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Unfit for Hope & Change?
Author: Raine    Date: 10/14/2009 13:34:04

On Friday, I awoke to a pleasant surprise: The President of the United States of America won the Nobel Peace Prize. The media and the right wing were predictably apoplectic. Yesterday, upon my return to the land of the intertubes, I found another surprise: liberals were in agreement with the right wing about this award. Undoubtedly hundreds of people may deserve it more than President Obama, as he himself has said, but the negative reaction has been so swift and so shrill that Americans wouldn't even take a moment to reflect on what this means.

I thought winning the Nobel Peace Prize was a good thing, not just for Barack Obama, but also for the United States of America. I don't believe, as some have said, that this is a repudiation for the actions of the previous administration. If we were to use the standards by which people think the President doesn't deserve this award, then Martin Luther King was not deserving either since the Civil Rights acts was signed into law after his death. The same goes for Teddy Roosevelt. He did not by any means spend his life agitating for peace. He fought in the Spanish-American War as a roughrider, if you will recall.

A friend of mine posed a question, and it is one that I think should be asked of all Americans:

Have we become so cynical and spoiled as Americans that we can't enjoy a moment which recognizes that the American Dream can and has inspired people all over the world; but here in the U.S. we use it as another excuse to highlight our differences and exult in division and create controversy where there is none?


My first reaction to the question was "it seems so". I returned home to see a litany of everything he hasn't done, yet. These are comments from the left. I'm all for constructive criticism and rational dialogue around such criticism, but some of this "I want mine and I want it now" ranting and whining is beginning to make me wonder if there aren't some people out there who really don't want change so much as they want to complain about the lack of it. After 8 long years, this is a horrendous time for this country and instead of getting together and working even harder to make things right, people are throwing their hands up in the air and giving up. It didn't happen fast enough for them. In the meantime, the teabaggers, birthers, 9/12ers, white supremacists, right-wing media and the generally deranged & seditious have been taking potshots at the President and picking off chunks wherever they can find them, so some on the opposite end of the political spectrum have decided to take up arms against him, too. I'm not sure why, but it seems to me that television commenters made comments about a comment and a meme was born: The President was undeserving of this prize. I expected the right to do this, but it seems as tho the left has bought into it as well.

Criticism and dialogue are necessary. I am by no means advocating that we sit down and shut up regarding the issues at hand regarding our nation and it's role in the world. That said, I think a little common sense needs to be had now. For most people it takes a good while to get a basic handle on any new job. They spend hours just learning basics and details. It can be close to impossible to figure out what to prioritize, especially if you have been handed complete chaos. Imagine the President's situation. He did hit the ground running. He's had a few interruptions, such as Iran's elections, nuclear program, South Korea, etc. This has put off getting to what some think should be priorities.

Is this the job he wanted? Yes. This is what Barack Obama signed up for when he ran for President. Should we excuse him from not doing what we want? No. We should push harder to get things like HCR and DADT repealed, but we need to know that this simply is not going to happen right away. It won't happen at all if we give up or fight against him like the right has been doing. He asked for our help. He asked us to push him in the right direction. Instead, as a result of winning this award, I am seeing some very ugly words coming from many 'progressive' commentators.

Smears and insults are not constructive criticisms, and just play into Republican memes that Obama is an empty suit, a teleprompter president, an egotist, all talk and no walk, etc. It is in their great interest to frame every accomplishment as meaningless and every setback as a cowardly betrayal. The Republican goal is to make Obama a one-term president. The Nobel Peace Prize complicates that desire to marginalize him from history even before he has served out his term. Progressives shouldn't be enabling this behavior.

And -- they shouldn't be kicking him in the teeth for being given an award he did not seek nor know he had been nominated for. I am really shocked that progressives are demanding he disrespect the committee and the country who award it with a refusal. Supporting someone who has taken the helm of the most disproportionately powerful country in the history of the world, and has turned it's course 8 in months means a a lot to the 6 billion other humans on this planet. There are only 300 million of us, and we really need to learn to share better, because the reality is this: Our President belongs to the world now.

What is wrong with us? How could we turn our back so quickly on a man we ourselves elected and who inspired the whole world? Do we really want Hope and Change or do we just want to complain that we haven't got what we feel we're entitled to?


&
Raine

 

65 comments (Latest Comment: 10/15/2009 01:35:22 by trojanrabbit)
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Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/14/2009 12:56:06
Welcome back, Raine & BobR!

Comment by wickedpam on 10/14/2009 12:59:29
Ditto that! Welcome Back guys





Morning

Comment by Scoopster on 10/14/2009 13:11:51
Morning all & welcome back Raine & Bobber!



