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Obama’s not a ‘Nobel’ choice
Published Saturday, October 10, 2009
Every morning, before I come in to work, I go through my normal routine of checking various news Web sites. Friday morning, I was flabbergasted to see the top story on most of those sites — and I’m sure many of you were just as shocked to see it.
“President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Price.”
Now, no matter what your opinions about the man, I find it hard to believe that anybody can defend this choice. The selection committee picked Obama based upon, “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Big Bird and Barney the Dinosaur have done as much.
Even more bizarre is that the nomination deadline was Feb. 1, 2009, just two weeks after Obama was initially elected. All I remember him doing in that short amount of time was filling his Cabinet with tax cheats and looking for a dog.
I don’t like Obama, but if he had actually done something worthy of receiving such a prize, I would be happy for him to have received the award. Instead, it is patently obvious the Nobel committee awarded him the Peace Prize for one reason and one reason only — he’s not international pariah George W. Bush.
If Obama had already ended the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and closed the prison at Guantanamo Bay, then I could understand giving him the prize (even if I would have disagreed with his decisions). But we are still fighting in the Middle East, “Gitmo” is still open and Iran is moving closer and closer to becoming a nuclear threat.
And who were some of the people that Obama beat out for the medal and its $1.4 million purse? They include Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai, who essentially has ended the rule of brutal dictator Robert Mugabe; Hu Jia, a Chinese dissident who was jailed for speaking out against the communist regime; and Sima Samar, an Afghan doctor and activist for the rights of Muslim women. All of these have actual accomplishments and would have been much more sensible choices than Obama.
Then again, when you have a “Peace Prize” that has gone to such illuminating figures as terrorist Yassir Arafat, and yet was never awarded to Mahatma Gandhi, it’s already lost most of its luster.
That noted American philosopher, The Simpsons’ Sideshow Bob, once asked his cartoon jury, “Attempted murder? Now, honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel prize for attempted chemistry?”
Not yet, Bob. But apparently they do give one for attempted peace.
Comments
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Nobel Peace Prize was once an award of prestige. What a shame for the Nobel committee to allow politics, rather than deeds, to be the determining factor to choose winners. Obama should have declined to accept the award. To do so, would have shown an extraordinary amount of scruples on his part. Obama has shown his ego supercedes scruples. I am embarrassed for America. Obama's acceptance of the Nobel Peace prize promotes the entitlement mentality......continue to take and take, even though you did not earn it. Great lesson Obama!
Posted by Reader (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I rarely post on here anymore or, for that fact, on any forum in a quasi-debate on Obama. So I'll post my opinion but avoid the whole back and forth debate. Will it change stubborn, uninformed opinions? No. I think it is a shame that Americans continue to “bash” Obama and ignore his accomplishments. As the recession has ended as a result of Obama's efforts, uninformed Americans point to the unemployment rate (those who chose to educate themselves find that this is the last area of improvement when recovering from a recession). As Obama works towards healthcare, extremists promote lies (death panels!) instead of informing themselves about the bill and its proposals. When Obama is recognized for his efforts by an agency outside of the critical and uninformed, the bashers step forward. Friday morning, as the news broke, a news commentator stated that whether you agree or not, this is a win for the United States. I am proud of Obama, his efforts, and accomplishments. Yet I am equally ashamed of those who ignore his efforts and accomplishments simply because he is a Democrat (or is it something else?).
Posted by 188822 (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a person who works with youth that are considered "at risk", I can assure you that President Obama has done much to inspire the children I work with. I can also tell you that after his speech in January I increased my volunteer hours and many of the charities and organizations I work with had a waiting list for people who wanted to help. I think that these tiny things add up to a more peaceful world. So Mr. Schuver, I respectfully disagree with you.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We do have the uninformed. Those who say that Obama received this prize for his accomplishments need to read the article at the following link.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6868905.ece
It would seem that the chairman of the Nobel committee would agree with those of us who say that Obama has done nothing to deserve this award.
Posted by swswilliam (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Accomplishments???? What accomplishments???? Honestly.
