In this post I will add new words I've invented as and when I think of them. It will hopefully look like a cross between urban dictionary and Viz's profanisaurus:
Charisn'tma - the opposite of Charisma. A repellant quality. Possessed in abundance by Piers Morgan
Hippiecrite - A hypocritical hippie. Someone who superficially observes hippie values such as peace and respect for all life but then eats a meat sandwich. Or declares themselves an anticapitalist then talks on their state of the art 3G smartphone that was designed in silicon valley, assembled in taiwan and distributed by a huge shipping coproration (which they probably bought on a credit card issued by a banking conglomerate)
Testostocrat - One who favours rule by men. A world of career glass ceilings and golf course business deals.....
Oestrogist - One who favours rule by women. A world where the arms industry follows monthly, lunar cycles.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Obama's Inauguration Speech - January 2009
For my first entry into the world of blog I’m going to hit upon a topic that probably won’t get much coverage elsewhere. I refer, of course, to the inauguration of the new President of the World, Barrack Obama.
Or should that be Barrack Hussein Obama? For although admirably not mentioned in Obama’s inaugural address, his middle name ‘Hussein’ has obvious significance, as does the colour of skin, the flavour of his politics and the tone of his entry into the white house.
Never before has a man broken so many entrenched assumptions about US political values. Enjoying unprecedented levels of cross party support, public hero worship and global approval before he even swore the oath, Obama knew this day was never going to be anything but monumentally historic.
The ceremony occurred before a swarming crowd of over two million. Billions more around the world tuned in via TV, internet and radio. Still more would later listen to the highlights, podcasts, webcasts and such like. No room for error then. Well, in theory anyway. The Chief Justice, whose job it is to swear in the president elect, fumbled the recitation of the presidential oath –to Mr & Mrs Obama’s obvious amusement. No harm done though and following this quirky moment Obama took to the stage. There, before the eyes of the World, Barrack Hussein Obama, the 44th and most popular President of the United States of America, leader of the free world, delivered a flawlessly passionate and resolute statement that was sincere, powerful and incredibly stirring.
The opening formalities quickly dealt with the outgoing president, thanking him for his service to the nation and so forth. Muffled applause and some booing could be heard at this. Regardless, this was big of Obama, considering the numerous, serious problems he has inherited from his predecessor. A failed and hated Bush listened from the sidelines. No longer looking like the dread lord of neo conservative warmongering. Nor even resembling his alter ego of the comedy cowboy - the linguistic buffoon of student wall posters. He appeared old and rejected - a political dinosaur with the face of a howler monkey.
In a reminder that this is, as so many US car bumper stickers proclaim, “The end of an error”, we were told what is going to change. Healthcare would now be a priority. There would be no more Orwellian choices between safety and ideals, no more brutal treatment of enemies and no more blind worship of the unregulated free market as some kind of benign entity. Rejecting the “With us or against us” dogma of the previous administration, Obama promised America would open the hand of friendship to those who would take it. Directly addressing the Muslim world he promised to pursue mutual respect. Explicitly denouncing the polarisation of US society he announced “On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics”. Obama wants the US to reclaim the moral high ground in an enlightened manner.
Obama painted a vivid picture of the challenges ahead and contrasted the hope of this moment of glory to the real difficulties faced. Adhering to the political wisdom of “never waste a crisis”, he painted a jarringly realistic picture of the state of things, using strong imagery that evoked rising tides of prosperity, gathering clouds and raging storms. We need to work to overcome the present financial dangers, he told us. Obama knows that the current crisis means he can’t rest on his laurels - even during his political honeymoon. He is telling us that neither can we afford to rest.
Acknowledging the responsibilities that accompany US power, a theme seemed to be that the US would be less inwardly focused. The US has previously been seen internationally as insular and isolationist when it suits yet aggressively hands on in pursuit of its own agenda.
The American public is often accused of being almost blissfully unaware of the problems of the wider world – even those directly linked to US foreign policy. This image is reinforced by terrified New Yorkers screaming “Why do they hate us so much” following the 11th September attacks.
