yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Off-topic] McHale:
You have got to be kidding, right? Bush is to blame for Russia's invasion of Georgia because they were following U.S.'s peer pressure?!?!?

HA HA HA

Thanks for that, your 'Blame Bush for Everything' rhetoric is Mad Magazine worthy...

And as far as the US in Iraq, you're wrong Avathar. The Iraqi citizens are unbelievably thankful for getting Saddam Hussein (not to be confused with Barack Hussein) out of power and helping to bring stability to the region.

I grew tired of the liberal anti-war stance years ago and stopped listening to them. Because if the US were run by those types of *******, we'd be speaking German and still under Great Britian's rule. War happens because sometimes it's a necessity. The purpose of an army is to kill people and break things. Freedom isn't free and achieving peace has never been brought about through peaceful means.

Welcome to reality. Feel free to browse around and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

-Mc
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
I know this is going off topic of the OP, but.... I find it amazing how the world criticizes the US. But when their country is being invaded, or is in need of any aid, they always got their hand out wanting the US, and or the UK to come to their rescue. I hope Obama pulls our troops out of Iraq, and the rest of the world for that matter. Let you elitist "we are better than you" pompous asses fend for yourself.
[Off-topic] ljinsane:
I'm not going to argue with you but you are not real clear on the tax plan

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/index.htm

and some excerpts:

According to the Tax Policy Center's findings, the common assumptions most people make about the plans of McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, and Obama, the Democrats' pick, are not wildly off-base.

McCain: The average taxpayer in every income group would see a lower tax bill, but high-income taxpayers would benefit more than everyone else.

Obama: High-income taxpayers would pay more in taxes, while everyone else's tax bill would be reduced. Those who benefit the most - in terms of reducing their taxes as a percentage of after-tax income - are in the lowest income groups.

all in all it doesnt matter Obama won...get over it we all gave the repugs a shot for 8years and look where that got us. This elect was about one thing (IMO anyway)...progress
[Off-topic] avathar behemoth:
If the iraki's think of the americans as liberators, why did so many US soldiers come back in black bags?

the only reason why its quieter now is because the insurgents are payed of (the sunni awakining program or some similar name)

lets face it the commies (ussr) was a third world nation which NEVER was a real threat to the west :D we have been conned into fearing them for 40 some years...

and thank god the politics of fear seems to have dissapeared for now.. and that great american trait, hope for the future, will return and bring light to the world.

oh and by the way we here in europe dont need to fear anyone the only military power that can do anything to us.... is the US no other power could stand up to us! :D and yet we are the first superpower in the history of the world that actually talks first instead of punching!! we are in fact superior :D
[Off-topic] ljinsane:
overrated to you...someone who doesn't fully understand what this means for the hope and dreams of minority (not just African American ) children. This changes EVERYTHING for them. Instead of being told they have the potential to be whatever they want...The now KNOW they can be whatever they want. they now know that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. This also goes for non minority children also...

For this country to look beyond race and pick the best candidate for the job is incredible. People in different parts of the world are excited about this at a rate that in unprecedented. Your statement could be more flawed ...couldn't be more wrong. No longer can anyone say that they are being held down by the man and cant succeed because of it there are no excuses...last night proved that. given the history of this country to say that last night historical significance is overrated is hugely ignorant of the impact this will have on a worldwide scale...think about it
[Off-topic] chalid:
I don't think this will ever change - or at least not in the next 100 years. Just looking at a person is going to bring up the color of the skin or the differences with one self. That's natural. When I am looking through the streets I sort people by hair color, clothes, etc. ... As long as categorizing like this doesn't have any negativ effects on any formed group, I dont' see any problem.

The other thing is: You forget that this goes two ways. How many people have voted for McCain because he is a white male? How many have voted for Clinton because she is a woman? This isn't any better than the votes for Obama because he is black.

I actually do think one cannot overrate the significance of this vote for Obama as a black man. It doesn't matter what's the color of the skin of his mother was, because the people will always see his dark skin color first. And through that he is black.

Which countries have been invaded and helped by the US in the last 8 years?

The simple problem the world has had with the US gov. in the past 8 years are the fake resons which led to the invasion of Irak. First it was all about weapons of mass destruction and the rescue of Israel and maybe Europe because those weapons could have reached them and us. But after a while the facts that were presented turned out to be fake. Suddenly it was all about rescuing the iraki people from the evil regime (which by the way the US supported in the first place). And the worst of all was Bush making fun of not finding any of those weapons.

