...that yesterday the president of the country with the world's largest military, who is waging 2 foreign wars, and not even a week ago announced a troop increase in Afghanistan, just accepted the Nobel Peace Prize?
The Nobel committee explained the award by saying that President Obama has, "...captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. 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." Yet it just seems a bit premature to give such an prestigious and lofty award to someone who is just a hope for peace, but hasn't actually done a whole lot to do it.
Don't get me wrong. I like our President. I respect him as a leader and as a man. I just don't understand what he has done that is on par with what other Nobel Prize winners like
In his speech the President also seemed a little abashed at the award and admitted the whole irony of the situation. He then acknowledged that the fact that force is sometimes necessary in maintaining and protecting peace. He said:
...I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism -- it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason."I agree with what he said and realize that there is a time and place for force... but doesn't it seem like if you are going to give someone a PEACE prize that you should wait until after the WAR is over... or at least seems to have an end in sight?
I am feeling a bit inclined to agree with those protesters who stood outside the Nobel awards venue yesterday with a sign reading: "Obama: You won it. Now earn it!"
7 comments:
Heather,
I just feel that you are looking at the Nobel Peace Prize in the wrong way. Go back and look at the descriptions of the people who were previously awarded this prize. In the sense you are talking about, they did not "accomplish" things. There is still poverty, racism, human rights violations, and diseases. These people were not able to completely eradicate this. This applies exactly the same to President Obama. He did not start this war. But he is trying to finish it.
In some cases he did more than some of the people you have listed for international human rights. Many people forget that he is shutting down the United States's most horrendous human rights violation, Guantanamo Bay.
The Nobel Peace Prize has never really been about what a person accomplished, but what their ideal was. And what they are able to help others accomplish.
It makes me sad that so many Americans are so publicly against Obama receiving this award. In many other countries the first attitude would be one of pride. Whether people like it or not, the person who represents the citizens of the United States of America just won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Why do we look at the prize or any accomplishment that our presidents make with such cynicism? Why have we tried to convinced ourselves that he has not earned the award? Here a just a few reasons Britt and I came up with for why he did earn the award.
1. On his first day as president he vowed to close Guantanamo within one year (that is yet to be seen) Huge human rights correction to an undemocratic and inhumane US policy.
2. The Obama Administrations release of important CIA documents showing what the Bush policy was and how the United States is correcting it. (Another huge win for democracy and human rights because of transparency)
3. The attitude that we are going to negotiate (for the first time in 8 years) with other countries and ask for their input into solving global problems.
4. The attitude that we are going to END the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether or not he has actually done so has not been seen, but it is important that ending war is the administration's goal. I think he addresses the 30,000 troop surge well in his speech.
5. The withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
And most importantly, the president is a symbolic figure and leader of the United States. Although Obama is a war time president, he symbolizes peace in the way that he has changed US foreign policy.
Now look at the accomplishments of any other Nobel prize winner. Have they done all of those things in a 7 month period? Have many of them done that much in their lifetimes? I am not trying to disparage any other Nobel peace prize winners because I thank them all for the many things they have done to help humanity, but I think that we need to realize that we could ask why any Nobel peace prize winner actually won.
Now Britt and I feel conflicted about the 30,000 troop surge, but we realize that we do not have to agree with everything our president does. Sometimes I just wish that people would look at politics and find the good that politicians try to do for the American people and our nation. The cynicism is an important part of the process, but it seems to me that many people, on both the conservative and liberal side, have taken it way too far. We ignore so many good political conversations because of that negativity. It makes me sad.
Drew and Britt
I'm with Heather -- once he's actually DONE IT - THEN and ONLY THEN will he deserve it.
People shouldn't get awards for saying they're going to do something... that's just madness.
Like you said pp, "that remains to be seen"
I'm with Heather -- once he's actually DONE IT - THEN and ONLY THEN will he deserve it.
People shouldn't get awards for saying they're going to do something... that's just madness.
Like you said pp, "that remains to be seen"
Drew and Britt,
Thanks for your comments. It is always fun when we can share ideas!
I looked up Exactly what Alfred Nobel designed the Peace prize to be and this is what he said...
"...and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses."
I think you are right in pointing out that Obama has done a lot to improve the US relations with other countries and to help us get pointed towards peace In Iraq and Afghanistan. He really had done a lot in the last seven months.
I don't have a problem with him winning it, I am really proud that an American president would win a PEACE prize, that is a huge thing.
Yet it almost seems like by giving it to him the committee is trying to manipulate him into making sure his policies work towards peace rather than escalation. I don't have a problem with that-- I'd like to see the US move towards peace-- but I just don't think that is what the award is for. It doesn't seem keeping with Alfred Nobel's initial intent.
I still can't help but feel that they gave it to him prematurely. Why not have given in a few years, when he will have done even more-- noticeable-- things than now when it makes some people wonder why they gave it to him.
I'm reminded of a quote by Cato the Elder in which he said, "I'd much rather have people ask why I DON'T have a statue, rather than why I have one."
I agree that it's a little bizarre to give it to Pres. Obama at the beginning of his term of office. Unless you've been living in Europe. I think Americans have no idea how the respect and trust Europeans hold for American government as the leader for democratic advances has eroded during the last administration. In running for office and winning it, Obama has actually done something pretty significant to strengthen and re-establish our alliances with other democratic nations.
Hmm. I think that you and I should be friends. :)
I just today found you on MMB, and I gotta say, I totally agree. Not to mention, I feel a bit like I'm looking in a mirror when I read your blog. No lie. I'm 1.a homebirther, 2. cloth-diaper-er 3. Doula 4. Totally agree with you about Prez Obama.
Weird, eh?
No, I'm not a crazy stalker, but I like your blogs.
Thanks!
Morgan
Hi, sorry to put this here, but I could not see an email address. Did you use the 3-column-blog blog to make yours here? I saw you commented and wanted to check it out, thanks.
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