Obama vs McCain on the world stage

[robin_anadrith]

I really hope this guy, Jonathan Freedland, is overly pessimistic and not, ya know, right, about Barack Obama's chances. But this editorial in the UK's Guardian addresses something that I hadn't really thought a lot about, although it was in the back of my mind - what the world's response to us might be depending on the outcome of the election.

Comments

[kizayaen]

I really resent the article's implication that there is no logical reason not to elect Obama. I don't like McCain as a candidate, but I don't like Obama any better.

For America to make a decision as grave as this one ... on the trivial basis that a hockey mom is likable and seems down to earth, would be to convey a lack of seriousness...

Awesome. So now if I have any misgivings about the author's preferred candidate, I'm lacking seriousness and casting my vote on a trivial basis.

Also, while I'm sure it wasn't intentional, the overall tone of the article was pretty damn threatening.

[robin_anadrith]

Yeah. I'm not posting it as a ringing endorsement of his views. It's just food for thought. FWIW, he's a non-american with an opinion about how non-americans might react to things.

I always like to see foreign journalists/editorialists views on things that are happening here, for the perspective.

[kizayaen]

It's a valid viewpoint, certainly, and I don't mean to suggest it's not. I just really don't like his dismissiveness or bias, or his "Americans must bow to the whims of EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD" tone. The American president is an issue for Americans to decide, not the rest of the world, regardless of their opinions on foreign policy.

[robin_anadrith]

Well, I can't argue with that.

I just think there ought to be a middle ground between the suggestion that we bow to the whims of the world, and the current administration's "Fuck you, rest of the world" attitude and policies.

I believe that McCain would represent a continuation of those policies.

However, it is up to the American people - which is kinda frightening considering how many people thought the news of Russia invading Georgia meant the Russkies done bombed Atlanta.

[thanoside]

So now we are supposed to let the World blackmail us into electing a president they approve of? "Elect Obama or else"? Also one other question I don't recall Bush or anyone else for the matter ever claiming Iraq had anything to do with 9-11. As I recall the claim was support of/State sponsorship of terrorism and talk of WMD's(no need to hash that subject out again :) ).

Any way there's my 1.5 cents worth...

[robin_anadrith]

Er, see above comment to kizayaen regarding this just being food for thought.

Over half of the reasons proclaimed from the hilltops for us going into Iraq were purported links to al-Queda and the 9/11 attacks.

However, Oceana has always been at war with Eurasia.

[yetanotherbob]

So now we are supposed to let the World blackmail us into electing a president they approve of?

Do you remember this guy? He was either a teenager or in college. He partied hard, did things in excess, and beat others up while boasting that "Nobody can tell ME what to do!"? He alienated all his friends and family, even after they tried to help him after a fight. We all saw it, everyone but him knew that he was setting himself up for an even bigger fall, but he refused to listen...

Yeah. I don't know why I mentioned him, either.

[admiralzeka]

I used to have a friend who always said one day the USA will have another revolution. I think if McCain gets elected and things keep going the way they have been my friend may end up being right.

[robin_anadrith]

Honestly, I doubt that.

We have our bread and circuses.