Posted By: Michael Sweeney Oct. 12, 2009 As regular readers may have noted, I usually – at the bottom of my entries – promote my twice-weekly e-mail column, "And, in the News…" Occasionally, I also share an adapted version of the contents of those issues out here. The Monday issues are when I cover politics – via my regular "Political Soap Box" feature (Friday’s issues are usually more pop-culture-, sports-, or random-thoughts-oriented)…and I wanted to share the issue I sent out this morning, covering the confusing, idiotic (if – duh! – completely expected) Republican reaction to President Obama winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
Below is that copy. Hope you enjoy it…and, if you wish to start receiving the Monday and Friday issues of "And, in the News…" (and NEVER any other junk e-mail connected to it), just drop me a note at m_l_sweeney@hotmail.com. Thanks!
And, in the News...#187
October 12, 2009
Political Soap Box: A Nobel, Yet...Apparently Not Noble -- The Ongoing, Embarrassing Republican Idiocy Over Obama's Peace Prize
So...let me get this straight: Ronald Reagan -- pardon me, SAINT Ronald Reagan, the "winner" of the Cold War, the genius "Great Communicator" -- according to the right-wing faithful (and their usually-found-on-FAUX News media echoers), he apparently should replace FDR on the dime, be added to Mount Rushmore, have more highways and airports and buildings named for him, etc. Uh, OK...But...George W. Bush? Uh, it seems they can't quite recall HIM these days: "Who was that? Can you remind me again?"
Oh, and Jimmy Carter? Of course, he was SUCH a failure! The undoubtedly worst President since Hoover, Buchanan, Fillmore (and prior to -- of course; in their stupid view -- the CURRENT worst-ever President). Never mind the nearly 30 years of distinguished post-term service to the world that Carter has provided (about -- easily! -- making him the most accomplished and distinguished former President the United States has ever had): Habitat for Humanity, human rights work through the renowned Carter Center, 21 books since leaving office, foreign election overseeing, various diplomatic assignments...oh, yes, AND the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize (awarded to him "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development").
...Um, so does the immortal Reagan have one of those Nobels? No? Ah...well, how did they miss crowning such an '80s champion of peace? (Um...let me remind you: "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.") What about EITHER one of the President Bushes -- they of more than a few wars? Nope? Well, how 'bout Cheney? Uh, don't make me laugh. (BTW, they don't necessarily issue Nobels for shooting old men in the face...) Oh, then maybe Nixon? Uh-uh -- no way. (OK, Henry Kissinger DID get one in '73, but...that was considered kind of a joke even then (the Vietnam War he was supposed to have helped end went on for another 2 years after he received the prize) -- and he is STILL thought of as a war criminal in MANY countries around the world...AND even in many select mind-sets in THIS country (which I would not particularly disagree with)...) Not even Eisenhower? No. Well, I guess -- even considering the 1906 award to Teddy Roosevelt -- that the Nobel must be a mostly Democratic prize (also considering Woodrow Wilson's and Al Gore's wins)...
Yeah, but...that way of (closed-off; sour-grapes; completely biased; "us" vs. "them") thinking leads to unredeemable, utter madness...
So, even devoted Barack Obama supporters and fans (such as I certainly am) -- while definitely cheering the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize going to our President, for both the thus-far important changes he has made (after the dangerous and festering previous 8 years) AND the assumed future directions he is leading this country (and the world) toward -- can absolutely agree that the '09 Nobel going to him MIGHT be considered a bit hopefully premature.
Fair enough. But the ongoing US Republican-led sneering and smearing about the Obama Nobel win? -- this, coming just after their cheering on of Chicago losing the 2016 Olympics, because of Obama's connections to the city and his trip to Copenhagen to try and sway the IOC? Well, it's ridiculous. And it is positively, unmistakably, inarguably anti-American. No doubt about that...
Do you remember when "W." famously said, "You're either with us or you're against us?" Well, I guess the GOP is "against" America now. Imagine that -- a US leader is feted with a prestigious, historic, world-wide award -- making him only the 3rd sitting President to be so honored -- and the Republican opposition and party leaders (remember: the MINORITY side, out of power -- thanks to the decisions of the US voters -- in the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives) declaim, dismiss, and belittle the achievement. I guess they just don't care that much about the United States and its President (and -- of course -- the Commander-in-Chief of its armed forces) and how the world sees (or honors) him -- I guess they just aren't on our side anymore...
...And, setting the memory's "Way-Back Machine" (thank you, Sherman and Mr. Peabody) for just a few years ago, can you remember when ANY similar dissent against a war-time President (when it was a Republican leader sending US soldiers into Iraq and Afghanistan) was -- gasp! -- considered something awfully close to treason?!?!? Ah, how times (apparently) change, depending upon whether those presumed patriot wingnuts of the right are in charge -- or NOT...
Look, the Dems have already made enough mistakes -- of attempting "bi-partisanship;" of seeking compromise -- over the last 3 years or so...and especially over the last 9 months. It's time -- as people such as James Carville, Dr. Howard Dean, and Rep. Alan Grayson have pointedly called out -- to call a spade a spade and point out the outrageous, disingenuous BULLSHIT that the minority party keeps spreading around about the President and the political side that the US people (legally; by quite a large majority) elected into power.
...Sure, things are always (at least somewhat) in flow -- what with elections being held every 2 years -- and the balance may change and settle a bit after the upcoming 2010 elections -- but...their side is just getting older AND deader (what are those recent numbers? that FOX News viewers / Limbaugh listeners AVERAGE about 65 years of age?)...and those of us tending to overwhelmingly support the President and the Dems AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE (not just yet)...So -- the wheel is still in spin. And it's going to be an interesting next decade (or 2...or 3...or 4) as -- I fully believe -- the Progressive coalition of young, Liberal, black, Hispanic, immigrant, gay, feminist, and generally more intelligent, educated, open, and independent voters will continue to lead and direct where this country is headed in the first half of this still-young century...
With all of that in mind, I must offer my congratulations, President Obama, on your (stunning, yes...but still deserved) Nobel Peace Prize win. May it just be the symbolic start of even better, more admirable things to come...
...Now, if you want and insist -- you minority 40 (out of 100) Republican Senators and 177 (out of 435) GOP Representatives -- you just keep working on trying to get through those various (and pretty damned pointless) Reagan tributes you have bantered about before. Meanwhile, that (strongly!) ruling majority of us has plenty of better -- and more current and appropriate -- things to pay attention to (such as -- of course -- healthcare...and more than a few other things)...
(...And -- by the way -- have you heard Nancy Reagan's post-Ronnie pleas for considering more daring and deep genetic and stem-cell research? Of course, she is hoping for changes that would defeat (or at least diminish) the Alzheimer's that sadly and slowly took her beloved husband from her. But -- of course -- most GOPers don't want to hear that argument. I guess they just loved the 1981-1989 Presidential Ronald Reagan...but did not care so much for the 1994-2004 suffering, Alzheimer's patient Ronald Reagan...And why am I not surprised at that?)
Michael Sweeney
Look for my regular posts here on The Stonecipher Report. (And, for a free subscription to my twice-weekly e-mail column on politics and pop-culture, "And, in the News…" send a note to: m_l_sweeney@hotmail.com)
