For those of you, like me, who are counting every second until his departure, here is a handy website for you!

http://www.lastdayofbush.com/

I wonder if Bush has access to this?  Otherwise, how will he know? 

Priceless!

He looks like a guppi fish!  swim on out of the Whitehouse! 

Dammit!!!  The clock is not counting fast enough!!!!!! 

Complete with a link to the "Last Day of Bush Store"

 i didnt know that IOW belongs to USA

goodbye my hero, goodbye my cowboy!

According to the USA - everywhere belongs to them!!!

 oh, if thats only was true!  i wouldnt be now a poor immigrant but a big cowgirl camelgirl horsegirl!

 It seems to be true in the mind of politicians

 yeah, says so the expert of politicians´ minds

Nah - even my thoughts are not that bizzarre

It´s only 5 days, 13 hours, 30 minutes, and 34 seconds until George W. Bush is no longer President of the United States.

 I can´t WAIT for next Tuesday! 

That´s a long time... he can still f... something up!

 That´s why I can´t wait!!!!!!!!

Obama´s ´Beast´  revealed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7829475.stm

Although he was not a good president...Something you can´t disagree with he kept this country safe during his presidency....  He never swayed from his priniciples whether you agree with them or not.

Now the buzz word is "change" here in the U.S.   Can´t wait to see all of the changes our Messiah has promised .......

 On the other hand it could certainly be argued the the only foreign terrorist attack occurred on his watch.....so just how safe did he keep us?

By the way, I don´t believe in a Messiah anymore than I believed in Bush as a President. 

And.... by all standards, Bush made America LESS safe then it was before. Hatred against us has grown exponentially, the entire world is against us (including all western countries), and terrorist organizations have more volunteers then ever to fight us. That´s what his strategy to "keep us safe" achieved.

 +1000000000

its a happy day today to obama´s fans

good bye, old cowboy

welcome, young sexy charismatic prince charm

Bush administration is OVER!!!! 

May God bless, guide and protect the Obama administration.

 I hope the 150 million he spent today on his inauguration was worth it.....  And yes, I´m still here so the Messiah didn´t come...how disappointing.

 What a patriotic and inspirational note teaschip....we had to live through 8 looooooong years of your administration of choice.

Suck it up.....the people have spoken

.....and have a look at the new Whitehouse gov page

Oh Stop your bickering you two! 

Whether you where for or against his becoming President, it was a defining moment in American history.  I wish him the best....for all our sakes! 

 I can´t find one thing inspirational about Obama...besides he is our first black president.  Don´t forget Alameda a little under than half of our population did NOT vote for him.  So quit using your intimidating tactics and words to try to silence me it won´t work.  Not every American is happy about this....like you would like to perceive.

On a different note, I´m hoping he will do a good job.  If not you will hear it from me...Could be a long four years here and in TC...

catwoman!!!!

He is gone... I can´t believe it... May God bless this day!!!!!!!

 Yes and the other 46% of Americans who did not think he walks on water.

 AMIN!!!!

 shut up teas. do as me and lisa. admit your new leader.

 Teas!!!!!

 Femme, don´t be so cruel....we need to help Teas thru this dark time in her life!  Hurry, send her a dudu to cheer her up!  Teas....we are waiting for your URGENT translations!

 He never claimed to walk on water.....and I don´t know anyone who did...he certainly did not.

The fact of the matter is he has a BA in Political Science, he majored in International Relations, was president of the Harvard Law Review, taught constitutional law for 12 years....

More....

 alameda, I am very well aware of his background.  I never said he is not a brilliant man.  Just because I didn´t vote for him, does not mean I dislike him or think he is an idiot.  However, many Americans do believe he is some kind of savior.  That is what I was referring to.  I only hope he can live up to their expections......that was my point. 

There is no reason for you to be so defensive. 

 I hope he does too Elisabeth, believe me I do. I´m sure there will be things he does I will not agree with.

Given our choices, I think he was the best choice. Now, let´s pray or wish or whatever for his doing the best job for all of us....and I do mean all of us. He´s got a very daunting task ahead of him.

 I must admit,  he is inheriting quite a mess....I will be praying a lot for him!

One look at the sea of people in Washington DC, and the millions watching the inauguration around the world, tells the story.  This man is offering hope at a time when millions have lost it.  He is bringing together people of all races, religions, classes and cultures. 

