I think that, as always, President Bush spoke for the rest of the country when he summed up his own deep thoughts, and attitude towards assumption of the mantle so poignantly: "What an awesome night for you... Congratulations and go enjoy yourself." What more can one say, really?

One of the points that is completely lost in the media’s barrage about an “African American” president is the subtle nuance between the traditional African American leader (ie Martin Luther King Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton – all Baptist ministers) and Obama who followed the traditional (“professional”) path (Occidental College, Columbia University & Harvard Law School). I would posit that his background appeals to a wider audience including whites & certainly professional immigrants.

if sasha and malia get a puppy why won't he give us a pony?

also i agree with the part where you like that he was the child of an immigrant, it gives us all a bit of hope and shows the changing face of America.

One of the points that is completely lost in the media’s barrage about an “African American” president is the subtle nuance between the traditional African American leader (ie Martin Luther King Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton – all Baptist ministers) and Obama who followed the traditional (“professional”) path (Occidental College, Columbia University & Harvard Law School). I would posit that his background appeals to a wider audience including whites & certainly professional immigrants.

I have to agree with you there. I think the fact that he doesn't wear "being black" on his sleeve as has been necessary for so many of Black leaders in the past took the focus on his race away from him. His path in life and his ability to speak to everyone without needing to state that he was Black really melted the race issue away for a lot of people. He was simply the most qualified person. That he was black ended up being a moot issue (at least to me). And yet I realize the gravity of this happening in the history of my lifetime and acknowledge just how monumental it is.

Good luck to President Obama. He'll need it. In fact, he'll need a miracle, because it's like becoming the CEO of a company which is on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. The country's economy is HIV+, there are two wars and probably more on the way.

>>Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long

Translation: Please don't treat me the way we treated your President.

Don't worry. We'll treat you worse. There's something worse than anger (because anger is an emotion - it recognises your existence) - indifference.

M. Nam

"We'll treat you worse. There's something worse than anger (because anger is an emotion - it recognises your existence) - indifference"

Please, please be indifferent (and tell all your friends as well) so that Pres. Obama can put forth ALL of his policy initiatives without hassle.

Interesting thoughts Ennis. As inspiring as the American Dream is, I sometimes think that in its simplicity it prefers to paper over the fact that ALL of our stories, whether brown white or black, are a great deal more complicated than that. We need a 3-dimensional American Dream that is not embarrassed by the complex histories that have always been woven into this story.

And for some of "us" - if you have sour grapes, blame it on eight years of total foreign policy and economic failure. I laugh when I hear people talking about the great success of the surge in Iraq (success compared to what exactly???) or blame the subprime crisis on "government intervention" (outdated Milton Friedman tautologies cannot save us now).

Obama has a steep climb ahead but unlike a one-time presidential candidate who drove every business he ran into the ground or the recent VP-candidate who didn't even know that Africa is a continent, a certain level of obvious intelligence and capability augurs far better prospects this time around.

candidate preferred by 4 out of 5 economists get the most votes

Did the 5th economist met the same fate as the 5th trident dentist?

I also hope Obama's election puts an end to the myth of John McCain's decency. A career where honor is a crutch to fall back on whenever expediency fails to get him what he wants. From Keating Five to campaign reform, from straight talk and high road to hailing the confederate flag, from "agents of intolerance" to embracing Jerry Falwell, from talking about a decent campaign to unleashing Sarah Palin's incitement of lynch mobs, from all but calling Obama a treasonous Manchurian candidate ("lose an election than lose a war" - well congrats, you succeeded!, "country first", "who is the real barack obama?") to try and right that wrong, belatedly and ineffectually, as could be seen from all the booing and heckling in the mob that was standing there. The man is even worse than somebody with no sense of morality: honor is the fig leaf he uses to try and preserve some shred of imagined dignity when all else has failed.

now where will i find a white grandmother?

RE: "Translation: Please don't treat me the way we treated your President."

