Last Sunday, at Festifall in Chapel Hill, NC, I met a peace/anti-torture activist, from the NC Peace Coalition. I asked her what Obama had done for peace (of course knowing the answer, but wondering if she would be honest about it). “Nothing… but I love him anyway!” she at least honestly replied.
So Obama “won” the Nobel Peace Prize.
In truth, he got it because he is a Democrat who espouses (follow-through doesn’t matter for these people) policies that this Norwegian group likes. No, it is not just because he is not George W. Bush (although you wouldn’t necessarily know that by viewing his policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, or for renewing the Patriot Act), because I can’t imagine John McCain receiving the Nobel if the election had swayed a few percentage points the other way. So, women’s rights activists, dissidents against the Chinese government, and political prisoners be damned, Obama got moved to the front of the line for what used to be considered a top honor.
The deadline for nominations was 10 days after Obama took office, which means most likely that the prize is awarded on his campaign rhetoric and paying for abortions in Africa (which he decided to do his first day in office).
Of course if Obama has any respect for actual peace activists, or for justice in this world, he’d give it back and say he hopes he can earn it later.
The National Review brings up an interesting hidden motive the Nobelites might have had: whether to bomb Iran (or even use nuclear weapons) to prevent Iran from getting them. Perhaps that could be a silver lining in a very dark cloud: actual deserving past and future Nobelists like Muhammad Yunus will find their prize means less now.
For the record, here is a list of Obama’s accomplishments on behalf of war and strife:
- He has not pulled out of Iraq, as he repeatedly promised during his campaign, or even done anything to decrease troops there.
- He may escalate things in Afghanistan.
- He wants to renew three provisions of the Patriot Act that Republican senators are for, Democratic senators are against.
- “vowed to pursue a world without nuclear weapons” – as everyone does, but of course he has not given up American nukes and hasn’t discounted using them against Iran. And of course, he has agreed to keep Israel’s nuclear stash officially secret.
“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.” – Michael Steele, RNC
I think you have accurately described the discrepancy between what Pres. Obama believes and what he says he would like to accomplish and what little has been done, and more especially, what hasn’t been accomplished in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. That’s why in the US, even Obama supporters say “he hadn’t done anything yet!” To me, the award is based on a perception in a number of foreign nations that Obama’s election represents a sea change in American attitude and policy on international affairs. And, in some circles, international diplomacy being one, perception is reality. For many, it’s not the facts, it’s the attitude or the words.
But still, wouldn’t you feel better if it was someone or a group, maybe not well known to the world, working for years for justice and peace in their land?
rachy
October 9th, 2009
I know the type you met. The peace “activist”. Most Obamites are just like Bushites. It’s called follow the leader. He wins cause he’s black and showed up. Oh and he seemed some what like the socialist wet dream europeans would wish for. But it just goes to show our culture is basically just American Idol extended to everything.
Bailed out the rich.
Bombing Iraq.
Sending more troops to Afghanistan.
Has criminals in his cabinet.
Seeks the advice of war criminals like Kissinger.
More of the same…
If Russel Means was president and got a peace prize for being an Indian, I’d hope he’d turn it down and would be pretty upset about my vote if he didn’t.
The Green Libertarian
February 7th, 2010