But you are opposed to capital punishment. Just do it humanely...

Glad we cleared that up.

On a serious note, the only way to get to the top is to act like a bloke who wants to get to the top. I have had many dealings with senior politicians, ministers and civil servants over here over the years and have even briefed a Prime Minister once. A couple remain good personal friends. I sincerely believe that the vast majority are good people who set out with fire in their belly and were captured by the system. I could never be a politician as the line between advocating the views of your constituency and prostituting your own values is a fine line indeed. I am not a member of any party and prefer to be one of the most powerful people in the land, (floating voter.)

When I was in South Africa, I was told many times that Peter Hain is revered as a God over there for his anti apartheid work. In The UK, he is just another ex minister who fiddled his expenses.

The link to Obama is clear. No one is a prophet in their own land. Must have been interesting to see how the democrats had to choose between a black guy and a woman. Neither had been tested against a Presidential election before. Neither seeking election in a country that is conservative to say the least.