Friday, October 9, 2009

Grind it, baby!

I'm sorry to see that someone didn't find the humor in my entry yesterday about Conservapedia. Mean commenter make Beth cry. :*( It was suggested that instead of making fun of a "book," I focus on issues affecting our nation at the moment.

Evil Dead2 Exsqueeze me? Someone hasn't been paying attention in class! I write fairly often about issues, and in fact, I'd be willing to bet there are more than a few out there who wish I wouldn't write about issues quite so much! Oddly enough, one of my favorite issues, right up there at the top of the list, Number One with a bullet, Top of the Pops, it's got a great beat and you can dance to it, happens to be health care reform. I've written about it extensively here, I have not been shy about my opinion, and I've stated very clearly that I support health care reform.

Hey, I've got an idea, kids. I think it's great that people are concerned about things and would hope that they would spend at least a little time investigating the truth rather than simply spouting talking points like a mindless drone. So if you are interested in such things, yay for you! But here's an idea. Instead of spending your time hijacking the comment section of my blog in order to state your opinion, one that you would know, if you spent any amount of time here at all, that I am diametrically opposed to, how about you do your research, think about what you want to say...and write it on your own blog? [holding up a hand] I know, I know...it sounds crazy, but give me a chance. This would ensure that you can write as much as you want, as passionately as you want, and at the same time, you wouldn't be exhibiting what is widely considered to be incredibly rude blogging behavior. That's what I do, and although it may seem a little unconventional at first blush, it really does work pretty well. If I really disagree with another's point of view that they state on their blog, I don't leave them a long comment about it. I go write about it on my own blog. A novel approach, don't you think?

Nutwood Junction is not some sort of clearinghouse for personal axe-grinding. If you do happen to have an axe to grind, do your grinding at your own place.

Now, on to other things!

You know, something strange happened early this morning. I was happily snoozing when I heard a loud sound, almost as if a bomb had gone off. It startled me out of sleep, and as I struggled to think of what it might have been, I rememberedExploding head that they were shooting a missile at the moon this morning as part of an experiment. Since our planet wasn't vaporized, I assumed that all had gone well, and the gravitational balance hadn't shifted and sent our planet careening into the sun. I went back to sleep.

When I got up a little bit later, the big news was that President Obama had received the Nobel Peace Prize, and then I knew what I had really heard.

That large boom was the sound of Glenn Beck's head exploding.

I've had more than one person write to me today saying that they wondered about my opinion on this, and who am I to disappoint?

Just as with the IOC decision about the 2016 Olympics, the predictable response from the right was that it was a travesty, it made a mockery of the Nobel Peace Prize, and that its prestige was tarnished by the choice of our President. Man, buy a new record, because that one is broken. We get it already...no matter what he does, or what good things happen, you're going to hate it because you want him to fail. Of course, that ignores the fact that the Nobel committee has the right to make the decision using whatever reasoning they wish to use. It's their prize to award, so why are they being second-guessed? How rude. It also ignores the fact that most nations and most people consider the Nobel a prestigious award, and most countries are proud of one of its citizens receiving it.

The Democratic National Committee issued this statement after the right responded as expected:

Republicans cheered when America failed to land the Olympics and now they are criticizing the President of the United States for receiving the Nobel Peace prize—an award he did not seek but that is nonetheless an honor in which every American can take great pride—unless of course you are the Republican Party. The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It's no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore—it’s an embarrassing label to claim.

Ouch, man.

Nobel prize I was surprised by this selection, too. Obviously, I'm a supporter of our President, and I think this is great, but he really hasn't been in office for long, so what was their reasoning? Alfred Nobel's wishes, as laid out in his 1895 will, were that the peace prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses." The members of the Committee said that their choice was an "early vote of confidence" in Obama. They praised the change in the mood around the world upon Obama's election, and appreciate his efforts to reduce the world's stock of nuclear arms; they feel his efforts to reach out to Muslim nations and to work with the world in combating climate change will make the world a better and safer place.