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems to me that Justin's article is dead on the mark. I don't see how anyone can justify the award if for no other reason the nomination deadline was Feb. 1, 2009. Obama first of all has accomplished nothing and sacrificed nothing, but these others nominees have actually accomplished things in the name of peace and have risked their lives doing so. I'm afraid hes was awarded the prize for his America apology tour or else in hope of not giving our men and women in uniform the troops and whatever they need for victory. I believe he is making the United States a laughing stock.
Posted by Estragon (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again, Justin shows his immaturity.
Posted by swswilliam (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He offended the Queen of England. He bowed deeply to the Saudi Prince. On his "European apology tour", he apologized for America's arrogance towards Europe...he apologized to Muslims worldwide, to Iran, France and Germany. France? Really? And GERMANY???
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WAtidefan: thanks for the link.
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This marxist administration is a fraud. His nomination was made a couple of weeks before he was sworn in so what accomplishments were used to base this on. Give him the Heisman....it would mean about as much.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We do owe credit to Obama for us having the ability to discuss our allegiances on this wonderful forum. After all was'nt it he...not Al Gore...that invented the internet...
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is one topic, where even media liberals agree that Obama did not deserve the Nobel Peace prize. Some of you often reference satire and how it "rocks". Liberal satirists are coming out against Obama on this one! Every liberal posting has addressed everything from the "recession has ended" (really?!?!?!) to "inspiring at risk youth" and finally, the original writer accused of being "immature". Boy, that was a stretch in an effort to be negative!! While inspiring at risk youth is wonderful and having the recession end would be nice (9.8% unemployment reigns with pain). Your basic talking points are so passe`! None of those points are worthy of the Nobel Peace prize. The one thing no liberal posting thus far has done is list ACCOMPLISHMENTS Obama has made in his life for PEACE and the betterment of mankind. He does not deserve to be on the same level as Mother Teresa. Perhaps in his life he can achieve statesman status and accomplish great things. For now, Obama has not reached the summit.
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=...
I read in this Associated Press article this morning that said at the end of the article,
"In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel stipulated 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 committee has taken a wide interpretation of Nobel's guidelines, expanding the prize beyond peace mediation to include efforts to combat poverty, disease and climate change." End quote.
After reading the article, most honest people would have to admit, that the recipients of the prize has evolved into people that Alfred Nobel would never have seen as qualified as a nominee, much less a recipient.
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
reader, you say "for those that wish to educate themselves..." I wish you would take that suggestion and educate yourself. The recession is NOT over. I know you hear the fringe news (NBC, CBS, and ABC) say it is over but the rules for a recession being over is three months in a row of growth and we have not had that yet. I agree there are some improvements in some areas and that employment lags growth but with the number of newly unemployed each week being over half a million, do you really think the recession is over? I think not. The "death panel" remark was given to the panel of bureaucrats that would be created by the health care reform bill to determine what procedures would be allowed for quality of life issues for seniors and they would set the price for those procedures. Now IF they set the price for a $150,000 procedure at $20,000 bucks, nobody can say that was a government death panel decision--it was a hospital decision not to do it because the nasty doctors wouldn't work for gardener wages. I know you said you would not get into a back and forth argument on this blog, that sort of sounds like Al Gore's "the debate on Global Warming is over" quote just before data showed the earth has been cooling for the past 8 years so they changed the name to Climate Change, but please answer me this one question, how does giving $10 Million to the health providers union retirement fund reform health care? I call it pay back, with your tax dollars, for voting for the president. Oh, and if you can list 2 accomplishments the president completed prior to the Feb. 1st deadline I will agree this award was merited. I would give you “closing the Cuban prison” but saying/signing is not doing nor can I give you stopping enhanced interrogation practices, as he is continuing the "Democratic party denounced policy" of rendition, the moving of prisoners to foreign prisons for interrogation purposes. I don't think dumping water in prisoner noses is in their enhanced interrogation handbook.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Reader wrote..."I am proud of Obama,his efforts,and accomplishments." Hahah!! Oh that was funny! Come on,quit kidding around.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This a direct quote (copied and pasted) from the article I referenced earlier (see the link).
"The award is also an example of what Nobel scholars call the growing aspirational trend of Nobel committees over the past three decades, by which awards are given not for what has been achieved but in support of the cause being fought for.
