn't have uploaded a more suitable vid. This one is worth it just to see Obama's dance moves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ3xxwQvVnE

trishasaffron · 22-03-2011 10:55PM

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but I read the title as asking "Why would anyone welcome Obama to Ireland?".

I deeply welcome Obama coming to Ireland and if anyone out there is creating a list of invitees to meet him or see him please put my name on it;)

I think he is fantastic - clever, subtle, articulate, principled, reasonable, idealistic but pragmatic. Everything one could look for in a politician. I cried tears of joy to see him being elected - having lived for a number of years in a deeply segregated community in the US I felt his election to be a tremendously significant breakthrough for african americans.

Of course he hasn't achieved all his ambitions - how on earth could he or any politician. But he has done far better than anyone expected - I hope he gets reelected.

I would like that invite now!

EarlERizer · 22-03-2011 10:57PM

Why Would Anyone Welcome Obama To Ireland?

Because if we don't welcome them with open arms, they'll concoct some story of our extremist veiws and galvanise the rest of the NWO into agreeing to invade us under the guise of a humanitarian mission to free us from ourselves ........ which I wouldn't have minded under the last regime of Brian Clowens, that said it's thanks to Brian Clowen n co that we can welcome them without the fear of been invaded as he's already given away our biggest natural resource off the west coast,so nothing left for them to take:D

Ebonically speaking "he got game and he the man" .....but if it were up to me, this man would be the next president!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWyLHU4ZaN0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWW4KogocfQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdgf1Np5I0g

All joking aside, it pays for a President or a candidate in the running to have connections to "the aul sod" as it's well known the Irish influence is a big factor in deciding the outcome of elections stateside.

If it's going to be of benefit to us then it's a good thing to have him visit.

SharpshooterTom · 22-03-2011 11:04PM

RichieC wrote: »

I don't believe he had much choice, I'm not all that confident that the president is even actually the real leader of that country.

Frankly he'd probably of gotten a bullet in the head if he tried to draw down that war.

So why do you still like Obama then?

I just find some of his hype nauseating. I really don't understand it. Yes I know he's not Bush but the guys gone now, why are we still slobbering over this guy like it's still 2008, I thought that ship had sailed. So it's proven he's just a puppet like the rest of them.

I guess Obama's just popular because of his personality and nothing else, which means that X Factor politics is unfortunately the way forward. Politics is the new showbiz yawn.

KINGVictor · 22-03-2011 11:07PM

UsernameInUse wrote: »

Are we that desperate to welcome such a manipulative elitist? How people can't see that this man is George Bush 2.0 is beyond me. Gotta love mainstream media. But don't worry, the Americans see him for what he is - he won't win again next year. He's really unpopular in the States - it seems we'll welcome just about anyone though.

Ron Paul 2012! You're the last one who can save this world, sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVYIfZsDCbc

I really would not agree that Obama is elitist to be fair because unlike most Presidents of the USA , he did not come from a priviledged background and had to work his way up. I believe he is an intelligent guy and has been very meticulous in surrounding himself with very smart folks and this has worked in his advantage. It isn't rocket science that he was voted in due to the extreme negative perception of George W.Bush/Republican method of politics and also a strong appetitite for change from the staus quo!

In specific relation to the topic, Ireland really does not have anything to loose but a lot to gain by welcoming, very cheerfully, the person that occupies the most powerful office in the world and in context the head of the country that has provided the most jobs in the country more than any other. His personal ratings in his own country while been democratically elected has no bearing whatsoever on how Ireland percieves him imho....

Biggins · 22-03-2011 11:09PM

Gnobe wrote: »

...Showbiz politics and all the rest of it.

