Or maybe you should quit missing the forest because you keep focusing on the trees you don't like.

How much more gracious are Obama's own words on winning the prize, which he admitted came as a surprise to him as well.

I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

I'm glad to see the world is able to recognize the Good without freaking out over the lack of Perfect.

By all means, continue to question the effectiveness of Obama's attempts to create a durable peace in Afghanistan (note to Glenn--there was a vicious civil war going on there before we showed up) and to conclude our misadventure in Iraq. Keep watch on whether our rights have been sacrificed on the altar of safety.

But maybe, just maybe, give Obama the benefit of the doubt once in the while that he isn't a wicked guy with a silver tongue who is trying to sell us all down the river.

Maybe he's just a hard-working president who is doing the best he can to balance all the crises he was handed on his first day in office.

If you criticize the President - or oppose his policies -- then you're aligned with "America haters." Therefore, you better be "careful."

The person you replied to said nothing of the sort. Neither have most of the people who are proud and happy for our President and our country.

And hopeful that the progress even you admit Obama has accomplished in just 8 months will continue.

I gave you props a few days ago for posting a very insightful essay about the tremendous progress Obama's approach to Iran has yielded in a very short time (helped by a domestic support crisis for the current Iranian power brokers).

You're not a fool, but you continually ascribe the worst possible motives to Obama and his supporters when you disagree with them.

It is possible to disagree (and to realize that none of us here possess all the relevant facts in some instances) without demonizing the people we disagree with.

And you don't have to be afraid I'm threatening you or want bad things to happen to you. I won't even write to Joan Walsh and tell her to give you a bad seat at the Salon Xmas party.

I just think you are wrong about Obama and wrong about the Nobel Committee's decision.

Here is the more complete DNC quote, without Glenn's usual out-of-context cherrypicking.

“The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists — the Taliban and Hamas this morning — in criticizing the president for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize,” said the DNC.

Anyone but a hyperventilating pundit can easily see this is an ironic statement, and limited within a single sentence to the specific issue cited.

It is ironic, that the GOP, which has claimed to stand 100% against opponents such as Hamas and the Taliban, finds itself issuing nearly identical statements criticizing the President for receiving an honor! If the tables had been turned, you can bet the DNC head would have indeed issued a muted congratulation to George Bush Jr. The rest of us would grind our teeth and bitch, certainly. But the head of the DNC would be gracious.

That is Politics 101.

That the GOP, at its highest level, has quit Politics 101 and descended, apparently en masse, to grade school taunting, is certainly worth noting. And noting such descent is not the same as accusing the GOP of treason.

If Greenwald seriously believes the DNC reaction is a serious accusation that the GOP has formally joined Hamas and the Taliban, well, then I must congratulate him on the potency of the hallucinogens he has acquired.

Wasting a column on such fever dreams and a inferred personal persecution complex is a pitiable example of narcissism run amok.

Get over yourself, Glenn, and you're capable of doing good work. This drivel is an embarrassment.

From the link to the firewalled story you cite. Even the lede doesn't support your contention that this is something Obama has done.

A contingent of Silicon Valley chief executives, for example, traveled to Washington in late September to speak out against the proposal to change how the federal government taxes overseas profits. They came away from meetings with key congressmen relieved.

Seems like the "key congressman" are the ones who created the relief, not the Obama Administration. Obama's folks are saying they would like to come back to this later (perhaps when health insurance reform isn't such a convenient hostage).

BTW, your letters section is a zoo.

Seems like the alarmists and doomsayers get all the press. I like your column because you also let a little good news leak through once in a while.

Who would watch such drivel/

Teenage to 25-year old boys (most with unattractive abs, most likely) who find the idea of horny older women hunting them stimulating.

It's a wank show, is all. The lad mags probably love it.

Twas ever thus...