Archive for category Politics
The Armenian Genocide: Get Over It!
6:51 pm, March 4th, 2010 on Middle East, Politics
The Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. Senate voted today to classify the 1915 massacre of Armenians by the Ottomans as genocide, despite strenuous objections from the White House. The result? Turkey has immediately withdrawn its ambassador to Washington.
At a time when American relations are already strained with Middle Eastern nations and with the Muslim world in general, it hardly makes any sense to rile up the only Muslim democracy in the region and a long-time U.S. ally.
From the perspective of U.S. interests in the region, Armenia hardly provides any benefit at all. Read on »
Brown’s First Vote: Crossing the Aisle
Forward Looking?
Scott Brown, the GOP’s savior, has crossed the aisle to join Democrats in passing another wasteful bill that is allegedly meant to create jobs – wasn’t the $800 billion stimulus plan supposed to do the same? If 800 billion dollars couldn’t save the day, what will a mere $15 billion do?
The more important question in my mind is whether Brown will return to his conservative roots after this anomaly (much like justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts) or will he become another Snowe/Collins clone?
Or, perhaps, he’s just voting with an eye to 2012 when he’s going to be on the ballot again.
Reid Wants Recess Appointments
5:01 pm, February 10th, 2010 on Democraps, Politics, White House
When Harry Reid & Co. held up dozens of Bush nominees forcing him to recess appoint several of them, including John Bolton, to the UN, liberals were up in arms about Bush’s 171 extra-Senatorial appointments.
Now, that Obama’s nominees are being held back by Republican “obstructionism,” Reid claims:
I mean it’s disgraceful. The Republicans are holding these people up for reasons that have nothing to do with their background, morality [or] competency of these people. … I think, frankly, the President should recess [appoint] all of them. All of them. He has been given very little recognition for the importance of the job that he has trying to find the best people in America to fill this position. No one can say Democrats did this when we were in the minority — we didn’t do this. There were people that were held up, but this something that is beyond the pale.
On video:
Anything that Bush did was Satan’s work. If Obama does the same, it’s the people’s will. Oh, this is why I love Beltway politics.
A Simple Case Against the Tea Party
Any Republican or conservative who wants to dethrone the Democratic Party needs to be worried about the Tea Party Nation, a for profit company which isn’t going to do much more play the spoiler in critical elections across the country, or, worse yet, nominate unelectable conservatives to the GOP ticket.
A recent Rasmussen report shows just this:
| Suppose the Tea Party organized itself as a political party. When thinking about the next election for Congress, would you vote for the Republican candidate from your district, the Democratic candidate from your district or the Tea Party candidate from your district? | |
|---|---|
| Democratic | 36% |
| Tea Party | 17% |
| Republican | 25% |
| Not sure | 23% |
Thus, in a 3-way tussle, the Democrat would win comfortably if we equally divide up the “Not sure” votes.
Let’s look at the first scenario: an independent/third party run by Tea Partiers.
On November 3, 2009, Doug Hoffman, who could be considered the Tea Party candidate, lost to Bill Owens 46-48 with the rest going to Dede Scozzafava, the original Republican nominee. With just one conservative on the ticket, ideally a Republican, we would have won with by a comfortable 54-46.
Even Ron Paul, the so-called Tea Party Father, is threatened by 3 Tea Partiers in the primary this year. He will most likely win the primary and go on to get re-elected, the primary challenge will force him to spend money that would otherwise go to defeat his Democratic challenger.
Third party candidates who come in from the right or the center generally tend to destroy Republican chances of victory. Had Ross Perot not run in 1992, we might not have had Monicagate. Had Dean Berkley not run in 2008 in Minnesota, we would most likely not have Senator Al Franken sitting in Congress today.
As far as the second scenario is concerned, we have seen enough conservative candidates losing seats that would be safely in the red camp. One recent election that comes to mind is the 2008 contest for Maryland’s 1st CD. Moderate Wayne Gilchrist was ousted in the primary by conservative Andy Harris who went on to lose a seat Republicans had held for 18 years. When moderate Republican Jim Kolbe retired in 2006 and replaced by Randy Graff on the GOP ticket, Democrat Gabrielle Giffords won it handily.
