The Guardian: Thank You America!!!!!

[ourbluenation]

...But at least the passing of Mr Rumsfeld shows that someone in the White House now recognises that things cannot go on as before. Business as usual will not do, either in general or over Iraq. Mr Bush's remarks last night showed that on Iraq he has now put himself in the hands of the Iraq Study Group, chaired by his father's consigliere James Baker, one of whose members, Robert Gates, an ex-CIA chief, was last night appointed to succeed the unlamented Mr Rumsfeld. Maybe the more pragmatic Republican old guard can come to the rescue of this disastrous presidency in its most catastrophic adventure. But it has been the American voters who have at last made this possible. For that alone the entire world owes them its deep gratitude today.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,,1942796,00.html

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. Where is the "How could x number of million people be so

damn smart??", I that that is in order... go blue!! If Lush Limpballs woulda done his job better, (spinning lies and halftruths) the repugs mighta done a tad better. Oh well, I'm sure Lush can find a hitch at some pharmaceutical outfit if need be.

[liberaldemocrat7]

24. In 2 more years we dump the GOPranos.

By 2008 we should have vote by mail with paper ballots counted by civil servants.

People refuse to fight in a war led by people who refused to fight in a war.

[muriel_volestrangler]

35. The Mirror went with this - "American Zero"

"At last, US wakes up and boot bozo Bush"



Story

[ourbluenation]

2. happiness bump

:)Made me feel good - wanna make sure all my DU peeps see this.

[filer]

3. You're welcome, World!

Sorry it couldn't have been sooner.

[cboy4]

4. Happy to help world. You deserve it as much

as our country. :patriot:

[AtomicKitten]

5. you're welcome

[mom cat]

6. You beat me to it!

[ljm2002]

7. That is so great!

Here's another paragraph from the editorial (emphasis mine):

"The big questions under the new Congress will be the way that Mr Bush responds to this unfamiliar reduction in his authority and whether the Democratic win will push the president into a new Iraq policy. At his White House press conference yesterday, Mr Bush inevitably made plenty of suitably bipartisan and common-ground noises. He had little alternative. But they rang hollow from such a tarnished and partisan leader. It will take more than warm words in the immediate aftermath of an election reverse to prove that Mr Bush is now capable of working in a new way."

Wow, couldn't have said it better myself.

[The Wizard]

21. Bush's bipartisan position

will last until the subpoenas are served.

[deadparrot]

8. We're sorry it took so long.

:hi:

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. That makes me cry. I was hoping beyond all hope that we would win

so we could prove to the world that this country is NOT full of complete idiots. I hope the world knows we never supported these people and never condoned what they were doing and have done. I only hope the world will forgive us! We will try our hardest to make this right! Just give us a few years....err...a few generations?:(

We're so sorry our government has SUCKED for the last 6 years, but once again, compassion and hope have prevailed. We'll make it right with the world....eventually.

[hippywife]

10. I do have to disagree

with their take on the appointment of Gates, tho. Different horse, same path.

http://www.antiwar.com/mcgovern/?articleid=5732

[neoblues]

11. Yes, but...

Given that the American Voters were responsible for the last 6 years of our Catastrophe in Chief and all his good works, the removal of the insensate "Scourge of Generals" Rummiesfeld, while worthy of a sigh of relief for the world, hardly qualifies as significant enough to merit their gratitude.

If I beat the crap out of you or your friends or others, imprison you and torture you--with the full knowledge and support of my boss--a boss promoted and supported by a group of "voters"... a boss who is a real psychopath, obnoxious, and abusive to all--who also threatens to rain harm on anyone who gets in our way... and after you've all suffered harm or the stress of watching others be harmed, the infamous "voters" finally, just barely, managed to decide to reign the abusers in... potentially temporarily... and really, only because the harm done in their name hasn't worked out so well and is costing them enormous amounts of money and prestige... Is it likely anyone out there, many who've suffered, many others who've been abused, threatened or pushed around, and all of whom have had to stand by and watch--is it even reasonable to expect them to be grateful?

Methinks the answer is no. Nevertheless, along with those of us voters who've been against this insanity, I believe much of the world indeed is grateful, or will be if there is a real improvement. If the replacement for Rumsfeld changes policies for the better, perhaps then there will be cause for celebration--well, if not celebration, then at least relief.

