Sometimes we become wrapped so tight in our own world we forget how other look or feel towards us Americans. Since our economical troubles began late last September, just about every country has weighted in with both proposed solutions and/or condemnations or any combination there of, regarding what we have caused to the international community at large, but one country has been relatively silent over the economic burdens around the globe, and that country is Russia.
For me, this is rather amazing, since Russia’s economy has been performing very well over the past few years; so along came the international down turn, what’s their reaction?
A fellow blogger (Andrew) posted this interesting article, entitled: “Fresh Angle on US-Russia “New Era”” yesterday, which is primarily devoted to an editorial authored by Mark H Teeter, an American writer residing in Moscow, and Mark’s view of how the Russians are perceiving the world’s economy.
Here are some excerpts from Andrew’s posting:
Sometimes the Moscow Times opinion editorial columns can be a little overbearing. While undoubtedly well written and informative, they are almost universally po-faced. Amid this environment of solemn political analysis and grave social policy, Mark H Teeter brings a delightfully light touch and sharp wit to his keenly observed bi-weekly columns about life and news in Russia. Most weeks he addresses US-Russia relations through the prism of an American living in Moscow, and this week must have provided a bonanza for Teeter, as Barak Obama apparently “pressed the reset button” on US-Russia relations, and wants to reopen nuclear arms control talks with the Kremlin. (Note to self: I do wish the press wouldn’t refer to the pressing of any kind of button when it comes to nuclear arms. It causes a certain… frisson. NTS2: And speaking of uncouth Obama press coverage, when will they stop referring to the fiscal stimulus bill as Obama’s stimulus package? Anyway, back to Teeter: funny guy, sublime writer, irreverent vignettes on US-Russia relations and cultural differences through the eyes of a veteran American expat in Moscow. Today, Teeter has managed to trump every single one of the major op-eds and foreign policy wonk notes I’ve read on the start of a another new ‘new era’ of Russo-Yankee relations. Click here for an engaging read.
Sometimes the Moscow Times opinion editorial columns can be a little overbearing. While undoubtedly well written and informative, they are almost universally po-faced. Amid this environment of solemn political analysis and grave social policy, Mark H Teeter brings a delightfully light touch and sharp wit to his keenly observed bi-weekly columns about life and news in Russia.
Most weeks he addresses US-Russia relations through the prism of an American living in Moscow, and this week must have provided a bonanza for Teeter, as Barak Obama apparently “pressed the reset button” on US-Russia relations, and wants to reopen nuclear arms control talks with the Kremlin.
(Note to self: I do wish the press wouldn’t refer to the pressing of any kind of button when it comes to nuclear arms. It causes a certain… frisson. NTS2: And speaking of uncouth Obama press coverage, when will they stop referring to the fiscal stimulus bill as Obama’s stimulus package?
Anyway, back to Teeter: funny guy, sublime writer, irreverent vignettes on US-Russia relations and cultural differences through the eyes of a veteran American expat in Moscow.
Today, Teeter has managed to trump every single one of the major op-eds and foreign policy wonk notes I’ve read on the start of a another new ‘new era’ of Russo-Yankee relations.
Click here for an engaging read.
I am a dyed inteh Wool Democrat, as my grandfather was, and his father. But I have to say, I am dissaponted already
I read the Economic Stimulus Bill, it is a thiny veiled pay back to the Big Business Contributors for your campaign. .
I thought the republicans left
I will be doing a live radio show for 120 minutes from 2.00P.M to 4.00P.M. (PST) on the following days:
January 23, 2009 Friday from 2.00 - 4.00 P.M (PST) to accommodate listeners from all time zones.
Category: Current Events
Topic: Corporate Bailout
Discussion:
What should financial institutions do with the taxpayers’ bailout?
Why have they not utilized those funds to stimulate economy?
What is public demand from them and the legislators?
———————————————————————
January 30, 2009, 120 minutes 2.00P.M - 4.00P.M
Topic: Economy and Health Care
What should the new administration do for you and the economy?
How do we fix the Health Care system?
———————————————————————————-
Podcast live : http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Padmini-A
Guest Call-in-number: (646) 727 -3778
I invite you all to participate in the public forum and share your concerns, ideas and knowledge.
Your comments and thoughts are welcome in the political discourse.
Let us keep democracy alive and help our new President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in rebuilding our nation.
