Did Obama do good for America

Almost 4 years ago (nov 2008) I posted an Obama quiz asking how people thought he would do in is term in office. With the money blowing circus that is the American Elections arriving in our news programmes how do you think he did.

From day one I always had suspicians his "change" was a load of old bull an he was another Tony Blair, good talker but nothing else.
But got to give the bloke a chance and now we can look at the facts.

These are the questions I asked in 2008 (with my answers from the time) -


1. What Tax levels will the Americans be paying compared to today ?
a) More
b) Less
c) About the same

2. What will Employment levels be ?
a) More Unemployed
b) Less Unemployed
c) About the Same

3. Value of the £ against the $ (currently £1 = $1.63)
a) More $ to £
b) Less $ to £
c) About the Same

4. Law & Order
a) Higher Crime Rate
b) Lower Crime Rate

5. Troops out of Iraq ?
a) In 18 months as promised
b) During is term of office
c) Still there

6. Troops out of Afganistan
a) All Out
b) Reduction in numbers
c) Increase in numbers
d) Same amount there

7. Environment
a) 80% cut in emmisions as promised
b) significant reduction in emmisions
c) Slight reduction in emmisions
d) No reductions in emmisions

8. Health Service
a) No Change
b) Free Health Service for the Poor
c) Free Health Service for all
d) Significantly Cheaper Health Service
e) Slightly Cheaper Health Service

9. Stock Markets (Dow Jones) currently approx 9,600
a) Higher
b)Lower
c) Same

10. Who'll win the next Election ?
a) Democrats
b) Republicans
c) Dunno

My answers
1. a)Higher Taxes - Hate to say it but told you so- with more tax rises promised in 2013 (his speech in washington 11th july 2011 stated this.
2. c) Similar levels unemployed - Actually 86,000 Americans now don't have a job than when he took office.
3. a) More Dollars to £ (think its actually about 15cents lower than it should be and will level out) - I called this wrong its about the same today, so no change.
4. a) Higher Crime Rate, think more poverty will cause that as population increases. - Can only find data for his first two years in office and it dropped both years so credit where credit is due.
5. b) Think they'll be out at some stage but 18 months is too ambitious. - Got there eventually, give him a job achieved badge.
6. d) Can't see the situation changing for both the US or UK could even be an increase. - No change actually think more troops, think this is Obamas Vietnam.
7. b) Significant decrease although 80% not attainable - All talk no action from the worlds biggest gas guzzlers.
8. e) Think he'll make efforts but find its a bottomless pit. - Talk is cheap, no real improvement in health care, love to hear any Americans opinions on this one.
9. a) Higher, think history suggests it will grow again - As predicted its gone up as all stock markets around the world have, as i said history is the big indicator, so the rich just got richer during the last 4 years.
10. c) Dunno - Depends whether the "Change" is good or bad for the Americans & it can go either way I'm sure. - Over to the American people on this one.

Weigh in Wednesday - Need a good week

Only a solitary 1lb lost this week so a touch dissapointed as i would have liked a bit more as I'm still above my pre-Austria weight (by 1lb). So currently I weigh in at 197lb and still have 8lb to go before my America trip, only 4 more weigh ins to go. Suppose that makes it an easy formula, 2lb per week.

Think the main reason that i didn't lose what I hoped was been away playing TT involved 2 nights in an hotel and eating out (wrong foods) plus a few drinks. Still back eating my usual stuff now so will see what happens.

Am actually off for a day out Saturday with some of the lads from the local pub, we're off to the Horse Racing at Thirsk so don't think that will be a healthy eating/drinking day. Still got to enjoy life, we only get one chance.

Looking Forward

Have been away in Sunderland all weekend playing a TT tournament and must admit I was apprehensive, really didn't think my knee would stand up to two days hard competition. In fact with all the problems I've had in the last year I really thought my days of playing at this level were coming to an end.
Well I'm delighted to say I feel great my knee feels best its been for a long time, yes a bit stiff and swollen but no real pain. I know I wasn't at my sharpest have hardly practised and you can't get away with that at national tournament level.
On saturday i failed to qualify for the over 50's so went into the plate competition but did get through my section to the main draw in the over 40's.
As really expected went out early doors Sunday in the over 40's but found my form in the 50's plate going all the way and taking the title, was very pleased I must admit.
So now I can look forward to the new season with more optimism.

Rocky & Me

As all time sporting heroes go I have a few and one of them was Rocky Marciano, lets face it Boxng is the toughest of sports and to date this is the bloke who is the only ever undefeated heavyweight. Yes 49 fights 49 wins probably never be beaten but its not just about the statistics his fights were always exciting sometimes brutal.

