Yes, Joan. Right you are. For many of us, today was a journey, from shock and amazement, to acceptance, to embracing the notion that a neophyte president could take it based on 'promise.' I loved Norwonk's piece, the first piece I saw on OS this morning, and loved even more that it went to the cover of Salon. It captured something that needed to be expressed. As did this. Bookends they are, Norwonk's piece and yours, for an incredible day at the end of an incredible week. Thanks for writing this.

From one American to another, parts of Obama's victory speech just about made me lose my supper. Sure, there were some noble sentiments, but for the love of peace couldn't he please drop the American superiority crap? Ending his speech with "that's why I believe America will continue to lead"?!? That at a time when he's willing to settle for a cheap facsimile of health-care reform that will still leave America far behind any other advanced democracy in access to health care? At a time when America does lead the world in the proportion of its citizens in prison, but still cowers in fear at the thought of bringing accused terrorists into the US for fair trials? At a time when he wants to move the lawlessness of Guantanamo farther away to Bagram, just so long as he can continue to imprison people without charge?

Now if he would state openly that the US will continue indefinitely to occupy foreign countries by brute force, but will no longer pretend to be "the leader of the free world", that would be one small step forward, perhaps not towards peace but at least towards truth.

If there were a Nobel Prize for Spin, Obama would be a legitimate contender.

I agree with you, Joan. Especially considering the mere 9 months. I also love the fact that you called Obama "A promising young man." He's a year older than I. Go, Big Bro! You give me hope...

This was lovely, Joan. And your title gives me chills because it rings so true; quite literally, can you imagine how lonely Obama feels, how defensive, at a time when normally someone would be joyful? It's just not his fault that others have placed this mantle on him, prematurely or not. You can count me among those who think the choice was misguided, but nothing is written in stone.

One last thing: it's kind of hysterical to me that you're comparing him to the Irish Moms. I presume you're talking about Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan in 1976? Last week my 7th grade son came home, a day late and a dollar short as usual, telling me that he had one more day to pick a Nobel Peace winner to write a play about. I rattled off the names I could think of--Gorbachev, Gore, Carter, Arafat, Pauling, Mother Theresa--and he kept saying "Check, check, check," meaning someone had already taken that name. Well, I was cranky and busy and told him to find a list of winners online and pick an obscure name. Well, he did and I didn't hear about it for a while. Just yesterday he says, "Mom, I really need to get going on my play about Betty Williams."

"Who?"

"Betty Williams, the peace lady."

We looked her up, and I was pleased to see that she was involved in peace in Northern Ireland. We're of Irish descent and I thought we could learn something. Then we kept reading. It turns out she said, loud and clear and at least on two different occasions in 2006-7, that she'd like to kill George W. Bush. !

Now, stop for a minute and think about a conservative school district. One which was terrified about playing a Democratic President's speech about staying in school.

Now imagine word getting out that a student wrote a play in which the main character--as played by one of his classmates--says aloud, "I don't know about this word 'nonviolent;' I feel pretty violent about the kids being killed in the name of war. I'd like to kill George Bush"

What a conundrum, huh?

"I'm proud of him."

Joan, isn't this how ALL Americans should feel? Toss aside the cynicism and the dreaded "partisan" word for one day and consider that he was the only American in the running and that he is worthy. I shake my head.
Good for you for realizing the truth. Better late than never...

she's right.
me too.
(written in really small letters so no one will recognize me and start screaming at me too. I wonder if it would help if I said I didn't like Hitler????)

" he's a promising young man with a different way of looking at the world who's inspired a lot of people, globally and at home"

And I imagine that many around the globe hold out hope that his way of "looking" is a trend for America. Right or wrong, it certainly is refreshing---especially after the previous 8 years.

Nicely put. My chief concern is that it will set him back by creating yet another thing for the Republicans to whine about. But, as noted by Alan Grayson in a truly great speech (today, I think), they'll complain about whatever comes up anyway. So we might as well just be proud.

You have such a lovely process and voice!

No one even realizes or knows that our military is in the middle of the largest return and re deployment of materiel and material (from Iraq) in the history of mankind. There is work going on.

We will end those wars.

There are just too many gaps and blind spots in the news these days. No one has let anyone (except for SNL) talk about what Pres. Obama has accomplished, like almost 500,000 mortages saved. That sounds peaceful to me.

Although I was surprised, I assumed it was because of his peaceful and friendly communications with leaders around the world. He definitely is trying to bridge the gap among the countries and undo the animosity built during Pres. Bush's years as president. I applaud him for that as many others are doing. The two biggest objectors in the world are the Taliban and the Republicans. Go figure that out! I understand where the Taliban are coming from. We're their enemies.....but the Republicans should be proud. He's their President! Needless to say, they are NOT putting country first!

