Sunday, July 06, 2008

Emperor Hadrain

The Sunday Times: Interesting article on the Emperor that gave us Hadrian's Wall. The one thing I don't agree with the article is that you can see modern leaders in the context of past in this case Hadrian, the Emperor was not Bill Clinton or Tony Blair. A small thing called Democracy. Read of the Day.

Iraq WIN ?

The Sunday Times: Reports on the success of USA and Iraqi troops in fighting the terrorists in Iraq. This is a problem for Obama, when he comes to Iraq and he can see success, he will be faced with a choice, see the reality of the success or pander to his base. If he becomes President, Obama he can not afford to lose Iraq to the terrorists no matter what his base thinks, they are wrong most of the time anyway! This is a political and moral test for Obama.

Obama and the 08 Race

The Sunday Times: Interesting article by Andrew Sullivan on how Obama has moved to the centre and how he can win in November. I think Mr Sullivan is rushing to judgement, this is July, Obama if you look at the respected polls is about four to five points a ahead of McCain. This if you look at past examples it is a low lead, Dukakis had a bigger lead in 1988. Also if you look at the CNN poll that I mentioned bellow, Obama is losing Clinton voters and the base is not happy that he had moved to the centre. This is early folks, one of the most effective aspects of the Clinton Campaign was that it bought Obama down to earth, they made look like any other politician. One can guess that when Obama comes to Europe before the election the left wing elite media will go mad for him, Obama should be careful, these same elites would have supported Carter, Mondale, Gore, Kerry. They all lost in the election, Europe is the old world when it comes to American politics. The race is not over yet, the Obama's should not get a new carpet for the Oval Office yet, its long time before November.

Obama's Base

CNN: A very interesting poll, shows problems for Obama with Clinton supporters and the Democratic Base. Clinton supporters are not rushing to the colours, the poll shows they might stay home and because Obama has moved to the centre he is starting to lose the left wing of the Democratic Base. Obama at the end of the day might have to pick Hillary Clinton just to win, its pure politics, its better winning than losing. On the other hand Obama cant afford to move to the left, he needs the centre, so will need to get Independents to support him in the General Election. Why this poll now by CNN, are they pushing Hillary Clinton to be the VP, also do they want Obama to move to the left.

Jesus Christ

IHT: Reports that a stone with writing from before the time of Jesus is causing interest in Historical circles, the IHT writes the following " a rare example of a stone with ink writings from that era — in essence, a Dead Sea Scroll on stone. " Although interesting I think people are missing the point, its not if you can find a footnote to the bible, its a matter of faith, as they say its a leap of faith, its the message, christian values, turning the other cheek etc. On the historical side the stone is very interesting as the foundations of Christian Faith would have its foundations in the Jewish Faith, but at the end of the day its about faith.

Journey's End - Dr Who Review

The Doctor Who News Page: Reports the good Doctor was the top programme for Saturday. Lets be honest it was a must watch. As to the Final, WOW! it had it all, dramatic, fun, sad, and an end for Rose in a way. It can be asked for Rose, is it the man or the title! Poor Donna what a heroic way to go, still convinced there is a sub plot to that story line. As to the Doctor what an actor DT is, he allowed us to see the two sides of the Doctor, and had us rooting for both to win, the question for the Doctor is he more human or Time Lord, lets recall Romana was in E - Space and she built her own Tardis. Come on Xmas and that Special.