Nobels fredspris
President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today. Like everyone else, I was surprised to read the news this morning. Some people, however, are demonstrating a complete lack of class by whining about the Nobel Committee’s decision. It isn’t just Republicans; many on the far-left are griping. Stop it, everyone.
Obviously, President Obama hasn’t accomplished peace in the Middle East, or achieved nuclear disarmament. Obviously, nine months in office isn’t much time to solve the complex issue of Islamic extremism. Obama himself said that he didn’t feel he deserved it, and, indeed, it seems odd, particularly when some past recipients devoted their entire lives to peace, like Martin Luther King, Jr. But the committee evidently believes that, tangible results or not, Obama has promoted peace, if only by turning America’s diplomatic posture from one of reckless aggression to one of respect for our allies. The award citation reads in part: “Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play.” If that’s the criteria the committee set, then that’s the criteria.
But I think that the committee also intended to send a message about what they–and really the rest of the world–would like to see from the United States. I believe Senator John McCain understands this quite well: “I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I’m sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. I think Americans are always pleased when their president is recognized by something on this order”.
Americans should be pleased, as Senator McCain says. But, as has been demonstrated recently, there are some whose disdain for Obama exceeds their love for America. The people who cheered when Chicago lost its Olympic bid showed their true colors. Disapprove of Obama’s politics if you want; it is perfectly patriotic to disagree with a president or a legislature when you do so in an intellectually honest manner. But I cannot respect anyone who would rather America lose than Obama win.
A sitting American president has once again won the Nobel Peace Prize, and the appropriate response is not derision, but careful consideration of what message has been made. President Obama didn’t solicit this award, and I’ll bet that if it were up to him, he’d rather they have picked someone else. But the Nobel Committee made their choice, and now Obama’s presidency will take up the crusade. If promoting peace is his “call to action”, as he put it, so much the better. And, if you don’t think America’s cause is peace, then I feel sorry for you.
Filed under: Current Events, Politics on October 9th, 2009 | No Comments »