I grew up in Texas and Louisiana, but have spent almost my entire adult life in Germany (starting at 17, I was an exchange student- I'm currently 33). I have a minor interest in politics in general, but a major interest in the way my country his perceved by the outside world.
Here's a quick run down of the "Obama positives", from my own personal (German/American) European perspective.
Obama Positives:
He is much more intelligent than Bush (and has a good sense of humor). This is all the more important since we live in what has become a tremendously complicated world. Note: I'm sure G.W. would have been a much more capable leader if he'd been "elected" as the representative of one of two rivaling caveman clans. Alas, if it had been 3 clans it probably would have already become too...(insert your own favorite word for "complicated" here)
He is willing to talk to his enemies (however these are defined) and actually listen to all parties.
He does not appear to have any need to extract revenge or prove his manlihood. There will be no need for a "Mission Accomplished" Top Gun moment, thank you.
He's black- that's absolutely wonderful on many levels. For one, because it flies in the face of some ignorant people (Yes, they may be in the minority, but we have them here too) who believe that most of America is still racist.
The same goes for his ability to inspire: black and white, men and women.
He does not (as for as I know) claim God speaks through him / his actions. Think about that for a moment and how dangerous it could otherwise become!
He appears to stand behind the Geneva Conventions and will close Guantanamo. Does not support torture.
On the last point I plead, remember, even most child molestors were molested and abused themselves as children: we are all members of the human race and none of us should be subjected to animal treatment (who should also be treated kindly). Violence breeds violence. My parents used to spank me whenever I hit my brother as a little kid. Problem: it never worked (until I became an adult) perhaps because what was actually etched into my brain each time was the totally illogical "You shouldn't hurt anyone else for getting on your nerves. And since you got on our nerves by doing it, we are going to have to "hurt" you.
Remember, these are positives which I perceive coming from a European (in my case German) perspective. I'm sure there are many more positives from an American perspective. Take "Pro-Choice", for example. That's a major issue in the States and has been for many years... but is hardly even discussed in Germany(!) (not even among the "Christian Democrats", of which Angelika Merkel is a member, AFAIK). It is legal up to a certain number of weeks in the pregnancy (the abortion pill RU486 is also legal). I'm sure there are people against it here as well- they just aren't willing to take it to the streets because they don't see it as a defining issue.
Obama Not-So Positives:
Perhaps I should change the above headline to something more neutral, because it seems to be an integral part of general American politics which is apparently not about to change going from Bush to Obama:
Not-So Positives:
Flag waving and Patriotism
Talking about religion
Death penalty and gun violence
Forgetting that the world has in many ways currently stopped looking to America to "lead" it and does not constantly look over its shoulder to see what Americans are doing.
Of the above issues, it is actually the first two and the last which are very important. The death penalty and gun violence have taken a back seat. What's on many people's minds, myself included, is why American politicians feel the need to prove their patriotism and faith at every turn in the road. Want to prove your patriotism? Good, then put down your flag pin and try to find a cure for a disease or help to solve at least one or two of the many problems the world is currently facing.
Angelika Merkel of the Christian Democrat party speaks relatively little about "her personal relationship with God" - that's the way it should be. I doubt half of all Germans could tell you whether or not the former Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder (Social Democrats), even believes(d) in God!
If this diary is well-received, I may continue later. For now, I have to go.