Thanks for posting that discussion Ebbie, I understand what you say and hope you are right and I am wrong.

Having lived through the last ten years in the UK under Blair, I can't help comparing his rise to that of Mr Obama,

If Mr Obama is sincere in his wish for a change in direction, why is there not one voice from the left in his administration....I have never been able to understand why!

I agree with Pilger in that, if Mr Obama's tenure does turn out to be a "false dawn", the American people, now more politicised than at any time in their history, may at last take affairs into their own hands.

I have said many times that I believe a movement for real freedom can be initiated by the Americans. Their general lack of cynicism can be their greatest strength.

I also don't think you and I are so far appart Ebbie, you are certainly not one of the illiberal "liberals" of whom John Pilger is so contemptuous.....Ake