Nobel Peace Prize: Something For Nothing?
When I first saw the news about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize I was stunned. I immediately felt it was a terribly inappropriate and untimely choice. I am a big supporter of this President but I had to question the rational of giving this award to him before he has actually accomplished any of his many international goals. However, it is very easy to underestimate the power of hopeful change that Obama’s election brought to the world. The entire world’s attitude was instantly elevated by his election and that is no small thing. The world under George W. Bush’s questionable leadership was a much darker place. Now, instead of unilateralism and “peace” through power, the world feels a real possibility of diplomacy and peace through partnership. If that hope for a better world has brought people closer to the ideal of peace, then perhaps it truly is an award winning accomplishment. Now all he has to do is live up to it.
I agree, and its not just you that feels this way. For all those that cheered when they announced that President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize, there were those scratched their heads and asked if this reward was appropriate. I liked your take on the international community becomeing exstatic over Obamas election as we were and thats why they gave it to him prematurly, but their move turned out to give fuel to the radical right and their smear campaign. Right wing talkshows pounced some said it was a bribe from foreign powers, others used his acceptance of the prize as a case for his illigetimacy in office.
The prize came too soon, I whole heartly believe that Obama plans to Keeps his promises to the Americans on his foreign policy strategies, but rewarding someone the gold metal before they cross the finish line seems inappropriate and tactless.