Thorbjørn Jagland, the committee chairman, made clear that this year’s prize fell in that category. “If you look at the history of the Peace Prize, we have on many occasions given it to try to enhance what many personalities were trying to do,” he said. “It could be too late to respond three years from now.”
So, Obama did not, I repeat, DID NOT receive this award because of his accomplishments. Who would know better than the chairman of the committee? Reader? Estragon? 18822? WHO??
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WAtidefan: Great site and response posted. As usual, an answer to any sound question will never come forth! Nobel has gone by the wayside and been cheapened, same as the Pulitzer!
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"BREAKING NEWS"
Pillsbury Bake-Off prize goes to Obama!
Obama finds Waldo
Obama Turns The Water Into Wine
Obama Replaces Lennon and Harrison, Reunites the Beatles!
Obama Wins the America's Cup Without a Boat.
Barack Obama Wins $10 Million Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes!
Obama Solves 48yr Mystery: Who Put The Bomp In The Bomp Bah Bomp Bah Bomp?
Obama Wins PGA and PBA Championships...With The Same Ball!
Obama Declared "Tougher Than Chuck Norris"
Man Healed By Touching Hem Of Obama's Robe -- Obama Awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine
Obama locates Jimmy Hoffa
Obama Named “Father of Our Country,” Washington Stripped of Title
BREAKING: Obama feeds multitude with Hamburger Helper,one box,one pound...
Obama catches Roadrunner
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuitsandhoovergravy: Now my sides are splitting....thanks for the pain!
Posted by rgodwin (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuitsandhoovergravy: I really loved the last 3 in your list, but BREAKING: Obama feeds multitude with Hamburger Helper,one box,one pound... has to be number one!!!!!
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My favorite: Obama's PGA and PBA Championship Wins...With The Same Ball!
I missed my man though - when they did not award the "Scariest Clown in the Circus Award" to Omar, the camelman, Qadaffi.
It went to Madeline Albright this year.
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ROTFL!!!! Obama knew he was recieving the Peace Prize and thats why he would not send more troops to Afg. The "Jerk" ...if he had sent the troop's that was requested he would never have recieved the Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is a "JOKE". No!! He did NOT deserve it!! But hes a Money Hungry / Power monger, so he took it. Everyone need to be in the Tea Party Express from Washington to Orlando Oct. 25th - 28th.
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
News flash: Dairy farmer's in Germany are pouring milk out in the street's. Milk is selling for $0.05 a liter.
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe obama got the peace award for being so full of himself and peaceful inside. We always hear "inner peace" is essential for body and mind. I just heard on the news he used the word "I" over 1200 times in his 41 speeches in September, 2009. In his speech in Copenhagen he used "I" or "me" 23 times while trying to get the 2016 Olympics. He must have a lot of inner peace knowing he is so grand.
I thought he was president of the US of A, not the world of "I." Guess he never heard the expression, there is no I in team. Oh, wait according to b&hg he doesn't need a TEAM, he does it all himself.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Biscuits: Too darn funny. You need to post this list to some national sites.
Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I his short period in office Obama has repaired the relationships with many countries. This has allowed a greater flow of security information between countries, including our own, reducing the likelihood of terrorist attacks. The use of diplomacy rather that unilateral confrontation can go a long way to maintaining a peaceful world. Consistent with the stipulations of Alfred Nobel, and quoted above by rgodwin, the Nobel Prize committee certainly thought Obama had done more to set the tone for peace than anyone else in the group of nominees.
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick, your kidding right?
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is nothing but a liberal prize anyway.Thats why Obama is the big weiner.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I may be wrong about this but I believe Yasser Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.Oh boy he sure did alot for peace lol.
Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LoyalAmerican, you are now embarrassed about an American achieving a world honor? Oh and where is this liberal media you keep referencing? I want to listen to or read some of it.
Reader, don’t let the Obama bashers stop you from posting. It is fun to see posters comparing him to the Nazis, considering the Nazis were a right wing group and emulated by white supremacist. Now he has a Marxist administration. Which is it?
I agree with you the lies they propagate concerning healthcare are ridiculous. If they would read the Republican healthcare bill they would see it to be a joke. HR3400 is aimed at giving Companies and the wealthy a tax break instead of insuring the poor or controlling healthcare cost. All this would be a funny sideline except it is estimated 45,000 people will die this year because they can’t afford healthcare.