It seems sure that anyone would be an improvement over Rumsfeld, and that much of his unfortunate choices did originate with him as he was very proactive, but his replacement will still have a boss deserving of analysis by psychiatrists for the criminally insane--who himself relies on and implements the suggestions and instructions of yet another who probably needs a massive exorcism to cast out the evil demons who seem to possess him. In addition, he will face the task of dismantling a mountain of existing policies. His only allies in his efforts to change the status-quo created by Rumsfeld may be a Congress that will be struggling to function. How much will he be able to accomplish will depend on his own strength of will, his drive/desire to make major changes, his persuasiveness with his new abnormal boss(es) and support from a divided Congress. It's possible, and to some extent likely, but we will have yet to wait and see.

Nevertheless, I am grateful. Thank you to all American voters who voted for Democrats and/or those Republicans who didn't bother to vote.

[Arugula Latte]

13. Good post. I agree.

:thumbsup;

[Casablanca]

16. As an American who voted for Democrats, I agree.

If this were a well-functioning political system, an enlightened electorate, or a system that is anything close to being "the greatest democracy in the world", either Bush would have never got to steal the Oval Office in the first place, or would have been impeached shortly after he did.

Better late than never, but the fact that it has taken six years for a lot of diehard Republicans to wake up and question their "protect the emperor" instincts is nothing to be proud of. They have no problem with invading sovereign countries, only with the partisan shame of losing a war.

Most of the new Democratic "leadership" did _not_ earn yesterday's vote with their track record over the last six years, and if Republicans revolt against the neocons and put true fiscal conservatives in power, the Democratic tenure as Congressional leaders will be short.

Pelosi and Reid should remember that they're on notice for their jobs too.

[TheBaldyMan]

17. The US didn't vote for the Chimperor - he stole both those elections.

The Guardian is just expressing the huge relief at a RW nut being neutered.

Remember when Bush Mk1 was defeated by Clinton, the outpouring of relief that the Reagan era had finally come to an end?

[colorado_ufo]

38. Great post!

Let's just hope there is a two-for-one special on exorcisms. Both need it.

[Tight_rope]

48. Kick and recommended again!

[Tight_rope]

49. "needs a massive exorcism to cast out the evil demons who seem to possess him"

I assume you are referring "BUSH's BRAIN" KKKarl Rove! Because it sure describes him to a tee.

[twenty4blackbirds]

12. How can Americans be so smart?

B-)

[LynnTheDem]

14. bush "such a tarnished and partisan leader"

I just gotta see that in big print...

"such a tarnished and partisan leader"

[mr blur]

15. A couple of FReepers seem to have joined in

in the Comments section. They seem to be accusing us Europeans of being the cause of America's distress; I guess irony isn't their strong point.

Adding my own quote:

the results change the political landscape in Washington for the final two years of this now thankfully diminished presidency. They also reassert a different and better United States that can again offer hope instead of despair to the world. Donald Rumsfeld's resignation last night was a fitting climax to the voters' verdict. Thank you, America.

[oasis]

18. "Let America be America again" Langston Hughes.(eom)

[Th1onein]

19. This is like when the ASSHOLE leaves the room.

One time, in one of my offices, I had this woman working for me. I didn't realize, until I fired her, the tension that she was putting on everyone in the office. When she left, it was like a release. We didn't feel it until she was gone; didn't know it had been there all along, that tension, until she left.

This is what it was like, for me, to wake up this morning with a Democratic Congress. I didn't realize I was so tense until we got rid of those bastards. I feel like a big weight has been lifted. GOODBYE, George W. Bush, and goodbye to your fucking DISASTROUS presidency, you egomaniacal, sick mother fucker.

[Beetwasher]

41. Yup!!

Said pretty much the same type of thing!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2635719

[dave420]

20. Bollocks!

More like "Fuck you, America, for giving us 8 years of that twat as president!". Seriously, if the whole country can be thanked for merely voting against his goons in the mid-terms, then the whole country should be harangued for even entertaining the idea that Bush was ever going to be a good president. And definitely for electing that wanker twice. It can't work both ways.