The Nobel Peace Prize is a great achievement. Wow, Americans should all feel proud and optimistic about this.
Congratulations to your president and your nation.
Marcela

Here's why I'm proud - b/c his way of looking at the world is NOT different - not from me and not from so many people I know. It's just that this way of looking at the world - with a sense of community wrought by commitment to personal responsibility, with a generous compassion that does not prohibit stern expectation - used to be the American way. And now, somehow, it's not, or at least, hasn't been in the past 9 years. We've morphed into a nation whose most visible spokespersons loudly advocate to bomb the shit out of our sworn enemies (regardless of how that enmity is defined or prven), build fences between us and even those who are, literally, dying to *be* us, and rewriting history to not only remove the great secular morality of our Founding Fathers, but scientific evidence and relevance itself. If this continues our children will grow to be spectacle-bedazzled ignoramus' who don't read, can't caculate, can't problem solve and measure value solely in terms of fame and wealth, no matter how grossly gotten.

I have great hopes for Obama. He's been in office 8 months. War is not a switch to be thrown - the political and actual complexities of the crises we currently face were many many ears in the making, it is unreasonable to expect them to be unmade in such short order, people being what and who they are.

I still hope for a public option for health. I will wait and see what happens. I did the same thing for Bush - I did not hate him the day he took office. I allowed his offenses to accrue before I lost any sense of hope or promise in his administration. I wont' do more but will do no less for Obama, you know?

Very well-said Joan!

I have a relevant story for you. Though maybe this should and will be a post, but for now, just sharing it here. I was working for the US Embassy in Israel when Egypt's President Sadat came there to meet Israeli Prime Minister Begin. I stood on the tarmac as Sadat arrived, tears streaming down my face and hope swelling in my heart.

Back in America, I watched the three leaders make their joint handshake with President Carter sealing a new peace accord.

But.

When President Carter had a few years earlier come to PA to meet with then Governor Milton Shapp, for whom I worked, after their meeting I was still in the room, unnoticed, gathering leftover press handouts. That's when I heard Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America, remark about Governor Shapp, "I can't stand that damn annoying Jew."

So when Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize soon after the Camp David Accords, I thought to myself, if they only knew... it never ends.

But maybe this is the beginning of that kind of end.

Exactly.

As the dude from the Nobel committee explained, more or less: the Peace Prize isn't a reward for accomplishment, but a means of encouragement.

I'm very happy and proud of him...I do think the award is a careful calculation for decreasing any U.S. resolve to escalate conflict...and ultimately, that is a good thing of course.

On a selfish note, I have to say I find it very gratifying to see the committee stick Dubya in the eye!

Thank you. I felt this way all day.

Just changing the tenor of our discourse with the rest of the world is a huge step forward.

I'm proud of him, too.

I'm less proud of all those who immediately try to spin this into something negative. Can't the man have ONE positive thing that nobody tries to shoot down right away?

I was surprised by it, yes, thought it was a little early, yes. But I did think the President himself was very gracious and humble about his own worthiness.

If it makes Glenn Beck's head explode? I can live with that.

I'm a bit stunned, but I certainly don't object. I'd like to hear more about the decision making. Very likely it's as you say, an honor that looks to the future and is intended to support his peaceful initiatives. such as dialog with Iran.

I, too, was confused about the Obama Nobel. With your 'take' on it, I now understand more, if for no other reason than the world looks at America differently now. Peacemaking not warmongering.

The best thing about this award is that it has people talking. It has sparked real robust discussion about what we mean when we talk about peace, what it means to be a laureate. I want to believe in Obama's ability to help this country realize its highest aspirations and I want to believe the Nobel committee, in choosing him for this award, was signaling the world's re-embrace of America as the global seat of hope and freedom and opportunity. The reality of it -- so far -- is that there's been little change in war/peace policy under Obama and we have a mighty long way to go before our pride can be rooted in anything more than prayers.

thank you so much for this, joan. i've been feeling so conflicted about this award at this time when we are at war in two countries at the same time. but your post wisely gives this event a historical context, which i so badly needed to have. i feel like i got a lovely splash of Doris Kearns Goodwin, who was one of my college professors. she gives great history. thank you and love love love!

Here was my response, and I'm sticking with it:

Immediately I was struck by this inquiry:

Isn't it hope for progress that this award truly signifies?

After all the years of fearmongering and unilateralism, we have a President who is interested in Peace itself, in diplomacy, in open relations among nations and multilateralism.

After working so hard on his campaign, I feel a little personal pride and personal ownership of this award and I think that everyone who worked so hard to elect Barack Obama should take this as a hat tip from the Peace Prize Committee for their efforts.

