You had a dream, you said. Could this possibly be it? Well, it certainly took its time coming true, but here we are: 338 Obama electoral votes and a total of 53,516,786 votes – and counting (at 7:10 AM Norwegian time). This has to be it.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb [...]]]>

You had a dream, you said. Could this possibly be it? Well, it certainly took its time coming true, but here we are: 338 Obama electoral votes and a total of 53,516,786 votes – and counting (at 7:10 AM Norwegian time). This has to be it.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you — we as a people will get there,” president-elect Barack Obama told the hundreds of thousands attending the Grant Park celebration, and I’m sure he’s right.

But we’ve seen interview upon interview with American voters, politicians and dignitaries playing down the race issue, saying “the best candidate won, and yes, he’s African American,” but really, they cannot be serious:

Well, of course the best candidate won. There’s no doubt about that, but leave a little room for Doctor Martin Luther King’s dream, if you please, for surely, this has to be a great moment – for America and the world at large.

Congratulations, all. It was about time.

Dear Senator McCain,

I’m sure you’re a fine man, in every sense. Maybe not president material, but in every way a trustworthy, honest, through and through decent man, in whom I in fact recently regained some faith (in Norwegian) when you tried to stagger your running-mate’s crazed stampede against Obama only [...]]]>

Dear Senator McCain,

I’m sure you’re a fine man, in every sense. Maybe not president material, but in every way a trustworthy, honest, through and through decent man, in whom I in fact recently regained some faith (in Norwegian) when you tried to stagger your running-mate’s crazed stampede against Obama only weeks ago. And that’s not all:

I’m also quite grateful that you seem to have taken a sustainable stand in environmental matters, unlike the president currently in office and, again, your running-mate Governor Palin. There’s not a doubt in my soul that, although you voted with president Bush in so many cases, you represent an altogether different view on foreign politics and America’s place in the global community. If there’s any truth to your promise that you’re not Bush, I’m confident that, in supporting him, you were only being loyal. A fine quality in an old soldier like yourself.

Having said that, I fail to see a clear vision behind your policies, unlike your opponent.

In short: If you come out of this victoriously, I promise I’ll eat my… Breakfast tomorrow.

May the best man win.

First of all, I think I owe you a warning, as this post indeed lives up to the blog name, insignificant, after all, as it is. A mere result of thoughts going through my head as I brewed my latest pot of joe. The thing is, see, I do not much care for the [...]]]>

First of all, I think I owe you a warning, as this post indeed lives up to the blog name, insignificant, after all, as it is. A mere result of thoughts going through my head as I brewed my latest pot of joe. The thing is, see, I do not much care for the once oh so exotic varieties that used to be popular up until ten years ago or so (granted, some even found them tremendously vanguardish even after that). After the caffè latte, mocca, macchiato and cortado wave subsided around le fin du siècle dernier, I grew a passion for basic, black, coffee machine ground and heavily dark-roasted coffee, just as it used to be before we went all continentally caffeinated.

These days I’m all Damn good coffee! And hot! As prescribed by federal wacko Cooper, who, by the way suffers an umpteenth re-run on Norwegian TV screens these days. Have I been watching? Yes, I have, even if the magic faded almost twenty years ago. I know, it’s actually quite scary, remembering how my now 20-year-old son, newborn at the time, slept in his room while we took in the slightly eccentric coffee junkie’s bizarre adventures. As usual I digress.

I never really had a fancy espresso machine, if we ignore the classic La Pavoni (more or less as depicted) my dad brought home some 30 years ago. I was 16 at the time, just about to experiment with grown-up habits, but never bothered to get one myself, save for a number of Bialetti stove-tops – and one designed by Philippe Starck, I believe. Nowadays they’re rarely put to good use, though.