Should he behave in the manner that "your President" behaved, I will be the first to initiate the naming of a B.H.O. sewage plant. And, I second Jay's comment. Please, please... be indifferent. It's far too dangerous for all of us when you "care".

The Rahmbo appointment doesn't look that great for the perfect union, I've deferred da happiness a bit, till I hear who's who.

Also looking to see whether the NPT and the pro-Pak cockroaches are gonna come out of the woodwork and start crawling around India-related foreign policy.

Don't worry. We'll treat you worse. There's something worse than anger (because anger is an emotion - it recognises your existence) - indifference.

If you truly were (indifferent),your keyboard would not have had to suffer so much.Proclamation of your indifference is about as mature as a kid saying'"see I am not talikng to you.I am not.I really wont."

True indifference = No more MooronicNam = Change already = Yes we did.

Guys, c'mon. Let the point (indifference or not) go.

I am so happy that I lived to see this, something I never thought would happen, a person of color as the US president. I am old enough to remember segregation.

But I still have sinking feelings about the roles of race and class in the election. Would Barack have been considered "electable" if he had darker skin, if his black ancestry came from Southern slave plantations and not Kenya, if he were not raised principally by the white side of his family, if he hadn't gone to Harvard Law, if he talked more like working class black folk, et al? As someone from a multiracial family, living in a mostly working class black area, I can't help but wonder.

At any rate, he's in. And this can only be good for those of us with complex, multiracial +/or ethnic +/or national individual and family identities. Which means a lot of us in this country and this world, and counting.....

Marysia - if he were cut from the cloth that you describe ie "if his black ancestry came from Southern slave plantations and not Kenya.... if he talked more like working class black folk, et al? " then I strongly believe that he would not be electable. As I stated above, he would not have had the broad appeal.

if he talked more like working class black folk

Of COURSE he wouldn't win in that case...is that a serious question? Anyway your whole comment proves that some people can never be satisfied. Why not just savor this historical moment for now?

And of course you assume you will be president too! LOL! Get some deodorant, put those ridiculous gods in the trash can and stop eating that curry-smelling shit!

Obama may look/be black but having been raised by white folks, he grew up without that chip on his shoulder. He believes in his mantra, "Yes, we can" because he was never told he couldn't. His wife too was raised to believe she could compete as an equal. Most black people in this country don't have that advantage.

We browns, color-wise, aren't very different from blacks. Luckily, we don't have the handicap having to grow up under a heritage of slavery and victim-think.

Hopefully, this president will help African Americans get over their negative history and get on with it!

We browns, color-wise, aren't very different from blacks. Luckily, we don't have the handicap having to grow up under a heritage of slavery and victim-think.

Hopefully, this president will help African Americans get over their negative history and get on with it!

Our culture is different from both white and black American culture with regards family values.

Hopefully having a young HAPPILY married and FAITHFUL president with no previous wives or baby's mamas will inspire the rest of this nation's men to follow suit. One Love. One Marriage. One family.

A cartogram

To add to the cartogram, I am now looking forward to 2012, Obama Vs. Jindal.

The white cookie would really crumble then.

We need a 3-dimensional American Dream that is not embarrassed by the complex histories that have always been woven into this story.

most people are stupid, you expect them to grok complexity?

btw, for all of obama being "black" it is notable that he obviously looks more like his mother and maternal grandfather than he looks like his father. the first jewish major of new york was an episcopalian(fiorella la gaurdia's mother was jewish), the first jew to run for president was an episcopalian (barry goldwater), and the first black president has no ancestors who were slaves in the new world and did not grow up in the lower 48.

Towards the end of his campaign and in his victory speech Obama made it a point to mention gays every time he described American diversity. I hope that he, once and for all, puts an end to the madnees that is Prop 8. Something tells me he can do it.

I hope that he, once and for all, puts an end to the madnees that is Prop 8.

the irony is that the messiah official opposes gay marriage (though he opposed prop 8 too).

