Who Really Won? In diminishing American power abroad, Obama and the U.S. choose decline. [STEYN]

NRO ^ | 10/10/09 | Mark Steyn

[chuck_the_tv_out]

The most popular headline at the Real Clear Politics website the other day was: “Is Obama Becoming A Joke?” With brilliant comedic timing, the very next morning the Norwegians gave him the Nobel Peace Prize. Up next: His stunning victory in this year’s Miss World contest. December 12, Johannesburg. You read it here first.

For what, exactly, did he win the Nobel? As the president himself put it: “When you look at my record, it’s very clear what I have done so far. And that is nothing. Almost one year and nothing to show for it. You don’t believe me? You think I’m making it up? Take a look at this checklist.”

And up popped his record of accomplishment, reassuringly blank.

Oh, no, wait. That wasn’t the real President Obama. That was a comedian playing President Obama on Saturday Night Live. And, for impressionable types who find it hard to tell the difference, CNN — in a broadcast first that should surely have its own category at the Emmys — performed an in-depth “reality check” of the SNL sketch. That’s right: They fact-checked the jokes. Seriously. “How much truth is behind all the laughs? Stand by for our reality check,” promised Wolf Blitzer, introducing his in-depth report with all the plonking earnestness so cherished by those hapless Americans stuck at Gate 73 for four hours with nothing to watch but the CNN airport channel. Given the network’s ever-more-exhaustive absence of viewers among the non-flight-delayed demographic, perhaps Wolf could make it a regular series:

[jessduntno]

Thanks Chuck...the Steyn stuff somehow gets by me and you always post them...he’s the best we have, I think.

[smoothsailing]

Steyn on Afghanistan:

Obama’s priorities lie not in the Hindu Kush but in America: Why squander your presidency on trying to turn an economically moribund feudal backwater into a functioning nation state when you can turn a functioning nation state into an economically moribund feudal backwater?

Mark Steyn is priceless!

[Huck]

He’s definitely the best humorist/commenter-on-politics out there. Extremely creative, crackling with energy and good cheer. I wish he weren’t such a neocon. But I always enjoy his talent for writing, even when I disagree with him. I daresay he approaches Mencken territory for his writing. No one else out there comes within 20 miles of him.

[Navy Patriot]

The most popular headline at the Real Clear Politics website the other day was: “Is Obama Becoming A Joke?” With brilliant comedic timing, the very next morning the Norwegians gave him the Nobel Peace Prize. Up next: His stunning victory in this year’s Miss World contest. December 12, Johannesburg. You read it here first.

Well almost Mark.

You nail it on 0bama becoming a joke, but I'm afraid that the fallout all joke all the time, was on Free Republic, (tip o' the hat to founder Jim Robinson) that went all comedy all morning and had Zero winning every title conceivable as envisioned by the multi talented residents and staff at Free Republic.

Kudos to all, you know who you are.

[3catsanadog]

"Why squander your presidency on trying to turn an economically moribund feudal backwater into a functioning nation state when you can turn a functioning nation state into an economically moribund feudal backwater? "

Delicious!

[manic4organic]

I’m so glad Steyn is on our side.

[AnAmericanMother]

I hope you sent that to Steyn.

Most fun I've had all year.

[Old Professer]

“As the Washington Post’s E. J. Dionne reminded the president, his supporters voted for him not to win a war but to win a victory on health care and other domestic issues. Obama’s priorities lie not in the Hindu Kush but in America: Why squander your presidency on trying to turn an economically moribund feudal backwater into a functioning nation state when you can turn a functioning nation state into an economically moribund feudal backwater?”

You can’t deny that is change.

[Navy Patriot]

I hope you sent that to Steyn.

Nah, not necessary, Steyn is so much on our side and such a treat to read, I couldn't help.

But I was proud to be on FR on one of it's greatest days, when there wasn't a stiff among us. I hurt from laughing.

[jessduntno]

"I wish he weren’t such a neocon."

True...but I think the divergences are worth the impact...and there isn't anything truly loopy (that I can put my finger on) that he has done that made me want to throw him overboard...yet...and as you say, his writing and thinking is head and antlers above anyone I can think of, ...even APPROACHING Mencken territory is pretty rare...and he is within hailing distance, I think.

[jessduntno]

"You nail it on 0bama becoming a joke, but I'm afraid that the fallout all joke all the time, was on Free Republic, (tip o' the hat to founder Jim Robinson) that went all comedy all morning and had Zero winning every title conceivable as envisioned by the multi talented residents and staff at Free Republic."

That WAS a ball...and I second those kudos...especially to the Mods...not too much over the top, despite the grousing of a few...

[texmexis best]

“You nail it on 0bama becoming a joke, but I’m afraid that the fallout all joke all the time, was on Free Republic, (tip o’ the hat to founder Jim Robinson) that went all comedy all morning and had Zero winning every title conceivable as envisioned by the multi talented residents and staff at Free Republic.”

I was shocked to find out that our Freepers are better wordsmiths than most journalists. Truly great satire.

On the other hand, I am truly disappointed to find out that Barack did not win “The Little Miss Perfect” title. Sob.....

[Huck]

even APPROACHING Mencken territory is pretty rare...and he is within hailing distance, I think.

Well put. I concur.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"First, I would like to thank the committee for locating my college thesis and transcripts..."

Steyn: "Oh, no, wait. That wasn’t the real President Obama. That was a comedian playing President Obama on Saturday Night Live. And, for impressionable types who find it hard to tell the difference, CNN — in a broadcast first that should surely have its own category at the Emmys — performed an in-depth “reality check” of the SNL sketch. That’s right: They fact-checked the jokes. Seriously."

Do they fact-check the jokes here?

[zerosix]

Love that Steyn.

He shoots straight into the target, using his biting British wit (those Brits do know how to stick the dagger in the heart of their subject using wonderful words and phrases for emphasis) for comic relief.

[Jean S]

Steyn bump!

[alrea]

the Times of London declared the award “preposterous”

socialism is preposterous

[Huck]

Afghanistan seems to be same old, same old. What’s changed? Clearly, during the Bush years, we were tied down in Iraq. Aren’t we still? 120,000 troops there now, right? When they stand up, we stand down? Still waiting. How time flies. Hard to believe it’s going on 7 years now. Where’s old Paul Wolfowitz now? Where’s Rumsfeld? Not quite as cocky these days, I suspect.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

the Times of London declared the award “preposterous” There they go, racizin' on Obama again, just because he is a brownish color.