A peace prize for the president
Like everyone else, I was surprised to wake up to the news this morning that President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize -- particularly because he had been president less than two weeks before nominations were due.
It may be a sign of how polarized the country is -- or, at least, how polarized I imagine it to be -- that my first thoughts went to the reaction of political opponents who have long ridiculed the hype that they say surrounds the Obama.
Next, I thought of the protests I covered at Yale in 2001 when the university awarded an honorary degree to President George W. Bush, just months into his administration. Students and alumni said it was too soon to honor the first-term president.
And then, I thought that this may have been the third peace prize awarded at least partially in reaction to Bush, following those given in 2002 to former Democratic President Jimmy Carter for his mediation in international conflicts and in 2007 to Al Gore, Bush's opponent in the 2000 presidential election, for raising awareness about climate change.
Reading the comments of the Nobel Committee, this year's peace prize appears to have been awarded at least partially in prospect.
"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said. "In the past year Obama has been a key person for important initiatives in the U.N. for nuclear disarmament and to set a completely new agenda for the Muslim world and East-West relations."
Added Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg: "The exciting and important thing about this prize is that it's given to someone ... who has the power to contribute to peace."
Comments
I’m not so sure the award was warranted this early. Perhaps because it was held against the template established by the Cheney/Bush regime and their Poland like invasion of Iraq, President Obama seems like the embodiment of peace, with just proposing that we deal with each other as nations, in a more rational way. That it will have all the obsequious Right-wing trolls foaming at the mouth, is just a bonus to be enjoyed, as they would have us in full launch mode at the drop of a hat. I’m just glad that saner hands are at the controls of government for the time being.
Posted by: Robert Littel | October 9, 2009 12:27 PM
Robert - I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with you on this one.
Posted by: ravensfan | October 9, 2009 12:54 PM
I can see how someone who knows God can win a peace prize. I can see how someone who knows God can not win one. I can see how someone who doesnt know God can not win one. How can someone who doesnt know God win one? When the rules of winning one are in the hands of those who dont know God. The only true peace will come here on earth when God's Son returns. So obviously there has been a mistake. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | October 9, 2009 1:11 PM
Bravo Roberto!
:)
Posted by: pattycakes | October 9, 2009 1:55 PM
ravensfan - Its a shame you can't carry over that bit of rationality to the examination of religion.
Clay - They have just cleaned the cat poop out of the sand-box. You are free to go play again.
Posted by: Robert Littel | October 9, 2009 2:05 PM
Robert - I do my friend you just don't agree with me on that subject.
Why don't we agree to give it a rest until next week. Take care and have a good weekend.
Posted by: ravensfan | October 9, 2009 2:31 PM
i hate to be the one to bring this up..but if he was nominated two weeks into the presidency it was probably because of his Change message..I mean he was the only president so far to challenge the divisions in this nation when it comes to race and "elitism" ie the "old boys or girls network". Him winning catapulted him into a league with people like Nelson Mandela..whether he has the same character still is left up to debate..so I don't really see him winning the peace prize for "achievement" perse unless one considers the fact that a black/biracial man running for pres in this country, prior to today would have been an impossiblity to many...so he did stand for peace when many were crying for war..and well..he actually won...I'm black by the way..and hopefully this no longer matters..but those who aren't thinking like that must also realize Europe is rejecting the us against the whole world attitude the United states has been "portrayed" to excude..I did not vote for Obama BTW..so as to knock another sterotype out of the water..hopefully when he's out of office that wont matter either.
Posted by: a | October 11, 2009 11:29 PM
According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded to the person who: during the preceding year shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.
Based on that I can't see how President Obama could win the award. To do so simply devalues the award as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 12, 2009 12:37 PM