24 · Neale said

Towards the end of his campaign and in his victory speech Obama made it a point to mention gays every time he described American diversity. I hope that he, once and for all, puts an end to the madnees that is Prop 8. Something tells me he can do it.

I wouldn't be so hopeful. Obama has a long track record of opposing gay marriage (citing his religious conviction), even with wealthy gay friends in his social circle in Chicago. Of course, it is possible that this is Obama making sure that his political path was always clear by never having anything incendiary on his record, but given everything on his plate, I'd doubt that he would initiate any movement on this issue (even if he was truly pro-gay marriage) unless he was in his second term and didn't have to win a national election again.

Talking of Americans with or without hyphens, I have been wondering why white Americans arent called European-Americans

Towards the end of his campaign and in his victory speech Obama made it a point to mention gays every time he described American diversity. I hope that he, once and for all, puts an end to the madnees that is Prop 8. Something tells me he can do it.

neale - i do not believe so, at least not in the next four years. even if he wanted to it wouldnt be politically expedient. california is as liberal as it can get. if this has no chance of passing there, not very likely that this issue will get much traction, especially with so much else on the plate. my personal opinions aside, i keep an ear to the ground and this video reflects popular opinion - that gay rights should be protected, but this protection does not imply a recognition of gay marriage.

19 · pj said

Obama may look/be black but having been raised by white folks, he grew up without that chip on his shoulder. He believes in his mantra, "Yes, we can" because he was never told he couldn't. His wife too was raised to believe she could compete as an equal. Most black people in this country don't have that advantage.

We browns, color-wise, aren't very different from blacks. Luckily, we don't have the handicap having to grow up under a heritage of slavery and victim-think.

Hopefully, this president will help African Americans get over their negative history and get on with it!

What makes African-American history negative? African Americans didn't make it negative; their oppressors (and their descendants) made it negative, as a result of disrespecting African-American culture, history and people...which was socially, legally and religiously justified.

27 · Samita said

Talking of Americans with or without hyphens, I have been wondering why white Americans arent called European-Americans

irish-american, italian-americans? i guess the only question is why aren't there any british-americans? i guess the pilgrims were too pissed at the english.

27 · Samita said

Talking of Americans with or without hyphens, I have been wondering why white Americans arent called European-Americans

Unless you're a Klansman, European/white Americans don't call other European/White Americans "European- or White Americans." They're the majority, so they're just called Americans.

Same thing with black Jamaicans don't call other black Jamaicans "Black Jamaicans." They're just Jamaicans.

huey has some of it, but also, calling someone a "european american" is like calling someone "south asian" in casual conversation. you know, like "hey, anil is finally dating a south asian chick!" you would say "brown" or "desi" or "indian" or "bengali" or whatever. south asian is a clinical term utilized in particular "spaces" (as sepia mutiny meet-ups people generally use the word "indian" as a catchall). so is "european american" or "caucasian."

for most of american history english, or broadly anglo-saxon, ancestry was normative. that's why the amish call the non-amish "the english." notice that the area of the nation where the plural majority identifies their ancestry as "american" maps very closely with regions where scots-irish are dominant. basically, a large subset of people of british isles ancestry go so far back they don't have any affinity with their over-the-water origins.

Razib, the map of people saying they are of "American" ancestry is used by 538 for their predictive models. From their FAQ:

8. Percentage of Residents who Identify themselves as "American". Recently, the Census Bureau has begin to ask for an ethnic classification in addition to a racial one (e.g. "Cuban", "Lithuanian"). However, about seven percent of Americans decline to check any of the boxes that the Census Bureau provides, and instead write in that they are simply "American". As you can see, this practice tends to be highly concentrated in certain parts of the country, especially the Appalachian/Highlands region:

To be perfectly blunt, this variable seems to serve as a pretty good proxy for folks that a lot of us elitists would usually describe as "rednecks". And for whatever reason, these "American" voters do not like Barack Obama. That is why he's getting killed in the polls in Kentucky and West Virginia, for instance, where there are high concentrations of them.

