Russians praise, GOP mocks, Obama's peace prize

[ProSense]

Russians praise, GOP mocks, Obama's peace prize

WASHINGTON – While Russia's president congratulated President Barack Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Republicans see the award as so outrageous that they're using it to raise campaign money.

Obama won the prize "for awesomeness," says the mocking GOP fundraising letter. Obama's honor shows "how meaningless a once honorable and respected award has become," says the letter, signed by Michael S. Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had a different view. He said the award will encourage further U.S.-Russian cooperation.

"I hope this decision would serve as an additional incentive for our common work to form a new climate in world politics and promote initiatives which are fundamentally important for global security," Medvedev said in a letter to Obama.

Steele said Obama hasn't accomplished enough to deserve the prize. Numerous Democrats and independents have expressed similar views, although generally in less bombastic terms.

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South Africa's president, Jacob Zuma, cited a Zulu term — "Ubuntu," which refers to the importance of community" — in saying Obama's "leadership reflects the true spirit of Ubuntu because your approach celebrates our common humanity."

[Cha]

1. Well, lookie here! More proof streaming in

that glen greenwald doesn't know his International Community from tainted red meat.

[ProSense]

2. Some people know more than everyone else in the world

It's no longer just their own opinion, they believe it should become the global gospel.

[rasputin1952]

3. Leave it to the GOP to denigrate an American president...

(not the first one), about receiving the PP.

Make me wonder how overjoyed they'd be to find out Hitler or Tojo received an honor like the Nobel PP...they'd be dancing in the streets.

Just about the only people that have a problem w/this is the neo-cons and a few even here.

Kind of glad I used up all of my "amazement" at human fallibility a long time ago.

[krispos42]

4. Didn't the Repubs give Medals of Freedom to a bunch of proven failures?

Like George Tenet?

And Dick Cheney?

And Paul Bremer?

And Alan Greenspan?



Seems to me that they have a shitty record on such things.

[roguevalley]

5. medvedev *loves* Obama.

[rove karl rove]

6. good from his pov

Casztro liked the award thing too, I don't think it's too significant one way or the other except in certain cases like with Russia - it'll give Obama credentials.