New President

[idesign]

Their and our

democracy

The US elections but underline that the Arab region has far to go on the path to political

freedom, writes Amin Howeidi* in Al-Ahram Weekly,

Cairo



http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2008/925/op1.htm

A tremendous shift is taking place in

American society. It is too early to tell whether this shift will do us any good. We've all heard Obama

saying all the right things, but deeds are another story. [emphasis mine] Is he going to be able to face up

to the Zionist lobby? Are white supremacists going to make an attempt on his life?

Poster's note:

Great analysis, hold us up as a model, then stereotype our culture -and your own- with comments about "Zionists" and

"white supremacists".

Its becoming increasingly clear to me that Int'l approval of Obama

is based on a prevailing view that he'll override national interests for a popular world opinion. But even

they are skeptical.

[idesign]

Obama Becoming A Man for All

Seasons

Khaleej Times, Dubai

Debbie Menon 9 December 2008

It would seem that US

President-elect, Barrack Hussein Obama is becoming the man for all seasons.

His promise of hope is so

non-committal and non-specific that he is offering a pair of magic shoes that fit all feet.

It is like a plan

for the revolution, but someone has to step to the fore, turn the right way, and start the march. It is going to be

a long one, wherever it goes for America, and no one has really mentioned the destination as yet.

I do not

think his new slogan “You can do it” will catch on. The Obama I have been watching all year did not seem

like a man who would need slogans once safely in the driver’s seat. The candy Obama offers is like Forrest

Gump’s Chocolate box of Whitman Samplers, there is a piece in there for everyone, but no one knows yet,

exactly what they are going to get.

snip

For he has promised the poor, the deprived, the unemployed, the

homeless and hopeless new shoes that fit all feet, and I wonder how he will deliver! I am more concerned about

Obama’s goals, agenda and direction than the degree of success with which he does it, or fails at it. Is Obama

cool, calm and collected? Or is he simply cold and calculating? That we shall wait and

see...

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayA...n=opinion&col=