Congratulations Obama for America!

..........................

I would add to that now, after a day, there is no reason someone has to be dead or retired before their efforts should be encouraged or lauded. Changing what has happened in the past 50 years isn't going to happen overnight. But, Obama has set a strong agenda and unless we all pull ourselves from the team, which wouldn't be much different than the far right has been doing since day one of the Obama administration, there is still time to succeed.

"I can live with that. They have been waiting for us."

The implication that countries of the world that have proven through the years to be barbaric, ignorant, jealous, cowardly, parasitic, or some wonderful blend of the above have been "waiting" for the United States to rise to their moral level is monstrously laughable.

What the world is "waiting" for is American weakness, and this silly prize is evidence that Obama is doing his level best to supply it.

First Obama steals my Nobel, then he bombs the moon and hour later. What did the moon ever do to Obama?

Thanks for this. There are days when I feel like shouting at the nay-sayers "What if your parents gave up on you in your toddler years? What if they thought all those times you fell down proved you weren't meant to stand? To run? To become something greater than you are today?" As you said so well, he is a young president with a different way of looking at the world, he is full of promise, and yes, promises that probably can't all be kept. As one of those who voted for him, I feel like a surrogate parent and I, for one, am not ready to give up on him.

Sarkozy says: "The award marks Americans return to the hearts of the people of the world."

That alone makes the award worthwhile. Clear observation, Joan.

As I opined in my comment on another current OS post regarding Obama's Nobel for Peace, "He is as deserving as any prior Laureate... and I daresay that the Prize has benefited as much or more from his being the recipient as he has gained by its bestowal upon him. I believe that the Norwegian Committee this very day, apropos this year’s Peace Prize, publicly spoke of a time for Realpolitik. Expediency, folks, it is no crime! Verb Sap."

Count me among those who champion Obama. Nevertheless, he is for me a skilled pol of our day before he is a venerable moral demigod for the ages.

Nor is it inconsistent to hold Obama as indeed deserving of this honor with all its global weight, while reading into the Nobel Committee's frank hint as to its rationale, thereby discerning the political calculus whose derivative has been his selection as the Laureate this year.

With insight enlightened by hindsight, it is a selection that arouses the aplomb of inevitability rather than the discombobulation of surprise.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/10/09/obama/index.html

I think Glenn Greenwald summed it up well.

Thanks Joan, for this. I too had a change of heart last night, watching the coverage.

I thought: if I was European, afraid for America, hopeful at this peculiar election, seemingly from nowhere, and I had a Nobel vote? I would have to encourage him, encourage America, noodge this Great America awake again, make the statement. I would have to.

I'm sure Obama didn't want this. But, if responded to carefully, he can use it to great advantage.

The right of all people to medical care (spoken as a global message) wouldn't be a bad comment. Any broad statement that brings focus to the American issue, and the ridiculousness of America being so backward, helps. Those who will be offended in this country by such a remark are already offended. Screw 'em. But such a comment would have to be taken carefully. Short. Don't hit it too hard.

Other important issues: Global warming and rights of a Palestinian state with contiguous borders.

Most important is not to seem too inspired. Getting the prize is an inspiration. Don't try the "I have a dream" approach. Time for the "fierce urgency of now" to be turned into the "practical urgency of how." At least in tone.

"They have been waiting for us."

Too bloody right we have. Quit cavilling and squabbling and get back on track, the lot of you. Civis Americanus Sum should NOT be a curse.

Rated

Joan, yours was the best argument I've read and gives me fodder to answer both the confused and the mean-spirited. Copied it to my fb page.

I love that comment, too, about the return of America to the heart of the world. What a privilege and honor, I hope it will happen!

Apparantly, granting this award prematurely (as some would say, not me) is not that unusal for the Nobel Committee. It's been done numerous times in the past, based on the recipient's inspiring voice for peace.

I've also read that the award was given to Obama to repudiate the Bush years. Not sure that's their modus operandi, but it makes a little sense to me.

Thanks for sharing your viewpoint. R

The rest of the world perhaps will not be impressed much and will see this as ......snore.....!
I think this is far more important for us. We need to look into ourselves, into our attitudes and realign ourselves with what really makes us who we are. Shall we continue the path of the past or shall we acknowledge the honor gracefully and humbly and try to act like leaders instead of bully like tyrants.
We all hope for the best and are very proud!

I laughed hard at Con. And yet, my first reaction was positive. I don't know why, I'm hugely disappointed in his policies regarding indefinite prolonged detention. But, I think more than a statement on him, or anything he's accomplished, this is huge statement on behalf of Europeans. I think it says a lot, after all the acrimony built up over the Bush years, that the Nobel would so openly embrace Obama. I hope Americans take that in the spirit in which I believe it was meant.

