World Politics 101

Fundamentals of Politics

2012-01-12T23:44:00.001+01:00

If everyone watched this video, and understood the meaning intended with this song by Depeche Mode, the world would definitely be a better world to live in.

Don't you agree?

Have a nice weekend everyone. :-)

Follow Up On Situation in Russia

2011-12-29T23:12:00.003+01:00

Since I asked the question "Is the Era of Glasnost over?" just over a year ago, much has happened. Not in the form of any comments to my blog post, unfortunately.

First of all, the European Court of Human Rights did not find it proven that the verdict was solely politically motivated - see May 31^st 2011 verdict reported on Wikipedia.

Secondly, the whole issue is one involving much more than could be easily digested in television news reporting for 2 minute of tv aurtime. He will probably be writing a book, if he isn't already writing it while imprisoned.

We must realize that in the world of politics there is often more to any case than what is seen on the surface. I am currently reading a book on all the beautiful reforms that have been made in Russia under Putin, and it does seem a bit far-fetched to use old preconceptions as a standard of political verdicts. Something the European Court of Human Rights also emphasised...

Happy New Year everyone. :-)

The Burial of Vaclac Havel

2011-12-24T01:50:00.002+01:00

Vaclac Havel was an icon in Czech politics. He did his outmost to revolutionize the country from numerous decades under communist Russia, and his impact on politics was clearly seen in the eyes of the Czech people when they were outside the church as the ceremony was conducted in connection with his burial.

RIP Vaclac Havel.

Hollow Promises From Obama

2011-11-29T08:01:00.000+01:00

When President Obama promises to help Europeans remain reliable it does sound rather hollow, especially given the downrating of US economy in general. Everyone understands we are in a recession, but it was induced by financiers who were a bit too soft in their turning down mortgages to people who couldn't actually afford to get their loans in the first place. The so-called subprime lending scandals.

Similarly, the European Union introduced NUMEROUS countries into the Euro system that were obviously less than worthy to be introduced to the system. They didn't comply with the financial requirements to begin with, so how could it ever be a mystery that they can't fulfill the Euro goals today?

It seems like the blind leading the blind. The perspectives are FUNDAMENTALLY erroneous, yet noone dares to challenge the status quo. So the comedy continues...

But then, again, it would require firsthand knowledge of both European geography and history to see through the many asides made by European politicians from the ACTUAL problems involved to get the full perspective. :-)

American Presidential Candidates

2011-11-18T02:08:00.001+01:00

As regular readers know I am greatly disappointed that Sarah Palin won't run for the office of President as a candidate for the Republicans. I was even more disappointed when I saw a candidate who couldn't answer directly about the situation in Libya. His name is Herman Cain, and you can read about his stuttering reply here: http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2011/11/14/herman-cain-double-clutches-answers-question-about-president-handling-libya/TvyZC74u7449dNcBBOsl9H/story.html.

Truly shocking!

How can ANYONE even think about running for the office of President without even the smallest knowledge of the world around us?

How can ANYONE even dream of thinking this is just a game?

It is often said we have the politicians we deserve, and that seems very true. If anyone votes for such an ignorant person then truly there is a democratic problem. Our world needs strong and wise leaders who can GUIDE us in a positive direction, but it requires, at minimum, a clear understanding of what is involved.

Have a nice weekend everyone. :-)

Libya Disappoints

2011-11-02T17:13:00.003+01:00

In a time of transit between dictatorship and freedom, it has already been announced that Libya wants to base their government upon Sharia. Sharia means the muslim type of legislation, and is a far cry from the possibilities offered by democracy. Combining the two is something that hasn't succeeded when we combine modern government studies with a knowledge of history.

If anyone can prove me wrong, you are welcome to comment. :-)

The people of Libya should have a right to choose what type of government they want. But when faced with 42 years under the dictatorship of Gaddafi it is highly doubtful how they should even know what they actually want.

Apparently, there are so many factions that now it becomes a tribal rule - and already a powerful and mighty ruler is willing to place himself at the head of such a rule.

Gone are any ideas of equality, education etc. What could have become an ideal oasis for tourists that could challenge even Greece with luxury hotels is becoming a difficult spot where politics and religion is once again combined. What a shame...

Sarah Palin Won't Run for President

2011-10-06T19:10:00.001+02:00

What a shame to hear the news that Sarah Palin won't run for president in the 2012 elections. She is a strong lady, and would certainly fit as the first female president of the United States. I fully understand her decision, and claiming her family as the primary reason, only underlines the point I am trying to make.

Politics need more women, and Sarah Palin IS a person whom we all admire and like. She says exactly what she thinks. Even though some have criticized her for her alliance with the Tea Party organization, she is the strong hand needed to reestablish the finances of the United States.

It is a sad day for politics, and the old boy network will enjoy the chance to run for candidacy now that she isn't running. I hope she changes her mind and runs in 2016. She is the woman America needs in the White House.

Danish Government Forbids Muslim Dinner in Parliament

2011-08-13T17:07:00.002+02:00

The most shocking news released today indicates that the Danish government has cancelled a dinner with muslims. Xenofobia full speed, and I am ashamed that our Prime Minister is such a sissy. A wimp who has for far too long tolerated the Danish People's Party (which has only very little real backing, but purely a populist coincidence with xenofobia as primary drive).

Integrating people together involves a smile. That is the first step of a friendship. Hosting a dinner could work miracles in creating RESPECT and FRIENDSHIP between people, and that is apparently unwanted in Denmark, as long as the Danish People's Party is the deciding factor for Lars Løkke Rasmussen to remain in power.

I have NEVER before felt so ashamed that our public building should be such an exclusivist club that a small party can stop an interpersonal meeting just because some people apparently have so little sense as to realize the stupidity in all of this.

I refrain from saying more on this issue...

The SP Downgrade of US Credit Rating

2011-08-07T00:44:00.003+02:00

First of all, the S&P downgrade of US credit rating is only from AAA to AA+ - still a good credit rating, and one that is way above that of many other nations. But the S&P credit rating SHOULD awaken politicians to some very important truths.

The US government is taking in TOO LITTLE in tax income. It is only fair that people (and companies) who earn money PAY the bill. Everyone wants to enjoy the blessings of public service, and consequently paying the bill SHOULD be at the forefront of all governors, senators as well as governmental bodies.

When some states (e.g. Delaware) offer VERY LOW taxes, those taxes are used for speculative purposes. Establishing offshore companies where European companies create holding companies with hometown in a low percentage state is pure speculation. Not a single job is created by such speculation, and therefore there seems to be little reason to offer these bargain taxes. If there is ANY reason whatsoever, please add your comment. I would gladly hear from those who could explain the reason for wanting such holding companies to center their businesses without any job gains as far as I can see... :-)

One important element is that companies SHOULD pay taxes in the country where the money is earned. Equally applicable for all company sizes - small and big.

Likewise, it seems clear for all that you can't save money as a way to gain positive results. You need to get a proper state income for a nation to finance its way through the economic challenges ahead. It may not be popular to raise taxes, but given the fact that some high salary earners run speculative scams also, there might be a good reason to review tax laws - and this principle applies to many countries.

If I may include a principle from the world of religion, I will claim that the Ten Commandments are simple to remember - yet applicable to virtually all aspects of living. Why couldn't tax laws be just as simple?

It would bring in lots of tax money once the principle is understood, and that should be possible for Democrats and Republicans alike...

War on Terrorism - The Backside of the Coin

2011-07-04T04:01:00.000+02:00

War on terrorism is an absolute necessity, but there is also a backside of the coin. Notice how many countries are either silent or adamantly opposed to ruling out terrorism from both their own ranks and countries close to themselves.