Look forward to the session.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
P.S. My apologies for not being able to schedule a convenient time on January 21, 2009. I am aiming to provide as much time as possible through whatever avenues available in getting us back on our feet.
Your participation is a huge encouragement and always appreciated - Thank you again.
Is Barack Obama another Martin Luther King, Jr? What would Dr. King say about the election of Obama? Is the election of Obama as the first African-American president of the United States mean that Dr. King's dream has been fulfilled? Did I ever think an African-American would become president of the United States 40 years after the death of Dr. King? Does Obama's election indicate that racism for all practical purposes no longer exist in America? Will Obama's election have any impact upon the number of African-American men incarcerated of the high percentage of out of wedlock births within the African-American community?
What would Dr. King say about the election of Obama?
Is the election of Obama as the first African-American president of the United States mean that Dr. King's dream has been fulfilled?
Did I ever think an African-American would become president of the United States 40 years after the death of Dr. King?
Does Obama's election indicate that racism for all practical purposes no longer exist in America?
Will Obama's election have any impact upon the number of African-American men incarcerated of the high percentage of out of wedlock births within the African-American community?
Embossed Metallic Engraved Seal
Earlier this week, I got a very official looking invitation to the Presidential Inauguration coming up in 11 days (YaY!). It includes a fancy embossed metallic seal on cardstock. You can tell it's the real deal because the back is pressed in.
.
Back of Embossed Metallic Engraved Seal
I wish I could be there, but no way could I hang in a crowd of an estimated 1 million to 5 million people with only a few port-a-potties sprinkled around. In the snowy cold no less. True, watching the first African American being sworn in person is a once in a lifetime, never to be repeated again event, is worth the hassles to plenty of people, but I'm not one of them. Although some of the goings on look really good and I hope they show the events on TV.
Envelope for Presidential Inauguration Invitation
Monday and Tuesday Events related to the Inauguration.
Lance Wyman designed art piece inspired by Barack Obama’s campaign.
As we prepare for the inauguration on the 20th, many of us are thinking about collectibles we will have available to us. I’m talking about collectibles that we can hand down to our kids, collectibles that remind us of what we have accomplished and where we need to go.
Sure, there will be many pins and buttons given out at the inauguration and all the parties, which for the most part will inevitably lost in the coming weeks.
Ones you will keep forever. I'm talking about Bobbleheads.
Bobbleheads have been around for hundreds of years in some form or fashion. We have created a unique collectible of our 44th President Barack Obama as the true "Superman." Here to save us from the trouble we have got ourselves into.
We have also created one with Vice President Joe Biden.
Both are Limited Editions of 100 and hand signed, numbered, and designed by Rick Lynn of The Bobblehead, LLC.
You can view the Bobbleheads at http://www.thebobblehead.com. Simply click on Political section under the Online Store. Have some for your inauguration party.
It's been a long time coming, and a change is gonna come! We must, as Americans, continue to pray for this great nation, and our current President as well as President Elect Barack Obama and his family. We must remember to continue doing our part in making and keeping this country a great nation.
The voters stated profoundly that we, as Americans, will no longer stand for the same old same old. We have a voice in our vote and we will stand together to bring about a change in this Nation. Therefore, if there are "repeat offenders" in your legislative, senate, or congressional seats, VOTE THEM OUT! We will not get anywhere with the same people in office. We hear it everyday...if you think you're going to get a different outcome doing the same thing with the same people in control, you're fooling yourself, wasting your time, and remaining stagnant.
It's time to stir the waters, take a leap of faith, and exercise that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD! Get involved! Your little bit counts - even if it's just helping to feed a neighbor's child; making sure your neighbors are safe and warm; helping the children in your neighborhood complete their homework; lending a hand to the senior citizen in your community; etc. At least participatie and not stand idly by watching things get worse - that is no longer an option.
This crisis is real and WE BELIEVE that YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! YES WE CAN!
We will continue to pray and remain involved in whatever needs to be accomplished to bring Americans together, change the economy, and educate our children - the future leaders of this great Nation.
Take care and GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Mary
Senator Lieberman, Former Democratic VP Candidate now McCain pusher talking about Sarah Palin yesterday:"Thank God, she's not gonna have to be president from day one, because McCain's going to be alive and well," Lieberman said in a conference call with reporters.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/25/lieberman-on-palin-thank_n_137769.html
Not too long ago I was forwarded another one of the those emails created by stodgy conservatives. This one contained a letter written by Mark Gregg to Mr Obama. Stodgy conservatives have been circulating it out on the internet via email and blogs for about a month now. I felt compelled to write back to Mr Gregg. Here is my letter.
