Why Obama Doesn't Deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, Or the Olympics Rap

When the Vulcans finally make first contact with the peoples of Spaceship Earth, there's no doubt who most will choose to represent us. Which is when we may learn that President Barack Obama really is a "Manchurian candidate," an alien agent, albeit not of the sort featured in even the sweatiest imaginings of the yaposphere.

Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize this morning makes it two surreal Fridays in a row.

Last week, we learned that Chicago would not host the 2016 Olympic Games. Which should have surprised approximately no one, not that you'd know that from the profusions of rage and disappointment -- or from the far right, happy rage -- that Obama's trip to Copenhagen came up short.

President Barack Obama says that he is surprised that he won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Frankly, it was Rio de Janeiro's, and South America's time. America has hosted many Olympics. I went to the Olympics in Los Angeles. And while it was nice to be there, and even nicer to see a magical, if Brigadoon-like, end to LA's heavy traffic, the best way to see the Olympics in all their scope is clearly on television.

One of the great things about the Olympics, and there are decidedly non-great things, is that they present a global city to the world. The world has seen plenty of American cities. And so has America.

If I had a vote on the International Olympic Committee, I'd have rated the four cities in the exact order in which they finished: Rio, Madrid, Tokyo, and Chicago. Chicago was always the longshot of the bunch. I wrote on my blog before Obama flew to Copenhagen that it would take "a miracle finish" for him to get the Games for Chicago.

Rio was the right choice for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Which doesn't mean he shouldn't have tried. It's his home town, after all, and it's America. And he is the president of the United States. We certainly know that the folks celebrating about Obama being "embarrassed" by the rest of the world over the Olympics would have been screaming if he hadn't gone.

True, Tony Blair helped lobby London to victory for the 2012 Olympic Games. But London is London and Chicago, with all due respect, is not. And of course, the right-wingers chortling about Obama's "loss" of the "Chicago Olympics" are the same folks knocking Obama now for being too popular in the rest of the world, as witnessed by today's surprise Nobel Peace Prize.

Just as I never thought that Obama would win the Olympics for Chicago, it never occurred to me that he would win the Nobel Peace Prize. Actually, let me rephrase that. I've always expected Obama -- well, since early 2007 -- to win the Nobel Peace Prize. But I certainly didn't expect it to happen this year.

Obama's off on a strong, creative new course for America in geopolitics. But he's been president for less than eight-and-a-half months. (He was nominated less than two weeks after he was sworn into office!) And events are very much in flux.

I think his Cairo address of June is an important new departure for America. While we have extremist enemies who must be disrupted, it would be insane not to pursue a rapprochement with the Muslim world.

Obama's selection for the Nobel Peace Prize was, let's say, unexpected.

Pursuing nuclear non-proliferation is essential in a world riven by too many fierce rivalries, some of them irrational. Though I doubt we will see the end of nuclear weapons, it's an admirable goal.

Starting to change the tone of international politics, especially with respect to America's relations with the rest of the world, was essential, and Obama is clearly doing that. He's very popular in most of the world, for obvious reasons having to do with what he's saying, who he is, and what he represents.

But so far, most of it is tone, though the lessening of tension is an accomplishment in itself.

Obama can be legitimately credited with helping change American policy in Iraq through the power of his candidacy, and he is following through on timelines for pullbacks and withdrawals. But we're still there, and will be for some time to come.

On Afghanistan, he's working on his third course correction so far. His task, which he is still working on, is to prevent the country from again becoming a haven for jihadists out to attack American and its allies while avoiding a quagmire.

Obama's made a little progress on Israel and Palestine, but has far to go.

On Iran, he's followed through on his commitment for diplomatic engagement with the extremist regime, but the entire situation is in flux, thanks to the regime's bloody post-election crackdown and the Iranian nuclear program.

He's cooling out relations with Russia, but that's all complicated by unsettled matters with regard to Russia's near abroad and its ever intriguing relationship with Iran.

Obama has dealt effectively with North Korea and its many provocations, containing it, but the Hermit Kingdom continues to fool around with missiles and nuclear weapons.

Al Gore, himself a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his decades of work on climate change, says he's pleased by Obama's selection.

He's working out a relationship with China, America's economic symbiant, but it's a work in progress that includes some pushback on China's military ambitions.

The list goes on.

You see where this is going.

Obama is off to a promising, complex start in a complicated world. While Obama is something of a global valedictorian, the hands-down favorite to be the president of the world, if there were such a thing, he's not the first American president to inspire through his ideas, words, and strategies.

Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, the only other sitting presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize, were also inspirational figures. But they won their prizes for specific, measurable accomplishments.

Roosevelt negotiated the end of a major war between Russia and Japan. Wilson founded the League of Nations, precursor to the United Nations, following the first world war. That the league foundered after he founded it doesn't negate the accomplishment.