Many of those who dispute human impact of our environment have never left this area to see some of the impacts for themselves. Go to Canada and tell them the planet isn’t getting warmer. They will laugh at you just like they did Bush. What, America a laughing stock?
Alabamachris, you are on some other planet on healthcare and global warming, however, I do agree with you that the Bush recession isn’t over yet. Let me give you an investment tip. The conservatives have watered down the healthcare bills so much and eliminated the public option. Thus no cost controls are added. Buy health insurance company stock. With all the money the government is adding on the demand side and no cost controls the companies will make a killing. However, don’t hold the stock too long, because American’s will come to their senses eventually and eliminate the insurance companies from the picture or control their prices. Remember, money drives everything in America.
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick: No I am not embarrassed about an American "achieving a world honor". I am embarrassed that an American would accept an honor they know full well they do not deserve. You know Patrick, it like doping in the Olympics. If you don't earn the medal fair and square, it is stripped. Obama should man up and ask the Nobel committee to give the honor and money to someone truly deserving, like say....Prime Minister Tsvangarai! As for the liberal media, check out Jon Stewart, Colbert and I'll bet SNL will be a hoot tonight. Juan Williams said Obama has not done anything to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Are those enough liberals for you to check out? By the way, this forum is about the Peace Prize.....health care is on another thread. Your reference to global warming remarks are nonsensical. Why go to Canada? It is already low 30's in Kansas! Yes indeed... a real heat wave is upon us! One question Patrick, do you really find "fun" in anything to do with the Nazi's? That was a disappointing remark to read.
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick, the earth has been in a cooling cycle since 1998. It's normal for the earth to make cyclical changes in the climate. Always has and I suspect it always will. Please take a look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/natur.... We can argue this point all day long but the truth is that you don't know any more about the subject than I do. There has been plenty of studies done by the "experts" that validates both sides of the argument, We'll just have to agree to disagree.
Thanks for the investment advice. Actually, I have had some insurance stock which hasn't performed too well but I will heed your advice and keep it for a while.
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick, you really do have to keep up with the changing world situation--it is no longer called global warming--it is now called climate change at least on my planet, Earth. I have been out of the country, I went on a cruise around Alaska last fall and while at the Mendenhall glacier I asked the Natural Resource person there when the glacier started to recede. Do you have any idea when that was and please don't say when Bush was in office? Answer, when George Washington took office as the first president.
When Bush took office he did not spend his time whining about the Clinton recession--they went to work and fixed it.
I'm not sure who you mean is watering down the healthcare bill either because if the conservatives you are talking about are Republicans then I must inform you that the Democrats have a majority in the house, senate and the president so they don't need to listen to any republicans to get any bill they want passed. So why don't they, because when the bill drives the US into bankruptcy they can say it was a bi-partisan bill. If you are talking about the blue-dog democrats, well then tell the big cheeses in charge to get their troops in line. If you really want reform why not include a couple Republican ideas, such as tort reform (CBO says it will save, I think it was 58billion bucks) or how about allowing interstate sales of health insurance just like we have with car insurance. And IF you are so unhappy with the health reform bill I hope you are writing Senators Shelby and Sessions and Representative Bright and letting them know how you feel. I do, and they respond too.
Why do you think the government has an obligation to provide you with health care anyway? Maybe we all should have the government provide us with housing and food and car insurance also--and I want a new car.
You do know that health insurance companies only make a 3% profit margin every year, right? That does not seem like excessive to me. I do think their bonuses are excessive.
I agree entirely with your last statement, "money drives everything in America." The 1.4 Trillion deficit this administration has accumulated in its first 9 months is driving this country and everyone in it to the poor house.
There is no joy in any ones heart when people die. I don't know where you got the 45,000 number but, the 2006 National Center for Health Statistics report of deaths in the US, states that 121,599 people died in accidents--should we blame those deaths on the government not demanding safer cars?
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bell, thank you for the informative report. I thought I remembered it was 8 years but the report brought back my memory as it was 1998. I guess the ole 66 year old brain ain't what it used to be.
