Mike and I were still in bed, just waking up and gathering our strength to face the day. NPR was on in the other room and suddenly we were sitting straight up, straining to see if we heard correctly: President Barak Obama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
We heard correctly. Rushing out to the kitchen to grab our cups of coffee and settle in to listen to the unfolding story. NPR reporters repeated the news: President Barak Obama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We clinked our coffee cups and broad smiles spread across our faces.
My next sentence: I wonder how the Right and the Republicans will turn this into something bad, something negative. How will they dismiss this?
Surfing up Google News, the first headline: Obama Peace Prize has Americans Wondering Why. The second headline: GOP Chairman Scoffs at Award.
So that’s how it will happen. The so-called ‘liberal media’ is, within moments, telling how Obama doesn’t deserve this. It’s out asking: what has he done to deserve this. And the Republicans are on message even with this stunning announcement: it’s because he’s tricked people; because he’s a star. Not because he has contributed in any way to the peace of our world; to the future of peace in our world.
So the Republicans are siding with the Taliban who also condemn Obama for being awarded this.
The Noble Prize Committee can award this to anyone, for whatever reason they wish. That they believe the world is better, that there is more hope for peace just a few months after the Bush Presidency is telling.
He has been in office less than 1 year. He is working to overturn policies and the damage done by the previous administration. The prize has been awarded, by the words of the Noble Committee, because of the values, beliefs, and the possibility of a better world. Inspiration is a valuable. Building bridges is valuable. Changing the opinion of the world toward America is valuable. And what is wrong with granting an award that creates the requirement that the recipient live up to the belief invested in him.
This is a new era. This is a time when we must reach for the stars and maybe, just maybe, we need to invest in the future, to invest in people who may have a chance to tranform our world.
Seems the Nobel Committee has the audacity of Hope!
well put!!!