The Nobel Committee announced early this morning that President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Obama has "created a new climate in international politics," the committee said in its announcement, referencing Obama's agenda to reduce the world's nuclear stockpiles through international institutions, restart peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, and build greater alliances with the Muslim world. The announcement was "a stunning surprise," given that much of the agenda remains a work in progress.
It was reported that Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' initial reaction to the news was "Wow!" I think that sums it up pretty succinctly. Given that Obama took office less than two weeks before the nomination deadline, no one could- or should- have expected this. While there can and will be arguments over Obama's worthiness, there can be no denying that the Nobel Peace Prize is recognition that there's a new sheriff in town. America once again plans to be a full member of the international community, and it will live up to its commitment. Unlike the Bush Administration, which essentially told the world to go fornicate itself, there's a President in the White House willing to work towards positive change with other nations, as opposed to dictating to them. Whether or not this is an appropriate use of the Nobel Peace Prize is a matter that will be debated ad infinitum, ad nauseum, and I'll leave to those who actually care about the answer to that question.
Personally, I think the idea of awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama is a fabulously out-of-the-box idea. While some might point to a perceived lack of concrete accomplishments, Obama clearly is pursuing an agenda designed to not only enhance America's image internationally, but also reduce the distance between America and the Islamic world, address global climate change, and reduce the risk of nuclear war. These are goals that Obama will not be able to accomplish by himself. What he can do is provide the leadership and the vision to inspire those tasked with doing the heavy lifting. No, Obama hasn't changed the world- yet. Yes, it's early, but the Nobel Peace Prize if nothing else represents the recognition that there's an atmosphere of hope that didn't exist while George W. Bush and his cabal of neoConservative thugs ruled Washington.
"The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?'" reads a statement from the Republican National Committee. " It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain -- President Obama won't be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action."
This should come as no surprise to anyone who's been paying attention, but Conservatives are not taking this news well. (Wait for it.... Coming in 4...3...2...1..."WHY DIDN'T RONALD REAGAN GET A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE??) Rush Limbaugh is being his usual incendiary, insulting self. Others are using this as just another opportunity to take a cheap shot at Obama, kibbitz, or just generally whine ineffectually. There's the predictable online petition objecting to honoring Obama, and one pundit wasted no time in holding forth that he thinks the President will say "thanks, but no thanks." Uh, he's not, y'all. Get used to it. He may be understandably bemused by this honor (it's not as if he or his Administration campaigned for it), but he'll be in Oslo in December to give his acceptance speech. He's also announced that he'll done the $1.4 million honorarium to charity. Let's see the wingnuts find something sinister in THAT, eh?
All the weeping and gnashing of teeth on the Far Right is yet another indication that all they have to offer is rage, fury, and righteous indignation. Not exactly a blueprint for a better America, is it? Then again, when your ideas consist of little more than screaming "NO!!!" at the top of your lungs and comparing Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler, what else can you do? Most of these folks are so addicted to their rage and so reflexively anti-Obama that they rarely can be bothered to take the time to think clearly and coherently as opposed to launching into paroxysms of righteous indignation and fury.
This sorry performance staged by knee-jerk Conservatives might be funny if it wasn't so tiresome, predictable, and unproductive. Screaming in anger, gratuitous insults, and cheap shots are not a recipe for improving your political prospects. This should be self-evident, the sort of thing one learns in Politics 101...and yet most of the wingnuts appear to have slept through most of the classes.
WE DESERVE BETTER.
