Obama, Play Tough Play Fair

Obama has addressed the C.I.A. workers when he visited their headquarters to say play tough play fair. It means that, following discussions with high ranking C.I.A. workers he understands that it is hard to protect the American people against those with no 'scruples' and that they feel they have to use any methods possible. Not to do so, and to be bound by U.S. law when the lawbreakers and terrorists do not have any constitution to constrain them is unfair they say and gives the CIA a harder job. It would mean the C.I.A. fighting with its hand tied behind his back and to some, it might seem that those arguing for higher standards are naive.

However Obama says that as Americans to be proud to call themselves Americans means that they must use not only their power, but their power and their values. It is not enough to hold up high standards only when it's easy to do so, but also when also it's hard to do so. In effect, President Obama is living up to his principles of fairness and justice, again setting high standards for his leadership of the U.S not just by word, but by action.

Source: Sky News, broadcast 21/4/09

House of Cards

Image: A house made of playing cards, seems stable at first glance, but it would only take a sneeze to bring it down!

The financial crisis was started by Wall Street financing companies whom were selling housing loans based on the high and ever-rising house prices. The high prices gave people too much equity, and creates, in financial terms, a house of cards. There were no further financial checks carried out and no company wanted to do more thorough checks in fear of becoming less competitive than other companies. Worse than this, some companies in the U.S. were cheating by rating the Collaterized Debt Obligations (CDOs) for loans too highly. The agencies doing the rating got more business if they offered more favourable ratings. This is because more of their customers, whom are the lending agencies, will go to the CDO loan rating that gives a higher average rating.

All companies took the same short-sighted greedy approach. I would like to ask why was the greed of a few allowed to devastate the lives of so many?


Protests this week in London for the G20 summit were important to express peoples' feelings. Here are some more images of the protests (click on an image for the link back to the original source).

World leaders from the G20 countries met in London to discuss what can be done for the worst world recession in 80 years, see some of the leaders pictured below.

French President Mr Sarkozy wants greater and tighter regulation on the financial markets as they have proved they cannot self-regulate effectively.

Perhaps, Capitalism, given a free reign, is not the way to go? From this economic crisis, we can see that, in the same way that Barack Obama believes the political world needs transparency and accountability, for the financial structures there is also clearly a need for transparency, integrity and accountability, supported by appropriate policy and regulation.

Sources: CNBC listened to 16.2.09, 'house of cards'. Aljazeera News Hour 1st-3rd/4/09; Aljazeera World News Website, the2009g20londonsummit, accessed 4.4.09

Decency and Civility

Barrack Obama says that he values what the Queen of England stands for, decency and civility, on his first trip overseas as President of the United States. He is in London prior to the G20 summit talks due to start tomorrow.

Decency: the quality of being decent

Comes from the Middle French word decent, 'proper to one's station or rank', also tasteful; from the Latin title="decens">decēns, present participle of decet (“‘it is fitting or suitable’”); from the Proto-Indo-European *deke- from base *dek- (“‘to take, accept, to receive, greet, be suitable’”); (compare Ancient Greek δοκεῖν (dokein), “‘to appear, seem, think’”), δέχεσθαι (dekhesthai), “‘to accept’”); Sanskrit dacasyati (“‘shows honor, is gracious’”), dacati (“‘makes offerings, bestows’”).

1. Decency of a person Showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness.
2. Adjective: kind, pleasant meaning from 1902.

Civility: The quality of being civil

Comes from the latin word civilis (“‘relating to a citizen’”)

1. Having to do with people and government office as opposed to the military or religion.

   She went into civil service because she wanted to help the people.

2. Behaving in a reasonable or polite manner.

   It was very civil of him to stop the argument.

India our Guru

Wen Jiabao, a Chinese premier, describes the current climate of peace and development that Tibet is experiencing as testimony to the correct policies implemented by the Chinese government. Of course, this climate of peace is in context of the security lockdown of Tibet, and the restrictions on Internet access and lack of sms (text) availability among other things. Meanwhile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been described by Wen as mixing up with politics and that he is being 'exploited' by overseas nations. Chinese government was also upset over the meeting of the Dalai Lama with the French President in November and has since demanded a summit between China and France to make up for it. Read more

The Central Tibet Administration reports His Holiness the Dalai Lama feels honoured to call India his spiritual home for decades, "you are the guru [teacher], and we your chela [students]" he says. Furthermore, he would like to see India propagate values of religious harmony word-wide adding there is no scope for violence or force on any issue - Go to Central Tibet Administration website and click on the Support Tibet link on the sidebar under 'Actions'.
In a pre-election speech in March 2008, U.S., President Obama has requested that the Chinese government start to respect the rights [human rights] of the people of Tibet, read the notes here.

What is going to become of Tibet? I hope that Tibet peoples' rights will be respected, security lockdown will be relaxed and the Chinese government will start to work together with others to improve the situation there.