Still can't see.. it seems my eyes have now gotten so bad that they don't even keep regular stock on my prescription lenses - they had one eye but not the other! I should be able to see regularly again sometime tonight.

Comment by Scoopster on 10/14/2009 13:19:05
Here's one from the "You know your child is addicted to gaming" file..



http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/Takunsan/1255512532323.jpg


Comment by wickedpam on 10/14/2009 13:23:13
Quote by Scoopster:

Here's one from the "You know your child is addicted to gaming" file..



http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/Takunsan/1255512532323.jpg








Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 13:39:13
OK, bloggie is up. I am sorry it took so long, I swear today I could have written for hours about this.



And I apologize in advance...

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 14:03:20
Here is a very good piece on why Obama deserved the award.



It goes back to taking the time to reflect on what HAS happened instead of what has not.

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 14:05:52
I broke the bloggie...

Comment by wickedpam on 10/14/2009 14:10:58
Hey, I'm with you, I think it's a good thing. Not only does it shine up the American Dream which was tarnished for many years but also I think it recognizes the movement this past election cycle spawned and the Hope everyone is stating to feel again. Hope is a strong emotion and can spur on the human spirit like no other.



Isn't it in the story of Pandora that while she let loose the evils on the world it was Hope that stayed in the box for everyone

Comment by wickedpam on 10/14/2009 14:11:49
Quote by Raine:

I broke the bloggie...




no you didn't everyone's been very pokey

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 14:13:40
Quote by wickedpam:

Isn't it in the story of Pandora that while she let loose the evils on the world it was Hope that stayed in the box for everyone
Indeed!







Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/14/2009 14:41:47
A very thought provoking bloggie.



Visited Lucky last night and though he was obviously drugged up he looked happy to see us and started purring.



The catheter is out, and if he pees he gets to come home tonight. Then we figure out how to make sure this doesn't happen again. The vet mentioned it could be stress related because we just recently had roofers making all sorts of noise a few weeks ago and he was scared to death. He now hates and growls at ladders of any kind outside.



My wife starts her new job tomorrow. Finally after 8 months.

Comment by BobR on 10/14/2009 14:42:26
Just got an email from Congressman Robert Wexler:



"Today, with both sadness and excitement, I announced that I am leaving Congress in January to accept the position of President of the Center for Middle East Peace, a non-profit institute devoted to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East"





Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 14:43:34
Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 14:47:22
Quote by trojanrabbit:

A very thought provoking bloggie.



Visited Lucky last night and though he was obviously drugged up he looked happy to see us and started purring.



The catheter is out, and if he pees he gets to come home tonight. Then we figure out how to make sure this doesn't happen again. The vet mentioned it could be stress related because we just recently had roofers making all sorts of noise a few weeks ago and he was scared to death. He now hates and growls at ladders of any kind outside.



My wife starts her new job tomorrow. Finally after 8 months.
II was catching up on the posting over the past week -- glad to read this news Rabbit. give lucky a nice rub from me...



Great news about Mrs. TR!



Comment by Mondobubba on 10/14/2009 14:53:57
Quote by Raine:

OK -- Don't say I didn't warn you.




Howdy everybody. I so want one of these.

Comment by Random on 10/14/2009 15:00:56
Quote by Scoopster:

Here's one from the "You know your child is addicted to gaming" file..



http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e228/Takunsan/1255512532323.jpg


Hey, Random would never use noob as an antonym for pro. since i would never consider someone who isn't a noob a professional.



That being said, kids an idiot.



oh, P.S.

Raine, your blog speaks to my feelings about this matter quite well.

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 15:03:00
I consider myself as partisan as partisan can be -- but This just strikes me as , well, Odd...

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 15:07:50
Quote by Random:

Raine, your blog speaks to my feelings about this matter quite well.
Why thank you!



Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 15:15:37
A little giggle... Irish Sobriety Test:





Comment by livingonli on 10/14/2009 15:28:25
Good morning everyone.



Welcome back Bob and Raine. How was the upstate trip? I am hoping to see Zowie while he's still in town.



Congrats for Mrs. TR. Being out of work really sucks these days.



I saw Capitalism: A Love Story yesterday and I definitely could relate to it considering my own financial difficulties during the economic downturn.

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/14/2009 15:28:30
Quote by Raine:

I consider myself as partisan as partisan can be -- but This just strikes me as , well, Odd...




Wow I had no idea how great the Republican party was. Those (way in the) past accomplishments are so awe inspiring that I am changing parties today!

