I want to shine a little "lyte" on accolades today. President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. A bit of an upset, since the nominations closed in February and he was sworn into office on the 21st of January. So the committee had a lot of confidence in what they thought Obama was going to do.
He has not disappointed. The mere fact of his election made everyone in the world feel better about us. After 8 years of "if you aren't for us, you are against us", diplomacy disguised as bullying, having a president who actually listens to people and thinks about things is a refreshing and welcomed change.
The rest of the world may love our president, but here at home? Not so much. It is kind of hard to reconcile a picture of Obama as Hitler or the Joker with the phrase "Nobel Peace Prize winner". But the rabid right and the Republicans have no problem with oxymoron. Just look at the leaders of their party.
RNC chairman, Michael Steele, claims that Obama won the prize due to his "star power", rather than any actual accomplishments. "The real question Americans are asking is, what has President Obama actually accomplished?" Being the first African-American President is apparently not an accomplishment. And being an African-American himself, Mr. Steele again demonstrates the astonishing lack of irony that all Republicans possess.
So, congratulations President Obama. Maybe someday your own citizens will recognize your greatness as readily as the Swedes.
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