Either way, the Tea Party Nation is not going to help unseat Obama’s party. The only thing it might end up doing up is giving an easy victory for the Democrats.
Obama’s Approval Now Well Under 50%
8:32 pm, February 8th, 2010 on Politics, White House
No More Superman
President Barack Obama’s glorious descent to approval ratings purgatory is well under way. Marist College’s latest non-internet poll shows that only 44% of registered voters now think he’s doing a good job.
Starting from a high of 68% in January ‘08, Obama has lost 24 points in 2 years. If he keeps it up, we could be looking at 20% in 2012, in time for a new President.
Gays in the Military
5:09 pm, February 2nd, 2010 on Politics
Hey, if gays wanna shoot ‘em up, let ‘em. What’s the big deal?
A Christian City: Divisive or Inclusive
5:00 pm, February 2nd, 2010 on Politics
Rex Parris or T-Rex Parris?
Rex Parris, the mayor of a small town in California, wants the people of his city to
validate a Christian stance in the April municipal election, in which a ballot measure endorses prayers at city meetings, specifically with permission to invoke a specific deity, including Jesus.
While I am not wholly convinced by the principle of the Separation of Church and State, the first amendment to the Constitution states that:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…
Various court rulings have established that this clause should be interpreted as “government should not prefer one religion to another, or religion to irreligion” regardless of the level of the government. The mayor’s proposal amounts to an official establishment of religion at the city level.
Parris claims:
My vision of it is not a vision of exclusion. It’s a vision of attraction. I understand for so long it had an exclusionary feel to it. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. We should remove the exclusionary aspect.
Declaring a Christian city clearly excludes anybody who is not a Christian. Just like Saudi Arabia is an “Islamic state” and the efforts to convert India into a Hindu state, Mayor Parris’ declarations will not attract anyone who is a Christian.
If Parris wants to build a community that rejects atheism, his ballot measure should affirm the belief of the people in God and the invocation of God, rather than any specific deity. That would be a “vision of attraction.”
Dinosaur-Bird Link Found; Dinosaur-Byrd Connection Still Elusive
Byrd: The Dinosaur
A newly discovered fossil is proving to be the missing link between dinosaurs and birds. Scientists have finally been able to figure out why a group of dinosaurs resemble birds.
Named the Haplocheirus sollers, the dinosaur had short arms and a large claw that are believed to be evolved independently of birds. The 3m-long skeleton was discovered in the Gobi Desert in the Central Asian nation of Mongolia.
“While we are excited to have discovered this unique dinosaur-bird connection, we are yet to understand why certain dinosaurs resemble Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia,” Jonah Choiniere from George Washington University told the BBC.
Researchers, however, feel excited about the possibility of solving the last remaining puzzle of the evolution. Several dinosaur fossils have been discovered that are believed to have developed hoods much later than Senator Byrd.
“We’re hopeful that the Gobi will finally yield us a fossil that will explain this Dinosaur-Byrd anomaly,” said Choiniere.
Alito Rebuts Obama, Or So They Say, But Rightly So
12:44 pm, January 28th, 2010 on Politics, White House, supreme court
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. had his own “you lie” moment last night during Obama’s criticism of the Supreme Court decision on restrictions on corporations during elections…
Alito responded to this section in Obama’s speech:
With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests –- including foreign corporations –- to spend without limit in our elections. (Applause.) I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. (Applause.) They should be decided by the American people. And I’d urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems.
If Obama can be directly disrespectful towards the Supreme Court, with several justices in attendance, with his own uninformed opinions, I don’t see why Alito can’t express his own opinion.
It Wasn’t Obama … It Was All Martha … No Really
Even God Doesn't Like Martha
Oh, it’s been only a few days since Martha Coakley was handed down a sweet shove up the ass by Massachusetts voters, the loss is being portrayed as being all her fault…
[campaign aides] described a campaign that was too sure of its own success, that waited too long to call in the cavalry, that made key missteps, including focusing on abortion at the expense of the economy, and that did little to court voters in the communities that led Governor Deval Patrick and President Obama to huge victories.
