McCain: As Americans, We’re Proud Of Our President
Senator John McCain, in a CNN interview to air Sunday, comments on Obama’s Nobel, and seems to express genuine pride at this achievement by an American president, putting him at odds with RNC chair Michael Steele’s harsh statement condeming Obama’s “star power” and lack of concrete accomplishments.
CNN sends over an advance transcript:
JOHN KING: The president of the United States, who a year ago this weekend was your campaign rival heading into the final month of the campaign, is the Nobel Peace laureate for 2009. Deserved?
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: Oh, I’m sure that the president is very honored to receive this award. And Nobel Committee, I can’t divine all their intentions, but I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I’m sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. But as Americans, we’re proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category.
KING: Did it surprise you, a little more than eight months into office, at a time when, yes, he has set some lofty goals around the world, but he has not won more NATO troops for Afghanistan, he has not convinced the Israelis to do what he says is necessary to sit down with the Palestinians? Were you surprised?
MCCAIN: Well, I think all of us were surprised at — at the decision. But I — I think Americans are always pleased when their president is recognized by something on this order.
McCain said that Obama’s Nobel was based on “expectations,” which could either be a very subtle dig or a genuine effort to account for the decision. Either way, this statement is overwhelmingly congratulatory in nature. Indeed, McCain spokesperson Brooke Buchanan sends over an unequivocal thumbs-up from McCain:
“I congratulate President Obama on receiving this prestigious award. I join my fellow Americans in expressing pride in our President on this occasion.”
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Watching Obama speak, I can’t help but wonder where is that jackass Kanye when you really need him?
There’s a movement starting to form in the GOP. Frist, Graham, now McCain –
They are trying to dissociate themselves from the loonies.
good luck with that one, boys.
Classy. Good cop, bad cop?
You were correct earlier, Greg – “Not a conversation the White House wants right now.” When I heard the news this morning everyone in my household had one immediate reaction – “What has he done to deserve it?”
The criticism is not just from conservatives – and that’s a bad sign – The NY Times, Matt Lauer, WaPO, Peter Beinart:
“I like Barack Obama as much as the next liberal, but this is a farce. He’s done nothing to deserve the prize. Sure, he’s given some lovely speeches and launched some initiatives—on Iran, Israeli-Palestinian peace, climate change and nuclear disarmament—that might, if he’s really lucky and really good, make the world a more safe, more just, more peaceful world. But there’s absolutely no way to know if he’ll succeed, and by giving him the Nobel Prize as a kind of “atta boy,” the Nobel Committee is actually just highlighting the gap that conservatives have long highlighted: between Obamamania as global hype and Obama’s actual accomplishments.”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-09/obamas-nobel-farce
Huge Diaper Rash needs to have someone change the dirty diaper that is around his mouth.
Watch right wing terrorists like Big Baby try to minimize the importance of this incredible accomplishment.
I guess Big Baby disagrees with McCain’s statement that, “as Americans, we’re proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category.”
Are you not an American, Pathetic Baby?
Good one Liam, I hear you are up for the Nobel Prize for comedy.
“The criticism is not just from conservatives – and that’s a bad sign – The NY Times, Matt Lauer, WaPO, Peter Beinart:”
O Noessssssssssssssssss!
How does it feel to spend every day with a bucket of cold water that you throw all over everybody you spend the entire day and evening with on these boards? How does that feel?
Is it fun? Because I’m finding that it’s great fun to have an awesome president of whom I’m deeply proud and who helps to bring out all my pride in country.
You must be miserable. What a shame.
>>>The criticism is not just from conservatives – and that’s a bad sign<<<
Honestly, stupid boring jerk. Winning the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE is NOT A BAD SIGN OF ANYTHING.
Winning the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE is an honor and an incredible accomplishment. Recognition of the work he has been doing since becoming President.
Memo to GOP shills. One word:
BLOWBACK.
Keep up the assault on common sense and see where it gets you.
Ethan, I assure you I like America a lot better than you do. I am not the one trying to eliminate the things that make it great, like free markets and private property. Oh an secret ballots. I could go on.
Oh no, this will not do at all. Magnanimity from a Republican? He MUST be a RINO!
He will no doubt be the only Republican who will voice a reasonable response. Let’s see what Beck, Porcine Prince Limbaugh, and O’Reilly – the real voice of the Republicans – have to say. I also look forward to Palin’s thoughtful, reasoned opinions on this matter. I suspect that those folks will be even less rational that was Michael Steele.
That was big of McCain. Good for him for being the adult in the room.
And another Republican Right Winger has arrived.
Not one of them has yet to come up with a single name of who they think the award should have been given to, and why? Crickets!
It is all about their irrational hatred of this President. They do not have a single name, that they can come up with, that they feel it should have gone to instead.
Republicans are just being Obstructionists, as usual, and have nothing constructive to offer.
The Committee had to select someone. They did. All the Hate America First Republicans can come up with, is Obama should not have received it, but I have asked over and over, then who should have? Crickets!
Peter Beinhart is obviously a terrorist sympathizer. So are Richard Cohen and all the other liberal and non-Republican critics of the award. So is Lech Walesa.
Terrorists, one and all. Right, Tena, Mike, Liam, et al?
Countdown to DNC apology is on.
