Slog - Comments on And Another Sign of the Times http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1 World views US 'more positively' Attitudes to the United States are improving, an opinion poll carried out for the BBC World Service suggests. The average percentage of people saying that the US has a positive influence has risen to 35% from 31% a year ago, according to the survey. Those saying the US has a negative influence fell five percentage points to 47%. The future will certainly connect the current revival of American prestige with the arrival of Obama on the main stage of planetary politics. In fact, the crucial (and telling) difference between his presidency and Clinton's is this:... Copyright 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:59:15 -0800 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:10:49 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Mr. Poe Uh huh.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987713 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987713 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:02:35 -0800 Comment by Cato I think the return of Elvis would do more to raise the positive image of our country than Obama.

]]> Cato http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987714 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987714 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:03:35 -0800 Comment by Rotten666 Don't get ahead of yourself, Charles. It's going to be interesting to see how the man is perceived once the new car smell wears off (that is , if he is actually elected).

]]> Rotten666 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987720 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987720 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:13:48 -0800 Comment by Peter F Even though I'm an Obama alternate delegate, I don't think this is a fair assumption -- I think either Democratic candidate would improve foreign relations and it's my understanding that the Clintons are warmly regarded by most of the world (recent Irish eye-rolling about Senator Clinton's peace process claims nonwithstanding).

I can't imagine a McCain Presidency would be welcome news to most of the world. Also, I wonder how notorious Cindy McCain is outside of the US for her having to resign from the international aid organization she'd founded, over stealing painkillers from it...

]]> Peter F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987726 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987726 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:23:34 -0800 Comment by RonK, Seattle Might've been before your time, Charles, but there was a guy named Bill whose global popularity was (and is) much higher than his (record-setting) US approvals.

In fact, US failure to appreciate Bill was a factor in declining global approval of the US. "If you don't want him, he can be our President" was a common response.

Global what, now? Barack Obama may be cool and hip, but he's no MONGO FORTRAN.

]]> RonK, Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987732 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987732 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:27:05 -0800 Comment by Non Have you considered that it is our tanking economy? Those polled probably hate us less because we're less threatening.


But never put it past an Obysmal to draw these grandiose conclusions that he is improving our image *ahem* MONTHS before the general and even more *MONTHS* before being a sitting President.


Riiiiiiiiiiiiight

]]> Non http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987744 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987744 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:37:36 -0800 Comment by Julie I'm with the earlier comments... I would love it if Obama were a world President, but I don't think you can uncategorically state that he "will be" at this point. I also think that Clinton would be a significant improvement as well, in terms of world opinion.

Are there any international polls on this topic (Obama vs. Clinton vs. McCain's impact on world opinion)? I'm too lazy/busy to look right now...

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987747 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987747 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:39:08 -0800 Comment by ecce homo I hope that Obama is nothing like Mugabe.

Although, I kinda suspect that some things are just in the blood.

Why is Africa such a shite hole?

]]> ecce homo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987750 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987750 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:41:28 -0800 Comment by Hernandez Either Dem as president would improve our international image, at least in comparison to McCain.

I have to agree with the others - I'm an Obama supporter, but I still think it's a little early in the game to be kissing his ass with this much vigor.

]]> Hernandez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987755 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987755 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:49:33 -0800 Comment by maxsolomon@home obama won't be the world president, but his election will be seen as evidence that rationality has (re-?)appeared in america.

the planet is going to be sorely disappointed when he can't wave a magic wand & make all the problems go away.

for the reasons an earlier poster said: our economy is entering a precipitous & sustained downturn. our power & influence got thrown in a ditch by president cheney.

we MUST contract our military significantly (leading to more unemployed, undereducated, unskilled young men in the work force), stop employing the rest of the planet, stop killing the atmosphere, and address our energy future. we have no choice.

]]> maxsolomon@home http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987756 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987756 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:51:50 -0800 Comment by Carollani WTF? "Clinton (like McCain) will be nothing more than another American president..."