"he's a promising young man with a different way of looking at the world who's inspired a lot of people, globally and at home"

He's no different...look at his friends, business partners and the people he brings into his cabinet.

The peace prize has been a joke for a long while I will agree that it's fitting with Obama.

Howard Zinn's on truthout.org slamming the Nobel Committee - while I agree with Howard, I also think there's gotta be a way to spin this more positively - perhaps Obama can now see the WORLD is giving him a mandate to stop the American War Machine. Beat the whole damn machine into ploughshares, feed the whole world. Healthcare for ALL. President Obama, don't listen to the RWNJ's here in America - listen to what the WORLD is saying to you. Rated.

I like your viewpoint, especially after all the negative.
"The award marks Americans return to the hearts of the people of the world." This makes sense.

@Gordon Osmond
Please take of the ideological blinders for just a moment. Amerika uber alles is not going to do any better than Deutchland(sic) uber alles. The president is trying to move this country away from that. We have had eight yrs. of it already and 2 wars to show for it.
As a nation we have something to be proud of for a change but there the neocon/fascist 'republicans' pissing in the punchbowl as usual.
Don't forget it was those ideological blinders that drove the economy of this country and the world into deep recession. The United States of America and the rest of the world have seen ENOUGH of your ilk. Try and imagine this country as a civilized country instead of a Dog Eat Dog - Law of the jungle type of society that you seem to favor. Maybe we could build a decent health care system that would not eventually bankrupt the nation and produce better health outcomes. Before you start screaming: SOCIALISM if you are a citizen of this country and you don't care how many of your fellow citizens have to die so you're rich greedy friends can keep their multimillion dollar salaries then you can't be much of a citizen. Wake up or leave.

Peace is an abstract and its Nobel prize nothing more than posthumous self-promotion for the dude that invented dynamite. The President deserves the honor (and the million+ dollars that come with it) because he is the first breath of fresh air in American politics since FDR, and he must be encouraged in every way imaginable to use his mandated and enormous power to right some of the terrible wrongs that are blighting the planet. If this prize helps him further to realize he must act responsibly, then it'll be worth every penny.

Set aside the question of whether or not Obama is great. That is not what I mean to say. But use that particular question as it applies to most other great figures from history. Did people in their time feel that they were great? Did they feel that they were deserving of adulation? I think most important historical figures receive their important in retrospect rather than in their times. Whether one considers Jesus Christ to be God, or merely man, he was certainly an important historical figure. And Christ was not considered "worthy" in his time.

Obama's win made me a proud Americans. Finally, the world is reaching out to us, encouraging us and providing a better way for us to lead again. We should gratefully accept this honor and join the rest of the civilized world.

Rated.

Sally Swift, Carter said that? sigh, there are no good guys.

Joan, this is one of the most rational pieces I have seen yet on this story. Thank you. It is a breath of fresh air.

Hope

I hear they're going to give Ryan O'Neil the father of the year award.

I want to give him a prize of my own, for the simple fact that I can listen to the news and not think, "okay what are they up to next?" Hasn't it been simply wonderful to hear that the President is "thinking" about sending extra troops? I'm so grateful that he has helped the U.S. regain respect around and not incite fear and loathing. Can you imaginge if a sitting republican president had won this? PFFFFFFT!! It'll never happen...

I feel the same way. I had that initial "what for?" reaction but I think that asperational awards can clear some of the underbrush away and make future paths important. Think about Al Gore and his big push on global warming, etc. We have not actually solved anything yet, but he inspires us to try. So does the President on a wide range of issues. If, for example, we do not get all we want on health care this time around we can remember that the President made us aware of what we could have had and make us seek further gains in the future.

Monte

I would agree with you if what you say were true. I said it for the last guy, I'll say it for this one: "By their fruits ye shall know them." Perhaps it's even more vile to excuse our killing as being "well intentioned". Now we don't even call it evil.

Is there any point in talking to you people at all?

My first reaction to the news was that the award came to soon. The award could have a positive impact or a negative impact on Obama.

It is a great honor, and possibly a burden.

"The award marks Americans return to the hearts of the people of the world."

We will be in their hearts until they don't get what they want. For a very long time this country has been very good to the rest of the world. Who sends more food to other points in the world than we do? How much foreign aid did France send to the rest of the world last year? When Hitler went out of his mind what would have happened if we had stayed out of the war?

If we are not in the hearts of a country now then they shouldn't receive the bounty this country has. What would happen to a country, for the sake of argument say Germany, if they kicked us out of their heart and we didn't send our aid, closed out military bases, and brought all our troops home?