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick, I did find this report on deaths attributed to lack of health insurance but as you can see a lot less, per year, then your 45,000 number.
January 09, 2008
Study estimates deaths due to lack of health insurance
A new study by the Urban Institute estimates 137,000 Americans died from 2000-2006 because they lacked health insurance. The study uses the latest data on insurance coverage from the Census Bureau to update findings from a 2002 Institute of Medicine report, which estimated 18,000 Americans died in 2000 because they were uninsured.
The new report uses the same methodology as the IOM report, which found working-age Americans without health insurance are more likely to receive too little medical care and receive it too late, be sicker and die sooner.
I am not bashing you on this sad subject, I just like to get the facts straight--if you can point me to the report that states your numbers I would love to read it.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 10, 2009 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MoreCowBell and alabamachris: greats posts!
Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 3:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabamachris
I appreciate your return comments they were to the point and not ravings. The glaciers have been receding since the last ice age about 11,000 years ago. It is the fact the rate at which they are receding has been increasing exponentially since the mid 1800s. British Columbia has been getting warmer for the last 50 years and new insect infestations have killed nearly 50% of the timber in the southern most 300 miles of the province. In our area, love bugs infest as far north as Greenville, AL. When I moved here in 1971 they didn’t exist in Andalusia yet.
I didn’t notice a Clinton recession. The economy was well enough Clinton had a budget surplus when he left office. Tax cuts for the wealthy took care of that.
I have generic letters back from, Shelby, Sessions, Bright, Obama, Clinton and Baucus. They have all heard my opinion for what it is worth. I will judge their success when I see what finally comes out on healthcare.
Tort reform is addressed in the Republican bill HR3400. It would limit someone injured by malpractice to $250,000 for economic losses and set up a doctor’s panel to set punitive damages. Why limit economic damages? If it cost 2 mil to repair the problem caused by the malpractice, the injured party deserves 2 mil. Punitive damages should be determined by independent judges and not a panel of doctors. A limit on punitive damages would work if legal fees didn’t have to be paid from the punitive damages as it is currently in Alabama. The AARP said malpractice claims amount to 0.2% of medical cost. The CBO figures released last week were for ten years. I didn’t see an estimate of tort reform savings, but 58/892 would be about 6%. Much higher than the AARP estimate.
Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 3:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabamachris,
No insurance company would stay in business with a 3% profit margin. I retired from a local chemical company. We hired an insurance company to administer our healthcare insurance. Each year we paid an estimated cost for healthcare and had to make up the difference between the estimated amount and the actual amount at year end. We paid an administrative fee to the insurance company. The fee was 10% of what we spent on our employees’ healthcare in 1983. That administration fee had risen to 15% by 2003. Media estimates claim the company profits currently exceed 20%. Since most medium to large companies handle their insurance as we did, there was actually an incentive for the insurance company to desire higher medical cost. An Aetna agent said Aetna’s share of a $4000 charge was better than their share of a $400 charge.
A government program like the Canadian program doesn’t require companies to pay for their employees’ healthcare and shields doctors from all malpractice costs. Their program covers every citizen with a cost of 10.6 % of their GNP. The US currently covers the elderly, extreme poor, and veterans at a cost of 15.8% of our GNP. Canada uses insurance companies to administer their programs on a province by province basis, but sets medical practitioner’s salaries and charges.
As to your question about why the government should provide healthcare. Should the government provide for national defense? There are some functions that everyone needs and average people can’t provide for themselves. A national defense program is one. Electricity to rural areas in the thirties, environmental protection, a judicial system, a retirement system (social security) are some examples. Medical care has become so expensive it must also be included. Are we becoming a socialist society? Yes! As the population of our nation continues to increase there will be a demand for more and more programs to be provided by the government. Most European nations, which have population densities greater than ours have been dealing with these demands since WWII.
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Those same European countries that tried the socialist route are now beginnging to take the conservative approach. Governments are learning that citizens need to take more responsibility.
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick, thanks for your comments. Again, I believe that the earth is constantly changing. Whether or not the earth is in a cooling or warming phase should not be alarming given what we know about the past. Records do indicate that we did gain approximately 1 degree F over the past 100 years peaking in 1998. From that point on, the earth has went through a cooling down phase.