Having a female president is far more radical for the US than another color of wealthy man.

]]> Carollani http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987772 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987772 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:12:08 -0800 Comment by john @11, wealthy woman running on her husband's reputation > wealthy black man running on his own reputation? That is silly.

Argentina already had two presidentas like that. And guess what. They weren't very radical. On the other hand, Zimbabwe successfully replaced its white presidents with a black one and woo boy. That went well. But radical it was, nevertheless.

]]> john http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987792 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987792 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:25:40 -0800 Comment by Deeply Depressed "Zimbabwe successfully replaced its white presidents with a black one and woo boy. That went well. But radical it was, nevertheless."

Current events not withstanding, people forget that the first half of the Mugabe presidency was actually quite stellar.

]]> Deeply Depressed http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987803 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987803 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:31:11 -0800 Comment by Julie I think they'll both be pretty radical... my opinion is that a woman would be more radical from a US-perspective, but I'm not sure about the international perspective. Suspect it would be the black man (since many countries have already had female leaders), but I really don't know.

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987812 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987812 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:34:27 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle john @12 is right.

seriously, having a female head of state is something most nations did LAST century. it's not a big deal ...

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987833 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987833 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:49:16 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi @11,

Hillary is much, much more wealthy than Obama. I've also heard that Michelle earns more than he does. I haven't seen corroboration, but if true, that's pretty damn cool.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987849 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987849 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:56:08 -0800 Comment by Grant Cogswell Exactly, Charles. Hilliary is just more of the McSame.

]]> Grant Cogswell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987892 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987892 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:25:39 -0800 Comment by D I love how your OPINION is stated like it is the ultimate truthnomatterwhat.

]]> D http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987895 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987895 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:27:14 -0800 Comment by Cat in Chicago @13 Mugabe's presidency tanked when his wife died. Apparently she was the one who was really running the country.

]]> Cat in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987916 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987916 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:39:03 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV So if I hear the Hillary supporters right--we shouldn't have a black President, and Obama's supporters are saying we shouldn't have a woman President.

Can't we find common ground in a white man as President, then?

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987934 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987934 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:45:10 -0800 Comment by Matthew Way to ensure we never get an Obama presidency, Jinxy McJinxton.

]]> Matthew http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987943 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c987943 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:47:45 -0800 Comment by left coast I don't buy the world president concept, but I think Obama's election would be a landmark in race relations in the US and a sign that this country isn't run by juveniles. I do think that Hillary's election would also by a real sign of maturity.

@8, you should buddy up with 528, he/she claims to be going to dinner with McCain, Cheney and Rove. I would guess they share your views on Africa.

]]> left coast http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988126 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988126 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:19:47 -0800 Comment by Julie @16 - The only fact I have on the topic of Michelle and Obama's earnings is that apparently her salary before she quit was $215k (not sure about bonuses). More than a state or US senator salary, for sure, but he also has book earnings... I'm sure the info is out there with their taxes being released and all...

]]> Julie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988253 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988253 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:27:12 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe Everybody, shut the fuck up. Gossip Girl is on!

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988520 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988520 2008 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:27:44 -0800 Comment by Bleu Northam It baffles me how Dan Savage can get on HBO and scream Hillary is a liar due to her "Bosnia Fantasy" yet he fails to point out that Obama is a liar too! Obama claims he is a Professor of Law at the University of Chicago while he is only a lecturer. Obama also claims to have been conceived at the Selma march ( which the first march was in 1963) yet Obama was born in 1961. Here is a big one because it is one of his campaign bites he does not accept money from Lobbyist yet he has accepted money from The Cherokee Nation who btw have ousted fellow Cherokee because they are black. Come on Savage from one queer to another. Stop your hypcritical HATE towards Hillary and support the democratic party and let the election process work itself out!!! Jeeez!!

]]> Bleu Northam http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988692 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/04/another_sign_of_the_times_1#c988692 2008 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:10:49 -0800