Any causative models for this re the Scots-Irish map? Or is it just a correlation or coincidence?

29 · Huey said

What makes African-American history negative? African Americans didn't make it negative; their oppressors (and their descendants) made it negative, as a result of disrespecting African-American culture, history and people...which was socially, legally and religiously justified.

I don't mean that African American history is negative but that the effect is negative if it is allowed to hinder progress. Some level of history of the old empires and kingdoms in Africa should be woven into American history and taught in all schools... and by the way, it is even vaguely possible that some far wandering ancestor of Obama's was a slave though unlikely, since Kenya is far from the coast.

Most frequently, they ridiculed....

This I have seen is very common in workplaces. The problem is that sometimes ridicule and genuine humor is indistinguishable and this creates complications.

23 · razib said did not grow up in the lower 48.


"lower 48"? He did start college in CA & NYC, then he built up his career in Illinois. I don't think high school has a very big impact on anyone, people don't grow up till the end of college anyways. And I betcha, you did not want him to grow up in Wasilla, Alaska!

"I’m very tickled to think about the fact that the President of the United States will be a son of an immigrant, a man with a funny name. "

His last name is not Wilson/Bush/Roosevelt/Adams or Jefferson etc, but among first names this only ranks as "ordinary" as Ulysses, Woodrow, Millard, Rutherford, Cleveland. But you bet now it will become a common name among kids born in the next 792 days.

Rahul, kHoofia - what i am hoping, re. BHO and gay rights, is that his approach of change (albeit up a steep hill) will slowly help chip away the hate and the disrespect in some organic way. Until the rights for gay to marry is a no brainer. In fact, this is the only way. Trying to be upfront and pass laws and suchlike will only infruriate the haters. For example, the protests going on in L.A. against Prop 8 passing, i would never have imagined taking place if Obama had not been elected. Even though its a protest, I consider it part of a process. BHO's election has woken up the population. People who had not looked under the hood of social issues (but probably voted Yes on 8)are now seeing the struggle on TV. The fallout of the collision between religion and sexuality is beamed into our living rooms. It has to have some effect. Most religious poeple are not fundamental in their beliefs, so , they may ask themselves, why are they voting for something that has roots in fundamentalism?

BHO could appoint a social czar so that such issues are not measured against his personal religious beliefs. And I do believe any of his anti-agy voting record was truly for the sake of politics. I cannot believe such an urbane person truly believes in anything but equality.

A lot of this is hope - that is why I voted for BHO. Oh! and that seeing him incessantly on TV, all trim and bouncy, will get me to the gym more often.

IMO, John McCain got thrown to the wolves by the Republic party so that they would have a fighting chance in 2012 (had Palin foisted on him etc). Would have wanted someone with more experience to lead the country at this time but since Obama is now my president, I hope he has the foresight and courage to appoint people who are controversial but effective. One party controlled government is never good, no matter which party. I wish him the best, for all our sakes.

Bt at the end of the day, folks, he's still just a politician to me, not a statesman (for now anyway, maybe he will prove me wrong)

IMO, John McCain got thrown to the wolves by the Republic party so that they would have a fighting chance in 2012 (had Palin foisted on him etc)

It was my understanding that Palin was McCain's choice. He had wanted Lieberman, but couldn't get support for that, and the party had wanted Romney, and he refused.

So really, Palin's choice reflects upon McCain and reveals a lot about him.

McCain never would have picked a Palin type had he won the 2000 nomination. After he lost to Dubya he basically said if "If being unschooled is a virtue..." and you know the rest. He really thought Palin was a twofer bringing him disaffected HRC voters (did not happen) and evangelicals (did happen). The intellectual end of the GOP is going to have to find a new home

that is why I voted for BHO.