He is no messiah, he is the new President of the United States and all i can say is WooHoo!!!!!

 +1

+1

Ý must say i agree,even for those who think that there may not be tremendously change in the American´s politics

After all, its a politics of a nation, not a man even if he is the president

But with no doubt,he gives hope to all people as you just said, even those who have doubts, he also giving them hope.

That may, just may, things will be different, and will be better

Watch

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/44.president/inauguration/themoment/

This is an improvement....part of Barack Obama´s Inaugural Address:

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society´s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. "

Whole speech here

Is that the reason why he took oath on bible the first day of his presidency?

these are just typical lies. anywone who believes obama will change anything is either too naive or too dumb.

 Anyone who does not believe in change has not noticed history. Change happens....all the time....if we want it or not. It happens in subtle ways, or with a big bang.

Would I like to be boiled in oil, or skinned salted and quartered....

I´d prefer just being boiled and I´ll negotiate just how....just maybe it will be like being in a hot tub....just maybe....

 He is following his beliefs, something the United States was founded on.  Just because I do not hold the same religious tenets that he holds, I would never say that he could not hold on to his own beliefs.  

so will he govern the state in accordance to his religious beliefs like what Bush did? then where is the "change" you`re talking about, and what is so unifying about it? would you you react the same way if a Turkish president took oath on kuran? do you call america a secular state? what`s so secular about it?

Stop going about how he can´t change anything - give the guy a chance first! Of course everything won´t be dandy tomorrow, change takes months, years or even generations.

I´m so tired of the Turkish philosophy of giving up beforehand or not believing the world can change. Kýsmet lanetli bir kelime

(Sorry for any generalization but this is the attitude I have seen from every single Turkish person I have spoken to about this )

 Did he have a private conversation with you telling you that he is going to lead by his beliefs as Bush did?  You read a lot into a man placing his hand on a bible in the first five minutes of his administration!    

I suppose you would prefer a President McCain? 

And you can bet your sweet ass I would react the same way if the Turkish President took his oath on a kuran. 

Are you so cynical about everything in life or only everything American?  And again....what is it you are doing in the US??? 

what is the difference between Obama and McCain?

how would your fellow citizens react if Obama took his oath on a kuran?

How about you read up on what they each stand for, I think you will spot some crucial differences

it`s you who needs to learn what they stand for. Obama supports Israel`s atrocities in Gazze, and he has explicitly said that whe would keep the american troops in Afghanistan and withdraw from Iraq only partially.

so where is the change?

I`m still waiting for your answer gg. what would happen if Obama took an oath on kuran?

She already answered your question.. You are funny, tamiki.. I must say that I couldn´t care less if your president (I mean not the president of the country you live in, but the one you came from) took an oath on the Koran, it´s the policies and actions that matter.

Yeah, of course Obama cannot say openly that he denounces Israel, no politician can openly say that in the US. I am pretty sure though that Obama has his head in the right place. It´s still there to see what he will actually do, but I am absolutely certain that he´s the best thing we could get.

Wow! I didn’t know you were so concerned with what I have to say!

Besides the fact that I wasn’t hanging around reading all of your posts and didn’t see your question, it isn’t really worth responding too since you already know the answer, but for your sake, to ease that narrow little mind of yours, I will respond....

We both know that many Americans would not be open to having the President take an oath on the Koran. We have only just elected the first African American so clearly we have a long way to go, but in November we took a huge step in getting there. And most Americans realize that about our country and can openly state that we have problems and we need work.

What a concept huh!!! 

Even though you seem to believe I am the spokesperson for my fellow citizens (and thank you for the appointment however, I think teas might have a problem with that  ), I was not speaking on behalf of the American people, I was speaking for myself when I said it would make no difference to me if your President or my President or any other President decided to take their oath on a bible or a Koran or nothing at all.  

I happen to respect other peoples rights to hold their own beliefs…..something the US was founded on.

Ohhhh hey, I have an idea! Since you seem to believe that you have all the answers why don’t you tell the rest of us, you know, the naïve and stupid simpletons that you have chosen to live amongst, what would be better for us!!! I’m dying to hear your pearls of wisdom!!!

Oh….and by the way, since I answered your rhetorical question….why don’t you reciprocate and answer mine….why are you in the US? Just using our educational system? 

