For starters, I think what Grayson has done in the last few weeks is simply excellent. Words, when carefully chosen and spoken with profound conviction and with justice on their side, can move mountains. So, I can only add my voice to those who want to see more Grayson-esque behaviour in those of his Democratic colleagues who are wavering, cautious, uncertain, or simply lack the courage of their convictions.
But what I really wanted to do was, despite the fact that you might call this old news and therefore irrelevant, post a brief letter I sent to the Nobel Committee last night. I don't expect many of you to read this, but for the record, I hope that it might still inspire a few of you to go and write the Committee to let them know how you feel, now that the initial hoo-ha has died down.
After watching more looney fall-out of Obama Derangement Syndromists on DailyKosTV and other blogs and websites, I finally felt the need to share my thoughts to the Nobel Committee, because it is important - no matter how small each of our individual voices - to rise above the stinking cacophony of the Republican Party and conservative talking heads, and let them know that more of us agreed with their choice than not.
Dear Members of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee,
Last Friday, I was stunned to see the award of your Peace Prize to President Obama splashed in extra large letters across the BBC News website. It truly came as a surprise, I might even say a shock. But after overcoming the initial two-second surprise, I understood - without even having had the chance to read your statement of motivation for awarding the prize - why you did so, and I would like to sincerely congratulate you for an outstanding choice.
I have longed for clear statesmanship for years, and Obama sets a very high standard which all leaders should aim to follow. It is the reason why, though not being an American citizen, I packed my bags last year and flew to the US to volunteer in his successful campaign for the Presidency. I wanted to give voice to those who believe in diplomacy, human rights and the advancement of global solutions to global problems, and to support a candidate who represented not merely the Hope, but also the Possibility of real change.
As someone who works for the European Union, I often lament the low bar our European leaders set themselves and then fail to achieve it. I hope that in awarding this award to President Obama, they answer his "call to action" as he put it so eloquently last Friday. There are those, particularly in the United States itself, who have questioned the choice made by the Committee, and wonder out loud whether or not this has devalued the Peace Prize. I believe that it is precisely your choice this year, at this time, for this candidate, that you have strengthened the currency of this Prize, and I warmly commend you for doing so.
Yours faithfully,
Name and address follow