@tena: I’m generally happy, I’d say. After all, the Angels won last nite!
This is a politics blog, tena, where we discuss our opinions about the political implications of what’s happening. I don’t think this works to the advantage of the Nobel committee or to Obama, and there are plenty who agree. IMO this devalues the peace prize, and that’s NOT a good thing.
Pride in one’s country and President is a great thing. I particularly remember how I and millions of others felt when Reagan was elected. I don’t begrudge you your feelings.
“Ethan, I assure you I like America a lot better than you do”
Damn but you are entertaining today.
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!
Thanks for the dance and the show -
I predicted a right wing freakout over this and so far they haven’t dissappointed. The next step will be for the NeoCons to hold President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize as proof that he is going to be soft on terrorism. Sounds funny huh? When it happens remember I said it first about 4 hours ago on twitter
“. I don’t begrudge you your feelings.”
O thank you, sbj – that’s so very big of you.
[rollseyesallthewayaround]
>>>Ethan, I assure you……<<<
Yeah I assure you.
Shorter Idiot Baby:
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
“Crickets” hilarious, I get it Liam. You are shooin for that comedy Nobel.
McCain can’t be the only adult in the Republican party can he?
Folks.
Keep putting them on the spot. Keep asking them: Who should it have gone to, and why?
They have not offered up a single name, and neither has The Taliban or Hamas.
“Recognition of the work he has been doing since becoming President.”
You mean the work he had done in the first 10 days of his Presidency? More likely the work he did as Senator on non-proliferation (I hope) or his speeches about diplomacy during the campaign.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/world/10nobel.html?_r=1&hp
“I don’t begrudge you your feelings.”
What a freaking out-and-out liar. Who do you think we are, children?
You couldn’t wait to post something negative and paltry.
11:22 am. A meer 8 MINUTES after this article went up.
You are a disgusting liar bullshit artist fraud.
Good for you, mccain. Now go away.
And the concern-trolling by the repugs here about the libruls’ poutrage is hilarious. Purity trolls from the left have been on a poutrage binge from day one. So ?
Liam you are a world class idiot also (as well as a comedic genius) if you think “putting them on the spot” about who should have won is a good point. You should have stayed in school my man.
“Reporters at a news conference to announce the prize pressed the committee’s chairman, Thorbjorn Jagland, to explain the reasons Mr. Obama had prevailed over other candidates who included human rights activists in China and Afghanistan and political figures in Africa.”
“And the concern-trolling by the repugs here about the libruls’ poutrage is hilarious. Purity trolls from the left have been on a poutrage binge from day one. So ?”
Utterly hilarious and they make it so obvious how upset the ratwing is over this. Every sock puppet who has appeared here in the last 3 months is here this morning.
You guys – you have one giant tell and you seem not to care. It’s obvious whenever you’re really upset – you’re all here, bright and early and loaded for bear.
LOL!
Hahaha Tena.
So true.
This award just goes to show the contrast between inside the beltway thought and that of the global community.
Maybe the naysayers should do some self reflection.
Probably my last comment of the day as I just sit back and watch the Republican party and conservatives totally discredit themselves with the majority of Americans in this country, I just have to ask where all these critics were back when Bush handed Tenet his Presidential Medal of Freedom (I believe thats what it was)? If ever somebody got an award they didnt deserve it was THAT guy. But not a peep out of conservatives back then. Hmmmmmm
“Among those cited by NRK Thursday was Zimbabwe’s Morgan Tsvangirai.
…
The former trade union activist and opposition leader, who vowed for years to bring an end to President Robert “Mugabe’s dictatorship” in the once-flourishing southern African country, has served as prime minister in a national unity government with Mugabe since February 2009.
“Other possible laureates mentioned were jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia, Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba who has campaigned for a peaceful solution to the almost 50-year-old conflict in her country, and Afghan doctor and women’s rights activist Sima Samar.
“French-Colombian ex-hostage Ingrid Betancourt and Jordan’s Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad Bin Talal, an advocate of inter-religious dialogue, have also been seen as possible winners.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091009/wl_afp/nobelpeace_20091009084503
Heck – how about Bono?
McCain acted as he should have. We should not give him too many rewards simply for not being a bitter crybaby. That being said, other Republicans have done a fine job of making McCain look much more mature than he really is. I was shocked but thrilled by the award for President Obama and our country. Go USA!
“{s totally discredit themselves with the majority of Americans in this country,
”
This makes twice in just under two weeks that the GOP and the rest of the ratwing have gone guano-insane rooting AGAINST America.
Which is par for the course for a bunch of people who are the first to accuse everybody else of being unAmerican.
I think this was premature, but for just that reason it is a good thing. By giving the prize to Obama for what he is trying to do, it keeps his feet to the fire and motivates him towards greater efforts at success of these goals. Even he knows this, and essentially said so in his remarks today.
sbj – there were 205 contenders. Uuick, go find that list and post it here. What a loser !
Who should it have gone to, and why?
They have not offered up a single name, and neither has The Taliban or Hamas.
OK. It is now quite clear that the Republicans did not want the Peace Prize to be awarded to anyone.
War Mongering Republican Chicken Hawks, hate the word PEACE. It is Kryptonite to them.