…Coakley aides made no concerted effort to involve her three primary rivals or their networks and included the Kennedy family in the campaign only after the Kennedys themselves pushed the issue.
Coakley … also lost the new media war, allowing Brown to generate far more attention online … they paid insufficient attention to the bread and butter of political campaigning, such as blanketing the state with signs and getting out and meeting voters.
Not blanketing the state with signs was probably the best thing she actually did. What a waste of money it would have been.
“She came in late, at the last minute, and people were frustrated,’’ said one Democratic activist, who, like most people interviewed, agreed to talk without being named. “They’re not happy with that kind of campaigning. If you get in there early, people feel respected.’’
The lapses were particularly noticeable in minority communities, traditionally bastions of Democratic votes, which did not turn out in high numbers Tuesday.
The election wasn’t a referendum on Obama’s policies. Really.
Michael Steele’s Lack of Original Sentiment
The RNC Chairman probably doesn’t write his own press releases, and I would suggest getting a few more creative writers on board to enliven his boring statements.
On Christie’s inauguration in NJ:
Today I join with the people of New Jersey in congratulating Governor Chris Christie on his official swearing-in as the 55th Governor of the state of New Jersey. Governor Christie’s message of lower-taxes and less spending clearly resonated with voters in New Jersey who were looking for a solution to the failed economic leadership of the past. It is clear that New Jerseyans are ready to move into the future under Governor Christie’s leadership. A new day is dawning for the people of New Jersey and with this fresh start and conservative approach to governing, they have many reasons to be enthusiastic about the future. I wish Governor Christie the best of luck and I look forward to working with him on this continued expansion of Republican leadership in coming elections this fall.
On Brown’s victory in MA:
“Tonight, Scott Brown made history by exceeding all expectations and defeating Martha Coakley in the heart of the Democrat Party’s political stronghold. I extend my sincere congratulations to Scott, the Brown family, and his team on their tremendous come from behind victory to become the first Republican U.S. Senator from Massachusetts in more than 30 years. His message of lower-taxes, smaller government, and fiscal responsibility clearly resonated with independent-minded voters in Massachusetts who were looking for a solution to decades of failed Democrat leadership. There is no doubt in my mind that Scott will provide the representation and leadership they have asked for and deserve.
“Now that the people of Massachusetts have made their choice clear, the Senate must move quickly to seat Senator-Elect Brown so that the people have their chosen representative in the Senate as soon as possible. Over the past year, independent voters in Virginia, New Jersey and now Massachusetts have made their voices heard by sending a clear message that they’ve had enough of the binge spending and government-growing agenda coming from Washington – Democrats everywhere are officially on notice.”
Boring. No wonder, Steele isn’t really inspiring anyone at all.
The Obama Backlash Has Finally Begun
8:49 pm, January 19th, 2010 on Politics
Republicans have been winning elections lately, including the governor’s mansions in New Jersey and Virginia, but neither of those victories really represented an Obama backlash. Many deep blue states have elected Republican governors in tough times, in the midst of scandals, or in years with terrible Democratic candidates. The red camp is also helped if the candidate is a moderate, a so called RINO, or just very charismatic.
Hawaii elected Linda Lingle in 2002 and then re-elected her, Mitt Romney won in Massachusetts – in fact, moderate Republicans held on to the governor’s mansion in Boston for 16 years from ‘91 to ‘07 – New Jersey has had several Republican governors over the past twenty years. Vermont loves Jim Douglas.
So winning statewide elections for executive-level positions does not always relate to national issues. But, elections for the U.S. Congress are an entirely different matter.
Scott Brown’s election to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, a deep blue state that voted for Obama 62-36, signals a clear change. It also shows that the Republican loss in the Congressional election for NY-23 was a minor blimp, caused by unnecessary in-fighting among conservatives, led by Limbaugh, Palin, and other stupid Republicans.
