JTaylor

Assuming this should say equipped, yes, it's probably inelegant, but I was meaning that he'd handled with distinction the emotional, intellectual and diplomatic duties of such a visit. He carried himself well and was prepared. I really like Hague, too, and Osborne is a safe pair of hands on that stage.

Iran and Syria are very much linked. There may be an advantage to helping a Sunni regime in to power in Syria, it'd leave Iran more isolated in the region, save their pals in Iraq. It's an incredibly complicated situation with Washington and London needing to walk a fine-line between the practicalities of short-term domestic 'politiking' and long-term foreign policy and the complex diplomatic considerations. We're (the likes of me and you) mushrooms really, one has to think strategically to try to work-out or get a clue as to what the coded political speak really means and where it's heading. It's absolutely not clear-cut in the same way Libya was for me. It's like looking at a chess board and every move appearing to be 50/50.

Turbohot

Even if we put his prejudices against the British (that's if he still holds on to them) aside, on that first meeting, he seemed to have such an air around him for leading the so-called most powerful nation in the world i.e. United States of America. Even that scandalous Clinton was more delightful towards the British Office holders than Obama has been to them. I thought Obama was okay when he first came into power over there, but I did not like how he patronised Cameron on their first meeting. Cameron is a bright politician no matter what. On international level, he or anyone from any ruling party on the UK PM job deserves a respectful acknowledgement from another country's leader.

tony de wonderful

Well I just get that vibe that Obama is a natural anglo-phobe on some level. He's a very charismatic guy who can command the room with his presence and apparent equanimity and magnanimity, but I think the whole 'British thing' throws him out of whack. The Obamas are basically nouveau riches and nouveau riches often seem to be overcompensating in some way to prove their worth, so I think when confronted with the ultimate in old money/power (the Brits) it unsettles the Obamas somewhat as it threatens de-compensation in them, and you add in the Kenyan thing, and Obamas liberal-left 'anti-colonial' stance, the African-American antipathy to the Brits for slavery etc etc.

David Lock

Well I think you are reading far too much in this. I don't get the feeling that Obama harbours any in-built anti-white of anti-British grudges and the recent show of camaraderie should be put down to a genuine warm rapport with Cameron and it's election time I think he may also appreciate the British take on Middle East problems as he must be sick and tired of various US generals trying to call the shots. But I have never met the guy so could be completely wrong

dl

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Hmm, did you mean acquitted himself then?

Agreed, he did alright, and I can't imagine Millipede or any of his lot coming anywhere close.

JTaylor

No, but that would have been the appropriate word and I wish I had ******* written it!

Leslie

You have to realise that Cameron worships the ground that Billy Liar walks on because of his continuous election successes. If you think back you may notice the similarities in behaviour.

His lust for war as you say is purely a copy of the way that his idol behaved in an effort to achieve the same election success.

Les

Martin2005

You really do type some utter tripe don't you.

Sometimes I fear that you actually believe the stuff you post on here

Leslie

My word,I seem to have touched a nerve there!

Les

Martin2005

Well it's all tripe but specifically...

... the notion that Blair went to war in Iraq to boost his election prospects.


I mean that just twists the facts, logic and reason beyond breaking point

SkullFudge

If the truth was known Blaire didn't want anything to do with Iraq. It was the Americans that wanted us to assist, and that is the thing the UK government find hard to ignore due to the long established bond we have with the yanks.

Our intelligence is still widely respected the world over, and many nations still rate us as the best.
Why do you think the yanks (who own the worlds largest military machine) want us involved in most things they do.

David Lock

Hmmm. I think there might have been an element of Blair wanting to emulate Thatcher's Falkland's success. Certainly Blair had a declared admiration for Thatcher.Plus I think he was overawed by the US machine and promised Bush we would help long before he was hauled before parliament to deliver the Blair/Campbell speech. dl

Leslie

He fooled you as well then!

Les

Martin2005

I'm sure that may well be true, but if he wanted to boost his electoral prospects then all he had to do was distance himself from Bush and the Iraq plan.

Les seems to suggest Blair went into Iraq to boost his election chances, I can't see how that could possibly be true

Martin2005

Les

It's not about being 'fooled', it just about the facts, and they sure don't support most of your regular 'cut & paste' rants

Turbohot

I dont think he is that great tbh with his charisma, presence, aparent equanimity and magnanimity. May be for the herds of the fools that worship the rising sun (I mean, metaphorically) that can talk the talk. His somewhat stinks of arrogance (not a funny one but an offputting one), and talks with the crutch of aarrm, aarrm every bleddy two minutes. I know "aarrm" is an American thing, but it is really annoying. Other than that, if he is stuck in the past with that colonial horror, than he needs to live in "here and now". Britain isn't what it used to be, so he needs to relax.

David Lock

Well Obama's streets ahead of those clowns in the Republican party so you better get used to him

dl

Turbohot

I am............arrrmmmm.......... used to him. Arrrmm..........I have no choice.

Leslie

Please enlighten us all about where I "cut and paste" my posts from.

If you are going to attempt to generate your rather weak criticisms at least try to make them accurate, it helps to avoid making yourself appear incompetent.

Les