Amidst the health care debate, the stimulus package, and the bailouts, the two dominate political parties have not been able to agree on much.
Fortunately for us, an issue has finally arrived that has left both liberals and conservatives asking the exact same question: “What did he do?”
On October 9th, President Obama woke up to the news that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
While it’s an honor to have an American win the award, I still can’t figure out why.
I must be like the millions of other conservatives who have been less then satisfied with Obama’s performance thus far, but let’s be honest; the President can’t sneeze without upsetting the Republicans.
You would expect that conservatives would raise questions about the president’s award. Conservatives raise questions about everything the president does.
But liberals also joined in. Mickey Kaus of “Slate” said that the president should say thanks, but no thanks.
“Turn it down! Politely decline. Say he’s honored but he hasn’t had the time yet to accomplish what he wants to accomplish,” Liberal columnist Richard Cohen wrote in a mocking column.
He went on to compare Obama’s award to a fictional award given to Sarah Palin for promising to “read a book someday.”
Now to be clear, this is not me being upset at Obama. He did not nominate himself and he was most likely just as surprised as anyone. That does not change my frustration at the Norwegians for giving him this honor for again I’m not sure.
The Norwegian Nobel committee said it was because of Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
I wonder how the people of Iraq feel about his diplomacy and cooperation with U.S. troops still waging war in their country.
How, on the same day that he wins the award, does he meet with generals to discuss sending 40,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan?
In the whole war-torn, disease filled, starvation plagued continent of Africa, has Obama made any sort of peaceful impact?
In the Middle East, while violence still exists between Israel and Palestine, and Iran wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, where is the peace?
Obama has not even brought peace to his own country in the political arena.
Obama hasn’t been able to broker a deal between Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, who continue to snipe at each other over the health care public option and Afghanistan.
Nor has Obama come though on his promises for gay rights as evidenced by the recent protests in Washington.
I am not asking President Obama to go out and solve all of the world problems, but I am struggling to understand what diplomacy and cooperation Obama inspired.
I believe the reason for this award is that Europe likes President Obama.
He was nominated a shocking eleven days after he was put in office. This was nothing short of a “good job” to the American people for electing someone not named Bush.
It’s shocking really because despite all of Obama’s promises, he has the exact same war strategy as George Bush when it comes to the Middle East.
This award is something that ought to be based on achievement of change not the promise of it; based on accomplishment, not on hope.
Good luck Mr.. President, because it will take a lot more than a pretty speech to prove you deserved this award.