Obama’s magic also failed to salvage Coakley’s sinking campaign. He claimed:
Martha’s opponent already is walking in lockstep with Washington Republicans
That seems to be the way to go right about now.
Reid’s Nightmare: 59-41
6:32 pm, January 19th, 2010 on Politics
It is official – Scott Brown has won. CNN projects the same, finally.
Let’s see what games Reid/Obama & Co. will play to get their health care nightmare rammed into law.
Brown Still Leads 53-46 at 69%
6:22 pm, January 19th, 2010 on Politics
Scott Brown is still in the lead with 53% of the vote, with 69% reporting. CNN is surprisingly quiet with only one article on the matter and no projections as of yet.
53-46 at 69% should be good enough for some projections…
UPDATE:
The Last Republican Senators From Massachusetts
6:17 pm, January 19th, 2010 on Politics
If Scott Brown were to get elected tonight, he would be the first Republican Senator from the Bay State since Edward Brooke lost his seat to Paul Tsongas. Brooke was the first African-American ever to be elected by popular vote to the U.S. Senate. Ted Kennedy’s seat was last held by Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., who lost to JFK in 1952.
Either of those are very big boots to fill for anyone.
Progressive Group Perturbed By Politics As Usual
5:54 pm, January 19th, 2010 on Politics
Not Making Anyone Happy
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee feels betrayed by Rahm Emanuel on the health care issue. The group claims:
There’s nobody in Washington, D.C. who caves at the slightest hint of a fight with corporate interests more than Rahm Emanuel … We’re making clear to Rahm that when he undermines progressives and the overwhelming will of the American people on issues like the public option, he will pay a political price back home
PCCC will not support Emanuel if he decides to run for office ever again and has put out a petition for the cause.
Conservatives should sign up too – there’s no reason we would vote for Emanuel any way.
Voting Ends in Massachusetts: Brown 53-46
5:41 pm, January 19th, 2010 on Politics
It’s been 35 minutes since the polls closed in the special election to replace Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts.
With 21% reporting, Brown leads Coakley 53-46 as of 5:40 PST.
Here’s to hoping against hope.
Senator Martha Coakley
4:59 pm, January 18th, 2010 on Politics
Despite the hype surrounding Scott Brown’s recent rise in the polls, Martha Coakley will take Teddy’s seat in the Senate.
I’d be very surprised, otherwise.
Jimmy Carter: The Consummate Politician
When it was convenient for him to win the Nobel Prize and other accolades, Jimmy Carter would go around criticizing Israel and Jews.
Now that his grandson, Jason Carter, is running for public office from a district, Jimmy has changed his tune and is now apologizing for his past comments:
We must recognize Israel’s achievements under difficult circumstances, even as we strive in a positive way to help Israel continue to improve its relations with its Arab populations, but we must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel … I offer an Al Het for any words or deeds of mine that may have done so…
Carter told the news agency that he shouldn’t have named his book, “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid,” saying Palestinians in the disputed West Bank are not suffering under apartheid, though they could if a two-state solution with Israel is not achieved.
I never intended or wanted to stigmatize the nation of Israel, even though I have disagreed with the settlement policy all the way back to the White House
But, of course!
Obama’s Job Approval Falls Below 50%
5:19 pm, December 16th, 2009 on Politics
In the latest poll numbers published by the WSJ, President Barack Obama’s job approval has hit a new low of 47%, apparently the steepest 1-year drop among recent presidents.
The drop in support for Democrats has not coincided with a concurrent increase in favor for the GOP. The time might just be right for a strong third party to emerge. Our political system has been dominated for too long by two parties, neither of which represent the views and opinions of the majority of Americans anymore.
The Black Panthers’ “Get Out Of Jail Free” Card
The Obama Administration has been the Black Panthers’ Get Out of Jail Free card. We all remember the incident from last year when the members of this “party” were patrolling voting booths in Philly, and elsewhere, to prevent White/GOP voters from supporting McCain…
The Bush DOJ had filed suit against the perpetrators, but the new DOJ under Eric Holder dismissed the complaints.