In short, I get the impression that they issued an unspoken challenge to our President: we like your ideas, and we want to see them implemented. We want to see you succeed.

It's too bad that more people here in our own country don't feel that way.

President Obama does indeed seem to be taking it as a challenge, and I hope this makes him even more resolved to get things done.

The Committee's choice of Obama is also obviously a reaction to eight years of President Bush. I'm not bashing the guy, I'm just stating fact. Our image as a global leader was severely damaged by our belligerent attitude and warmongering ways in the past few years. While it might seem paradoxical to award the Peace Prize to the leader of a nation which is fighting two wars—and some have criticized the choice for exactly that reason—these were not wars initiated by our current President. I think we can all certainly agree that we want to get the hell out of there, but once we have gotten ourselves into such a situation, getting out is not as easy...sort of like quicksand. However, President Obama has shown that he is willing to use diplomacy as much as possible before being forced to use military options. This is a positive step in our efforts to repair the damage that has been done.

Obama's election and foreign policy moves caused a dramatic improvement in the image of the U.S. around the world. A 25-nation poll of 27,000 people released in July by the Pew Global Attitudes Project found double-digit boosts to the percentage of people viewing the U.S. favorably in countries around the world. That indicator had plunged across the world under President George W. Bush.

Obama2 It is time for us to lead once again. The best leaders utilize compassion and diplomacy and teach by example; the worst merely bludgeon the enemy into submission. I am glad that President Obama sees the Nobel Committee's award to be the throwing down of the gauntlet that it is, and I am hopeful that he will meet the challenge. In fact, I hope he succeeds. I hope he succeeds beyond anyone's wildest imagination. In his doing so, our country and our planet will also succeed. Safer, peaceful, and cleaner. Why would anyone wish for anything else?

So how long do you think it’s going to take before “hilarious” pictures of Obama wearing the Nobel Peace Prize like a piece of bling start showing up on the Web? They’re probably already up. Again…boringly predictable.

The White House has announced that President Obama will give the $1.4 million dollar prize to charity.

22 comments:

  1. Yeah Beth! You go girl. Get little Krissy back in the culthouse where she belongs. Beautiful comeback. :)

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  2. You've not said a single word that I wouldn't have said myself. You really nailed it. Thanks.

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  3. A beautiful response to the president winning the Nobel Peace Prize Beth.

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  4. Beth -

    You do these kind of posts so well. As others have said - you really nailed it.

    And my my my - I'm a little jealous of your Klassy Krissy troll!!! Where can I get one?!?

    XOXOXOXOXO

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  5. God forbid you talk about whatever YOU want on YOUR blog-write about potato pancakes 365 days a year if you want, damnit!

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  6. yes then we can debate the applesauce vs. sour cream topping issue ad nauseam.

    xxalainaxx

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  7. I love the "Klassy Krissy troll" moniker. Reminds me of the "Talky Tiny" episode of the Twilight Zone. "My name is Talky Tiny and I don't like you very much..."

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  8. President Obama, the epitome of speak softly but carry a big stick. He is recognized for his desire for diplomacy, his consistent and constant low key approach, and his desire for a better world and a better America. He has turned around the world impression of America, changing from ugly to hopeful.

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  9. Someone said that? To you? Thats almost laughable since your the one blog I visit as a must to keep up on current nation events. You have troll pull darlin~
    Thank you for your thoughts about Nobel Peace Prize.
    I've been torn about it for one reason only. It did feel a bit premature and based on talk rather than walk (but I'm counting on him to do the walk!), but mostly, I just see out in our world others who have devoted an entire lifetime advocating and working for peace who I would have loved to see awarded it. Thats my only disappointment.

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  10. In my culture the people would say 'talk the things'.

    Obama is on the right path to the transformation of America. Is this award premature? Yes it is and Obama also expressed such in his acceptance speech. He should be bestowed with the award but not NOW.

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  11. Beth, I am constantly moved by your grasp of the subject at hand. Your common sensical way of thinking is something I wish more Americans partook of!

