On Air: Are we expecting too much from Barack Obama?

Listening to the radio over the weekend, I heard people in England breaking down in tears (good tears!) when asked to talk about what they hoped from an Obama Presidency. So, are many of us – not just Americans – expecting too much?

Ros is in Washington to present the show. He’ll be on the corner of Madison and 7th on The Mall opposite MSNBC, just by National Archive, and right behind the bleacher where all the tv correspondents are. Do go down if you fancy joining him. From 12-2EST.

Is change really going to come?

Plenty of people here in Washington are wearing t-shirts that read ‘change has come’ and clearly on several levels that’s indisputable. But there are already signs that no everyone’s going to get the change they’re looking for.

Washington – the town where the sirens never sleep

I was standing by a couple in the crowd at today’s concert at the National Mall in Washington. The woman turned to the guy and said, ‘this is awesome’. To which he replied, ‘yeah it’s awesome’. Concert photos here.

Maybe not their most eloquent moment, but I could relate to them being short on words.

The Greatest Show on Earth?

Barack Obama’s inauguration is only a few days away and we’d like you to be heavily involved in our coverage of it. If you’re going to travel to Washington to see the event for yourself, or have plans for watching or listening from afar, we’d like to hear from you. But let’s be clear, this isn’t going to be an unbridled Obamafest. If you’ve got Obama fatigue and would rather draw the curtains and turn off the radio, we want to hear from you as well.

Either way, let us have your thoughts and please post your phone number as well. We promise we won’t publish it along with your comment here on the blog.

On Air: What needs to change to ensure a lasting peace?

I’m sure most of you will have seen the incredible story of the plane that crash landed in the Hudson River. We’re hoping to get a couple of survivors, rescuers or eyewitnesses to come on to the show, and spend ten or so minutes hearing their stories of what’s being called the ‘miracle on the Hudson. If you’d like to ask them a question, post it here.

But on to Gaza – we seem to be inching towards a ceasefire, but that’s just a first step. What needs to change to to ensure a lasting peace?

What makes a hero?

What makes a hero? The pilot who saved 155 lives by landing his plane on the Hudson river yesterday has been hailed a hero, but wasn’t he just just doing his job? He was after all a specialist in airline crisis management.

Gaza: The final act?

“Hopefully we’re entering the final act.” That’s the latest comment by Israeli spokesman Mark Regev who also says that now diplomacy is in high gear to end the conflct in Gaza. Could there ever be a final act to this conflict?

On Air: What do we have to thank George Bush for?

In a televised speech, President George W  Bush will say good bye to the United States and the world tonight. To his critics he’s the man associated with Iraq, Afghanistan and Katrina. But to his supporters he’s the one who toppled Saddam Hussein, the Taliban , kept America safe after 9/11 and pledged millions of dollars in aid to Africa.

So, at the end of his presidency, what do we have to thank George Bush for?

On-Air ; Has the Arab world let down the Palestinians ?

To start with, just to head off some blog posts, i am well aware thank you that it’s Israel that is attacking Hamas, not Arab countries , but there’s a lot of strong feeling behind this question.

Look at this footage of demonstrations in the Arab world (or so-called “Arab street” ) – the anger isn’t aimed just at Israel. Egypt and Jordan’s leaders have been attacked for being – as they would see it – too close to the USA and not supportive enough of Hamas.

The greatest show on earth?

Barack Obama’s inauguration is six days away and we’d like you to be involved in our coverage of it.