Obama Does Cairo

[vimothy]

Over a longer time-frame I think that this kind of approach -- meaning diplomacy in general, rather than one speech in particular -- will have a definite effect, though.

 

[padraig (u.s.)]

Over a longer time-frame I think that this kind of approach -- meaning diplomacy in general, rather than one speech in particular -- will have a definite effect, though.

sure. if it's done consistently (tho I'd argue it's already inconsistent) & over a longer period of time, if the deeds match the words, etc. definitely an effect, tho maybe not the intended effects. let's wait & see innit .

 

[vimothy]

Maybe words are more important than deeds.

 

[padraig (u.s.)]

you don't really believe that do you?

aside from that words are, in themselves, also deeds.

 

[vimothy]

I'm not sure what I believe.

 

[scottdisco]

And tomorrow as well , in the rather large Iran election ?

hope so

Hooman Majd in the LAT here; meanwhile, Mohsen Sazegara in the Boston Globe here

Tony Blair: There is global struggle in which we need a
policy based on democracy, on freedom and on justice..

John Humphrys: Our idea of
democracy..

Blair: I didn’t know that there was another idea of
democracy..

Humphrys: If I may say so, that’s naïve in the view of many people..

Blair: The one basic fact about democracy, surely, is that you
can get rid of your government if you don’t like them.

Humphrys: The Iranians elected their own government, and
we’re now telling them..

Blair: Hold on John, something like 60 per cent of the
candidates were excluded.

(Radio 4, 22nd February 2007)