This is my take on Obama's win of the Peace Medal. No, I don't think he has done anything particularly notable except win the election. I suppose this is the attitude of a lot of folks, especially in America.
But, to much of the rest of the world, the election of Obama was like a gift from the gods, because they felt the high negative impact of the last "President" and his pack of jackals, always talking and making war and threatening people and keeping things in an uproar when they should have been calming things down. It must create a huge sigh of relief in places all over the world that Obama, a more reasonable and friendly man, is now in charge of American power.
As I see it, the Award was given to America from a grateful world.
4 comments:
I think you are spot on. As the election results were coming in last November, people were watching in the lunchroom at work here - a scene that was probably repeated all over the world. I can't remember seeing such an interest here before. Americans probably underestimate the impact Obama's election had on the rest of the world. It was more than a sigh of relief, people regained respect for Americans. There's a sense that the world is on the right track again. That being said, he probably won a bit early? I suppose this award will help to keep that feeling that things are back on track- and put pressure on leaders to take advantage of the opportunity to improve international relations and address issues like climate change.
For we Americans to understand the impact that Obama's election has had on the rest of the world may not be possible yet. The personal reaction of world leaders to Obama's intelligence and grasp of issues may have had greater influence in this honor than we common folk know.
not to take anything away from Barack Obama, but it's a big slap in the face to the Bush administration too.
...and the anti pundits talk as if Obama suddenly materialized on January 20th with no history. He was one of the few in the senate to vote against the Iraq war and he has devoted a good share of his adult life to helping people.
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