Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize--Why?
Don't get me wrong for my questioning the reasons behind this award. I literally cheered when George W. Bush left office, and was quite happy to see Barack Obama in the White House. When Bush was U. S. president, America's international approval rating was extremely low, more Americans were lost in combat than had happened in decades, civil rights were being blatantly violated, people from other countries were being tortured by representatives of the United States, etc.
Now that Obama is president, America's worldwide reputation has shot up, Gitmo is being shut down, the U. S. has plans to pull out of Iraq, talks are continuing to greatly reduce nuclear arms, etc. Certainly a great deal of effort is being made to reduce war and increase peaceful coexistance, the type of thing the Noble Peace Prize recognizes.
But Obama has been president for less than a year, and the nominations closed when he was in office for less than a couple of weeks. So why is he getting the award so early?
"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," said the Nobel Prize committee that decides the award. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
The president said, "I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but a recognition of the role of American leadership."
"To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures" who won the Nobel Peace Prize. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call to all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century."
I can't help but wonder if it's not only a recognition of Obama, but a negative recognition of George W. Bush. Bush's opponent in his first election, Al Gore, won the prize, and now Bush's successor has won.
I believe Obama did not expect the award, and truly believe that he wants this to help a group effort to bring more peace to the world. I hope he succeeds.
But this may be one Nobel Peace Prize that will have to be earned retroactively.
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20091009/NEWS/910090333&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
Comments
We live in an age where image is everything. And it's been that way for a long time. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Fireside Chats that reassured America probably did as much if not more to help than his programs. Just the announcement that the American recession was over improved the economy almost immediately, in spite of the fact that many are still without jobs. There's no force more powerful for peace than hope, and that's what Obama has given the world.
Posted by: Marie Gilbert | October 9, 2009 05:54 PM
Obama is such a greater president than we've had before, and he gave America and the world hope. They haven't had that, and peace now seems possible which it didn't for eight years under the tyranny of Bush. Obama richly deserves this award.
Posted by: Roger K. | October 11, 2009 05:18 AM
Maybe this is an award to encourage Obama to continue what he's begun. If that helps, it's a good one. Obama is working hard to reverse the violations of the immediate past.
Posted by: TawTew the Naturally Perfumed | October 11, 2009 06:09 AM
This is not deserved. In office for a year and this? Can't help but wondering, would he win this if he weren't black? Not prejudice, just saying.
Posted by: Tom R. Trucker | October 11, 2009 01:55 PM
I think you ppl are right. Obama has given hope and is spending money to help people not to kill them.
Posted by: Lorien Loveshade | October 12, 2009 09:30 PM
I got another question, Tom. Would President Obama have been elected president if he weren't black? Just saying.
Posted by: Rev. Bootie | October 13, 2009 02:46 PM
This is completely premature and wrong. You don't win an Oscar because people think you're going to make a great movie. You win for what you've done. Obama should give the prize back.
Posted by: Christian Andy | October 14, 2009 04:19 PM
Oh, I think Obama deserves this. He's such a handsome man. Just looking at his shy smile makes me want to make peace with my neighbors, help the homeless, and join the Peace Corps.
Posted by: Francine | October 16, 2009 09:05 AM
I don't know I know enough to say whether he deserves it or not. But it does seem a little early. Still, If I got an award like that, I sure as hell wouldn't give it back.
Posted by: Sam Goodbody | October 16, 2009 03:43 PM
I don't think he won it for anything that he did but rather because he isn't George W. Bush. I hope he continues to do good things.
Posted by: Vernon Avaritt | October 19, 2009 01:40 PM
No.
Posted by: Hal Gooble | October 19, 2009 05:02 PM
I like Obama, but a Nobel Peace Prize already? Premature. There was what, like 200 candidates? Surely someone who's already proved themselves could have won it. Obama should have had a chance to earn it. But still, I like him.
Posted by: Hardup Henry | October 20, 2009 03:00 PM
What is the prize for anyway? He hasn't gone to war so that's peace. So he won it.
Posted by: Top Theresa | October 23, 2009 05:24 AM
This is just stupid.
Posted by: Frank | November 2, 2009 04:46 AM
I can't imagine what this country would have looked like have Obama not been the president in the last 2 years.
Posted by: tribars | November 2, 2010 03:55 PM