It was announced this morning that President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize.
When I first read the news, courtesy of an NBC New York breaking news e-alert, I was shocked. I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t missing a word.
“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,” Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee, told the press.
Like many of Obama’s fans and foes both domestically and around the world, I was shocked. Love him or hate him, what has he done to earn this high honor?
According to a 1010 WINS/Associated Press report:
The Nobel Committee lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama’s calls for peace and cooperation but recognized initiatives that have yet to bear fruit: reducing the world stock of nuclear arms, easing American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthening the U.S. role in combating climate change.
But they were promises and visions that we haven’t had time to see results on yet, for better or worse.
In fact, the nomination had to be submitted by Feb. 1, which was less than two weeks into his presidency.
Even Obama senior aides were floored.
“Senior advisor David Axelrod expressed surprise that the award went to Obama,” Politico reported.
The president is only the third sitting American president to be awarded the honor.
Friends and allies around the world and across America are touting the honor as another sign of the president’s pontential to make the world a better place.
As I see it, the United States should celebrate this award. When our president, regardless of political party, is a winner, we are all a winner. America can only benefit from the increased clout and influence our chief executive will have on the international stage as a result of this honor. This is a reason to celebrate.
And even some of the folks who need help aid the most will benefit by the award. The president will give the prize money to charity, according to CBS News.
And yet, some conservatives are not. Instead they are slamming doors and pouting.
Rush Limbaugh, according to Politico, called the honor a “greater embarrassment” than losing the Olympics.
“This fully exposes the illusion that is Barack Obama,” Limbaugh told POLITICO in an e-mail. “And with this ‘award’ the elites of the world are urging Obama, THE MAN OF PEACE, to not do the surge in Afghanistan, not take action against Iran and its nuclear program and to basically continue his intentions to emasculate the United States.”
How is this possibily a bad thing? And further, how does it emasculate, or deprive this nation of strength or vigor? Come on, Rush, get real!
According to the same Politico report, the Republican National Committee chairman, Michael Steele, comes off like a jealous little boy:
“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.”
Really? You’re right, Mr. Steele, this is a bad thing and can only hurt us — and there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, too.