40 · Ennis said

IMO, John McCain got thrown to the wolves by the Republic party so that they would have a fighting chance in 2012 (had Palin foisted on him etc)

It was my understanding that Palin was McCain's choice. He had wanted Lieberman, but couldn't get support for that, and the party had wanted Romney, and he refused.

So really, Palin's choice reflects upon McCain and reveals a lot about him.

The party may have wanted Romney but I believe it was more a political tactic. The GOP wanted Romney to have the "Ran in 2008" on his CV to prime him for 2012. McCain definitely wanted Lieberman (who is Dead Man Walking in the Senate now, btw) but the strategists within the GOP thought they could capitalize on the HRC vote with Palin on the ticket. But you would have to admit that the Palin selection seemed really rushed and haphazardly put together; not an intelligent move with so much hanging in the balance, which they were aware of. As for Palin, in 2012? Get real. So they could afford to sacrifice her too. The GOP was never really completely comfortable with McCain as he broke with party lines. So, having him take the hit for 2008 to get ready for 2012 was not too much of a loss, I believe.

Over the next 4 years, it will be really interesting to see which Republicans rise to the top. Jindal, Pawlenty, Romney and Cantor look like the next generation. Palin is done for a while. Jindal+Romney for 2012!!!!

Again, my impression was that Palin's pick came from the McCain camp not the GOP, and that it was a hail mary on his part. Remember, she was selected shortly before, there was no time to vet her. If the party had been pushing her, presumably they would have known a bit more about her.

Details on how she was picked.

appointment of various czars, directors, comptrollers in charge of sub-ministries across the board to carry through these measures, or a prioritization of effort in direction of that which is essential.

How did Proposition 8 become law? The Mormon Church.

The Mormons were the ones who started this and they don't even live in California. Shame on them for their hateful narrow-mindedness, especially given they were prosecuted in America themselves. In time, the Mormon Church went on to become the most unambiguously vile organizations operating in America today.

They have abused their tax exemption rights. Click on the link to learn more, and to sign the petition to demand these rights be taken away from them.

http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/

My understanding is the Prime Minister of Africa pushed for Palin. They would often waive to each other from their doorstep and Palin was going to include his nation in NAFTA, since they already have a huge Neiman Marcus store within their most patrioitc region, south Africa.

And of course you assume you will be president too! LOL! Get some deodorant, put those ridiculous gods in the trash can and stop eating that curry-smelling shit!

It's comin'.

i vanted to point that out because the people i know who voted republican in this election felt that bo's appointment is an invitation to big govt

Given that government and spending have ballooned under the Republicans, I wonder why they cling so fiercely to that belief.

I mean, look at how much more steeply spending grew in the last 8 years than the 8 years prior. Spending grows no less during Republican Presidencies and often grows more.

Given that government and spending have ballooned under the Republicans, I wonder why they cling so fiercely to that belief.

mind you, when I say 'people' - this is a handful of acquaintances. hardly a representative sample - but still people i hang with and consider in good regard.

But the graph covers far more. The line is never flatter during Republican years, even during Reagan. Given that the Democrats presided over far greater economic growth, and the GOP grew the state no less than the Dems, the GOP has led to larger deficits. The facts don't support the myth, promulgated by the GOP, that they are the party of fiscal conservatism and small government.

btw - am I the only one hoping that grandma moves into the White House for the first extended family? That would also feel very desi.

What Obama victory may mean for our ancestral home:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24608689-25837,00.html

That turmoil, he argues, cannot be resolved without Pakistani co-operation -- and Pakistani co-operation cannot be assured unless Islamabad is "cured" of its insecurity and preoccupation with India and fears of being attacked from its eastern flank.

In an interview this week, Senator Obama said: "If Pakistan can look to the east (India) with greater confidence, it will be less likely to believe its interests are best advanced through co-operation with the Taliban."