Your mention of insect movement is correct, however I would like to add that most of this is not attributed to climate change but rather the evolution of transportation. Because of airplanes, automobiles, trains, etc., many species of plants, insects, diseases, etc. have moved about to areas that previously did not exist. Some good examples of this are fire ants, popcorn trees, kudzu, love bugs, jap grass, etc. This is an area that I know a little about since eradicating invasive species of plants is part of my job. I have lived in Covington County for nearly 50 years and can't remember when there wasn't love bugs each spring and fall. They are however migrating to the north ever so slowly. But I believe that this "ever so slow" migration is largely attributed to the "greyhound" effect rather than a 1 degree F average increase in world temps over the past 100 years or so.
I have traveled to almost every state and have seen the timber being destroyed by insects as you have noted. I would like to interject another valid comment as to why this is occurring. Because of the prohibition of many pesticides and the outright ban of pesticide use in some "sensitive" areas, we have lost the war in controlling many pests.
The same situation is haunting California concerning the massive wildfires that we hear about and see on the news. Environmentalists (with good intentions I'm sure) have basically stopped annual control burning, so you can imagine what happens when so much underbrush builds up each year and you get a lightning strike (or some nut deliberately starts it). That coupled with the Santa Ana winds makes an inferno.
Posted by hometown_girl (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting comments posted here in favor of and against Obama's win. I have to agree though that this award was not deserved. The Nobel Peace Prize no longer means anything...didn't start with Obama's win, but it certainly has hit the bottom. Great article Justin. One of the best opinion pieces I've read in a long time. My husband agrees as well. Look forward to reading more articles by you.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MoreCowBell: Fabulous post @ 7:09. Remember the June 1974 Time magazine article about the coming Ice Age? It may have been the cover story.
re: Nobel Peace Prize-- for about the last 30 years it has been a joke. Jimmy Carter was rewarded for failures.
Heath insurance: I stumbled upon a very interesting article written by Wendy Button. She is a self-employed writer who has written speeches for Edwards, H. Clinton and Obama on healthcare reform. When she lived in D.C. she paid around $235 per month for insurance. She was happy with it. She now has no insurance. Why? She moved. She moved to Massachusetts. That's it. Moved. Massachusetts has universal healthcare and she can't afford the premium. Read it here...
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/08/...
Posted by bluecollarguy (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
About that climate change....I recall well growing up in the winter that "ice sickles' would hang from houses early in the morning, and ice would freeze spewed through the clay on the ground. Family would gather around a gas space heater in the 'part' of the house you warmed, or back up to the fireplace. Back then drivers would need gloves early in the morning because the 'steering wheels' would be so cold......now this wasn't in New York, it was Antioch Road. They also told us back then when we saw our first Armadillas, that they'd rode accross the Mississppi River Bridge at Vicksburg on 'transfer trucks', now called 18 wheelers, from way out west in the deserts.
Our black community here then rode in the back of pickup trucks to the cotton fields to hoe cotton by hand where now is LBW golf course, Woodlands Subdivison, Walmart, Hardees, Shaw Industries, and received our old textbooks to learn with at school. I rode in the back of these trucks myself from time to time and earned a little low pay.
Insurance? What was that? It was something other folks bought and paid for by the week on Friday afternoons when you got paid, mostly Burial Policies, and Life Insurance. Didn't know there was any health insurance, the doctor came to your house if you were sick and brought a big black bag with him. Insurance agents would hang around coffee shops (cafes) in slick suits and drink coffee all day waiting til 5 o'clock came to meet working people with a job at their house to sell them a policy, give them a calender, a postcard with a picture of the Corporate Headquarters up in Tenneesee, or maybe a fan to take to church with you.
In view of all these changes, it seems Quite Okay to me for Barrack O'Bama to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bluecollarguy all I read was a long post about the good ole days. I don't see where thats got anything to do with Obama being the big weiner of the prize.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lookeyhere: Ditto.
Posted by leisa1962 (anonymous) on October 11, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Justin another outstanding editorial. Again, well said.
