Oct 12 2009
How is Obama being supported?
With little to-do about it, the House approved a defense bill last week that “greens” the next generation fighter planes, prohibits President Barack Obama from transferring Guantanamo detainees into the U.S. on contingencies, and includes a 3.4 percent pay increase for troops.
It is also strengthens federal hate-crime laws, unrelated – but enough to piss off the GOP who said the new law shouldn’t include social measures. (BTW, the GOP has consistently voted against any real hate crime legislation time and time again for the past 10 years.)
No, that wasn’t the big news last week. The news that was not celebrated, but chastised by Right-Wing fearmongers was that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. Humble, and surprised, our President accepted the honor in his typical, gracious way, and all monies associated will go to charitable endeavors.
“I am both surprised and deeply humbled. I do not view it as recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership…I will accept this award as a call to action.”
Enter the idiots, the blatant racists, the radio pundits who are actually speaking to a fan base that gathers attention whenever it assembles. According to “Media Matters,” following the announcement of Obama’s honor, the following statements were actually uttered:
“I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota,” wrote Erick Erickson, who last week laughed at the idea Obama improved America’s standing in the world.
According to Rush Limbaugh, the Taliban was also against the Nobel Committee’s decision.“I think that everybody is laughing” Limbaugh said. “Our president is a worldwide joke. Folks, do you realize something has happened here that we all agree with the Taliban and Iran about and that is he doesn’t deserve the award. Now that’s hilarious, that I’m on the same side of something with the Taliban, and that we all are on the same side as the Taliban.”
What a buffoon.(Limbaugh is also blaming the White House for spreading the flu… He attacked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for encouraging everyone to get the shot telling her: “Screw you, Ms. Sebelius! I am not going to take it, precisely because you’re now telling me I must. It’s not your role, it’s not your responsibility, and you do not have that power. I don’t want to take your vaccine. I don’t get flu shots.”
(Whatever Limbaugh. I truly hope he catches the flu – and it would be ironic if the pig got the swine flu as well.)
It was also largely unnoticed our female Secretary of State Hillary Clinton brokered a peace pact between Turkey and Armenia to open a passage between the two countries shut down for 16 years.
Also, Iraqi forces are reportedly forging a partnership with remaining U.S. forces. Of the 120,000 soldiers still on the field, Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby reported that infantry, gunners, and tankers are being reduced, (probably being sent to Afghanistan!)
In the nine-year Iraq war, 3,745 U.S. soldiers died, with another 601 dead from noncombat injuries or illness.
Meanwhile, it was also reported violence increased 100 percent in Afghanistan. No surprise there, huh? There were 900 Taliban attacks in August alone.
Anti-war sentiment continues to increase, too. Ninety-nine U.S. governors signed a pact requesting an exit strategy, because the focus has changed from al-Qaida terrorists, who reportedly have less than 100 left in its fold.
The problem is the Taliban, an unconstructed group of warriors from all over the world that have converged in the Middle Eastern fight. On “Sixty Minutes,” Sunday, a U.S. soldier said it is frustrating that weeks ago, the Taliban, and (anyone shooting at them, for that matter), would be engaged in battle. Now, orders are to avoid gunfights, and that is mostly to protect civilians.
Please, remember, however, women in Afghanistan are still treated worse than animals. Girls are not allowed to go to school. Those, who do are splashed with acid. Many women are raped, and forced to plant bombs for the Taliban.
It is a thousand-year war with no clear enemies, and the U.S. should get out. Now is the time to tell Obama what we want. Contact the Administration through whitehouse.gov.
