I can’t read the guy’s mind, of course, but after the initial, natural response of “Yeah, I got it goin’ on,” I’m thinking this is what President Obama must’ve really been thinking upon hearing that he’d won the Nobel Peace Prize:
Dang it! It’s a great honor and all, but I really don’t need this right now. I’ve got wars in Afghanistan and Iraq—not to mention nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea. Man, don’t they know I’ve still got health-care reform and the economic downturn to figure out at home? And on top of that, this will just be more fodder for all the haters who want to see me fail no matter what. Couldn’t they have put me on the list for 2017?
Well, at least that’s what I would’ve been thinking if I were in his shoes.
I also was shocked to hear the news this morning that Obama had won the Peace Prize. Clearly, he has yet to accomplish anything concrete that would naturally point to his selection. However, I do agree in part with Fareed Zakaria’s take over at CNN.com that this is more of an award to America—a challenge and encouragement to us (and the world) to pursue the high rhetoric of hope and international cooperation that Obama has advocated.
What’s more, the award is also a recognition of what happened in the U.S. last November when we elected Obama. It’s a salute to America’s ability to finally rise up to the ideals of equality, freedom, and strength through diversity that it was founded on. I think if our country is truly serious about living up to those ideals, we will ultimately prove the Nobel committee members to have been correct in their decision, whether we like Obama or not.
Shouldn’t the Nobel Peace Prize be given to those who have proven their worth, not to those who have yet to prove their worth? I cite your statement, “…we will ultimately prove the Nobel committee members to have been correct in their decision, whether we like Obama or not.”
Not that I don’t take pride in American success, but I wonder anymore what the value of the Prize is?
Is there an official explanation of why Obama received the Prize?
Maybe proving your courage is important too. Think about what this guy took on.
Wow, lifeaftereighty, I never thought about that. Just the courage it took for him to run. Like others, I thought it was just for America, but they couldn’t give it to a country.
Blessings.
Hi, Matt. Thanks for your comment. The Nobel committee said this in its official statement: “[The committee] has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.”
Ed, I am still a little…ummm…what’s the word…disheveled…by this. Obama is a brilliant politician and thoughtful man. Based on Fareed’s article, I wonder, why didn’t they just give the award to…the United States of America?
I am cautious because I am asking what are the concrete accomplishments that come with such an award. This isnt the first time I have questioned who got the award.
I applaud the President but I do kind of wish that he would have had more concrete victories under his belt.
Just my thoughts.
I am also a little taken aback. It has always been my understanding that the Prize was for something accomplished.
But to be honest, it seems that even if it has not been completed, the work of the Prize Winner to date is what the committee examines in making it’s determination.
Some may argue that even so this is still premature. I do not have all the facts but can you contrast the award to Mr Gore and how much more concrete his accomplishments were when he was awarded.
I was really suprised and, indeed thought it was premature. However, what has amazed and amused me is the hyperbolic reaction from the far right today. People have been going out of their way (Rush Limbaugh even sent an e-mail to politico) to explain how furious they were that he won this – or even saying that it was a bad thing that he did.
The only people who showed any class are John McCain and Tim Pawlenty.
To me this is just further undergirding my belief that the GOP of 2009 = the Democratic Party of 1972. It has become so ingrown and insular that it fails to even recognize that when something is good for America (and this certainly is) you ought to celebrate.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). Amen.
I’m very disappointed with the attitudes of many Republicans–especially those who consider themselves Christian. Rush Limbaugh is not an example to follow.
[...] Gilbreath over at Reconciliation Blog is thinking what I was thinking about what President Obama might have been thinking when he learned he had won [...]
Respect is…
Respect is…listening with out interrupting
Respect is…taking your partner’s feelings into consideration
Respect is…keeping an open mind
Respect is…agreeing to disagree
Respect is…trying to understand your partner’s viewpoint
Respect is…loving yourself
Respect is…trust and honesty
Respect is…giving each other space
Respect is…nonviolence
Respect is…direct communication
Respect is…building a person up instead of tearing them down
Respect is…friendship
Respect is…not pressuring the other person
I was surprised too, but he has begun to turn a very big ship around.
Ed, I was thinking exactly what you were thinking about what Obama was thinking.
I’m thinking of hanging out a shingle: “Psychic Readings by Rich,” based on my recent post: “…Bolton was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. The fact that it is given out like candy to killers, wingnuts and the brilliant alike (Arafat, Gore and Burlaug) makes it a dubious prize at best…”
Of course, I will have to modify that to read “killers, wingnuts, the brilliant, and those who promise to do swell stuff in the future if they can just get their damn health care bill passed.”