The New Black Panther is now coming out openly in support of Holder, saying:
I think it’s a political witch hunt, part of the overall war that the Republicans are waging against Eric Holder in general … This is all about politics, not necessarily about protecting persons.
because, of course:
I certainly would like black America and all the world to take a second look at the New Black Panther Party at this point and to understand that we’re sincerely trying to help our people
It certainly helps to maintain friends in high places.
Finally, A Democrat with an Affair
Finally, phew! Democrat Max Baucus has admitted having an affair with the woman he had nominated for U.S. Attorney.
It seemed that since Bill Clinton let office, at the Federal level, only Republicans were the corrupt ones, but not anymore. Of course, it’s not a big deal, but I am interested in seeing how the media handles this. The current article is barely a few words.
Fiorina For Senate – No More Hoffmans Please
12:09 am, November 26th, 2009 on Politics
Chuck DeVore is trying another to pull another Doug Hoffman on the State of California. We have a mainstream Republican candidate, a moderate female, Carly Fiorina, who is trying to unseat Barbara Boxer, but, DeVore is begging for attention by situating himself on the far right, possibly too far right for a blue state like California.
Looking at his position on a number of hot button issues, he seems like a candidate who could win in Alaska or Mississippi, maybe, but not in California. Read on »
Michael Bloomberg Declared Mayor-For-Life
Shameless
Despite a surprisingly narrow victory in yesterday’s election, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been declared Mayor-For-Life by the New York City Council.
In a hurried vote held behind closed doors earlier this morning, the Council voted to repeal the term limits law and appointed Mr. Bloomberg as the permanent mayor. Mayoral elections were scrapped beginning 2013.
“Mayor Bloomberg has shown an uncanny ability to manage this great city and maintain its reputation as one of the safest and best places to live and work,” said Alan J. Gerson, a senior member of Council, in a statement released after the morning vote. Read on »
GOP loses in King County (big time)
1:38 am, November 4th, 2009 on Politics, Washington State
Not Good Enough
It was a forgone conclusion that conservative candidates would lose in King County, and the 2 most important candidates did lose…
King County Executive – Susan Hutchison: 42-57
King County Assessor – Graham Albertini: barely managed 20% in a 5 way race
In contrast to New York city, which is perhaps even more liberal than Seattle and where Democrats haven’t won the mayoralty since 1989, Republicans/conservatives/independents haven’t made any significant inroads in either King County or Seattle city elections in a very long time.
The last Republican mayor of Seattle was J.D. Braman, 1964-69. The last GOP county exec was John Spellman (1969 – 1981), who was coincidentally also the last Republican governor of the state. Even at the federal level, a Republican hasn’t won in the 7th CD since John Cunningham’s brief term in the late ’70s. In fact, K. William Stinson was the last conservative to win that seat for a full term in 1962.
The main problem, of course, is that, while liberals in Seattle have moved even further to the left, Republican moderates have all but disappeared. Either that, or their past is too easily portrayed as being too far to the right. A similar problem manifested itself pretty clearly in today’s GOP loss in the heavily Republican 23rd Congressional District of New York.
Conservatives to Blame for NY 23rd Loss
Conservatives are clearly to blame for Bill Owens’ victory in upstate New York.
The fight between the official nominee, Dede Scozzafava, and the conservative Doug Hoffman has thrown another seat into the Pelosi camp. With Scozzafava, it should have been in the GOP column for at least another term. Hoffman doesn’t even live in the district for crying out loud.
The fact of the matter is that the Republicans who have won in the 23rd, in all its various incarnations, have traditionally been moderate: John M. McHugh from 2003 – 2009, Sherwood Boehlert from 1983 – 2003; Bruce Caputo and Peter Peyser in the ’70s.
McHugh is now Obama’s Secretary of the Army. Peyser switched sides to the DNC. Even the Dems in the district have been moderate. Good examples would be Mike McNulty and Samuel Stratton.
