Presidential Debacles 2009 – 2016

March 30, 2023

United States 


Presidential Debacles 2009 – 2016

Padmini Arhant

To begin with, in January 2009 Barack Obama Presidency swearing in ceremony, the gala event on global view turned into a major embarrassment with the pledge of allegiance by then President-elect Barack Hussein Obama were muddied and malarkey while repeating the solemn oath on camera presided by the United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. in the nation’s capital – Washington D.C.

As a result, the swearing-in after proper rehearsal was privately conducted at the White House a day or two later with merely the presence of the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G.Roberts Jr. and then President – select Barack Hussein Obama.

The beginning itself was stumbling and did not commence smoothly on the day of the swearing-in protocol which was quite telling in more than one way as celestial warning. 

Then onwards commenced the harrowing experience under the Presidency of Barack Hussein Obama. They were not only endured in ominous Obamacare continued till date, the carnage and catastrophe inflicted on billions of population from violent interventions worldwide were not ordinary in magnitude.

The victims of violent warfare, carpet bombing in Libya, cannibalism sponsored by the administration against children, women, youth and elderly in Syria, drone attacks deriving sadistic thrills in a manner as video game simulation rejoicing the sight of children, women, physically challenged and senior citizens fleeing for their life from humble dwellings in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia and other destinations in South America etc., are not characteristics of human trait.

Importantly, the Presidency of Barack Obama failures in domestic mid-term elections and international affairs as well as sports events exemplified false magnification of self-image proven otherwise in outcome.

The 2010 mid-term election for Democratic Party under Barack Obama leadership and Presidency suffered severe setback with the party losing the House, Senate and losses in Gubernatorial race.

The Democratic Party had repeat episodes in 2012, 2014 and 2016 with then democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton losing to the Republican contender Donald Trump and thereafter the Presidency of Donald Trump subject to contentious legal and political bias with no end in sight.

The political vendetta anchored on 2016 Presidential defeat remain incessant evidenced in latest developments.

Internationally, among many unsuccessful endeavors involving the Presidency of Barack Obama, the prominent one is BREXIT. The former President Barack Obama could not prevail in persuading Britains to oppose BREXIT in the national referendum despite the former’s personal trip to London to campaign on the matter.

On other international event related to sports – the Summer Olympics venue selection, the personal visit of President Barack Obama and Michele Obama together submitting the choice to host the event in their native city Chicago, Illinois did not come into fruition.

The Obamas lost their bid for Chicago Olympics to Brazilians hosting the event in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016.

The disappointment and anger was visibly expressed on global lens projected at the Obamas not reciprocating cordially to the winner Brazil represented by then Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the international stage.

Subsequently, the Trump Presidency bidding on the same event i.e. Summer Olympics was won with Los Angeles to host the international game officially known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad and commonly known as Los Angeles 2028 or LA28 scheduled in July 2028.

Actions with positive delivery matter and define attribute or the lack thereof.

Padmini Arhant

EU – BREXIT

June 27, 2016

By Padmini Arhant

The referendum in the United Kingdom favoring BREXIT has sparked reaction and sentiments followed by political resignations in Britain.

Understanding the concept, ideology and strategy in addition to trajectory of any organization, union and institution with or without transformation facilitates fair evaluation.

Accordingly, EU role and functionality since inception and relevantly in recent memory is presented for clarity and focus on reality.

European Union with 27 states as members including Britain until now is essentially a parallel government headed by President, Foreign Secretary and key stakeholders appointed to run the alternate body not limited to regional affairs.

EU emergence with bureaucrats and political leaderships in various designations assume power that typically undermines sovereign status of member nation.

EU embarked on consolidating prospects with respect to trade and commerce within Europe not excluding human resources through immigration and multilateral treaty binding members to reciprocate on economic activities for European progress.

Such framework attracts interest and boost position besides diverse aspirations to optimize gains and mitigate losses from the venture.

The model in practice provided temporary results with nations vying for EU membership subject to approval upon satisfying EU requirement.

However, with benefits not commonly distributed the economic downturn produced high unemployment and trade imbalance not to mention exploitation of human capital.

EU as the central authority located in Brussels, Belgium exert control over economic and monetary policy.

Notwithstanding extensive involvement in political governance of weak economies like Greece and alike imposing austerity in the name of fiscal responsibility that continues to exacerbate economic woes creating generational indebtedness.

EU formation and subsequent introduction of euro as the preferred currency unit set the trend for struggling nations in the territory to peg the economy on fledgling euro in the hope of economic recovery.

The outcome thus far evidenced in selective dominance in the union enable financial and economic advantage to them at vast majority expense comprising ordinary citizens, labor force and educated youths in particular.

The transition cost vulnerable states like Cyprus, Greece and similar euro members to succumb to harsh financial terms and conditions not barring unethical means on compliance.

The prominent financial institutions viz. European Central Bank (ECB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and international banks influence on the matter with heads of the government as powerful EU representatives obliging bankers demands in debt management is not a populist doctrine.

Furthermore, EU membership is based on meeting criteria that are not necessarily confined to economy but extends beyond pledging allegiance to EU policy.

The global recession in late 2007 with sub-prime mortgage crisis originating from the United States and lack of transparency and accountability in the financial dealings had contagion effect.

Europe economic stagnancy under EU in the absence of necessary growth is yet to demonstrate measures to ease persisting uncertainty and volatility in the market performance. The significant impact on the desperate job situation cannot be ignored either.

EU stance on immigration clarified in member states like France, Germany, Italy and Spain…immigrants plight forced to contend with lower wages and social inequality.

EU ideology and strategy premised on geopolitical expansion in partnership with the United States as NATO ally confirmed in Ukraine leaving the once stable nation in chaos and turmoil.

In the middle east, EU decision to lift arms embargo rather than reinforcing weapons ban to terror networks now proliferated as ISIS and ISIL contributed to refugee problems in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Syrian refugees seeking political asylum are denied entry by EU with greater efforts and plan mobilized to curb citizens’ influx from war torn Syria and Iraq. 

As for Islamophobia, the cartoon depiction and denigration of Islam’s Prophet from EU member state was entertained as freedom of expression as it goes with other religion or spiritual representation.

On the contrary, there is zero tolerance to constructive critique on issues affecting people’s lives and the world at large. 

The celebrity worship with proxies granted immunity on serious violations and crimes define the detrimental tradition.

In the context of BREXIT vote, the discussion on facts over hype spreading clamor and hysteria would exemplify propriety.  The subversion and spin are distractions at best and deception at worst when forming conclusions on public opinion.

Britain having retained the original currency – pound sterling and never subscribed to euro during membership perhaps explain the reservations on euro. 

The decline of Britain’s pound against dollar on BREXIT projected as the strength of EU is a perspective without justification.

Change is an evolutionary process in the experimental and natural event.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant