That´s exactly what I wanted to express in my first post, but it´s easier to understand the way you said it.

It's interesting that the one supporting him is an Australian. Not important, and it's not a slam, I'd love to move there, I just find it funny.

Honestly I think he is going to be the biggest disaster we've ever had in this country. He surrounds himself with open Marxists...show me one place in the world where that has worked. Hell, even China is going more to a capitalist system.

Having said that, I think it might be a bad idea to really get into political discussions on this type of forum. It will just lead to fights and, people who otherwise like each other forming, resentments. So now that I've stated my disapproval of his beliefs I'm out of this conversation and I'd suggest ending it before things get nasty.

Out of curiosity, are you Democrat or Republican?

I wasn't going to answer any more but...ok. I grew up in a Democratic household. My grandfather was beaten nearly to death helping to organize the steel mills in Youngstown (Ohio). My father was the president of his union for years, so I'm not just a bitter Republican. Actually I'm not a Republican at all, I did help on a campaign for a former Republican state senator who was a big fundraiser and supporter of Ronald Regan (who I liked), but the Republicans kind of disowned me when I was the press secretary for a Democrat running for congress (twice).

I guess that's the long way to say I am an independent, would be part of the Libertarian party if it wasn't for their stance on a few key issues.

I see where you're coming from. I shouldn't have say in the matter because I live in a country other than America, and the whole notion factoring upon 'obama isn't my president'. This is where you're coming from right? So basically you are inferring that I, nor any other non-american, shouldn't comment on the matter. You know I'm actually ok with that (albeit somewhat closed-minded) perception. But what I am not ok with is on top of that you've got the audacity bordering on ignorance to say that my opinion and what I have to say is funny.

So the first part is fine, I will still say I respect your opinion. We're all entitled to one. Freedom of speech extends outside beyond your borders too as you would know. And concerning truth and liberty, there's a slight chance I could be familiar with that too in my country right? And truth of the matter is Obama lives in my world almost as much as he does yours. He may not govern my country, but he is plastered over my tv screens, is in my newspapers and is the topic of much 'water cooler' conversation in my world just as much as he garners in yours. Everything seems to end up our way down the line, via traditional media outlet or not. And from all of that and much more I can draw a pretty sound and valid judgement of what I believe him as a person to be. Isn't that a fair and reasonable justification to say that I can contribute a valid and respectful opinion here?

Touchy subject regarding any countries politics and I'm just an outsider to you. And going by the stats around 95% of the rest of the members here would be considered 'outsiders' to you too. You want to know what I find funny? Going by your logic, only the minority ~5% (of this global forum I might add) are seemingly allowed to participate in this discussion and have their opinions taken seriously. A bit silly don't you think considering this very thread was afterall started by a norwegian.

If intentions were along the lines you have suggested, then surely he would have posted a big fat 'americans only' in amongst the title. You'd agree that'd be f'ing stupid. Yes I like Obama, you may not. His decisions may not alter my way of living to the same extent they do yours. I'm the first to admit this. But that doesn't mean I can't make my own sound decision to like him or not. I've judged up the good and the bad from my 'outsiders' perspective. From what I've taken in and learned of him, what I gather of Obama is he's inspirational, charismatic, intelligent, courageous, exhibits strong will and determination, is an exceptional speaker and speech writer, amongst many other quality and honorable traits to have in a person.

Instead of gearing against me, construct a valid debate for why you think obama should or shouldn't get the peace prize. That was the question at hand. You're straying off topic here. If you want a discussion on why people other than americans can, and are entitled to, share their opinion on american leaders (or venezuelan, swedish, korean, new zealand, japanese, or whatever country tickles your fancy), start a new thread. And in that thread you may resent away if you must. Personally I also concede it wouldn't make a lick of difference to me if a person of your particular swayed reasoning and logic held resentment there.

The biggest things I despise most of in this world are ignorance and zealotry. I'm not saying you are either, but just remember to respect each others opinions on this forum. I was never imposing my opinions on anybody, simply voicing them. As I have a right to do so, as we all do without being dismissed off the cuff and taken as 'funny'.

Apparently I've offended you and for that I apologize. This is the reason I said I don't think political threads are productive. There was no slight or insult intended; I meant "funny" in the sense of odd. I don't know why anyone would care about other governments unless they directly affected their country. It struck me as odd that more Americans who live under this administration directly, didn't seem to care. And yes, I do realize that what Barry does has an effect on the world to some extent. You have every right to comment, and every right to any opinion you want. Quite frankly I think some of the things I've seen other countries do to their citizens are just plain stupid, but unless and until they effect things here (or escalate to genocide) I don't have much interest in them. That's all I was saying, I didn't mean to upset you, and for that I apologize.

I interest with politics but it's not interesting, everybody knows cause of why somebody take the Nobel Prize. I think he should did something insult to USA. I remember our writer Orhan Pamuk's Nobel Prize event, he told a lot of lies about Turkish republic, talked about a big lie. Which lie did he talked as you know, the Kurdish and Armenian genocide. I'm sorry about to taking that issue to our problem but it's real.

As amazing as it may seem, some people do show interest to matters outside of their isolated box, whether they concern them or not.
Freedom of speech and freedom of opinion are two of the basic principles of democracy, a system that the United States uses.
I 'll say up front that I'm not offended by what you said, it's you opinion, and you're entitled to it but I must say, I disagree with you.
If MK211 (or anyone else for that matter) wants to voice his opinion on the current state of events in the US, then he has every right to do so, without ridicule.
The fact that you believe that what happens in the US does not affect anyone beyond the borders of the country, eludes to the fact that you may not know too much about the situation yourself. Maybe you do, I don't know. But the statement you made was quite ignorant, the statement, not you.
I personally think that threads such as this could be very productive and potentially educational to other Autemo members who would be otherwise sheltered from such issues.
As long as each member remembers to respect other and attack the issue, not the person, then there is no reason why this couldn't develop into something great.

/rant

Personally I think that all threads are productive, as long as each member values and respects one anothers comments. I feel, and hope you all do too, that that's the most important aspect for everyone's sake in a community.

So no worries here, like I said to you before I'm ok with it and I hadn't been offended. Let me just add that in part felt I needed to clarify this concept so that everyone's opinions, and efforts to contribute to a topic, are respected here on this site. I did that for everybody's sake really.

And of course respect works both ways. And I'm sure we that we all feel the same on these views and that's what matters.