Don't get me wrong - I really do like travelling to the states. And thanks to your politics I lived quite cheap (1 € = 1,5 $) with the weak dollar last time I was visiting. And as much as I loved spending my money in the US with this great €-$-ratio, I hope the next government will fix the economy.
[Off-topic] mlin:
This is no more of a socialist move than our government buying up bad debt, and now owning minority stock shares in several banks. That my friend is socialism, Obama supported it, and so did McCain and Bush. Obama is no socialist! Also, money has always been 'redistributed,' though usually back to the rich so as to promote this pseudo-utopic, non-existant, trickle down effect. Have you checked out Obama's tax cut website? The calculations are supposedly conducted through a nonpartisan organization. Perhaps your losing less money than you think (or maybe even gaining). I am guessing that as a clerk at Walmart, our salaries or similar. I work as a research assistant in a research laboratory and if you know anything about academic science, you know that it doesn't pay JACK!! (less than 30K, 50+hrs/wk). Obama does not plan to distribute taxes as welfare, but for those working and tax paying citizens.

http://taxcut.barackobama.com/

I think its great BTW that Barack is our president-elect! I can't wait to see what he will do, and what he'll inspire in the American people and perhaps the world. His acceptance speech last night was great! Particularly I enjoyed when he said "...this is not the change I was talking about... no WE are in a position to make real changes in this country... it will be up to each and everyone of us to do our part..."

US resident in the lovely BLUE state of Colorado!
[Off-topic] mlin:
Wow! Well said! As a minority that has worked extensively with at risk minority children, i know what this means to them and some of their parents.
[Off-topic] joel2009:
I can respect anyone's vote if they have a good reason, what disappoints me is that alot of people that voted for obama because of race.... Some had no idea of his policies only being able to say "change" when asked. Even better was when a group went around asking about what they thought of palin being obama's vp... and people thought it was great.... until they were told his vp was biden, not palin.
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
I will reiterate...

To me, it is over rated because I reject racial classification and labeling. Obama is neither a black man, nor is he white to me. So his winning doesn't have the same meaning to me as it does the racist crowd. And my definition of racist is anyone who believes in the concept of racial labeling.

Also, for the people of any other country that wants to criticize the US's history, I offer up a wise saying....

Don't throw rocks if you live in a glass house.
[Off-topic] chalid:
You can see exactly the same thing when McCain supporters were asked. In fact it was worse with all the hate going through their lines. Seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrnRU3ocIH4

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EEgLrShWdM

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJghQMq49dw

and so on ...

Better ppl are voting for someone because of the color of his skin than out of hatred against another person.
[Off-topic] zeezee:
I didn't vote b/c i dont believe either candidate is worthy. So i would have the most right to complain. (but i could careless)
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Haha yes, your healthcare is completely socialist, as is the healthcare in England. But hey, it works a hell of a lot better than what we've been doing here in the US, so instead of slapping a label on it and insulting the president who supports it, I'm just going to hope it happens. It seems the McCain campaign got people to fear this idea of socialism, but the fact is, as long as it doesn't reach the point of a completely socialist country (a certain wage for each profession, nothing to work for because you won't get more pay) it can be a good thing. As long as I've been alive we've had tax brackets, where the people who make more are taxed harder. That's a socialist idea, isn't it? I mean, you're taking more off the top so the bottom doesn't have to pay as much, isn't that "spreading the wealth" by letting the lower class keep more money? The truth is, the people who are scared of this socialism most are the $35 million a year CEO's who buy Ferrari Enzo's as company cars and take tax breaks of $1.8 million because of it. No lie, I've actually seen a carfax of an Enzo and it was registered as a company car. Are you telling me they shouldn't pay more taxes, and you're okay with a tax deduction of almost $2 million so he can drive a supercar?
[Off-topic] McHale:
If you haven't seen it, see if you rent a movie called "The Mouse That Roared" starring Peter Sellers. He plays several roles in the film and the premise is that a small country that is very poor and on tough times in trying to figure out a way to improve their country. They decide to start a war with American because they know that once they lose, America will rebuild them better than ever for free.

It's a decent comedy but hits close to home when you see the way many countries use us - France!

-Mc
[Off-topic] McHale:
+5

Doesn't what happened last night also send a message that people vote over shallow things like race instead of knowing what they are voting for? That shows how screwed of a country we are. Our founding fathers would be disgusted by those that weren't informed of what the issues were or what their candidates were all about. We don't value our freedom anymore and that by itself if the scarriest realization this shows the world.

The paragraph above doesn't reflect EVERYBODY that voted for Obama. Many people voted for him and agree with his politics and voted their conscience (not because of race). Those people did the right thing. I voted against him because of his politics, not his race. That's how democracy is SUPPOSED to work.

-Mc
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7710362.stm

"In his speech to lawmakers, the Russian leader also said the August war in Georgia had resulted from a "conceited" US foreign policy.