Could it simply be that I’m growing old – acquiring old people’s coffee habits? I wouldn’t mind if that’s so. After all, it does look kind of silly, doesn’t it, with all these middle-aged execs running to and fro, Starbucks cup in hand. Nah… I think I’d rather age gracefully. I know how vain it must sound, but I wouldn’t like to be seen with the country’s leading pseudo-intellectual newspaper tucked under my arm (compulsory part of the package) either.

And I can’t believe it took me all this rubbish getting to the very point, the 3 November quintessential, as it were:

That I take my coffee damn good, hot and black as midnight on a moonless night – or as a 21st century American president.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PcoMrwEa5o

With only three more days to go, the US presidential campaign has turned out to be a closer race than expected only weeks ago. Today, on the other hand, predicting the outcome is something very close to impossible.

So how did that come about? As I recall, news that Neo-Nazis Daniel Cowart and Paul [...]]]>

With only three more days to go, the US presidential campaign has turned out to be a closer race than expected only weeks ago. Today, on the other hand, predicting the outcome is something very close to impossible.

So how did that come about? As I recall, news that Neo-Nazis Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman’s plot to “take out” Barack Obama and some 100 black people in a Tennessee killing spree about a week ago, turned out to be something of a turning point. Certainly, there’s been very little change in terms of pure politics, where Obama continues to appear a lot more confident than his opponent. If it hadn’t been for certain other factors, the gap probably would’ve widened, not narowed, as it were.

American Neo Nazi Daniel Cowart.

Of course there’s every reason to question the real threat posed by firearm-romancing Nazi kids, such as Cowart and Schlesselman, but it cannot be ignored. I’m guessing that, although a growing majority of the American electorate was in favour of Obama just a week ago, the two reminded them how unappealing the prospect of an assasinated president actually is. They don’t want to relive that. Better safe than sorry, eh?

And the gap started to close.

You can’t help but wondering though, if news that Muslim terrorists plotted to kill McCain would have the same effect. I’m afraid not – or rather; au contraire!

I’d just like to add this, though: With an ethnic breakdown of 80 percent white citizens, 12.8 percent African American, 4.4 percent Asian, 1 percent Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, 0.2 percent Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders, 1.6 percent multiracial and 15.1 percent Hispanic or Latinos, there’s no democratic basis for demanding a black president. The colour of the president’s skin is completely irrelevant.

However, when presented with a dynamic, well-spoken and statesman-like candidate and/or one making faces behind his opponent’s back, I’d say the outcome is a given.

Unfortunately, however, it is not.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

I won’t blame you if you, upon discussing politics with a Norwegian, find yourself slightly bewildered, especially if you’re an American. While you limit your political palette to two colours; the Republican red and the Democrat blue, we go about the whole thing in a completely opposite fashion; labelling our conservatives various shades of [...]]]>

I won’t blame you if you, upon discussing politics with a Norwegian, find yourself slightly bewildered, especially if you’re an American. While you limit your political palette to two colours; the Republican red and the Democrat blue, we go about the whole thing in a completely opposite fashion; labelling our conservatives various shades of blue, and our leftists equal shades of red – with greens in-between and a number of brownies (far less edible than the ones you’re used to) on the far right.

Which, of course, is why I sympathise completely whenever you feel a tad puzzled by our political colourisation, but know this: You people confuse us, too. After all, looking at the below map quite a few Norwegians would be astounded by the number of socialist states in America, although most of us are beginning to get the hang of it by now (you’d be surprised by the level of attention your election attracts this side of the pond).

US red, blue and undecided states: Dang, imagine if the colour coding was Norwegian, Johnny!

Am I being overly synaesthetic, you think? Be that as it may. As for me, I suppose I’m kind of blue, judging by the objects on my desk (top photo), but still undecided when it comes to which or whose standards. Can I get back to you on that one? It all reminds me of how I miss the infinitely entertaining writings of Brit blogger Jellie’s Shocking Reds and Blue Meanies, by the way, terminated years ago, but I digress. My quintessential point is that Norwegians leaving the impression that they’re conservative, may in fact be what you refer to as liberal – and vice-versa.