Posted by thugg4life (anonymous) on October 12, 2009 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nobel Insiders: Beer Summit Sealed it for Obama
Rose Garden Bash Gets High Marks in Oslo
OSLO, NORWAY (The Borowitz Report) - As the world responded with a mixture of surprise and amazement to the announcement of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel insiders revealed that the President's "beer summit" at the White House put him over the top.
"The committee was definitely split down the middle right up until the end," said Agot Valle, a Norwegian politician and member of the five-person Nobel committee. "Some of them were still quite upset about that nasty business with the Somali pirates."
But, according to Ms. Valle, "someone brought up the beer summit, and we all agreed that that was awesome."
Ms. Valle said she hoped that Mr. Obama's victory would be seen not only as a victory for him, but "as a tribute to the healing power of beer."
Ms. Valle acknowledged that the President's win was widely considered an upset, with most pundits having expected the prize to go to Mad Men or 30 Rock.
Elsewhere, NASA bombed the moon, saying it was the one spot President Bush missed. More here.
borowitzreport.com
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 12, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thugg4life: Super!!! Just what we needed for a jumpstart this morning! Welcome aboard. This is hilariously funny.
GUINNESS RULES!!
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on October 12, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THIS JUST IN FROM CNN
Obama spotted walking across the Potomac. Upon reaching the other shore he was immediately mobbed by reporters from every news organization represented in DC.
The only reporters who seemed to be skeptical of what they had witnessed were from Fox News.When asked for their analysis of the apparent miracle they replied..."awww he just knows where all the stumps are".
Posted by alabamachris (anonymous) on October 12, 2009 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick: Your 3:45am post tells me you know a whole lot more about employer sponsored insurance then I. But I stand by my claim that the net insurance company profits are around 3%. Here is a link to a study I read this weekend. http://www.lockergnome.com/swordofdestin...
I know we are off the nobel prize subject matter so guess we should get back on course. Thank you for your input to this debate it was educational and I like being educated.
Posted by winkie (anonymous) on October 12, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great comment's.
Posted by sonnybubbajunebugjohnson (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Patrick; I have always liked your posts and thought they they were very informative, especially now that i have figured out who you are. I still work where you retired from, at least for now. I was wondering if you have ever watched the film by Michael Moore "Sicko" I know you have traveled to Canada many times, how correct is his film on how much better their healthcare is compaired to the U.S. I hear so many people that love to hear themselves talk and think they know everything (rick & bubba - john givhan - bill o-reilly) If you have watched it I would love to get your opinion, I for one believe Moore and his film.
Posted by southernboy (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 4:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So many angry people here . So much inflamed emotion.
Congratulations to president Obama and the work he has done thus far in his work before his presidency and now. To greatly alter the environment for peace is an amazing and blessed thing.
What did the prior administration who cost us immense amounts of money and suffering in a war for self aggrandization win?
Posted by lookeyhere (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sonnybubbajunebugjohnson wrote... "I for one believe Moore and his film." Hey don't feel bad,I used to believe there was a tooth fairy.
Posted by ToldYouSo (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How many of you witnessed Conan O'brien (Tonight Show) last week as he interviewed Micharl Moore?? They talked openly about sharing the same "agent" and guess who he is? He's the brother of the most powerful man in the world; Rahm Emanuel. Remember, Emanuel is obama's "Contoller". (Chief of Staff.)
Secondly, since the "Nobel" was established and maintained by the Socialists and Leftists (Communists) of this world... why was not obama's pick the perfect one??
Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Answer some of the above inquires:
I have seen "Sicko". I have many relatives in Canada and Germany. None would trade their healthcare systems for ours.
One Canadian cousin wanted a knee replacement immediately and was told there would be a six month wait. The government supplied him a list of alternative sources for the treatment.
Wait 6 months - Free
Immediate: India - $15,000, Canada (private) - $30,000, USA - $120,000
ToldYouSo - Please explain how you think the "Nobel" was established and maintained by "Socialists and Leftists". Alfred Nobel was a "Socialists and Leftists"?
Fox News:
I was watching while they cut back and forth to the Senate Finance Committee hearing. In 2 hours of watching they covered ever other Senator’s speech. They covered comments from 4 Republicans and no Democrats. The final blow was when they brought Karl Rove in to provide a financial analysis of the bill’s cost. Donald Duck has more credibility to do a non-biased analysis than Karl Rove.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Southernboy 4:46 am: We are not neo-conservatives.