Obama is already showered with global acclaim. Why not give the Nobel to someone, or some organization, that is essentially unsung yet doing great works? Someone, or some group, that really does need the global spotlight that Obama himself commands on a whim.

Fortunately, Obama himself understands how curious it is that he's being awarded the Super Bowl trophy in the first quarter of the game.

"To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

"But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women, and all Americans, want to build -- a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century."

This is why I want it to be Obama who handles that first contact with the Vulcans. Even if the Trekkie president turns out to be one himself.

You can check things during the day on my site, New West Notes ... www.newwestnotes.com.

 

Comments

[Khirad]

Measured article Mr. Bradley, thank you.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

You're welcome.

[GrainOSand]

Agreement all around Mr. Bradley -- potential for greatness -- yes, down the path of greatness -- yes, already transformative -- yes, highly accomplished in the area of lasting peace -- a work in progress...and there are unsung efforts that need a spotlight, a spotlight that the president does command at a whim just as you suggest Mr. Bradley. Peace is a concept and not an individual. An individual may or may not be the living embodiment of a concept. In humility, the president, in his first remarks, showed yet again why the award is appropriate where it concerns the promise of his potential. His formal statement was a study in humility and a sincere desire for peace, as the weight of the history and meaning of the prize evidently weighed on his remarks.

As for the Olympics, just because someone says there is a controversy does not mean I have to believe it. The Olympics flap was flap about absolutely nothing of importance. But then, look at the people who were leading that charge, the usual suspects with their standard mantra of “no-no-no” and posture of negativism. It is as Sarah Palin for president, I do not even waste time considering such nonsense.


Highest sentiments of joy and peace and thank you for all you do concerning provoking thought, educating, and just being a good person on a daily.

[take10]

You are also correct! Those who feel President Obama doesn't deserve the Nobel Peace Prize do so for the same reason they feel he doesn't deserve to be President. He is African American! Any other spin or considerations of their position is a waste of time.

[LizM]

What exactly are you implying here with your sweeping condemnation? I trust that you are NOT including our esteemed host or President Obama, himself, as targets of your misguided accusation.

[publicv]

Amen!

[SparkyDash]

Mr. Bradley, an excellent post...thank you for it. Your lead captured my attention, or maybe my imagination, but I would have read your article anyways. I was not disappointed...but then perhaps it's because I've been watching old StarTrek reruns late into the night...you know, the real cheezy, kitschy ones with Kirk, Spock and the scenery made of painted Styrofoam? (in fact, those have recently morphed into the series with bald captian Picard, better set design but not as much fun) I have read several takes on Obama's prize..what was behind it, his response now and in the future, help or hinderance...your contribution is my favorite.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks very much.

Obama is the first Trekkie president, you know!

[SparkyDash]

"Live long and prosper!"

(ahem...or is it "Buy low and sell high?")

[theDuder]

I heard Bill Maher say that USA didn't get the Olympics because the whole world is disgusted with our airport situation - all the hassles. Apparently it is even worse for visitors from foreign countries.

[SparkyDash]

Was Maher's tongue planted firmly in his cheek?

I agree with Mr. Bradley, simply "it was Rio de Janeiro's, and South America's time" and I would have been surprised had the U.S. and Chicago been at top of the list of potential sites.

[fumes]

it is a tribute to bush..

that obama won the nobel peace prize!

[Winning09]

Great! Obama's not Bush!

He's also not Gorbachev, who changed the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War, taking years to do it and negotiating throughout with Reagan.

He's also not Mandela, who led a revolution against apartheid and was imprisoned for years.

He's also not Martin Luther King.

All of whom some of the fans posting here think Obama is the equal of already, if not the superior.

He's a great guy, first black president, off to a better start than a lot of whiny lefties think. BUT ...

[fumes]

you forgot ghandi

[research]

I'm Proud that the Nobel committee believes in Obama enough to recognize him with this award.

I pray Obama lives up to it.

[DaBluAce]

Pres. Obama can only live up to as you put it the Peace prize ideals if we the american people stand behind him....Pres. Obama is the mouth piece of the American people.....we want peace not war.....wealth not poverty.....freedom not slavery......When we learn that If our Pres. fail we fail too!!

[roshni]

I agree with both of you and get disheartened at the pessimism of the left. We voted for him, let's support him to that he can get the job done.
I am proud of his win. He has changed the tone of global discourse after 8 long years of cowboy diplomacy of Bush.

[1088]

Everyday I regret my vote for President Obama, not because of what he has done, just because American people are so dumb, we don't deserve him. We should have voted in McCain and Palin to fix all the mess that they created the last 8 years. Believe me, after those two, we would not vote for one Republican again.

[mamababa]

BEST POST EVER.

[roshni]

Excellent post.

[FrenchWomenDont]

Yes we would, we voted for 8 years of Bush/Cheney and are giving this man hell because he can't wiggle his nose and blink us out of this mess. Ready to throw in the towel after 10 months?? We deserve American's next Crazy @ss Rebublican Idol!