Hmm – Obama agrees with the rightwing nutjobs:
“In a late-morning appearance in the Rose Garden, Mr. Obama said that he was “surprised and humbled” by the award, and that he did not feel he deserved to be in the company of some of the “transformative” figures who had previously won it.
“Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations,” the president said.”
LOL!
Tena – Love that ratwing crack. Perfect description. Gonna steal it.
# sgwhiteinfla | October 9th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Probably my last comment of the day as I just sit back and watch the Republican party and conservatives totally discredit themselves with the majority of Americans in this country, I just have to ask where all these critics were back when Bush handed Tenet his Presidential Medal of Freedom (I believe thats what it was)? If ever somebody got an award they didnt deserve it was THAT guy. But not a peep out of conservatives back then. Hmmmmmm
…………………..
That Medal of Freedom to George Tenet was “A Slam Dunk”!
Only stupid boring jerk and his terrorist cadre would laugh at THIS:
“an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations”
sbj, why do you gate re-affirming America’s leadership?
Please, do tell!
sbj – that american leadership he mentioned sure doesn’t include rightwing nutjobs and repugs. The Nobel was litreally a slap in the face for the neocons and yet you gloat. You don’t do irony, do you ?
“an affirmation of American Leadership”
The Taliban, Hamas, and Republicans all hate such an affirmation!
Giving the Nobel Peace Prize as a repudiation to someone else devalues the prize. It makes it a farce. You don’t get that, do you?
sbj,
Those reporters were apparently terrorist symptathizers, if we are to accept the Brad Woodhouse/DNC view. Along with Walesa and all the liberals who’ve said the award was undeserved.
To the liberals,
You are truly deluded to think that elite world opinion conincides with majority American opinion. A large portion of the American public is instinctively turned off by the Euro-socialists — because we know they are at heart anti-American. This will also cement the theme that Obama skates by and receives adulation for talk and style rather than substance and actual achievement. Americans are generally turned off by this kind of unmerited, premature recognition, let alone by a bunch of Europeans who dislike us anyway.
I am at least as happy as all of you about it. I think it will sap Obama’s credibility domestically, which is a very good thing.
>>>Giving the Nobel Peace Prize as a repudiation to someone else devalues the prize. It makes it a farce. You don’t get that, do you?<<<
Who deserved it fool?
Bono?
Hahahahaha. Just stop hating America.
President Obama: “I accept this award as a call to action”
People, he accepted the award on behalf of others fighting the war against nuclear proliferation, calling for dialogue between nations, and fighting for peace and prosperity across the globe.
His has always been a message of hope that the cynics from the right and in some cases the left have derided. I choose to look forward to realizing global prosperity, the steps to decreasing nuclear weapons, ridding the world of the threat of terrorism, taking steps to combat global warming and the right to education, health, and clean water.
Let the Republicans continue on their path to self-destruction if defeating Obama is their prize at all costs.
I choose to believe this award is a good thing for Obama, the US and the World.
We all recognize he hasn’t achieved his goals, but there is, after a decade of the cynics running the country, at least a ray of hope for the future.
I don’t think the GOP or the rest of the ratwing have any memory at all – do they think the rest of the country has forgotten all the – “You hate America” **** they laid on the rest of us? Because it has not been forgotten that everybody else’s patriotism was questioned every damn day when they were in power.
That didn’t sit well. And neither did Sarah Palin’s “Real America” campaign sit well with most Americans.
So if they think they can rail against America and a majority of people will agree with them – they are truly nuts.
Frankly I don’t give a damn about what Matt Lauer, Peter Beinart or any other pundit thinks. The President did not actively or passively seek this honor. He was humbled by the decision. And he does not have to explain or apologise. The idiots who are in their default “critical mode” are full of wind and it is coming out of both ends. If this infuriates Rush, Beck, Hannity and Doocy: great. Let their butts burn.
Obama pulled off a good statement, the internet has exploded. I think I’m done commenting on this issue for the day and will be looking for people gaming out the rest of issues on Obama’s plate (Afghanistan, Iran, Copenhagen, etc).
sbj – roflmao, roflmao. “devalues the prize”. Ha, ha, ha. What a dimwit.
“because we know they are at heart anti-American”
That’s a really nice thing to say to our best allies.
Who’s deluded assback?
“Mr. Obama said that he was “surprised and humbled” by the award, and that he did not feel he deserved to be in the company of some of the “transformative” figures who had previously won it.
“Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments.”
I am glad that Obama painted it as an award for American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations and not an award for himself. I think that is the only way that he can get himself out of this pickle. Unfortunately for him, the Nobel Cmte is not framing the award of the prize that way.
This just gets more comical yet more disingenuous by the minute.
Now Obama himself agrees he didn’t deserve it, but the DNC says anyone who says that is a terrorist sympathizer.
But his naivete — or his disingenuity — is reflected in his reference to American leadership. He was given the award primarily for denouncing and abandoning American leadership. His actions will continue to make that clear and render his words today hollow.
This is absolutely hysterical. Obama receives prestigious honor, terrorist fools are freaking out. It’s Friday before a long weekend. This day could not be better.
“Along with Walesa and all the liberals who’ve said the award was undeserved.”
Lech Waleska is not an American and is not a liberal. He’s anti-semitic, a drunk and not terribly polite to or about women.