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 15:29:00
I was reading something regarding the wingnuts accusing Barack of being a nazi. One person responded:
It's an old trick: Accuse your enemy of your own crimes to deflect blame. It's on page three of the Rove playbook; and page five of the Goerring playbook.
But it was the response to that comment that was really very thought provoking:



It is on page one of a cheating spouse handbook. A cheating spouse will quickly accuse their mate of cheating when in truth they are the one doing it. Put the victim on defense so they cannot be on the offense. Had it done to me for years and it quickly got to be a sign of when he was cheating and I didn't even react to it, just marked it down as one more reason to kick him to the curb.


Comment by livingonli on 10/14/2009 15:44:25
Would a Michelle Bachmann blow-up doll sell better than a Michelle Bachmann action figure?

Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/14/2009 15:58:36
That was quick, he's peed already. Wife is on her way to bring him home. Now we'll see how Cleo treats him. I suppose we may have to close him off in the "kitty recuperation" room while neither of us are home.

Comment by TriSec on 10/14/2009 16:15:37
Alas, I'm going to remain the dissenting opinion. I believe awards should be given out based on concrete achievements, not on what someone *might* do.



If that were the case, the Boston Red Sox should have received the 2009 World Series trophy back at the all star break.



I elected Mr. Obama for many things; many of these things are still waiting for attention or have already become broken promises.



is 10 months enough time to do anything, faced with what he had on January 20? I don't rightly know. Others have done more in that amount of time, many more have done less. But the honors and awards should wait.





Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 16:24:38
What the hell?!?!?!?!

Blackface? Really?

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 16:26:10
Quote by TriSec:

Alas, I'm going to remain the dissenting opinion. I believe awards should be given out based on concrete achievements, not on what someone *might* do.



If that were the case, the Boston Red Sox should have received the 2009 World Series trophy back at the all star break.



I elected Mr. Obama for many things; many of these things are still waiting for attention or have already become broken promises.



is 10 months enough time to do anything, faced with what he had on January 20? I don't rightly know. Others have done more in that amount of time, many more have done less. But the honors and awards should wait.



Tri, Try reading this.







Comment by BobR on 10/14/2009 16:32:43
Quote by TriSec:

Alas, I'm going to remain the dissenting opinion. I believe awards should be given out based on concrete achievements, not on what someone *might* do.



If that were the case, the Boston Red Sox should have received the 2009 World Series trophy back at the all star break.



I elected Mr. Obama for many things; many of these things are still waiting for attention or have already become broken promises.



is 10 months enough time to do anything, faced with what he had on January 20? I don't rightly know. Others have done more in that amount of time, many more have done less. But the honors and awards should wait.





You don't think he's made huge improvements in the dialog between nations?

Comment by livingonli on 10/14/2009 16:33:27
Quote by Raine:

What the hell?!?!?!?!

Blackface? Really?


France and Australia seem to be jumping on the retro circuit these days. Why not just run that old Bugs Bunny cartoon which ends with Bugs and Elmer singing I wish I was in Dixie in blackface?

Comment by livingonli on 10/14/2009 16:37:33
Barbara Ehrenreich will be on tonight's Daily Show.

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 16:45:40
The Obameter Scorecard

Promise Kept ..............47

Compromise ...............12

Promise Broken ...........7

Stalled ........................12

In the Works ...........122

No Action .................315





Comment by wickedpam on 10/14/2009 17:18:25
Quote by Raine:

The Obameter Scorecard

Promise Kept ..............47

Compromise ...............12

Promise Broken ...........7

Stalled ........................12

In the Works ...........122

No Action .................315







That's roughly 4-5 promises kept a month - I can live with that for the first year



Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 17:20:14
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

The Obameter Scorecard

Promise Kept ..............47

Compromise ...............12

Promise Broken ...........7

Stalled ........................12

In the Works ...........122

No Action .................315







That's roughly 4-5 promises kept a month - I can live with that for the first year



It would be more if the damn congress would get HCR passed already...

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 17:28:40
Dow Jones industrial average trades above 10,000 for the first time in a year!!!!!!!!!







Damn you Obama!!! DAMN YOU!

Comment by wickedpam on 10/14/2009 17:34:44
Quote by Raine:

Dow Jones industrial average trades above 10,000 for the first time in a year!!!!!!!!!







Damn you Obama!!! DAMN YOU!






Hey that might actually be good news for my 401K

Comment by BobR on 10/14/2009 17:36:15
Quote by Raine:

Dow Jones industrial average trades above 10,000 for the first time in a year!!!!!!!!!







Damn you Obama!!! DAMN YOU!


let me see if I can guess the right-wing response:

Is Obama's "popularity" creating another bubble that will hurt families in the long run? Wall Street fat-cats get richer while Real Americans continue to struggle.







