Bullies “admire” people who give them their lunch money when told to do so. A person who has a rich partner, often “admires” their sugar daddy or sugar mama as the case may be. Hopefully this is not the kind of admiration thw world has for us.

In any event, while this is tentatively encouraging, I’m waiting, hoping, and praying this will translate into real action on the part of the world. For example, should Iran attack the United States is Russia prepared to tell us where the Iraninan nuclear sites are? Will the Russians assist us in circumventing the anti-aircraft system that they have put in place for Iran? Should the United States suffer a major earth quake in say San Francisco and two hurricanes with the devestating effect of say a hurricane Ike or Hurricane Katrina all at the same time this would be devestating to a country like America that is already deeply in debt with a struggling economy. Is the world ready to send us massive food shipments and other basic necessities with no or few strings attached? Is the world prepared to offer us grants or low interest loans to help us recover? And no we are not talking about things like the token assistance offered by Hugo Chavez of Venezuela a couple of years ago that was designed solely to score political points. In the event of an Iranian attack or an attack by Russia or China, is Western Europe ready to assist us in thwarting it? The top US commander in Afghanistan has stated that 40,000 or so more troops are needed for Afghanistan. Are NATO countries prepared or will they prepare to help us meet this need? I’m asking these questions and many others like these. I’m sure many Americans are too. As President Bush did foul things up mightily, I am patient but patience grows shorts. I have yet to see any tangible results of our supposed improved image in the world. At some point and probably soon, real tangible things will be expected.

Michael Reynolds (#3),

“One of the only downsides of being the world’s only super power…” you’re incorrect. While the United States is certainly currently very powerful and influential, it is not the world’s only super power. Miltarily it is checked by Russia’s superior nuclear arsenal and any qualitative edge it may have militarily over China is offset by China’s vast numbers. Also, America’s military, especially its Army, is worn down from continuing operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere in the “War on Terror.” This further limits America’s military capabilities. Again, America is a very formidable power, however, it is not the world’s only super power. In fact, there are at least seven countries and possibly more who could prevail in a conventional military conflict against the United States right now. Note I did NOT say they would be favored to win, just that they are fully capable of winning. American leaders no doubt keep this in mind when they formulate foreign policy. At least they should.

While the United States is a currenly a formidable economic power, at least it used to be before the current recession. It is hardly the preeminent economic power. Economically the United States is checked by its dependence upon others for its energy needs, namely in the form of oil. Often times the suppliers don’t have America’s best interests at heart. The United States is further checked economically by its dependence on others, mostly China, for many of its manufacturing of consumer and industrial goods.

The United States probably can be effective diplomatically, however, it is hardly preeminent in this area either. Diplomacy involves the art of carrots and sticks so to speak. In order to be effective, one needs to have things they can offer “carrots” as well “sticks” they are willing and able to use against the other party. As stated previously the United States is checked both militarily and economically by others. While the United States certainly can be effective, its abilities are strictly limited. America, while currently powerful, is hardly the stuff of preeminence.

American culture is certainly influential. By preeminent, I think you must mean Hollywood and the like. This may be true, however, Hollywood is but one small part of American culture. The movers and shakers behind Hollywood are much closer ideologically to Europe and as such this part of American power is influenced more by Europe than by main stream America. Europe has just as much influence culturaly on the United States and possibly more than the United States has culturealy on it. Again, harldy the stuff of preeminence.

Would he be getting this much love assuming he was white? Maybe not, but hew might. An Eastern European born, Islamic raised, Plant-By-The-Commies sleeper agent? During Cold War heights so there’s a motivation for the conspiracy? Manchurian Candidate for the win! That actually sounds more credible than picking a black child to be your sleeper agent in the 60s:

“Nobody will notice the black man becoming President. He’ll be completely undected . . . the ultimate sleeper cell.”

“Allah be praised . . . you’re a genius! He’ll blend at the White House perfectly!”

Maybe a white president looks more threatening, so they go after him more. Who knows.

To the actual Conservatives: Blackface and monkey jokes are racist. Sorry. It just is. That’s really the way in works in the 21st century in terms of social interraction. You shouldn’t slap your secretary on the ass either. That’s considered sexist. “No Jews” Country Clubs? Also racist, even if they DO have the best golf courses.
I actually thought this was common knowledge, but apparently many of you don’t.
If you aren’t endorsing $h!t like that tacitly AS A PUBLIC ENTITY (The Republican Party), then you have to divorce yourself from that publicly. Republicans, as a Party, cannot say “what’s the big deal?”

Rick — no comment on that link? No “you’re the problem quit polluting the party I love”? If I posted a link to porn would it still be there? Why would you delete one and not the other?

The whole “the racists don’t represent the true face of Conservatives” argument? From a purely PR standpoint, this doesn’t help.

Check out the link in comment number 4 from Paul–sickening.

“What has this man done to you all that is so terrible? Why do so many on the right hate him so intensely?”