He led a wonderful movement, but that was years ago and Lech destroyed his own legacy.
He’s not a shining example of anything -
He’s SO naive and disingenuous…….
…that he WON THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.
“We all recognize he hasn’t achieved his goals.”
Good, we all seem to be coalescing around some basic truths here.
sbj~
Do you not think that there is a certain level of accomplishment associated with being the first black man elected POTUS in a Country that a mere 233 years ago was built upon slavery? I am just checking, because in all honesty, cutting through all the **** that people are saying, I do see being the first black President of the United States as a major accomplishment, one that will go into future generations history books, no? It is just so interesting that people completely dismiss the magnitude of POTUS being elected in the first place. What will he accomplish over the next four/eight years, we shall see…so far he has been digging us all out of the enormous mess that he walked into on Jan 20th, a domestic mess and an international mess. Nine months into a four/eight year presidency is the very beginning and we shall all see what the future holds. I for one, thought nine months into George W. Bush’s presidency that he would be an outstanding President, but after eight years, not so much. So we will have to see.
“Lech Waleska is not an American and is not a liberal. He’s anti-semitic, a drunk and not terribly polite to or about women.”
Well Obama is in good company now – along with Arafat!
Tena, that the Right is holding up Lech Walesa at all is just hilarious. He led what was essentially a national UNION movement.
“Solidarity was the first non-Communist-controlled trade union in a Warsaw Pact country. In the 1980s it constituted a broad anti-bureaucratic social movement. The government attempted to destroy the union during the period of martial law in the early 1980s and several years of repression, but in the end it had to start negotiating with the union. The Round Table Talks between the government and the Solidarity-led opposition led to semi-free elections in 1989. By the end of August a Solidarity-led coalition government was formed and in December 1990 Wałęsa was elected President of Poland. Since then it has become a more traditional trade union.”
Question Tena, do you think they’re even AWARE of that?
Oh bull, Tena.
The party that painted the other as unAmerican, “evil,” treasonous, traitorous, dishonest, unpatriotic, destroying American values, etc., was the Democratic Party. Every single one of your campaigns had its official slogan some version of “Take Back America” from the illegitimate, unAmerican, usurper Republicans. Look it up, for crying out lound, and give a rest, you charlatan.
“Do you not think that there is a certain level of accomplishment associated with being the first black man elected POTUS in a Country that a mere 233 years ago was built upon slavery?”
Undoubtedly – but I don’t think they gave him the Peace prize for that.
sbj, Yet.
“The party that painted the other as unAmerican, “evil,” treasonous, traitorous, dishonest, unpatriotic, destroying American values, etc., was the Democratic Party.”
O dude. That’s so deluded that I honestly worry about you.
What’s the point of arguing? The people who reacted like this was a boneheaded decision are not going to change their minds.
People like me, moved and thrilled by this award, will not be dissuaded. Because I don’t look at the award as have to complete a punch list. Did anyone see Shimon Peres’s remarks? They say it all for me. From the Times:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/world-reaction-to-a-nobel-surprise/?hp
Along a similar vein, another laureate, President Shimon Peres of Israel, sent a letter to President Obama on Friday morning, saying: “Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact. You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determination, and a feeling that there is a lord in heaven and believers on earth.”
Mr. Peres, who won the peace prize with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasir Arafat in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, added: “Under your leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. You gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.”
Also, SBJ, the nominations closed Feb. 1. The voting was undoubtedlly pretty recent. Maybe even after Copenhagen!
“# Ethan | October 9th, 2009 at 11:59 am
He’s SO naive and disingenuous…….
…that he WON THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.
”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! God I feel great – what a great damn day!
I love my president. I’m so proud of him I have tears in my eyes.
# sbj | October 9th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Giving the Nobel Peace Prize as a repudiation to someone else devalues the prize. It makes it a farce. You don’t get that, do you?
……………………
The Taliban and Hamas agree with you. They say you are dead on.
We’ve had that debate before, Tena. I produced the proof and shut you up. I’m not going to do it for you again, because you know it is the truth. Oh, and I forgot all the Nazi and fascist accusations made by your patriotic and pure-hearted Democrats.
via nyt
Leave it to Desmond Tutu, the retired Anglican archbishop from South Africa who won the peace prize in 1984, to try to “make peace” among these three camps.
“It’s an award coming near the beginning of the first term of office of a relatively young president that anticipates an even greater contribution toward making our world a safer place for all,” Mr. Tutu explained. “It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama’s message of hope.”
O Kathleen – thank you for that link:
“Along a similar vein, another laureate, President Shimon Peres of Israel, sent a letter to President Obama on Friday morning, saying: “Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact. You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determination, and a feeling that there is a lord in heaven and believers on earth.”
@lmsinca: “sbj, Yet.”
We are in agreement. I am hoping that Obama achieves (at least some of) his goals. He may yet do great things.
I am talking about the relatively minor news of the day – the Peace prize and whether Obama deserved it at this point and what the political implications are of the whole mess. I think Obama clearly saw that this could be a loser for him – hence the statement about this being an award not for him but for American leadership. Smart move – now he just needs to shut the Nobel cmte up. I can’t believe that many here really believe this award should be handed out based on hopes for the future or to repudiate someone else.