Which leads me to yet a fundamental misunderstanding. While you people think “radical” when using the term liberal, we, on the other hand, think “moderate”, even if the term is diffuse, including libertarians, even, which, I know, makes no sense at all to you. In essence, we live in separate worlds, in more ways than you can ever imagine.

I do know this, though: Your president, whomever he might turn out to be, is the most powerful individual on the planet.

I live on that planet, and honestly think I deserve a say, but fear the colours would only confuse me.

Finally, in conclusion, I’m satisfied following up Cocteau Twins’ Bluebeard the other day (see last post) with a different blue-tinted tune by same. Blue Bell Knoll (no original visuals this time, though):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sd8VK8vxyo

As we all know, American presidential and vice presidential spouses usually tend to take the back seat, if, for a moment, we allow ourselves to ignore former first lady Hillary R. Clinton. Sarah Palin’s run for vice presidency may well change that, assuming the McCain/Palin campaign succeeds, that is. In a culture not used [...]]]>

As we all know, American presidential and vice presidential spouses usually tend to take the back seat, if, for a moment, we allow ourselves to ignore former first lady Hillary R. Clinton. Sarah Palin’s run for vice presidency may well change that, assuming the McCain/Palin campaign succeeds, that is. In a culture not used to see men acting in the background, Todd Palin’s future role may pose a series of challenges, for which he’s already positioning himself. According to The Washington Post today:

Meghan Stapleton, a McCain spokeswoman who used to serve as Palin’s press secretary, said the presence of Todd Palin has generated unwarranted criticism and that his role is in keeping with that of gubernatorial spouses in other states. “Every bit of his participating is appropriate and pertinent to his role as a spouse and as a father,” she said.

“There are definitely critics out there who will blow up his level of involvement because he happens to be a stay-at-home dad when he’s off from the slope, and he happens to be an active dad who wants to be with his kids and with his wife when he’s not on the slope,” Stapleton said.

Furthermore:

[...] But Todd Palin, 44, the ruggedly handsome four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, was already an Alaska star before his wife’s election in 2006. Along with his family duties, he held two jobs, working occasional 85-hour weeks as an oil production operator for BP and, for a month each summer, as a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay. He belongs to the steelworkers union, an alliance that may partly explain his wife’s strong labor support. His Yup’ik ancestry, which traces back to his maternal grandmother, gave Sarah Palin special standing with Native Alaskans.

As we will see, the gender issue may soon prove to be a minor one, as it would appear that “First Dude”, playing an active part in his wife’s policy-making, represents interests which stand to be favoured in the event that the Republicans win the election in six weeks (that’s right: Six weeks and counting).

I’m not saying that the Obama gang is totally devoid of similar conflicts, with all probability it isn’t. I just happened to stumble upon this today. Truth be told, I’m a little disappointed that the press doesn’t seem equally eager to dig up unfortunate liaisons in the Obama/Biden campaign – even though I truly hope (but very much doubt) they’ll win the race.

Maybe an altogether different Palin would do the trick?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf1y9s73Nos

Via (…)

There’s no denying it: We tend to favour Barack Obama in these parts, or the Democrats, for that matter. Unfortunately we’re not allowed to cast our votes in the upcoming US election, even though some would argue that we really should be granted admittance, seeing as American politics affect us all.

However, there’s this [...]]]>

There’s no denying it: We tend to favour Barack Obama in these parts, or the Democrats, for that matter. Unfortunately we’re not allowed to cast our votes in the upcoming US election, even though some would argue that we really should be granted admittance, seeing as American politics affect us all.

However, there’s this thing that I just can’t seem to get my head around: Why is it that Europeans and Americans differ in so many political aspects? One would’ve thought we’d be a lot more alike, given the common cultural background, after all.

I won’t be so presumtuous as to expect American readers to visit, now that the blog is barely launched, but any thoughts at all are most welcome. Plese leave a comment.