Flick Crit: W. - With God On His Side

Latest film review at Cinema Takes is W. - With God On His Side:

Unless you’ve been in coma for the last 8 years, it is impossible not to have an opinion about George W. Bush and his years as leader of the “free world”.

W. was a disappointment as a president. In many ways so is the movie movie W. Oliver Stone has presented the George W. Bush most of us know about. Drunk, wastrel, drifting from job to job, living in dad’s and brother Jeb’s shadows. Then AA, born again Christian, family man, successful Texas Rangers baseball team owner, Texas Governor and finally the ultimate office. His early life as the black sheep of the Bush clan transformed into a remarkably successful electoral career after becoming Governor of Texas in 1994. His actual achievements are more contentious.

I can’t bring myself to read the intimate details of W.’s White House or his family life so others can argue about the accuracy of his backstage life. Given Stone’s notorious tendency to make-believe, National Security Council meetings may not have finished with a prayer.

For more please click here.

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The best of Voices without Votes

Voices without Votes is winding up with a roundup of some of the best posts from around the world during the last year:

Less than one year ago, Voices without Votes was created to offer a voice of those who couldn't vote in the U.S. presidential election to those who could. Our exciting journey has reached its final destination with Barack Obama's inauguration today. However, before we say “goodbye,” our authors have chosen their top posts (in a time-line order) of the most memorable, prolific or simply silly moments from the election.

The link: The best of VwV and the presidential campaign

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Sock and Awe: Only a game?

If you haven't played Sock and Awe yet, now's the chance. Hours, well perhaps seconds, of holiday fun. It's not nearly as clever or elaborate as Sarah Palin as President in the oval office. But in these tough times it's free.

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Howard on top: Luck, Lies and Latham

Watched Part 3 The Howard Years: Commander-in-Chief last night. Decided that my post yesterday should have been called: Luck, Lies and Latham.

Tony Blair and George W. Bush were his political referees for the Iraq war. Funny how the three of them are still sure that they were right about WMDs and Saddam Hussein's support for Al Qaeda. Howard is still not prepared to accept any responsibility for the debacle.

The children overboard spin tested the government ministers' memories again. Peter Reith, the Defence Minster in 2001, must have old timer's disease. The blatant political misuse of the military was obvious. The removal of captions on the photos of refugees in the water was disgraceful. This attempt to make them appear to be throwing children into the sea speaks for itself.

Looking forward to Howard's self-destruction next week. As Peter Costello might have suggested, the Prime Minister should have walked before he ran himself out.

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Australia welcomes Obama, well most

A post for Voices without Votes:

Australian bloggers found their voices after being glued to the media or live-blogging the election for most of Wednesday our time.

Man of Lettuce, Sydney taxi driver and author of Cablog, joined work and pleasure as usual on election night:

Last night the City was awash with the intoxicating ambience of Barack Obama’s victory. An earlier invitation to the Democrats Abroad celebration party on Oxford Street had alerted me to a premier content source...sheer exhilaration plus alcohol - perfect.

His account of an encounter in his cab with an African American couple should be read in full on his unique blog. He finishes on his own note of hope:

…Let’s pray he can fulfil this vision and unify all Americans, thereby becoming one of their great Presidents.
O-ba-ma

An Onymous Lefty, Jeremy, raised a sour note. Known for his sarcastic posts, he put that aside to express his disgust at the California vote against gay marriage in straightforward language:

…the fact that many of his voters (he won California, after all) turned out to take this basic civil right away from gay people seriously tarnishes his victory. It implies that had he been more principled, and really stood for civil rights - and asked his voters to genuinely consider why, at a moment of the triumph of African Americans as a previously-persecuted group, they would even consider turning that persecution on others - then the gay people of California would not have just lost theirs.

I stand by my earlier refusal to get too excited by the election result.
Obama refuses to stand up for civil rights; Californians lose theirs

Mark Bahnisch at Larvatus Prodeo looked at the impact of the web on the elections and possible future directions:

No doubt one of the big stories about the US election will be the influence of the blogosphere and the netroots. In many ways, the rise of the intertubes in politics was an unintended consequence of the Rove approach to politics…

All technology is shaped socially. Blogging, YouTube, and other social media have been enablers and not just causes of this invigoration of democracy. I’d like to see some research and analysis focused on the wellsprings of activism we’ve seen bubbling up. I think that would be, in many ways, a more productive frame through which to look at what’s interesting, distinctive and exciting about this campaign than yet another round of “journos v. bloggers” style articles.
US election: Yes we can!