Barack Obama´s inauguration speech in full:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/obama_inauguration/7840646.stm

using your education system?

I don`t use it, it`s a market product and I pay for it. It`s all about supply and demand and it`s the decision of your country`s institutions to sell that product because it is profitable. so don`t worry, I don`t get anything free. Did you know that education is the most important export product of America? A big proportion of your economy relies on the tuitions paid by foreign people. Just like you buy Chinese, Mexicans or French products, I`m buying an American product. that`s so simple.

I hope this answers your low question.

 Hmmm touched a nerve eh dear?  By using I did not imply getting it for free did I??  I simply meant, that you come here and utilize our educational system because you feel it is advanced......and yet you continue your smear of the place you have chose to educate yourself.......

Seems rather hypocritical to an advanced mind, but I guess you are too low to see that.

And tami....I am still waiting with baited breath for your brilliant response to what the poor simple Americans can do to improve on our democracy. 

I have no idea what you mean by me smearing America. does that mean I can`t criticize America because I study there? well, if that`s the case I must tell most of the members here not to come to Turkey again, but that would be low which is not a concern for you apparently.

withdraw from afghanistan, iraq, and all the other colonies of America including Turkey. how does that sound?

 Not at all.  What I mean in simplistic terms.....just for you...is that you never seem to have anything good to say about the country that you have chosen to study in.  So it would seem, to the average person....that you take every opportunity to criticize America, but never say anything good about it. 

And if you really educate yourself and open that narrow mind of yours, you would see that this country is founded on the melting pot and that it is open to criticism....a stage that the land you seem to praise so highly, has not advanced to as of yet.

if you check my previous 900+ posts, you will see that I have said good things about America as well. but I will never repeat those well established lies like the melting pot metaphor you mentioned. If that is what you mean by saying good things about America, I will not do that.

the discussion with tami (and other his turkish fellow mates) looks like this:

A (as for anyone): tami, heres an apple!

E (as for everyone): where?

T (as for tami): bad apple!

A: why is it bad?

T: because it is bad, basta, it looks green.

A: but apples can be green and its not bad to be green.

T: apples are red, go educate yourself, heres a turkish definition of apple.

E: wait a minute, i love green apples, and red apples are delicios, bla bla.

T: you should go and have brain surgery, you know nothing about apples.

A: lets not talk about apples.

E: yes, admin, pls lock this thread.

T: im always right, because im turk!

 Your rhetoric is boring tami.  Bring something new to the table and then we will talk.  Until then I bid you adieu.  It´s late and I have better things to do than try to get through your thick skull........like sleep! 

The fight in Afganistan is a whole different kettle of fish from Iraq in as much as the forces there (and not just American!!!) are fighting the Taliban or do you support them??  I hope not.  I think you will find that most Afgan people support the troups in an attempt to restore a semblance of freedom that is trying to be destroyed by the Taliban.

The Talbian are a dispicable bunch of people who will kill at random with little excuse.  They will destroy books, education, and women are treated worse that they would treat a pig.   

I always say:

"do whatever you do in TC

but you never mess with GG"

 Are you suggesting this as a motto for the mousemat? 

I already started to get annoyed by the new president.

got annoyed reading tami´s pointless posts (his stupid posts stopped to be funny).

PMSL

you forgot to add that apples are greatly used by Christian mythology and therefore are means to depreciate and/or oppress secular countries like Turkey

your personal insults just prove that you have nothing to say other than cursing. here is your chance to learn a new thing; we call women like you "mahalle karisi" in Turkish.

This is pretty rude of you!!

 As soon as you withdraw from America, I will order all our people out of Turkey!

 OH!!! Brilliant! 

 Cursing?  Where did I curse? 

You prove the stereotype that "little" men are unable to handle a strong woman. 

And really....is that the best ya got???? 

 oh, our genius and most educated glorious turk got offended. he ran out of his hilarious arguments. he needs to learn to stop when necessary. what he wrote had no points at all.

i suppose any US president is bed, even if he was turk and shipped all the treasure to turkey he would still be not good enough until the whole world was subordinated under the turkish flag to reincarnate the turkish empire.

why does he pick on obama´s oath on bible. does it matter if it was bible or harlequin? it is just a simple tradition, every newly elected president has to go through that. it is just a piece of ceremony and has nothing with christianity.

i think now amerikans should change their tradition because one turk is upset with that. i wonder why?

even our muslimahs on  tc duty (alameda, canli and merih) didnt mind it and gave their blessings (im sure why they are happy).