It is not the job of the President to be liked by the rest of the world. It's not your job to be liked by your kids. It helps if they do, but your job is to be their parent, not their friend.

Bumped with pride.

I'm in agreement with Cap'n:

"Just changing the tenor of our discourse with the rest of the world is a huge step forward."

With that said, I don't believe a Nobel Peace Prize should be given on the merit of intent or promise alone. And perhaps that's why I'm still scratching my head.

Plus, when he decided to not meet with Dalai Lama, my head was scratched once again. I don't care about the politics or diplomacy behind the choice. You meet with the man who exemplifies world peace, more than any prize does. You just do.

Joan, I missed your avatar with the hat today for some reason. One shouldn't long for avatars. I must get much more of a life.

late to this party yet I too am hopeful. My disappointments are ringing loudly. I still haven't lost faith in the possibilities.

I went through the same roller coaster process and landed where you did. Sarkozy's quote says it perfectly.

I think things would have been better if the award had been to the US people for electing Obama or if Obama had dedicated the award to the US electorate.

I'm not griping, just pointing out room for improvement.

What Sarkozy said can not be overstated, and that is the hope, the potential, I believe, the Nobel Peach Prize decision was based on. Like the mouse that roared, whether we feel very powerful dealing with a full on middle eastern war with no real ending other than when we stop. Or whether we recognize that we are righting a course that was set in place back in the 60's with all the concurrent Presidents, republican or democrat, adding to the situation we found ourselves in on 9/11. There is only stopping, and dealing with the aftermath and it doesn't promise to be pretty. But continuing with more troops, more violence, more threats, more intimidation only delays the dealing part, cause the winning at war part is out of the range of possibility, and should be recognized as a non viable option. Not because we're good people wanting peace on earth but because what we stepped into was misguided, a misjudgement and a problem we will pay for over an extended period of time.

Someone pointed out recently how spoiled our generation is-post WWII. That this country and others did without heat, nylon hose, butter and the economy would have been worse after the war if it weren't for the fact that our competitors were driven out of business and we prospered. (Japan, Germany;ala Michael Moore: Capitalism - a love story)

It's possible the vision of the Nobel Prize winning by Obama was the world's way of saying: the new President has the intention of delivering the US out of the Middle EAstern war, talking truth to power and dealing with the consequences of the abuse of power that has resulted in our near bankruptcy as a country.

You are right Joan. The Nobel Peace Prize is an aspirational award that Obama truly deserves. He moved more than his voters. The rest of the world dared to hope that things will change for the better. I STILL believe it is possible. Thank you for your words of hope.

Hi,

I just hope that the American people notice it. From outside the US, it was fairly obvious, but apparently inside it's a little more difficult.

excellent post, this was the Nobel Peace Prize functioning politically, not a just a charity check.

Yes, I'm with you 100%. What happened to all those starry-eyed people when he got elected? I am hoping this will be further impetus for him to continue to play more of a role as a person in power who wants to change the world. That's incentive and what's wrong with that?

It was his instantaneous response, saying it was a "call to action" that impressed me. My god it's great to have a president who isn't a dufus. It is Obama's motivation that continues to give me confidence in him despite the smart rats rhetoric.

I was proud of him when I first heard the news, and I'm proud of him now. After so many years of disastrous anti-diplomacy, it's a welcome and refreshing change to see Obama's serious efforts to help end the conflicts that shatter our world.

A wonderful departure from the snorts of those pundits whose only achievements have been... well, not to be the president of this country. Your comparison to the "'Peace Moms" of Northern Ireland" was astute and went unnoticed by any other in the field as far as I know. Kudos and thank you for the insightful share.

Oh man, I am so overmatched by my great comments. I really appreciate how many people walked the same path as me. And I appreciate those who didn't! There's no totally right answer on this one; the only wrong answer was a right-wing knee-jerk raspberry. I think he needs us to escort him down the path to being what many of us think of as deserving the Nobel Peace Prize. But until we're giving it out, it's really silly for so many people to be so sure of what they should/do/did/used-ta/sorta/reward.

I think that all the attention lavished on the awarding of this one little prize would have been nice to see in the coverage of the Honduran takeover, which potentially represents the return to the Americas of military juntas as an option for the reactionary and violent middle-class. Just saying. BOKO

It is true that Obama has inspired many, and will likely continue to do so. And it is great that one justification behind this award was this reason. But I think much of what Obama is truly being rewarded for is his tenacity and determination. Obama comes from humble beginnings and a wealth of experience. This is a man that worked from neighborhood church basements, one on one, with the community that mattered to him. Obama put himself through law school, and then he later ran an effective campaign that landed him in the senate. He worked his ass off to accomplish what he has for himself, and for others.