He said "the conflict in the Caucasus was used as a pretext for sending Nato warships to the Black Sea and also for the foisting on Europe of America's anti-missile systems". "

You're right, the US had nothing to do with it. So nice of you to rid George Bush of blame he doesn't deserve, but apparently the president of Russia thinks he deserves it.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
And I've seen people on Street Smarts say the closest star to the Earth is Andromeda, the fact is, people are stupid. It's not just Obama supporters, I'd bet you anything tons of people voted for McCain because of race as well. Don't try to say racism doesn't exist and the only people who vote because there's a black man in the election are blacks.
[Off-topic] joel2009:
YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN IF YOU DON'T VOTE.

I voted for mccain knowing full and well that he probably wasn't gonna win, but i can't say i didn't do my part. The election isn't about voting for who you think will win, but who you think is the better candidate.

Like i said earllier i can respect anyones vote as long as they have a valid reason, Whats disappointing to me is when you see someone voting because of discrimination or simply because they have the same color skin (whether you voted for mccain because you beleive in "white power" or because your favorite actor "the terminator" endorsed him.... or you voted for obama because you simply wanted to put the first african american in the white house.... or because Opera likes him :) )
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
I agree 100%, taking race into account in any way is bad. Race out of the picture, I voted for Obama because I felt he had the best chance to turn this country around and pull us out of the hole that the Republicans have dug for us. It's not necessarily the "lesser of 2 evils idea", as I do like Obama and I'm proud to say he's our next president, but if you seriously think Palin is worthy of any office no less VP I don't know what to say.
[Off-topic] joel2009:
And that is a 100% valid opinion :) i'm movin on back to the real world away from the computer for now though so i expect good discution to catch up on when i log back on......

UNTIL THEN>>>
[Off-topic] andrew-in-woking:
This discusstion

Hi all,

Thank you everybody for your contribution to the discussion.

As the thread starter I feel entitled to suggest a direction for the discussion. At the moment it seems dominated by people from America, that is perhaps inevitable as you guys were the only ones who could vote for or against Obama. Anyway, it would be great if as many international (i.e. non-US) members could just post briefly stating their country and whether or not they are happy about Obama getting in. You don't need to have a complicated arguement, we'd just like to hear what you think.

Carry on debating!

andrew-in-woking
[Off-topic] losdrivare:
Well then, here's a couple of crude reflections from Sweden:

First my waiver: I'm not claiming to have the whole picture, after all this is an election in a country that's not mine. And to anyone who thinks this is not a good reason, just ask yourself: how much did YOU ever know about a foreign election? :)

- It's hard not to like Obamas quest for tolerance (race, sexual preference etc) and change. However, I'm still waiting to have this quest concretized and to see what he'll actually do.

- I hope no-one shoots him. The last two american presidents with a similar agenda did get shot, JFK and Robert Kennedy.

- McCain impressed me a lot with his speech when it was clear that he had lost. More so than Obamas winning speach, actually. He's a great guy too, but he didn't stand for anything new nor the change that people needed.

- Palin killed McCains campain. Even here in Sweden, people are laughing to you-tube clips of her. She is scary, and even more scary is her being governor of Alaska and McCains choice for VP.

I'd have voted for Obama. I hope he can deliver as promised and that he's given time and means to do so.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Haha some guy on CNN this morning was saying how Palin HELPED McCain's campaign and he was doomed from the start because of Bush, I've never laughed so hard. Then they turned around and took a poll via text messages, and 82% of the US who voted said Palin killed his campaign. :P

I do, however, think he had it lost from the start. He voted with Bush 9 times out of 10, and this country needs change as we've shown, anything but another Bush (or 90% of him) probably would have won.
[Off-topic] azzambm:
I'm from Syria...

I just wanna say that I prefer Obama more than McCain because of the Republicans stupid acts against my country and I hope Obama will have another attitude and more rational sense...
[Off-topic] ramontrotman:
i couldn't care less if obama was black, white, green or pink. i voted for him because of the most simple and true to life concept brought to my attention the last 8 years. there is no more middle class! you're either rich or you're poor! im sorry, but that's not rocking. the republicans has manage to screw up this country two terms in a row....and it is...well...time for a change!

but it is nice that hes black ;)
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
Something else that amazes me, it's how folks blame republicans for screwing up the country. Or how one poster said "for what they did to my country". That should be listed as "ignorant statement for the day". And their only bases for that opinion is because a republican president was in the office.

Get real people...... democrats played their part in all this JUST AS MUCH as the republicans. IE, the Freddie and Fannie collapse. If we were really smart, we as a nation should do away with political parties. Those two party's constant bickering, finger pointing, and egg throwing way of conducting business will always have us divided as a nation.
[Off-topic] ramontrotman:
you seem to be easily amazed.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
You're right, let's shift the blame on the government as a whole instead of realizing that George W. Bush has had 2 of the worst presidential terms in modern history. I'm not saying AT ALL that the Democrat party's hands are clean, but let's give credit where credit is due, George Bush is a huge reason why the country is the way it is.
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
I totally agree with you here, but probably for different reasons than yours. I lost faith in this man as our president to the point I can't stand to look at him or hear him speak.

