Hey, haters: a black man is president...He's smarter than most of us..he won a Nobel Prize...

[Empowerer]

People like him. The world admires him.

The sooner you get used to this fact, the better off you'll be because it's not going to change, no matter how mad you get, or how much you try to belittle him or demean him or dismiss his accomplishments.

Yes, I know if must be frustrating that a member of a group that you have been conditioned your entire life to look down on, to feel superior to, to always expect to do better than regardless how mediocre you are or brilliant they are, consistently excels far beyond people who look like you, people you believe are your peers (even when they're not, since most of you are pretty unimpressive, to say the least). But the problem is YOURS not his and since it's highly unlikely that he's going to downplay his abilities or lowball his high standards or start playing dumb in order not to make you feel bad about your own shortcomings or failures or just flat out inability to do as well as he does, it's really in your interest to figure out how to deal with it.

But whining and yelping and sneering and trying to undercut him not only are extremely ineffective tools to use against someone of his caliber, they only make you look ridiculous and drain the energy you could be using to accomplish something constructive rather than continuing down the road that will lead you to be looked back at as a bunch of ignorant, childish, unpatriotic, bigoted, small-minded and ultimately pathetic nothings who were so blinded by hate, entitlement and envy that you ultimately destroyed yourselves.

In other words, you really need to just get over it.

[progressivebydesign]

1. I LOVE this!

They also hate him cuz he's so good looking, though I know that sounds shallow. The little haters of all stripes, sitting at their computer.. hating their lives.. and blaming it everyone else, WOULD hate someone that represents what someone can do with their life if they try hard enough.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. If they hated from day one, signs of intelligence they show none. n/t

[firedupdem]

3. A Big Rec! Thank You Empowerer! n/t

[Exilednight]

4. I was an Obama supporter before he even ran for President, but

this just doesn't make sense. How do you win an award with no real peace achievements under your belt. There were candidates that were much more deserving, Wei Jingsheng is one that comes to mind.

[DevonRex]

6. Sure you were.

:rofl:

[Exilednight]

10. I was, believe me or not, don't really care. You just hate the fact that people who ...........

support him are questioning this decision by the Nobel committee.

I hope he lives up to the standard that the Nobel Prize comes with, but it's way too early to say he has transformed the world.

[Empowerer]

15. It is too early to say he transformed the world. And if he'd gotten the prize for doing that, you'd

have a point.

But contrary to what you, the RWers and the media are claiming, President Obama was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "transforming the world" or for "achieving world peace" or any other particular activity.

He was awarded the prize for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." People can trash him all they want, but anyone who claims that he has not made "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" is either delusional or a liar.

Our president fully deserves this immense honor and it is an outright shame that so many people, especially those who claim to support him, are doing everything hey can to step all over his day.

Of course, the nice thing is that he probably couldn't care less what small-minded, petty people think about him. He's going right on about his business and likely hasn't given any of them a fraction of a second of a thought.

[treestar]

37. The committee decided his efforts were extraordinary even if you don't

think so. Get on the committee if you want to have a say.

The POTUS transformed the world's view in a mere nine months.

[Empowerer]

16. dupe

[Cha]

27. "Question it" all you want but if you don't get it

then you haven't been paying attention.

<snip>

October 9, 2009

By Steven Leser

As a supporter of President Obama, I knew that this day would come, I just didn't think it would come so soon. I believe the President deserves an enormous amount of credit for changing the tone of American diplomacy in his first 8-9 months in office. This tone change is responsible for a dramatic improvement in the way Americans are perceived abroad. In a recent poll reported in Time Magazine (see http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/10/07/barack-obama... / ), America is now the most admired country in the world, up from seventh only a year ago.

For all of that, the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama at this time was a bit surprising to me, to say the least. I read through some of the articles and reports to see if I could gain some insight into the thinking of the Nobel committee as to what brought this about. Sure, there are the jokesters and one liners about the President not being George Bush and all of that, but how did this all come about and why.

The eureka moment came to me after reading two separate AP reports. In the first, the AP reporters interviewed a member of the Nobel Committee who articulated the reason for the nomination. Conspicuously mentioned was the Presidents commitment to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_nobel_peace :

The Norwegian Nobel Committee countered that it was trying "to promote what he stands for and the positive processes that have started now." It lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen the U.S. role in combating climate change.

The peace prize was created partly to encourage ongoing peace efforts but Obama's efforts are at far earlier stages than past winners'. The Nobel committee acknowledged that they may not bear fruit at all.

