Barak Obama, a short view from across the pond...

In these tumultuous times I felt a more serious blog was appropriate to reflect the views I think are widely held in the UK, about the USA...

I followed the campaign from the early days, those first nervous Caucuses and Primaries.

There are 2 things that really defy belief here:-

1. That the land of the free until only a few decades ago believed that whilst all are created equal, some could be "more equal" than others. For the nation that was leading the fight against intolerence and dictatorship upon the behalf of the free world, that is a shameful fact.

2. The flexibility of America, her innate ability to adapt really shines through from this, and Barak Obamas election confirms the final victory for the US constitution.

The strength of America is in its diversity and its ability to not merely to accept, but to power through change. This election is totemic of that fabulous ability that still makes America the worlds greatest democracy.

The USA sleepwalked its way into the 21st century and was woken with a horrifying jolt by 9/11. She thought she could resolve the problems in the usual way, throwing military money at the problem... the tactic that won the 2nd World War (with the overwhelming help of the Red Army) and the Cold War too. This time it led to 2 wars and subsequent insurgencies and the USA has now learned that money is not going to solve this problem, or at least not military money. Especially with the worlds economy in freefall, led by the USA's own indebted position.

New thinking is needed, a new direction, an understanding that military money spent doesn't always solve problems (remember Yugolsavia and Vietnam?)

Obama arrives at the White House at the most critical time in American history since JFK, and in all probability Roosevelt. Luckily America does have a great record of finding the right leader at times of great adversity. The hopes of the free world rest on Americas shoulders, but once again it seems a great man has emerged to lead that great nation again, and by definition all of us.

Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man... And who can doubt that has happened in the person of Barak Obama?

© OddBat 2009