We start with a speech by Trevor Phillips, who is paying homage to Obama only weeks after he slammed Obama in Prospect magazine! Anyway, it’s a day of celebration so I won’t get too bitchy. Harriet Harman was on a bit earlier and was short and sweet.
I have my Obama t-shirt on, woohoo!

U.S. bloggers were outraged apparently. Australian bloggers were just as vocal.

Open Democracy used their signature cartoon to comment. They also quoted online media service Crikey.

from Crikey …..

Our Johnny keeps the Obamas out

Richard Farmer writes:

It is always a bit embarrassing in Washington when there's a new President. The old one hangs around in the White House for two and a half months after the election while the new one prepares his team to take over.

The normal thing to make the home switching as painless as possible is for the incoming President to take up residence a couple of weeks before the official inauguration in Blair House, the President's guesthouse, managed by the Office of the Chief of Protocol at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue. This January things have been different and Washington insiders were puzzled as to why Barack Obama, his wife and two children were spending their time in a Washington Hotel.

Did this mark a new point in relations between incoming and outgoing, Democrat and Republican? Was George W Bush practicing some final form of revenge?

At last such unwholesome speculation has ended with the Washington Post revealing this morning “Blair House Mystery Solved: It's John Howard”. The veil is lifted, said the report. “We now know who is booked at Blair House, kicking President-elect Barack Obama and his family to the waiting list and across Lafayette Park to the Hay-Adams Hotel. The only overnight visitor at the presidential guest manse is none other than John Howard, a former Australian prime minister and leading member of President Bush's coalition of the willing in Iraq.”

Our Johnny will be in Washington to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from his retiring friend George Dubya on 13 January. Whereas fellow recipients of that honour, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, declined the presidential invitation to stay at Blair House and found private accommodation the Howard entourage accepted the invitation to bunk down at Blair House on the night of 12 January.

The Obama family are now scheduled to move in on 15 January.

the value of a self-important rattus …..

 Jeremy Sear used his usual sarcasm at An Onymous Lefty:

Our exiled former leader (only overseas can he escape the cruel derision of his former subjects) tries his hand at humility:

“This is very nice, but it is a compliment to the country”, says John Howard of the ironically-named “Medal of Freedom” he's about to accept from Bush.

I think I speak more on behalf of Australians than you do, John, when I say - please, feel free to keep that “compliment” from George W Bush all for yourself. No need to pass it on to the country that rejected you. No, really, we insist. Don't ascribe it to us - we don't want it, the man who's giving it, or the man who's receiving it.

Thanks, but no thanks.

I still represent you, even if you don't want me

Scott at GrodsCorp explains through a series of links why those on the left are laughing.

Former Prime Minister John Howard is set to receive the US Medal Of Freedom from outgoing President George W. Bush. Of course, the award has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Howard was one of only a few leaders who pledged his full support for the flailing President in the face of overwhelming opposition from most of the world.

The Medal Of Freedom is awarded to people who “work to improve the lives of their citizens and… promote democracy, human rights and peace abroad.”

I could only fit one link on each “achievement”, so what are some other examples of John Howard’s commitment to improving lives, promoting democracy, defending human rights, and fighting for peace?

UPDATE: Of John Howard, MK sez: “Humble as always.” The larfs!

Howard’s “achievements” recognised

The reference to MK is to a post on right wing blog Crusader Rabbit that defines its purpose in no uncertain terms as: “Radical islam has two allies here in the West - the Left and political correctness. The fight is with all three.” The post:

LiveNews - Former prime minister John Howard will receive the US Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony next week. The award is said to be the highest civilian honour bestowed by a United States president. Mr Howard is being honoured for his role in fighting terrorism and for standing by the US as an ally during his 11 years as prime minister.

“Yes, I am honoured by it, more because of the compliment it pays to our country Australia,” Mr Howard told ABC Radio. “It's an indication of the very close relationship between our two countries and I'm very pleased that during the time as prime minister I was able to contribute too.”

Humble as always.

