Good bye Bush...Hello Obama

[Domino]

This is a time for change...I am so Happy for a new President. Things can only get better.

Lets hope that Obama can really turn this country around and hopefully bring the economy back to life.

edit: Sorry for the lack of substance in my original post.

[Mr Jake]

They could always stay the same

[Dualnames]

Gen-Gen. Ah..indieboy is right.

[Ultra Magnus]

Meet the new boss.
Same as the old boss.

[lo_res_man]

Meet the new boss.
Same as the old boss.

Amen.
Seriously, it is great that Obama is president and all, and I am hopeful he will do his best, but their is only so much he can do. Just because this is a great victory for the human rights movement, does not mean Obama is any less of a politician then Dubya. He may be a good politician, he may in fact be a great political leader, but one doesn't become president without making some compromises. It's the nature of the game. There is no such thing as a magical black man.
People are people.

[Mr Flibble]

The machine is the same, all the congressmen, senators, officials, problems, and solutions. The man who gets the blame isn't really important.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Yep, welcome to 8 years ago all over again.  The President just happens to have a different skin color and very little experience.  I'm sure he'll do his best to do absolutely everything he's told by his CFR masters.

[lo_res_man]

Yep, welcome to 8 years ago all over again.  The President just happens to have a different skin color and very little experience.  I'm sure he'll do his best to do absolutely everything he's told by his CFR masters.

On the bright side, Obama seems to have a slightly better grasp of the English language.
Though, who knows, we may be in for some Obama-nable mangling of the English language.

[Buckethead]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQWBHViYaN0

[Nacho]

Ho, ho! How pessimism do I notice! come on, America voted for the possiblity of a change, let' s give the guy the benefit of the doubt.

[Stupot]

I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to offer.
I'm sure he'll be tested soon - Al-Quaeda have been rather quiet lately.

[voh]

I hope he can turn things around and make life better for Americans. Y'all deserve some reprieve after Dubya. And, of course, I hope that as a result of that, things in the rest of the world can also improve.

Whether you like the States or not, when America is healthy, the entire west benefits from it.

I think the guy has a hell of a job in store. I wish him all the best

[DanielH]

British person here, so uneducated opinion coming up.

The problem as I see it is that of most governments- competition.

The Republicans generally have opposing thoughts on how america should be run to Democrats. So when a Republican is in office, and when something goes wrong, (It always does) the country will be more biased towards the democrats next election. Most people voted against the Republicans last year, rather than for the Democrats. When the Democrat takes over, he promises to undo the damage caused by the Republican. But something goes wrong, and the country goes republican next election. A republican who promises to undo the Democrat's mistakes... and the cycle continues. The war between the two parties mean nothing actually gets done.

Personally, I wish Obama good luck (as I would have voted for him, were I american, and old enough. ) and I hope he does well. The only way to tell is to wait. He'll never do what he promised in four years, or maybe even eight years. That's another problem- each president needs his successor to work with him, rather than against him, otherwise absolutely nothing will be done.

[woot52]

even if he does screw it all up HE CAN'T DO WORSE THAN BUSH!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!!!one

[jetxl]

Expensive unpopulair wars.
Economy crash.
Lack of trust in goverment.
Mega volcano under Yellowstone park.
No wonder you people are depressed.
I, for one, am looking forward to the new american administration. Not only does Obama look more responsible and diplomatic than that drunk ever did, he also looks like a person that acually reads documents himself (instead of sliding that task to someone else).

[TerranRich]

Barack Obama is just a clone of George W. Bush... with different hair, skin, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Bush Jr. = Clinton. Clinton = Bush Sr. Bush Sr = Reagan, et al. They're all the same exact person, cloned, with the same policies, the same opinions.

You're all absolutely right.

[Stupot]

...he also looks like a person that acually reads documents himself (instead of sliding that task to someone else).

Yes... but... can Obama read upside-down?
This was Bush's forté
http://67.19.222.106/photos/politics/graphics/bushbook.jpg

[MrColossal]

I think what I'm looking forward to the most with Obama being the EXACT SAME PERSON as George Bush, as most of us here agree... Is continued destruction of the US! I mean Bush is leaving office with a 22% approval rating! I'm sure Obama can do better than that and get into the single digits, YES WE CAN!

When I would listen to Obama and listen to his ideas all I could think is "This man sounds JUST like George Bush!" Which is why I voted for Obama because I loved George Bush so much! [I actually drew a winky face next to Obama/Biden on my ballot because everyone knew I was ACTUALLY voting for Bush]

People would say to vote for McCain if you wanted more George Bush but no sir! We see through all of that! It was Obama that was just like Bush all along! I am so glad we got him in office because it would have been disastrous to get someone different!

Of course the only true politician that ever lived was Ron Paul [GOOGLE RON PAUL! WOO!] and he was the only true politician that was not actually a politician but someone that could actually change this country even though he is a politician like Obama... WAKE UP SHEEPLE!

In a parallel universe I am quite excited to see what will become of the next president and look forward to either some slightly happier times or, if he is worse than the previous president, a swift ejection from office!

