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I am shocked!

Submitted by augustin on Sat, 2009-10-10 19:40

Hi!

Sorry for being late in replying to this week's mail....

But right now, I am truly shocked. I just learned a few minutes ago (a bit late, sorry - I wasn't paying attention) that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. If the president himself didn't even know he was nominated... chapeau bas for the Nobel committee who certainly does know how to keep a secret!

Of course, I recognize that the honor is controversial, given to the commander in chief of an army at war, and only 9 months into the presidency... but what the conservative side of the US does not appreciate is how much more unsafe the whole world was feeling under Bush's presidency. When Obama got elected, the global collective sigh of relief was obvious. While he was never and will never be my ideal president (people wouldn't vote for my ideal candidate), I do give him credit for trying hard to keep his promisses and to live and preside according to the hope he inspired.

This Nobel Peace Prize really reflects the renewed esteem with which the entire world views the USA.

Yes, the young politician from Illinois has not accomplished much yet. Only trivial things like getting elected POTUS in probably the first POTUS election in 12 years that was not stolen.

But in so many ways, he does deserve the prize awarded to him. The world is already a better place because of him. Indeed, thanks to him, so many of us around the world are better than we could have been, inspired as we have been by his message of hope, peace and cooperation between folks, transcending cultural, national, religious and ethnic barriers. We may not agree with all of his policies, but one can only admit that he's delivering on the promise that his predecessor made but never kept: a compassionate presidency (though some in Afghanistan may disagree...).

Anyway, it is useless to argue about the wisdom of the Nobel Committee decision: Rejoice, my American friends: we are rejoicing with you!

Blessings.

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could be on Letterman

Submitted by augustin on Sat, 2009-10-10 19:55.

Top Ten Wingnut Responses to ...
... Pres. Barack Obama being named this year's Nobel Peace Prize recipient:

10. What do you expect from a bunch of socialists?

9. Not that I’m a racist, but I know affirmative action when I see it.

8. Carter, Gore, Obama? Do we see a pattern here?

7. A clumsy attempt by Europe to save a failing presidency.

6. The Norwegians are just using Obama to slap George W. Bush in the face.

5. Besides, who cares what a bunch of geeks in Oslo think? The International Olympic Committee speaks for the whole world.

4. No thinking person has taken the Nobel Peace Prize seriously since Reagan didn’t win one for ending the Cold War.

3. We elect a president to keep America safe, not to win prizes.

2. True leadership is not an international popularity contest.

1. Hell - Peace is no big deal anyway. No ... wait a minute. Maybe we should strike that last one!

1

Apparently, those arguments have actually been used.

  1. 1. Sources: dmhlt 66 and Jerome Doolittle, with thanks.
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30+ Reasons Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize

Submitted by augustin on Sat, 2009-10-10 19:59.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/9/791412/-30+-Reasons-Obama-de...

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I wrote my blog above before reading comments on Daily kos

Submitted by augustin on Sat, 2009-10-10 20:14.

But the similarity of feeling is astounding:

this is not the first time they may have awarded the prize on the basis of a person's intentions or potential: it can be considered a sort of encouragement for the person to continue in that direction.
Personally, I think Obama's change of approach and interest in diplomacy, in contrast with Bush's unilateral bullying, had a lot to do with it. You have to see the bigger, worldwide picture. Are Republicans happier when the U.S. is hated, resented, and feared by the rest of the world? Do they feel safer that way?

and:

I live abroad as well, for 17 years now. When he won the election, it felt like the whole world breathed a sigh of relief.
I swear, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for the hope and joy experienced by the majority people around the world on that night alone!

I can't tell you how many people called me - at very early hours of the morning where I live - when it was announced. People from all over the world. A Dutch friend, a Kenyan friend, a Norwegian colleague, a S. African woman dear to my heart. All crying with happiness and wanting to congratulate me, and celebrate with us. It was amazing to see what it meant to them.

1

  1. 1. Source.
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the data speaks loud and clear

Submitted by augustin on Sat, 2009-10-10 20:21.

Approval rating of US
   
       Bush      Obama

France       11        88
Italy        27        91
Spain        11        85
UK           17        82
Germany      12        92

1

  1. 1. I love the sig at the source: If cats could blog.... they wouldn't. :)
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The fact that Obama was awarded the prize...

Submitted by augustin on Sat, 2009-10-10 20:38.

The fact that Obama was awarded the prize...

... is, to me, an indicator of just how sick the rest of the world was of our imperialism, of our arrogance, of our unilateralism, and what could have been perceived as an attempt to start kickstart another century of religious crusades.

I have a feeling that we were a lot closer to having a true "coalition of the willing" formed, but not the one that Bush wanted. Rather, one that would have felt that our aggression had to be stopped.

Or, to put it another way, I think that Bush led us closer to the brink than many American's realized, and the fact that Obama is pulling us and the world back is what is being recognized.

Additionally, it occurs to me that while it was awarded to President Obama, in a way, it was awarded to all the Americans who stood up and said, enough of BushCo, his wars, his torture, his aggression.

Is there more to be done? Yes. There certainly is. But given the momentum that he's up against (stopping a war mid-stride is not a trivial matter), I'd have to say that great strides have been made. So, Obama and our nation may still have a lot to live up to on this thing, but at least progress is being made.

1

  1. 1. source
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Nice try, Oslo

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2009-10-10 21:53.

But until the 9/11 untruths are confronted and we "clean house," the same propaganda/police state insiders will continue to control our minds here in the USA. They tear gas and taze anyone who disagrees with their agenda...while fomenting crazy disruptive "tea parties" using the media.

Don't heave a sigh of relief yet, world. These creeps are just biding their time.... And they couldn't be more corrupt or unethical. Moreover, Obama clear isn't taking them on. He's powerless to do anything they don't want. Moving our military from one unjust war to another is hardly an accomplishment, and despite the clearest possible voter mandate, health care reform is being gutted.

We are still in a very sick, very dangerous situation.

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Your system ATE my post entirely

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2009-10-10 21:54.

simply because it didn't like the format of my homepage.

I give up.

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