That the need for a man like Obama is recognised by the US electorate suggests a certain loss of innocence on the part of the American public. A public that Bill Hicks once parodied as panicking “Shit, they’re lying to us.”
More and more Americans, particularly of younger generations, are as aware of the implications to US credibility of their previous inward focus as they are of the damage done to it by aggressive foreign policy. Obama’s speech acknowledged this sea-change and suggested America is ready to integrate with the world positively and take the responsibility of understanding the issues beyond its own borders.
Undoubtedly, then, the new President represents many positive things. The reality of the coming era of in America, however, is a different debate. Google will throw up zillions of discussions on whether Obama’s message is merely astute political populism at its best or whether things really will change. A jubilant mood pervades in the USA. But we Brits are a cynical bunch when it comes to politics, particularly US politics (and with good reason).
To this Brit, though, his message seemed genuine and has inspired hope. To reinforce this, in his first days on office, Obama has already done several good things. His Presidency is all the more hopeful because, having already broken the mould of US politics (in the height of the Dubya era, who would have expected a liberal, young, black Democrat who values alliances in the name of peace to become president?) and triumphed over the prejudices of the establishment Obama shows that anything is possible and hope can be restored. Such triumph-over-adversity themes are the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters but all too often rejected by us cynical Brits.
Or should that be Barrack Hussein Obama? For although admirably not mentioned in Obama’s inaugural address, his middle name ‘Hussein’ has obvious significance, as does the colour of skin, the flavour of his politics and the tone of his entry into the white house.
Never before has a man broken so many entrenched assumptions about US political values. Enjoying unprecedented levels of cross party support, public hero worship and global approval before he even swore the oath, Obama knew this day was never going to be anything but monumentally historic.
The ceremony occurred before a swarming crowd of over two million. Billions more around the world tuned in via TV, internet and radio. Still more would later listen to the highlights, podcasts, webcasts and such like. No room for error then. Well, in theory anyway. The Chief Justice, whose job it is to swear in the president elect, fumbled the recitation of the presidential oath –to Mr & Mrs Obama’s obvious amusement. No harm done though and following this quirky moment Obama took to the stage. There, before the eyes of the World, Barrack Hussein Obama, the 44th and most popular President of the United States of America, leader of the free world, delivered a flawlessly passionate and resolute statement that was sincere, powerful and incredibly stirring.
The opening formalities quickly dealt with the outgoing president, thanking him for his service to the nation and so forth. Muffled applause and some booing could be heard at this. Regardless, this was big of Obama, considering the numerous, serious problems he has inherited from his predecessor. A failed and hated Bush listened from the sidelines. No longer looking like the dread lord of neo conservative warmongering. Nor even resembling his alter ego of the comedy cowboy - the linguistic buffoon of student wall posters. He appeared old and rejected - a political dinosaur with the face of a howler monkey.
In a reminder that this is, as so many US car bumper stickers proclaim, “The end of an error”, we were told what is going to change. Healthcare would now be a priority. There would be no more Orwellian choices between safety and ideals, no more brutal treatment of enemies and no more blind worship of the unregulated free market as some kind of benign entity. Rejecting the “With us or against us” dogma of the previous administration, Obama promised America would open the hand of friendship to those who would take it. Directly addressing the Muslim world he promised to pursue mutual respect. Explicitly denouncing the polarisation of US society he announced “On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics”. Obama wants the US to reclaim the moral high ground in an enlightened manner.
Obama painted a vivid picture of the challenges ahead and contrasted the hope of this moment of glory to the real difficulties faced. Adhering to the political wisdom of “never waste a crisis”, he painted a jarringly realistic picture of the state of things, using strong imagery that evoked rising tides of prosperity, gathering clouds and raging storms. We need to work to overcome the present financial dangers, he told us. Obama knows that the current crisis means he can’t rest on his laurels - even during his political honeymoon. He is telling us that neither can we afford to rest.
