Hahaha. I've recently come across a few partisan-charged arguments on this site, which I find quite odd considering who this site is in support of, and his personal feelings towards the ludicrously partisan nature of modern politics. in both the U.S. and AUSTRALIA.... where I happen to live at the moment. Some bloggers have been exhibiting the sort of "if you're not for us, you're against us" attitude that makes the reasoning behind much of what Howard and Bush say quite questionable. Like they're so high no one of worth would disagree with them. Like they're above counsel?
Firstly I'd like to dispel some rumours being spread abour Australians attitude towards Americans. I support the Labor Party in Oz, AND I LIKE AMERICA! "Anti-Americanism" in Australia is mainly a result of Australians laughing with incredulity at the amount of support that President Dubya received for a certain war (despite a lack of reasoning), and the fundamentalist Christian right which appear to dominate the GOP with little understanding or care for the rule of (non-natural) law.Labor in Australia is, of late, exhibiting a lot of anti-US sentiment in an attempt to distance itself from the highly unpopular war in Iraq, taking advantage of contrasting itself with Howard's Liberal Party. In addition they're trying to distance themselves from this perceived "stupidity" of the Americans (just watch Letterman's various criticisms of his compatriots) That's not to say they dislike Americans, yet another brash, poorly thought through and frankly typically Australian comment, just like the PM's comment of the other day, poking his nose in foreign politics, for which KEVIN RUDD reprimanded him for putting our alliance in jeopardy... Tsk tsk Mr Howard, and tsk tsk you too Partisans. This site if for OBAMA SUPPORTERS, so clear off, and don't bring partisanship into the site of the very poltician trying to stop it.
Okay, I guess I'm not your average Obama supporter. First of all, I'm not a US citizen, so some would argue his candidacy doesn't affect me and my life in Australia. Secondly, I'm only 16 and not even eligible to vote in my own country, so why should I care? Shouldn't I be concerning myself with those trivialities which coin my generation? Why should I spend my time reading the news, joining the groups, wearing the badges in support of this presumptuous guy?
The truth is I've been a big fan of Obama's since last year's TIME magazine cover story, "The Fresh Face," on October 23, 2006. In reading that article, seeing the honesty in his eyes, hearing the stillness in his voice at the 2004 DNC, and feeling a genuine connection to his story in reading his books, I know in my heart of hearts that it's in the United States' best interests, and indeed those of the wider world, that this "tall, gangly, self-made Springfield lawyer", this phenomenon, be the next president of the most influential nation on this earth. An earth that sorely needs the rebirth of freedom that he promises.
Well that's my short story. God bless the United States, and God bless President Barack Obama.
Matt Bray, Canberra Australia
