To all Americans

Well we shall see, I believe it all hinges on Obama because currently four years is a long time. I hear he has put a hold on Guantanamo, that's a good start.

Central Intelligence Agency - World Factbook

Yes, that CIA. The World Factbook is an excellent source of information on all the countries in the world. I recommend it highly:

Wasn't it the CIA that told GWB there were WOMD in Iraq ?

Nicely said, Mary. We were talking about this yesterday. One of the great mistakes, seems to me, of the Bush administration was in letting VP Cheney steamroll so much. Particularly the shift from the moderate position which originally elected former Pres Bush to letting more of the extreme Republicans exert influence. Which lead to the greater mess of the last 4 years, IMOSHO. DH was pointing out that Cheney came from that "I'm in charge" attitude of a CEO, you do what I want or else. Problems all around.

With Joe Biden as VP, the new president has a true insider who knows how to work with the legislature, as opposed to alienating him. And while the speech may have had some clear comments about errors of the past, I didn't find them to be the big offensive slaps that the talking heads were babbling about. And the classy and cordial farewell was a nice thing.

We'll see. The new President certainly speaks well, and lets hope that there is wisdom in the way he goes forward. My fear is that too much effort will be wasted with the big push of having everyone involved in everything - as opposed to getting good expert advice and decision making. OTOH, maybe I can get a job!

Ellice

Aretha on a bad day is better than quite a few on their best days.

"lucille" wrote

I thought that was a real church-going hat, in keeping with her real church-going roots. Black congregations are one of the few places the all out attention-getting hat survives in North America.

Dawne

I don't know that it's the glitz. More the wonder if this will truly shift the tides in the US and return us more to hardworking values, and a more balanced role in global politics and leadership. Plus, hey, everyone loves a good party. More than just people being transfixed with Royal Weddings, etc.

Interestingly, in the Wash Post style section yesterday there was an article about the unofficial balls of the weekend, and the slashing of ticket prices, changes in performers, and one which the organizer totally disappeared. Sad.

The other thing, it is amazing that we as a nation have moved forward so rapidly, in terms of the age of nations, WRT actually electing a minority to the Presidency. In particular the last 40 years, and the sort of growth of equality is likely fascinating. We are a much more culturally, racially, religiously mixed country than most of the rest of the world. I think that is a bit wondrous to others. Yes, Canada is diverse, as are many other places, but so many are not quite so "equal" with their diversity - even in Europe. Here, we now have crossed to the equal suffering economically - not just the minorities, etc.

Interesting times.

Ellice

I was kidding. There are several Southern Baptist congregations in the town we are connected to in St. Lucie County. I can see those hats every Sunday morning on the church going ladies.

Hey, I'm a lifelong Anglican (a "Cradle Anglican" as they say) and I wear a hat to church every Sunday. Mind you, mine is quite often the only hat in church, but it doesn't bother me. I just adore hats, and church is about the only place I can wear mine without getting strange looks.

Incidentally, it has happened several times. Standing there in the coffee hour, some gentleman whose wife is standing right there will say " I DO like to see a lady wearing a hat", but said lady never goes out and buys one, she just mutters "Oh, I can't wear hats".

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Well, there are hats and then there are HATS!! lol

*sigh*

What's your point, Sheena? This is three messages now. If you have a criticism, just come on out with it. Better yet, if you know a better, more respected source of world statistics than the CIA World Factbook, please point me towards it.

Elizabeth

Bingo.

Elizabeth

I'll disagree with this. There are at least as many racially mixed countries out there as not, many of whom have made better peace with their issues in shorter time than we have (South Africa and Peru come to mind).

You're kidding, right? You really think the current economic situation is being suffered equally across this country?

Elizabeth

I figured as much. That's why I didn't say anything. But I have a different relationship with you than Vic does.

Elizabeth

Look at this slightly outside the box - the CIA, known for covert "stuff", publishing a book? As as useful as it is, I don't think it's a widely know reference source.

knew up about it - used in college for some paper and DS has used it.Trust me, we see the humor/irony.

Cheryl

In England we found that ladies who wore hats were usually Methodist rather than Anglican and, regardless of denomination, the ladies were usually of riper years (as the BCP so delicately puts it). Up here it's not unusual to see people (male & female) wearing a hat to go to church when it is cold and windy but the hats are strictly practical woolly bonnets!

You can judge the accuracy of the book by looking up your own country & state/county and comparing what it says and what you know.

Assuming, of course, that what you "know" is indeed accurate.

Elizabeth