This is Omar’s blog

I meant to link to this > http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/09/barack-obama-gordon-brown on Sunday. It’s the one where Gordon says:

This is a defining moment. A new chapter of the human story is being written and will be studied by our children, and their children, and their children after them. It is up to us whether 2008 is remembered for a financial crash that engulfed the world or for a new resilience and optimism from a generation which faced the economic storm head on and built the fair society in its wake.
The people of America made their choice last week. They picked a progressive President, inspiring the world with their belief that in difficult times people need their government to ensure more - not less - help and security is available for families and business

And the comments are very much what you expect.

Still I’ll admit I’m not a 100% clear on what progressive means. I could probably tell you what I don’t think it means…

The government was under fire last night after it emerged that the new chief whip, Nick Brown, is proposing that any Labour MP voting against the government in the past year will not be recommended to sit on all-party parliamentary select committees.

Progressive means party above-all-else then?

Also > Chicken Yoghurt

I will freely admit that the internet has somewhat ruined my attention span. Anything longer then a paragraph and I’m zipping away.

See, I ran off them to have a look at a website. (justin.tv)

Then again. (hypem.com)

Still, I read this through in one go (all 2622 words). It’s another reference to Hazel Blears comment/speech that has got people talking (see here) and it effin’ awesome, it really is. For example >

” …and in recent years commentary has taken over from investigation or news reporting, to the point where commentators are viewed by some as every bit as important as elected politicians, with views as valid as cabinet ministers.”

Views as valid as cabinet ministers. Views as valid as cabinet ministers? You see? I’m gibbering with fear already. This woman thinks that no-one else’s views are entitled to be seen as being as valid as those of cabinet ministers. She is suggesting that it is wrong for people to have views which are taken as seriously by the electorate as those of cabinet ministers. She thinks that cabinet ministers have a special claim to have their views prevail. She has genuinely, totally forgotten that cabinet ministers are supposed to serve the people, represent their views. She has genuinely, totally forgotten that this is a democracy.

I read it and I think, I hope there’s a very real possibility people might have actually start thinking they’ve had enough.

Yes we can?

“The revelation that Obama’s candidacy was the only thing that gave their lives any meaning has caused many supporters to wander aimlessly, unsure of what to do with themselves. “

Get Your War On: New World Order

In the wake of the Obama win, Accounts Receivable gives Accounts Payable a little heads up about exactly what kind of “change” Obama was really talking about all those months on the trail.

Also a softer world

Barack Obama’s election night photos

It’s things like this that just make me go ‘wow’. It’s a measure of him and his campaign that it just doesn’t feel cynical and horrible and icky. If Brown did it, I would probably feel all those things.

See also > http://www.change.gov/

Throughout the Presidential Transition Project, this website will be your source for the latest news, events, and announcements so that you can follow the setting up of the Obama Administration. And just as this historic campaign was, from the beginning, about you — the transition process will offer you opportunities to participate in redefining our government.

Come back often as we define new programs and possibilities to engage and be part of this administration.

But my blog doesn’t like it and I’m ok with that.

I keep reading these entries or entries like them and I never know what to make of the comments. I think it’s because such a large proportion of the population has a vested interest in teaching, it’s just hard to read some of the things that are written. In regards to the pay, it’s not why I do it. I was told today that they don’t have bonfires in the morning by a child after they looked at my picture; oh no, that’s a firework. :( Some of their bonfire pictures were amazing, just pastels get on fingers get on t-shirts and jumpers!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/nov/05/votera-pathy-hazel-blears-blogging - Corrosive cynicism, fuelled by politically nihilistic blogs and a retreat from dispassionate reporting, is endangering British political discourse, Hazel Blears, the communities secretary, told a Hansard Society conference today on growing political disengagement in Britain.

Obama won, how I wish I could get as excited about a British election. Are we not built that way? Is it just never going to happen?

Updated > Hazel’s bit is also here BUT WITH COMMENTS. It’s the second most commented piece after Obama’s win. It’s just a chance to vent I think.

Also > http://www.septicisle.info/2008/11/from-sublime-to-ridiculous.html

The problem with the election of Obama for our own parliamentary equivalents is that it doesn’t exactly show them in the most flattering light. Here’s a master of oratory who’s managed to inspire millions to go to the polls, and here’s our bunch, left looking like a stood-up date on a particularly filthy evening. Whilst we’ve learned the lesson the hard way about charisma and the apparent “everyman” quality, you’re still left absolutely bewildered, wondering where our own personal Obama might suddenly come from. With no suitable candidate in sight, we instead have to make do with both Gordon Brown and David Cameron fighting over which of them is most like Obama, reminiscent of two little boys at school squabbling over who the new girl likes the most.

“I keep torturing my wife by pointing out that the Obama hype is quite similar to the Tony Blair hype the UK had when he was elected.”

from http://www.metafilter.com/75311/Sarah-Palin-may-be-a-better-debater-than-you-think

I don’t like it. Eurghhhhhhh

It is, it’s just a little bit colder in the morning. That video, just wow. Is she an evil genius or just not aware of what she’s saying.

See also, I’ll give $100 to charity everytime Sarah Palin lies. He’s up to $3700!

(Both from the awesome Chicken Yoghurt. I keep meaning to write a list of the sites I read mostest. That one is on there.)