News: President Obama wins the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

[stinglikeabee]

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the Norwegian committee said as the prize was announced.
"His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population." (via BBC)

WOAH. Not that I don't think the President's efforts aren't related to peace, but the quote makes me believe the selection is due to Obama's popularity. Nevertheless, this is a major acknowledgment of his influence and perhaps it will lend some cachet to the administration's current attempts with the Israelis and Palestinians. Then again, President Jimmy Carter has one too and he hasn't much luck with both sides. /frown

Comments

[stinglikeabee.livejournal.com]

Re those posts: Saw that soon after Obama received news of the award, he was off to discuss upcoming Afghan military action. Per my earlier tweet, I did hope Morgan Tsvangirai, who was a nominee would have won. There are plenty of deserving nominees; to overlook them for Obama in 2009 seems like piggybacking on his popularity. At the same time, I remember listening to a BBC World Service Africa broadcast a week ago where a small kid who dreamt of being a pilot spoke of how much the world loves Obama. He's become a powerful symbol to many, regardless of what's been completed.

[parlance.livejournal.com]

Yes, this particular week made the announcement of the award very odd.

He's become a powerful symbol to many, regardless of what's been completed.

In that sense I could see the award as being representative of a concept than an individual.

Like I said, I'm glad Obama sees it as a call to action rather than accolades for things already accomplished. A directive. Maybe even a warning to stay the course.