Have faith; do not despair
October 9th, 2009 at 04:30pm Linda Grist Cunningham
U.S. President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize this morning — and the naysayers went off the deep end. Even the mildest responses were along the lines of a disbelieving “huh?”
Let me offer up another thought: Throughout his campaign, Obama’s message was hope-filled. In the months since his November election, there’s been much to weigh on that hope. The price of change can be a diluted sense of hope. That Obama wins the peace prize, while eye-popping in surprise, is a global re-affirmation of that hope.
I think what makes me feel hopeful is that OTHERS feel hopeful. Too often we come down so hard and so cynically about “our own” that we cannot appreciate the ways outsiders see them and respond to them.
Clearly, those who select the peace prize believe in their souls that this man’s singular approach to peace is one that can, if nurtured, make us a better world.
Instead of wailing that he undeservedly won it, perhaps we should be seeking the faith to pursue that peace and set aside the despair that we cannot achieve so lofty and illusive a goal.
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5 Comments Add your own
1. Steelhawk | October 9th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Whatever…..
2. mdh | October 9th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Linda,
Huh? Who are the others that feel hopeful…..and what exactly are they hoping for? Are they hoping for a resurgent America? Are they hoping that America regains it’s foothold as a leader?
Or, perhaps that they are hopeful that their opportunity is coming at the expense of America. Perhaps they are pleased that America has been smacked down to size…no longer will they be pushed around.
Russia’s surging, Iran is on the upswing. North Korea continues on its path, quite confident that they face no serious military threat from Obama’s USA. Venzuela looks to start SATO (No worries that the US will object).
Our loyalties are scuttered. Israel, Poland and the Czech’s have been pushed aside. The Palestinians have our financial and moral support.
Of course these people think Obama rocks. But what about us? Doesn’t he work for us?
Crazy world. AL Gore and Obama are nearly canonized for being cool and having perceived good intentions. The prize is junk.
3. Paul | October 9th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I agree that even the mildest responses were along the lines of a disbelieving. The polls indicate the majority of people feel that way. Even Obama was surprised and said “Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments—”
How is it that the deadlock for nominations for the prize were due 11 days after he was sworn in as President and he win’s based on something he has not yet accomplished?
It is the equivalent of giving a police officer or fireman a life saving award on the first day of their career based on the expectation that sometime in their careers they will save a life.
It just bothers me that those supporting the award will try to rationalize or spin it in an effort to justify the presentation.
I agree with mdh that when Al Gore, Jimmy Carter and even Yassar Arafat have received the award that in the opinion of many it is viewed as junk or at the very least it has lost it’s significance.
4. Richard C | October 10th, 2009 at 4:14 am
Where does he go from here? Its a long ways down from the pedestal people are putting him on.
5. Juice | October 14th, 2009 at 5:36 am
If Obama was playing in the World Series of Poker , representing the USA, the undisputed, returning champion, he would lose on purpose to make the other countries feel good about themselves, you know to give them hope for the future games. And i’m sure the others would reward him with a trophy for understanding their pain and working together to make everyone equal. Seriously, I think he is embarrased for the USA to be called a superpower.
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