Comments on: The Nobel is Great, but the Press Release is Even Better

By: lambertstrether

lambertstrether — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:24:56 +0000

I think there’s a copy editing problem with your post. Didn’t you mean to write:

What do the words “diplomacy, cooperation, vision, multilateral, dialogue, initiative, constructive, hope, and values” have in common with Afghanistan?

Just asking. Hey, if the Nobel inspires Obama to live up to the potential, I’m all for it. But let’s be clear — PW’s repeated talking points aside (”You forgot Poland!”) that this award is about, well, creating our own reality.

By: Gasman

Gasman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:12:47 +0000

What do the words “diplomacy, cooperation, vision, multilateral, dialogue, initiative, constructive, hope, and values” have in common? None of them were used by international observers to describe George W. Bush - individually or collectively, but they all were used collectively to describe President Barack Obama.

This REALLY gets under the collective skin of the GOP. They are coming absolutely unglued.

Do I detect more than a hint of “trophy envy?”

By: anniesgirl

anniesgirl — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:50:49 +0000

Thank you, TarheelDem. It is shocking to me that a President of the United States would be bagged by us for receiving an award of great estimatation. I think that we have understated the fear and fright by other countries of the Bush Administration. We all like to think of ourselves as being worldly, but the actual world has had its say to which I say, “Bravi.”

By: temptingfate

temptingfate — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:39:14 +0000

While I certainly can’t write for others, it’s likely that my spelling and lack of proper proof-reading may have put me in the “faux erudite” grouping a long time ago. I wonder if I’m supposed to only speak up when I agree with the current successes or wait until the next regime takes power in order to be critical again.

Perhaps if I simply aspire to having less knowledge.

By: lambertstrether

lambertstrether — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:36:33 +0000

Indeed.

By: lambertstrether

lambertstrether — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:20:56 +0000

Quite right. People can hardly be swooning when they’re standing on chairs clapping. Let’s try to keep up, shall we?

By: lambertstrether

lambertstrether — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:11:02 +0000

When we’ve got something to be joyful about, maybe that will happen. Until that hoped-for occasion, there’s no shortage at all of people willing to pick up the pom-poms…

NOTE I like “faux erudite.” Generally, it’s the right that derides pointy-headed intellectuals, but any stick to beat a dog, say I. Or any boot to kick the left, I suppose.

By: temptingfate

temptingfate — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:56:44 +0000

Just to be clear about the apparent change of heart. Back before the majority of Americans clearly decided that Afghanistan had to be put down, because the most of the people in on the 9/11 attack came from a country that still must not be mentioned, there were all sorts of Democrats that supported Bush. Popularity in the high 80s according to many polls obviously included a lot of Democrats. All the more so after the ever popular “shock and awe” video game show took to the air and we finally eliminated those pesky WMDs that were such a serious threat to the most expensive military on earth.

This is not a change of heart in many cases, but rather a continuation of the previous mindset. My side right or wrong. On the other side of the coin, it is certainly the case that bringing home a bunch of guys taught to be very efficient at man’s oldest team sport is not going to be without its problems.

The National Guard guys who used to have jobs before the businesses they worked for started massive layoffs are the least of the problems. They’ll keep these guys as long as possible because they represent the absolute least expensive tool for the job. All the better because they don’t get the benefits of the “real” Army much less the $200K plus benefits of the massive number of mercs from Blackwater/XE. It’s the guys who are highly skilled at house-to-house, sniping and flipping burgers who do not have XE benefits to look forward to in a era of creeping unemployment that should be disconcerting. Not an argument for maintaining the occupations but a problem none-the-less. I’d like to see many of them are hired into the financial industries perhaps with a variant bounty system. Good pay and a reasonable outlet for the aggression that might have been so recently baked in.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:50:20 +0000

Of course the Nobel Committee is aware that this could be quite embarrassing for them, if Obama decides to start a war somewhere. They have a strong incentive to maintain the credibility of the Prize’s reputation, because it is the fact that many people are impressed by the Nobel Peace Prize that gives them their power and influence. They definitely don’t want people holding the Prize in contempt, or saying that any Prize won by Kissinger (and Obama?) isn’t worth having. So why are they taking this potentially serious risk with the Prize’s reputation? The main purpose of the Nobel Peace Prize is to strengthen the political position and credibility of whoever receives it. So it seems to me probable that this Prize was granted out of fear. The Committee, I suspect, is afraid that Obama’s (and America’s) reputation is weak, desperately weak. So weak that it threatens Norwegean interests. So weak that they have to risk their own reputation in an attempt to shore up Obama’s credibility.

By: sporkovat

sporkovat — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:31:20 +0000

yeah, and the notion that the US military is there to improve the ’security situation’ so Iraqi kids can cross the street on the way to school is laughable, and an obvious Talking Point.

I’m getting better at spotting the regurgitated propaganda, it is kind of fun, unpacking it, and seeing how it was designed. Sometimes the fingerprints are obvious, sometimes less so.

the hard lads of the JSOTF and the mercenary armies of Blackwater, et al, fighting for Women’s Lib in Afghanistan, thats another one. What a bunch of Sensitive, New Age guys!

Even Medea Benjamin fell for it.

ach, again, those writers at the Onion are going to have to work harder to surpass this stuff.