Nobel prize is also for the rest of us....

It's a way of saying the United States is back. After 8 years of arrogance and foolishness, Obama stands for something different. It wasn't just hell for us here, it was bad for the rest of the world too. In a short time, Obama has changed the climate of international relations for the better. Last spring, he personally stepped in and moderated a heated argument between Hu Jintao and Nicolas Sarkozy. He doesn't just inspire with his speeches, this is a guy with a personal touch. The world knows he's different, not perfect, but better than what we have had. He's a leader among other leaders. Something that Bush never was, even though he was probably the most significant leader in the world because he was POTUS.

The world knows the United States is ready to lead, to tackle tough problems, and they have been inspired by Obama's speeches in Cairo and at the UN. They see his work on nuclear issues and in strengthening international institutions. Those are significant and will be remembered as such. The world wants this. They want us to get involved in these issues. To work on nuclear proliferation, climate change, to moderate fairly the conflicts around the world, to combat world poverty etc etc. Obama is a symbolic figure. People look up to him, they see what they want in him, he can be anything and everything to anybody. Some may see ugliness, but most others see greatness, hope, change and all other forms of inspiration.

Who else does that sound like?

Us.

The American people.

People around the world see what they want to see in us. They see ugliness, ignorance and all kinds of negatives. But most of all, they see hope. They may disagree with us or even hate us sometimes, but they look up to us. Many dream their whole lives of moving here. Or even coming to visit. When people want a new life, a better life, they come to the United States. I received a message from a person overseas when I wrote a column shortly after the Iraq War started. This person was sad. He said that our friends overseas felt almost betrayed that the U.S. would sink so low as to attack another country preemptively and for no reason. And that people over here were bashing countries like France and Germany for not joining in. He felt that we were better than that. That we should be a better example for the rest of the world. Our actions were disheartening for those who project their hopes and dreams on us. It hurt them.

Neither Obama or the United States is perfect. Obama hasn't closed Gitmo. He's escalated the war in Afghanistan. He's kept some of the same egregious programs that Bush implemented. But he still means something to people, and the good far outweighs the bad. The United States has condoned slavery, committed genocide against American Indians, we overthrew Mossadegh in Iran, Arbenz in Guatemala, we had unnecessary wars in places like Vietnam and Iraq, and we have been known to support questionable leaders and enact questionable policies and trade deals from time to time too. But for most of the world, the good far outweighs the bad. They look to us for leadership. They want to be like us. To have the lives that we have. We mean something to the rest of the world and they look up to us almost like a big brother. And just like it hurts when a big brother is a jerk to you, it means the whole world when he's good to you too.

I think that's what this award means. It symbolizes the good things. In Obama. In the American people. It's an honor that people look up to our president so much. That they look up to us so much.

They think we're back.

They have hope and can dream again.

Maybe it is just a symbol. That Obama doesn't deserve it. That he doesn't deserve the world's hope. Maybe he really isn't that good. Maybe we aren't either. But he has time to prove it.

And so do we.

WB, ya said it all, and beautifully.

PS, it snowed here last night. Enjoy Meet Yourself for me this weekend.

I forgot that was this weekend!

Yes my dad said it was snowing in Cut Bank too. My brothers had to drive to Casper yesterday, but I guess the weather cleared up and wasn't so bad as they got toward Billings. Good to hear from you!

Always figured it was damned nice of Tucson to throw me such a swell birthday party every year! Music, dancing, storytellers, craft lessons, food from the great ethnic groups that make Tucson such a fun place.... It's a party, and this year, one should savor that Big Jim's vision in starting the thing is seeing some real progress toward global reality.

Best Nobel post I've seen today.

a leader that is at least respected throughout the world..(at least)..Not one that lies this country into war, and lies again about "torture"...It truly is an award for us, as well as Obama..you are correct.

So what...you lost your 401K, job and homes, so you all have a temporary change of heart? Bahhh.

There is a reason the GOP goes after groups that encourage the working classes to vote. The hen house is not the same ol hovel.

... and there is a 24-hour cease-fire on all snark. Good times, good times. :party:

Hekate

He's a hawk, not a promoter of peace.

He has distanced himself from those who stand for peace in his own nation, preferring to align himself with the center-right, and the hawks.

I think the award means that the concept of "peace" has been corrupted, or that "they" are pandering to the propaganda of the new administration, rather than the reality.

But that's just me.

One of those pesky peaceniks on the left who thinks that war is not the way to wage peace.

that after Bush they have a guy who at least listens. And his willingness to reach out to the Muslim world is a significant historic development. You may not feel it, but the magnitude of that is so important to those people who had been demonized for so long. They thought we went nuts for 8 years and that the greatest symbol of hope in the world hated them all just for the actions of a few people on September 11, 2001. They lived in fear, wondering just what Bush would do next. Now they have a guy who they not only know is sane, but who seems to understand and has a willingness to reach out and listen. Obama is not without his problems, as I wrote in this, if you read it. But he is also not without his merits, and if you can't see why he would even be considered, then maybe you aren't as much a person of peace as you think you are.

I don't notice Obama reaching out and listening to the left in his own party and nation. I especially don't notice him reaching out and listening to teachers. It seems to me like he picks and chooses who he listens to. :shrug:

It certainly doesn't hurt him with the international community that he's not Bush and that means anti-preemptive warfare and pro-diplomacy. If McCain had been elected the leader of the free world would not have been for those things, that means something and is important to the world. Should he have gotten it? I don't know, I would say there were others more deserving, but he did win it and there are reasons for that. Who he listens to, the teachers etc, that's another topic and one I probably agree with you on. I certainly agree he doesn't listen to progressives enough, if at all sometimes. However, you said you don't know why he would even be considered and I am just saying that even for the reasons that I think you are probably right about - surrounded by hawks, fairly hawkish himself - there are also other reasons that merit consideration, and the committee felt they were good enough to give him the honor.

Thanks for the reasoned response.

thanks for the good dialogue. I like it. :)

Rather by five Norwegian guys appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, and their committee roughly matches the makeup of that body.

:applause: :patriot:

:yourock:

next morning all the neighbors came by to tell you how much they missed you.

It's amazing to see.