What's the over/under on that one?

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 17:50:03
Comment by TriSec on 10/14/2009 18:00:11
Grunt.



I'm-a staying here in poutville.



DADT could be eliminated today with an executive order; he won't do it.



HCR could have passed Congress with a 60-vote majority, just like every piece of legislation during the Bush Administration, that hasn't happened yet either. (and it's personal, yes. I'd sure like to have insurance.) But I have to blame the spineless pansy leadership of Congress more than the President on that one.



We've gotten huge ARRA grants around this Commonwealth, and all I've seen is new signs going up around idle road projects that it's being paid for by ARRA money; why aren't they moving forward, then? (admittedly a state issue.)



International dialogue? N. Korea is still launching missiles. Iran hasn't come to a negotiating table, I still can't fly to Cuba, we're still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he's thinking about sending more troops?



This isn't why I elected him. I am being impatient, very impatient. I told Bob back on January 20 that all we did was pull the brake handle; we're still sitting on the edge of a cliff and it seems like we're still waiting for a tow.



I don't know. I expect actual acheivements done when I give out awards. It's nice that he's done all this, but infinitesmal and glacial isn't going to make me happy anymore.









Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 18:01:26
Sen. Graham recently publicly endorsed the Senate climate change bill in a New York Times Op-Ed co-authored with Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Check this out when asked questions from tea baggers:





Comment by Scoopster on 10/14/2009 18:05:28
DADT is a law passed by Congress Tri. I hate to say it but if Obama issued an EO to not enforce it the Repubs would be on him in a second for refusing to perform one of the constitutional duties of his office, and it would be completely legit unlike the other bullshit they pull daily.



The real crime is that the HCR thing is being dragged out for so long a time that it's actually obstructing DADT's repeal, as well as DOMA's repeal and EFCA. And there's no guarantee that the actual bill that gets passed will actually do anything but make the problem worse, unless the House bill is the one that gets final passage.

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 18:15:19
DADT could be eliminated today with an executive order; he won't do it.
It would be overturned again as soon as we get a GOP president -- the only way for this to really change is a new law being passed.



International dialogue? N. Korea is still launching missiles. Iran hasn't come to a negotiating table, I still can't fly to Cuba, we're still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he's thinking about sending more troops?
He is drawing down troops in Iraq in the way he said he would and it is still on schedule -- As far as Afghanistan, there has been no decision regarding that -- but he did (to my chagrin) say that his focus would be on that conflict. That is not a broken promise.



Korea and Iran? You really expected that to be fixed in under a year? This is what I am talking about regarding patience. I am sorry Tri, I believe wholeheartedly that this administration is doing everything it can regarding these 2 countries but to make it sound like not enough is being done goes to what I was saying in todays blog.



As far as HCR, I just completly disagree, That is not the Presidents fault. I'd like to have insurance as well, but it wasn't going to happen with a 60 vote majority -- to think this was going to be easy is just unrealistic.



Family members, are allowed to visit cuba now... That was a pretty huge step forward in Cuban American relations.

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/14/2009 18:38:25
Quote by livingonli:

Would a Michelle Bachmann blow-up doll sell better than a Michelle Bachmann action figure?






For the well heeled GOP perv, a Michele Bachmann Real Doll (Not work safe and really creepy).

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 18:41:10




http://karendelac.com/squidoo/nascar_thunder.jpg




THE RACE IS OFF! In the foreground, 43 mighty race cars thunder by as "The King" himself, Richard Petty, waves the green flag for the start of the 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500 ®. As I paint furiously, the electricity and spectacle of the moment is almost overwhelming.



In my Studio Masterwork release of the "Great American Race" I intend to capture the power of the starting moment, while honoring this one-of-a-kind NASCAR ® event.



I have always believed that a painting can capture the pageantry and energy of historic events like no other medium, and my goal as I painted NASCAR ® THUNDER The 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500 ® was to document this classic event for race fans everywhere.









This man must be stopped.

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 18:55:40
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

I consider myself as partisan as partisan can be -- but This just strikes me as , well, Odd...




Wow I had no idea how great the Republican party was. Those (way in the) past accomplishments are so awe inspiring that I am changing parties today!
they ae so desparate to be associated with Blacks that they are now claiming Jackie Robinson was a republican.





If you look at that timeline -- it is really scary stuff.



Comment by Mondobubba on 10/14/2009 18:56:41
Quote by Raine:





http://karendelac.com/squidoo/nascar_thunder.jpg




THE RACE IS OFF! In the foreground, 43 mighty race cars thunder by as "The King" himself, Richard Petty, waves the green flag for the start of the 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500 ®. As I paint furiously, the electricity and spectacle of the moment is almost overwhelming.