Because I don’t look at the award as have to complete a punch list.
Ugh.
Because I don’t think you have to complete a punch list to be recognized. Or something like that.
Shorter qb: “stop having a good day everyone who’s not a terrorist fool.”
Tena, honestly, I could not tell my husband and sons this morning without getting choked up. And then when I called my sister. And my mom.
Truly a happy, happy day.
If you read MLK’s acceptance speech, he was also humbled by it and cognizant of the continuing struggle for peace.
Ideas can be transformative. Ever heard of “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”?
“We’ve had that debate before, Tena. I produced the proof and shut you up. ”
O darlin, nobody on earth believes that except you. That’s what I mean – you’re so deluded I actually worry about you.
But not enough to keep talking to you – I’d rather talk to a table.
Hey – did you hear the news? President Barack Hussein Obama just won the Nobel Prize for Peace!
Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize since 1980:
___
_ 2009: U.S. President Barack Obama
_ 2008: Martti Ahtisaari
_ 2007: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Al Gore
_ 2006: Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank
_ 2005: International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei
_ 2004: Wangari Maathai
_ 2003: Shirin Ebadi
_ 2002: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
_ 2001: United Nations, Kofi Annan
_ 2000: Kim Dae-jung
_ 1999: Medecins Sans Frontieres
_ 1998: John Hume, David Trimble
_ 1997: International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Jody Williams
_ 1996: Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Jose Ramos-Horta
_ 1995: Joseph Rotblat, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
_ 1994: Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin
_ 1993: Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk
_ 1992: Rigoberta Menchu Tum
_ 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi
_ 1990: Mikhail Gorbachev
_ 1989: The 14th Dalai Lama
_ 1988: U.N. Peacekeeping Forces
_ 1987: Oscar Arias Sanchez
_ 1986: Elie Wiesel
_ 1985: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
_ 1984: Desmond Tutu
_ 1983: Lech Walesa
_ 1982: Alva Myrdal, Alfonso Garcia Robles
_ 1981: Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
_ 1980: Adolfo Perez Esquivel
hey wingnuts. Do you know they give out every year Ignoble Prizes ? May be you can put up someone from your side next year ? Gotta be a sure winner.
SBJ, I’m going OCD today and here way too much. I don’t think it was a repudiation as much as that the pendulum swing was so dramatic, and has restored faith in American leadership among so many people, that the Nobel Committee (only 5 voters, remember) wished to make a dramatic statement to support that. A co-sign, if you will.
Kathleen – I had no idea until I got up and read my email from my husband – we email every night and morning during the week. He casually mentioned it and I freaked out – I was just – what? So I came here and unfortunately found that there was a lot of boo hooing over this – and I thought:
WHAT?
I am so damn happy.
Question for assback, stupid boring jerk, Shill:
Do you agree or disagree with Gov Pawlenty’s statement:
“”"the appropriate response is to say ‘Congratulations.’”"”
Tena, I turned on Morning Joe about 7:30 EDT, they were talking about Charlie Rangel. I wanted to find out about the missile into the moon. So I went to the Times website, and my eyes popped, and I yelled, “Oh, my God,” and ran upstairs to wake up my husband and son, who had late nights. Honestly, I had to choke out the words, it felt like election night all over again! I texted my other son at school, and he texted right back: That’s awesome! I’m feeling pretty good about the way we’ve raised them!
@Greg:
I hope you’re still sifting through the comments – searching for a real one.
My interest is, let’s ignore domestic politics for a minute. What does this say to the world stage? The man has just added “Nobel Peace Prize Winner” to his resume, whcih can only help any future attempts at diplomacy.
His already large influence on the global scene just got bigger.
His ability to broker deals just got a little easier.
His international support just got a little firmer.
On everything from terrorism to Iran to N. Korea to Darfur to nuclear proliferation to Russia, and on and on and on…this Nobel is being used to refinforce the efforts that lead to the ideals it stands for – peace. Almost (hopefully) like a self-fullfilling prophecy.
Let’s take a moment to ignore the domestic political sparring, and see how the rest of the World might view it. How it might help, and who it might help us with…
Or do you instead side with neocon racist bloggers like RedState’s Erick Erickson who openly plays the race card:
“I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only thing I can think of for this news.”
Which is it? Who do you agree with?
Paws or Erick Erickson?
“I’m feeling pretty good about the way we’ve raised them!”
O now I am crying – one good thing leads to dozens more.
Good things are happening, Kathleen. Sometimes the online noise makes it hard to hear and see what is happening, but there are damn good things happening. We’re rushing toward eliminating all prejudice against people on the basis of sexuality. We have a president who cares about us, the country and the rest of the world.
I still can’t believe we got this president after the 8 years of utter hell we went through.
It’s just wonderful to be able to breathe freely and with such pride!
Part of the problem seems to be the utter amazement that someone else, somewhere else, has a different measurement than the one we in the US typically use to judge whether a person be “worthy” or not.
You know – the rest of the world is just such a slap in the face sometimes – how dare they use s different standard/wider lense
!!! How *DARE* they!
“We’re rushing toward eliminating all prejudice against people on the basis of sexuality.”
Rushing?
OK.
The Taliban, Hamas, and The Republicans have convinced me that this was a big mistake.