    While I, like many people, was shocked (happily so) that President Obama was named today, I agree with you that the selection committee is clearly taking the President on his word... and as he said this tasks us to take up the challenge.

    Great piece!

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  12. there are lots of former "j landers" bashing the selection of Obama on FB....i am about to start deleting people. If Dubya had not been such a shitty president i wonder if Obama would have been selected? i am so glad he was..good for him.

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  13. Beth - and President Obama seeing the award as a "challenge", and attempting to make the US something other than the Rogue Terrorist State of the Bush Years, is WHY the Reich Wing's heads are exploding! Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of cowards and traitors, you ask me....

    Lovely post - thoughtful, well-written. :)

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  14. PS: Tammy and I are watching Season 1 of BURN NOTICE - and loving how awesomely relaxed Bruce Campbell is as a slightly oily ex-spy who's tough enough to take whatever you throw at him.

    The man is an artist, period. :)

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  15. As per our earlier conversation. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. You did good hon! (Hugs)Indigo

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  16. What on earth has this empty suit done for peace? Read pretty speeches written for him? Apologize to the world for America being great? Cowtow to just about every socialist dictator in existence? I thought giving this prize to Gore was bad last year, but this is a new low.

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  17. First things first:
    This "Nutwood Junction is not some sort of clearinghouse for personal axe-grinding. If you do happen to have an axe to grind, do your grinding at your own place." caused orange juice to spew out of my nose from laughing so hard.
    And secondly, your assessment of the Peace prize was, as usual, spot on. It isn't so much about what he's done, but the promise of what can be done, coming off eight years of outright American domination. Some say Obama received the award because of George Bush. I say Good.
    George Bush will always and ever be known as the War president. Obama is working toward being the Peace President.

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  18. Beth you have me thinking that blogging is an art form and you are great at it I love your come backs and your illustrations, your passion and your conviction. I also love your usage of language and information to establish your credibility. Anonymous fails to realize that a new low was reached when Bush was dead drunk at the last Olympics a good reason for the committee not to think of america ever again. And so if anonymous have the decency to criticized others, why not start with the dushbag asshole that he/she/it allowed to lead this country for past eight years. An immoral international criminal.

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  19. Yes, the Righters seem to be getting sillier by the day. Their irrational hatred is transparent because they have nothing rational to say.

    The Nobel Committee does not make its choices by flipping a coin.

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  20. You mean like that courageous poster "Anonymous" above, DB?

    Once again - check out the Tiki Mail section of TIKI BAR TV's Episode 4, "Hullaballo" (http://www.tikibartv.com/?page_id=170 ), for the right way to deal with anonymous trollbois...and for the potential threat of...SCIENCE!!!!! ;)

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  21. Must ignore the bad juju above... must ignore the bad juju above. I'm already grinding my teeth at the conservatives as is and then an anon pops up. Yippy-fucking-skippy.
    Can you imagine how the president's day started? He rolls out of bed and someone calls him.
    "Mr. President?"
    "gumble.cough.gumble. Yes?"
    "You have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize."
    "WHAT? Wait, is this a dream?" Michelle, wake up... pinch me or something." LOLOLOLOL
    Love,
    Jamie

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  22. Why shouldn't Obama give it to charity? You yourself admitted he hasn't been in long enough to deserve it. I heard the committee had nominated him for it when he was 12 days into his term of presidency! For WHAT?

    Oh, I don't expect to see this comment posted, bc you moderated me out of the last one I posted, Beth! And in the last post you stated me as a MEAN reader, LOL, bc I stated facts, and you also stated I should post in my own blog when I had an opinion, not post it in your comment section, LOL! I have NEVER erased, moderated or blocked a commenter. I take that back. I have blocked sex commenters. Everyone else I have left in, as I don't believe in censorship, and you know I have strong views. To bad you are feeling it necessary to moderate or block me, whatever you are attempting to do. or are you doing that with everyone now? Rah, rah, let's hear it for exchange of ideas!

    krissy knox :)
    connect w me on twitter:
    http://twitter.com/iamkrissy

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I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?