Rush Limbaugh likes to joke that President Obama has had a five-minute career. Well apparently, when the president was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, his career really was five-minutes old! He was nominated on February 1 for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited “his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.” I didn’t look this up, but I don’t think his World Wide Apology Tour had even started then, did it?
The clichéd (but true) criticism of liberals is that it doesn’t matter what the results of their policies are, but that they mean well and that they care for people. Now that qualifies for a prize. An article on the award today stated, “In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel stipulated that the peace prize should go “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses.” I would think “shall have done,” would be the most important part of this rule.
Let’s contemplate actual results for a moment:
There are thousands of people walking around Iraq and Afghanistan, who, if not for President Bush, would have been raped, tortured, mutilated and/or beheaded. Many are crying now, not because loved ones have been murdered or have “disappeared,” but because the ink on their thumbs has finally completely faded away.
I feel like Red Buttons on the old Dean Martin Roasts who would say, “So and so who did so and so, never got a dinner!”
President Bush, who freed millions, never got a dinner!
President Reagan, who freed millions, never got a dinner!
But in all fairness, President Obama hasn’t yet accepted the award. Maybe he will reject it as being premature. Maybe in declining it he will pay homage to those who never got a dinner. Maybe in his speech he will not mention hope and change. Maybe he will balance five spinning plates on sticks while singing “The Impossible Dream.” Maybe…
Rich R.
http://ehlersoneverything.blogspot.com/2009/09/obama-at-un-in-search-of-fdrs-vision.html#comments
Thanks for a great blog post! Meg: it is indeed a big ship to turn!
Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize surprised me, as many others, as I was viewing it being announced on Norwegian television this morning. As I reflected upon it I do understand the reasoning of the committee; President Barack Obama has more than anyone this year (and in my memory) managed to inspire the world towards ideals of action. He has been a spokesman of so many individuals cross cultures expressing the need for change and conscientiousness. Let’s follow the Peace Price committee’s example and applaud Obama for his ambitions and help carry him towards great accomplishments.
Obama has achieved more than George Bush ever did.
He has opened dialogue with Iran – a noteworthy achievement (ask the Russians).
He has led the global fight against a worldwide recession, economics overlap with wars and crises.
He has done more on Kyoto than Bush ever did.
His extraordinary leadership and inspiration of the American people as a party candidate who promoted the ‘high ground’ of politics is an achievement not to be belittled.
And still Americans are not happy.
Be that as it may, the challenges he now faces such as health care, Iraq, Afghanistan etc are surmountable.
Seems like people always want more and it’s never good enough. I’m glad he won, but I’m afraid he’s going to have to continue to do more before he pleases more people. I can’t even imagine the stress of being the president of the United States of America. Yeesh…
-Chris
Discover everything you need to know about music at DecibelBlog.com.
I agree its more of an award towards America. Well said
- http://redlinemg.net/blog
Most presidents try to keep peace. Many have had to deal with wars, economic troubles, health care reform….and more.
Roosevelt, for instance. Many of them ACHIEVED solid accomplishments. None of them got the award. I’ve not seen Obama do any yet that helps the common man. My problem with his “accomplishments” are that, as yet, I haven’t seen anything accomplished! The working poor are lucky if they are still working and they are poorer than ever. Homeowners don’t have their homes any more. The number of homeless has increased radically. The price of everything is still going up, up, up. If you think Americans “still aren’t happy” claverc, you are right. Our children and grandchildren are in serious trouble and the rich keep getting richer. Obama spent a billion to get into office and to date he has spent more than any other president.
I just don’t see the peace when I talk to the common man on the street. I see disgruntled citizens that are getting more fed up every day.
As an attorney and teacher, I could sit here and give all the rational reasons why this decision makes no sense – whether you voted for President Obama or not. Many of the comments here already do that.
However, as a Christian, my immediate response to the news was the song by Crystal Lewis, “People get ready; Jesus is coming; soon we’ll be going home.”
My theoretical/rhetorical question is whether he knows that he’s being used as a pawn in these end times, or is he a willing participant? Not so much seeking a response; just putting the thoughts out there.
It’s very simple and I can’t believe no one has mentioned it yet. Barack Obama won the award because he’s black(think Nelson Mandela). He represents everything the Nobel Peace Prize seeks to honor: Justice, Equality, Peace between different people’s.
And that’s totally awesome. I’m fine that he got it.
But the jury’s excuse for giving him the prize is disingenuous to say the least: “The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.”