Good job then Sarah Palin (and her family!) are not like that.
That is between TV shows, writing books (although I use Palin as capable of writing a book loosely) and dance competitions! :pac:
No, Obama is the only side into the showbiz side of things. :pac:

TheRevolution · 22-03-2011 11:11PM

People who complain about the Foreign Policies of Clinton, Bush, Obama etc. display a profound misunderstanding of the reality of the situation in America. That is, when it comes to the middle east and the arab world, AIPAC decide the foreign policy. Even if a US president disagreed with AIPAC and went against them (which would be political suicide) AIPAC would have signatures from nearly every person in the congress and senate to push forward whatever foreign policy that they want. The reason? Because whoever AIPAC financially backs in elections gets elected. The Pro-Israeli lobby has gotten even more powerful now that it is supported by the evangelicals (who are only supporting Israel to bring about the end of times) and neoconservatives (most of whom are pro Israeli anyway). Also the Pro Israeli lobby has infiltrated almost all the top think tanks on foreign policy such as Brookins and Saban that influence public and media opinion on foreign policy.

The difference between Obama and Ron Paul is that Ron Paul is not intelligent enough to see how futile an exercise it would be to go against the Pro Israeli lobby on foreign policy and would let his pride get in a way and subsequently lose an unwinnable battle that would have the consequence of even more pro-Israeli elements coming to power. Obama however sees this and plays the lobby. It is quite telling that Obama was the first US president in over four decades not to mention Israel at his state of the union address. Obama has largely kept Israel in check recently considering what they were up to in 2009. Hes a damn good at striking a balance.

For all the ****e spouted about Bush he actually genuinely wanted to cut support for Israel and create a Palestinian state but was impeded at the end of his second term by the pro Israeli lobby. Obama is obviously not going to go against the grain with a reelection coming up but I'd be interested to see what he'll do in his final term.

RichieC · 22-03-2011 11:14PM

I love that Palin and her drones knock him for being a community organiser..

they hit back with the slogan "Jesus was a community organiser; Pontius Pilate was a governor"

UsernameInUse · 22-03-2011 11:15PM

Gnobe wrote: »

So why do you still like Obama then?

I just find some of his hype nauseating. I really don't understand it. Yes I know he's not Bush but the guys gone now, why are we still slobbering over this guy like it's still 2008, I thought that ship had sailed. So it's proven he's just a puppet like the rest of them.

I guess Obama's just popular because of his personality and nothing else, which means that X Factor politics is unfortunately the way forward. Politics is the new showbiz yawn.

I don't like Obama either.

Virtually everyone of any notable character has dissected his policies and tore him apart for his lies limb from limb, including Thomas Sowell, a Milton Friedman student.

It's fair to say that anyone who doesn't buy into the modern day pop culture detests this man. The problem is, that people don't dig that bit deeper into their research.

"What luck for the rulers that men don't think" - Adolf Hitler.

gargleblaster · 22-03-2011 11:16PM

Gnobe wrote: »

So why do you still like Obama then?

I just find some of his hype nauseating. I really don't understand it. Yes I know he's not Bush but the guys gone now, why are we still slobbering over this guy like it's still 2008, I thought that ship had sailed. So it's proven he's just a puppet like the rest of them.

I guess Obama's just popular because of his personality and nothing else, which means that X Factor politics is unfortunately the way forward. Politics is the new showbiz yawn.

your guess is incorrect

he's popular because he doesn't demonize the other side, like bush did. also because he doesn't demonize people from other countries, like bush did. he's also popular because in a town full to the rafters with bull****ting demagogues, he comes across as a thoughtful, serious person. so even many of those that disagree with him still respect him as a leader.

RichieC · 22-03-2011 11:16PM

UsernameInUse wrote: »

I don't like Obama either.

Virtually everyone of any notable character has dissected his policies and tore him apart for his lies limb from limb, including Thomas Sowell, a Milton Friedman student.

baaahahahahaha...

UsernameInUse · 22-03-2011 11:19PM

RichieC wrote: »

baaahahahahaha...

Among others, as stated.

Whatever side you're on, there's one for you.

dizzywizlw · 22-03-2011 11:21PM

Barrack Obama is the man.

southsiderosie · 22-03-2011 11:23PM

UsernameInUse wrote: »

I don't like Obama either.

Virtually everyone of any notable character has dissected his policies and tore him apart for his lies limb from limb, including Thomas Sowell, a Milton Friedman student.