Reguardless if the president is a repub, or dem, his job is to lead us all. He should able to promote cooperation between all political parties, or kick some ass and take names if they don't.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Well, are you saying we should've picked McCain, regardless of him being republican? He planned to stay in Iraq for a long time more, costing us $144 billion a year, in a time where our own economy is on the verge of collapse. Forget what happens here, we might as well keep spending money right? He claimed to be the one to "create wealth" and give all of these tax breaks, blamed Obama for his "tax and spend" policies... But let's not kid ourselves, less taxes means less money to the government, and we're spending, let me repeat, $144 billion a year on Iraq, which he wants to keep doing! That's like saying you want to bring world peace by stocking up as many weapons in your country that you can, your ideas are contradicting themselves. Where do you suppose this funding would come from? How many trillions of debt are we in already?
[Off-topic] burgertime:
I wanted to throw this in, I don't get why people use the, "they only voted for him because he is black" excuse for loosing. My friends very racist grandma called him and literally said, "it isn't fair the black churches bussed all the blacks over to vote Obama". Yet her church did the VERY SAME THING FOR MCCAIN!! So I can say especially here in the south there was definitely a vote for McCain because he is the WHITE candidate which should offset any of the African-American vote who ONLY voted because Obama was black.

On another note I think everyone should be happy (unless your a bigot of course) that there will be whole generation of black and white kids who grow up with a black president . this is just one more step in our society NOT seeing people as labels or colors. It's really amazing to think that a generation will be "used" to racial mixing! That is where I think the true historic importance comes in. My generations children.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Hahaha wow, they seriously did that? That amazes me... I must say, for growing up in a community like that you seem to be very unbiased. Just another reason to make fun of my girlfriend for being from the south. :)
[Off-topic] ramontrotman:
excellent example. please pm me this woman's address. i am throwing on my obama t shirt as we speak. i shall show up at her door step with my black skin, black president shirt and some expensive shoes and nice fancy car. perhaps it'll kick off that heart attack she's been waiting for!
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
No, I never made any such suggestion. I didn't vote for either one. I have a lot of respect for McCain and the sacrifices he made for our country. War heros like him make it possible that we can STILL CHOOSE a president. I just don't see him as a presidential leader. Obama on the other hand has many of the leadership qualities needed to be president. But, I see him as a typical liberal and I just don't agree with most (not all) of the liberal way of thinking.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Okay then, we seem to agree on McCain 100%, just not on Obama (because I'm liberal, duh). I can't stand people using the military experience as a crutch, the fact is, being a pilot and commanding hundreds of thousands of troops are 2 different things. George W. Bush was also a pilot, and how's he done for us militarily? Exactly. Furthermore, McCain's years of captivity don't make him more fit to be president... Although I respect him as a man and a soldier, soldiers and presidents are different things.
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
This is the kind of attitude that perpetuates racism. Throwing one's skin color in the face of another promotes hate. You sir are no better than a klansmen marching in the street with his white robe hollering white power.

Go back and listen to Obama's acceptance speech again. Your attitude goes against what he was saying about us coming together as one people.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Woah, woah, COMPLETELY uncalled for. I think mocking someone's racism and displaying pure hatred towards a race is quite different, and I don't see his statement in anything but jest.
[Off-topic] ramontrotman:
i'd like to think there is a huge difference between myself and these people you talk about. perhaps you didn't grasp the concept of my comment, or perhaps your sense of humor nerve does not kick in when it comes to politics. All of which is fine. But never you worry about my integration as a model citizen in obama's game plan. Just worry about the change he speaks of.
[Off-topic] mlin:
What makes you think that so many people voted for him because of his race? The black vote was only up 2%. It was white america that voted him in. McCain lost because he sold out. His concession speech was the first time we saw the real McCain since he became the GOP nominee. He ran a terrible campaign, picked a terrible VP, and tried to use the same old scare tactics to get votes. Had he approached the presidency like he approached his concession, the race would've been a lot closer. People are tired of the same old hate and scare mongering of the past. Personally, I think McCain is a great guy, he just made every wrong move that he possibly could've of. Palin being the worst! But hey, we know he didn't pick her, he wanted Liberman. Goes to show that it wasn't McCain that was really running, but the entire GOP.
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
Wishing a heart attack on someone is nothing to jest about. Of course I'm not suggesting his agenda is that of hate like the klan, but to throw one's skin color in the the face of another is no different than what the klan does with their "public" rallies.