Sources, Chinese premier defends policies, article on Guardian Newspaper News Website accessed 14.3.09
Central Tibet Administration Website, India Should Promote Religious Harmony abroad: His Holiness the Dalai Lama accessed 14.3.09
Obama News & speeches website, Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the situation in Tibet, accessed 14.3.09

FaceMasks In Action!

Specators at the Australian Open Tennis match Australian Jessica Moore and Italy's Flavia Pennett match in Melbourne display Barrack Obama facemasks.

Source: Jakarta Post 22/1/09 Seeing It Through His Eyes Associated Press accessed 23/1/09 http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/01/22/seeing-it-through-his-eyes.html

Party On- For Obama!

People have partied all over the world, from the U.S. where millions gathered in Washington and celebrated in their hometowns. In Mexico, Europe, Russia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan especially in one town named 'Obama' where there has been lots of activity making cookies and other memorabilia, 'we love Obama' using the official Barrack Obama campaign logo.

In the U.K. parties were held in honour of his inauguration and many people watched his speech live. A British athlete, Dwain Chambers said, "I hope he [Barrack Obama] will keep his word and America will change...... It doesn't matter that he's black - the fact America wanted change should have an impact on all colours, creeds and classes. It shows that whatever you aspire to, you can achieve."

Meanwhile, in Indonesia pupils at the school Barrack Obama used to attend have written him letters congratulating him on his presidency, and they let him know the whole world is looking towards him to make the world a better world, especially for Moslem people.

In the Middle East leaders have also expressed hope that things will be better working with Barrack Obama, meanwhile Nelson Mandala welcomes Barrack Obama as, 'a new voice of hope', and the Pope has given his blessings. Long-time enemy of the U.S. Cuban President Castro said, 'he seems like a good man'.

Only China has censored Barrack Obama's inauguration speech, whilst North Korea was the only country in which the media made no mention of the event at all.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed that the world body and the America could now look towards a 'stronger partnership' and a 'new era'.

Sources: Aljazeera News Hour (broadcast Triangle TV); Yahoo News http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090120/tuk-britain-throws-obama-party-dba1618.html; http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090121/tpl-mandela-calls-obama-voice-of-hope-mu-10170b4.html accessed 20/1/09

Obamamania in Japan

Here is a close up of the Obama chopsticks range .......... from the town 'Obama' in japan.... they are taking the I love Obama campaign quite seriously with a range of memorabilia.......

Here is a figure of Obama.........

And some more Obama memorabilia.... all with the offical logo from the Obama election campaign!

A photo showing a sign for the 'Can we change, Yes we CAN' campaign lead by Obama in the run up to his Presidency.

(Photos from Holly North accessed 21/01/09 http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollywood_north/2998001577/)

Obamas First Directives for a Fairer System

Image: Obama meets with Rahm Emanuel one of the staff affected by the pay freeze

Setting rules on lobbying, Obama has stated that issues a person has previously lobbied on could not be worked on by the same person should they join his administration. Obama says tough rules are necessary to fix a broken system. He also is making government accountable by increasing transparency and is re-interpreting the Freedom of Information act.

He has already shown he has strong principles and he is widely believed to have a good character.

Obama and any other president whom wants to withhold information must consult the relevant government agency and the decision will not rest with the president himself. He is freezing paychecks for employees earning more than 100 000 dollars, including that of Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff in the Oval office, pictured above.

Source: Aljazeera News Hour 22/1/09

Obama: 'We gather on this day because we choose hope over fear'.

President elect Barrak H Obama has been sworn into the office as President of the United States of America - at 4pm Washington, U.S. local time.

After swearing Oath of Office, and signing the papers, Obama gave a great address to crowds of at least one million people who had travelled near and far to be in the crowd on this historic day.

Obama used a quote from Thomas Paine in his address, whom argued passionately against slavery in the U.S.A. As the first U.S. president of mixed African American descent, Obama has a rich personal history to draw from. Crowds around the world have been celebrating, from the U.S. to countries in Middle East, Kenya, Indonesia, Japan. To young people especially, Obama represents the hope the world needs.

News footage showed an interview with young Jewish people whom hope that Obama will bring a new approach to the problem in Israel and the middle east, saying that war is not the right way, it 'hasn't worked'. The whole world is looking to Obama to be the change the world needs, to turn away from the antagonistic methods of the Bush era, and bring a more conciliatory approach to conflict, giving Hope to the world.

Source: Aljazeera News Hour (Triangle TV)

Full Text of Address: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/01/2009120164354602654.html

Israeli military to withdraw before Obama takes office

,The Israeli army declared a ceasefire and a 'victory' likewise the Hammas. It seems the whole thing is back to square one, because the crossings into Gaza are still closed and rockets can still be fired. People are still held in Gaza under siege without proper access to outside world.

Despite Hammas declaring victory that they can withstand such intensive 22 day operations, the death toll came up past 1300 people with more than 5000 injured. Today the ceasefire has meant it was safe for people to go outside, they have gone back to their houses in Gaza, many found rubble with neighbourhoods totally destroyed.

There were reports from Israeli military radio that the Israeli troops will withdraw before Obama takes office on Tuesday.

Source: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200911915726719317.html