*This* is the US I loved and honoured...

*As for Trump?
This, too, shall pass*

Now that, I like the sound of.

I wasn't and clear enough, and apologise (my BiL has bladder cancer, and its a critical weekend), I intended to say, "love and honour the Obamas"

Glad to say, very very UK, Yorkshire Lass, and its *Wyllow .....I had to add the 3 as I messed up signing in).

Why did I say "Wee bit of sour grapes" I guess this weekend I'm thinking, for heaven's sake, can we have a bit of "glass half full" for a change? The patient is, despite needing dialysis.

I thought, reading the heading, that the OP would be written by our USA Grans, but I don't believe you are, Wyllow3, although I could be wrong. Please correct me if so.

No, as a British person, I have never loved and honoured the United States of America and find that quite a strange expression unless you are American.

Yes, we've had far better Presidents, including Obama and I do like Michelle Obama from what I know of her. Yes, we in the UK have always had an affinity with the USA, much of their history and culture is ours too. Yes, I am grateful that they decided to join us as an ally in WW2, albeit belatedly.
And I have enjoyed their popular music (particularly Carole King!).

However, they are in many ways quite different from the UK although I hope they remain our allies.

As for Trump?
This, too, shall pass.

Oreo

Gfplux

It will take some time but as we now know that America is no longer the friend and ally of Britain and Europe we will be pivoting away from the USA.

I don’t think that will be the case, the US is a powerful ally.
There will be elections and another President elected.

How on earth do you interpret my comment/comments as ‘a wee bit sour grapes’ Wyllow3 I’m not a Trump fan or a fan of Obama really, either.It’s who is the best candidate and not colour for me.He’s mixed race so just as much white as black.
Am not an American national so don’t really care too much who’s President.
There’s never been a POTUS as strange as Donald Trump tho but he won’t be around forever.

foxie48

Late to the thead but I've just watched the clip. Great way to start my day, thank you. If you watched the in depth series about Obama that was on a while ago, it was a masterclass of negotiation in a very flawed political system. A president who tried his hardest to get important changes in healthcare etc in by negotiation and concensus. He is an intellectual giant and although he failed in some areas, he makes Trump look like a spoilt petulant child. He'll be remembered as a great potus, whereas IMO Trump will be seen as the most damaging to America in modern time.

Spot on *Foxie and I'm glad you enjoyed the O/P.

Your comments, to me, come across as a wee bit "sour grapes". Oreo.

Why not just simply not applaud what was good, be fair in what was not good, and so on?

He was the first person of colour to be POTUS, for goodness sake, does this not count for anything? And the brushback of Trump.

I notice less and less people of colour at rallies Obama was a fine, cultured man with a superb partner in Michelle.

Yes flawed, but aren't we all?

Obama does well in polls, always in the top quartile and sometimes in the top ten, Trump is always near the bottom.

Unless the rules get changed to some sort of Putinesque thing!
Don’t laugh- could happen !!

Gfplux

It will take some time but as we now know that America is no longer the friend and ally of Britain and Europe we will be pivoting away from the USA.

I don’t think that will be the case, the US is a powerful ally.
There will be elections and another President elected.

Not at all sure he will be remembered as a great POTUS in the US itself.It may not be his fault that he couldn’t improve much because of their political system but he didn’t do enough nevertheless to be remembered as ‘great’.
He only seems so when compared with Trump.Which could apply to any past POTUS really.

Late to the thead but I've just watched the clip. Great way to start my day, thank you. If you watched the in depth series about Obama that was on a while ago, it was a masterclass of negotiation in a very flawed political system. A president who tried his hardest to get important changes in healthcare etc in by negotiation and concensus. He is an intellectual giant and although he failed in some areas, he makes Trump look like a spoilt petulant child. He'll be remembered as a great potus, whereas IMO Trump will be seen as the most damaging to America in modern time.

Well, whatever you think of the US - and I'm not a huge fan, particularly at the moment - there are good people there, as there are here.

That performance by Aretha Franklin was just amazing - not a note out of place and her voice as strong as ever.

It will take some time but as we now know that America is no longer the friend and ally of Britain and Europe we will be pivoting away from the USA.

But I agree it was a great series.

The ideal of US democracy? It’s meant to be a cynical look behind the scenes.

Wyllow3

The ideal of US democracy was of course expressed in the TV series "the West Wing". Loved it.

He couldn't deliver what hewanted eazybee. His carefully designed plans for big changes in medical care and other areas like in Education were slashed during his second term by the lack of support from the Senate House.

It’s outstanding television isn’t it Wyllow- imho the West Wing is not just the ideal of US democracy, it’s beautifully written and acted, funny, sad, thought provoking and educational.
The first five seasons more so than the last two, but still great tv.

We really do interpret threads differently, don’t we. I took the title to refer to the attachment, which was two legendary USA singers celebrating, one singing the others song, and the joy that brought to them and their audience - joy without bad feeling or spin.

It was your title of the OP that I and others were responding to.
If you only wanted to showcase the songs and occasion then a title reflecting that would have elicited a different reaction.

Wyllow3

What's that to do with Carole King, Aretha Franklin, or Obama, nanna? 🤔

Cos I don’t really know anything about them. They’re not British or Australian. Obama was what he was, seemed ok to me but I don’t really know. Trump, same applies, though sometimes he seems ok, sometimes very,very not ok.

What's that to do with Carole King, Aretha Franklin, or Obama, nanna? 🤔

We had a war of Independence with the Americans didn’t we? Why would the UK identify with that country in any way? They have different leaders with very different ideas. Fine if you are American . They have a lot of power so that is why most of us suck up to them.

And a big big older woman, talking about passion - whatever ages we be and how large we are - what a contrast to the likes of Karoline Leavitt.

Yes, please watch the clip. Its a real celebration of a lovely song, of love, emotion not pompous being shouted at, of an era in an America, and a roomful of people where race isn't a big issue

It’s obvious that not everybody who has commented watched the clip. It doesn’t matter what you think of the Obama government, this was about them appreciating the great legends that are Carole King and Aretha Franklin, without turning the event into a Me, Me, Me show like some one could mention.

Spinnaker

Oreo

The US is for Americans and what they want and vote for.Not for anyone in another country who views the Obamas through rose tinted glasses.
Personally I have never loved or honoured the US.

Exactly this ⬆️
I'm finding it difficult to love and honour this country at the moment never mind another one that's equally as screwed up through years of politicians.

I prefer to be glass half full in politics and look for what has been achieved however small than glass half empty.

Thats because they are a basis to build on, rather than tearing what them down.

"they're all the same" is rubbish because we get reports from Gransnetters from different parties I recall that such and such a politician/MP always fought for their constituents and met and helped the, and cared.

The ideal of US democracy was of course expressed in the TV series "the West Wing". Loved it.

He couldn't deliver what hewanted eazybee. His carefully designed plans for big changes in medical care and other areas like in Education were slashed during his second term by the lack of support from the Senate House.

I wasn't that impressed by the Obamas; I thought they promised much but delivered little. But that is for America to judge.
This is increasingly the trouble with politicians now, so desperate to secure votes their promises are completely unrealistic, witness Farage.
I would rather have 'blood, toil, tears and sweat. At least it was honest.