Good on ya John Howard

Soon both Howard and Bush will both be men of the past. History can make its judgment on their political contributions. The man of the present may well remember Howard's remarks in early 2007:

“I think he's wrong. I think that will just encourage those who want to completely destabilise and destroy Iraq, and create chaos and a victory for the terrorists to hang on and hope for an Obama victory,” Mr Howard told the Nine Network.

“If I were running al-Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory not only for Obama but also for the Democrats.”

Obama blasts Howard on Iraq

You may have even thought you were watching an episode of Saturday Night Live before reality kicked in and that yes, you had just seen breaking news on TV. And that yes, Bush, at 62, still has catlike reflexes and managed to avoid both shoes. The conference was held in Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki’s office to mark the signing of a security agreement.

Several news reports explained that in Arab culture, throwing shoes is a grave show of disrespect. “This is the farewell kiss, you dog,” Al Zeidi reportedly yelled at Bush in Arabic. In the Twittersphere, that sentiment may be shared by an even greater number – with thousands of ‘tweets’ expressing their desires to throw their very shoes – and other inanimate objects – at the outgoing 43rd US president.

David Hughes, from Glasgow, Scotland, said simply:

“If I had a shoe, I would throw it at Bush too.”

Rami Ismail, from the Netherlands, said:

“An Iraqi decided to throw a shoe at Bush during a conference. I can only imagine how sad fundamentalists are that the shoe wasn't a grenade.”

Several others commented on Bush’s reflexes and his shrugging the incident off, including Australian Kyle Buttress, who said:

“Bush had some good ducking and weaving action there during the Shoe toss… Good to see he didn't turn his back or anything.”

Erik Rasmussen, in Spain, said:

“This video of Bush & the shoe was the lead story on the news in Spain. Very telling, really, of his “accomplishments”. Needed a bloody nose.”

The Blogosphere is sure to come up with more reactions with each passing hour, but Englishman Georgie Hammerton was one of the quick ones to blog about the incident on My Bloggy Wog.

“I know this isn’t funny.. but, well it is isn’t it?

“On a side note; is this what passes for journalism in the US!? *shudder*. BBC, I salute you!”

Malaysian blogger Shamsul Yunos noted how the media covered the incident.

“If you watch CNN or BBC, they have put a fantastic spin on the story. It goes something like this: ‘Sure the image of someone throwing a shoe at Bush is bad but the fact that the man lived to tell the tale shows just how free Iraq is right now.’

“Great.

“The BBC interviewed people on the ground and the few Iraqis they met agreed with the shoe thrower in wanting Bush and the Americans out of their country.

“Apparently the white house doesn't think the image will seriously damage Bush's legacy.

“So what exactly is his legacy? Leaving a lot of mess behind? I'm sure that legacy is only being reinforced by the shoe throwing incident.”

Yunos was one of the few bloggers I came across that noted that Al Zeidi, the now well known shoe-attacker, had covered events in Sadr City extensively.

“(He) had lost several relatives in the conflict. He was also recently kidnapped and tortured in a three-day ordeal.”

Chicago-based Indian blogger Saqib Salman Shafi in his blog SaqibSaab questioned what Al Zeidi was really trying to accomplish.

“Now, based on the fact that he was using shoes, one may ask what exactly was he trying to accomplish? Best case scenario, Bush gets a black eye or a scoffed up nose. But you know what, I feel the disgruntled journalist, along with millions across the globe, could care less at the effectiveness of his weapons of choice. It was the statement that spoke loudest. Upset with the leader of the super powerful nation of the world? Take off your jutha(shoe) and chuck it at him. I can see the internet jokes of “epic shoe maneuver,” already.

“And check out how quickly he launches the first one and then removes his other shoe (reloads) and fires away. Maybe he had them untied and ready for deployment? Or rather, perhaps he wore slip-ons or loafers that day.”

Egyptian blogger, Zeinobia, was quite sorry Al Zeidi missed Bush’s head.

“This is the news of the day , sorry the news of the week or may be even the month and the end of the year.