Andrew Bolt has been posted on Voices without Votes before. He is a daily newspaper columnist with Melbourne’s Herald Sun and media spokesperson for the right wing in Australia. He is a climate change denier, a critic of anything progressive (the dreaded left-wing, latte and chardonnay drinking socialists) and has “issues” with race.

Just before conceding Obama’s win yesterday, his blog featured a video clip outside a polling booth with the following comments:

Should McCain win, against all predictions and the polls, there will be trouble:

Toledo police are gearing up for possible “civil unrest” during and after tomorrow’s elections.

Indeed, the menace outside one polling booth, patrolled by Black Panthers, is palpable
Obama or McCain. UPDATE: It’s Obama

The old politics of fear and prejudice still live with us. Judge for yourself.

Finally, Miriam Lyons, from the Centre for Policy Development, also shared her thoughts on the Obama presidency at Larvatus Prodeo:

Today’s election result heralds the rise of Green Keynesianism. The US economy is in the toilet and smart economists are advocating direct investment over a more consumer-based fiscal stimulus.

The Obama campaign’s target for emissions cuts was 80% by 2050 - a fair way ahead of Oz Labor’s as-yet-unaltered election promise of 60% by 2050. With the Arctic ice-sheet melting rapidly even an 80% target is too low for a developed country like the US, but it should certainly give Professor Ross Garnaut reason to revise his pessimism about the likely outcome of the Copenhagen round of climate negotiations. It’s worth noting that the Obama campaign’s climate and energy platform specifically called for 100% auctioning of permits.

This is serious stuff. Miriam also reflected on possible impacts on Australia by Obama’s approach to war, economics and international relations. As a think-tank person herself, it was no surprise that she concluded with their likely role in the Obama era:

Just as an aside, it will be interesting to follow the relationship between progressive think tanks & the new administration. Expect to see the traditional influx from conservative think tanks to Republican administrations mirrored on the Democrat side this time around.
Guest Post by Miriam Lyons: What does an Obama win mean for Australia?

If George W. Bush represents the Dark Ages in terms of intellectual progress and political awareness, Barack Obama seems squarely planted in the Enlightenment.

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World Waiting for Obama

This article from Guardian correspondents around the globe has been picked up by Melbourne's Age newspaper as Change they want. Some of the comments include:

From Kabul

"I think we have almost reached the point of no return. There are no good solutions left," said Ali Padsha, 19, who was raised in America. "The longer foreign forces stay, the more problems will be created. When we [Afghans] see foreign forces in our country, it makes us crazy, it always has.

"The new Taliban are smarter than before and not as hardcore. They know what to do to keep the people happy."

From Paris

"We don't lynch Americans in the street," said Charlotte Lepri, a US specialist at the French thinktank, Institute for Research in Integrated Strategies (IRIS). "But there are certain associations with Bush. Now there is a turnaround and real enthusiasm for a black candidate who represents France's ideal of the American dream."

From Gaza

Like many Gazans, Mohammed Telbani, the factory's general manager, says he has little interest in the election. "Presidents have changed but no one did anything for us," he said, waving his hand dismissively. He doubts that a new president will have the power or the will to reverse decades of US policy in the Middle East which he, like most here, sees as decisively pro-Israeli. "Without pressure on Israel there won't be any solution to the problem," he said.

The world holds its breath as America decides

For more views from outside the United States please visit Voices without Votes, where bloggers from around the globe analyse the US election.

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McCain wins by single vote: hunt for non-voter

You can customize this video from CNNBC and insert the name of the non-voter. Just click this link Obama's Loss Traced To....

This has to be a not-too-subtle campaign tactic by the Democrats. Nightmares about Florida 2000.

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The pit-bull is off the leash!

