President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win

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Permalink Reply by Jay Richard Jones on October 15, 2009 at 1:12pm

Thanks, Winifred, for a thought-provoking reply to my take on the Obama Peace Prize. I appreciate your perspective. I suspect it boils down to what is the public's perception of the intent of the Nobel Peace Prize. Although it recent years the award has been given to people not known for works of peace-building, most Americans continue to believe it's intent is to reward those who have accomplished tangible works of peace.

My initial entry was posted before President Obama's remarks in the Rose Garden, indicating that he intends to accept the prize not specifically for himself, but for all peoples who are working toward peaceful outcomes in the world. Despite that humility, I still feel he'd be well served by graciously and respectfully declining the prize. What a class act that would be!

Winifred Beam Kessler said:

Richard,

Have you considered that there is usually a different role to play by inspirers and implementers? Jesus Christ, the Christian Evangelists, Mohammed, Moses and Abraham, Confucius, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Teresa of Avila, Enheduanna, many other men and, alas, as of yet, only a few known women, from different world cultures have contributed insights and wisdom in the eloquence necessary to express them effectively. They had, and continue to have, major roles in shaping human culture. Without them, those who implement their insights and wisdom into policies, procedures and other actions would not have known to do what they are enabled by the inspiration and insight to do nor the guidance needed.


Superior intellectual accomplishment, insight/soul work and eloquence are usually underrated, feared and envied, in particular by those who aspire to these skills and yet do not have the magnanimity to show appreciation and gratitude when they experience it in others. Gracious and humble acceptance of Obama and the gifts he is bringing to us and to the world is at present too lacking in the U.S.A. The skills, accomplishments, behaviors and humility that both he and Michelle have already shown make them role models for any persons who have the good of our nation and of the rest of the world in our hearts, souls and minds.

Jay Richard Jones said:

I think President Obama would be well advised to decline the Nobel Peace Award. Being recognized for inspiring the world to peace is quite apart from helping the world accomplish it. I don't think he's yet earned the award, and if he agrees in his heart, his stature in the world would be enhanced substantially by graciously and humbly declining it.

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Permalink Reply by wonkguy on October 16, 2009 at 1:21pm

I'm late to the table on this discussion. I actually just listened to the show Diane Rehm did back on 10/12/09 (another nothing but net shot for the DR Show). I thought the last email Diane read from the listener in Falls Church before ending the show was perfect (I swear it wasn't me).

"Can't we all just be proud of something once in a while?"

Perfect!

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Permalink Reply by Jay Richard Jones on October 16, 2009 at 1:55pm

Wonkguy -- LOL! Yes, wouldn't that be nice? There's a column in todays Wash Post suggesting that it may not be LEGAL for President Obama to accept the prize without the approval of Congress. Do you think that'll happen?

wonkguy said:

I'm late to the table on this discussion. I actually just listened to the show Diane Rehm did back on 10/12/09 (another nothing but net shot for the DR Show). I thought the last email Diane read from the listener in Falls Church before ending the show was perfect (I swear it wasn't me).

"Can't we all just be proud of something once in a while?"

Perfect!

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