If everyone agreed terrorism was wrong, there would be no opposition.

But there is opposition, and the question that needs to be answered is: "Is the war on terrorism turning out to be a curse disguised as a blessing?"

We all like freedom. Freedom to express ourselves, freedom to gather in political associations - but we do so respectfully, even towards opponents...

Why can't some countries come to terms with the ideals of democracy and start abiding by the centuries old concepts of separation between democratic institutions. Once lawmakers also become judges and rulers in the sense of threading on their populations, much is lost.

That is, perhaps, the backside of the coin. We are fighting a good fight, but some play with a hidden deck of cards - and a totally opposite agenda... Why are so many silent towards this?

That is the best question ever, I should think.

Gaddafi - Stronger Than Many Anticipated

2011-07-02T16:02:00.003+02:00

Gaddafi, dictator for decades in Libya, was indeed stronger than many anticipated. When we entered the crisis from a NATO and UN perspective it was thought he would be defeated within only a few weeks.

Something very different has happened - and world leaders are hopelessly silent about what is actually taking place.

While Gaddafi uses a lot of talk about his version of pride, the world is wondering: "Why don't we just take that FINAL military decision?"

How can such a dictator survive armed forces from so many nations for such a long time? What is holding us back from finally taking out his entire armed forces? The crisis about to ensue in the Middle East is going to be VERY dramatic if this farce is allowed to continue.

I personally find it laughable when a wimp such as Gaddafi hides behind his minions and begins threatening of bombing Europe. But I find it even more strange that our world alliance lacks the balls to actually move ahead and finally get that final blow that will show we mean business.

Dictators are just as much terrorists as was Osama Bin Laden, and if we want a safe place for our kids and grandkids it might be the right time to STOP the aggression of religious nonsense. If there is such a big animosity between people, then let's get that final thing over and done with.

None of us want that, but there is a time to count the cost, and wimping out from threats is considered cowardice by people with so different an ideology as Gaddafi.

So I would suggest military and political leaders get their perspectives right, and begin finalizing what they started before everything gets out of hand because of half-willed people who fail to finish what was begun.

When a War Is Won

2011-05-21T02:43:00.002+02:00

When a war is won you can't go back to pre-war lines of geometry. That lies at the core of war. When Israel was attacked in 1967 it defended itself against very dangerous and ill-willed people that wanted to throw them all totally out of the Middle East.

Obama has started a noble negotiation with both parties in the current crisis, but he does it from a failed perspective. Look around the Middle East, and take a long and hard look at the anatomy of the countries surrounding Israel. Many of these countries are highly aggressive against the Jewish state established in 1948.

I am saddened to see the many people who can't take an honest state against the anti-semitism shown towards Israel - and I must say it is highly positive to see that Sarah Palin is friendly towards Israel, a truly rare trait amidst political correctness where people deny their spiritual heritage.

Sorry, dear readers, but the current talks may be necessary to negotiate a treaty to halt the crisis, but it must be done from a correct historical perspective instead of continuing the debate from a purely naive view of the world. We see aggression all over the territory, and it requires a more complete analysis to create a lasting peace.

As I have said long ago we may need a situation similar to Cyprus. A line that is set, and then a clear understanding that aggression MUST be stopped. If that was said to both parties, the crisis would be over. But when one party continues to send rockets "over the fence" [pardon the pun... ;-)] it is no wonder that the other fights back.

Israel needs to be recognized instead of overlooked as it has been for far too long down through history. The chosen nation has a historic role to play, and that should be accepted - whether politically correct or not in the opinion of some...

Sarah Palin Running for Office in 2012?

2011-05-17T19:41:00.002+02:00

I am wondering, as many others, whether Sarah Palin will be running for the Presidency in 2012. Regardless of your political stand you must admit that she deserves praise for stating her opinions in clear words.

She delivers on her promises and is highly praised in Alaska. She definitely looks better than Obama with his fluffy promises that he couldn't keep - and ultimately news that Donald Trump wouldn't be running for office has certainly helped her chances of becoming the Republican candidate for the presidency in 2012.

What are your thoughts on the coming elections?

An Unarmed Osama - No Excuse!

2011-05-04T08:33:00.003+02:00

The rumor that Osama was unarmed when he was killed by Navy Seals is no surprise. Apparently, Osama had numerous people on his payroll who protected him to such an extent that he was able to live in Pakistan under anonymous "protection"... Yet, he felt unsure about his own people, because he surrounded himself with bodyguards who WERE armed when the attack was made.

Let's recap the situation. Osama bin Laden was a terrorist. He killed thousands of people as the leader of al Quaeda, and why should it be any excuse that he lived luxuriously and left protection to others?

You could even ask the, somewhat fair, question: Was Obama such a person that he couldn't handle weapons himself, but had to rely on the power of the tongue to instigate others to do the killings for him?

Was Obama, in reality, a coward?

He hid for a decade - and was well aware that a reward on him of 100,000,000$ dead or alive was made long ago.

The idea that he could somehow be a martyr is strange indeed - but no surprise to those of us who are more convinced than ever before that the mixture of politics and religion is a deadly cocktail. Such a blend kills any normal thinking when idolized people begin shooting east and west as Osama instigated. His terrorist network has been guilty of terrorist attacks in numerous locations, and stopping him is no doubt only the first step. Anyone who steps in as a new leader in that terrorist network can expect to end their days in exactly the same way, and rightly so.

Osama is no martyr. He was a hateful man who used his money in the wrong way - to kill others. If Osama bin Laden had half the brains of a man like Bill Gates, he would have used his fortune to BUILD UP others and HELP people rather than destroy them.

Gaddafi Militarizes His People

2011-03-20T17:28:00.002+01:00

Libyas leader, Gaddafi, is currently giving weapons to his people - a very dangerous move for the people of Libya. Now, they will be moving from civilian status into military personnel.

That is a very special situation, which must be taken into account when you hear news about bombings in Libya.

Civilians have a unique protection according to the laws of war - and rules of engagement. But Gaddafi has now REMOVED that protection by arming his people. So not only has he ruthlessly attacked what he defines as rebels, but now he even moves ahead to destroy even more people by involving them because of his own mental instability.

What a strange behavior indeed...

Dare We Disagree?

2011-03-20T00:26:00.002+01:00

Do we dare to disagree? Can we actually accept one another - even when we do disagree on certain subjects? This could be anything from being a Republican or a Democrat to whether you agree on our sanctioning a no-flight zone over Libya...

Everyone has great empathy for a people being attacked by their own leader. But how did the world react when China smashed students at Tiananmen at the end of the 1980's? Why were we passive when the Philippines had a dictator of their own who gladly spent thousands of dollars on shoes for his wife, Imelda Marcos, while people went hungry? What did we do in all the other situations where we COULD have done something, but didn't?

Those questions are less popular to ask. Simply because the implication is that you are defending someone just because you dare to QUESTION what takes place.

Shouldn't we all dare to think for ourselves? Shouldn't we be allowed to have our own opinions, even on subjects where the majority just go with the wind?

Anyone with democratic values should be able to realize that we need to think outside the box if we want to SOLVE problems rather than create new ones by taking short-term decisions most of the time.

Do we dare disagree? Please leave a comment, and let's have a debate about our right to disagree... Thanks very much beforehand. :-)

The Tragedy in Japan

2011-03-15T22:14:00.002+01:00

Why does it take a nuclear meltdown of one of the energy turbines before Europeans begin taking notice of security issues of their sometimes up to thirty year old energy plants?