"He got the prize because he has been able to change the international climate," Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said. "Some people say, and I understand it, isn't it premature? Too early? Well, I'd say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond — all of us.".

grantcart (1000+ posts) Fri Oct-09-09 02:14 PM
Response to Original message

"4. If I might add a little to your analysis."

I don't think it is so much that ElBaradei authored this sentiment but he represents what is a growing and pervasive understanding of what the President is doing outside the US.

When you live outside the US for extended periods of time you become aware that perceptions of what is important in the US and what is important outside the US are so different.

For example, establishing the defensive missle shield in Eastern Europe was seen as a very devisive, stupid and dangerous move and a real threat to peace.

1) It was perceived as devisive because it not only generated a totally needless hostility between Europe and Russia but it also divided Eastern and Western Europe (and that may have been one of the main reasons that Bush pursued it - hoping to increase American hegemony in Europe.

2) It was universally thought of as a modern Maginot Line because high tech defensive measures are (as the terrorists on 9/11 proved) easily defeated if there is a strong will to do so.

3) It was understood as a threat to peace because it took Russia out of world peace equation. As long as the US was ignoring their concerns then Russia was not going to help with Iran or any other issue that didn't impact directly on their immediate self interest. That would also give cover for China to obstruct the Security Council.

So by agreeing not to go ahead with an expensive, ineffective and divisive defensive missle shield in Eastern Europe a lot of things have changed. This was big big news in Europe but didn't raise a wrinkle here.

BTW Mohamed ElBaradei is one of the greatest unsung International Civil Servants."

<more>http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8692775

Michael Moore's take on PO being given the NPP.

<snip>

P.S. Your opposition has spent the morning attacking you for bringing such good will to this country. Why do they hate America so much? I get the feeling that if you found the cure for cancer this afternoon they'd be denouncing you for destroying free enterprise because cancer centers would have to close. There are those who say you've done nothing yet to deserve this award. As far as I'm concerned, the very fact that you've offered to walk into the minefield of hate and try to undo the irreparable damage the last president did is not only appreciated by me and millions of others, it is also an act of true bravery.That's why you got the prize. The whole world is depending on the U.S. -- and you -- to literally save this planet. Let's not let them down.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/9/791561/-Congratulations-President-Obama-on-the-Nobel-Peace-PrizeNow-Please-Earn-it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8693353

'To think the US President is an undeserving Nobel winner misses the point' (UK Independent)

<more>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8694329

"Rachel Maddow: Obama Derangement Syndrome"

<more>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8694351

U.N. approves resolution to rid world of nukes
Security Council unanimously OKs initiative on nonproliferation, nuke terror"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33001551/ns/world_news-unit

[Empowerer]

8. I guess it depends on how one defines "achievements." The people who give out the award seem to

think that President Obama has met the standards based on THEIR definition of the term - which is pretty much the only thing that matters.

[Exilednight]

11. But what does that do to the prestige of the prize? n/t

[Empowerer]

12. Prestige among whom?

It seems to me that this has not harmed the "prestige" of the prize one bit.

And funny thing - I don't recall anyone ever worrying about the "prestige" of the prize being damaged by any previous award recipient. Not the outright bigots who have gotten Nobel prizes, not Al Gore, whom many (mostly on the right) believed undeserving but who never was accused of "besmirching" the award.

Strange, isn't it, that this particular person, the President of the United States, a man who was elected by a near-lanslide to be the leader of the free world and is loved and admired the world over is suddenly some kind of a pariah who threatens to destroy the dignity and prestige of an award that has been given to hundreds of others over more than a century.

Hmmm. What is about THIS particular laureate that leads people to have this reaction toward HIS prize?

[firedupdem]

13. Why are you so concerned? It's lost it's luster since it was awarded

to Barack Obama? You've been at this all day. Why does it bother you so much?

[Exilednight]

14. Simple, I love Obama as much as the next guy, but he's only human .........

and some people need to take a serious look - you know what, screw it, you just want everyone here to be like those who turn on Fux news and agree with everything that is said and hear no criticism about those YOU deem worthy.

[Empowerer]

17. As compared to the other Nobel laureates who were not human? nt

[Arkana]

24. You really cannot let this go, can you?

A bazillion threads about how OBUMMER IS BESMIRCHING THE NOBEL PRIEZ, this half-assed defense of your warped position that always seems to end in an ad hominem attack on the people who would rather just congratulate Obama for winning the damn thing, and a persecution complex that seems to bring to mind the worst of right-wingers.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel committee has put forth their reasons. Maybe you should read them.