Rated.

Am I glad he got it? Yes. Does he deserve it? NO!

I too agree with the sentiments here. I believe peace is as much about hope and the way we view our global community as it is about treaties and truces, and he really has made an impact on those things. Hope has been in pretty short supply.

Yeah I have a comment. http://open.salon.com/blog/mark_wilson/2009/10/13/they_wike_him_they_weely_weely_wike_him

The guy has a hard job! He needs all the support and positive stuff he can get!

When I heard of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize it made my day. The Republican Party is jealous, can you imagine them recommending that he give it back? Could you get anymore childish than that? Why cant these idiots just be proud of our presidents achievement-this is not just for him but for our country.

When I heard he won early that morning it made my day. How proud to be an American, such a high honor for our President. The Republicans are so childish, immature and disgusting in their behavior, imagine them wanting our President to give the prize back, what is the matter with them????

Joan, I understand your sentiment, but Obama has done nothing to indicate he is going to do anything he promised. Inspirational speeches are nice, but if they are followed by no action, then they are just a way to manipulate people into thinking he's done something. I also don't think that speaking moderately is always the best approach. The Tibetans met the Chinese moderately for decades, and look what it got them. Even the Dalai Lama is now rethinking his approach to the Chinese. What Obama is doing with Congressional Republicans is much like what the Tibetans did with the Chinese, and has obtained the same results so far. I don't think our country as the luxury of allowing our president to use thepolitical capital we gave him to be BFFs with the GOP, because they will meet it with nothing but aggression, and it is we, the people, who will suffer for it.

The guy was in office 13 days when this was decided! What are you people smoking? He got this the same reason that he was elected and that is because Bush is gone. There is no other reason. Good for our country, but does it really mean anything?

an interesting perspective that subverts main stream opinion.

Joan, thanks for the context within which you placed the Obama win. You are exactly right that the Peace Prize has, again and again, been given for simply raising hope of peace.

The sad part is the "why" of it: it's because there is so little concrete and lasting evidence of peace anywhere in the world which has centuries of conflict mixed into the soil. That being the case, one is left no option but to find the best hope-bringer, and honor that person or group.

oh Joan, nice to read ur positive attitude. Th point is Noble prize is given for concrete achievement. Obama is great in his own way by giving a face lift to America after what Bush had done to tarnish is name world wide. But I would love him as a world leader if he returns the peace prize or keeps it at abeyance to reclaim it later till he dismantles the army in Iraq and stop giving aid to Pakistan to destabilize the peace in India.

You made me change my mind on this. You are right. Bernadine Spitzsnogel.

I don't know if Obama deserved the Prize, but I'm sure glad he won it. I just love the guy.

Better than a kick in the gut.

Great. The committee sacrificed an opportunity to reward actual achievement – like giving the prize to Bono – and instead took the earliest possible opportunity to shove Bush’s nose in it. Ugh, go away. We agree that Bush was a terrible president, and hope hope hope that Obama lives up to the promise he showed in the campaign. But this move helps no one.

I know more people in my little local community who have done more hardwork, made more sacrifices, and made a difference in the world and in people's lives than Obama... and with NO recognition, no pat on the back, and certainly no awards. I used to think the Nobel Peace Prize was the result of hardwork, and palpable results from that hard work - that could be held up and used as an example of what one person can accomplish. I hardly can compare Obama to Mother Theresa. So when Obama goes to the slums of Calcutta, and feeds, bathes, and comforts with his own bare hands - THEN - I will believe he has accomplished something substantial. Until then, his dreams are no different than the dreams of millions of people, many of whom gave their lives to make a statement for freedom or peace... For me, Obama is turning America into something unrecognizable. I can't believe I voted for him.

Peace is an overrated/over valued concept. What man ever died in the midst of peace? Have you ever heard of a 'peace' hero? What we need is a war hero, someone prepared to face the fiscally deficient, work shy, lay abouts of this once great nation and say 'hey buddy, get a job!'

These Nobel people are obviously pot smoking Maoists.

Hardly. The peace prize is an acknowledgment of great accomplishment not a promise of something to come.

I took the same journey, but I was worried also that it might do him some harm with his critics because I am rooting for him to succeed. But the heck with those who want to bring him down and don't think about what this country needs. Amen to the world needing hope and so do we.

isn't this how ALL Americans should feel? Toss aside the cynicism and the dreaded "partisan" word for one day and consider that he was the only American in the running and that he is worthy. I shake my head.Good for you for realizing the truth.answering service outsourcing

Obama is the first U.S. president to receive the award during his first year in office (at eight and a half months)....When Dr. King won the Peace Prize there were many who questioned the wisdom of his selection.....Just as then, there are those today in America who have great difficulty with the notion of a black man acheiving such stature on the international stage....Even the first black president.