But, of course, conservatives just couldn’t tolerate winning another seat in the Congress. They’d rather have another vote for Pelosi than allow a moderate Republican, an already dying breed, to win a seat in the chamber.
Shame on conservatives for losing another seat because of their stupidity and short-sightedness.
Christie Wins 50-44: Red New Jersey!
8:02 pm, November 3rd, 2009 on Politics
As of 9:51 p.m. EST, with 64% of the precincts reporting, Christie is still ahead of Corzine:
| Christie, Chris | GOP | 795,932 | 50% |
| Corzine, Jon (i) | Dem | 698,476 | 44% |
Red NJ?
UPDATE: Red NJ indeed! Christie has won!
As of 10:07 p.m., with 71% precincts reporting:
 |
Christie, Chris | GOP | 877,888 | 50% |
| Corzine, Jon (i) | Dem | 774,167 | 44% |
The final count with 99% reporting does seem to place Christie just under 50%:
|
Christie, Chris | GOP | 1,140,134 | 49% |
| Corzine, Jon (i) | Dem | 1,040,404 | 45% |
But still a sweet victory for the GOP in a deep blue state.
Is it merely a coincidence that the GOP has captured the Governor’s mansion in both VA and NJ after nearly a decade long exile?
Red Virginia
7:41 pm, November 3rd, 2009 on Politics
Politico reports:
Just a year after President Barack Obama won the state’s electoral votes for the Democratic Party for the first time in 44 years, McDonnell, incumbent Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Republican attorney general candidate Ken Cuccinelli were elected easily over their Democratic opponents.
As of 9:36 p.m. EST, the map of Virginia is really turning red and the color shows in McDonnell’s win:
Back to its Red roots?
Let’s compare this to the 2008 map showing the Obama-McCain contest:
VA in 2008
Loudon and Prince William counties in the north have turned red. Fairfax isn’t dark blue anymore. Central Virginia is almost all red. So is the area northeast of Richmond. In the south, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Northampton counties have also switched sides to the GOP. As has tiny little Danville.
Of course, as Politico points out, the electorate this year is vastly different from last. Under-30s and blacks have stayed away from the polls. It seems liberals have too, or aren’t entirely convinced by Obama, Deeds, et. al.
These changes show in the results. Obama had carried the state 53-47. McDonnell whooped Deeds 60-40.
Christie Leading Corzine in NJ
6:34 pm, November 3rd, 2009 on Politics
According to premature results, Republican Chris Christie is leading incumbent Democrat Governor Jon Corzine…
| Christie, Chris | GOP | 16,306 | 51% |
| Corzine, Jon (i) | Dem | 12,956 | 40% |
UPDATE: As of 8:51 EST, Christie is still ahead, with 14% of precincts reporting…
| Christie, Chris | GOP | 167,323 | 52% |
| Corzine, Jon (i) | Dem | 134,055 | 42% |
No Deeds for Virginia
6:20 pm, November 3rd, 2009 on Politics
WaPo and CNN are reporting Bob McDonnell will be the new governor of Virginia. Creigh’s deeds weren’t good enough.
UPDATE: As of 5:27 p.m., McDonnell is ahead 60-40, despite losing Alexandria and Arlington by margins of 30 points. The map of Virginia looks like the red state that it should:
As of 5:27 p.m.
Biden v. Palin, Redux
4:52 pm, November 2nd, 2009 on Politics
Joe Biden is taking on Sarah Palin (again)…
Of Ms. Palin, Mr. Biden said: “I like her. I really do – not a joke.” But later he recalled the chant that used to surround her in campaign crowds: “The fact of the matter is Sarah Palin thinks the answer to energy was ‘drill baby drill.’ No. It’s a lot more complicated, Sarah, than drill baby drill.”
Palin is also campaigning for Bob McDonnell in Virginia. Biden, however, is probably not going to stump for Deeds, as Lord Obama has thrown him under the bus.
Republican Governor of New Jersey?