[TerranRich]

I love how people are saying they think Obama will be just like Bush because he's a politician, they're all evil, et cetera, et cetera... that's like saying "Yuck, I specifically hate strawberry-swirl cheesecake! Then again, I don't like any cheesecake, they all taste gross."

[Stupot]

Obama is the chocolate cheesecake I take it?

[TerranRich]

What? I don't know, I'm hungry now.

[Sam.]

It's amazing what you can do with using a real photograph instead of mocking someone with photoshop.

You used a site proving the rumour wrong to make him look stupid.

Does this post make me look stupid?

EDIT: Snopes doesn't like hotlinking apparently.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/bushbook.asp

[Radiant]

The Republicans generally have opposing thoughts on how america should be run to Democrats. So when a Republican is in office, and when something goes wrong, (It always does) the country will be more biased towards the democrats next election. Most people voted against the Republicans last year, rather than for the Democrats. When the Democrat takes over, he promises to undo the damage caused by the Republican. But something goes wrong, and the country goes republican next election. A republican who promises to undo the Democrat's mistakes... and the cycle continues. The war between the two parties mean nothing actually gets done.

Yes. That is the problem with a two-party system.

Anyway, Bush was different from Clinton, so I'm sure Obama will be different from Bush.

[AsimosVagan]

   Here in Brazil there are multiple parties but they are all the same, except for some really little ones that no one cares about. So, the two parties system from America aren´t bad either.

   I think that the choice for Obama was the right choice and will be better because Bush wasn´t prepared to be president. He was just a puppet, someone that, because of his incompetence in making decisions, put all his hope on imaginary beings (or at least he said so).

   Anyway, I would like to say that U.S. citizens deserve congratulations because they had the courage to change. Even with all the prejudice, all the "hate culture" (there are some really weird cults there, like the Westboro Baptist Church) they vote for someone new.

   Sometimes I dream of living there.

[TerranRich]

I was extremely proud when Obama was voted into office. Living in a blue state, I really don't feel that my vote matters, because Massachusetts usually votes the way I normally would have. But anyway, I was excited. And it's not just because of his empty-sounding promises of hope, change, new things, etc., but because I feel he can bring about that change. I just hope Americans won't assume that it'll happen overnight. That Wednesday all our problems will be solved and we'll live in a Utopia with King Obama reigning over his loyal subjects (yes, I know Utopias aren't monarchies, but... whatever).

It'll take years for changes to really take effect. I just hope Americans don't take that length of time as a sign that he failed. This country needs to give Obama a chance... a REAL chance, before assuming that he failed a few months into his term, and before judging him unfairly.

[Stupot]

It's amazing what you can do with using a real photograph instead of mocking someone with photoshop.

You used a site proving the rumour wrong to make him look stupid.

Does this post make me look stupid?

[picture]
http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/bushbook.asp

To be fair, Zooty, that picture did the rounds years ago and most people with internet access have seen it already, and probably guessed that it was fake (I think it first appeared on B3TA or something similar, so that would be a clue).  The fact that I took the picture from Snopes should tell you that I know it's not real.
My posting that picture and comment was more of an attempt to satirize Bush's reputation rather than the man himself.  Apparently it wasn't obvious enough.   

[TerranRich]

Subtle humor around these parts apparently is lost on many people. No offense to anyone, of course. Just an observation.

[Sam.]

I thought it was TOO obvious, going all the way back around and being subtle again.

I am a very suspicious person, that's why snopes is on my top bookmarks.

[MrColossal]

You're suspicious?! I'm so suspicious that I don't trust that Snopes is one of your top bookmarks!

[i stole your car]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm fairly sure america is the first country to turn it's presidential election into a global reality tv show. I lost all respect for either of the main candidates when they started acting like celebrities rather than politicians but anything's better than Bush so good luck I guess.

[woot52]

ok seriously does anyone really think obama won't do any good, I'm Canadian and I know that he's doing good already. Last might I saw a commercial honoring the war veterans,at the end it said it was made by obama.......... dot dot dot are you all messed up in the head I personally think He's doing great, but you know what, that's all for you politically incorrect morons to decide, for the love of god, we all think he's all we really need to fix EVERY mistake bush has EVER made in his 8 years of major crap-ups, I'll repeat myself ONE LAST TIME
HE CAN'T DO WORSE THAN BUSH, are all of you morons to politically BLIND to see that, am I the only one that cares, all of you are so racist you can't see how good he's going to do. You think that he's black so he won't do any good. sorry for sounding so damn angry but just seeing all of this CRAP makes me angry. Obama doesn't deserve to take every blow he does, Obama is the best thing that ever happened to you and you sit there and complain about it, "oh why didn't mcain win" BECAUSE HE SUUUUUUUUUCKS

[LimpingFish]

Ah, the cutting sting of keen political debate.

[Eggie]

You know... cynicism doesn't automatically equal wisdom. A lot of the time it's a just a safe place the emotionally cowardly crawl into to avoid disappointment.
Usually I'd count myself among those numbers but right now I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I think Obama being elected is a positive thing and will have a positive effect on the world.