We may get more than what we bargained for.

well. i cant speak for the u.s. but fiscal conservatism isnt really bound by ideology . the canadian deficit slayer is from the Liberal party, but he is a shipping magnate and understood the value of balancing the books. a very popular premier from the west coast is Gordon Campbell who was once assaulted by teachers at an airport for cutting off the pork, also from the liberal party.

i initially took this angle because Neale's comment in #38 callign for a social Czar was indicative of more such requests in the future, and something i'd heard as being cited as reason to not vote for BO by some pragmatists. i hope BO can control bloat. even so his first day in office will be worth more than the rest of his tenure regardless of everything he achieves as president.

To add to the cartogram, I am now looking forward to 2012, Obama Vs. Jindal.

The white cookie would really crumble then.

The white cookie won't crumble until white people embrace miscegination to the same extent as we desis oppose it. ;)

From the TIMES OF INDIA online; Obama's Past Life.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Barack_a_reborn_Lincoln_aide/articleshow/3687373.cms

But I think, for the first time, we’ve been truly seen and recognized.

Yup, including Desis supposedly with Sangh ties. Sonal Shah, member of his transition team:

US President-elect Barack Obama may have cultivated a left-of-center image for himself, but Sonal Shah, the Indian-American advisor in his transition team, has well established rightwing leanings.

The 40-year-old economist has been associated with the overseas activities of the Sangh Parivar. She was a national coordinator of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America campaign to raise funds for Gujarat earthquake victims in 2001.

Her father Ramesh Shah, a vice-president of the Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), had campaigned for LK Advani in Gandhinagar during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He had also briefly traveled with Advani during his Bharat Udaya Yatra, countrywide election tour.

P.S. Prior to Obama, South Asian Americans weren't truly seen and recognized? What about Bobby Jindal?

The New Yorker article umder desi linked to in #45 shows how Palin was 'picked' - most arbitarily. That the likes of Bill Kristol pushed hard for Palin makes it sweeter. Would have liked to see the smug sob's face. Fox News seems a bit lost, beating up on Nader for his remarks. I'm not an American and I don't believe in the hype about Obama, but the neocons have been kicked out, if only for a little while, and that can only be good.

Let's see, what Obama's victory means to me....it means more than I can tell you. It means that the spirit which drove desegregation, got rid of miscegenation laws and brought the Supreme Court to say that separate is NOT equal is alive and well despite all efforts to corrupt, deter or dissuade it. It means that a relatively large part of the country saw past the corrosive divisiveness of McCain's campaign to at least consider an "us" which rises above the flattening Whiteness of the 50's. It means that the collective nastiness directed at a portion of my family will be (publicly) curtailed and that my nieces and nephews and the children of my friends are truly the future of America. It means that as the child of immigrants, I can finally say I believe in this country and actually hope that this president will get FISA off my back and those of my friends and colleagues. It means to me that all the inter-community, cross-cultural work my friends and I engage in, not because it's hip or the 15 second flavor, but because that is WHO and WHAT we are, has value. It means that I can (perhaps) stop fighting my government and work with my country. It means that the core values I have tried to teach my ESL students, and which have been abased at every turn by this administration, have been vindicated.

I never thought I would live to see this day.

A friend heard something like this on NPR the day after the election:

Roda Parks sat
So that Martin Luther King could walk.
King walked
So that Barak Obama could run.
Obama ran
So that our children could fly.

I hope this lasts forever. Even if it doesn't and something, god forbid, should happen, at least we know it is possible because this has happened and we have forever turned a corner.

What has Obama got to do with Indans? It's a well known fact that Indians hate blacks and call them names and won't have black cheerleaders perfrm even in India, and now all of a sudden just because Obama is the president, you all consider yourselves blacks?? Talk of kissing winners' a****!!