This is an outrage. The Nobel Peace Prize committee should have split the award between President Obama and President George W. Bush.
After, all it was President Bush who laid the ground work for President Obama.
Before one can start to make peace, someone has to first start wars, and create many enemies.
Why can those peace aspiring Europeans never grasp that fundamental truth.
President Bush did an outstanding job of starting wars, and creating global hostility.
He should have been recognized for his work in laying the ground work for the Peace Makers.
Blessed Are The War Makers, for without them The Peace Makers Would Be Out Of Work.
pirate wench-
spot. on.
BBQ
I am interested in the effect globally as well. The domestic arguments are not that interesting and are fairly predictable.
What does this do in regards to our negotiations with Iran?
Will we get new found support in AF/PAK once we know the direction that is heading?
And of course Israel/Palestine and the negotiations for a two country solution?
Any impact? No impact? I hope it brings the conflicting parties a little closer to peaceful negotiations with a President willing to lead.
“Rushing?”
rushing. If you can’t see it – I’m sorry. But we’ve gone in about 5, 6 years from the party running the government trying to amend the constitution to enshrine prejudice to states starting to go down like dominoes.
Iowa. Now DC. Obama is not only on the right side, that is the side of full civil rights for all our citizens, he’s public about it and is speaking to a major gay audience. Would Bush have done that? Not only no, but hell no. We had Cheney with half his family lesbians and they openly worked against rights for all our citizens.
You think we aren’t rushing at this point? I’m sorry you don’t see that because we are.
Clinton didn’t even dare get that openly supportive of gay and lesbian rights.
Obama talked about it during his major address the night he won. **** and lesbians have been fully acknowledged for the first damn time by a president. That’s a long way from where we were when I was 10 years old and our beloved piano teacher killed himself because it was about to be revealed that he was gay.
dude – it’s changed so much since the 80s that it’s like a different universe.
@kathleen: “SBJ, I’m going OCD today and here way too much. I don’t think it was a repudiation as much as that the pendulum swing was so dramatic, and has restored faith in American leadership among so many people, that the Nobel Committee (only 5 voters, remember) wished to make a dramatic statement to support that. A co-sign, if you will.”
I think you are correct in some ways. The NY Times article has some quotes from the cmte backing this interpretation up. Unfortunately, they also have this:
“Mr. Jagland said. “We have to get the world on the right track again,” he said. Without referring specifically to the Bush era, he continued: “Look at the level of confrontation we had just a few years ago. Now we get a man who is not only willing but probably able to open dialogue and strengthen international institutions.”
So I think it’s fairly irrefutable that this is ALSO a repudiation of Bush.
While McCain made these encouraging comments to CNN, he may have butted heads with Obama over Afghanistan policy in a meeting yesterday. Watch this video to learn more: http://bit.ly/L9bZF
sbj, enough with the word ‘repudiation.’
WE GET IT. You HATE Obama just like you HATE America and you HATE peace. WE GET IT. You couldn’t possibly make it any more clear.
I think rushing is a matter of perspective. If I was gay, I’d be angry that Obama is dragging his feet on DADT, as Andrew Sullivan is. As someone born in the 50s, I’ve seen a lot of changes in what seems like a short amount of time. Including the fact that my grandmother would roll over in her grave, but my kids know it’s cool if they’re gay or if they marry/mate/partner with someone of another race or religion. (Although we’re not religious anymore and I’d probably have a hard time dealing with something I consider culty like LDS or Scientology. I’m working on it.).
Yeah, I buy rushing.
“he may have butted heads with Obama over Afghanistan policy in a meeting yesterday. Watch this video to learn more: http://bit.ly/L9bZF”
Who cares? What makes you think McCain knows anything at all about anything? His campaign sure was no evidence of his expertise in any area. I don’t give a damn what he says about Afghanistan or anything else. Senile old fool -
@Imsinca,
I see it as an affirmation of the President’s expressed aspirations to seek reconciliation among the warring parties in those conflicts.
I see your Angels Team got it done last night. I would like to see them take on the Yankees. We have seen more than enough Red Sox/Yankee games already.
I would love to see the Yankees get knocked out, be it by the Twins, or the Angels.
The Yankee owner just purchases an all star team, every year. It sure makes for a very unlevel playing field.
The NFL appears to do a better job of preventing one or two owners from purchasing all the best talent.
“He’s public about it and is speaking to a major gay audience.”
Ooh! He’s speaking! Pretty words will get us the Social Security benefits we deserve – that’s the ticket, another speech! (He doesn’t even support gay marriage.)
You inadvertently reinforce Beinart’s point:
“Sure, he’s given some lovely speeches and launched some initiatives…[This is] actually just highlighting the gap that [gay people] have long highlighted: between Obamamania as global hype and Obama’s actual accomplishments.”
SBJ, yeah, I think there are a number of strands, including an implicit smackdown of Bush and Cheneyism. And necons. I have a little more sympathy for Bush in that I think he made a couple of bad judgments that took us off a cliff, (starting with picking Cheney as his VP) and there was no climbing back. Also, I think Bush has been pretty classy in the way he’s not really second-guessed Obama and has said a supportive thing once in awhile. In can’t be easy coming to grips with the way his Presidency progressed.