It's fair to say that anyone who doesn't buy into the modern day pop culture detests this man. The problem is, that people don't dig that bit deeper into their research.

"What luck for the rulers that men don't think" - Adolf Hitler.

Yes, shocking that a student of Milton Friedman is opposed to a president who has publicly committed to Keynesian policy.

CommuterIE · 22-03-2011 11:25PM

Whats wrong with Obama?

/thread

Mark200 · 22-03-2011 11:31PM

Gnobe wrote: »

He expanded the Afghan war

Like be promised

Gnobe wrote: »

fails to close guantanamo

Because Congress blocked it

Gnobe wrote: »

recently reallowed israelis to build in palestinian areas

He put unprecedented pressure on the Israelis.

There's a ridiculous amount of misinformation about Obama in this topic.

SamHarris · 22-03-2011 11:35PM

KINGVictor wrote: »

I really would not agree that Obama is elitist to be fair because unlike most Presidents of the USA , he did not come from a priviledged background and had to work his way up. I believe he is an intelligent guy and has been very meticulous in surrounding himself with very smart folks and this has worked in his advantage. It isn't rocket science that he was voted in due to the extreme negative perception of George W.Bush/Republican method of politics and also a strong appetitite for change from the staus quo!

In specific relation to the topic, Ireland really does not have anything to loose but a lot to gain by welcoming, very cheerfully, the person that occupies the most powerful office in the world and in context the head of the country that has provided the most jobs in the country more than any other. His personal ratings in his own country while been democratically elected has no bearing whatsoever on how Ireland percieves him imho....

Just a point - alot of US presidents have pulled themselves up from nothing, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Nixon were all lower middle class/ dirt poor. Jimmy Carter was hardly what you would call "privelleged" the Bush's and Kennedy's were much more the exception rather than the rule.

CrazyRabbit · 22-03-2011 11:40PM

Like most western democracies, the person/party currently in office shall be hated the most.

Britain is a great example with the Labour vs Conservatives.

It's a simple fact that the vast majority of politicians elected don't have any real qualifications for the jobs they do. It's a popularity contest. Just look at the current minister for Finance in Ireland, Michael Noonan...he's a teacher FFS! No formal qualifications regarding finance, and no experience with successfully running the finances of a large company. This is the reason politicians/governments are so crap at what they do and hence become hated so quickly.

Obama will likely be welcome by most people here, as so he should...it's nice to have such a wealthy country on our side, investing in our economy.

SharpshooterTom · 22-03-2011 11:42PM

Mark200 wrote: »

There's a ridiculous amount of misinformation about Obama in this topic.

It's not misinformation it's the truth, he's expanded the war and won nobel peace prize for it (not that I'm blaming him for that though). Extended Bush tax cuts, extended the patriot act etc. I mean if you're like your right/centrist politics then ok I guess you may approve of his policies but for me the democratic party are only slightly less right wing than the other crowd, one's evil, and one's the second coming. It's stupid. Even people like Michael Moore have gone off him.

SamHarris · 22-03-2011 11:42PM

Mark200 wrote: »

Like be promised

Because Congress blocked it

He put unprecedented pressure on the Israelis.

There's a ridiculous amount of misinformation about Obama in this topic.

Congress didn't block it, no one anywhere wants the detainees. Congress blocked allowing them to be held / put on trial in the US, as if exonerated they would have no where to go but stay there.

Also, hardly unprecedented preasure on the Israeli's, both Clinton and Bush Snr went as far as to threaten explicity to cut of aid. After 9/11 the U.S publics perception of Palestinians took a nose dive (regarldess they had nothing to do with it, those videos of celebrations are still noted by congressmen) so in comparison to Bush Jnr, I guess you could say its "unprecedented".

We should welcome him because he is the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, a valuable trade partner with whom we have incredibly strong cultural, historical and ethnic ties. What, people don't want to welcome the representitive of the US because "they would'nt have voted for him"? Pfft.