You won’t get a dialogue (at least nobody else has). The crazies will rant something then ignore any response, and the conservative thinkers know they can’t articulate any “case” against him beyond mistrust (a perfectly reasonable reaction — a President I don’t like may eventually win me over, but I’ll start out watching him with “you suck” tinted glasses). They won’t go down that road because they’re worried you are going to call them a racist.

And there certainly is some (small) faction that has a race-based axe to grind, but otherwise you’ve got opposition based on him being a complete unknown. He a friggin’ rookie politician on the Federal stage. He’s got no nationwide history to judge him. He gives great speeches, but is he salted enough to get elected captain of the team?

Did I mention he’s a Democrat?

Given the (IMO righteously deserved) vitriol of the last several years, Obama took over pretty much in the middle of open Inter-Party combat. As I said, before, I don’t regret that we got here. I was someone that screamed bloody murder about Bush, and I thought the level of his errors deserved every rant. Obama may not have done anything that objectively merits that kind of emotional broadside . . . but Liberals did start it. I wish the country wasn’t at this level of rhetoric, but this is the way things played out.

Another reason for the hate possibly is that everybody actually hoped/feared that he might really be all that and a bag of chips. With no record to judge, maybe he really COULD do all the things voters hope/dread over. Now that a factually legitimate grounds for hating Obama are developing (that he is so far a bit of a milquetoast) the crazy “Obama is Teh Debil” voices are slowly drifting to the ignored corner (where they belong). At the start though . . . maybe he could have ridden 70+ approval numbers to name himself king (hell, look what Bush did with far less). If he WAS that kind of meglomaniac, it made sense to try and stop his charge before he developed any momentum. Hit him first day with everything you have and don’t let up. If he catches his breath and counter-attacks we’re all doomed!! Its the friggin’ Terminator, for chrissakes!

Those are my best guesses. I’ve tried to figure it out myself, but getting answers from “Teh Other Side” on this question is tough. If I were them, I don’t know if I’d answer it myself. Why do they hate him? He’s the wrong party. Its silly to take it to the extremes that it is, but there you go. Would I be willing to admit that?

“… although if this president had any class–and God knows, he doesn’t–he would return it only on the condition it were awarded post-humously to Reagan for his efforts to destroy communism.”

Yes…really, that’s the only reasonable thing to do, isn’t it? Anything else is just more proof of how much Obama sucks.

I think everybody can agree that this is really the only standard we as a society need in terms of establishing “class” and “classless” behavior. Personally, I would add that he also has to sing “Let The Eagle Soar” while he does it, but that’s more of a personal style thing with me.

“You obviously are an Obama partisan…” Nope. I wanted another of the Dem candidates and I don’t belong to the Dem party. I’ve sent several messages of concern and disagreement to the WH on specific policies.

Only in America would people be complaining that their democratically elected president won one of the most prestigious awards on the planet in a recognition of a new direction that is perceived to be positive for the world.

Now, I disagree with this notion that the world should not or does not interfere with our politics. It happens often enough that it seems to elicit little outrage at this point, even when its out in the open (like Bibi coming over here for the second time in 15 years and trying to subvert official US policy, enlisting Congressmen to help him in his efforts). That’s not a knock on Israel, and is a reflection of our special relationship, but it is a knock on our domestic politicians who encourage such behavior in their political games.

As to those attacking Reynolds for mentioning how we interfere in other countries’ politics often, please explain our constant poking, prodding, and even outright snubbing/showering of attention and aid on dozens of countries. We are a very powerful nation, so let’s get over ourselves being anytime lately innocent lily-white never do any such thing people.

This week the International political game is a farce that has no merit. The Nobel Judges have pronounced judgment, and that judgment is that they tacitly admit their opinion is completely divorced from reality. They like Obama, and that proves they don’t know what they are talking about because Obama sucks. Therefore, Obama sucks.

Regardless of my opinions of the Right, I do salute y’all for your unerring ability to stay on point. “Message Discipline” has some serious emotional resonance for you guys.

That is about the equivalent of saying that the plan for D-Day was “Get’em!”.

Um…no. He meant this 248 page bill introduced in May: “The Patients Choice Act”

http://www.house.gov/ryan/PCA/

The CBO said it would have insured more people who currently don’t have coverage after a decade then the House plan. It proposed insurance pools at the state level to take care of those with pre-existing conditions. It granted tax credits (not big enough for families) for individuals an families to buy insurance. It took down barriers so insurance could be sold across state lines. It eliminated mandated comprehensive coverage so that the “young invincibles” could choose to buy catastrophic insurance only. It reformed Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals pretty much the way the Democrats want to. It called for significant tort reform. It accomplished everything the Democrats want to ram down our throats at half the cost and was revenue neutral.

Yes, there are flaws in it - not near enough a tax credit for families. Questionable Medicaid policy that I think would allow too many poor people to fall through the cracks. But it would have eventually gotten employers out of the business of giving their employees insurance, significantly reformed Medicare (although more savings would need to be realized), been much more patient friendly, and done all of this without creating 53 new boards, panels, and agencies.

Go suck an egg.

ed.