The tragedy in Japan may instigate a much more thourough analysis in other countries, and that can be beneficial for all - but why do we need a tragedy before we realize just how potentially dangerous nuclear energy CAN be?

For numerous years scientists have debated just how safe nuclear energy actually was, when waste products were treated correctly. It all sounded very good, but after the tragedy in Japan the question come to mind: were we all cheated into slumbering?

Please comment, and let's have a debate about nuclear energy. :-)

Libya - Gadaffi - Al Qaeda etc

2011-03-09T22:25:00.002+01:00

Libya's leader Gadaffi is blaming Al Qaeda for his current crisis - and his soldiers blame rebels as drug-abusers. What a chaos in a country that suddenly smelled freedom when Egypt was freed from the reign of Mubarak.

As in so many other poor nations, the sudden feeling of freedom can really ignite their inner longings. Much like the west propably was also fiered up and zealous just centuries ago when what we today know as the US was established...

The main difference being religion, but the longing for democracy just as identical - regardless of religion. :-)

What happens in that region in coming months is truly going to determine how things will boil up. Noone needs any political degree to smell blood. Truly a scary scenario to behold.

What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment, and let's have a good debate.

"Four More Years"?

2011-02-21T02:01:00.002+01:00

The question about whether President Obama will be a one-term President is going to be revealed once the Republicans will have elected whom they want to run for office. New times didn't quite happen when Obama came into office. Bad scenarios have popped up all around him, and it doesn't take much to consider how a serious Republican candidate COULD win back the office after some pretty awful years under Bush.

It isn't a question about whether Obama made an effort. Everyone realizes he did his best. It would have been stupid to do anything less, because everyone knows a President will be evaluated very harshly by voters when considering four more years.

Everyone considered it was an act of kindness to choose Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, but the choice didn't quite have the effect they would have anticipated. Bill Clinton may be remembered more fondly after he left office, but the whims of Hillary as hidden puppet master seems to be apparent once again - and her chances as a candidate in 2016 are slim at best.

Republicans are free to choose whom they want, but a very strong guess is that Republicans will choose the safe candidate. A candidate that could "prove" even women could enter office, and letting Sarah Palin from Alaska run would be a wise choice. Even if she fails, the Reoublican party could always claim it was because Afro-American Barack Obama was a popular President who, quite naturally, won his second term.

In other words: it would be too dangerous to let Mrs. Palin take on the role of martyr when the Old Boy Network didn't accept her during the 2012 since it would create an even greater expectation for a female President.

In a time when equality should have been natural long ago, sexes are once again important. The power of religion is strong, and no president can ever afford to overlook the strong Bible Belt voters. The Republicans know this because it has been at the centre of their focus every time they have won the office.

So interesting times indeed. :-)

Egypt - A Country in Despair

2011-02-17T03:27:00.003+01:00

It is truly tragic to hear of the assaults on journalists that have happened when people tried to get rid of Hosni Mubarak. What a sad testimony to leave behind in a fight for democracy that people can't respect the role of mass media as part of the process...

How can anyone expect Egypt to rise above dictatorships when the population itself understands so little about what democracy is all about?

Egypt is a country in despair. People will wait long before enjoying their next vacation in that country when people have been so abusive during the crisis as to even sexually molest a CBS journalist.

So winning in the sense of getting rid of Hosni Mubarak was one thing. They have lost much respect among civilized people, and those scars will take long to heal.

What are your thoughts about Egypt? You're welcome to leave a comment. :-)

Important Decision to Be Made in France

2011-01-29T01:34:00.002+01:00

In France, an important decision is facing politicians. Will they follow the 58% of the population who support gays' rights to join in marriage, or will intolerance be the order of the day for a society that claims it never discriminates based on religion?

When it came to the question of christian crosses or jewish kippas or muslim veils, it was claimed that no discrimination happened since all religious signs were forbidden in schools etc.

But what could possibly be the reason for forbidding two people to join in marriage just because they chose to join with a partner of the same sex, if not due to religion?

Politics should never be based upon personal preference but should follow the international guidelines against discrimination. Therefore, the French politicians face a tough decision if they fail to comply with international standards. Will France remain a secular society or will policy-making be based on Catholic standards?

And, if so, have they even considered the implications once religion is mixed with politics? Dangerous ground indeed...

Political Blogging - Ethics of Making Money From Your Blog

2011-01-28T23:11:00.002+01:00

Political Blogging - Ethics of Making Money From Your Blog
By Henrik V Blunck

Blogging about politics can be tough business. Many may drop away from your blog because they disagree with you. On the other hand you will attract very little attention if you stay away from having an opinion about the subjects you blog about.

People have easy access to information about what happens - all over the globe. What they get much less of from traditional sources are analyses and behind-the-scenes impressions about what happens. That creates a duality when you blog about political subjects.

On the one hand you want to stay objective - to remain credible

But you also want to have a twist - to differentiate yourself from the crowd

You will have to realize, from the beginning, that politics and religion are the two areas where you will never agree with everyone.

When that has been said, it is also important to say that you can be biased in your analysis without pushing other people aside. Doing that in the best way when running a political blog involves presenting both sides of the equation, and using careful evaluation to show why you have the opinion you do - and how it affects other people.

When you use that type of debate, people may disagree with some of your conclusion, but they will nonetheless respect you for standing by your opinion. When you analyze things from a respectful perspective you show empathy for other people's views while also giving them food for thought.

It's What People Want - Food For Thought
This is the single most lacking ingredient in most political blogging. People are so focused on writing about high profile subjects, and matching certain key words that they totally forget their audiences. This is the one area where you can truly make a difference if you want to do a decent job in blogging about politics.

I know from personal experience that this type of blogging has a tremendous potential. I have seen my blog rise in power and visitor counts within days after writing on an important subject. I did this in danish, but you can have the same experience in any language. The important part is to realize what your assignment is, and after you know that, you can increase your readership considerably by choosing carefully reviewed opinions at all times. You may also have an undecided opinion, and that would be an excellent chance to call in further opinions using feedback from readers.

But don't ever get discouraged by worrying about where you earn your money when blogging. You are never ethically challenged as long as you handle all subjects to the best of your ability.

Thanks for reading this article. Hope you enjoyed the information.
You can see my overview of blogs over at http://blunckmeister.googlepages.com.You can follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/henrikblunck Feel free to leave feedback if you were helped by this article. I am always happy to hear what YOU think.

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Russia - Is the Era of Glasnost Over?

2010-12-28T09:51:00.002+01:00

Mikhail Khodorkovsky was a businessman who paid a lot of taxes. Now he is a convicted criminal. He didn't flee his country, but tried to defend himself against the allegations made against him, trusting the system would, in the end, validify his actions.

Now, many feel he is being sacrificed because he dared question the system. He dared criticize a system that ended up destroying his business.

Regardless of all the hype that journalists may report, there are - obviously - many judicial details that we can't yet know all about. But nonetheless it is high time to ask the question: "Is the era of Glasnost over?"

Mikhail S. Gorbachev started a difficult process of reform, but now it does seem like much is lost due to pride and power struggles. Much like we see power struggles in the West, but still with a somewhat surprising turn in the sense of Khodorkovsky being sentenced to a work camp. Not worthy treatment of a former Deputy Minister of Fuel and Energy...

What are your thoughts on all of this? You are welcome to leave a comment.

