h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm listening to the US VP debate. Vey interesting. There's a lot of banging on from the Hockey Mom about corruption and greed on Wall Street, like it's a sudden realisation Anybody who watches the news must have realised decades ago that the prime force on Wall Street (and all financial areas) is making money for the sake of it: aka greed.

Give me strength...

Interesting debate though. Biden would have my vote - so far. I'm half way through.

Goodness me: she's Governor of an energy-producing State So that makes her a power expert?

Ooooh, I don't like the Hockey Mom much

Ah, but don't forget, she understands foreign affairs because Alaska's close to Russia. I know I shouldn't mock the afflicted, but in her case I'm prepared to point and jeer anyway.

She is quite extraordinary... god help us if she becomes the VP.

I'm counting on the fact that the VP doesn't have very much power - unless, obviously, something happens to the President.

Things that drop my respect for the current US slate of candidates for President and VP (in order of age; http://www.ontheissues.org/):

John McCain - Anytime he talks of being shot down four times and serving time as a POW (without escaping) as if they were qualifications for knowing how to wage a war. [I know how to win a war; we'll send all of our best soldiers into their prison camps!]

Joseph Biden - I haven't fixated on anything in particular, but I'm confused on why he would be for US having normal trade relations with China and Vietnam (2000 and 2007) and still want strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba (1996).

Barack Obama - Anytime he mentions a ten-year plan when the presidency has an eight-year term limit. (So many have done the same!)

Sarah Palin - Inflating the translatability of her previous positions to those of the vice presidency or presidency (and consistently mispronouncing Nuclear).

Bob help us if (almost) *any* of the VPs become president! The last four have been Dick Cheney, Al Gore, Dan Quayle and George Bush the Elder. Al Gore should have been president but he didn't stand up against all the irregularites of the 2000 farce. George Bush did become president. But Dick Cheney and Dan Quayle? That's just frightening.

Bush got in on an election. Gerald Ford and LBJ are the only two VPs who have become president in the middle of a term during my lifetime, as far as I know.

I remember hearing LBJ's acceptance oath. I was still in a state of shock having watched the dreadful assassination on TV

I wonder how many of you felt the absolute despair when there was this sudden pistal shot and President Kennedy slumped to one side in the car. It was without doubt the most tragically moving TV I have ever witnessed.

Christiane AlsoRan80

Dear FT,

For whatever reason I am unable to get to the link that you have given us.
Thanks for it all the same.

Christiane AR80

Kennedy's assassination is my earliest memory, AR80. Or rather, the strange atmosphere at home is my earliest memory. I think the whole world was in shock.

Until Palin came into the field I was quite ambivalent about this US election. I wonder how many voters she has influenced?

As someone who is very interested in the liberation of women, I am deeply saddened when I see this unfortunate woman "performing". I have just watched her attacking Obama. She is apparently governor of Alaska - I wonder how influential she is with the Russians?


You are up late my dear. Have you had a good weekend. I hope so.

AR80

I'm up early, Christiane! It's 7.15am here. And I'm about to switch off the computer and go to work.



Fb

Sorry my

Jave a good day!

AR80

Hiya, AlsoRan!

I should have put a space after the link. Try taking out the "):" at the end after you click it!

I think Sarah Palin may be Obama's trump card.

I agree, G. However, knowing the weirdness of USA voters, it could quite easily work in the opposite direction