I don`t have an army in America.

yea calling someone thick is not cursing at all!

 I didn´t say anything about any army did I. 

  you are a good entertainment.

 Correct!  Calling someone thick is not a curse.  Cursing is the use of an obscenity and "thick" is clearly not obscene. 

Do your homework sweetie...you really aren´t looking too clever lately.

but I did. you think I was talking about civilians?

 Oh dear god stop being so daft!!! 

I know what you were talking about....I was making a joke of it because that´s about all you are worth. 

Again.....to put things in simple terms that so that you might understand - You said that America should get out of Turkey....so I said....ok, if YOU (meaning you...personally...tamikidakika) leave America, I will order all my people out of Turkey.

Get it now? 

Actually,i wondered same as Tami when i saw obama´s oath on the bible

Wondering, What if he was not Christian ´not Obama specifically´ still he would make oath on the bible?

Then turned to another point, would he be accepted as a president if he wasnt Christian ?

Would he be judged regardless of his religion ?!

But, again i never thought/believe US is a secular country to start with .

You can see it in their movies,in their system, but they like to say they are. 

Still,as GG said, it is a step a head.

Using the Bible is a traditional thing, it doesn´t mean anything I guess, it´s just a part of the performance. Do you think lawyers wear wigs because they´re bald?

Guys,i dont really understand the problem here

GG and others think Obama will make a difference

On the other hand,Tami and also some others think that he is same as others and nothing will change

First, everyone is entitled to his opinion,so we shouldnt be having any problem here

Second,we are not God,so i believe time will tell

We will just have to wait and see !

And no need to fight over something will be seen in the future

Ý know its a TLC habit that we dont agree

But guys !

Ýts still in the future !

Can we keep our argument/fights to the present and let the future for later ?!

 Of course it does

Same as in court rooms too,but maybe by time some people just forgot what does it mean.

 There is no problem here Canli....other than the fact that tami calls people who like Obama naive and dumb but he can´t take being called thick. 

 a voice of reason. but im afraid, no one wants to listen to this.

Spoil sport!!

We were just enjoying GG´s posts here..

It was just like she was slapping a naughty little kid on  the bum...

 It means something to the person taking the oath.  So far, we have had only Christian Presidents......not too hard to figure out really....they are Christian...they take their oath on the Bible.  

When we get to the point where we have a non-Christian President, then we will see what happens....but as I said yesterday...we have only just elected our first non-white President.

 canli, read my and DD´s post. oath on bible is just a ceremony that every president goes through. you thought clinton was a christian?

theres no point asking if obama not christian. we know he is not.

as for changes, i too doubt that he will bring significant changes. i too dont understand why people get excited about changes he hasnt made yet. but people have hopes. thats all.

Point taken !

No one can deny this,and i dare to believe that includes tami too.

 Regarding swearing in on the Quran, Congressman Keith Ellison used Thomas Jefferson´s Quran to be sworn into office. It did create some "issues", but it did go on.

stop using rhetoric to prove your point gg. I never said those who like Obama are dumb or naive. prove it or keep quiet.

if he is not a christian, that`s even worse because they force a non christian to take oath on bible. so is he christian or not?

he he

I guess what he means was if you "believe" obama will change anything you are  too naive or too dumb.
But on the other hand, if you "like" Obama you are not  naive or dumb..

There is a great difference between two..

 heres what i think on obama. he was assumed to be a christian (because he goes to church) in order to gain christians´ votes. but somehow the whole muslim world was happy him to be the president. why? they rejoiced this victory. why suddenly the muslim world likes the US president?

this ceremony of taking an oath on bible is a circus. i dont know why they do this. because giving an oath or a promise is forbidden in christniaty.

just out of curiousity why do you ask this question? is it a pain to you that he took an oath on bible?

right, it should pe a pain for anybody if a non-christian is forced to pretend to be a christian to get elected to presidency in a supposedly secular country.

btw what muslim world is it that rejoiced Obama`s victory?

tami, apples are green and apples are red.

oh, poor obama, oh poor him! vai vai. poor clinton vai vai.

wait a minute, is USA a secular country? i thought everything that US was based and built was related to christianity, you know even their money state so.

i donno, muslims must know it better ask them

It is a very good point actually..