A post for Voices without Votes:

Sarah Palin continues to infuriate and trouble progressive bloggers in Australia. The Vice Presidential debate and her weekend attack on Barack Obama over William Ayers has brought swift responses.

more...

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Americans more popular than their country

The Pew Research Center has conducted a survey of attitudes to the U.S. by foreigners. The answer seems to be : they don't hate Americans just their government.According to Pew:

The American people continue to be viewed more positively than their country, with majorities in 14 of 23 countries having a favorable opinion of Americans, including at least 70% of those surveyed by Pew in South Korea, Lebanon, Poland and Britain. By comparison, only eight countries have a favorable opinion of the United States.
14 of 23 - American People Are More Popular Than the U.S.

46% of Australians surveyed have a positive view of the U.S. with two thirds positive about Americans.

The 35% favorable opinion for the U.S. of the 23 countries polled, is probably higher than George W. Bush's own rating at home.

For bloggers' views about the U.S from around the world, please visit Voices without Votes.

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ABC: God's Next Army?

If you missed Sunday's Compass program God's Next Army on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), it was a low point for our national broadcaster. It was an uncritical look at Patrick Henry College near Washington D.C. which uses the bible to prepare home-schooled youths for leadership in conservative America. They have been George W. Bush's and the Republican Party's campaign fodder. Many have worked as White House interns or as volunteers with right-wing lobbyists. The student body appeared to have no black or Hispanic students and only one of Asian background.

Geraldine Doogue introduced the program as topical though it was made in 2005-6. It is so old that they were boasting about working for Karl Rove. It is a promotional video at best, propaganda at its worst. It contained no analysis and could not be described as investigative in any sense. Its tone was highly supportive at the end.

This was a shocker! Is the ABC's budget so low that it has to buy such low quality stuff or was it free?

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Politics in Perspective

We've been in South Australia for a couple of weeks mostly away from mobile phone, TV and internet access. Didn't see the AFL Grand Final, the first presidential debate, the VP debate or the look on George W. Bush's face when the House of Representatives knocked back his bailout bill.

This was made up for by visiting the breathtaking Arkarooola Wilderness Sanctuary (photos are from their website) and Wilpena Pound. Fearing and loathing on Wall Street shrink into proper perspective when you are standing at Sillers Outlook.

Lots to catch up on. Please watch this place.

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McCain: 95 per cent Bush

Does John McCain really think his economic expertise is needed in Washington to solve the financial crisis? I'm sure he'll end up agreeing with Bush again.

Thanks to 95percent for the graphic.

Anyway I'm off to the Australian bush for a week. See ya!

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With advisors like these who needs enemies?

This Obama ad complements the last post very well. Enjoy!

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Bush says it won't happen again, again

George W.Bush has vowed that the Hurricane Katrina debacle won't happen again. The powers of hindsight!

Of course he has indicated often enough that Iraq would happen again even without the W.'s Mass Deceptions.

A short list of things we wish hadn't happened on Bush's watch:

* 9/11
* the Iraq invasion and occupation
* the sub-prime economic crisis
* Kyoto denial and inaction on global warming
* the erosion of U.S. goodwill around the world
* impotence in responding to the slaughter in the Sudan, Myanmar and Zimbabwe etc.

Despite Hurricane Gustav's possible impact on the Republican convention in Mississippi, John McCain must be thanking the heavens that neither Bush or Dick Cheney will be attending so that they can be on standby for any repeat of the Louisiana 2005 disaster. Including the political one.

Please add to the list in comments.

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Presidential Dogfight: Convention Clouds

Wonder if George W. Bush will be able to give John McCain as rousing an endorsement as the Clintons gave Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Mind you McCain won't want to be too close to George W.

As Hillary suggested it would be seen as Republican twins in the Twin cities next at Minneapolis-Saint Paul. His convention clouds seem a lot darker at present.

This animation is an expansion of the image in my last post.

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Defying Conventional Wisdom at the Presidential Parties

Defying conventional wisdom?

You have to wonder whether Denver or Minneapolis-Saint Paul will have the greater convention cloud hanging over it. Is George W. Bush or the Clintons the greater anchor to be dragging into November? The next couple of months will be stormy for both of them, with or without the mixed metaphors.

