Nobel Sound, Nobel Fury

Nobel Sound, Nobel Fury

Perhaps the most surprising thing about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize was how predictable the responses were. The Right Wing Noise Machine ® (well, if it’s not, it should be) bleating how bad it is an American President (other than Reagan) won, especially a Democrat. How does he not deserve it, let us count the ways.

Then there’s the “real questions” - does it put too much pressure on Obama? Does it cheapen the Peace Prize? Was it more for potential than achievement? Was it politically motivated? An attempt to influence American policy? (Duh) An international thank you for not being Bush (well, that’s probably enough in itself)?

Overlooked in all the - hmm, handwringing? pontificating? preening? Just what do we call all this logorrhea, anyway? - is the most cogent reaction: Obama’s stunned humility. He admitted he doesn’t feel he (yet?!) deserves to be in the company he now keeps, and argued that it was less a recognition of his own accomplishment and more “an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations ... This award must be shared with everyone who strives for justice and dignity."

There’s a problem with this response, of course. If you believe, it indicates a humble man; if you don’t believe, it’s a great fake. (Call an audible - play-action socialist, go long on affirmation of American leadership.)

Seriously, other than the charity that’s going to receive $1.4 million, does this change anything? Will the RWNM ® stop foaming at the mouth? Will the Progressive Blog-Ons suddenly embrace Obama? Will Congress do a vaudeville dance number (cue Groucho)? Will this eliminate all the kryptonite?

There’s a difference between style that endorses, or leads to, substance, and style that’s just “blowin’ in the wind.” Taking the long view, such prizes, whether given as incentive or reward, don’t get the hard work done.

Don’t you think Obama knows that? If he ever forgets, he’s got Malia - “it’s Bo’s birthday” and Sasha - “we’ve got a three-day weekend” - to remind him. Or, as the President put it: “it’s good to have kids to keep things in perspective.”