Like most this morning, I was surprised too read that Obama had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.

At first, like many, I found myself disagreeing with the decision. Then, I began engaging in the seemingly universal consideration of the "political implications."

And then, a strange thing happened. Then the noise in my head, for once, stopped and it became clear to me that the man deserves the Nobel Peace prize because the Nobel Committe says he does.

I mean, what the fuck? When did everyone become so smart and informed that we all feel compelled (qualified even) to question and second-guess every single decision, statement, and edict no matter how august?

I am not smarter nor more informed than the Nobel Committee in matters of international diplomocy and peacemaking. Neither is Sean Hannity and neither are you.

Maybe our compulsive consumption of easy news from cable TV, radio and the internet has too many of us mistaking ourselves for experts. Worse, the two-way nature of the internet has us all adding our own two-cents to every three-cent news story, op-ed and broadcast. Maybe one reason it's been so hard to pass reasonable health care reform is all the damn noise.

It's cool to live in an age where the citizenry values engagement and debate, but not if it means we're abdicating real leaderhip. At some point, we've go to be humble (and ambitious?) enough, once we have done all we can to choose our leaders, to allow ourselves to be led.

The Nobel Committee in Oslo, an esteemed and august body (and one with no substantive influence over the lives of you and me) has elected to award our president a prize for making peace in the world. Can't we just be cool with that.....and humble enough to stand and applaud?

I saw this Jon and if I knew how to link to your post I would. Thanks for commenting, thinking, and applauding.

"If Mighty Mouse does not save the world EVERY day his ratings go down. "

rated for armfulls of common sense as usual...

Can I hug you right now?

yes.

Awww Michael. You know how much I like you. A big old bear hug would be fine any time.

Considering he put an end to bush's efforts to restart the Cold War, considering he put an end to bush's efforts to expand his war in Iraq to include Iran and Syria, considering he got Americans freed from North Korea with no bloodshed, considering Iran is willing to open their nuclear facilities to inspection and those inspections are supported by the EU and Russia, all things considered I am baffled why people are so confused about the Nobel committees decision.

An Andy Kaufman break is always welcome.

I am proud that Obama is my president; proud that he is recognised in the broader world for his efforts, and damn glad he is not prone to extreme action, regardless of how astonished that seems to make the extreme liberals. As far as I'm concerned, if he is pissing off the super left AND the super right, he is probably on target to do some real good ... sustainable good ... which is what we really need. They get it right in Oslo.

Us unwashed illiterate masses must be missing the big picture. Thank you for clearing that up. The only thing I really worry about is Obama's ego and it's likely early departure due to illness brought on by morbid obesity.

Thanks Poor Sinner. I worry when there are no opposing comments.

His presidency is virtually identical to George W Bush's. Maybe they should give him a Peace Prize too. Obama expanded the war in Iraq, kept Gitmo, rendition, spying and torture. Maybe they should give Bush a freedom award.