“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
“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. 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.
“For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that ‘Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.’ ”
- Oslo, October 9, 2009
***
Call it nationalism, boosterism, jingoism, the kick-ass, it’s-cool-to-be-dumb attitude which has characterized America over the last decade is both shameful and embarrassing.
This era of failure to exist within the framework of a world community is symbolized for me by that straddle-legged, codpiece strut across the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln. Remember? Under the banner “Mission Accomplished.”
That mission is not yet accomplished. Our men and women in uniform are still engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq, and they are still coming home in body bags.
These and other challenges Baract Obama willingly took on. Only with the backing of a united America can they be overcome.
Republicans are very angry that the Nobel Committee never honored George W. Bush with a Peace Prize. This anger raged when Jimmy Carter won for The Carter Center’s humanitarian efforts around the world and when Al Gore won for his devotion to abating climate change which will, if unchecked, destroy our planet.
That anger has reached a fever pitch. Right-wing guru Rush Limbaugh told his Dittoheads that Obama hasn’t done “diddly squat,” that the awarding of the Peace Prize to our president is “laughable,” and that Obama is “the laughing-stock of the world.”
In whose eyes?
When a Republican can make this statement – “The Nobel Peace Prize has always been a joke” - a message reverberates around the world that in America ignorance continues to exist.
The right-wing dog-and-pony shows of Fox News and talk radio know their audiences. For years they have hammered their propaganda into the very brain cells of an uneducated and unsuspecting following. For profit. Their worst nightmare is an educated citizenry.
Mr. President, let’s begin our better world with the little children playing on the street corners and sandlots of this country. Let’s don’t stop until they once more have a love of math, science, history, music, art, classic literature and proper English grammar. Then, and only then, will there be an America united to help you and future visionaries build a better world.
When I face a formidable problem or task, I find myself singing, “You start at the very beginning, a very good place to start …”
“Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
“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. 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.
“For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that ‘Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.’ ”
- Oslo, October 9, 2009
***
Call it nationalism, boosterism, jingoism, the kick-ass, it’s-cool-to-be-dumb attitude which has characterized America over the last decade is both shameful and embarrassing.
This era of failure to exist within the framework of a world community is symbolized for me by that straddle-legged, codpiece strut across the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln. Remember? Under the banner “Mission Accomplished.”
That mission is not yet accomplished. Our men and women in uniform are still engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq, and they are still coming home in body bags.
These and other challenges Baract Obama willingly took on. Only with the backing of a united America can they be overcome.
Republicans are very angry that the Nobel Committee never honored George W. Bush with a Peace Prize. This anger raged when Jimmy Carter won for The Carter Center’s humanitarian efforts around the world and when Al Gore won for his devotion to abating climate change which will, if unchecked, destroy our planet.
That anger has reached a fever pitch. Right-wing guru Rush Limbaugh told his Dittoheads that Obama hasn’t done “diddly squat,” that the awarding of the Peace Prize to our president is “laughable,” and that Obama is “the laughing-stock of the world.”
In whose eyes?
When a Republican can make this statement – “The Nobel Peace Prize has always been a joke” - a message reverberates around the world that in America ignorance continues to exist.
The right-wing dog-and-pony shows of Fox News and talk radio know their audiences. For years they have hammered their propaganda into the very brain cells of an uneducated and unsuspecting following. For profit. Their worst nightmare is an educated citizenry.
Mr. President, let’s begin our better world with the little children playing on the street corners and sandlots of this country. Let’s don’t stop until they once more have a love of math, science, history, music, art, classic literature and proper English grammar. Then, and only then, will there be an America united to help you and future visionaries build a better world.
When I face a formidable problem or task, I find myself singing, “You start at the very beginning, a very good place to start …”
UPDATE:
Serendipity! I have just read “The Uneducated American” by Paul Krugman, an examination of the state of education in America today – and a perfect addendum to this post. Mr. Krugman writes:
“(W)e need to wake up and realize that one of the keys to our nation’s historic success is now a wasting asset. Education made America great; neglect of education can reverse the process.”
Read his column HERE.
Serendipity! I have just read “The Uneducated American” by Paul Krugman, an examination of the state of education in America today – and a perfect addendum to this post. Mr. Krugman writes:
“(W)e need to wake up and realize that one of the keys to our nation’s historic success is now a wasting asset. Education made America great; neglect of education can reverse the process.”
Read his column HERE.
12 comments:
just beautiful BJ, just beautiful!!!
A Republican asked, why is it liberals always win Nobel Peaces Prizes? I am sure he was referring to the wins by Al Gore and Jimmy Carter.
But two Republicans I recall won, Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Kissinger.
The radical whine-blitherers show once again there is no cure for stupid--unless of course, they get tired of being the poster children for the IGNORANT. Everytime they open their mouth, nothing but bile spills out.
The USA is fortunate indeed to have the International Community recognize a formidable leader when they see and hear one. President Obama accepted their recognition with humility and grace. Let's pray that humility and grace become contagious among the American people. Let's hope they have an epidemic of it in the halls of congress in DC.
Let's join voices in singing, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me ..." That can become contagious too!
TomCat, a commenter on Sue’s blog (“Helloooo ...... Mr. President, Are You Listening?”) said Obama “led the movement which drove the Republicans out of office. What more could he have done for world peace?”
Good one! BJ
You nailed it, BJ. Education is the key. Absolutely.
A very dear friend of mine, ardent conservative but a generally good hearted soul, commented prior to the Bush/Kerry November election:
"The problem with you liberals is that you think you're so smart."
I didn't take issue with her because she was right.
BJ; Thank You. Is all i can say.
well I think it is a documented fact that liberals are smarter than conservatives!
The last paragraph says it all BJ. Nowadays intellect, knowledge, wisdom, a sense of fair play, compassion, and frankly all of the attributes which I find desirable in mankind are thought to be a sign of weakness and ridiculed out of existence. Thanks God some people are still unafraid to call it what it is.
"boosterism, jingoism, the kick-ass, it’s-cool-to-be-dumb attitude which has characterized America over the last decade is both shameful and embarrassing."
Now, Ms. Sue, that’s a blanket statement, LOL. Let’s just say some liberals are smarter than conservatives, and some conservatives are smarter than liberals. There are plenty of NUTZOIDS on both sides to go around. Trust me. BJ
Side Bar article re: Limbaugh. It seems someone needs to give him some more hillbilly cocaine so he can learn some more about himself.
Heard someone on MSNBC tonight say the reason he wants to buy the ball team is because the players are given oxycontin for injuries pain and that's why Rush wants the team. Their perdiction just might be prophetic too.
BJ, you're right, education made this country great and can do it again once Americans invest in the educational empowerment of individuals once again.
Tiny taught her children and her students that "The knowledge you gain is the only thing you own that no one can ever take away from you." Read today that Florida's educational system is 49 of the 50 states. Isn't that pathetic?
It's time for America to awake from it's hypnotic, propagandic slumber and face reality. The International Community has reminded us that we have a formidable leader who can help us regain that footing again. Let's help our younger generations to grab the brass ring of education.
Lady, thanks for all you do. We love you.
No Texan has ever won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Georgia has two, and our educational system falls behind only South Caolina.
Doesn't that just say it all!
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