One Middle Eastern View of our Election

[nonesuche]

I am friends with a young man who immigrated to the US in 2000 from Paris, but he is orginally from Lebanon. His family is still there and he was recently engaged to a lovely and young lebanese woman living in Lebanon. He has been very successful here, he has his own services business and he values his clients and serves them well. As a result, the american dream lives for him, he is also highly thought of in his adopted community.

He went 'home' to visit with his fiancee and family on October 20th, he only returned last Thursday. He voted as well, by absentee ballot and was passionate about his right to vote and his responsibility within that. I had occasion to see him late Friday, he brought up the election and I thought it insightful to share what he passionately shared with me.

- He originally left Lebanon due to the radical muslim factions growing there. He has one sister, they left together and both went to Paris. In time, they both left due to the onslaught of radical muslims flooding into France and Paris. They both then decided to immigrate to the US, both became full citizens 4 years ago. Their parents plan to immigrate also but their father has not been able to sell his business yet, for a price he feels is fair, to finance their new life.

- He explained that the streets in his parent's city in Lebanon were full of muslims celebrating and with jubilation that Obama won the election. They refer to him as a muslim too.

- He is angry and he is terrified that Obama was elected. He made statements such as "Are Americans unable to understand what a gift they have within this country?". "Why would they give away their country, all that it stands for, in this way?" "Why don't they value their freedom, their democracy, their opportunity to be successful?"

- He now no longer wants to stay in the US, but may return to Lebanon. He thinks our country will be destroyed within four years and he stated that he also fears we will be under nuclear attack from our enemies in the middle east within the next two years.

I just thought I would share his thoughts and feelings, since he did have the opportunity to witness what some in the middle east think of our election.

[crazybabyborg]

Wow, none. That's a very insightful post and so sad. I don't think we, as Americans, value what has always been intrinsic to this "American Ideal" either. It's just too easy to take it for granted because very few of us know or have lived in anything different.

I'm trying very hard to keep my chin up, and find ways to participate in preparation for a change in 2012. Two years from now there will be House elections and I'm hoping the shift will take root then. The biggest hurdle to that is the media. If we could count on solid investigative reporting from what is a traditional free press, I'd feel much better. That loss is insurmountable and very discouraging. Did you see Chris Matthews actually say that it was his job to see this President Elect is successful? 

I have tremendous faith in the American people, but the masses won't dig on their own. I trust the appropriate reactions to what is brought before them, but it will have to be served up. There's a tremendous effort right now in MSM to frame this election as a permanent change and wide shift in attitude. The polls don't support that.

There are a few issues that transcend a party. The Bailout outraged most Americans, regardless of party, and that issue is one conservatives need to own. It looks like there will be plenty of opportunity because more is coming down that path. I'm just amazed, however, how democrats have successfully framed that issue as occuring under Bush and therefore, it's his fault. The proof is out there, on tape and recorded, but I don't feel it was effectively imparted to voters. Some of that is the fault of Republican campaigns and the fact they did not articulate it well. The question remains how the media would have received and reported the message.

I'm thinking that this Union secret vote thing flies in the face of all that appears fair, too. I can't imagine the Shumer argument will have wide appeal. Secret ballot is integral to any free election and Shumer can scream all he wants about the low % of workers who are Union Members, but once he makes the point that non-secret ballots would increase membership, he makes the point that coersion would be part of that. I keep scanning the horizon for a spokesman...........

[nonesuche]

CBB I share many of your concerns and questions. Chris Matthews isn't a person I respect, nor do I think our voters are aware that every network except FOX spent three times on their coverage of Obama, than of McCain. Those figures emerged this week.

Was it as simple as having our first quasi-black american presidential candidate going to drive more media earnings? I have to wonder.......

Obama did something McCain did not, he used the internet to his advantage. It was efficent too, best way to secure the young voters interest and commitment. Soundbytes, our president was elected for soundbytes of information - not deep review.

My son confirmed this when he asked teammates if they could tell him WHY they voted for Obama - not one could at least in terms of his platform but all did say "because he's black" - no variations there.

I reminded son that Obama is one-fourth black american.

I agree that the republicans and McCain did not do an effective job of building a campaign strategy that would evangelize all the gaps, inaccuracies, or half-truth's of Obama's campaign. Funny though that I am hearing more in the media question his relationships and associations now. Too little, too late.

[Edward]

The incoming administration is reviewing President Bush's executive orders on stem cell research, oil and gas drilling, and other matters, President-elect Barack Obama's transition chief said on Sunday.

John Podesta said the president can use such orders to move quickly without waiting for Congress to act, highlighting the extraordinary powers a president can wield beyond signing legislation approved by Congress.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/09/obamas-transition-chief-bushs-executive-orders-review/

They are looking for way to bypass Congress and take over America with a presidents ability to do so. Bush has taught them how to do it and everything is on track for the new world order. I think watching Hugo Chavez for the last 3 years has taught everyone how fast and furious things can change for the worst.
These young people and other under educated socialists and lazy unproductive dreamers have knifed US in the back. Survival of this will be our next challenge.
I am still hopeful I am wrong and that Obama and friends will work towards a strong self supported America, even if I do write the words above. One thing is for sure a plan is in action and regardless of ow we got here.. Here we are.
jmho

[LouiseVargas]

- He explained that the streets in his parent's city in Lebanon were full of muslims celebrating and with jubilation that Obama won the election. They refer to him as a muslim too.

On the other hand, Hollywood and Vine were shut down to accomodate Americans who were dancing in the strees with jubilation.  When I went to bed, neighborhood men were shouting "Obama." I imagine this is going on all over the USA.       

[nonesuche]

The incoming administration is reviewing President Bush's executive orders on stem cell research, oil and gas drilling, and other matters, President-elect Barack Obama's transition chief said on Sunday.

John Podesta said the president can use such orders to move quickly without waiting for Congress to act, highlighting the extraordinary powers a president can wield beyond signing legislation approved by Congress.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/09/obamas-transition-chief-bushs-executive-orders-review/

They are looking for way to bypass Congress and take over America with a presidents ability to do so. Bush has taught them how to do it and everything is on track for the new world order. I think watching Hugo Chavez for the last 3 years has taught everyone how fast and furious things can change for the worst.
These young people and other under educated socialists and lazy unproductive dreamers have knifed US in the back. Survival of this will be our next challenge.
I am still hopeful I am wrong and that Obama and friends will work towards a strong self supported America, even if I do write the words above. One thing is for sure a plan is in action and regardless of ow we got here.. Here we are.
jmho

If the selection of Emanuel as his Chief of Staff is a leading indicator, whose own father was a member of a radical faction associated with the PLO, I think there is little hope Obama ever was truthful about his plans for the US.

I wonder how soon the Clintons will move to occupy their 12M home they are currently building in Costa Rica as well?

[nonesuche]

Louise-

I really don't care what was happening in Hollywood. So many people who live there lead truly artificial and superficial lives, they are not mainstream america, period.