Bush was the Problem - Right?

I’m not sure how I feel about this opinion piece in El Pais. On the one hand I think that many Europeans have a natural antipathy toward the U.S. (like the article says) and no matter what the Americans do - they won't like it. Having Bush in there just let all those feelings come rushing to the surface. A perfect poster boy for the evil empire. So it is logical that even with Obama as President many Europeans will try to hang the same "Bush-like" label on him. Hence the "Bushification" of Obama.

On the other hand if they don't "Bushify" Obama and they love what he is doing then they are a bunch of hypocrites. After all, Obama will continue many of the same policies as President Bush. He kept Bush's defense minister, he will increase troops in Afghanistan, he will continue CIA renditions in foreign countries, his support for Israel won't waiver, he is a Christian and will continue with Bush's "faith-based" community support programs, and he is against gay marriage, etc. Sure he is going to close Guantanamo (eventually) just like McCain was going to do, but seeing that Obama really will act like Bush in many ways (i.e., like an American president) isn’t it hypocritical of Europe NOT to treat him the same way, with the same hate and derision? Or was it all bullshit? I guess they only hated Bush for his silly grin.

I think the bottom line is they are pretty confused - Obama was a curve ball they just didn't see coming.

Update: Obama's position on the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by 3 men who say they were kidnapped by the CIA and tortured is "exactly the same" as the Bush white house's position. Obama says the suit should be dismissed because the act of trying it would threaten national security - just like Bush said. Will there be an outcry?

Obama's Dirty Secret

Spain dwellers will probably be surprised to hear that a very common Spanish pastime that Barack Obama indulges in is something that he is desperately trying to conceal from the American people. Smoking.

This is a big deal over in Yanquilandia because many people see smoking as a very nasty habit only partaken in by weak-willed individuals. Presidents don’t smoke, at least not modern day Democratic presidents. Smoking is for shady, back-room dealing Republicans.

Obama says he is trying to quit, or has quit, or something. The Barack-obsessed American media sure isn’t going to out him though. They consistently only have great things to say about ol’ Barack. I bet if Hillary even looked at a cigarette it would be all over the papers about what white trash she is.

One good thing they say the cigarettes do for Obama is they make his voice all maple syrupy and smooth, like some kind of jazz radio disk-jockey. People really do love his voice. If he quits smoking he may lose that rich, resonant, authoritative sound that some people say intones “president.”

Maybe Hillary should pick up a pack of Ducados. Her voice could use some toning down. People may be voting solely on which voice they will be subjected to for the next 8 years.

Think of the Bragging Rights!

I saw this article over at WatchingAmerica.com. It sums up what I have been noticing. The bottom line? Europe is going to be freaked out if Obama wins. It would fly in the face of all the pre-conceived notions about race in America. The most surprising thing? The European left is less supportive of Obama than the right!

I am just waiting for the Spanish press to come up with a slew a negatives on Obama, let's see what they could say ..... "He's not really that black" ..... "Only the black people in the U.S. voted for him" ...... "It's because it's so screwed up in the U.S. - that's why he was elected"..... etc.

Although it is too early to tell what he really stands for but to tell you the truth, I think I want Obama just for the bragging rights. That would be really fun in Madrid!

Some good quotes from the Article:

"In Europe, one perceives a guilty attitude. The Left-wing, which tends to attribute to the United States imperialist foreign policy and discrimination against Black and Hispanic people, is not welcoming Obama’s ascent as one would expect."

"On sending the message that they are ready to elect an African-American, a part of American society is exhibiting an attitude much less prejudiced than commonly attributed to this country. This lesson proves particularly uncomfortable for socialist Europe."

"Perceiving that the racial mobility implicit to Obama’s personal history is publicity almost too good for the American society, the Latin American Left-wing has tempered its enthusiasm for the African-American senator."