Puh-leeze! Who do they think they’re kidding? They’re just a group of racially-profiling, European motherfuckers…Fuck ‘em.
Obamanation getting the Nobel piss prize is a BIG FAT JOKE. The Nobel peace award has even been given to Israeli terrorist Menachim Begin, who belonged to the IRGUN — same as Rahm Emanel’s father — you do know who Rahmbo is right?
The whole thing is all insider politics BS. The arrogant Obama has done SQUAT. All he’s done is spend this country into oblivion.
Speaking of Obama’s “work” on non-proliferation, it might be nice if he mentioned Israel having nukes. But we can forget that ever happening, can’t we?
The only reason you’re so giddy about Obama getting the Nobel, is because you’re a “person of color.” That’s basically all that concerns you, not America. You know it, I know it. White America has had quite enough of you spoiled and militant “African-Americans.”
“It’s a salute to America’s ability to finally rise up to the ideals of equality, freedom, and strength through diversity that it was founded on.”
Oh BS, this country was not founded on that “diversity” crap and you know it. You’re just spouting off PC mumbo-jumbo so you can justify your Affirmative Action lifestyle in the cushy civilization that White people have created.
Enjoy the next few years as this country devolves into a third-world hellhole, chump-of-color, because Whites will finally come out swinging.
And that is what really scares you.
Wow, just reading all of your posts makes me a) embarrassed to be an American and b) disgusted as a human being in general. Not one of you has said anything intelligent. Where do you get your news? Fox? CNN? Have you read a book lately? Have you traveled the world and truly asked people in other countries what they think? When Teddy Roosevelt received the NPP, do you think America dissented? Do you think they spoke out in outrage? Hell no, because they were proud to be American and proud of all it had to offer including their President (no matter their belief system).
I can’t believe I am witnessing the day that Americans are happy we lost the Olympics and pissed off that our President won the Nobel Peace Prize.
And for “Incogman”, you are at best an ignorant human being and at worst, a racist redneck, either way a complete waste of oxygen. Please do all of us a favor and stop “writing”, b/c reading your posts actually makes me less intelligent.
PS. In the words of the great George W. “you are either with us, or against us” make your decision.
Educated,
I’m pretty sure that’s a misnomer. Perhaps you were being ironical?
Maybe we’re misinterpreting ‘Peace Prize’. Maybe Obama’s getting it because he’s very good at staying quiet for a certain number of minutes each day. “Dad, Dad!” “Hush now, Malia, daddy’s in his Peace zone and he won’t be out until he get’s his prize.”
http://doctorbeatnik.wordpress.com/
Ed–You ought to get the NPP for writing so articulately about this confusing moment. I apologize to you on behalf of Incogman. Your graciousness alone, at allowing his inappropriate comment on your blog, renders you a true American and man of integrity and grace. I salute you.
Excellent commentary with a few exceptions. Just heard more bizarre talk from Garafolo, but she does serve a purpose by making clear thinking people question everything she and the Liberal Democrats say and do. Obama is in good company regarding the Nobel Prize, with Jimmy Carter’s poor statesmanship, Al Gore’s dumping on the planet and Yasser Arafat, the terrorist.
check out my blog at http://www.donottreadonus.wordpress.com
Ted,
ummm…are you playing the race card?
This country is in serious trouble and its just a matter of time before American’s wake up and find their freedom and liberty taken away and replaced with big brother “government” watching US all and keep US under its thumb. This is the American Obama wants for US and is working very hard to achieve. I don’t believe Obama receiving this Peace Prize was deserved nor earned, however it doesn’t surprise me at all. These are very scary times. It blows me away that so many people still don’t see where we are heading as a nation. We deserve what we get because after all, Americans voted this inexperienced radical leftist in so we can’t complain when he does what he said he would do and that is CHANGE this country. It’s the CHANGE that has this American terrified. Luckily… God (in my humble opinion) is still in control.
To “Educated:”
You don’t know anything about me. Zip, nada. All you are doing is exactly what you accuse me of: Racist, anti-White attacks by calling me a dumb “redneck” and all the other tired “trailer park trash” crap.
What’s worse, is you’re probably White.
Face the facts: You revel in White Guilt. You go out of your way to attack fellow White people, who stand up for their own kind, because you are too spineless to buck the PC mantra set out for you.
It’s little wonder our country is on this path with members of our own race exhibiting such stupidity.
Wendy says:
“Ed–You ought to get the NPP for writing so articulately about this confusing moment. I apologize to you on behalf of Incogman. Your graciousness alone, at allowing his inappropriate comment on your blog, renders you a true American and man of integrity and grace. I salute you.”
