Many Americans were surprised as they awoke this morning to the news of President Barack Obama's being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Some have asked if the prize is now given for good intentions and not just accomplishments. One thing seems clear: the European image of Obama is still one of hope, while at home he faces criticism from all sides on multiple issues. What is your opinion? Do you think President Obama earned the prize? If not, whom would you have proposed in his place?
4 comments:
I was one of those who was surprised, yet in speaking with a friend, his comment was, "Our President is doing everything he can to dismantle our country and that is exactly what those who award the prize desire. Why wouldn't he win?" I am sad to have to agree. The President has not represented this nation, and has therefore done nothing to earn the prize as peacemaker, but has taken the office of President as license to fulfill his private (or not so private) agenda - and that agenda has noting to do with protecting the foundations and principles of our nation, America.
"Regression toward the mean" is a way of describing the sinking into mediocrity of those who were once thought to demonstrate excellence. There are always people - and people groups - uncomfortable with those who excel. And there have always been people - and people groups - who took their own excellence to be indicative of superiority. Unfortunately the USA has been guilty of the latter; but even more unfortunately President Obama appears to be among those guilty of the former. As the USA sinks into mediocrity instead of standard-setting in the global community, who will take its place? My prediction is no one - and mediocrity, and then apathy - will reign.
I agreed with what Bono had to say in a NYTimes op/ed piece: President Obama promised to support the goals of the Millenium Challenge Corporation, to halve world poverty by 2015. If he puts action behind that intention, he will have more than earned the prize. As he himself said, he is taking the prize as a challenge to do great things. And I pray he will, by God's grace, do them.
The prize is supposed to be earned, not based on potential. I have great concern that many people are swept up in his superb rhetoric rather than judging his accomplishments.
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