At least he’s talking and he’s not saying: The bible says it’s a sin.
O ye of little memory and patience…
While MLB has the anti-trust exemption, they operate on a free market model within their own structure. The NFL is much more communistic in its approach.
I say that as a Yankees fan, who thinks of the Yankees as the USA of baseball. Hate us, resent us, but you must respect and you cannot ignore us.
Bring on the Angels, the Sox, any of those NL teams, we’re ready.
I do think the Angels are playing on the Adenhart inspiration, and more power to them for it.
Telegram for Mr. Nut Job SBJ.
The American People already repudiated President Bush. They did not wait to take their cue from the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.
If your Idol, Bush, had not hampered stem cell research, we might have already discovered a cure for your Terminal Bewilderment Malady.
“{In can’t be easy coming to grips with the way his Presidency progressed.”
When you have a huge failure, which the Bush presidency and Republican majority was, you cannot move forward until you face the fact that you failed. And they refuse to do that. The ratwing is clinging to the delusion that America just got hypnotized by the all-powerful Obama magnetism and that we’ll all wake up and want them back.
They need to look at their record, which is abysmal. But they refuse to look at it – they refuse to believe it exists. They talk like the last 8 years and their majority that they worked for for 40 years – never happened.
It’s almost eerie at this point.
Liam – As I said this is a kick in the nuts for the neocons. And hence all the howling from the nutters here.
In a civilized society, the first and proper response to somebody winning a prize, any prize, is “congratulations, dude.” (h/t Al Giordano)
The repugs and the media shills have shown their class in the recent two international events.
sbj | October 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
“He’s public about it and is speaking to a major gay audience.”
Ooh! He’s speaking! Pretty words will get us the Social Security benefits we deserve – that’s the ticket, another speech! (He doesn’t even support gay marriage.)
………………………
Listen Log Cabin Republican.
You said that you do not support “the gay agenda” Isn’t it time for you to tell us what you meant by that.
You say you support gay marriage, so what is it that gay people are seeking that you do not support?
Once and for all show some guts, and tell us what you meant by using the Right Wing Meme “gay agenda”.
Until you are willing to explain what you meant by the use of that meme, then you have no standing or credibility on the suject of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation.
Put up, or shut up.
I think seeing both the GOP and the Taliban put out statements almost in unison questioning the legitimacy by its self speaks volumes.
Kathleen and Liam
The Angels have to get past the Sox first, although last night was a great beginning.
I would love to see Angels/Yankees next. You might be surprised how many Yankee fans we have out here. Of course I’m not one of them.
sbj
I have been a supporter of gay rights for years and fought tooth and nail against Prop. 8. I’m still waiting for our Pres. to move closer to equality, in the meantime let’s fight on the state level.
“It can’t be easy…”
You’re right, Tena, and I don’t know why the Republicans refuse to go into the wilderness and reflect. That’s what the Democrats did, and while I’m not a fan of the DLC, it was a route back to relevancy. Retooling and renewing your message, getting down to core values in a way that make sense for the world we’re in, worked for Labour, and it seems to be working for the Tories.
But I’m also specifically talking about GWB. Because he’s not in the game anymore, he has time to contemplate. But he’s not a particularly contemplative or insightful man, is he. And Laura acts like the Queen of Denial, so who knows what they’re talking/writing about.
I was taught many years ago how to just say “Thank You” when you are given something unexpected. America thanks you President Obama…….. Those who voted for you and expect so damn much from you understand this great honor that was bestowed upon you. Fired up!!! and Ready to Go!
lmsinca –
We’re everywhere.
It’s the New Jersey diaspora, I swear.
It always amuses me that my Mainer neighbors can’t believe I haven’t gone native and joined the Red Sox Nation, but I’ve never met a displaced/expat New Englander who abandoned the Sox.
@Mike,
As I pointed out yesterday;
The Republicans have been reduced down to a regional rump party, which has been pushing for a Theocratic form of government, which would be be ruled by a council of Hillbilly Ayatollahs.
“which would be be ruled by a council of Hillbilly Ayatollahs.”
Wholly owned and controlled by Big Money.
edit:
@Mike,
As I pointed out yesterday;
The Republicans have been reduced down to a regional rump party, which has been pushing for a Theocratic form of government, which would be ruled by a council of Hillbilly Ayatollahs.
They now have a lot in common with the Taliban.
“America thanks you President Obama…….. Those who voted for you and expect so damn much from you understand this great honor that was bestowed upon you. Fired up!!! and Ready to Go!”
It’s a great day for America and Americans.
Thank you avahome. The arrogance of those detractors saddens me. If you don’t agree, start your own Peace Price, but what gives anyone the authority to question the decision of this committee? I am a strong supporters of individual liberties, and also believe that graciousness is a necessary part of that equation.
Really those who just want to argue and diss the President on this one ( I especially love the arrogant idiots who call for him to refuse this award; yeah that would play out well on the international stage) anyway those loud mouths just need to STFU on this one.
This old straight guy has always fought for equal rights for all, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.
The problem is that The Republicans have been very successful at using Gay rights as a wedge issue. Hence their meme; “The Gay Agenda”
SBJ claims that he is a g@y man, and I have no reason to doubt that he is. Yet he recently wrote on here that he “does not support the gay agenda”.