Happy New Year everyone. :-)

Obama - The Revolution That Never Really Happened

2010-09-20T11:58:00.002+02:00

When Barack Obama was elected President, everyone could feel the buzz. Comparisons to Kennedy, change, renewal, growth, optimism and "new beginnings" were flying through the air. Everyone thought we would finally have the ultimate gift for modern politics.

In one sense it did happen. It was an election that introduced social media, primarily through Twitter and Facebook, and the internet in general as new channels for political debate. That change is historic.

What is much less historic are the catastrophes that have occurred:

The oil spill in the Mexican gulf

The lack of better focus in Afghanistan

The financial crisis

Financial regulation still missing

All of the above points are missed opportunities. The efforts made in Afghanistan rely heavily upon military effort alone - and actual help projects to rebuild the country have proved in vain, at best, and seem almost bordering fraud at worst.
The financial crisis wasn't taken seriously enough, and consequently didn't result in as much job creation as hoped - and certainly not in the groups desired.
Financial regulation is still missing. Many of the speculative elements of big business are STILL a challenge for stock exchanges on a global scale.
And, finally, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was a disaster where everyone was more busy washing their hands instead of getting to work - and involving all sources available. I wrote about this on June 20^th in the article "The Oil Spills - There Is a Better Solution"

All of the above points are just part of the picture. There HAVE been improvements, but certainly not at the levels promised. I think it's fair to conclude that it's much like turning a supertanker. There are a lot of valves in the engine that have to work together.

Will Obama be ready for reelection, or will Sarah Palin become the first female President? That is a very good question.

Obama and Medvedev Friendly Meeting

2010-06-26T13:06:00.000+02:00

President Obama and President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia hold a joint press conference after meeting at the White House.

General Stanley McCrystal

2010-06-23T20:51:00.002+02:00

An important question comes to mind when the subject of General McCrystal is mentioned. One can only wonder how Stanley McCrystal could be so "foolish" as to speak his mind so openly, and yet one can also wonder why Obama didn't handle this in a much more professional way.

Petreus may be a fine general and he should get a fair chance to show what he is made of. But it is felt that these nice words are still given to "hide" the fact that he reacted based on feelings.

The oil spill in the gulf of Mexico is tragic, but leadership should focus on the issues at hand. At times there is a need to refocus - and there should be room for some disagreement, although I fully understand that the President would have preferred that any disagreements be held within the confines of personal meetings.

So it was a necessary step in many ways - but we can only hope that President Obama will renew his commitment to creating CHANGE in this presidency instead of fighting wars we can't win.

Just my 0.02$ on the matter. :-)

The Oil Spills - There IS a Better Solution

2010-06-20T23:15:00.002+02:00

See this video. You're going to be shocked as to why they don't want to use this solution.

The Oil Spills - What Lessons Should We Learn?

2010-05-28T19:35:00.000+02:00

We are all aware that the Obama administration moved very quickly to try to rescue the shores and beaches from the effects of the oil spills. But sometimes being quick isn't enough.

We MUST change the way we look at oil. Oil MUST be something we free ourselves from, and we need to make a conscious decision to stop the madness of our constant reliance upon oil.

Not only will it send shockwaves through oil rich nations, but it will also send clear signals to oil companies that the sunshine is over. Litigation doesn't solve anything for the thousands of animals that will die as a result of this oil spilling into the Mexican Gulf. Neither will it save the beaches from the after-effects for many years to come when people chose to hold vacations elsewhere.

The Obama administration will have to send a strong signal to stop oil companies from thinking the bad press will disappear. We should maintain and enhance our funding of and research in solar panels, electric cars, wind energy etc.

If President Obama wants to take a stand, he can. History will prove he had a unique chance when people really have the consequences of continuing before them.

We NEED change. Will we get it?

From UK Elections: Politics 101

2010-05-01T00:01:00.000+02:00

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is facing elections next week. In the process he met a lady who asked some rather nasty questions — questions he didn't like to answer. After entering his car, he made a rather nasty remark about Ms. Gillian Duffy. When he realized what happened, he went by Gillian Duffy to apologize, and afterwards he gave this interview to the press:

As anyone can see, it's a person who realizes the seriousness of the matter. Any amount of respect anyone may have had for Gordon Brown disappeared in a matter of seconds. That should be an important lesson in Politics 101: "Never say things you wouldn't want to hear again."

On May 6^th 2010, the English people will have a chance to punish Gordon Brown for this stupid act, and the real losers are actually the British people. Gordon deserves a kick in the backside for his obvious lack of respect for political opponents, and Gillian Duffy just exposed a character trait which in no way befits ANY politician who dreams of continuing to represent the British people.

Gordon Brown is no Winston Churchill. He doesn't have nearly the guts to say things to people's face, and he has shown cowardice to an extent that you really can't have any respect for his handling of the situation. Winston Churchill was well-known for his loud and clear statements when faced with opposition.

One example:

Lady Astor: "Winston, if I were married to you, I'd put poison in your coffee."

Sir Winston Churchill: "Nancy, if you were my wife, I'd drink it."

Another example:

Bessie Braddock: "Winston, you're drunk."

Churchill: "Bessie, you're ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober."

Such abilities to master the English language, and standing by your opinions has made these quotes world-famous among people who are interested in British politics.

Gordon Brown can never rise to that level until he learns to give proper answers and show his statemanship by being CLEAR and to-the-point in his communication with people.

But after the UK elections, he may be the former British Prime Minister, and Labour would be better served by finding a new leader for the party. His PhD in history SHOULD have given him a better sense of what the office of Prime Minister entails, but apparently he did have flaws in his knowledge of political history.

The British people deserve a Prime Minister who serves them instead of insulting them!

Have a good weekend everyone. :-)

Obama Should Be More Than Health Care

2010-04-29T02:35:00.002+02:00

The Obama term should be about more than "just" Health Care. More than "just" the closing of Camp Guantanamo. There are so many BIG issues that need to be dealt with...

And yet, it seems like Afghanistan, Iraq and many other potential bombs are just lurking below the surface. The ambition of the US government was to get more STABILITY, but we have in fact had far more INSTABILITY than ever before.

One could say that the final years of this first term will determine whether it was hot air, or there will actually be ACTION. Action against speculation that cost people their retirement funds, action against discrimination and action against the root CAUSES of today's problems.

What is YOUR impression of the first term up to now? Are you satisfied with what the President has achieved, or are you also looking for more long-term signs that a fundamental change HAS happened in the US?

Feel welcome to comment. :-)

Obama's First Year In Office

2009-10-14T22:11:00.001+02:00

Obama's first year in office has been a changed presidency. He is very different from many of the other presidents we have seen. Time will tell how many changes he gets implemented, but his track record so far has shown a political system so blocked by former ways of action that it IS a real fight to move ahead and fulfill all election promises.

Obama is a good President. He didn't get the Olympics for Chicago, but he has so many things to offer, and it is going to be very interesting to follow his actions as he proceeds towards his second term in office.

Stay tuned. :-)

Fulfillment: The Inauguration

2009-01-23T15:26:00.000+01:00

This blog wouldn't be complete if I didn't end by showing - and commenting - the inauguration of Barack H Obama as 44^th President of the United States of America.

President Obama didn't sleep on his laurels. Au contraire, he has already moved to shut down Guantanamo. President Obama won't back down from his election promises, and that promises to bring a new political era to the western world.

These are truly exciting times. :-)

Obama Is Winning

2008-11-05T04:58:00.001+01:00

Wow. These elections are interesting. Following it on CNN. Senator Obama seems to become the next President of the United States of America.

Thanks, everyone, for following this blog. It's all moving in the right direction. :-)

SEIZE The Day!

