[The
Times, U.K.]
Jornal de Negocios, Portugal
A
'Surprising' New America
"Just as in the person of
George Bush, America has given us one of the most reactionary presidents ever;
it now electrifies the planet with the possibility of electing a woman or a
Black … this society, rather savage in its pursuit of capitalism, also has the
capacity for absolutely remarkable regeneration."
By Leonel Moura
Translated By Brandi Miller
February 27, 2008
Portugal
- Jornal de Negocios -
Original Article (Portuguese)
Just as in the person of
George Bush, America has given us one of the most reactionary presidents ever;
it now electrifies the planet with the possibility of electing a woman or a Black.
A fact that just about everyone would have labeled a subversive fantasy just a
few years ago is now a matter of great excitement in the world at large and in
the United States, where there is talk of nothing else.
This is not to be taken
lightly. For those familiar with American society - which is very advanced
technologically and rather backward in terms of holding an exaggerated emphasis
on morality - nothing could be more revolutionary than seeing a Black man in
the White House - a house that has always belonged to the White man. And yet
they are increasingly supportive of this scenario. Obama's
spectrum of support reaches into the left and the right, although these are
concepts of only relative effectiveness in the U.S. In other words, Obama
garners surprising support from conservative sectors. In particular with
economic elites - which is to say the least - unusual.
This is due, in part, to the
depression brought about by the ineptitude of Bush, who has failed to resolve a
single problem for the country or the world, and who has worsened practically
all of them. Aside from losing wars and obtaining a generalized disrepute, he
has even managed to lead American into an economic recession. And this more
than anything else is at the root of American life.
The feeling that the country
is in a profound crisis and that it's beginning to be overtaken by China and
even Europe exists in many conversations with cultured Americans. The majority
already have Euro-envy, looking at the formerly-sacrosanct dollar - once the
measure and compass of the universe - with dismay. And in
fact, to go to a fine restaurant in New York, for example Balthazar 
(one of my favorites), already costs as much
as going to an average restaurant here in Lisbon.
As for others, those that
must work hard for a living, they are above all afraid. Very afraid. Of
unemployment, disease, terrorists, the police, and even killer bees. It's a
scene that the media often transforms into a real scare machine, especially for
children but also for adults. Perhaps it's only natural then, that out of the
crop of current candidates, a woman, a Black man and an old man have emerged.
And also in this sense, we highlight the case of Obama, since Hillary and
McCain each in their own way represent continuity and the system.
As for how important this is
to the world, it's evident that the election of a woman as President of the
United States would have an enormous impact. Despite the growing presence of
women in social and public life, in the vast majority of countries - the
persecution, discrimination and brutality against women goes on uninterrupted -
and has even worsened in recent years. In particular, various fundamentalist
ideas feed a particular hatred against women, of which the medieval burka is
the most eloquent symbol. But even in the West, which is the most free and
democratic, it is known how the churches and many social and economic interest
groups oppress and segregate women. Setting aside feminist trends and movements
to liberate women, we have seen everywhere a return to the forceful sexual
exploitation of women; in advertising, in soft pornography and fashion shows,
or the more violent phenomena of sexual slavery, and the trafficking of women
and prostitution, which has never stopped growing and is today one of the
biggest businesses on the planet.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
So the election of a woman as
President of the United States would certainly have a significant global
impact. But not as much as one might imagine. Despite what has been said, the
world has already seen women projected to important positions without bringing
radical changes in this area. Just look at the cases of Indira
Gandhi (India), Golda Meier (Israel), Margaret Thatcher (the United Kingdom),
Mary Robinson (Ireland), Angela Merkel (Germany), Gloria Arroyo (the
Philippines) or Chandrika Kumaratunga (Sri Lanka) to
name only a few examples that come to mind. The there's the case of the
thwarted Benazir Bhutto, who rose to power on a
number of occasions [two] and had an enormous influence on Pakistani society,
as was seen in recent elections that her party won even with her dead. But she
never managed to contribute to significantly improving the living conditions of
women in a part of the globe and a religion in which they are treated
particularly poorly.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Obama’s election would have a different kind of impact. The
pride of Blacks and all minorities persecuted due to skin color makes more
sense. It would be a paradigm shift and a powerful liberating stimulus. And
watch out for the name. After John, Bill, and George will succeed to the
presidency President Barack Hussein Obama. That would
represent a real mental and symbolic change that seems more in line with a
Hollywood thriller. Personally, I think it improbable that this will come to
pass. The ultra-conservative forces have immense political, economic and even
violent power. The shooting of a president or presidential candidate is another
local sport, as we know. But that this [an Obama presidency] is being seriously
considered by so many people shows how this society, rather savage in its
pursuit of capitalism, also has the capacity for absolutely remarkable
regeneration.
leonel.moura@mail.telepac.pt
CLICK HERE FOR
PORTUGUESE VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US February 28, 8:45pm]