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War and Greed

Christopher Kremmer's The Carpet Wars is a book that shouldn't be missed by anyone interested in the ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan not to mention the rest of the Middle East and the sub continent. It is primarly about people and their culture rather than politics and war. Essentially a memoir about his time as a journalist before 2001 it has a very critical post 9/11 reflection.

On a related US election issue, he was inteviewed on Life Matters on Tuesday about his upcoming lecture The good, the bad and the greedy The dodgy US financial system and current economy turmoil are another part of George W. Bush's legacy about which John McCain is in denial. Not, not.. not responsible.

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Afghanistan snow for Obama?

Whoever wins in November, the US, and Australia will be in Afghanistan for a very long time. Certainly longer than the Soviet Union. The only question seems to be whether Bush or his successor has the first surge. Their optimism about Iraq may prove to be illusionary, either in the short term or the longer haul. Repeat surges there are hardly a political option except perhaps for John McCain.

Let’s hope that Barack Obama isn't being snowed by the military during his overseas tour. If that’s necessary. You have to wonder how many of his enthusiastic supporters in Australia are aware of his plans to increase military spending and the size of the armed forces. He is no dove.

The political and military goals in Afghanistan are even murkier than in Iraq. At least the US will be able judge when the oil is flowing freely and cheaply again. Afghan stability will be a whole new concept.

Because of the attention on Pope Benedict at the World Youth Day in Sydney, coverage of the US presidential election has been thin lately. The speed of the pope-mobile and photo opportunities with babies have been the cliché of the day. It was high theatre with the stations of the cross seeming to take longer than the original story. We can now get back to the important stuff – sport. It was fitting that the mass for the masses was at a racecourse.

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Obama & McCain: Click Go the Smears

There is a blue corner and a neutral corner in the US campaign game called Fight the Smears. Barack Obama has an official site www.fightingthesmears.com:

Does he have a birth certificate?

Is he patriotic? Sometimes the “truth” is as troubling as the rumour.

Judge for yourself.

An apparently independent Kevin Martin aka Xclusive stands guard at www.fightingthesmears.org:

But what it all boils down to. Is I’m a man that is sick of the way the country is being run into the ground. Both the Republicans and Democrats need to take responsibility for all that has gone wrong. But we know that won’t happen as they will lose their all powerful seats in government. It’s up to us the American people to get this country back on track. It’s not going to be easy but we can do it.

He takes a swing at smears to both sides, for example John McCain wife beating joke. Couldn’t bring myself to click on Fun Stuff. Presume it's not X-rated by Xclusive.

It reminds me of the time a Year 8 class at Katherine High School in the Northern Territory were researching government using the internet. One student who chose the US asked for suggestions so I directed him to www.whitehouse.com. Before long he called me over asking if I was sure about the site. When I glanced at the screen it turned out to have pornographic content as well as politics. It was the blue corner!

As a sign of the times the porn has been dropped leaving just US politics. It’s mostly “Man in the Street” vox pops. The latest interview is a woman! The president’s website was www.whitehouse.gov. In George W’s case it’s open to question which site was more obscene.

For more satire you can also try www.whitehouse.net that presents itself as the “Officious Website of President George W. Bush”. It has posts such as President Bush Holds Fruitful Meeting With All-New, Refreshingly Submissive Ruler of Insufferably Snotty Frogs

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Obama: Securing a Portion of the American Dream

Barack Obama has come through stronger than ever. His victory speech was impressive:

...it's about your hopes, it's about your dreams, it's about your struggles, it's about your aspirations, it's about securing your portion of the American dream. ...we can choose this moment to come together, choose not to be afraid...

It was a combination of JFK's inauguration and George W. Bush's appeal in 2000 to bi-partisanship.

It is ironic that Bush presented himself as the Washington outsider against Al Gore. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton used similar slogans during their campaigns. Until he secured the Republican nomination John McCain had always positioned himself as the insider's outsider, in but not of Washington.

Barack's "new politics" echoes Kevin Rudd's "new leadership' of the 2007 Australian election. It can be irresistible against opponents who are perceived as offering more of the same, even Hillary Cinton. McCain may well be swamped by Obama's surge.

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