2008-11-04T09:45:00.002+01:00

Regardless of where YOU stand politically it is important that you show your opinion by VOTING. These elections are way too important to be overlooked. Democracy IS the best cure for some of the elitist actions we have seen all over the world.

Ever wondered why so many are disgusted by politics?
Many have told that they previously didn't vote - in fact, weren't even registered as voters - but have registered now that Obama was a candidate. With Biden next to him it's a strong team.

IF John McCain were to win the elections I suggest we pray for his health. America doesn't deserve a fake as Sarah Palin as President if John McCain wouldn't survive a full term as President.

Anyway, message of the day: GO vote. Make your position clear by voting. You would regret it if you didn't vote and the wrong person got the all-important office of President.

Carpe diem. Seize the day.

Obamas Infomercial - see for yourself

2008-10-30T17:40:00.001+01:00

Instead of hearing what others dislike about Senator Obama's infomercial, why not watch it yourself and make your own decision?

Did Obama Break Any Ethics Laws?

2008-10-20T09:20:00.003+02:00

Now, under the title of "Obama Broke Illinois Ethics Laws" some journalists have tried to insinuate that Senator Obama broke the law as state legislator when he received "speaking fees" - see the news here: http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/obama_broke_illinois_ethics_laws_as_a_state_legislator/.

Listen, there are many formats used by OTHER politicians. "I will do the job, but please donate to my favourite charity", or "....please donate to my campaign fund." What would be the difference?

Donations to campaign funds would be tax deductible for the one who pays, and campaign funds are not taxed, so in fact Senator Obama has done more than many others have, when considered ethically. Because the tactics employed by former candidates have not been illegal per se. It is fair to speak before supporters before you speak to non-supporters, and there would be no law against that.

But this type of article shows just how DIRTY some people will play to imply wrong motives. Let me say it again, Senator Obama IS honest and he IS a worthy candidate for the office of President of the United States of America. He has disclosed all he needs to do, and poor devious attacks from his opponents won't change that. If you check both sides of the story.

When The Gloves Come Off

2008-10-19T13:17:00.003+02:00

In this final blog article before the Grand Election I would like to summarize a few key points I have found very interesting about BOTH campaigns. It is not only I, but even many political analyzers who have noticed that Obama ran a FAIR campaign whereas McCain ran a very biased and negative campaign.

Much like former elections, this campaign was PERSONAL. Republicans made a mess of world politics, and now they want to blame everyone else for THEIR mistakes while having had eight long years at the reins of control. The Democrats would have had great difficulty in explaining how wonderful everything would become after this George Bush-era IF Hillary Clinton had been elected. There would always have been a return to the Bill Clinton-era when she is married to the former President.

However, just as preconceived ideas, innuendos and theories have been rampant in this catfight, it would be fair to end by saying that from a Danish perspective (mine), the United States have had awful corpses hidden in the closet after Anti-Terrorist laws have greatly DEVALUED our democratic freedoms.
Surveillance is all over the place, not only in Echelon, but all over the planet. Supposedly to make us feel safer, but freedom-loving, law-abiding citizens have become LOSERS in a game in which they have never been heard nor respected.

If EVER there was a time when morale needed a great boost it would be now, but fighting among themselves will never solve these issues. Therefore, the recent turn-around of the Republican campaign seems only too shallow a sign of window-dressing. Changing the gift-wrapping doesn't change the basic fact that Republicans want CONTROL to an extent they would never have accepted before.

So, when you choose between the two candidates, my hope is you will remember who stood for good morals and ethics all along, remember who fought most fairly and who TRULY deserves to run the office of President of the United States of America.

Who Won the Debate?

2008-10-10T01:35:00.002+02:00

Barack Obama beats John McCain on the important issues of the day.

Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/08/politics/2008debates/main4508430.shtml?source=mostpop_story

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/07/cnn-poll-obama-gains-on-issues-personal-qualities/

Judicial Confirmation Network Campaign Will Backfire

2008-10-02T11:15:00.002+02:00

The recent campaign from the Judicial Confirmation Network will backfire. Their attempts at smearing Senator Obama will backfire. Why some want to promote any candidate by having to smear the opponent is a mystery to me...

There are far more important things ahead for the country, but any back alley cat loves its kittens more than anything else. Politics has certainly become a somewhat dirty business when some won't see the big picture, but want to spread their bitterness like poison.

In other words: I'm glad it's soon over when the next President has been elected. :-)

Book Sales - Amazon Figures

2008-09-13T21:10:00.000+02:00

Funny actually, but the Republicans are desperados - total despair is rocking the boat at the end of an era. The Bush-era. Now, even book sales are entering the debates in some circles with all sorts of presentations being made about red, blue or purple books on Amazon. All that is needed is to look at the following graphic to see who sells best.

Why all the frustration and confusion about what type of people buy what type of books? There is an income difference that influences part of the choice. Some people simply can't afford books, and they deserve our empathy. Next time you want to throw some out, consider reselling them so others can benefit from them, or perhaps even give them to charity so others can benefit. Private library facilities at hospices, day care centers etc could also benefit from your donations of books.

Why throw something out that could benefit others? These are some of the many aspects why many feel Senator Barack Obama is a breath of fresh air in politics. A whole new mentality is setting in, and we need a superpower that believes in the words "Yes We Can"

Listen to Obama

2008-09-10T01:30:00.002+02:00

Some people seem bent on misunderstanding anything Senator Obama says. It seems like instead of listening to the man, some want THEIR own prejudices somehow posted into whatever he says.

I recommend everyone listens to Obama. If they did they would hear good ethics and morality - something sorely missing when you want to go to war with anyone with whom you might disagree with.

Listen to Obama instead of over-interpreting him on 12seconds.tv

Senator Obama Says It Clearly - Yes You Can...

2008-09-02T05:05:00.005+02:00

The ads are clear. Senator Obama IS the best candidate for the Presidential elections in November. Wanted to share them with you, the readers of the blog.

Joe Biden IS the right Vice Presidential candidate also, and he is a credible first aid for the coming President of the United States, Senator Barack Obama.

Abuse of Power a Republican Quality?

2008-09-01T08:37:00.003+02:00

On July 28^th 2008 it was announced that "Investigation to begin into whether Governor Sarah Palin abused her power in firing Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan", and luckily - on August 30^th it was declared that "Despite VP nomination, Palin investigation continues".

Pray for McCain's Health IF He Becomes President

You need to pray solidly for John McCain's health if he is ever elected President because when power corrupts and VP-wannabee has already achieved such notoriety for having a difficulty in selecting between private and public interests, it would be far worse to ever see her handle national security.

If John McCain ever thought he would get a card that could attract disgruntled voters who wished Senator Clinton had won over Senator Barack Obama, he need not worry. No decent woman would ever abuse her position to handle private disputes in public. It may be Republican, but we've seen enough backstabbing in the years since Bill Clinton left the White House.

If ever in doubt, think of the danger of Governor Palin ever having to handle so much power when she has so little talent for it.

Strong Choice of Vice-President

2008-08-24T11:40:00.003+02:00

It speaks very loudly of both the integrity and fairness of Senator Obama to choose a candidate for Vice President who formerly spoke against him. Unlike McCain, who follows the George Bush tradition of only surrounding themselves with yes-men, it is good to supplement one another. Sometimes disagreeing is the best first step for good friendships and good work relations. It speaks louder than any smear-campaigns that come out from the Republican camps.

In Springfield, Illinois, supporters share their thoughts on Obama and Biden's first joint appearance.

