Obama and Imran

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Two ‘outsiders’ in the world of politics
charismatic, well spoken
community activitists
went to top universities

and then the comparison ends

Imran a child of privileged background
Obama son of an immigrant, from a broken family

both claim to be outsiders, both were heralded by many as agents of change..

One is potentially weeks away from becoming the nominee to run for presidency with youth, students, educated people seemingly behind him, and putting their money and their ballots where their mouth is

the other one…well, you guys know better.

the question is, Why?

political legacy in the two countries, cultural issues, ethnicity, education level of electorate? matrurity of system, maturity of candidate? real support versus just talk?

what is it?

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Re: Obama and Imran

Is it such a sin to speak out against Musharraf/Altaf that you start comparing him with Obama?

Imran is a national hero, and I see no point comparing him to Obama. He is honest, and has worked zealously for the Shaukat Khanum Hospital a cancer hospital where the poor can be operated and treated, and now his most recent accomplishment, the Namaal University. Lets see how many other politicians, especially the ones you like in Pakistan can boast of such accomplishments.

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Re: Obama and Imran

Imran is a national hero, no doubt about it.

The point here is to discuss cultural, political, religious, ethnic, rocial approach differences in bth countries due to which one has been successful in political arena and the other has not been.

I will not fall for your flaming tactics. keep trying.

If you did not understand the reason and basis of this discussion then please ask before jumping to conclusions.

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Re: Obama and Imran

Majority of the threads against Imran here are basically out of desperation (theres another one in PA that the original poster accused him of double standards, check that out too), and we all know 'why' they pop up. As for your comments about him not making it to the topic, its not easy for a honest person like him to make it to the top, especially in an arena of crooks and dictators. He boycotted the elections because of something he believed in, and stuck to it. Some live to fight another day, but dont give up on their promises and principles.

And btw, please care to tell me where I flamed you in the last post?

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Re: Obama and Imran

spock, if majority of threads come out of one reason or another that does not mean u jump to conclusions.

as far as flaming goes, blaming my intent of starting this thread as some love for altaf is just that. flaming is not just calling someone names. it would be similar to me saying that you are against musharraf because you are an alqaeda and osama bin laden supporter. Not a nice thing to do.

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Re: Obama and Imran

Thats considered flaming? I already told you why most people start threads about Imran for no reason, I mean what has he done to irk people off?

And please feel free to refer to me an al-qaeda/osmama supporter, I dont consider that flaming nor do I mind.

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Re: Obama and Imran

anyways now that we have that out of the system and can return to the discussion.

You note that it is not possible for an honest persn to make it in a system full of croosk and dictators. so in your view one of the major reasons is the political set up. Good. Now does it mean all politicians are crooks in pakistan, all politicians who became PM or major leaders would thus either not be honest by your example. I agree however, our political system is a mess.

Now lets move on to people support, Obama seems to get a lot of support from younger ppl, educated ppl etc. is imran not getting it, or are his supporteres less commited (please realize this is not a statement about him but his supporters) or is it that younger ppl in pakistan are not into politics and obviously there are significantly fewer educated people there.

what else is wrong, which is not allowing someone with the ability of Imran away from big time

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Re: Obama and Imran

That is considered flaming in my book, and at minimum it just pollutes the discussion by getting personal for no reason instead of discussing a topic on its merits. Now that we both understand each other a little better we will probably have better discussions.

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Re: Obama and Imran

I think biggest difference between american and pakistan is ... that in america we have rules and we follow them. In Pakistan we have very few rules and still we don't follow them.

So no merit system causes these sort of issues. But potential wise both are great leaders.

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Re: Obama and Imran

Ok, so start making threads about Zardari, Altaf, Musharraf, and those that are crooks, by your own definition then. How come you dont do that, and Ive never seen you criticize some of these people in power for the last 8 years? Why blame Imran for everything when hes not even had a chance to prove himself in power. From the limited power he had as an MNA, he has done wonders, and just a few days launched a pretty decent university in his constituency. If you believe he will bring about a change, then you should support him, as he needs it, rather than doing this.

[quote]

Now lets move on to people support, Obama seems to get a lot of support from younger ppl, educated ppl etc. is imran not getting it, or are his supporteres less commited (please realize this is not a statement about him but his supporters) or is it that younger ppl in pakistan are not into politics and obviously there are significantly fewer educated people there.

[/quote]
thank outside of Karachi, the youth loves Imran, and I am sure if he had contested he would have done pretty good, but he stuck to his principles. How can you say his supporters arent committed, how do you know they wouldnt have voted for him? I assure you, I would have voted for him had he taken part in elections, but then again, I respect his stance on not being part of a dictator's establishment.

[quote]

what else is wrong, which is not allowing someone with the ability of Imran away from big time
[/quote]
The fact that hes not a don, a landlord, an industrialist, a mafia leader, or a military chief of staff.

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Re: Obama and Imran

I agree, and Obama is backed by tonnes of donations, for a campaign, whereas Imran isnt, and like I mentioned before he isnt an industrialist, landlord, or army commander so I doubt he will ever have enough money to even get his voters from their homes to the polling stations like some other party leaders.

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Re: Obama and Imran

If Imran was in USA, then he would be where Obama is today. The reason Imran Khan is still struggling is because of the political culture in Pakistan which is dictated by feudal lords, industrialists, mafias, and corrupt military generals. It is not easy for a sincere and honest person who doesn't have any political background or any of the above categories and rejects the present political culture in Pakistan to be where Obama is today.

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Re: Obama and Imran

my opinion:

  • political legacy in the two countries

  • The most IMPORTANT, education level of electorate/Voters

  • matrurity of system

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