[Joe Chi Minh]

27. You don't sound too well informed, Davy lad..

The Republicans probably haven't been honestly elected for several decades.

[dave420]

32. And that stopped...

...the people taking power back HOW? The US people rolled over and took it like so many needy hookers. It's a fucking DISGRACE. It's the complacency of the masses that has caused Bush to stay in power. Absolutely disgraceful. Where are those much-exalted "checks and balances" everyone harps on about? Where is the 2nd amendment? Where is the great democracy? Nowhere. All hot air. All bullshit. "Land of the free and home of the brave" my ass. "Land of the lazy and home of the oh-never-mind-what's-on-TV-next" more like. Greatest democracy - what a fucking JOKE.

[Joe Chi Minh]

36. Well, if you think in absolute terms, there's some merit in some

of your points, but the Americans have been the one beacon of hope for me, in a world ever more rapidly regressing into fascism, and if the UK is to escape from corporatism, it seems it will be largely down to the efforts of the American political bloggers and activists.

They are geniuses compared to us in the UK. They've suffered so much for so long, particularly post Reagan, as we have post Thatcher. Where are the George Carlins and the Bill Mahers in the UK. Have you watched his videos posted on here recently? If you haven't, you have an unbelievable treat in store.

The only voices of sanity I can EVER recall here in the UK are Rory Bremner and the former Guardian editor and economist, Will Hutton - and Will's voice has been very muted in recent years.

Just compare the Guardian's Talk with DU or a dozen or more other blogs in the US! There is simply no comparison. Some of the sharpest minds either post to their blogs or their articles by them are cited.

Have you read The Crisis Papers? What have we here in the UK, what have we ever had here in the UK to compare with them?

As our political culture in the UK is beneath contempt, I'm amazed that you can sneer at the Yanks' "checks and balances". You seem to forget the "culture" in the US, not of political assassination, but of "physical" assassination of progressive politicians by the far right's myrmidons in the State Department, Pentagon, CIA, FBI and organised crime (the teeth arm of the military-industrial complex), dating back at least as far as the conspiracy by big bankers to assassinate FDR before WWII, but more pertinently, the Kennedy brothers and Martin Luther King. Talk is cheap if you're not in their cross-hairs.

[dave420]

37. You have a point

But that doesn't excuse the US's behaviour during Bush's presidency, which is what we were originally discussing. It also doesn't excuse the fact that a president is in power when there are serious, serious doubts over the election mechanism that elected him. The doubt itself means there is no democracy. As for all the videos being posted, they mean squat. Opinion and editorial don't help political change as much as they used to back in the 1700s. Facts are the way forward, owing to our "information age". Anyone can give their opinion as to why <X> sucks. Proving <X> sucks is far more difficult, and can stand up in court.

The "checks and balances" in the US clearly don't work. The country is clearly pissed off with the Republicans, yet all they can do is vote out his goons. No-one seems capable or willing to get that asshat out of office. Either the people are unwilling, or the media is sufficiently failing to accurately report what's going on. Either way that which is required for a properly functioning democracy is broken. That's why the checks and balances mean shit - they are needed right now, and yet have not materialised.

[Joe Chi Minh]

42. Look are you in a position to call them out for that? We've got a

damned (possibly literally) corporatist who was able to take over the Labour Party! And it can't even impeach him! In fact, Socialism has become a dirty word. Despite the fact that everyone is being hammered by flat taxes, and indeed most of all, the lower, managerial/middle classes; with the other workers, the very engine of the economy.

You read about that all the time on US blogs, but nothing here. Except occasionally by the Daily Mail, who (until election time) run with the hare, only because they want both to sell their paper and and have the even wilder animals of the Tory party to take over.

Everything takes time. See what the Democrats do when between now and the next election in 2008. If, as I believe and hope, they get cracking, it will have a marvellous effect here, in OZ, NZ, Canada, S America, everywhere. Give them a chance.

[Joe Chi Minh]

43. Also, don't fail to watch these clips of George Carling then tell me

he doesn't understand what's been going on, the whole box and dice.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x3390

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x3390

As one poster wrote, he's a great man. Truly a great man, imo.

[melody]

45. As I said, bigotry is a sad thing

You betray very little knowledge of our culture and our people.