Joe Biden's first appearance as Barack Obama's running mate in Springfield, Illinois can be seen here:

Senator Obama in Berlin

2008-07-25T21:54:00.001+02:00

This speech talks for itself. I look forward to Senator Obama winning the elections in November.

Have a nice weekend everyone. :-)

Lunch With Senator Barack Obama?

2008-06-12T22:37:00.002+02:00

Five grassroots donors shared a lunch with Barack in Muncie, Indiana and had the chance to discuss their concerns, talk about their experiences with the campaign, and share their own stories with Barack.

I must say that Senator Obama is a likeable person. He would be welcome for lunch ANY day... :-)

Hillary Now Endorses Senator Barack Obama

2008-06-12T22:00:00.001+02:00

At the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, Senator Hillary Clinton announces her support for Barack Obama and encourages the Democratic Party to unite in electing him the next President of the United States.

Predatory Lending

2008-06-12T19:38:00.002+02:00

Barack Obama continued his Change that Works for You tour, talking about predatory lending, in Chicago IL on June 11, 2008.

Very well spoken. Senator Obama IS worthy of becoming the next President of the United States. :-)

I Was RIGHT!

2008-06-10T00:55:00.002+02:00

I am not the least surprised that I was right in anticipating Senator Barack Obama would become the Democratic nominee for President of the United States of America. There is absolutely nothing surprising in that result. Given the fact that Mrs. Clinton destroyed her own credibility, she would have faced a very difficult battle in competing against Senator John McCain.

It's High Time To Wake Up!

It's high time to wake up to reality. John McCain will stop at nothing to discredit his opponent. He has already shown the exact same traits that made George Bush a highly unpopular president. An arrogance against those who disagree that WILL become his greatest liability unless someone gets the message across to him.

Senator John McCain will never become President if he continues his present style. It's not guesswork but a simple fact of life. People are disgusted at Republican beating around the bush. When difficult things need to be changed a President in office should be courageous enough to admit an error was made. George Bush would rather break an arm before he ever gave an apology. No matter how much evidence is presented against him.

Everyone can see it, except themselves. That's why Republicans have a hard time understanding the wishes of the people for their coming elections for a new President. They WILL get a new President. His name will be Barack Obama.

The Inevitable Conclusion

2008-05-10T22:39:00.002+02:00

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Hillary will loose the competition for becoming a candidate for the presidency. She should have many opportunities to draw quite a few lessons from her failed campaign, but - somehow - her stubborn attitude indicates she would rather continue 'TIL THE END rather than come to the logical conclusion that she won't win...

Why This Stubbornness?

It does seem rather desperate that she clings so hard to a dream that is so close and yet so far away, knowing full well that it was the entire STRATEGY that failed. Changing personnel during the campaign was no lifesaver either. In fact, she should have asked herself very different questions when she even considered running for a candidacy.

Some points to consider:

Her credibility in marriage. I can understand situations when private couples find their way and overcome the hurdle of adultery, but Bill Clinton lied for quite some time about the incident. If Hillary would have shown STRENGTH as a female wannabe-leader, she should have "fired" Bill back then, and run her campaign from that perspective. That would have raised the hopes of every single American woman hoping for someone to openly state that sexual morals shouldn't remain in the gutters as is so rampant in so-called modern times. Hillary could have read it from my theme page right here: http://blunck.dk/politics/clinton/ but for those too weak to TRULY LEAD they often only surround themselves with yes-people, and consequently only get the information they WANT instead of the information THEY NEED...

Her credibility in general. Anyone remember the gunfire-mistake? Anyone remember the countless mis-speakings and consequent attempts at rectifying? Think before you speak would have been the best policy, but - again - Hillary started mudthrowing and had serious problems when debates were about issues. She preferred personal smear, and she has been punished by the people for it. Rightly so.

Playing the ex-first lady card. It goes somewhat with point no. 1 as being somewhat blurry, but even worse is the fact that Hillary should never have involved both her daughter and ex-husband in this campaign. If she wanted to be the winner she should have stood tall by herself. It is sad to let the press eat at the ruins left of a family life so obviously torn about as the first two terms under Bill, her husband.

There are many other lessons that could have been drawn from this, but - as I have said above - Hillary won't consider material when it comes from non-supporters and when you prefer to surround yourself with people who only nod at every idea you can get while taking a shower in the morning, things become blurred.

It would have been wise to take courses in communication and listen to criticism to adjust one's strategies accordingly, but that is ONLY something a strong leader would do, and THAT is only one of many flaws of Hillary and her attempts at running for Presidency.

It was fun writting this blog. Things are running in the right direction, and I anticipate that from now on it will be uphill for the man I believed in right from the beginning. I look forward to Senator Obama becoming the next President of the United States. :-)

Obama IS RIght — Clinton and McCain Should Listen More Carefully

2008-05-01T21:12:00.001+02:00

ABC's Dan Harris Reports that economists and experts say Obama has the correct position on the gas tax issue. Here's the video:

Changing Support From Clinton To Obama — Here's Why.

2008-05-01T21:09:00.002+02:00

Here are three courageous people in Indiana who talk about why they switched from supporting HIllary Clinton to Barack Obama.

Who Will Become Presidential Candidate?

2008-04-23T23:31:00.002+02:00

Regular readers will long ago have noticed that I prefer Senator Barack Obama as candidate for the Democrats. I know some disagree with my decision, and others feel that a Dane (person like myself from Denmark) should stay out of American politics.

In the interest of democracy I would say that we Europeans do follow the elections very closely for several reasons. One of these is the fact that we realize there is great importance in who LEADS America in the years ahead.

On foreign policy subjects, Russia, China, Iran, Iraq, the Middle East, Africa and the entire globe has global challenges that we need to get settled. Not only compared with wars but also in what concerns the weather and the impact from the environment. Such subjects are HARD for many Americans, at least when a Republican President is at The White House.

Internally, it is just as important to find a person that can unify the country. Americans have been scattered for many reasons. They need to find common ground, and in my honest opinion Senator Barack Obama WOULD become the best President.

Anyway, we will be busy following your primaries. :-)

Obama Says What Others Think...

2008-04-18T11:52:00.002+02:00

It is a well-known trick to play "war-on-words" when issues are too difficult to deal with. The entire discussion between Clinton vs. Obama is primary example of that. Senator Obama says things straight as he sees them, and Hillary's crew has played war-on-words ever since she fell behind.

Look at the facts, folks. Obama runs his own campaign on ISSUES - issues confronting Americans, and involving other nations as we interact with America. The issues were never whether or not Hillary could become President. She no doubt could.

Facetiously one could even say she would be the first female president running for a third and fourth term. :-)
Just kidding. :-D

But, nonetheless, issues have NOT been at the center of the Clinton campaign. She has shown her worst sides and her ugliest ability to truly play politics. If anything, this campaign was the biggest proof that politics is a dirty business. We are faced with an opportunity to find common ground and none of it has ever sunk in.

To say it straightforwardly, Senator Obama has hit a nerve with many of the policies he has gained votes for. Why don't the Democrats start walking IN pace instead of the cacaphony going on at the moment?

I personally feel the Democrats are hurting themselves, and though senator McCain may not be any favourite he sure as anything has at least stood by his opinions. NOW is the time to decide on who the Democrats want to run for office. At least if in-fighting would otherwise continue.

"Think before you speak" is the best policy - everywhere and anytime. :-)

Why Barack Obama's Campaign Works...