Wow, what a load of pure race ass-kissing there. Some “blogster of color” allows a White person’s comment to show up and he now deserves such high honors.
Does anyone out there even wonder how America fallen to such levels of utter idiocy?
Incogman,
This “blogster of color” appreciates you sharing your perspective on his blog, even though I might strongly disagree with parts of what you’re saying. However, would it be asking too much for you to try to keep things a little more civil? You came out firing with hostility from word one.
I’m honestly interested in hearing more of your viewpoint on these issues, but this is not a place for calculated outbursts of hate. Folks here usually exercise more decorum.
Again, I welcome your views—and I want to hear them—but can you tone down the personal attacks? It’s hard to take you seriously when you’re spewing such vitriol, and I’d like to take you seriously.
Peace,
Ed G.
Ed,
Your response to “incogman” is a masterpiece of genuine tolerance and self-control. God bless you. I’m not there yet–pray for me–but I’m inspired by your example to keep pressing toward the goal.
It takes a WHOLE LOT of grace to deal with some folks.
[...] What ‘toon do YOU want to see naked next?! PopWatch Subway Stairs Turn Into Piano Fun Quipster I Won What? (Reflections on the Nobel Peace Prize) Reconciliation Blog Today: Read on Memory Lane On Tap For Today Killer Queen: Twelve Inches of Death? Blue [...]
Not always easy to take people seriously when their judgement seems clouded by an aversion to certain shades.
Edward Gilbreath:
Uh, I think that I was the one attacked first as a “ignorant” White. That’s what they always try to say if you buck the intolerant “tolerance.”
My comments are pointed, I admit, but the fact that Whites cannot say JACK anymore (even the stupidest things) makes toeing the PC line a little difficult.
Am I so evil because I dare to speak what many Whites think and even whisper?
Figure it out: All of us are really Niggers to the powers behind the curtain. Me standing up for my own race is what they don’t want to see. A cohesive White race would present real dangers to these people’s eventual goals.
They’ve understood this possibility for a long time now. If you can’t see it yet, then I ask you to put away your own skin color for a minute and think about it.
Obama is not one of you. He is owned and operated by the elite class who are enemies to the whole concept of America.
i think the nobel prize will make obama more clear of his responsibilities..being president of the most influential country on earth..he is a good one..
I almost laughed out loud when I saw the news story on my computer yesterday. Obama has mesmerized so many in the world. He was president for two weeks, two weeks! So many people have put their hope in him, that somehow he’s going to fix problems that humanity has been struggling with for a hundred years, some since the beginning of time.
I’ve never seen anyone be rewarded and admired more for some idea he represents rather than what he actually is and has done.
I think the song “Cult of Personality” sums up the Obama phenomenon better than anything else I’ve seen or heard.
Didn’t mean for the whole video box to pop up, I just pasted a link. sorry.
I invite those on this blog to watch a few videos I have on race at my blog. Feel free to comment.
http://incogman.wordpress.com/keep-it-white-videos/
IS no-one else going to call a racist a racist? Incogman was ‘attacked’ because his opening gambit was offence – both in the sense of being on the offensive rather than having a discussion, and in the sense of offending. Trouble is, I think it’s what he was looking for – the old. go stir some folk up with racist talk and then be able to point at them and say “Told you it was a problem” when they react’ routine. For the record I am white, and this guy sickens me.
I usually try not to engage that kind of stuff, especially here. This has been a unique corner of the blogosphere where people of varying opinions can express their views without resorting to the typical insults and profanity that’s rampant in the blogosphere.
I don’t know what other people are thinking, but I see it and choose not to give it attention.
“It’s a salute to America’s ability to finally rise up to the ideals of equality, freedom, and strength through diversity that it was founded on.”
Finally?
There have been American Presidents and leadership that have been doing just this way before Obama was a gleam in his father’s eye.
Hi Ed,
My reaction was similar to yours. When I saw the headline yesterday morning, my first reaction was to chuckle. Unfortunately, in spite of Obama’s humble reaction, this award will be used as fodder by conservatives pushing the Obama is an egomaniac narrative.
In regard to the discussion that has taken place on this post, I wonder if you might reconsider the decision to let comments be posted without review. While I think a free and open dialogue is valuable, I believe there are those whose intentions and tone are so contrary to what you are working toward that they in fact only inhibit and detract from real dialogue. In any case, I respect so much your ongoing commitment to grace and love. Thank you!
he did write a couple encouraging books