Even if it doesn't and something, god forbid, should happen, at least we know it is possible because this has happened and we have forever turned a corner.

that was a beautiful post ennis...new zealand just voted a right-wing government in after 9 years of progressive politics and a woman prime minister...v sad night :(

i know this is a terrible thing to post, but i'm wondering how many people have that 'god forbid, something should happen' fear about obama...every time i saw a big crowd at a rally or something i just thought how easy it would be for some dumbass to try and harm obama and/or his family. hope it never ever happens...but just wondering if i'm the only paranoid soul who has this thought when they see him live in front of big masses of people! maybe i've seen too much chappelle's show...i think obama is fantastic for the us and the whole world, and i hope that we haven't just turned a corner but keep walking down the path with obama, it shouldn't be a brief moment in history that we celebrate but a long, successful, much-needed presidency.

It means hopes, however slight, that things might get better, colored with a heavy dose of pessimism:

WASHINGTON—After emerging victorious from one of the most pivotal elections in history, president-elect Barack Obama will assume the role of commander in chief on Jan. 20, shattering a racial barrier the United States is, at long last, shitty enough to overcome.

Although polls going into the final weeks of October showed Sen. Obama in the lead, it remained unclear whether the failing economy, dilapidated housing market, crumbling national infrastructure, health care crisis, energy crisis, and five-year-long disastrous war in Iraq had made the nation crappy enough to rise above 300 years of racial prejudice and make lasting change.

...

Satire...it kicks ass when it's honest.

What has Obama got to do with Indans? It's a well known fact that Indians hate blacks and call them names and won't have black cheerleaders perfrm even in India, and now all of a sudden just because Obama is the president, you all consider yourselves blacks??

Obama's black? Nobody told me! And I'm Indian? Why didn't I get the memo! Somebody, quick, give me my war paint and feathers. Me scalpum paleface for heap big wampum!

Rightly said, jeez!! These people have no self esteem. Now they are saying Obama is like them cos he's the son of immigrants!! Obama's dad met him only for one week of his entire life, so he has no experience of immigrants' lives. Obama's entire life in the US hasn't been that of an immigrant's.

But you know what Indians are good at, so this is no surpise. They will always try to claim winners as their next of kin. And Obama is not even pro-India!!

What has Obama got to do with Indans? It's a well known fact that Indians hate blacks

What has Obama got to do with blacks? Last I heard, he is an arab radical kenyan communist indonesian socialst marxist muslim. Desis dig them.

If you think Obama is not black, you must be blind. Are you trying to claim his as Asian?? lol.... Ask Obama himself, he describes himself as African American...so did you vote for him just becuase you think he's not black? I supported Obama just because of his anti India attitude. Hope your India inc goes down the drain...but that's not far considering that many countries are outsourcing less to India...

67 · obama is not black said

What has Obama got to do with Indans? It's a well known fact that Indians hate blacks

What has Obama got to do with blacks? Last I heard, he is an arab radical kenyan communist indonesian socialst marxist muslim. Desis dig them.

Don't forget that he is also the socialist illegitimate son of Malcolm X. :) What's not to love?

67 · obama is not black said

What has Obama got to do with Indans? It's a well known fact that Indians hate blacks

What has Obama got to do with blacks? Last I heard, he is an arab radical kenyan communist indonesian socialst marxist muslim. Desis dig them.

Don't forget that he is also the illegitimate son of Malcolm X. What's not to love? :)

I was reminded of the exchange earlier by this article in today's paper.
Kerchner captures my concern on the fervor around BO's election. There are just so many people clamoring for a piece, the administration has to choose between disappointment and disaster.

“From JFK, through LBJ, through Nixon and Carter we had populism,” Mr. Kerschner said. “The record of the modern populists was a market that was very volatile, didn't really go anywhere and if you adjust for inflation, fell substantially.” In fact, on that basis, the Dow fell 47 per cent. “Bigger government tends to be inefficient and you tend to get deficits, and those two things create inflation,” he says. “I'm not so worried about the market zigging and zagging. I'm more concerned about the real value of stocks.” Mr. Obama's agenda, from broader health care to re-regulation, has echoes of his populist forebears.

