Lots of TV

Been a mostly uneventful week mostly because it has been so cold but also the hole in my gum that a big tooth used to sit in is still a little tender. So I haven't been out much. Still there has been lots of coverage of the US election to fill the time in. As I type millions of Americans are waiting in line to vote and millions more will have already voted in what has been the most interesting Presidential election since John Kennedy beat Richard Nixon in 1960. Then one of the issues was John Kennedy's religion, now, though it didn't seen as important this time one of the issues has been Barak Obama's colour. Either way this has been the most gripping Presidential election I can remember. The first one was way back in 1952 when Dwight D Eisenhower was elected. Mind you the only thing I can remember about that one was a campaign slogan, "I like Ike." But I was only 8 at the time. Kennedy attracted attention because he was a catholic which raised questions like would he be President under God or under the Pope.

I remember Lyndon Johnson not for his election but for his speech stating he would not run for President. The Vietnam War had been escalated during his term in office and that was his way out. The next election that caught my eye was Bill Clinton, mainly for the scandals involving certain ladies that turned up even before he was elected and his wife Hilary standing by her man, she really did want to be First Lady. George W Bush was the next election that claimed any interest mainly for the cock up that occurred after the voting was over. And through most of his reign as President. Voting used to be by putting a cross on a piece of paper, not completely fool proof but now with several different ways to vote it is easier for malpractice to creep in. Going to war used to be a carefully thought out decision with advice taken and every posible alternative explored, not, "I don't like the bastard, lets invade" Ignoring a hurricane wasn't something a President should do either.

Anyway, in a few hours we will know. Do we have a black man as President? An idea that would have seemed impossible back in the time a catholic was elected. And considering how important the President of the United States of America is to the world why haven't we all got a vote?

The other main TV programs I have been watching this last few days have been to do with the First World War which ended 90 years ago next Tuesday. The BBC have run a series of program in which people have traced relatives who took part in that war. I have to admit I am unsure if I have any relatives how were involve. They would have been my grand fathers or their brothers but my parents nor my aunts or uncles ever mentioned if their parents or uncles were involved. After watching the programs I can begin to understand why people may have been reluctant to mention the subject. I have always know the War was a gruesome, bloody waste of lives, masses of mistakes made by Generals who compounded those mistakes by continuing to make them but watching the programs I began to see how hard it would be for someone who had lost a close relative to talk about, and therefore remember again the sorrow and the pain. One person who did follow the trail back to his great grand father was a historian John Snow who presents historical programs for the BBC. It turned out he knew nothing about his ancestor except that he was a general in the War. By the end of the program he had found out that his great grandfather did not fall in the category of competent general. Indeed while one battle was raging which he had helped to plan he was in England and had no idea of what was going on. The effect on John Snow was upsetting to say the least.

Then this evening Michael Palin ( not related to the possible, though unlikely, Vice President elect) presented a program called "The Last Day of the War." Very disturbing account of what should have been a day to sit back and thank God or chance or what ever else you believe in that you had made it through the madness but even though it was know the Armistices had been signed, at 5 am, soldiers were still ordered to attack the Germans. It appeared some American generals were most enthusiastic to continue the war to the last dying seconds. One even attacked a town so his soldiers could use the municipal bathing facilities. Those that survived would at least be clean. Over 2500 people died on that day. Imagine being back home and hearing the news that the war was over and the relief that would bring and then a few days later being told your husband or father had been killed.
Well some time in the next few hours Barack Obarma will be declared president Elect. After the longest, most expensive, most publicized election in the history of the world first will come the elation. Then, possibly the sinking feeling and the thought, “What if I screw up?” will wing it’s way in to his brain.

Don’t screw up, please, I didn’t vote for you but I would have done if I could.

Later: As expected Barack won by 338 points to 159.