“Bush was having a press conference today in his surprise visit to Baghdad with Al Maliki when Muntader Al-Zeidi , a reporter threw his shoes at him. Unfortunately he missed him :(”

She continued to blog about Al Zeidi, being a correspondent for Al Baghdadia Television, an Iraqi-owned station based in Cairo, Egypt, Zeinobia said she feared for his life.

“He has entered the history, already I wish that someone tells his news now in Baghdad because I fear on his life.

“Idiot Bush of course tried made fun from the incident and said these words : All I can report is a size 10.”

And in the Philippines, someone was up late enough - or way too early - to blog about it almost immediately as it broke. Dreamer4U asked why there was so much hatred in the hearts of Iraqis for Americans and other Westerners.

“It is for sure I thought an embarrassing time for America and Iraq, now I knew how mad is the Iraqi to the American, if you know why let me know here.

“Anyway the shoes of the Iraqi reporter is size 10, Bush should be glad it didn't hit him or else he would be injured before going home in the states. Now I know “W” is good on something, he could have been a good military guy, sadly he was a very ineffective President though.

“Why is it that there are hatred in the heart of the Islam/Iraqi for the American or western people?”

Bush arrived today in Baghdad on a surprise visit — his last to Iraq as commander-in-chief — to celebrate the agreement, thank U.S. troops and meet with Iraqi leaders.

It was Bush’s fourth visit to a nation transformed by the U.S.-led war he started in 2003. It follows three weeks after Iraq’s parliament approved an accord with the U.S. that provides for the withdrawal of American troops by the end of 2011.

Bloggers from around the world chime in to catch up on the action after Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested and charged by the FBI of corruption in the selection of Obama's successor for the empty Senate seat.

From Egypt, Zeinobia, who writes at Egyptian Chronicles, notes:

of course this political scandal is the talk of the media in the States now. It is a political corruption scandal beside of course the attractive Obama factor.

The blogger also reminds us of another scandal earlier in the year, concerning another Democrat Governor:

Of course this is the second big major Governor scandal in 2008 in America after the Spitzer scandal

Zeinobia draws parallels between governors in the US and in her own country, saying:

Why am I interested in all this ?? Well because it is good to see governors getting arrested while they are still in their position !! It is good see that the Governors are well monitored !!??

I spoke before about our governors, I do not want to accuse most of them but I will be modest and say some of them profited from their position in a way or another.

Will the day come in Egypt and we will find that the Administrative control authority presented enough evidence to General prosecutor to issue a warrant against Governor “X” for taking bribes from Company “Y” to pass their pollutant project or from businessman “Z” to give him the permission on building in an agricultural land !!??

Most if not all our Governors conspired and will continue to conspire with the NDP [ruling party in Egypt - National Democratic Party] in the Parliamentary elections. Well they are' appointed by the head of the NDP ,so they know the rules of the game. If they go along with the orders ,they won’t continue in their position.

Writing at Dutch blog PoliGazette, Jason says this latest scandal is “a stunning blow to Democratic Party claims to represent a reversal of years of Republican corruption.” He further reminds us:

This event serves also to highlight Illinois’ famously corrupt Democratic Party political machine, where personal favors are traded for political action in scenes reminiscent Tamany Hall. During the 2006 and 2008 elections, Democrats reveled in pointing fingers at Republican corruption from Mississippi to California to Alaska. But with Blagojevich coming after the William Jefferson bibery scandal in Louisiana, Democrats may nee to tend to their own garden.

Andrea Mann, writing for England for Obama, says the whole scandal reminds her of a Chicago gangster movie. She further adds:

According to the New York Times, Barack Obama “placed the call” which led to Rod Blagojevich’s downfall. And then he turned around in his swivel chair, and stubbed out his cigarette.

Actually, Barack’s call only indirectly led to it. And he made it three months before Blagojevich’s “downfall”. But, y’know, I have a Chicago gangster movie to script here.

Richard Silverstein, a Jewish blogger who blogs at Tikum Olam, notes:

The brazenness of his corruption is simply staggering.  Most corrupt politicians attempt to devise a slick scheme to conceal their venality.  But Blagojevich was hardly hiding anything.  The senate seat was for sale to the highest bidder, plain and simple:

“I’ve got this thing,” Mr. Blagojevich said on one recording, according to the affidavit, “and it’s f***ing golden. And I’m just not giving it up for f***ing nothing. I’m not going to do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there.”

Crian P, at A Political Glimpse from Ireland exclaims “Holy Cow” at the news and further adds:

Governors have been indicted before, but it’s pretty amazing to see one hauled out of his house before dawn in handcuffs. But if the charges are true, it was warranted. He needed to be taken down before he could make the appointment.

The indictment and the statements so far are very carefully worded. They do not impute any blame to the President-Elect Of The United States–but they don’t rule out that He or His aides had any knowledge of the plot, either. That wording leaves open the possibility that Blagojevich might point to Obama to get a deal. But I suspect this prosecutor would have to have some seriously good evidence beyond just the governor’s word before he would proceed against anyone in the the President-Elect Of The United States’ camp.

From what I have seen so far, the President-Elect Of The United States came out of the slimy Illinois machine with remarkably little clinging to Him. If this latest chapter in the dismal history of the Illinois’ chief executive doesn’t seriously damage Him, it would be more confirmation of His remarkable political skills.

Another day, and yet another scandal in Obama's long road to the White House.

The Governor has been arrested along his Chief of Staff , of course this political scandal is the talk of the media in the States now. It is a political corruption scandal beside of course the attractive Obama factor.

Of course this is the second big major Governor scandal in 2008 in America after the Spitzer scandal “Strangely Spitzer for the first time came out publicly and is writing now a financial column in Slate Magazine” .

Why am I interested in all this ?? Well because it is good to see governors getting arrested while they are still in their position !! It is good see that the Governors are well monitored !!??

I spoke before about our governors, I do not want to accuse most of them but I will be modest and say some of them profited from their position in a way or another.

Will the day come in Egypt and we will find that the Administrative control authority presented enough evidence to General prosecutor to issue a warrant against Governor “X” for taking bribes from Company “Y” to pass their pollutant project or from businessman “Z” to give him the permission on building in an agricultural land !!??

Most if not all our Governors conspired and will continue to conspire with the NDP in the Parliamentary elections. Well they are' appointed by the head of the NDP ,so they know the rules of the game. If they go along with the orders ,they won’t continue in their position.

I know that this day will come but I do not know when , I just hope it will be very soon “I am an optimistic person”

This event serves also to highlight Illinois’ famously corrupt Democratic Party political machine, where personal favors are traded for political action in scenes reminiscent Tamany Hall.  During the 2006 and 2008 elections, Democrats reveled in pointing fingers at Republican corruption from Mississippi to California to Alaska.  But with Blagojevich coming after the William Jefferson bibery scandal in Louisiana, Democrats may nee to tend to their own garden.

Naturally, the old “the Republicans are corrupt too!” subject-shifting dodge is already prominent among Democrat-leaning bloggers.  Don’t expect a sudden outbreak of self-criticism from the left.

©2008 PoliGazette. All Rights Reserved.

Arsineh, a Yerevan-based designer, photographer and blogger, writes on her blog (also posted on Cilicia):

My hope continues… Samantha Power is back, not only as part of Obama's trasition team, but as part of the State Department agency review team on the president-elect's official Web site. I hope she bites Clinton's head off. Now let's get a real position on Genocide.

My next blog was interestingly enough going to be about my prediction on when the Genocide issue achieves recognition in the United States under an Obama administration. Given the inevitable appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, my hope was diminishing. I started to imagine a different scenario, one that would delay proper Genocide recognition into a second term, and eventually call for recognition without proper reparations (a risky precedent… admit genocide without risk?).

[…]

Dr. Power, I salute you.

Unzipped, an England-based Armenian blog, also writes that Power is back and gives background on the Harvard professor's stance on Armenian issues.

Few weeks ago I wrote about speculations on potential return of Samantha Power to Obama’s foreign policy team. Samantha Power is a Pulitzer Prize winning author and renowned anti-genocide and human rights activist. She is pretty influential and considered as “pro-Armenian”. In February 2008, Samantha Power has taped a “powerful 5-minute video reviewing presidential hopeful Barack Obama's support for Armenian issues, and encouraging Armenian Americans to vote for him in the upcoming primaries”, as reported by the Armenian National Committee of America.