2008-04-02T11:22:00.002+02:00

Senator Barack Obama talks about community organizing and how he's carried that experience into his campaign. One very good reason why it's a success. :-)

After April Fool's Day

2008-04-02T00:44:00.002+02:00

The best April Fool's Day piece of news would have been "Clinton resigns from competition to settle with family." Partly because everyone that knows the lady knows she's ambitious. She is stone-cold and has run a darn hard campaign. April Fool's Day would have been a good day to test the option.

But she didn't. To my knowledge noone else did either, but it sure would have been good news for the American people.

Chelsea is being used as one of the final pawns to bring momentum to a campaign that has clearly gone off the track long ago.

Move ahead and think. Make sure you participate if you live in any of the states running future primaries elections. The people is waiting for YOUR response.

Why Hillary Wants To Run for President

2008-03-26T01:13:00.002+01:00

As most readers will have noticed, Senator Clinton has strange "recollections" - most recently she "remembers" both landing under sniper fire and that there was no welcome committee. Both claims clearly evidenced by CNN and other sources as completely the opposite of the truth.

WHEN you look at a Senator who claims knowledge of law - in fact even an attorney at law - one has to wonder how she ever made a living as a lawyer. She must have had a lot of clients jailed on counts of perjury if they had similar problems with recollecting what actually took place.

She's a joke, but it's no wonder she has to stay in politics. Her credibility is so bad she has to continue. Exit Hillary!!

The United States needs a true leader with good moral standards. Both candidates exhibiting those traits would be either Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama.

Barack Obama: Latest Video 2

2008-03-05T22:32:00.001+01:00

Looks Like Hillary Is Loosing...

2008-03-05T22:09:00.002+01:00

Just like I expected when I started following the American primaries, John McCain is the Republican candidate. In the absence of Condi running, John McCain is the next best choice from a Republican perspective.

Just as logical is the fact that Obama is still in the lead. Anyone with eyes to see can see why. He is a good speaker because he speaks truth, a natural leader and a moral person who truly brings pride back into the office he may very well enter after the General Elections will show the result.

I envision Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.

Senator Barack on Senator Clinton's "3:00 AM" TV Ad

2008-03-02T21:52:00.002+01:00

Senator Obama spoke to supporters in San Antonio, TX about a recent ad that Senator Clinton's campaign put on television.

By the way it was also interesting to hear Senator Barack Obama's response to George W. Bush's final State of the Union address.

Akron OH Speech Sets Mrs. Clinton Straight!

2008-02-25T01:50:00.002+01:00

Senator and Candidate for Presidential Candidate Nomination Barack addressed attacks that came from Hillary Clinton on February 23, 2008.

We Need You Texas

2008-02-21T14:56:00.002+01:00

Please listen to Senator Obama speaking in Houston Texas after winning the Wisconsin Primary.

This isn't "just" eloquence. This is an American who loves freedom and brings decency back into American politics.

Mrs. Obama Has Class

2008-02-16T21:00:00.001+01:00

Senator Obama has a world-class card that's being played right now.

Watch this from CNN:

Michelle Obama Speaking At Ohio State University

2008-02-16T20:53:00.002+01:00

Michelle Obama addresses a crowd at the Ohio State University on February 15, 2008.

This is very interesting background information about Sen. Barack Obama. So I wanted to share this with all of you.

Have a nice Sunday. :-)

Sen. Barack Obama on 60 Minutes

2008-02-11T06:59:00.000+01:00

Following him on the campaign trail through the week of Super Tuesday, 60 Minutes hosts an extensive interview with Senator Barack Obama.

Washington State Governor Endorses Obama

2008-02-09T22:29:00.000+01:00

You definitely want to watch this as Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire endorsed Barack Obama on February 8, 2008 before a crowd of 21,000.

Have a good week everyone. :-)

Winning Most States and Most Delegates

2008-02-07T22:46:00.000+01:00

Winning Most States and Most Delegates

A Chorus of Millions

Ed Schultz Confirms Obama Success

Congratulations to Sen. Obama for winning most states and most delegates on Super Tuesday. As was expected, the American people sees through all the thin air and empty promises from the Clinton clan. There is no real change involved by letting the Clintons get a third term - and we should be grateful for that sign.

The people want REAL change, and Sen. Barack Obama is the one who can deliver that change.

Super Tuesday Speech

Super Tuesday

2008-02-04T00:22:00.000+01:00

Regardless of who wins, there is no doubt this is a MAJOR happening in American politics. It is the first multi-state test of stamina, character, politics, charisma, communication skills and probably also just a little bit of luck in who spent the best media dollar.

The whole discussion of all the media circus scares some of us little nations. We do have commercials, but not yet on tv. However, it seems TV still holds a bit more power in the American population compared with for instance the Danish population. We do use the internet far more.

May the best candidates win on BOTH sides.

PS: John McCain and Barack Obama are my guesses of winners in both camps, if you didn't know already from reading this blog. :-)

Putin as Person of the Year in Time?

2008-01-30T13:37:00.000+01:00

I was somewhat surprised to see that Time had selected Russian President Putin as "Person of the Year." Though I sent them a Letter to the Editor it wasn't accepted, and therefore I release my comment on this blog for anyone subsequently interested:

Choosing Putin as POY was somewhat a surprise. Noone can blame him for following the political ideals that he has, but it has to be said that his steel hand has been behind much suffering in many states. Many conspiracies have been weaved and much has been done to twist events to fit the "brand" that the Putin regime has tried to build.
Condoleeza Rice would have been my choice for POY any time. She is so darn popular and has still withstood the temptation to run for President. So truly a special lady that would have been much more worthy of the attention of your magazine.

Hillary won Florida, and congratulations with that. Looking forward to Super-Tuesday and hope Sen. Obama will get a fair chance - despite the mudthrowing from some.

Barack Obama Wins South Carolina

2008-01-27T03:56:00.000+01:00

It was truly a convincing victory for Sen. Barack Obama tonight. A very good speech thanking the people of South Carolina. There is no doubt indeed that Sen. Obama is te voice for change and the voice for the new generation.

Thankfully, Sen. Obama doesn't fall for the temptation to run the same smear campaign as the Clinton arena has done. Keep up the good work, and kick her backside. :-)

Barack Obama on Good Morning America

2008-01-23T03:18:00.000+01:00

Diane Sawyer interviews Barack in New Hampshire. Aired as "Good Morning America" on January 7^th, 2008.

Is George Bush a puppet on a string?

2008-01-23T00:48:00.000+01:00

When Sen. Hillary Clinton begins her morning speech with saying the President should assure people could stay in their homes, and repeating her words on "freezing" interest rates, and soon-gone-on-retirement President Bush gets a decrease in national interest rates, one must ask: Is George Bush a puppet on a string?

Or, thinking back to the Chaos book I mentioned earlier this month, one might also read this as preparing (paving) the way for Hillary....

Well, the best thing is actually that getting positive attention from an unpopular President is like a Judas kiss - the ultimate sign one should beware.

Remember to think carefully about what you decide to do on Super-Tuesday. That vote may decide what happens in the next four years - or at least a serious indication of what will happen on National Election Day.

Looking Forward To Super-Tuesday

2008-01-22T01:22:00.000+01:00

I won't hide the fact that I am looking forward to the super-primary when 22 states get involved in making a decision about who they want as candidate in their parties. I like some of Huckabees' moral lessons, but I still think Sen. McCain will win when the going gets tough...

On the democratic scene, Sen. Clinton is performing surprisingly well in single states. The question remains how she will handle many states in one day? Will she be able to come across as a leader? I fully admit I don't like the perspective of her becoming a presidential candidate, but I do admire her tenacity. She does keep at it, and she gets fine results.