[hapiday]

The funny thing about all of this hoopla is no one is more sorry and confused about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize than President Obama. This has to be a nightmare for President Obama and his administration. We get to comment on the events of the day but President Obama and his administration has to be concerned with the backlash of every event of the day.

President Obama went to bed with numerous problems and woke up with news about the Noble. I imagine he wondered what did I do to deserve this additional problem that is going to complicate everything. If people could only stop finding fault with everything this president does we could get through the difficult times ahead.

[DaBluAce]

you forget where you live!

[RNAngel20]

As mentioned in the article, if he REALLY percieved this as a problem, he could have declined the award and passed it to someone much more deserving. At the least, he should donate the award money to some charities (not ACORN) since he is so set on wealth redistribution.

[Koreanovice]

If U read his speech, he did donate the mony to charity.

[wordvarc]

http://tpmtv.talkingpointsmemo.com/?id=3610107&ref=fpb

Humbled and proud are we with our President in this High Honor.

Nobel awards are for encouragement of positive character and action...not just for the winner and nominees but for all who notice the honor. The awards have never been awarded for the narcissistic gratification of individual achievement. Perhaps the Nobel Committee was hoping to inspire Americans and world citizens in a ways we are not yet realizing.

[roshni]

Agree.

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

You know, the Beatles are not bigger than Jesus Christ.

I say this as a devout agnostic with remastered Beatles albums playing constantly in my office.

And I suspect this will go flying right over a number of heads ...

[skippypicasso]

Much as you seem to think your post does.

And Jesus' cover of "Yesterday" totally stunk.

[LibertarianJon]

Excellent William!! Thank you for the big smile I have on my face right now.

[fumes]

uh..

the beatles were real lol..

[SparkyDash]

Very good...very very good, lol.

[knightoftheroundtable]

Obama has a vision for the future that will make this world a better place for all.
Great visionaries are more productive then naysayers. I am sure the republican party is in great pain after 8 years of GWB and have lost all vision for the future. Maybe, just maybe the Nobel Peace Prize committee sees the future as visionaries rather then naysayers. I am happy for America. I am happy for Obama. We should all be proud Americans that an American has won. Phooey on naysayers.

[LibertarianJon]

This award is for Accomplishments that have bettered the world. What did the president do in 12 days to better the world... if you can list anything... I will agree with you. Much like the Nobel Prize for Physics, this is a "Lifetime Achievement Award" Did anyone know The president's name outside of Chicago before he ran for President??? How can you give someone this award on 12 days.

[cherieamour]

...if the NPP was based on the ACCOMPLISHMENT, then Bishop Desmond Tutu would not have been considered, since apartheid wasn't fully abolished until years after he received the award...

...the NPP committee has given their reasons for nominating Obama, i suggest you go read it...

[thebirdstheword]

the inmates are truly running the asylum when liberal AMERICANS are denouncing a Nobel Prize won by a American president who happens to be a democrat.

just like i didn't give a hoot about the olympic decision, i frankly don't care about the Nobel Prize, but it feels good that the international community has such good feelings about an American president, especially after the nightmare of the last eight years.

[Winning09]

Get a grip on reality!

You sound like a fanboy. Since you're a fanboy, follow Obama who knows this is kinda goofy.

[thebirdstheword]

really, i'm a fanboy because i didn't care about the olympics and i didn't care about the Nobel Prize?

maybe you should take a class on reading comprehension.

[pinkbunny]

When people say President Obama didn't deserve the award, they sound like jerks - as if theyir mouths were full of sour grapes.

What makes you in any position to say what he deserves. The committee had their reasons.

You just need to be gracious and say Congratulations, and we support you in your efforts to bring peace in the world.

Now go away you idiot!

[LibertarianJon]

He was in Office for 12 days before the cut off for the nominations. 12 days... what did he do in 12 days that earns him an award the Nelson Mandela struggled his entire life for???

[EducatedObserver]

Very well said LibertarianJon.

This makes an absolute mockery of the prize as well as the committee's reputation.

[vgirl1]

Did you watch Rachel Maddow's show last night.?

If you had you might have a clue.

Then of course, since you are so predetermined to be against this, nothing anyone says will change your opinion.

Your loss, hater.

[Khirad]

Because they voted for him in February too, right? While this may have been a tad premature, to suggest that they weren't monitoring his progress since that date shows the desperation of right-wing spin.

[TN60]

http://www.juancole.com/2009/10/obama-as-nobelist-obama-as-game-changer.html

[StevenM]

I found that interesting. Thanks for posting the link!

[TN60]

You are very welcome Here are some new picture

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Jackeens/585

[StJames]

Thank you so much for the link! A great piece of writing on this subject.

[TN60]

You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Khirad]

Thank you, love me some Juan Cole.