I've been a fan of Obama for two years now, since reading The Audacity of Hope.  I like that he thinks so differently from the establishment, I like his ability to unite different people for positive reasons.  For years politicians have used fear or hate of outsiders to unite people, Obama doesn't do that, he uses hope, aspirations and the belief that people can make the world a better place. 

Realistically there is a limit to what anybody can do in office, however, I think the very fact that people are thinking differently is major progress in itself.  The fact that the world woke up to a President that doesn't stand for hating those who disagree, that doesn't by default stand against anyone who is not American. The fact that the world woke up to an America that is expressing hope instead of fear and unity instead of hate. Props to Mr McCain who was gracious in defeat.

And man, was that an acceptance speech...

Okay, so maybe that's an exaggeration, but who cares, I learned from the media that you're allowed to say pretty much what you want about anyone these days and I have evidence.

If you will watch the video here, to his left is a framed portrait of which you can only make out the shoulder.  In the full image, however I'm sure it's Joseph Stalin. (Can't blog the full image as it was in the newspapers and isn't online)  Now I can't decide if he always has a picture of Joseph Stalin on the wall or if he just thought it would be funny.  Clearly he is, in fact, a disciple of Joseph Stalin, and he thinks all grandfathers, burlesque dancers, and people who complain should be sent to the Gulags for punishment.  (which he'd probably administer himself, he looks like the type).

Really though, why would you have a nicely framer portrait of Joseph Stalin? Not that I can talk - I have Stalin in a party hat on a tee-shirt - but still, I thought it would make a nice sensationalist blog title.

Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand are, I have no doubt, kicking themselves right now.  I'm sure that they do regret what they've said - but not for the right reasons.  The pair of them know exactly what they're doing, they've pushed it too far therefore they should be punished; it's not enough to offend whoever you wish to and assume sorry is always okay. It's not like two respectful, upstanding guys have accidentally over stepped the mark, they both - but Russell Brand in particular - make a career out of trying to push the envelope with what you can say and how lewd you can be and get paid for it.  

If this was a private radio station it would be a business matter, but it isn't a private broadcaster, it's the BBC, therefore you and I are the ones paying two boisterous men to phone up 70 something year old grandfathers and be vulgar and crude to them.  That is not good enough at all, it's public money, therefore they should not be behaving that was on our dollar.  If I go to work tomorrow, pick up the office phone, phone an old man and say what they said, I would be sacked immeadiatley.  Anyone in a normal job would, why should these two be different?  I'm not just jumping on them, to be honest I think Jonathan Ross is a funny guy, and I'm sure he's the kind of guy who would be a good laugh and you could get on well with, but that is not the point.

It's about responsibility, whether they're sorry or not, actions should have consequences, no matter how sorry you are, sometimes you have to suck it up and accept that your behaviour warrants it.  They need to grow up, but must of all, niether of them should work in public funded jobs again.  They've had the benefits, financial and career wise, of their positions, why should they be spared dismissal when they have overstepped the mark?

For Sunderland to get a decent spot on Match of The Day? We're usually last, today was the local Derby, surely a Sunderland vs Newcastle match is worth a decent spot on the highlights, especially when it's an exciting game with some great performances?  Still we were only the third game out of four and didn't get near as much time devoted to the game as the sleepy one all draw between United and Everton.  It's typical beeb. 

That said, the game itself was great, there is no point in parading clichés about how much a derby win means, it was brilliant, getting one over on the Toon is priceless, especially when we outplayed them.  Fantastic.  Richardson is the best set-piece expert in the league, bar none, I hope Capello was watching, Cisse was also fantastic.  I think we have a great squad this year.  Malbranque and Chimbonda have great teamwork too, though I probably shouldn't say so if petescully is reading.  (If it's any help pete, every fan I talk to doesn't like seeing Spurs in the mire!)

While I'm on Sports, what is with Joey Barton?  I don't think it's fair that this man is still allowed to earn millions in the sport, but what's even more sad is that people talk about it as if it's wrong that people will now boo him permanently.  He is a repeatedly violent criminal - he should, by his actions, have forefieted his career, but he hasn't.  Let's not pretend like the fans have no right to express dissaproval.