So, that hypocrite would be the first to target President Obama, if he pushed hard for equal rights for **** and lesbians. He has already shown what a self loathing tool he is, with the use of the Republican gay bashing meme; “gay agenda”.
Her work means nothing compared to a rock star who has done nothing to help the women of Afghan. The rock star who is going to engage the Taliban as part of the Afghan government. While closing his eyes to the abuses and oppression that Afghan women will continue to endure under the Taliban. But she will continue her work as she is not in this for the fame and photo ops or the nobel prize!
Dr. Samar publicly refuses to accept that women must be kept in purdah (secluded from the public) and speaks out against the wearing of the burqa (head-to-foot wrap), which was enforced first by the fundamentalist mujahideen and then by the Taliban. She also has drawn attention to the fact that many women in Afghanistan suffer from osteomalacia, a softening of the bones, due to an inadequate diet. Wearing the burqa reduces exposure to sunlight and aggravates the situation for women suffering from osteomalacia.
Fair access of children to education in Afghanistan [Detail]
AIHRC UNAMA JOINT POLITICAL RIGHTS MONITORING PROJECT, Presidential and Provincial Council Elections 2nd Report [Detail]
Urgent announcement, making correction in ToR for recruitment of an international consultant : 6 Aug 2009 [Detail]
AIHRC UNAMA JOINT POLITICAL RIGHTS MONITORING PROJECT, Presidential and Provincial Council Elections 1st Report [Detail]
AIHRC Submission under UPR (Universal Periodic Review) mechanism [Detail]
AIHRC Annual Report 1 January 2008 – 31 December 2008 [Detail]
Causes of torture in law enforcement institutions [Detail]
From Hope to Fear: An Afghan Perspective on Operations of Pro-Government Forces in Afghanistan [Full Report]
Insurgent Abuses against Afghan Civilians [Full Report]
Economic and Social Rights Report in Afghanistan-III [Detail]
simasamar.com/
Hey, Dr. Sima – I’m all for civil rights in Afghanistan and I’m all for equal rights for women throughout the Muslim world.
But I can’t do it for you. You have to do it – we are helping where we can. I know we don’t get it exactly right much of the time, but I assure you that’S not because we don’t care.
Participate in this Washington Post poll:
http://views.washingtonpost.com/post-user-polls/2009/10/obamas-nobel-prize.html?hpid=talkbox1
@ Tena Dr. Sima thanks you.
We had hoped that her nomination for the nobel prize would bring forth the plight of the Afghan women on the world stage but once again we were upstaged by a rock star. Dr. Sima will continue her work with or without the world stage and with or without the help of President Obama and his inclusion of the Taliban as part of the Afghan government.
Peace out
“we were upstaged by a rock star”
O give me a break.
Don’t be over here with bitter grapes because someone else won. I don’t really care right now – I have no way of knowing if she was ever considered.
Don’t hold us responsible for what the Nobel Committee decided.
Jeez – way to convert people to your cause.
The nattering ratwingnuts didn’t seem to mind that W occupied the White House after not winning an election, so why the fuss about Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize? Whether you feel Obama has earned the award or not, he certainly didn’t rig the voting process like Jeb and Katherine Harris did in Florida. He did not seek out this award, rather it was thrust upon him.
The insane blathering from the right on this subject has been quite illuminating – and entertaining. I had thought that with their previous imbecilic rants, the shepherds of the idiot sheeple flock had reached the absolute bottom of the barrel. Au contraire! They have shown their willingness to dig beneath the barrel itself! This means that there is potentially no functional limit to their imbecility! Much more comedy gold to follow!
Local wingnuts, do not despair, for you too share in this nadir of incredulity. Your idiocy and detachment from reality has been every bit as impressive as your more well known national sheeple shepherds. Keep up the good work. Comedy writers across the land are busily transcribing your words this very moment.
of course ‘mccaint’ would come out for the “ONE”. He owes him much for helping him to achieve his dream of almost becoming president.
http://constitutionallyspeaking.wordpress.com/a-congressional-natural-born-citizen-parts-i-ii-iii/
Speak for yourself ”Juan” McCain…The messiah lost me on his first ”Bash-America” tour.
Not only is he a empty suit, he’s a embarrassment.
Obama 1, Haters 0.
As for Mr McCain. The gentleman is a gentleman.
And a patriot. You don’t knock an American President because he won a Noble Prize.
T.Paine,
Way to go, holding up your end in the local display of idiocy! Don’t let the national level ratwingnuts steal your thunder. Why should Beck, Lord Limbaugh, and Michael Steele get all the glory for making inane and snotty comments about Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize? You have the same level of detachment from reality and pettiness that they do.
Reach for the stars, my friend, for your imbecilic aspirations were made for the national stage! Those other hacks have got nothing on you!
gasman,
You’ve a gift with words…too bad you can’t do the same with reasoning.
Sheeple? You and the obamabots probably still think that the messiah actually wrote dreams from my father don’t you?
Still clinging to the they ”rigged” the voting in Fla.??So sad but predictable for those who follow the saul alinski ”rules.”
What we listened to for 8 years, you and yours will hear ten fold.
(Just wait until we start the ”impeachment”movement.