I predict that we'll still be in recession in 2010 and many people will be hurting far more than they are now; however (on the bright side) the markets (stocks and shares) will be going UP because they REFLECT what people think about the FUTURE and by the tail end of 2010 people will be PREDICTING an end to the recession/depression sometime in 2011 and saying:
'Bad times must have hit rock bottom - now the only way is UP!'
She's wonderful - for me................ she can tell me off and motivate me without causing me to rebel (I hate being told what to do so it requires a certain diplomacy to get me to do anything unless I want to!).
We share a slightly whacky sense of humour.
She's totally honest with me - that's great as I hate it when somebody is economical with the truth when finding out the truth later causes more pain (in my opinion).
She's positive and not negative - a huge plus point!
She's dynamic; goes with the above I guess.
People like her - always an asset to a grumpy old fart like me when it comes to entertaining others.
She's sensible but also fun - neither too sensible nor an 'air head'.
She has brains, but neither makes me feel inferior or superior in any way.
She's talented and beautiful.
Oh - and I love her to bits and she loves me...... that helps!
It seems obvious to me that both Russia and China want to weaken the authority and credibility of the new USA President as soon as possible - for their own reasons.
The exploration of space for peaceful means is a right for countries, but the UN decided to take away that right from North Korea as North Korea has several times reneged on nuclear agreements it has made in the past.
What are the motivations of Russia and China to immediately pull the rug from under Obama's feet when he had just called for unity in condemning North Korea's missile space launch?
It's not Obama's fault that Russia and China wish to weaken Obama's leading role in relatively free and democratic countries.
Obama's ability to understand where both Russia and China are coming from and succeed in coming to some of 'business relationship' with these two fairly silent super powers will be his real test over time.
Unfortunately, the USA is NOT the only super power.......... although this was the common misconception over the last few years since the collapse of the 'Iron Curtain'.
We ignore the REAL threat of an expansionist Russia and a China resentful of the west for taking away their meteoric growth rates and newly found prosperity for millions of ordinary people(many Chinese rightly or wrongly blme us for their present problems).
Russia is a proud country that demands respect.
The Chinese are an industrious people with very long-term plans for the future.
I repeat that we ignore these two very powerful nations with their own ambitions at our peril - they pose a far greater threat than a bunch of terrorists blowing up a few buildings and even killing a few thousand people ever could....... millions could die if a good working relationship based on respect and mutual distrust is not quickly worked out with these two super powers!
I think you're lucky to live in a democracy - in most states knocking your leader and all your country's main allies wouldn't exactly make you 'Mr Popular'.
Europeans and US citizens have big differences and different political agendas but the way you insult both us and your President is really quite pathetic........ 'come down to the level of the Europeans' -
I think you're now insulting BOTH your President and the whole of Europe..............let's hope we don't come down to your level of bleating invective - your attitude stinks!
Obama was very clear that his priority is HIS country but he recognises that it is the same for the rest of us.......... when we can state our own interests clearly and honestly we are more likely to understand where we are all coming from and work towards finding common non-conflicting interests.
To ignore the needs of individual countries and only think of your own needs is foolish but if you are President of the United States the interests of the USA and its citizens must come first - and the BEST way to take care of those interests is by building mutually beneficial relationships with other leaders on this planet in a RESPECTFUL way.
It's amazing how you can GAIN RESPECT by showing respect to other people; Obama does that in a way poor old GW Bush was just incapable of grasping let alone putting into practice!
May I first congratulate you on an excellent OP (Opening Post).
I agree with what Obama has had to say; he has obviously done some homework and realises that there are significant differences both in culture and perceptions on either side of the Atlantic that do go beyond a joke.
Most intelligent Europeans are both happy that the only super power (or only recognised super power) is the USA yet at the same time deeply concerned that there has been only ONE super power.
I think Obama realises that he needs the willing co-operation of allies rather than dictating policy to a bunch of recaltricany kids who need to be bullied into line.
We have common interests and we also have some conflicting interests; I like the way that Obama has been upfront and honest in the knowledge that he cannot solve all his perceived problems by taking a unilateral stance - he is saying that the USA is now a partner in the world and the USA is not just a leader that has no need to really listen and understand the views of other nations and cultures and the individual needs of different countries and their peoples.
I like the way in the news conferences that he spoke directly to Europeans and not just to their leaders.
He is a thoughtful and well-meaning man. He has not yet lost either the goodwill he started off with and has already shown that he can make some decisions that might be perceived as being unpopular (i.e. his stance on Afghanistan and not withdrawing troops from Iraq as early as he might have said in the past might not please the average person who voted for him).
He does not lack credibility.
I hope he succeeds in building hope for the future and allowing Europe and the USA reverse the negative attitudes we have built up (consciously or sub-consciously) over recent years.
'We can change' - and if enough individuals believe things are possible then miracles can happen!
rusty_knight Forum Posts (6,840)
RE: Would u date Mercedes1?
Would u date Mercedes1?Certainly not - never dated a jailbird before and have no intention of doing so now!