I speak for myself on the subject of Carter, Nixon, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Dems, Reps... They are all from the same ball of wax, because their stated goal is to bring our nation into the U.N.'s World Government.
I've been looking at this for quite a long time - our Republic, because it has the Rule of Law and Capitalism, the strategy to bring us into the one worlder's United Nation's prison planet is a bit trickier than other countries - yet each new administration regardless of party, brings us closer and closer to the end of their game plan.
Once you see this overview, the rest is easy to forecast.
Posted by ToldYouSo (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shamrock; You nailed it exactly! Add to your correct opinion the fact that until the "strangle-hold" which the New York media exerts on us, is fully exposed and destroyed... then no one (includng Sarah Palin) can or will stand up against them and FOR our Country! A few have tried and were destroyed in the process. (Ask Spiro Agnew's family)
I love to watch the national media each day...to see what THEY want me to think!
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A Canadian is willing to wait 6 months for a free knee replacement and that is evidence of a real trooper to hang in there and tough it out. It is a shame though, their government would EXPECT them to endure that pain for 6 months. If socialized medicine is to be fair and equitable, ALL citizens should be able to get immediate care! If socialized medicine is the answer, why are citizens forced to wait? If you have private insurance, you are a 'have', but if you can't afford private insurance and have the government plan, you are still in the 'have not' class! Where is the justice in that? If a patient is looking to save money rather than have quality of life then so be it. But....I wonder if Canadians and Germans would elect to tough it out and wait 6 months if they have leukemia, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer or a myriad of other deadly diseases? Waiting for medical care under those conditions changes the picture dramatically, wouldn't you say? Germans may not want to trade their health care, but I will tell you one thing they would trade with America in a heartbeat.....their massive taxes! How many middle class, average Americans, are willing to give 50 to 60 cents of every dollar earned to the IRS? That does not even include tax paid in stores for goods! In order to pay for all the pie in the sky proposed by the Obama administration, we all will soon discover how it feels to give uncle Sam half of what we make! At least Germans have decided that socialist programs ARE NOT the way to go and are becoming more conservative. They are tired of being taxed to death to pay for all the 'free stuff'.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my goodness! Loyal American laid out the field for us once again! Thank you Loyal!
What small minds contrive to make Canadian healthcare acceptable to America's standards!
I feel sorry for the doctors. They are being squeezed where it really huurrts!
Posted by MoreCowBell (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First of all, nothing is free. But free or not, why would you want to wait 6 months to have any procedure done? Check out the link below. The wait may have been alittle much.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...
Posted by LoyalAmerican (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MoreCowBell: The link you posted, highlights a perfect example of socialized medicine at its finest!
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Toldyouso: Way to go! I remember Agnew and his wife. Because she tried to alert us to what was going on behind the scenes, she was labeled a lunatic.
It does seem that Dr. Ron Paul is still educating our youth and the grassroots movement is growing. We voted for Ron Paul. He doesn't seem in the least bit anxst (is that a word?)with negative media, and continues right on with the Truth. I'm not real sure about Palin.
Best thoughts to you.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Morecowbell: thank you for the link. Excellent example as LoyalAmerican said of what we're in for if this passes! God forbid!
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on October 13, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just called up 2 owls in the woods behind my porch. We had a conversation goin'on.
Fall is here.
Posted by Laboa (anonymous) on October 26, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Mr. Obama.
Posted by captaindon (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nobel Peace Prize award to O-Hitler is for his plan to make the US a Communist dictator ship.
Posted by lilabell (anonymous) on November 18, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wasent shocked whatsoever when President Obama won the nobel peace prize.He,s done more to repair our reputation in the world than anyone else and in such a short amount of time.It made me proud of our President to know he won the prize and proud of our country.Now if flightsuit george~ mission accomplished ~draft dodger Bush had won the prize im sure i would have been in utter shock for days on end:)
Posted by captaindon (anonymous) on November 20, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure Obama has done so much to screw every true American but the Obots are to blind or to stupid to know when they have been screwed. Obama is a criminal and he will pay for his crimes against the American People, the Constitution and the United States.
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