Today is the 43rd anniversary of his death in a plane crash, but the legend lives on, RIP Rocky.

Weigh in Wednesday - not as good as i thought

Jumped on the scales this morning expecting a 4lb loss (or more) to take me back to where i was pre-Austria. Thought I'd ate well and felt like I was there but the truth is I only lost 2lb so down to 198lb.

As my 6 week challenge is to get to 189lb I've still got to lose 9lb in the next 5 weeks, not going to be easy and need to stay focussed i think.

Table Tennis Season starts for real this weekend, I'm playing in the Northern Masters at Sunderland, going to be tough I think with lack of proper practice through the summer with my knee problems. Just hope everything goes ok and i don't aggravate anything.

As for Austria I've now got my photos downloaded if you are interested :-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308363@N02/sets/72157631271916868/detail/

Did have a couple of incidents on the trip, first managed to set the hotel fire alarm off, they didn't have irons in the room so i hung my shirts in the shower to straighten the creases with the steam. When i opened the bedroom door the steam went straight for the smoke detector.

Other incident was when a few of us had a late night at the village pub, was walking back to the hotel when all of a sudden all the street lights went off, apparently they do at 1am. We were all of a sudden in pitch black, couldn't see end of your nose and I managed to trip over a kerb grazing my elbow in the process.

Music Monday - Is it really 22 years

It was August 27th 1990 when the world was robbed of its greatest ever guitarist when Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash.

So here is a 15 minute taster and tribute.





And here is a full concert (Montreaux 1985), will be hooking my PC to the TV and watching later.


RIP Stevie

Weigh in Wednesday - Damage Limitation

Back from my week in Austria and today I jumped on the scales to reveal a increase of 4lb which I'm quite happy about as history suggests I'm capable of putting on much more while on holiday.
So my current weight is 200lb (or 14st 4lb) and I've 6 weigh ins before my next adventure so I'm setting myself a target of reaching 13st 7lb (180lb) before I fly.

Thats a loss of 11lb in 6 weeks, I will do it.

As for the holiday the scenary was stunning, visited some amazing places, met a lot of nice people (and a few strange ones). Will post photos soon.

One strange thing on the last day visited St Wolfgang and went into the church which is stunning but once inside a strange feeling came over me and started thinking about Jane, it was like she was with me. Now I put it down to the fact it was coming up to the third anniversary of her death (day after my return home) so decided to light a candle which is not something i normally do.
Had to let the rest of our group walk on and just sat there for 10 minutes before catching them up, was quite emotional.

Anyway didn't think any more about it until after I got home. I phoned Janes Mum on the anniversary for a chat as I do to see how they all are and she asked about my holiday. Now the strange part is the first thing she asked was if I'd been to St Wolfgang and seen the church. Apparently Jane and her Mum had visited years ago (before I met her) and it was a place Jane loved.

Weigh in Wednesday - Not Quite

Well my last weigh in before Austria at the weekend and I really wanted to smash the 14stone (196lb) barrier but it was not to be as I weighed at 197lb just a solitary pound above.

Still it was down one pound in the week so still moving in the right direction and to be honest don't think I've really pushed it since making my origional target.

So next weigh in will be two weeks time, got to accept on holiday I'm likely to move the scales in the wrong direction but hope for minimal damage. I'll see where I am on my return then set my next target/challenge.

Really been enjoying the Olympics, as most who read this know I'm a big sports fan and its great getting to see some of the minor sports for a change. And well done the Great Britain team 22 golds already and 3rd in the medal table which is fantastic for a country our size.

And well done from them athletes from the Land of the White Rose who have helped GB, yes if Yorkshire was a country we would currently be 11th in the medal table, not bad for a population of only 5 million.

Local Beauty Spot

Had walk through our towns local park this morning, they got it nice, took some photos to share with you.

Stupid Boy

The exercises the physio as set me for my knee seem to be doing some good but a long way to go yet and I know I need to be patient.

However yesterday I decided to go to Halifax and play in the table tennis tournament I'd entered some months ago. My head was telling me i should scratch but I've been getting restless and thought would see how it goes. Basically just been a stupid boy, last thing my knee needs at present is twisting and turning.

Still I battled through my group but wasn't able to move enough to play my natural defensive game, won two lost two of my matches. It certainly aggravated my knee which was quite sore afterwards and common sense prevailed because I've pulled out of the knock out stages today.

The good news despite it giving me a lot of jip last night, feels no worse for wear this morning so its back to ice and the exercises the physio as set, need to start doing some walking, and stuff that doesn't involve twisting just to build strength.