[…]

The video Unzipped is referring to is available on YouTube and was prepared by Samantha Power to gain Armenian-American support for Barack Obama during the Democratic primaries. Armenians consider Power a friend, especially when she was one of the few Americans to stand up to nationalist sentiment in Fall 2007 when it came to recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Writing in Time magazine on October 18, 2007, Power said it was in America's best interest to recognize the Armenian Genocide instead of arguing that America should not anger its ally Turkey by bringing up bitter history. While Obama was able to stay out of the controversial debate in 2007, several months after her Time article Power argued that the Illinois Senator would have the nerve to recognize the Armenian Genocide as president.

Power’s powerful YouTube message to Armenian-Americans paid off. Armenians throughout America organized in large numbers to support Barack Obama.

Back with Obama, Power has reignited hope among many Armenians. But some have wished for more. Joseph at the ArmenianGenocide forum:

Samantha Power is back on the Obama team and will be working at the State Department. This is good for Armenians, as she will give a direct challenge to Hillary Clinton { Hillary WILL betray us} and will be a honest broker in a institution where honesty and integrity is a very rare commodity. Still, would have loved to have Samantha Power as our Sec. of State.

According to Egyptian blogger Hossam el-Hamalawy dealers in the Mediterranean town of Marsa Martrouh are peddling an Obama brand hashish:

A new brand of (presumably black Moroccan) hashish has appeared in the Egyptian town of Marsa Matrouh, called “Obama”!
I recall in in 2003, a quite popular brand of hash that appeared in Cairo was named “Saddam” coz it was “stronger than chemical weapons.”

The news first hit the online world via Twitter, when award-winning blogger Wael Abbas announced it, saying (Ar):

In English, the Tweet says:

Urgent - a new type of hashish appears in Marsa Matrouh - Obama

Elijah Zarwan, also based in Egypt, further comments:

By the hash-o-meter, Barack Obama may be the most popular foreign leader in Egypt since Saddam Hussein.

In this heady political atmosphere, here’s something to laugh about. This is a crude way of saying goodbye to George W. Bush, invented by an American. The story was reported as it is in an American blog, and was carried by Yahoo News. It is being shared here in its original format.He has the lowest ratings as a President in the past 70 years, is usually heard talking non-sense most of the time.

He is none other than George W Bush Jr., he may not last this fortnight, but at least he can go down the drain drinking your genetic waste.

This gadget contraption is something Joe the plumber will only be too happy to fix.

Sorensen designed the Presidential Toilet in his San Francisco studio to express-piss his appreciation towards the now puppet president who has caused the most harm in the 8 years that he has been in office.

Sorensen will also have a one-man show entitled “Down The Drain - The Legacy of George W. Bush.” at Ruby's Clay Studio and Gallery in San Francisco.

“Yes we can” has been the mantra of hope for the Obama campaign. Prior to November 4, I found myself occasionally repeating these words, but not really thinking about what they meant. But after my experience in New York City on election night, and after hearing president elect Obama make his victory speech, this campaign slogan became a concrete reality for me.

A group of friends and I were watching CNN at our resident hall’s TV lounge. As the results came in, excitement started to brew. Was this really going to happen? Would history truly be made in our generation? Was the change that America and the world longed for truly going to come to fruition? As all those questions hovered in our minds, suddenly, CNN announced: “Breaking news! Barack Obama elected president!” The whole room went berserk! We all started singing “Obama! Obama! Obama!” The whole group then ran down towards Harlem and hundreds of other Columbia University students joined us. “Obama! Obama! Obama!”

We joined the march begun by the people of Harlem. People of all races and gender were dancing, hugging and singing “Obama! Obama! Obama!” The streets of Harlem were so full of people that cars could not even move. So they decided to join the celebrations and hooted as we kept shouting “Obama! Obama! Obama!” We then took the celebrations to Times Square and celebrated until the break of dawn. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life.