Joan, it's good to have you back in our hearts. I was very suspicious of the decision of the panel as the nomination was so late. But the decision was made and I'm glad the President has the vision he has.
I recently joined American Thinker to see if I could find out why the Health Bill has not been welcomed and why Mr.Obama's profile is so bad. I got no sensible answers and ended up defending him against some of the most malicious remarks I've ever read. In the end after trading Insults with America's st of The Rednecks I was finally barred from the site. So much for free speech there then.
I hope his support increases and the respect does the same and his Poloicies go from strength to strength leading the American people into a new era.

indeed the reason he won is because he has the favor of almost all the african american population. lets presume for a moment that 38% of America is black or African american. i am not racist but i am simply saying that we tend to support what is familiar even if it is not right. and what a good job were doing too. each time a new president is elected our country drifts further and further from what the people which we descend from fought and died for. freedom of press, of speech, right to bear arms. if you pay close attention to the political wars these freedoms are being slowly but surely overridden. were will our dear america be in 20 years....? will it still resemble what we love? or will the ruin and despair of the economy and our rights have taken control of our lives and our thoughts....? something to think about, is it not?????

I was suprised like everyone else but I can't think of anyone out there who deserves it this year.

Hi! Joan I added you to my favourites.

"...he's a promising young man with a different way of looking at the world who's inspired a lot of people, globally and at home. "

One day he might become President of your nation...

With all due respect Joan, I disagree.

I think you should see my post:

"Why Obama does deserve the Nobel: an unabridged list" to see why

http://open.salon.com/blog/joshfultonblogspotcom/2009/11/01/obama_wins_nobel_for_what_he_will_do_vs_what_he_has_done

Beautiful piece. Also a nice reminder that while the Nobel prizes given in other areas -- medicine, for example -- recognize past achievements, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded for achievement and potential.

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Skeptics! We've become a nation of skeptics! I for one was really, proud of our President, I am glad you came around too.

Joan, no doubt it is a sham prize. I looked up the criteria on the Nobel Prize website and the votes were in by February so if anything it was a great grass roots effort to get somebody elected without even being in the President's chair for two weeks. It is apparent that the Nobel Peace, Peas or Piece Prize has been hijacked by selfserving interests and I agree a new prize should be founded. One that awards actually doing something.

Hi john farnham there,
you talk of india getting nuke tech without signing the NPT. You very well know that India is willing to sign the NPT if the US downsizes its nuclear weaponry, stops making any more of them and comes to the world in a spirit of equality. The US has the maximum number of weapons in the world and it has no moral right to ask India to sign NPT. Moreover, India has been very patient with pakistan and china, the more belligerent neighbours, by avoiding wars despite sore provocations. What harm can there be in signing a nuke deal with a peace loving nation. Your ideas are skewed.

Sorry, Joan, I fall under this is a farce category. It seems like the Nobel committee doesn't even care to hide that the choice is made for political rather than merit criteria.. Shame..

Stop huffing the Hopium and wake up.

Going to "finish the job" in the Graveyard of Empires, eh?

That is a nice and new way of looking at it. I do like the idea of America in the hearts of people around the world. I just wonder if it can be true. America strives to do good all around the world.
We do not always accomplish it, sometimes it blows up in our face. But at least we try. How generous are other countries? I'm pretty sure we top the list of giving if we were to look!!
Thanks, Mindie

He is really a wonderful personality with different attitude toward life and world.

Great post written by you, I appreciate.
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Its Hypocrisy at the Highest Level. Obama getting the Peace prize for having done nothing except bombin the Moon and still keep the troops. Drone Attacks on Pakistan which kils innocent civilians. Obama says he follws Gandhian principles. Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King Jr also did.
And Gandhi did not get the Nobel Peace prize because of reasons which I still cannot buy.
Here is a link to the complete story

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/articles/gandhi/index.html

A much more deserving candidate would have Auung San Suu Kyi of Burma who has been battling the militart\y JUnta for such a long time .