You remind me of my father during the '60s. Everything was the fault of the USSR.
He thought he had all manner of valid reasons, too, but they were all the result of
his distorted sense of vision, just as yours are yours.

The reality is we're all human, we all have our own individual merits and drawbacks,
and that includes the amalgam of humans called "nations". More to the point, since
you're obviously an EU loving Brit, check out the complicity of Europe in what Bush and
the right has done. In fact, Queen Elizabeth is an old, old friend of the Bush family.
You've all benefited every step of the way. In fact, there's a whole breed of conspiracy
theorist over here who think the CIA and MI5 were behind September 11th.

Now, see -- nobody to point fingers at but ourselves. We're all in this together. But
that's not as much fun as blaming everyone else. Looks like you and Bush have a lot in
common (and by that, I mean the personal "you").

[melody]

44. Bigotry is a sad thing

But what you are seeing is a product of your own mind. You're clearly not terribly well-informed about our recent elections. If you posted that about any other nationality in the world, you'd rightly be called a bigot.

>Greatest democracy - what a fucking JOKE.

Who the hell said we were?

Anyway, based upon your post count and your general POV, I'd suggest you're a troll.

[SquireJons]

53. You're very wrong about America

With your own eyes, you just witnessed the great american democracy in action and didn't realize it. Despite the tremendous advantages held by the republicans, americans overwhelmingly forced a new direction upon our own government. I can think of only two instances that compare in other countries; the election of Tony Blair (how's that working out?) and the dumping of Burlisconi. Both took much longer than 6 years to occur. The UK has had several opportunities to make the same course correction that the U.S. just made... what's taking so long? Could it be a certain lack of courage on the part of the English electorate, or do you just like being the poodle of an american Neanderthal? <sarc>

Actually I don't blame the voters, like you do. There are institutions in place in both the U.K. and the U.S. that make this kind of change highly unlikely. It takes real outrage to make a serious change in government, and the people of america just answered the bell. They should be congratulated, not bashed.

Remember, in 2004, more people voted for Kerry than for any other presidential candidate in history except one (maybe), and that unfortunately was Bush. It's not even clear that he won either election cleanly, and he certainly didn't win the popular vote in 2000 against a weak candidate. So I reject your criticisms entirely. Percentage wise, there are just as many closed minded, smug conservatives in the U.K. as there are in America, we just have more people, hence, more assholes. To me, the real America just stood up. They can be lazy, but they're not crazy.

[SmokingJacket]

33. It took a steady parade of sleazy scandals to wake people up.

For a long time Americans completely bought into the idea that the Republican party was the party of "morals" -- because they said so. When finally, finally it became clear that every single dirty scandal, from Enron to Mark Foley to Abramoff were ALL Republicans, it sank in.

So I guess we can thank people for seeing the obvious, but I'm not going to send them a fruit basket.

I've been saying for years that the Democrats just had to sit back and wait for the Republicans to self-destruct.

[dave420]

39. Exactly

Greatest democracy my ass. Waiting for it to fix itself, while countless hundreds of thousands are killed, is a fucking travesty. Ignorance and apathy are not hallmarks of the greatest bastion of democracy. Shit, more eastern-European nations show far more political interest in their own country's affairs in one week than the US does in an entire Presidential term.

My original point is that the US shouldn't be congratulated for the mid-term results. It's like congratulating a rapist for not raping that 100th person.

[jahyarain]

50. look, man, we didn't ask that our elections be stolen

we didn't ask for the Patriot Act. we told w what would happen if he went into Iraq. Hell, his own Secretary of State told him (and his dad, which is why after Hussein was kicked out of Kuwait, we bailed). we marched in protest of this war. we marched in protest of three stolen elections. up until this election, i have agreed that not only were we not the greatest democracy in the world, but that we weren't a democracy at all. we still wouldn't be if an overwhelming majority of Americans hadn't stepped up (they tried in all their usual ways to steal this one too. but we stole their voters. not their votes). we NEVER stopped trying. nor will we now. and in another couple of months, yes, we will be the greatest democracy again. you can whine about whatever the fuck it is you're attempting to whine about. i don't want thank yous or congratulations. i want my fucking country back. and you may want to consider checking yourself before you attempt to judge people you don't even know. that's called bigotry.

in the words of the great philosopher, Ian MacKaye:

"you tell me that i make no difference? at least i'm fucking trying. what the fuck have you done?"