In my Studio Masterwork release of the "Great American Race" I intend to capture the power of the starting moment, while honoring this one-of-a-kind NASCAR ® event.



I have always believed that a painting can capture the pageantry and energy of historic events like no other medium, and my goal as I painted NASCAR ® THUNDER The 50th Running of the DAYTONA 500 ® was to document this classic event for race fans everywhere.









This man must be stopped.




That is truly an awful and repellent painting. Raine my love, when you and Bob visit my fair state again, we shall have to go to the Kincade gallery in St Augustine. It is a licensed seller of his "art" and it is always packed with people who have monumental bad taste.

Comment by Mondobubba on 10/14/2009 18:58:31
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

I consider myself as partisan as partisan can be -- but This just strikes me as , well, Odd...




Wow I had no idea how great the Republican party was. Those (way in the) past accomplishments are so awe inspiring that I am changing parties today!
they ae so desparate to be associated with Blacks that they are now claiming Jackie Robinson was a republican.





If you look at that timeline -- it is really scary stuff.





Well Jackie Robinson was, but what they don't say is he broke with the GOP on civil rights issues. My mother's father was a life long Republican. He would be appalled by what has happened to his beloved GOP.

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 18:59:35
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

I consider myself as partisan as partisan can be -- but This just strikes me as , well, Odd...




Wow I had no idea how great the Republican party was. Those (way in the) past accomplishments are so awe inspiring that I am changing parties today!
they ae so desparate to be associated with Blacks that they are now claiming Jackie Robinson was a republican.





If you look at that timeline -- it is really scary stuff.





Well Jackie Robinson was, but what they don't say is he broke with the GOP on civil rights issues. My mother's father was a life long Republican. He would be appalled by what has happened to his beloved GOP.
Actually if you read the article, he was not.



Comment by Mondobubba on 10/14/2009 19:04:30
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

I consider myself as partisan as partisan can be -- but This just strikes me as , well, Odd...




Wow I had no idea how great the Republican party was. Those (way in the) past accomplishments are so awe inspiring that I am changing parties today!
they ae so desparate to be associated with Blacks that they are now claiming Jackie Robinson was a republican.





If you look at that timeline -- it is really scary stuff.





Well Jackie Robinson was, but what they don't say is he broke with the GOP on civil rights issues. My mother's father was a life long Republican. He would be appalled by what has happened to his beloved GOP.
Actually if you read the article, he was not.





We will have to agree to disagree. I was watching an HBO documentary on Robinson and they mentioned him being a member of the party. But, hey who wants pie?

Comment by Raine on 10/14/2009 19:18:28
Quote by Mondobubba:

We will have to agree to disagree. I was watching an HBO documentary on Robinson and they mentioned him being a member of the party. But, hey who wants pie?
Writing on page 340 of the autobiography, "I Never Had It Made", Robinson went so far as to insist that he be called an independent, "since I've never identified myself with one party or another in politics." In 1968 he campaigned for Hubert Humphrey.



"I was not as sold on the Republican party as I was on the governor," Robinson wrote of Rockefeller. "Every chance I got, while I was campaigning, I said plainly what I thought of the right-wing Republicans and the harm they were doing. I felt the GOP was a minority party in term of numbers of registered voters and could not win unless they updated their social philosophy and sponsored candidates and principles to attract the young, the black, and the independent voter. I said this often from public, and frequently Republican, platforms. By and large Republicans had ignored blacks and sometimes handpicked a few servile leaders in the black community to be their token "niggers." How would I sound trying to go all out to sell Republicans to black people? They're not buying. They know better."



"I admit freely that I think, live, and breathe black first and foremost. That is one of the reasons I was so committed to the governor and so opposed to Senator Barry Goldwater. Early in 1964 I wrote a Speaking Out piece for The Saturday Evening Post. A Barry Goldwater victory would insure that the GOP would be completely the white man's party. What happened at San Francisco when Senator Goldwater became the Republican standard-bearer confirmed my prediction."



"I wasn't altogether caught of guard by the victory of the reactionary forces in the Republican party, but I was appalled by the tactics they used to stifle their liberal opposition," Robinson wrote of that 1964 convention. "I was a special delegate to the convention through an arrangement made by the Rockefeller office. That convention was one of the most unforgettable and frightening experiences of my life. The hatred I saw was unique to me because it was hatred directed against a white man. It embodied a revulsion for all he stood for, including his enlightened attitude toward black people."