In the past, populist Presidents had populist advisors and looked only at populist economic choices. Not true with this President elect. Both this current slate of economic elders and his original campaign advisors don't fit that bill.

More importantly, that newspaper was wrong. Reagan grew government at the same rate as the populists they list. As a matter of fact, almost every President grew the government at a similar rate EXCEPT for Bush 43 who grew it faster.

It's like the perception that democrats are bad for the stock market or bad for the economy, which isn't true. They're actually better.

72 · Ennis said

In the past, populist Presidents had populist advisors and looked only at populist economic choices. Not true with this President elect. Both this current slate of economic elders and his original campaign advisors don't fit that bill.

More importantly, that newspaper was wrong. Reagan grew government at the same rate as the populists they list. As a matter of fact, almost every President grew the government at a similar rate EXCEPT for Bush 43 who grew it faster.

It's like the perception that democrats are bad for the stock market or bad for the economy, which isn't true. They're actually better.

I disagree. Pres Obama has a quite a few individuals who are ex-Clinton era staffers and will likely be slotted into key positions. While there are a few surprises (glad that Volcker is on his advisory team), overall its the same policies being rehashed, tweaked a tad and being reintroduced by the Democrats. And as for the Democrats being good for the markets and bad for the economy, the subprime mess started during Clinton's era as he wanted housing rules relaxed and the tech bubble also had its beginnings then.

If you think Obama is not black, you must be blind. Are you trying to claim his as Asian?? lol.... Ask Obama himself, he describes himself as African American...so did you vote for him just becuase you think he's not black? I supported Obama just because of his anti India attitude. Hope your India inc goes down the drain...but that's not far considering that many countries are outsourcing less to India...

So what you got against India?

Obama Mama,
I just don't like them.

You don't like people in India or you don't like people from India who are presently living in America (assuming you are from the USA, here)?

My guess, by the way you write, is that you are desi yourself, but you don't like other desis.

-- thought it shouldnt be needed let me explicitly state that i have the greatest admiration for BO and wish him and your country the best through his tenure. i observe so i can learn and voice a concern because (with all humility) i feel that there are so many people who have projected their expectations on him they must be let down now and urgently so in order to prevent resentment later --

In the past, populist Presidents had populist advisors and looked only at populist economic choices. Not true with this President elect. Both this current slate of economic elders and his original campaign advisors don't fit that bill.

i hope so. but in my opinion this president was elected for his unmatched ability to bridge the racial gap. it's right to ask about his management style and how he will handle his handlers. he demonstrates the right curiosity and leadership, but there's no training for crisis except for crisis itself. let's see. all the best.

new zealand just voted a right-wing government in after 9 years of progressive politics and a woman prime minister...v sad night :(

new zealand just voted a right-wing government in after 9 years of progressive politics and a woman prime minister...v sad night :(

why sad? One of the best things that happened across the Tasman. NZ is so "nannified" that a new word is required to describe it. Time to roll back and ship some of the Kiwis back home.

OK you two down under, clue the rest of us in......

New Zealand voted in a new government headed by a former forex trader. The party is officially right wing but in a New Zealand context right wing would be the far left in the USA. Many kiwis leave NZ for Australia due to better economic opportunities - nearly 10% of Kiwis live in Australia. NZ is a scandinavian style society without the economy and with a soft neighbour up north.
Bloody foreigner They come here and take our jobs and claim our medicare and FHOG and the Baby bonus :(. What is worse that their favourite meal is still fush and chups.

Only activity that provides one with greater delight than kiwi bashing is pom bashing ;)

Obama mama,
you're absolutely right in your assumption of where I'm from orginally. What I meant by my earlier post is I dislike both the country and its people.

including the ones who are in the US or other countries.

lol, why are you here then?

Tiger lily, am here just to say I don't like them.

Socialism is alive and well