Do they like him because he looks more handsome that G W Bush?

I think most of people like him because they hated G W Bush administration..

And most of people (including muslims) who like him also have some expectations that he will change something .

I wont go and call all those people, including all those muslims, who like Obama as dumbs but Tami has a point here too..

American policies can NOT change that easily..

And many policies people would like to see changed will NOT be changed, because they are directly connected with USA interests..

But I think many embarresing points such as ´guantanama´ will go away with Obama..

 i agree that the joy muslims expressed was to some extent related to bush´s foreign policy being finished along with obama´s entry. however, theres more than that. if it was hillary who won, muslims wouldnt be that happy. because usually muslims hate any US president.

as for tami´s saying that those who believe that obama will bring significant changes are naive (or even dumb), i may agree with tami here. i personally dont believe that this guy can change a lot. i dont see in him any spark or any charisma.

Poor tamikakadudu, can´t you understand that although it was not a direct quote it holds the same intent?  Work on the nuances of the English language, it might serve you better when you try to make such bold statements. 

And I´m soooooo sorry that I am challenging you....I know how difficult it must be for someone like you to have a women push you and confront you on your statements....but this woman doesn´t let any man tell her what to do......so I don´t take to kindly to some little man telling me to keep quiet.  Get used to me yipping in your ear. 

so can you tell us how you are challenging me? as far as I remember I said that Obama would not change anything, and the only thing you did as a response was trying to insult me on a personal level just like what any low profile person would do.

you`re a real low profile "mahalle karisi", gg. swallow it.

 You certainly know all about insulting people so don´t try to play innocent.  It´s hilarious really that you would be so quickly insulted.  Your cheap little shots don´t do anything to me sweetie, keep them up...please! 

You make your comments and expect us all to cowtow to your self-perceived advanced knowledge about all things, but when you are questioned all you do is repeat your tired old lines.  YAWN!!!!

When will we hear the bell for the next round? Is there already a K.O.? Where are the attendants? Where is the umpire?

So far: GG 5 points - Tami 0 points

I think what has been lost in these arguments is the reality of Obama´s actual ability to function in a truly independant manner. He is not an absolute monarch, he is part of, what is in effect, an international oligarchy.

I think it´s almost miraculous he got elected in the first place, but we have to remember the reality of the situation. If we want change,we have to work for it. He has power, but not unlimited power. Let´s get real about just what he can do.

Are we, in reality, ruled by the Iron Law of Oligarchy?

Most citizens are too busy just trying to survive to get very involved in politics. They don´t have the time or energy to get involved, to learn the issues, learn how to effect change.

 I have to agree with this.  I feel like his success will lie in his ability to inspire the American people to do the work that is needed.  His power becomes very limited once people loose faith in him.  I hope he can keep his momentum.

I think there wont be a next round..

What we call this in Turkey is ´meydan dayagi´..

´Beating in front´ of everybody!!

Fflowers go to  GG   

does it turn you on?

you call it a "meydan dayagi"?

we call you a "yalaka"

Come on man...

Part of being man is to accept a defeat..

At least you should ´pretend´ to be a man..

Why are you getting angry anyway?  

 All I can say to this is you guys are teaching me Turkish words that I probably would never had learned in my normal course of life....

That is very true

we have one more saying for this type of situations:

´yenilen pehlivan gurese doymazmis´

It means ´a wrestler who keeps loosing will always ask for more matches´.

 Only 5??? 

 I agree. Come on Tami, give us more, than we all know what to say when a guy in Turkey is harassing us ´innocent´ tourists..... (besides, your attempts - no more than that - give GG more ammunition, which is very much fun!)

Let the changes begin.....

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/22/guantanamo.order/index.html

My cousin´s uncle-in-law is one of the men standing behind President Obama in the photo.  He and other former military leaders were instrumental in lobbying all of the presidental candidates during the campaign to end the torture and illegal detention of prisoners at Guantanamo.

 Sorry, I didn´t count very precise. Probably - likely - I missed the 0, so it must be 50 points.

Great....good job....give him my thanks and salutations!