06:53 pm
One More on the Peace Prize
With the passage of a little time, I am seeing a few more thoughtful reflections on the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. At Obsidian Wings, Lindsay Beyerstein wrote:
“It’s already a truism that Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for being not-George W. Bush. This talking point gets repeated as if it’s a witty put down. It’s supposed to trivialize the win. The implication is that Obama won just for showing up. On closer examination, winning for not being Bush is a pretty substantial distinction in its own right.”
“Most commentators implicitly assume Obama won just for what he’s done as president or what he promises to do in office. In fact, Obama earned the prize for waging a successful campaign to unseat a ruling party that rejected the rule of law at home and abroad. Remember how hard that was?”
I remember. Read the whole thing here.
Update: I also like this one from Thomas Barnett. Sample, “I know, I know, it’s a terrible thing to be happy when your country’s leader is so honored. Some grace is called for, though. We’ve been in this endzone before. No need to act like boors.”