Mark200 · 22-03-2011 11:46PM

Gnobe wrote: »

he's expanded the war

He campaigned on the idea that he'd put more resources into Afghanistan and end the combat in Iraq. He has done both of those things.

Gnobe wrote: »

Extended Bush tax cuts

He didn't want to, and didn't have a choice. He stated very clearly that he was left with the choice of extending the cuts for everyone to help the middle/lower class, or ending them for everyone and hurting the middle/lower class. He decided to go with the first choice instead of playing politics.

Gnobe wrote: »

extended the patriot act etc.

Fair enough, although he never implied that he'd do otherwise.

Gnobe wrote: »

Even people like Michael Moore have gone off him.

What do you mean "even people like Michael Moore"? Is he supposed to be the voice of reason? Because he's not.

SamHarris · 22-03-2011 11:47PM

Gnobe wrote: »

It's not misinformation it's the truth, he's expanded the war and won nobel peace prize for it (not that I'm blaming him for that though). Extended Bush tax cuts, extended the patriot act etc. I mean if you're like your right/centrist politics then ok I guess you may approve of his policies but for me the democratic party are only slightly less right wing than the other crowd, one's evil, and one's the second coming. It's stupid. Even people like Michael Moore have gone off him.

He won the peace prize a few weeks before extending the mission. He won it for "not being Bush" the thing is a joke, rarely if ever has it gone to the person/group who has best advanced "peace" it usually goes to whoever around the world is loudest about the policies the comitee "approve of". Pathetic.

Attempted to extend the patriot act, congress declined.

"Even people like Michael Moore" - really if you are trying to win people like Michael Moore's vote in the states, you wouldnt be elected to a local council, much less the presidency.

SharpshooterTom · 22-03-2011 11:48PM

SamHarris wrote: »

a valuable trade partner with whom we have incredibly strong cultural, historical and ethnic ties.

I wish we could have heard more this when Bush was in charge. (NOT than I am fan of Bush).

But we only tend to like America depending on what president they put in, your statement should always uttered regardless of who's in charge. I welcome all US presidents who comes here. But I didn't hear that type of language 4 years ago.

Mark200 · 22-03-2011 11:50PM

SamHarris wrote: »

Congress didn't block it, no one anywhere wants the detainees. Congress blocked allowing them to be held / put on trial in the US, as if exonerated they would have no where to go but stay there.

They blocked the process, which is the same thing.

SharpshooterTom · 22-03-2011 11:54PM

SamHarris wrote: »

"Even people like Michael Moore" - really if you are trying to win people like Michael Moore's vote in the states, you wouldnt be elected to a local council, much less the presidency.

More people in Ireland agree with Michael Moore than Barack Obama. Barack Obama and the democrats wouldn't even get elected in Ireland, or anywhere in europe.

SamHarris · 23-03-2011 12:13AM

Gnobe wrote: »

I wish we could have heard more this when Bush was in charge. (NOT than I am fan of Bush).

But we only tend to like America depending on what president they put in, your statement should always uttered regardless of who's in charge. I welcome all US presidents who comes here. But I didn't hear that type of language 4 years ago.

Anti-Americanism had hit an all time high at that period, more because the administration so clearly cared little to nothing about European/world opinion on it's policies - it was much more personal than people like to admit rather than just being about what a waste of life Iraq was.

Bush personified that "I don't even care" attitude, and became a nexus for that.
He was also a complete douche.

I did notice that even when people are out marching against US imperialism, it is usually teenagers in jeans and tshirts, excercising a right first articulated and exported from the States, probably organised using technology developed there.

Respect for a society and it's influence can be seen much more through actions than words.

KINGVictor · 23-03-2011 12:15AM

SamHarris wrote: »

Just a point - alot of US presidents have pulled themselves up from nothing, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Nixon were all lower middle class/ dirt poor. Jimmy Carter was hardly what you would call "privelleged" the Bush's and Kennedy's were much more the exception rather than the rule.

You are quite right but as you will have seen from my post, I said "most" presidents

Why Would Anyone Welcome Obama To Ireland?

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