Being South African, I can almost equate this experience to how people must have felt in 1994 when former president Nelson Mandela was elected. I was only eight years old during those elections, so I don’t believe I fully understood the gargantuan meaning of his election. We ran around the streets as little kids singing “Mandela is president,” but back then, I did not fully appreciate what it meant both for South Africa and the world at large. But now, it seems I have been given the opportunity to fully experience the hope that South Africans and the world must have had in 1994 and it is beyond comprehension.

As president-elect Obama delivered his speech, I found tears streaming down my face. He emphasised the importance of unity and pointed out that the road ahead would be steep, but that together as a people, progress and prosperity for all would be achieved. He also noted the contribution of young people in this election – disproving the myth of apathetic young people. His devotion to his family and his love for the nation were poignant. I was further moved as I saw the sincerity and humility in his eyes as he said the words: “Yes we can!”

So what did this historical event mean for me, especially being a South African who plans to go back home after my studies and effect meaningful change? President-elect Obama’s election showed me that it is possible for people from all races and genders to come together as one for a cause that is bigger than themselves and the differences that separate them. In the end, we all bleed red, so I don’t understand why we let irrelevant factors separate us when they don’t really have to. Secondly, this election showed me the power of grass roots level interventions. The funding for the Obama campaign began with small donations of $10 or $20 from the normal man on the street. These contributions played a salutary role to the success of his campaign. As much as I support macro level interventions, Americans have just shown that micro level interventions should never be undermined as the collection of the whole can have a colossal impact on the final results. Thirdly, I was inspired by president elect Obama’s honesty that the road ahead would be steep, especially considering the current economic crisis. Often leaders like to promise the sun, moon and stars, but Obama was honest about the tough times ahead. What I truly appreciated though was his call for the people of America as a whole to join him in the fight to effect change. He was clear that change would not occur through government intervention alone, but that every citizen would have to play his/ her part through service and together rebuild the country. I couldn’t agree more with that call and my views on citizen participation were expressed in my previous article titled “South Africans, here is an inconvenient truth”. (If you want more information about my opinion on citizen participation, you can read that).

It is very easy for all of us to be excited about the victory of the likes of former president Nelson Mandela and president-elect Obama. These leaders are those beacons of hope that we all need and long for. But as President Obama said, the real work begins now. Now is the time that we get our hands and feet in the mud and start digging. The slogan is not “Yes I can!” It is “Yes WE can!” The minute we lose sight of our role in seeing the desired change, then this victory and similar victories to come would be null and void.

These are interesting times for the nation of South Africa as the election of the new president is at its eleventh hour. We too as a nation will have to come together in unity. Obama did not win the elections because only black people went to vote. He won the elections because the people of America went out to vote, regardless of race. I pray that the people of South Africa will come together and vote for the party that they believe can move us forward as one and not vote based on colour or gender. The formation of a new political party and the controversies surrounding such a move bring a new set of expectations to the election process that is about to occur. Whoever the people of South Africa get behind and elect as the next president, may it be the person who inspires us to believe that together we can do it. Perhaps South Africa is also ready for change that we can believe in that will deliver results and not just idle talk.

I know some friends from back home fear what these upcoming elections will bring. But I say let us not fear. Fear is:

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Let us continue holding on to the beacon of hope that the likes of Tata Mandela lit up for us. Let us unite, let us choose wisely and let us go and vote so that when April 2009 comes, we can all proudly stand together and say: “Yes, WE can!”

Judy Sikuza is busy with her Master’s degree at Columbia University in New York. She finds delight and value in learning from those who are different from her. Besides dreaming of becoming a rock star, her pursuit to effect change lies in her five seemingly dichotomous passions: business, sport, drama, politics and education (training and development). However, she has realised that the specificity of the medium is not important since there is a common vision behind all her passions. This vision is to emancipate and empower people to reach their full potential.

After meeting with his economic advisors in Chicago this morning, President-Elect Barack Obama (let’s say that one more time, shall we?) will be talking to the press at 7.30pm UK time today.

