Here comes the change… Oh wait… Nevermind

Like most people outside of the US, I too was rallying behind Barack Obama during the elections. It wasn’t because I believed his promises of “change” (whatever that meant), but because Senator John McCain seemed to be pushing a similar agenda as that of George W. Bush, and practically held the same ideology as the former president. But Obama, during his many speeches, did promise hope and change to the American people. Well, hope has always been there, but it’s this promise of change that seems to be a problem. Every presidential candidate promises change. I don’t know who or why anyone would promise to maintain the status quo while running for elections. It’s another issue that no president has been able to successfully live up that promise, and in that regards, President Obama is not much different from his predecessors.  Seems the only promise he has kept so far is the one he made during his election night address.

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine,You have earned the puppy that is coming with us.“

And lo and behold… Enter the Portuguese water dog, Bo. A promise kept indeed!

I realize it may still be too early to be passing judgments but I can’t help myself.

A few Guantanamo prisoners say things have been worse under Obama in terms of their treatment than they had been under Bush. The Guantanamo torture cells are still up and running, the Iraq war rages on, and in fact there have been numerous drone attacks in Pakistan as well since Obama came to office, continuing the controversial tactic Bush had been using, killing more than 400 people so far. Not to mention the 1.5 percent increase in the defense budget for 2010.There are more troops in Afghanistan now, re-enforcing the belief that war IS the only answer. The notion is… Sending in more troops to kill Afghans is in fact what the Afghan people want, as paradoxical as that sounds.

Yes! We’re still on the edge of our seats waiting for this “change” that was promised. Most leaders of the world that welcomed Obama with open arms have been taken aback and are left scratching their heads wondering if it will be another 4 years of Bush policies. I, for one, am optimistic, but not blind to the realities.

But the dog… That’s a promise the American people really wanted Obama to uphold, and so he did! Let’s be honest here… Who doesn’t like puppies?