Nice sentiments help Obama win the Nobel

October 11, 2009 - 12:56 PM by Nicky

I went away for a few days camping and came back to discover that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel peace prize. I was so surprised that I wondered briefly if while I’d been away I had got stuck in some kind of time warp, and a whole year had gone by.

And the prize goes to... President Obama meets Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to push forward peace. Photo by Avi Ohayon/GPO/Flash 90

And the prize goes to... President Obama meets Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to push forward peace. Photo by Avi Ohayon/GPO/Flash 90

It seemed a far more likely explanation than that the Nobel prize committee had actually decided to award a US president, in power for just a twinkle of the eye, with a peace prize for doing – nothing actually.

I’m a fan of Obama, and I admire what he stands for and the promise he holds. But that’s all we’ve got so far – just a promise, and a few statements about peace and goodwill to all men.

The peace committee said the prize was “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”, while Time Magazine added that it was “primarily for his work on and commitment to nuclear disarmament.” From where I sit, however, with Iran threatening to blow Israel off the planet and fast approaching the nuclear capacity to do just that, Obama’s sugary wish to disarm the world seems pretty frivolous.

I don’t often agree with Republicans, but Michael Steel, chairman of the Republican National Committee got it right when he said: “What has President Obama actually accomplished? It is unfortunate that the president’s star power has outshined tireless advocates who made real achievements working toward peace and human rights.”

Here in this region of the world, where conflict is in your face, and peace seems so elusive and unattainable, there are many people working on the frontlines of the peace movement who really do deserve a prize.

They face the conflict every single day, and still continue working for change, even at great cost to themselves.

What about Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish , the Palestinian doctor who lost his children in the bombing in Gaza, and still campaigns for peace? What about the founders of Parent’s Circle , an organization set up by Israelis and Palestinians who lost loved ones in the conflict but use their bereavement to fight ardently for peace, people like Robi Damelin, who wrote a public letter to Ynet warning of the terrible cost of the intifada as talk grows of the possibility of a new third intifada breaking out in Israel?

What about the dozens and dozens of peace organizations here where Jews and Arabs work side by side, bringing people together, and trying to create a different reality. Every one of us could cite an example. These people aren’t just making nice speeches about peace, they are actually out there making it.

If we are really lucky, in four years from now, Obama will actually deserve a Nobel peace prize, but as we all know, nice sentiments don’t always lead to action. In the meantime, couldn’t the Norwegians find someone who’s actually achieved something?

Tags: , , , , , , • Category: Politics, War, coexistence 

Comments

3 Comments on Nice sentiments help Obama win the Nobel

  1. carolyn k. dinofsky on Wed, Oct 14th 2009 9:20 PM

    2. let us not forget…..Yasir Arafat also received the Nobel Peace Prize….not that I am comparing Obama to Arafat “the terrorist!” WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE????? Does telling Israel to curtail settlements in the West Bank qualify him??? Listening to the Reverend Wrong and Farrakan spew hatred for 20 years also qualify him????
    SO MUCH FOR THE VALUE OF A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE!!!!!

  2. Ron Jacobs on Thu, Oct 15th 2009 2:23 AM

    3. There does indeed seem to be a time warp, as “Nicky” mentions.

    There is a very simple aid which would solve his dilemma – “Read the statement from the Nobel Committee’.

    It has been pointed out that, in order for his name to be included in the List it would have had to be received BEFORE January.

    Harken back, my friend, to the world-wide enthusiasm, the bringing together of dispirate races, religions and nations which Obama generated. Remember that? The whole planet was rejoicing.

    If none of the above are helpful to him perhaps he could be assisted in going back to the woods to meditate.

    Lovingly offered – - Ron

  3. Peter E Sammut on Thu, Oct 15th 2009 11:27 AM

    4. President Obama of the USA is a hypocrite and a liar.
    His speech in Cairo shows him up for what he really is.
    Oh yes he can deliver a nicely worded speech,but his words are like piecrust… highly palatable but without substance.
    This man is corrupt, everything he says is a farrago of twisted lies. Judge the tree by the fruit it delivers.
    Israel do not trust this man, the reality lies in his hatred of Israel. Look at the people he has surrounded himself with.

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