Obama: President-Elect

And so it has come to pass.

It seems more a relief than anything else. I am overcome with a strange unfamiliarity (I am not a U.S Citizen)  and uneasiness with the USA that this new era heralds in. A humbler, battered down America that doesn’t look arrogant, ignorant or unnecessarily hawkish (potent combination), with a long road to recovery, and almost inspirational once again. Is change that easy?  Obama does seem to have a lot on his plate even before he gets inaugarated, and as Biden puts it bluntly, he will be tested. I can’t wait to see something test his mettle.

Presumptuous?

Delaying the broadcast of thw World Series? Campaign Ad stretching 30-min in length?

Is it bordering on prima donna-like behavior? It seems to ride on the presumption that such an inconvenience would be more than accommodated by the audience. The well-scripted, montaged, edited infomercial did not add to more of what we are used to – slick, scripted campaigning. Some saw Hillary’s possible turning point when she went off script. There has yet to be a moment for Obama. But if I had to choose between one who, mostly, stays on script and one who doesn’t, I’d go with consistency.

Here’s a parody of the infomercial, at least what they imagined it to be given Obama’s already gaping lead.

Palin draws the (artificial)battlelines

Jon Stewart is mad. Here, and on the Daily Show, he launches a diatribe against Sarah Palin’s divisive characterisation of ‘real americans’, ‘pro-america americans’ that exist in some magical backwaters – thereby implying east-coast, cosmopolitan, liberal intellectuals are somehow less hardworking or patriotic.

Its Psychology 101 that such characterisations aims to draw boundaries between the in vs out group, thereby drawing out, and solidifying the Republican base. The legitimacy of tactic – questionable. But the liberal media as certainly interpreted it in the worst meaning possible. So New Yorkers aren’t American enough for some, but enough for Al Qaeda? Certainly Stewart’s favourite argument, and packs a dramatic punch.

I think the group Palin is appealing to:

• idealise themselves as part of such a group – more than are part of such a group
• are bitter about disparities – pre-drawn battlelines?

Generally people are diverse – forcing a distinction between 2 tribes are essentially forcing nearly 60% – 80% of people to choose a side they don’t completely believe in (think about a bell curve), which generate unnecessary antagonism.

But nuff said – here are some clips about this issue.

Sarah Palin. SNL. It’s Finally Here

Sarah Palin finally arrived at SNL. Pity there was no real interaction with Tina Fey, wonder if it’s because of political differences – Fey did mention ’she’s done’ if Palin entered the White House, and SNL has always been left-leaning (as Fey/Palin said ‘liberal right wing’ media). One great thing about her is she seems much less uptight than McCain, Obama or Hilary in their SNL cameos – maybe its an age thing.

And I loved the multiple references that not everyone will get – the Mark Wahlberg talks to animals, Alec Baldwin-Tina Fey-30 Rock stuff, and how Alec Baldwin is one of the more popular guest hosts at SNL. But enough of the talking, here are the highlights: