Two weeks before the February 1st deadline for Noble Prize nominations Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. By deadline Obama, according to his nomination, had already deserved recognition for a Nobel Peace Prize nod.
Like a silver tongued orator, his election night speech, “Yes We Can.” raised the hopes of many. He has spoken out against nuclear weapons and in other speeches has called for peace between Israel and Palestine. The Obama fervour began to dwindle after a short honeymoon period. So other than pretty speeches, what has Obama really done.
Since his election Obama has committed an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan, continued the occupation of Iraq, launched deadly counter-terror strikes in Pakistan and Somalia, committed a 15 billion dollar military build-up in Guam, had 61 Peace Protestors arrested outside the White House and has humbly accepted the Noble Peace Prize. It’s been a great run thus far.
According to the Nobel Committee that chose to honour Obama, he won the prize for "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". What did Obama do that was beyond what is ordinary or usual in the two weeks after his election or even between Feb. 1st and now?
Has he released all the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay? He may have signed the order to close the prison within a year, but even before be took power the number of prisoners held had reduced from its peak population of 779 to 245 suspected terrorists. Was this extraordinary, continuing a process started by the Bush administration?
Has he pulled his troops from Iraq? Has he declared peace with terrorism? As absurd as that sounds, it is terrorism the United States had declared war on in the first place. No, he has done none of these things because as the President of the United States is nothing more than the ‘ass’ in ‘lions’ clothing.
The good people of the Nobel Committee have done nothing but confused the international community, and I dare say Obama himself. "I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honoured by this prize," he said. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century." Did you catch that? He accepted the prize on behalf of all nations." Apparently Obama sees himself as the leader of the world. Interesting for a man who is the leader of the most warring nation on the planet.
His own words admit that he does not deserve the prize, and upon accepting the honour, felt it necessary to take actions to deserve it. A ‘call to action’ is what he promises the international community. Words from a man who is serving two masters.
In identifying himself as a universal citizen and virtual leader of a world under globalization. He promises peace while America marches on with a foreign policy that is in direct opposition to a peaceful existence.
Obama is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and if the man is genuine as we all hope he is, his tenure in office will be anything but glorious.
So does Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? Many would agree that at this point it is premature. I tend to agree with Former Polish President Lech Walesa, who won the prize in 1983 when he said of the Obama‘s award, "So soon? Too early. He has no contribution so far. He is still at an early stage. He is only beginning to act."
Its too bad that Prime Minister Stephan Harper does not get an award for something he did not do. But then again he is in the running for a Grammy for thrilling an audience with his duet with Yo-Yo Ma when he sang The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." Harper was not going to let Obama show him up.
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