Dear Mr Gregg,
One of the greatest things about this country is that we can have vastly different opinions and still be Americans. We can question our leaders, (apparently with the exception of vice presidential candidates), and hold them accountable. I respectfully disagree with your statements and here is why. I hope you will reconsider your vote.
Here is the video, Karaoke style.
Here are the lyrics.
We know Sarah Palin is completely out of her league as McCain's vice presidential candidate. Yet she's out there in front of the cameras every day, her poll numbers waaaaay down in the dumps, happy, smiling, jabbing Barack and Joe, and showing up on SNL to preen around in front of the cameras.
There's Trooper-gate, and the concerns she's charged the State of Alaska for spending nights in her own home, as well as for unauthorized travel for her children. There's the nepotism in hiring her friends, the censorship of library books, and the fact that the builder of that huge sports arena in Wasilla also built the Palin family home. Nothing seems to faze this woman while in the national limelight. Nothing at all.
What is Sarah Palin auditioning for? Is it politics or something else entirely? Someone close to me insists she simply wants to be president, and it's really an early run for 2012. I don't buy it. She'll never develop enough education or worldliness to undo the impression she's made on America. Maybe she doesn't realize that. Or maybe she's got her eye on Hollywood or maybe it's Fox News.
Thoughts, anyone?
Obama is quoted saying, "If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress." As I've observed him over the past couple years, I've been impressed by his walk, his progress. He's remained steady and calm no matter what challenges have presented themselves. Not only has Barack matured during his campaign to exude even greater poise and diplomacy, but he's proven himself to be unflappable under fire by his opponents. I think Colin Powell's well-balanced perception of Obama, given during his interview with Meet the Press, stated eloquently what people all over the world are observing about Barack's walk, his talk and his confidence in running mate for VP, Joe Biden:
"...he (Obama) displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like this, picking a Vice President that I think is ready to be President on Day One. And also in – not just in jumping in and changing every day – but showing intellectual vigor, I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well."
Powell concludes that segment of his interview by saying:
"I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the ... onto the world stage and on the American stage...."
I choose to put my trust in the leadership of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I trust they will both prove to be trustworthy servants and continue to walk their talk all the way to the White House and for the length of their term(s) in office.
May God give them discernment and wisdom to administer sound advice and judgement in all matters, keep them from harm and from doing harm as they serve the American people and negotiate with world leaders to work toward protecting our freedom, ensuring peace, improving humanitarian and environmental health, and spearheading economic, education and political reforms.
(To be sung to the tune of "Doin' what comes natur'lly", from the Broadway musical "Annie Get Your Gun", music and original lyrics by Irving Berlin. New lyrics by Gregory Bachelis.)
Folks are scared I’m not prepared
To govern if elected
But I’ll make a great V. P.
Doin’ what the Lord tells me
(Doin’ what the Lord tells her)
Gals like me could never see
The point of facts and figures
I’ve done well politic’lly
You don’t have to know much foreign affairs
When you can see Russia from your front porch stairs
From my earliest days in the PTA
Religious/social issues were my forte'
God advises me
(God advises her)
One of the most interesting parts of the VP debate to me was when the candidates talked about the role of the VP. Palin's answer didn't surprise me, but the way Biden said "no thanks" to more power in that role should he assume it was very impressive to me. Usually once power is given, it is very hard to take it away, and hardly anyone can say no to more power. Here's a video of the answers they gave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfB0RXv824
and here is a good article from the New York Times about the issue:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/04/opinion/04sat1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&pagewanted=print&oref=login
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The vice presidential candidates, Democratic Sen. Joe Biden and Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, debated in St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday night. Gwen Ifill of PBS was the debate moderator. Here is a transcript of that debate:
Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin debate the issues Thursday night.
Like many, I was surprised at the level of competency displayed by Sara Palin during the VP debate. After embarrassing comments and obvious lack of knowledge of foreign policy and even her own running mate, she seemed to have really brushed up on her geography and some basic facts. Good for her!
The preparation she went through preceding the debate paid off. She was confident and spunky, yet unconvincing. Foreign policy and a global economy are not subjects one can comprehend and develop views on overnight. It was obvious that she was regurgitating the script she was carefully taught. I find it frightening that she is just a heartbeat away from being the commander in chief.
