sex and politics

Today is the Big O’s day. He will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States at noon local time, ushering in a new era of US politics.

A new era? Depends on how you look at it. We already covered some aspects of this, but the last 70+ days of the Big O preparing to become the top dog have given some clues as to what the US and by extension the world can expect from the MoFo-In-Chief at least in the very beginning of his term.

Firstly. Forget revolution. That has already happened. The mere fact that the US didn’t split along the lines of Orry Main and George Hazard is surprising enough. Even more surprising (to an outside observer, at least) is the fact that the country seems to be totally cool with it. Despite all the hubbub about the colour of the man’s skin, it is no longer an issue and it seems as if it never was. But that was the revolutionary moment of Obama presidency. Short of actually driving around in a purple limo as well as releasing the files on JFK, Roswell and 9/11 CIA involvement, there is little that Obama can do to eclipse the moment when he became the first African-American to win the US presidential elections.

Secondly. Forget revolution. Revolutions are popular in times of deep and/or protracted economic crises. Just as Russians or Germans. But Barack Obama was not elected to replace the current order of things, but to mend and restore it. You can be sure that while tackling the economic crisis, Obama and his administration will not reinvent hot water but will rather try to find the right combination of known measures. If there ever was a hint of socialism in Obama’s policies, it was long overshadowed by the crashing sound neo-liberalistic stupidities made when they crashed with the harsh reality and when staunch believers in the free market were nationalising banks and insurance companies faster than you could say Federal reserve.

Thirdly. Forget revolution. Even if he ever entertained any such thoughts, the new president will not make a U turn with regard to Middle East, Iran or any other troubled hot-spot. Especially not with she-Clinton as the secretary of the state. She’s there to ensure that America gains friends without losing a lot more ground. Dubya and Rummy excelled in that particular department, but you can be sure that Israelis and Palestinians will not be rushing into each other’s arms just because the man was elected president. Nor will Iran go “here, have our plutonium. No, really, have it. We just didn’t like the other guy”.

But that doesn’t mean that The MoFo in Chief does not have his work cut out for him. It starts today and it won’t stop at least for the next 1461 days.