Naomi Klein comments on Obama's Nobel Prize win

Glenn Greenwald @ Salon - When I saw this morning's top New York Times headline -- "Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize" -- I had the same immediate reaction which I'm certain many others had: this was some kind of bizarre Onion gag that got accidentally transposed onto the wrong website, that it was just some sort of strange joke someone was playing. Upon further reflection, that isn't all that far from the reaction I still have. And I say that despite my belief that -- as critical as I've been of the Obama presidency regarding civil liberties and Terrorism -- foreign affairs is actually one area where he's shown genuine potential for some constructive "change" and has, on occasion, merited real praise for taking steps in the general "peace" direction which this Prize is meant to honor.

Max Eternity - While I totally agree with Klein's criticisms (all of them) I do however believe that in a very short period of time, Obama has turned out to be a game changer, even as he embraces many of the same ole, same ole policies...like those of Bush and Clinton. Enough cannot be said of his diplomatic skills, his wit and charm, his embrace of digital communication applications, he and his families image of good health, savvy style and sense of flexibility.

Even if he spouts much hollow rhetoric, the fact remains that simply because he is not a dolt like Dubya, and does not act like a shit-head bully, a la Cheney, Obama symbolizes a move in the right direction for all.

I support President Obama and I truly wish him a successful presidency. HOWEVER, I remain very, very displeased with many of his economic policies, his head-in-the-sand approach to dealing with rascism and other social unrest, his genocidal aggression in the Middle East, his continuation of the police state build-up, and the list goes on and on.