Done Nothing? Please.
Here's a taste of what President Obama has done (writer is Joe Boyle):
Critics can argue all they want that Obama has not done anything. However, that is just wrong.
He has called for an end to torture of prisoners, the eventual withdrawal from Iraq and a serious discussion on curtailing the threat of global warming. He has also brought Democrats and Republicans together, often kicking and screaming, to begin serious discussion on national health care.
Critics state that he does not deserve the award because he has been in office only nine months. But perhaps that is the point. All the above listed items are being addressed under the Obama administration. It is not like Obama has had a cakewalk since becoming president. He inherited massive national debt that stirred over from the Bush administration.
He has had to make some tough decisions and addressed the needs of many American citizens who having a difficult time making ends meet. Now, are all of the programs that Obama has initiated going to work? No. However, it is better than watching while the economy continues to crumble
http://www.swnewsherald.com/online_content/2009/10/101409fw_jb_obama.php
The criticism leveled at Obama seems to get stronger as more praise is showered on him. For those who want to knock him off his mighty platform, know this: Obama has "IT" and having "IT" is hard to explain, describe or define although you know "IT" when you see it. One just becomes more popular and influential than anyone ever imagined and that is the position Obama finds himself in. Let's not disrespect the man for that as I don't think he had any intention of wanting the "rock star" status that has been thrust upon him.
He should be given immense credit for wanting to tackle the horrendous and overwhelming problems in America. In my opinion, his heart is in the right place and I am grateful to have him as my President. Obama has touched the world in an almost majestic way and the world has responded strongly to his compassion, intellect and rhetoric. After the last 8 years in Washington, America and our brothers and sisters around the globe needed someone to give them hope for a better tomorrow and Obama has filled those shoes eloquently.
Even before he was elected, many Swedish immigrants (and even some Swedes) spoke to me glowingly of his potential for the world. Some had tears in their eyes as they spoke and their hope warmed my heart. Interestingly, most of the immigrants made a point to tell me that they feared for his safety. I don't think any of them would say that Obama has done nothing.
Was the award a bit premature? Of course. Obama admitted that he was "surprised and humbled".
For those bent out of shape or angry that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to our 44th President, remember this:
Don't hate the player (Obama), hate the game (Nobel committee). It's not Obama's fault for getting the award. Any frustration that you harbor should be cast upon the 5 members of the Norwegian selection committee.
Here's what the committee based their selection on (from Joe Boyle's link above):
The announcement from Norway that Obama won the award was due to his ability to unite the world on a call for peace and better understanding of each other. He has also attempted to bridge the gap that exists among Muslims and the United States In short, Obama has essentially won the award on his appeal to nations overseas. Europeans, it seems, like what Obama stands for.
Maybe, just maybe the committee could be smarter than many think.
If it turns out that Obama does play a critical role in helping to make our chaotic and divisive world more peaceful, united and safe during his 4 or 8 year term (and beyond), the critics may one day say, "Yes, he did something".
Congratulations Mr. President.
Happy Gswede Sunday!
My friend Linda took this photo in a place I adore - Vermont. It's a beautiful and relaxing state.
1 comment:
George, thank you for writing this particular blog! This has become a great platform for debate and I hope to have one of my own soon.
People, including those outside the US, quickly forget the state of international affairs when Bush was exiting the White House. Let me remind some of you:
1. The world hated everything American
2. The Axis of Evil statement was rejected by many
3. The Iranians were not to be spoken to
4. The Arabs, with two wars, in their own backyard, had enough of US aggression against them.
5. The Israelis were studying options on how to stop Iran militarily
6. NATO was seriously upsetting Russia with it’s talk of more strategic weapons
7. North Korea was threatening to fire a missile aimed at the US
8. The world was in the middle of an economic meltdown.
9. Global Warming was not being taken seriously
10. The MDG’s (Millenium Development Goals) were being ignored
In just a few months of being elected President Obama achieved the following:
1. Re-established the world’s good opinion by winning the election. This told the world that the US had rejected the Bush Doctrine on US international relations.
2. Obama gives a major speech in a Muslim capital, Cairo, where he admitted to the the failures of the US as well as call out the obligation of Arab nations to change their own rhetoric.
3. He unequivocally rebuked the notion that Iran must not be spoken to and immediately insisted that a US official begin negotiations to discuss their nuclear program.
4. The two wars are still being fought but the notion of torture and the humiliation of prisoners has been unequivocally rejected by this administration from day one.
5. The Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, has since changed his own position on Iran and is in a wait and see mode.
6. US has ceased the production and installation of unnecessary weaponry in European borders with Russia in a time of peace. The Russians love their children too, remember!
7. North Korea did fire missiles but the US using better judgment decided to wait and avoid aggression on a nation clearly being held hostage by its dictator and is working through diplomacy with China. Cooler heads do prevail and save lives.
8. The US economy is tied to everybody’s paycheck around the world. The Obama administration allowed an unpopular Bush strategy take its course to avert a major catastrophic economic cataclysm that would have made the Great Depression seem like a hick-up.
9. Obama’s speech at the UN reassured the world that the US will take major steps in the fight against Global Warming. Bush never admitted to it devastating affects on the planet.
10. The speech at the UN also mentioned the need for the US to get involved in 8 MDG’s setout by the international community to battle such issues as poverty, child mortality and gender equality.
So, to all the nay-sayers and skeptics on whether or not Obama Nobel prize for peace, I will simply pose one question. Do you think that under a McCain/Palin administration, the world would have been a much peaceful place, and achieved any of what I mentioned above? I think we know the answer to that one.
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