What did President Barack Hussein Obama do to deserve this tsunami of negative talk from conservatives? He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Committee. Never before has an award recipient of the most prestigious world accolade been so second-guessed. Never before have the criteria for awarding the Peace Prize been so vilified and undermined. And never before has the world taken America’s side when its own citizens question the judgment of the international community.
But, for President Obama this has been his story. Even since that fateful day when he announced that he would be a candidate for the world’s most powerful post, the conservative wing of the country has attempted to diminish his candidacy. When that effort failed miserably at the polls and Obama won the presidential contest over the bleeding hearts of conservatism, they shifted gears and began a concerted assault on the office of the President.
It was only last week that the Republicans were giddy and popping champagne bottles after Obama had failed to secure the 2016 Olympics games for his home state, Chicago and by extension the United States. To hear the halleluiah chorus dancing over his grave, you would think that it was the end of the world. They claimed with glee that it was a slap in the face of America. Conservative radio talking head Sean Hannity proffered the ridiculous assertion on the airwaves to his millions of pinheads: "He has diminished the office of the President!" What? More outrage boiled over during the Sunday talk shows in what passes for so called analysis.
For some strange and nefarious, if not diabolical reasons, those who spent an entire election campaign throwing all kinds of anti-American labels at Obama are the same ones now criticizing him for wanting to make America proud. I never thought I would live to see the day when Hannity, conservative Republicans and Hamas shared the same opinion. The Hamas leader said that Obama did not deserve the Peace Prize and so too opined many conservatives.
Obama inspires the best in us but he also ignites the worst in those who claim a monopoly on patriotism. They say he "pals around with terrorists!" He does not love America. He was not born in the US. He is a Muslim, as if being a Muslim is a criminal offence. He wants to destroy America, as we know it. We want our America back!" And the deluge of hate continues unabated in daily looped circles on the airwaves, all in the guise of the much vaunted "freedom of speech."
There have been more reported call for the assassination of this President than any other in US history and Homeland Security has reported a furious and dangerous increase in hate groups in America.
In all the vilification and attempt at nullification, President Obama has remained steadfast and focused. He is as cool as a cucumber and as measured as he is pressured. It is that innate character and his commitment towards and actions in favor of global peace that the Peace Prize has sealed. After eight years of disastrous US foreign policies, which saw an isolated and out of touch President Bush pursuing unilateralism, the world is relieved that once again America under President Obama seeks multilateralism, cooperation and coexistence among nations based on verified trust and mutual respect.
Peace can only be enhanced when the world super power seeks to level the playing field and welcome all countries into the brotherhood of nations. Indeed, Obama has brought a new and refreshing tone to US foreign policy. He has made it abundantly clear that the US is not a torture chamber but one that respects international norms, laws and conventions. He has issued a clarion call to the world to share in the opportunities of global cooperation and participation in dealing with issues such as global climate change, the eradication of nuclear proliferation and the need to make the world a more peaceful place for all mankind. Finally, a president that acknowledges science.
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee is absolutely right, no other person in such a short space of time has done so much for the advancement of hope for world peace. While the world recognizes Obama’s transformation and reawakening of America’s role in championing the cause of peace, his enemies within are prepared to wage war on the home front, trampling on the American flag and downplaying America’s greatness on the global stage. And they cry, "We want our county back!" Hypocrites!
Obama has proven to be a noble leader whose noble intentions have indelibly inked his name in the annals of history. He is now in the distinguished company of great leaders whose vision for world peace can only help to create a better America and more peaceful and safer universe. America is again the powerful player on the world stage and the conservatives are going nuts. Congratulations, Mr. President!