Acknowledging the responsibilities that accompany US power, a theme seemed to be that the US would be less inwardly focused. The US has previously been seen internationally as insular and isolationist when it suits yet aggressively hands on in pursuit of its own agenda.
The American public is often accused of being almost blissfully unaware of the problems of the wider world – even those directly linked to US foreign policy. This image is reinforced by terrified New Yorkers screaming “Why do they hate us so much” following the 11th September attacks.
That the need for a man like Obama is recognised by the US electorate suggests a certain loss of innocence on the part of the American public. A public that Bill Hicks once parodied as panicking “Shit, they’re lying to us.”
More and more Americans, particularly of younger generations, are as aware of the implications to US credibility of their previous inward focus as they are of the damage done to it by aggressive foreign policy. Obama’s speech acknowledged this sea-change and suggested America is ready to integrate with the world positively and take the responsibility of understanding the issues beyond its own borders.
Undoubtedly, then, the new President represents many positive things. The reality of the coming era of in America, however, is a different debate. Google will throw up zillions of discussions on whether Obama’s message is merely astute political populism at its best or whether things really will change. A jubilant mood pervades in the USA. But we Brits are a cynical bunch when it comes to politics, particularly US politics (and with good reason).
To this Brit, though, his message seemed genuine and has inspired hope. To reinforce this, in his first days on office, Obama has already done several good things. His Presidency is all the more hopeful because, having already broken the mould of US politics (in the height of the Dubya era, who would have expected a liberal, young, black Democrat who values alliances in the name of peace to become president?) and triumphed over the prejudices of the establishment Obama shows that anything is possible and hope can be restored. Such triumph-over-adversity themes are the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters but all too often rejected by us cynical Brits.
Back to blog
I've found one of my earlier blogs! It was the first one I wrote in January 2009. So by posting it now, along with this one I have a total of three blogs! BOO YAHHH!
I've already beaten my earlier record by a massive 50% without even breaking a sweat. If I continue at this rate I'll have six tomorrow but that's about as realistic an expectation as those contained in the aforementioned blog. It's called "Obama's inauguration speech, Jan 2009" and I'll post it next. Reading it back I'm thinking: Oh my god! I was so naive at thirty two and three quarters. Now that I'm thirty four and five sixths I think I've got a much better handle on the world (actually I've got much bigger love handles - but a long term girlfriend and a gym prohibiting foot injury will do that).
Anyway, Obama did turn out to be a good guy but just not that good at saving the world. At least he's supporting the Egyptian protestors though.
But the World is still royally fucked. Obama's election did not stop the world from being the kind of place were Jedward are so shit that they even momentarily diverted attention from how much of a punchable little goblin faced cunt Louis Walsh is. But only momentarily. Nor did it prevent a world in which Britain elected to high office the most disbelievable pair of goons yet. David Cameron And Nick Clegg - Camerclegg! It sounds like a mythical beast with seven arms and a gaping maw. A jabberwocky for the tabloid age. The suit wearing beast with the head of a banker and the mouth of a spin doctor.
In fact even that gives them kudos they don't deserve. I truly, truly hope they end their terms in complete humiliating, abject failure and the country learns to never vote for a vacuous tory bastard in either a blue or yellow suit again. But there goes my naive expectations again. Just one word though, Camerclegg. I've got several rants with your names on.
I've already beaten my earlier record by a massive 50% without even breaking a sweat. If I continue at this rate I'll have six tomorrow but that's about as realistic an expectation as those contained in the aforementioned blog. It's called "Obama's inauguration speech, Jan 2009" and I'll post it next. Reading it back I'm thinking: Oh my god! I was so naive at thirty two and three quarters. Now that I'm thirty four and five sixths I think I've got a much better handle on the world (actually I've got much bigger love handles - but a long term girlfriend and a gym prohibiting foot injury will do that).
Anyway, Obama did turn out to be a good guy but just not that good at saving the world. At least he's supporting the Egyptian protestors though.