[paulk]

25. Henry Kissinger won it in 1973

It's been hard to make the argument that the nobel peace prize has much in the way of "prestige" since then...

[theothersnippywshrub]

20. He won the prize because he changed the world for the better by changing the USA for the better. n/t

[Exilednight]

22. Explain to me how he changed America for the better to promote the peace process.

I am not trying to be a jerk, but we are currently waging two wars and thinking about ramping up the number of troops in one of them - and this deserves an award for peace how?

If I were Islamic I would be furious with the Nobel Committee for handing out an award of this magnitude to someone based on a hope and dreams. I believe in the hope and dream, but now is the time to start living up to the standard he asked to hold him up to.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[theothersnippywshrub]

28. LOL!. You made my point. n/t

[prostomulgus]

29. I decided a long time ago ...

that I would initially assume that ANY criticism of, or disagreement with, President Obama or his policies were probably racially based. I would reserve the right to change that opinion if later evidence warranted but, so far, it's held up pretty well.

[Mz Pip]

31. I feel more peaceful

I sleep better at night. I suspect there are plenty more like me out there who feel the same.

I really don't give a shit about how the Islamic fundy wackos feel(nothing we do will ever please them) anymore than I do about how our Christian wacko fundies feel(nothing we do will ever please them, either). They deserve each other.

[Exilednight]

32. Who said I was talking about the wackos? ............

There are still people who have not had clean running water, electricity or a sense of a normal life since invading Iraq.

[Mz Pip]

33. Bush spent 7 years devastating

that country and Obama is suppose to make it whole in a matter of months? It's going to take a while and if we leave, as people here want us to, then it will no longer be Obama's responsibility. It will be up to the Iraqis.

[Exilednight]

34. If I remember correctly, Obama campaigned on leaving Iraq. It was the centerpiece of his campaign.

Afghanistan is a different story, but don't pretend like he didn't make the promise of Iraq
.

[billh58]

26. Did you listen

to President Obama's press conference this morning? He answered your question, and so have many others on DU and from all over the world throughout today.

The Nobel Peace Prize Committee recognized that ALL Americans had the good sense to reject the PNAC neoconservative policies of Dubya, Cheney, Rumsfeld, McCain, Lieberman, and others on November 4, 2008. The minute that the final votes were counted, and Barack Obama became the President-Elect, ALL Americans instantly became Peace Prize nominees.

As President Obama said during his press conference this morning, he doesn't consider himself "worthy," but is accepting the award on behalf of all Americans. The primary purpose of the award is to inspire the entire world to accept the renewed efforts by the United States, toward the peace and harmony that the Obama administration is seeking through mending fences broken by the previous eight years of arrogance and bullying.

To those who believe that President Obama is not moving fast enough, please continue your criticisms, when and where warranted. We should also make allowances for the diplomatic groundwork being laid, and the relief that the rest of the world feels about having responsible and adult supervision returned to the most powerful office in the world. Awarding the American President the Nobel Peace Prize, applauds the American people for that change.

[frazzled]

30. Um, I hate to say this...

But what "real peace achievements" did Wei Jingsheng achieve? Last time I looked, China is not a democracy, and Tibet is still really screwed. I applaud his many efforts. But by your standards, he doesn't deserve the Nobel Prize either, since he has not achieved his goals.

I think what you really mean is that you think someone who went to jail is more deserving than someone who got elected President. That's kind of lame, you know.

[Exilednight]

35. That's not what I meant, that is what you read into and you projecting your .........

what you want to believe on me.

[DevonRex]

5. Amen. And I'm sick of the folks trying to minimize it here, too, by saying

stuff like it's preemptive.

He fucking won the award. Get over it haters and racists.

[grassfed]

7. republics are shit

[maxpower]

9. Right on

I couldn't agree more.



Peace,
Max

[Political Tiger]

18. K & R !!

:fistbump:

[Number23]

19. PT, I second your K&R and add an enthusiastic "I love you, Empowerer"

This damn post needs to be forcibly added to the signature lines of a small (and ASTOUNDINGLY quiet group since the Nobel announcement) and obnoxious as all hell group of DUers.

Kicked and Rec'd! Goddamnit!!!

[theothersnippywshrub]

21. But . . . but . . . but . . . he's "uppity." n/t

[whistler162]

36. It not a door it is a brick wall....

no matter how many times you try walking through the brick wall it will not become a door.

Besides you have obviously damaged your brain!