I was quite surprised at the news of Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this morning, as were many others. My initial reaction was that he really had not done much to earn it, other than pursuing the diplomacy cited in the statement by the award committee. And I say this, having lived through the very difficult times when Jimmy Carter was working hard to get Sadat and Begin to come to the table- which they eventually did- and sign an accord. I believe very much that Obama does indeed deserve this, but would rather see the tangible results such as Carter achieved. And while I am aware that Obama will give a statement on his award later this morning, I thought back to what he said upon his recieving the nomination in Denver in 2008
"This has never been about me, but about you."
Indeed, it seems no truer statement could apply here, to this moment of the award. After all, only one short year ago, with 8 years of the absolute worst, most cynical, most destructive and damaging presidency inflicted upon not only our own nation but the entire world- we the people, were able to steer away from that dark, dark path, and choose a new way. We the people elected to the highest office of the land a new leader to steer us on that new way. We chose change, and we chose, hope. We did it.
We chose a man who was young, and bright, and who emobodied the optimisim we wanted. Unlike his predecessor, he enages in real dialogue. He thinks. He listens.
So we chose change, we chose, hope, and we were victorious.
So congratulations America. This is your Nobel Prize, as much as it is Barack's.
It is Obama's in name, but ours in spirit.
EDITED for historical note:
Jimmy Carter was not actually awarded his Nobel Peace Prize until 2002, but it had been based upon his work for the Camp David Accords of 1978. The full reasons are explained in the linked pdf:
http://www.irwinabrams.com/...