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radius, ulna and associated muscles, tendons and nerves with which this child was gifted at birth? Ali's experience was as a result of a lie; no matter what the "honorable intent," a lie lead to this devastation. Are rash, American lead policies ever going to deliver a more peaceful state than was the misery for some of life under Saddam? currently it appears not.

As America stands on the verge of electing it's latest President, One candidate holds out the hope for some making an impact that both Dr King and Malcolm X could only dream of. Barack Obama stands to make history as the first man of any color other than white to lead the world's current superpower. Along side him in the presidential race is another candidate hoping to make it a first; Hilary Clinton, the first woman. Being both black and a woman, I welcome the opportunity being placed before both candidates to prove themselves as effective leaders, irrespective of their race or gender. However the issue of a black male holding the position has an even more far reaching implications than that of the first woman president: a fact which in the end may prove to be his undoing.

In an article by Yael Lavie, Sky News Producer, dated 27/01/2008, she states her admiration for Barak but like the friend who's says "you are black but I don't notice because you are like us" she compares his charisma to that of John F Kennedy, but questions the capability of both. It is right and essential that neither candidate be elected merely because they are either black or a woman but rather for what positive impact they will have on the lives of those living inside and outside of that country.

Where Ms Lavie's argument falls apart is her failure to accept that Mr Obama could not possibly make any worst decisions than the current white, less educated President has made.
Indeed if qualification and experience is what is needed, what has qualified various caucasian film stars to hold high office in the " Land of the Free " apart from the perceived capability of their fantasy alter ego's? Even in a self confessed liberal, as Ms Lavie calls herself, logic and intellect cannot override the inherent programming to place white ahead of black based primarily on this criteria. The danger for Mr Obama is that any mistakes he might make if elected will be attributed to that fact that he is black rather than to the fact that he is human.

For Hilary Clinton this is equally true but this is the opportunity so many women wish they had. Standing on the side lines, watching the world in action, seeing mistakes being made by the male of the species and desiring the chance just to get in there and put things right; how tantalising a prospect for any woman. Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton stand apart from the other presidential candidates in appearing to offer America and ultimately the world a glimpse of something different, something new and it is hoped, better; however can either persuade the population that they can deliver? Can America trust itself to make a wise judgement in the next few days. Can it truly make a choice based on the "content of the character not on the colour of the skin" or the gender... I hope and pray it will.

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