[JCMach1]

22. And THEY did such a good job of getting rid of Blair--!!!

No British condescension needed here-- It's all about AMERICA baby!

[LeftishBrit]

29. I don't think you'd have liked Michael Howard any better, to put it mildly

That was the alternative. Imagine a right-wing Democrat as President, no primary system at that level, and the only alternative is a still-worse Republican. That's roughly the cleft stick we're in. FWIW, I have never voted for Blair, and am fortunate enough to live in a constitutency where my third-party vote actually counts - most people aren't.

There are lots of things wrong with our political system; and one of them is that it gives too much power to very unrepresentative leaders - both Thatcher and Blair are on the far right of their respective parties. But most people here don't like Blair, and especially don't like his poodling to Bush.

I hope all of us here are on the same side - not against our countries or one another's countries, but against our bad LEADERS.

[SquireJons]

54. hear-hear

I didn't know that Howard was that bad though. Is that why the Labor Party has been so slow in pressuring Blair? I really don't understand how British democracy works at a national level. It seems to me that Blair has had a lot of opposition for a long time and nothing has changed. Imagine if Bush had not had the support of Congress or his own party for the last six years. Life would have been hell for him (like I hope it will be for the rest of his miserable life).

But you're right, the real boogy-man is bad and unresponsive leadership. The Democrats are not immune from this failing either. Let's hope that they get it right this time.

[Danger Mouse]

23. Yeah...

We're feeling pretty good about it, too.

[dipsydoodle]

25. Great cartoon

on a crossover link from that.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

26. I love that cartoon, it's so British/Irish....

:rofl: :rofl:

[dipsydoodle]

30. Yes - very.

I'm guessing you wouldn't know what to look for with respect to our current TV comedy stuff other than vintage Monty Python etc

Try these when you have the time on You Tube. Simply search Little Britain,
for example, : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU79wMonJHc&mode=related&search=

and also Catherine Tate, for example,as a youngster : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMItfi2KGp0&mode=related&search= middle aged : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5n9V_adjqM&search=catherine%20tate%20lauren and as a old lady : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryaRpLvPh_w&search=catherine%20tate%20lauren

The chances of either of Little Britain or the Catherine Tate Show being shown your side are pretty slim I'd say.

For poitical stuff go here : http://www.thedossier.ukonline.co.uk/music_satire.htm

[LeftishBrit]

28. Deep gratitude indeed!

'But it has been the American voters who have at last made this possible. For that alone the entire world owes them its deep gratitude today.'

Hear hear!

[katinmn]

31. Gulp

:cry:

[City Lights]

34. Dear World,

Sorry it took us so long. :hi:

:patriot:

[Beetwasher]

40. And On Behalf Of America, May I Say WE'RE SORRY WORLD!!!

We will do our best to begin making ammends.

[porphyrian]

46. It's sad people have to be thankful of us doing our duty.

Let's not squander this opportunity. If we disappoint our allies again, we may not get another chance.

[katty]

47. Your welcome! we have ALOT of work to do!!

[Kerrytravelers]

51. Believe me, world, it was our pleasure... and hard work!

But, to be fair, shrub's stupidity help out a great deal!

[SquireJons]

55. It wasn't just chimpy's stupidity

A great deal of gratitude must go to many of the individual republican candidates. Let's hear it for:

Senator Macacawitz
Senator Firefighter Hater
Senator Dogsex
Congressman Pedophile
Congressman Bribe Taker
Congresswoman Batshit-Crazy
Congressman Mistress Strangler
Speaker Childsex Enabler
Governor Totally Corrupt

...and a special thanks goes out to Turd Blossom, though to be honest, the turd is off the blossom now. Lastly of course, VP Darth Vader who is never at a loss for saying the most inaccurate and offensive thing possible, and who, by the way, is an incredibly fun hunting date.

[bridgit]

52. aw shucks, you're welcome world...

:blush:

[Cameron27]

56. Thank you world

but some of us were never part of the problem.:)

[Lilith Velkor]

57. Thanks are not necessary, but an "apology accepted" works for me.