But the World is still royally fucked. Obama's election did not stop the world from being the kind of place were Jedward are so shit that they even momentarily diverted attention from how much of a punchable little goblin faced cunt Louis Walsh is. But only momentarily. Nor did it prevent a world in which Britain elected to high office the most disbelievable pair of goons yet. David Cameron And Nick Clegg - Camerclegg! It sounds like a mythical beast with seven arms and a gaping maw. A jabberwocky for the tabloid age. The suit wearing beast with the head of a banker and the mouth of a spin doctor.
In fact even that gives them kudos they don't deserve. I truly, truly hope they end their terms in complete humiliating, abject failure and the country learns to never vote for a vacuous tory bastard in either a blue or yellow suit again. But there goes my naive expectations again. Just one word though, Camerclegg. I've got several rants with your names on.
The way stones don't
This is my first entry in my first blog since my attempt to start one in 2009 collapsed under the weight of my own busyness/laziness/couldn't-be-arsedness.
I will post the two (yes, count them TWO!) entries from that embarassing attempt at such a time as I can access the hard drive on the computer I wrote them on. Sadly that computer is no longer with us. It died on the first week of my university course - when I needed it most and could afford a new one least. So maybe sod's law was in cahoots with the literary standards agency to prevent me from degrading the blogosphere with my mind vomit. But I'm back. And this time I'm packing enough pent up diatribe to make the most hardened ranter wince (or cringe, perhaps).
So why the title? Honestly, because I set the blog up and before I could post anything I had to give it a name. If I couldn't even manage anything better than 'Lee's blog' or 'Life, the universe and everything' then I may as well just give up. So I thought '42' which was the meaning of life in The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. But that has also been overdone. But also in the first part of Hitchhikers he described the spaceships that destroy earth moments before they attack:
"They hung there, in much the way stones don't."
I love that line. And it's even better when you read it in the context of a novel and not in bastardised form from my (ailing) memory.
So, to try to put a bit of a thematic spin on latching on to that title: Some things do just hang there unquestioned and without explanation or justification. And like stones don't, they shouldn't. Things like bias in media. Social norms. Beliefs. Conventions. Privileges and rights. Prejudices and aspirations. In this blog I will have a little rant about some of those things and basically anything else.
Given how warped my forthcoming views may be, if anyone else is persuaded my them then I will have defied reality. If they aren't persuaded by them then the stones will still be hanging and reality loses anyway. Either way this is my little escape from reality. Its name's not down so its not coming in.
I will post the two (yes, count them TWO!) entries from that embarassing attempt at such a time as I can access the hard drive on the computer I wrote them on. Sadly that computer is no longer with us. It died on the first week of my university course - when I needed it most and could afford a new one least. So maybe sod's law was in cahoots with the literary standards agency to prevent me from degrading the blogosphere with my mind vomit. But I'm back. And this time I'm packing enough pent up diatribe to make the most hardened ranter wince (or cringe, perhaps).
So why the title? Honestly, because I set the blog up and before I could post anything I had to give it a name. If I couldn't even manage anything better than 'Lee's blog' or 'Life, the universe and everything' then I may as well just give up. So I thought '42' which was the meaning of life in The hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. But that has also been overdone. But also in the first part of Hitchhikers he described the spaceships that destroy earth moments before they attack:
"They hung there, in much the way stones don't."
I love that line. And it's even better when you read it in the context of a novel and not in bastardised form from my (ailing) memory.
So, to try to put a bit of a thematic spin on latching on to that title: Some things do just hang there unquestioned and without explanation or justification. And like stones don't, they shouldn't. Things like bias in media. Social norms. Beliefs. Conventions. Privileges and rights. Prejudices and aspirations. In this blog I will have a little rant about some of those things and basically anything else.
Given how warped my forthcoming views may be, if anyone else is persuaded my them then I will have defied reality. If they aren't persuaded by them then the stones will still be hanging and reality loses anyway. Either way this is my little escape from reality. Its name's not down so its not coming in.
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