Argentines: Obama Win Is Good For The World

Matias Fernando Robinson says:

ONE CAN ONLY HOPE
By Matias Fernando Robinson

We are living in times of significant change. But just how much will anything truly change? After all the furor of the recent election will Obama simply turn out to be a different shade of evil?

From his box seat in the Whitehouse, will Obama prove to the world that his threat of a war against Iran and Pakistan were simply no more than a few words used to seduce the ears of skeptical hard-line voters during the electoral campaign?

-One can only hope. Furthermore, one can only hope he will not for a single moment fall prey to the temptation of replicating the “feats” of his disgraceful predecessor George W. Bush. At the end of the day, Obama at least had the courage and dignity to vote against the war on Iraq, while his very own Democrats Party as well as the Republican Party welcomed and even praised such slaughter. That much is encouraging.

Could one then, for much the same reason, justify his various other contradictions of late? Such as his American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) speech where he stated: “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided”. That comment even exceeds what most current fanatical Israeli leaders would say, bearing in mind that earlier on in his campaign he was also quoted as saying: “Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people.”. Can he be excused for such flip-flopping or is this a sign of what’s in stall for the world – yet another deceitful U.S. leader?

-This is a campaign speech, and Obama was, after all addressing and perhaps impressing, the most powerful American Jewish lobby. Also, let’s not forget the Democratic nominee (as Obama was at the time) has to follow the lines of the party’s position if he wants to get anywhere and have their support. It’s sad that a man of such caliber has to resort to such low political tactics but one can only hope that those comments are no more than a front, simply used to milk votes from certain AIPAC sympathists and that this method was purely circumstantial.

Obama had originally proclaimed that once in power he would immediately withdraw troops from Iraq as it was an “unjust war”. Now, AFTER the election he has highlighted one of the main tasks on his presidential agenda is to reallocate a significant amount of military personnel from Iraq to Afghanistan and profoundly expressed his concern of terrorism. Is this not going against his promise and simply shifting the problem elsewhere?

- Once again, one should remember that the initial steps of a newly-elected U.S. president are severely scrutinised. Any sudden, drastic change at the beginning of a term particularly on such a controversial and delicate matter can be seen as radical and impulsive, it will impact on the public opinion and overall popularity of Obama for the remainder of his time in charge, hence restraining him from being able govern. Also, withdrawing troops is a steady, gradual process, especially after the mess that was made there by the coalition. Let’s just hope it at least happens sooner rather than later.

During Obama’s campaign, the word “leadership” was mentioned tirelessly throughout his speeches. While in charge of government, will he actually continue to believe his country has been “chosen” to save the world, a toxic idea which he seems to share with almost all his colleagues? Will he persist with the U.S.’s global leadership and Messianic control mission?

-For as long as it has been a world power, the U.S. has always viewed itself as the nucleus of society and believed that it is its divine right to be the worlds “saviour”. One can only hope that this current economic crisis which the imperial world is enduring, will serve at least as a reality check as well as one of humility for this new government as it takes its first steps.

Will Obama ever consider it racism to impose sanctions and wield force upon the nations the U.S. invades? Is it not racism to only have an accurate headcount of the few deceased invaders of Iraq (the coalition) and blatantly disregard the actual numbers of fatalities in the invaded nation (Iraq)?

-Obama’s incredible and historic victory has been celebrated worldwide, symbolic of a triumph in the seemingly never-ending battle against racism. One can only hope he takes on this beautiful responsibility and reflects it through his acts of government. After so many previous letdowns and failures, that’s the least we can expect from a man in such a privileged position.

Will the Obama administration confirm to the world yet again that the Democrats and the Republicans are simply one and the same party merely under a different title?

- One can only hope the willingness for change that these elections have consecrated becomes far more than just a mere promise and transcends this prospect of hope.

Will Obama follow through with his promise of closing down the appalling Guantanamo Bay Prison?

- One can only hope. Moreover, one hopes to see him go that one step farther and abolish the catastrophic economic embargo and any other trade sanction or blockade the U.S. has imposed on Cuba for over four decades.

Will Obama continue to believe that it is okay to have a barrier keeping Mexicans out of the country, while money on the other hand passes through without any restrictions and without a need for a passport?

-During the electoral campaign, Obama never forthrightly confronted the issue of immigration. One can only hope that as of now, where there is no longer a risk of frightening off voters, Obama can finally tear this barrier down – a barrier much wider and far more reprehensible than the Berlin Wall – and every other barrier which violates the rights of human circulation.

Is it likely that Obama, who enthusiastically approved of the recent $US.750 000 million gift to banks, will continue to govern, as is customary in the U.S., with the capitalist ideology of; “socialising the losses and privatising the profits” as opposed to implementing the exact opposite?

- One can only hope not. But sadly, one fears the answer is yes.

Unlike his shamed forerunner, will Obama follow in the footsteps of our own Señora Presidente Cristina and not only sign but comply with the Kyoto protocol or will he continue to grant the privilege of impunity to the most polluting nation on this planet (The U.S.)? Will he govern for car manufacturers or for the people? Can he have a positive environmental impact and significantly change the course of this murderous way of life that gambles the fate of this world?

- One can only hope so, but sadly one fears the answer is no.

Clearly a man of great virtue, ethics and morals, a proponent of just causes and a firm vindicator of, freedom, civil rights and world peace, will Obama be an equally sympathetic advocate for the Palestinian cause in the White House?

- Being an African-American, Obama knows what it is like to be discriminated against. One hopes that as president he will continue to be humanitarian in his ways, that he will ignore ulterior interests of corrupt lobbyists behind the scenes and actually relate to the suffrage and oppression of not only immigrants but minority groups as well, and relentlessly fight for their liberty in the land of its namesake. Will he have some, if any empathy for the Palestinians plight? Will he be more balanced in peace negotiations than past presidents have been? One can only hope…

So here we have, Obama, the first black president of the United States of America. Will he put into practice the dream of Martin Luther King or instead uphold the principles of the embarrassment that is Condoleezza Rice?

- This Whitehouse, now what Obama calls home, was built by black slaves. One hopes to God he never forgets this.

(Hi Cristina Bouvier, I hope the above opinionated column helps give you an insight of what Argentines think, or more to the point expect from President Obama)