A recent Rasmussen poll shows New Jersey Republican Chris Christie (what kind of name is that?) leads incumbent Jon Corzine 46-43, with an independent getting 7 points and 4% undecided.
In 2006, another supposedly close race, Tom Kean lost 44-53. In 2005, Corzine won 54-43. Last year, Lautenberg won 53-42.
Republicans have been getting about 42-44% of the vote in NJ over the past few years. It’s like in Washington where the GOP has been winning about the same.
Why would this election be any different?
Kick Out Olympia Snowe!
Why is she even in the GOP? Traitor!
Politics Behind the Nobel
11:00 am, October 12th, 2009 on Politics
People are finally around to realize that it’s really politics, and not much else, that decides Nobel laureates, especially in fields such as peace, literature, and even economics now, as with Paul Krugman (what did he really do to deserve one?)
According to a Rasmussen poll, 58% of American “adults now believe that politics plays a role in the awarding of the Nobel Prize. That’s an 18-point jump from 40% a year ago.”
Obama Wins the Peace Prize?!
10:30 am, October 9th, 2009 on Liberalism, Politics
The Nobel Committee lost its credibility when it started using the Peace Prize for explicitly political purposes … Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, Wangari Maathai, El Baradei, and many others over the years. Yasser Arafat was rewarded for his terrorism in 1994.
The Peace Prize has always been one of those fuzzy little accolades that can be awarded to anyone for pretty much anything, especially when it comes to “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” and such other non-quantifiable contributions.
So it should come as no surprise that Barack Hussein Obama is the latest laureate. Quite frankly, any Democrat succeeding GWB would have won the same. Or a goat for that matter. Even a martian. R2D2.
UPDATE: So, the head of the Committee says:
“It was because we would like to support what he is trying to achieve”
People “try” to achieve a lot of things. They should be encouraged to do so, but awarding them even before they have accomplished even a single thing is quite wrong headed.
Obama is not a kid who needs to be encouraged to study and “try” to do well on exams. Obama is the President of the United States – an entire nation depends upon him. He just can’t “try” to achieve something. He bloody well has to do.
Morgan Tsvangirai, one of the most popular nominees with a record 205 commendations, should have been awarded for his efforts to stabilize Zimbabwe. Obama is all talk, while Tsvangirai is actually toiling despite constant death threats.
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- Five fallen soldiers back in UK 5: 09 am, March 11, 2010The bodies of five British serviceman killed in Afghanistan last week are flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. […]
- Afghan plea for 'no proxy wars' 5: 07 am, March 11, 2010Afghanistan does not want other countries' "proxy wars" fought on its soil, President Hamid Karzai says in Islamabad. […]
- Killer refuses to name victims 5: 06 am, March 11, 2010A murderer who killed and dismembered a salesman refuses to tell police about other men he chopped up. […]
- Rail union workers vote to strike 5: 03 am, March 11, 2010Network Rail maintenance workers vote in favour of strikes, bringing about the possibility of action over Easter. […]
- Burma election laws condemned 4: 47 am, March 11, 2010Burma's election laws provoke widespread condemnation, as Aung San Suu Kyi's 1990 poll win is formally annulled. […]
- Hamas release British journalist 4: 40 am, March 11, 2010Hamas release a British journalist, Paul Martin, accused of spying and jailed for a month in the Gaza Strip, British officials say. […]
- Pakistan kidnap boy not released 4: 38 am, March 11, 2010The Foreign Office says a five-year-old boy from Oldham kidnapped in Pakistan has not been released. […]
- Greeks stage fresh general strike 4: 33 am, March 11, 2010Greek public and transport services grind to a halt and clashes break out during a third strike over austerity measures. […]
- World airline sector 'recovering' 4: 27 am, March 11, 2010The global airline industry will recover strongly this year, as passenger and freight numbers improve, its trade body says. […]
- Parched island 4: 22 am, March 11, 2010Politicians look away as Cyprus dies of drought […]
- Ex-Bosnian leader freed on bail 5: 24 am, March 11, 2010
When Can Bernie Madoff Invest My Money Again?