Man of Lettuce, Sydney taxi driver and author of Cablog, joined work and pleasure as usual on election night:

Last night the City was awash with the intoxicating ambience of Barack Obama’s victory. An earlier invitation to the Democrats Abroad celebration party on Oxford Street had alerted me to a premier content source…sheer exhilaration plus alcohol - perfect.

His account of an encounter in his cab with an African American couple should be read in full on his unique blog. He finishes on his own note of hope:

…Let’s pray he can fulfil this vision and unify all Americans, thereby becoming one of their great Presidents.

O-ba-ma

An Onymous Lefty, Jeremy, raised a sour note. Known for his sarcastic posts, he put that aside to express his disgust at the California vote against gay marriage in straightforward language:

…the fact that many of his voters (he won California, after all) turned out to take this basic civil right away from gay people seriously tarnishes his victory. It implies that had he been more principled, and really stood for civil rights - and asked his voters to genuinely consider why, at a moment of the triumph of African Americans as a previously-persecuted group, they would even consider turning that persecution on others - then the gay people of California would not have just lost theirs.

I stand by my earlier refusal to get too excited by the election result.
Obama refuses to stand up for civil rights; Californians lose theirs

Mark Bahnisch at Larvatus Prodeo looked at the impact of the web on the elections and possible future directions:

No doubt one of the big stories about the US election will be the influence of the blogosphere and the netroots. In many ways, the rise of the intertubes in politics was an unintended consequence of the Rove approach to politics…

All technology is shaped socially. Blogging, YouTube, and other social media have been enablers and not just causes of this invigoration of democracy. I’d like to see some research and analysis focused on the wellsprings of activism we’ve seen bubbling up. I think that would be, in many ways, a more productive frame through which to look at what’s interesting, distinctive and exciting about this campaign than yet another round of “journos v. bloggers” style articles.

US election: Yes we can!

Andrew Bolt has been posted on Voices without Votes before. He is a daily newspaper columnist with Melbourne’s Herald Sun and media spokesperson for the right wing in Australia. He is a climate change denier, a critic of anything progressive (the dreaded left-wing, latte and chardonnay drinking socialists) and has “issues” with race.

Just before conceding Obama’s win yesterday, his blog featured a video clip outside a polling booth with the following comments:

Should McCain win, against all predictions and the polls, there will be trouble:

Toledo police are gearing up for possible “civil unrest” during and after tomorrow’s elections.

Indeed, the menace outside one polling booth, patrolled by Black Panthers, is palpable

Obama or McCain. UPDATE: It’s Obama

The old politics of fear and prejudice still live with us. Judge for yourself.

Finally, Miriam Lyons, from the Centre for Policy Development, also shared her thoughts on the Obama presidency at Larvatus Prodeo:

Today’s election result heralds the rise of Green Keynesianism. The US economy is in the toilet and smart economists are advocating direct investment over a more consumer-based fiscal stimulus.

The Obama campaign’s target for emissions cuts was 80% by 2050 - a fair way ahead of Oz Labor’s as-yet-unaltered election promise of 60% by 2050. With the Arctic ice-sheet melting rapidly even an 80% target is too low for a developed country like the US, but it should certainly give Professor Ross Garnaut reason to revise his pessimism about the likely outcome of the Copenhagen round of climate negotiations. It’s worth noting that the Obama campaign’s climate and energy platform specifically called for 100% auctioning of permits.

This is serious stuff. Miriam also reflected on possible impacts on Australia by Obama’s approach to war, economics and international relations. As a think-tank person herself, it was no surprise that she concluded with their likely role in the Obama era:

Just as an aside, it will be interesting to follow the relationship between progressive think tanks & the new administration. Expect to see the traditional influx from conservative think tanks to Republican administrations mirrored on the Democrat side this time around.

Guest Post by Miriam Lyons: What does an Obama win mean for Australia?

If George W. Bush represents the Dark Ages in terms of intellectual progress and political awareness, Barack Obama seems squarely planted in the Enlightenment.

Barack Obama's Victory Speech: Yes We Can! (Part 1 of 2)

Barack Obama's Victory Speech: Yes We Can! (Part 2 of 2)