I'm probably not going to watch the ceremony, though. You know it's going to be as corny as hell... and I don't care about Leona Lewis...

[Stupot]

I can be quite cynical at times.  But it's usually based on at least some knowledge of what I'm talking about.
However, I have to be honest and admit that I don't know jack squat about Obama and his policies, so I'm not in a position to decide if he's a good thing or a bad thing.  He certainly looks the part, but then, he was campaigning for the US presidency.  Nobody can really know anything about him until he starts making some decisions.

I do seriously think he has some big tests ahead of him.  I'm not just talking about the economy and the Middle-East, I'm saying I think certain factions are going to test his "resolve" (a word that was used far too much by Bush and Blair in the years following 9/11).  If anything like this were to happen, it goes without saying that his decisions will be crucial.

I hope nothing like that does happen again, and I'm sure it won't really (I hope I'm just being stupid), but I like the cut of his jib and I wish him, and America, all the best.

[TerranRich]

I just hope we Americans don't judge Obama's failure to fix the country's problems overnight as a sign of failure in general.

[mkennedy]

Hopefully once Obama is president the rest of the world will forgive us for the actions of president Bush.

[Technocrat]

I dreamt last night that Obama had been assassinated during his inauguration...well, actually, I dreamt my professor coming up to me and telling me my dissertation was now going to need an awful lot of changing, because of such events. *That's* what I was worried about.

Ah, the perils of studying politics.

[Ultra Magnus]

Hopefully once Obama is president the rest of the world will forgive us for the actions of president Bush.

[m0ds]

Hello Oblackman Very powerful inauagauration speech, I hope for America and the world's sake, everything works out right. Why wouldn't it? I really like the guy! Heh, Obama vs Osama, I mean, that's not a one in a tridillion chance, is it? Peace!

[miguel]

Not trying to be too serious here, but I must say that there is a genuine hope about this man, and the fact that he's black helps. It makes him more human. I hope all goes the best way for him and the US.
To all Americans, a big hug from Portugal.

[MoodyBlues]

...the fact that he's black helps. It makes him more human.

  Could you clarify this?  Because I really hope you didn't literally mean that.

[Domino]

Now that the Bush Administration is gone, I am looking forward to what Obama can bring to the United States.

It seems ever since Bush came into office, there has been nothing positive that came from him.  His approval ratings were not great, and it seemed that most of the world disliked him as the President.

I just want to say go Obama!! Help the US, Help the World.

Change and Hope....CHOPE!! (a reference from Mad TV)

[DGMacphee]

Some thread statistics...

21% of posts from this thread are from people generally happy Obama is now president and reckon things will change
23% of posts from this thread can be summed up with "pffft obama = bush and nothings gunna change""
15% of posts are from people who reckon things WILL change goddammit, and the previous 26% CAN SUCK IT!!
31% of posts are from non-committal people who are glad to see a black man as president and hope he does a good job but aren't solidifying any real support for him
9% of posts are of YouTube vids or image macros stolen from 4chan
1% of posts are from guys who masturbate over their statistical prowess

BRB

[DGMacphee]

Ah, that's better!

[Stumblebum]

Well, my brain agrees with the folks who see the self perpetuating nature of a two party democracy in which both parties are "sponsored" by stubborn corporate monopolies whose interference with the natural cycle of destruction and creation inherent in successful capitalist thought makes collapse almost inevitable.

However, my heart can't help but be lifted by the fact that Obama's first official act as president was to judo chop Cheney in the back and put his ass in a wheelchair.  Take that old man!

[Ultra Magnus]

9% of posts are of YouTube vids or image macros stolen from 4chan

Or not.

[miguel]

Moodyblues, I wanted to say exactly what you read.
And before you get offended please don't, I am not racist but am looking at the man like he is. It's just that, don't start a discussion.

[TerranRich]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090123/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_rdp

Breaking forcefully with Bush anti-terror policies, President Barack Obama ordered major changes Thursday that he said would halt the torture of suspects, close down the Guantanamo detention center, ban secret CIA prisons overseas and fight terrorism "in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals."

"We intend to win this fight. We're going to win it on our terms," Obama declared, turning U.S. policy abruptly on just his second full day in office. He also put a fresh emphasis on diplomacy, naming veteran troubleshooters for Middle East hotspots.

Amen. It's about damn time. This is something that I had a huge problem with since day one when the Patriot Act was passed in 2001. We basically destroyed our morals and Constitutional beliefs just to fight an enemy without a face whose threat was unknown, undetermined, and unseen. We should have never abandoned our basic tenents just to fight terrorism, which has existed in some form for centuries.

If this is a sign of things to come, change is definitely taking place. All the naysayers can therefore shove it.

[Stupot]

He's been promising this so it's no surprise.  It does sound promising, but the cynic in me suggests it might be a publicity gimmick.

[woot52]

to quote one of my friends
"Bush crashed the presidential limo then gave Obama the keys"

[Phemar]

  Could you clarify this?  Because I really hope you didn't literally mean that.

I think what he meant was that because all previous presidents were white, people started associating that with bad presidency. The fact that Obama is black makes people feel he can relate to them.