iVote

Barack Obama has won a second term in the White House, congrats Mr President.
I only wish that Britons would be as excited about voting on our own shores as they were about the US election. Our youth especially rarely vote, certainly not in any significant numbers but in America to not vote is unthinkable. People all over wear badges that proudly claim “I voted”.
We need to be like that and get everyone to be more enthusiastic about voting and politics, afterall they will affect each of our lives in some way or other so we should care, even if just a tiny bit.
So how is it that the Obama/Romney circus managed to capture the imaginations of many in the UK (if Twitter was any judge) but folks are instantly bored with Prime Minister Cameron and co? I'll tell you in one word: razzamataz. When it comes to elections, America has it in spades while in Britain its sorely lacking, even sterile compared to the glitz and 'showmanship' we see in the United States. We are the best at pomp, ceremony and Royal pageants but dead in the water when it comes to stuffy old politics. Sure Big Ben and Houses of Parliment are iconic landmarks and stand tall as historic buildings but most of us couldn't care less what goes on inside.
It needs to change because as the world witnessed last night, this election buisness can be quite exciting if packaged right.

Obam and Cam Flippin' Da Burgers

As everyone knows, the President of the United States is in town and how nice of Downing Street to hold a barbecue for Mr Obama (or 'Barack' as our PM, Dai calls him in a plastic 'buddy buddy' type way). I liked the fact the barbie was for servicemen from both Britain and America and not just some VIP crap. Okay the cynic in me is saying it was just a PR stunt but I like to think it wasn't. I want to believe our leaders do actually care for our military men and women.


We Love You Obama!

Away from the burgers and ribs, Barack seems to be much more popular this side of the pond. Some people meeting him have behaved the same as they would if meeting a rockstar. One lady said after meeting him drooled, "he was beautiful!" Not really the type of thing one expects to hear after meeting the world's most powerful chap. Still, its in keeping with all of this first name terms buisness, keeps it all informal and jolly.
To be honest, and im more honest than a bare elbow, im not really interested in the politics and pomp. Im more fascinated (and im betting im not the only one) by the fact that the President has one thousand people in his entourage, and I enjoy reading about his limousine, 'The Beast', which has bullet proof windows and the wheels can still run on their rims. James Bond eat your heart out! Come on guys, you all want to drive this baby! Mind you it did get stuck on a kerb in Ireland, so its not entirely flawless.
As I type this now, Obama is speaking at the mighty Westminster, becoming only the third US President to do so (Reagan and Clinton were before him). And no matter what you might think of him, this is an important moment. Without turning this blog into a history lesson, Westminster has been the scene of some pretty big events, including a King being sentenced to death. Put it like this, if the walls of Westminster could write a book, it would be a pretty, darn interesting read without a doubt.
The President must be a contented man right now, whatever his critics say. In the last few days, the guys had Guiness in Ireland (sheer Heaven, take my word for it), burgers at Downing Street, dinner with the Queen and had a VIP tour of London's most historic spots. Not too shabby whatever your politics and an offer only a dullard would turn down.
Watching all of these people like Winston Churchill's grandson Nicholas Soames, shake Obama's hand after his speech (I typed this in two sittings) has got me wondering why they haven't made goldenballs David Beckham attend the shenanigans? Afterall the lad seems to be forced to turn up at every other big 'do' we have in Britain. Perhaps he'll turn up for tea and scones later on.
And please, in the name of all that is British will someone take the Obamas for some fish & chips before they fly back to the States! A trip over here isn't complete without fresh cod soaked in vinegar and wrapped in a newspaper. Food of the Gods.