Eddie Aquilina, Sliema
Barack Obama's ATM moment
Watching Barack Obama fluffing his lines when taking the oath of office, and then having to take a second oath, reminded me of the ATM moment when our Prime Minister had to wait for a second attempt by the machine to supply the coveted euro on January 1, 2008. Those that had campaigned so long against the EU and the euro showed their warped pleasure then, just like a few around the world might have been pleased with President Obama's fluffed lines.
But Lawrence Gonzi not only showed how visionary he was in introducing the euro at the first opportunity and how well-managed was the introduction, but went on to win a general election against steep odds.
Likewise, despite President Obama's fluffed words, all lovers of liberty around the globe wish Godspeed to the leader of the free world.
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Charles DeMicoli
Jan 29th 2009, 18:27
As J. Sammut remarked, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts fluffed the lines of the oath of office. President Obama even motioned to the judge to give him a chance to correct himself. So, President Obama did not have an ATM moment. Incidentally, Biden and Obama voted against Roberts' nomination during the Bush (Jr) administration.
So, dear Mr. Eddie Aquilina, stop gushing and get your facts straight. Stop these silly comparisons with President Obama.
Charles Sammut (NY)
Jan 29th 2009, 17:50
As Mr Fiorini said there is nothing to compare here. Obama's task is monumental.. Trying to undo the damage of 8 years of George Bush is no easy task.. Economy in distress; unemploynent rising daily; two unfinished Wars and our national image abroad at it's lowest level ever.. And yes Pres Obama did not mangle the Oath of Office; It was Judge Roberts that did.. Which of course was irrelevent because The Constitution states that the President elect becomes President at noon Jan 20th; regardless whether he took the Oath of Office or not.
s.bezzina
Jan 29th 2009, 16:08
Both examples happened through no fault of the 'victims'. Lawrence Gonzi had nothing to do with the mulfunction of the atm just as Obama wasn't to blame for justice Roberts' fumbling of the oath. If anything they both should be congratulated for coming out of the awkward moment with flyin colours.
Eric Soames
Jan 29th 2009, 14:43
Joseph Sammut: You are correct. It was Chief Justice Roberts that did the fluffing.
Should the Justice's opponents read something into that, given that he was a Bush appointee? I speak with tongue firmly in cheek, by the way.
Joe Cassar
Jan 29th 2009, 14:01
Mr Aquilina got it wrong - it was not President Obama who "fluffed his lines", it was the Chief Justice who inverted the order of words.
Joseph Sammut
Jan 29th 2009, 10:50
@Aquilina:
President Obama did not fluff words; on the contrary, he pick up the judge's mistake, hesitated and correctly repeated the words as put to him.
As to making fun of moments like this, being Obama or Gonzi or Muscat or whoever, crooked or small minds manifest themselves!!!
B Agius
Jan 29th 2009, 10:49
Well - now that said- Mr Obama can continue to govern and tackle the many problems his country faces and, by implication, the rest of the world. Meanwhile Gonzi will continue to govern Malta - we wish him luck too - as he needs it more than Obama as poor Malta has no resources, a small fish in the big EU pond, and in economic times such as these the big fish are hardly going to worry about the little ones. He can start with the electronics factory and we'll see whether he can do anything about all of those roads he promised and he never delivered on - especially now that even the good ones he said he built to European standards fell to bits because of the rain! He , of course is more worried about City gate and the new parliament house - of course we know that these are just pie in the sky - typical diversionary tactics of a politician (read Government) whose days should be numbered.
Victor Fiorini
Jan 29th 2009, 09:29
Seriously... stop comparing Obama to Gonzi or Muscat.... this is getting ridiculous!