This whole affair of Obama getting the peace prize has made a mockery of the Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize my ass. Did anyone happen to notice that Obama completely blew off the Dalai Lama? Now there is a man that deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, in addition to getting his country back. We can sit here all day to talk about protein shakes and funny t shirts, but I find it hard to celebrate Obama's closed mindedness when it comes to meeting with the King of Peace: the Dalai Lama.

a time when he wants to move the lawlessness of Guantanamo farther away to Bagram, just so long as he can continue to imprison people without charge?pink crystal chandeliers

I am new to this forum, and reading all your very thoughtful comments from a few months ago. I was agast to some of the comments about the leader of the free World. You best re-think about the White House and where it is now and where its leading the US -- into a big Black Hole. Look, Listen and read both sides. See the truth, its out their, heads need to be up and looking all around. A Nobel Prize for what ? There ar Many others in the world that are more then worthy, then this one person.
Think, Listen and Look around you, investigate the truth. It is out There !!

a very personal award, an investment in their power and charisma years before the peace accords were signed.SEO/a>

for his future peace keeping efforts. Whole world was shoked including Obama. He never expected Nobel Prize. Obama is trying to fill the cracks between the countries. Peter the tomtom gps systems expert.blog commenting service

openly that the US will continue indefinitely to occupy foreign countries by brute force, but will no longer pretend to be "the leader of the free world", that would be one small step forward, perhaps not towards peace but at least towards truth,Sarasota Homes For Sale | Catering Equipment

the "Peace Moms" of Northern Ireland -- a very personal award, an investment in their power and charisma years before the peace accords were signed.Los Angeles SEO

the vision of the Nobel Prize winning by Obama was the world's way of saying: the new President has the intention of delivering the US out of the Middle EAstern war, talking truth to power and dealing with the consequences of the abuse of power.San Diego handicap ADA Bathtubs remodeler

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The nobel peace prize just got rascist - I thought we where supposed to award people regardless of their colour.
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It's good to read your post about the President's remarkable price. I do agree with you. He is such inspiring person.
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I was also surprised to hear that President Obama won the Nobel Peace prize as he hasn't done anything "peacefully" yet. Perhaps they should have waiting until he stopped a war or something. Anyway, it's a sign of recognition and we should be happy our president got it.
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This is awsome joan but i really surprising about your blog.
Obama is amazing for me

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I think most polices of Obama are objectionable because he only think about his own benefit. He should be kind and just for not all people of his country but also for people of whole world.
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I congratulate precedent Obama for his achievement. He is the only deserving guy for this prize.
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Only one of his disorders have been removed? How about Normopathy? This is one really confused person trying to be presidential and all can see. How very embarrassing to America. He even retreated and left Clinton in charge today in front of the press. Pathetic; I can only think of what America’s enemies are thinking.
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Ya, you have picked well discussed topic. It is really controversial. As my opinion it is 50% true, sorry not 100%.

The world ask to Obama less words end more facts!

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I think we should judge him in about a decade to see if it is deserved. sim only deals

The Peace Prize for talking about peace? Or for mocking special Olympians? Having visited 57 states? Meddling in an arrest to back his friend? Not backing the Iranian people? Drones? Kicking ass?

That was a terrific article. I don't agree with every single single thing that you said but still great nonetheless

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Personally I think Obama was not a good candidature for the piece prize. What good thing did he bring? Really ... The prize was awarded simple because he is the first black president? Oh, well. In that case the prize should be given to those black people who participated on the elections. I would give the prize to those doctors volunteers in Africa, who actually help poor children. I guess they have done a lot more that just posing in front of cameras.
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I actually agreed with you wholeheartedly when you wrote this post about the prize, and I still do in terms of the reasons that you posit (encouraging a promising young individual). However, while I'm still a fan of Obama in general, I do not think that he has yet lived up to the promise that the Nobel Committee saw in him, which is unfortunate.
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This is great. I am writing this response nearly two years later. People are still railing against Obama, expecting him to be an omnipotent autocrat-king who can just push whatever he wants through the Congress and Senate. They complain about him being the Negotiator. It's popular to dis him.

Nobody mentions what economic crises and wars he inherited from the previous administration and are calling them "his" wars and coming Depression.

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Congrats to Obama, better late then never. I didn't know that he had won a Nobel price, but what was the content about? The remark was quite touching and hope it will come true to Americans. ms symptoms

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I remember when he received the Nobel Prize, I was truly baffled. To be honest I am still baffled. I felt it cheapen the significance of the prize that he got it before actually earning it. Curious what people think now that much more time has passed.

I guess it is better than the INTERNET winning the nobel prize. If that happened I would of lost all respect!

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If we are not in the hearts of a country now then they shouldn't receive the bounty this country has. What would happen to a country, for the sake of argument say Germany, if they kicked us out of their heart and we didn't send our aid, closed out military bases, and brought all our troops home?
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No one can hate on Obama. He may not being doing all he promised, but he's still doing better than most.

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I agree with you, Joan. Especially considering the mere 9 months. I also love the fact that you called Obama "A promising young man." He's a year older than I. Go, Big Bro! You give me hope...
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