This puts me in a strange position, Dear Reader, because I have a lot of love for Barack Obama. Bringing the hurt to Afghanistan instead of Iraq? Check. Fixing health care without bowing to a universal system? Check. Cash for clunkers? Check again. All told, I’ve been relatively pleased with my vote so far. And so far as I know, one cannot campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize, so I suppose this isn’t exactly his fault.
But what the hell?
You’re supposed to hand these things out after a lifetime of tireless achievement. May I remind you all that Jimmy Carter, who actually got Egypt and Israel to agree on something, was not awarded until he left office and continued advocating human rights for years. They never gave one to freaking Gandhi. You don’t just hand this crap out, and you really don’t hand it out just because the international community thinks he’s a nice guy. I can’t imagine the catch 22 Barack is in right now, knowing that he can neither turn it down nor accept it without feeling funny. The more I think about it, the more my mind keeps coming back to a central question: what were they thinking?
Many will say this is a political move, an attempt on behalf of some in the international community to publicly scold Republicans. For once, I would consider agreeing. I’m not saying it is, but I’m not saying it isn’t. Nobody on that council was doe-eyed and innocent, they knew damned well that they were kissing Susie while Jane looked on. I’m not even beyond seeing this as a power play, an attempt to kick American conservatives while they’re down and exert lasting influence on Western international policy. I’m not committing to that interpretation, but help me out Dear Reader, because I’m flailing around in the dark here. If it’s not a conscious attempt to put a European stamp on American politics, then what is it? No one can seriously think Obama stands toe to toe with the other people who have won this thing, they must have known they were bestowing it prematurely, so what? What is this? The weird thing is, I agree with the statements they make about him. I think he has improved our relationship with the international community. Some would prefer we march around reminding everyone of Normandy, but I think humility and grace are more befitting a super power. When he goes to foreign countries and says, “Our bad, we need to do better,” I think it’s classy.
So I’m put in this bizarre position of liking the guy who has won the award, agreeing with the reasons for it, and being completely against the whole thing nonetheless. Thanks a lot, guys.
Unrelated note:
Anybody out there looking for a great scary movie should check out “Paranormal Activity,” which is screening in select theaters near you. This is old-school suspense horror: no gore, no blood and guts, no grisly killings, just atmosphere piled on atmosphere and some ingenious set pieces. I haven’t seen a ghost story this good in years. Go check it out!
I feel as if I should comment since I find myself almost agreeing with your post, but I am not certain why.