The challenge is therefore, for Sen. Barack Obama, to focus more fully on unity both nationally and globally. There are great challenges ahead in foreign policies, and IF Sen. Obama's advice on Iraq had been followed things would truly have looked a bit differently. Noone defends the late dictator Saddam Hussein by saying that, but it is simply a matter of fact that civil unrest has been all too rampant.

A complete strategy in that region will require a strong leader of America imho. :-)

US Presidency - The Future Role

2008-01-17T18:35:00.000+01:00

In light of the recent comments concerning fighting abilities of European troops from Mr. Gates it will be highly important for a future President to restore good relations with European nations who have [need I remind Americans? ;-)] been very supportive of numerous missions. Not only Iraq and Afghanistan but also in Security Council decisions.

Instilling doubts into people won't decrease stress factors for families and will also deteriorate team morale in those soldiers who are on missions.

Need I remind politicians how detrimental a lack of political backing really IS on military people? This ain't no Rambo movie. It's bloody real for the many who are doing their level best instead of sitting on their rears in DC with bitter comments...

Worth remembering, I think.

Yes AND No, or Yes Or No?

2008-01-14T09:22:00.000+01:00

When seeing how Hillary Clinton originally voted regarding the Iraq invasion, it would seem highly improbable that she will be any clearer on other subjects. Reference: http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/21/iraq.hillary/.

Barack Obama Was Clear From The Start

Although Hillary seems bent on overlooking this, Senator Barack Obama has been clear from the beginning. He was against the invasion, and today we can all see that it was the right opinion because, once again, the US has been totally unable and unprepared to create any lasting solutions.

Anyone with any knowledge of the Middle East would have known that a military invasion had to be followed by strong democratic education of a nation that was accustomed to simply just doing as they were told under Saddam. One would truly have to be naive to ever believe that such a deep adjustment from dictatorship towards democracy would happen automatically...

Democracy Lessons

One feels tempted to almost suggest democracy lessons online so other countries could also get a foretaste of what democracy is all about. It is such a modern venture to use YouTube, but in areas such as this fast solutions are apparently prioritized over lasting solutions.

Good Book, Conspiracy or Dangerous News?

2008-01-13T00:37:00.000+01:00

You are free to choose what you think, but I certainly found this blog rather interesting. It is run by Michael S London who has authored the book "Controlled Chaos". His blog can be found here: www.controlledchaosthenovel.com/Blog.aspx.

Let it be said straightaway: I like a good book, and I do enjoy a good conspiracy. What I won't accept is ANY group that would ever set themselves up a mediators, middle men or wiseguys. Democracy MUST be a direct mandata FROM the people, BY the people and any candidate MUST be responsible towards HIS or HER mandata FROM that people.

So while I doubt there is any truth to the Skull and Bones story, it's still interesting. In a race for the presidency it WOULD be interesting if she would issue statements or if any of the readers of the blogs asks the right question when opportunity presents itself. :-)

One Hillary Commercial That Works

2008-01-10T11:59:00.000+01:00

One would have to praise Sen. Hillary Clinton and her team for the production of this video on the American economy. It is true that George Bush - even in the last few days - has totally disregarded the economy. He even said he saw "signs" of optimism. Whether that was looking in his own wallets, facing retirement or whatever else is unknown.

However, any thinking Republican will have to agree that the middle class does pay the taxes of the economy and more should be done to avoid major cutbacks and a real crisis.

Untamed, crises can end in depressions.

Sen. Barack Obama Gains Support From Several Sources

2008-01-10T03:21:00.000+01:00

The press release from Unite Here contains some very good reasons why many of us feel Sen. Barack Obama IS indeed a man OF the people who would be the best candidate for the Presidency. See more below:

Self-Respect - a Missing Commodity

2008-01-10T02:09:00.000+01:00

Whether or not one agrees with John McCain is irrelevant. It is praiseworthy that he speaks in clear terms - even in the face of opposition on some of his positions.

In the same way, Barack Obama CAN indeed talk of change because he hasn't corrupted himself with any wrongdoing - that we know of.

Somewhat different is the situation when discussing the ever-present, tear-dropping [whining... ;-)] Senator Hillary Clinton. She gets a lot of exposure on international TV, yet noone asks the necessary questions. What could people be thinking?

I think many are thinking: "Why didn't she kick I-didn't-have-any-sexual-relations Bill Clinton out of the marriage?" Many no doubt feel it's tragic enough that either his libido was bigger than his self-restraint, or that they should both have concentrated more on keeping one another content in ALL areas. But what people THINK is one thing, how they will vote is another.

Why hasn't she voiced how she wants to be DIFFERENT from her husband? Why get his "support" if talk is on change and a new direction?

What will be her position on international questions? Not just Iraq, but foreign policies in general... No need for spin if real politics were discussed.

Anyway, self-respect should be visible in any President-candidate. People are free to choose as they will, but they should think very carefully about what strategy they want. People need to get behind ads, spin and all the smooth-talk.

Selecting someone for four years is a highly important decision and deserves your full attention. :-)

The Clinton and Bush Eras

2008-01-09T20:27:00.000+01:00

Let it be stated straightaway: I would have wished that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would have run for Preident. I would have thought it rather interesting to see two women fight off this campaign. What the heck? There have been so many campaigns with men running the race, so why not?

Presidency Isn't About Gender
Somehow, that is very true. Nonetheless there is something strange ruminating just under the surface. At the end of the Clinton era we all looked forward to a strong man taking over the reins of the White House. Somehow, the scandals became too much.

With George Bush a continuation of the former Bush-era was repeated. George Jr. was no doubt both a better President than his father, but in other ways he also brought some of the elements of "24" to life...
All the double-talk, hidden agendas, strange policies etc all added to the more than complex puzzle that American politics has become.

In that light, change would be a very welcome part of the 2008-campaign. And while we are at it why not get the one female candidate that everyone seems to like. Condoleezza Rice is that person.

I will keep you all updated on this blog as things unfold. Stay tuned. :-)

Primary in New Hampshire...

2008-01-09T19:13:00.000+01:00

Looking at the elections from a Danish perspective is certainly interesting. We are greatly impressed by Barack Obama. For the Democrats two essential firsts are being introduced:

If Hillary wins the candidacy, she could become the first female President

If Barack wins the candidacy, he could become the first President with afro-American roots

I find both prospects historically interesting. :-)

Barack Obama is fighting with having to quit smoking if he moves into the White House. That is a battle I am sure he will overcome. He does seem like a man of character. No doubt his inexperience will awaken the wolves in sheep's clothing..... That is a very sad perspective, but fore-warned is fore-armed.

Hillary, on the other hand, can be defined as ambitious beyond belief. She is viewed by many as the strong woman that "ruled" her husband - apparently not all that passionate in the bedroom, but certainly a moving political fighter that will do virtually anything to become President herself.

I have had a theme page on the candidacy for some time, last update on May 3rd 2007. That page is entitled: "Hillary Rodham Clinton - Smart Wolf In Sheep's Disguise?" It contains many of the unanswered questions that Hillary will face.

Anyone that even remotely considers voting for Hillary in coming primaries should read the article "Why Does Hillary Clinton Fear Condoleezza Rice?" That article is very interesting indeed and all Barack Obama fans might want that link to circulate far and wide. Let the wolves be identified.

PS: Just so noone is in doubt, the writer feels that either Democrat Sen. Barack Obama or Republican Sen. John McCain are the most worthy candidates. :-)