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Obama and Attenborough

(25 Posts)
Jane10 Sun 12-Jul-15 18:49:20

Excellent interview between them. I wasn't sure who was interviewing who but they were both so interesting.I'd always liked Obama but was very impressed by him in this programme. What a nice man he came over as being. Attenborough is already a byword in ' niceguyness'. An old fashioned and enthusiastic gentleman. Wish there were more like these two.

Tegan Sun 12-Jul-15 18:58:44

I've read interviews with him where he's been quite unpleasant with the interviewer; in fact the S.O. [who has read one of the interviews said, I bet he didn't keep him waiting]. Which doesn't mean that I don't think that David Attenborough isn't one of the greatest people ever [he is!] What I was thinking is that Obama is probably the most statesmanlike politician I've ever come across. It was interesting that he seemed to have to justify thing economically that he wanted to achieve; not because of his own views but that of the American voters perhaps [?].

Lona Sun 12-Jul-15 19:03:54

Tegan to whom were you referring, I'm not quite sure who is the grumpy one?

granjura Sun 12-Jul-15 19:12:08

If anyone has a link to this, I'd really love to watch it.

durhamjen Sun 12-Jul-15 19:13:40

Watched it twice last week, with my grandson. He was most impressed, and wishes Obama could be president forever. He was also most impressed that I still have three of Attenborough's books, the Life on Earth series.
I knew they would come in useful someday.

durhamjen Sun 12-Jul-15 19:15:32

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/brand/b0616m86

whitewave Sun 12-Jul-15 19:20:15

Got it recorded must get around to it

granjura Sun 12-Jul-15 19:31:14

thanks dj - love them both, can't wait.

granjura Sun 12-Jul-15 21:16:20

Arghhh- BBCiplayer is only available to users in the UK!

Deedaa Sun 12-Jul-15 22:21:36

Sad that, if you read what Americans are saying on line, so many of them are violently anti Obama.

granjura Sun 12-Jul-15 22:27:29

and would rather scupper the country than see him succeed- which he can't as they hold all the money and the purse strings, and the right of veto through the Senate.

durhamjen Sun 12-Jul-15 22:38:09

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CE8QqQIwBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNZtJ2ZGyvBI&ei=3t2iVantA4r8UN-ygHg&usg=AFQjCNEjxOeHzg1q4TQ7DWxumNFR7yirvg&bvm=bv.97653015,d.d24&cad=rja

It's on youtube as well granjura.
Hope you can see this.

Tegan Sun 12-Jul-15 23:09:49

Lona; David Attenborough is supposed to be difficult to interview.

Lona Mon 13-Jul-15 06:24:47

Ah, thanks Tegan.

granjura Mon 13-Jul-15 09:23:51

Durhamjen- thank you so much. Just watched it with OH- absolutely amazing to see 2 of my heroes talking to each other- and didn't realise it was Obama interviewing Attenborough, not t'other way round. Thanks.

durhamjen Mon 13-Jul-15 13:16:13

Pleased you enjoyed it, granjura. I thought it was funny the way Attenborough kept trying to interrupt in his enthusiasm. I also had not realised how much Obama had done/ is doing for the environment. I like him even more than I did before.

Jane10 Mon 13-Jul-15 13:36:36

Yes Obama is really impressive. He seemed genuinely enthusiastic not just put on for voters-apart from anything else we can't vote for him. Although I would!

Tegan Mon 13-Jul-15 14:33:21

We were told about Obama many years ago whilst in a pub in Ireland; an American couple, one Democrat one Republican [must have been a rocky marriage to say the least] told us of this amazing man ho was going to be president one day. One of my biggest regrets, as a betting woman was not to go straight out and have a bet on him! If he was leader of this country I'd be SO proud. Mind you, I can, at least be proud of David Attenborough [who has close links with the East Midlands as well].

granjura Mon 13-Jul-15 14:57:07

Yep, he and Dickie were both Leicester born, bred and educated as their father was Dean of Leicester University.

It is a tragedy that the Republicans have the veto via the Senate on anything Obama tries to achieve, and hold all the purse strings. The Tea Party and far right would rather scupper the country than see him succeed. One thing not mentioned in the interview is that there are MASSIVE financial incentives for far right and very rich Republicans in oil and other non-renewables- as there are in the war and arms industry too (and sugar, and cattle raising, etc- which are all damaging and high energy guzzlers).

durhamjen Mon 13-Jul-15 16:38:31

Same as here,then, granjura.

granjura Mon 13-Jul-15 19:27:10

Not quite, in as much as our Prime Minister is from the same party as the majority? The USA President's powers are actually quite limited.

Going at a tangent, I've been wondering- which one would I prefer to interview myself, or have dinner with. Just can't pick one- a threesome would be wonderful smile

Lys60 Mon 13-Jul-15 20:57:42

Really excellent interview. Both came across so well. Very watchable and a lovely little touch re: David's birthday cake(s) at the end!

durhamjen Mon 13-Jul-15 21:00:28

Yes, you are right, but I meant as far as the incentives for rich republicans in oil and non-renewables.

granjura Tue 14-Jul-15 09:27:00

OK totally agree - there is so much money at stake, both in ownership, sales, transport, use, and also shareholders and jobs, etc. As said same for other terribly damaging things like arms, sugar, red meat, drugs (legal and illegal) etc. Cleaning up does not pay- and the money put into research to reduce and get rid of polluting energies, and developing and mainly, as David Attenborough says, STORE- is very small compared to other research. When people have worked out how to use much less, produce clean and store- there will be little money to be made beyond the initial production.

KatyK Thu 16-Jul-15 15:29:06

I met David Attenborough once. He was charm personified.....but then it was at one of his book signings.........