A Nobel Retrospective

The announcement that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize obviously took almost everyone by surprise, generating tons of discussion. As far as I'm concerned, it was premature, a bit politically problematic, but not undeserved. We're always a little myopic in the United States and I don't think we realize what a sea change there's been in our image around the world. Nevertheless, this honor would have been much more satisfying later, rather than sooner.

But this should be kept firmly in mind: Obama had nothing to do with his getting the award. He didn't nominate himself, he didn't campaign for it. It was bestowed on him.

Keeping in mind the above, and that Obama is the American President and represents our country, there is a classy way to express some disapproval with the choice and a douchebaggy way. The classy way would have been something like this:

“Oh, I’m sure that the president is very honored to receive this award. And Nobel Committee, I can’t divine all their intentions, but I think part of their decision-making was expectations. And I’m sure the president understands that he now has even more to live up to. But as Americans, we’re proud when our president receives an award of that prestigious category.” John McCain.

Very straightforward and simple, expressing disapproval without being a huge douchebaggy baby about it. Excellent.

Let's see how some other prominent Republicans did!

"Something has happened here that we all agree with the Taliban and Iran about and that is he doesn't deserve the award." Rush Limbaugh.

- Explicitly siding with America's enemies! While I personally believe that it's not treasonous to express agreement on an issue with an enemy, I think we all know how Rush would react had such a thing been said about someone agreeing with Iran about President Bush.

"The Nobel peace prize should be turned down by Barack Obama and should be given to the tea party goers and the 9/12 project. Because of the tea party goers and the 912 project people that stood in his way and stopped him from accomplishing from the things that he thought, 'Please I'm the messiah, I'll be able to accomplish that." Glenn Beck.

- If screaming at Congressmen, carrying assault rifles to Presidential speeches, and embracing every wacky conspiracy theory qualifies you for a Peace Prize, then I guess I can't argue with that. Notice how Beck seems jealous of his delusional idea that Obama thinks he's the Messiah.

"I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only thing I can think of for this news. There is no way Barack Obama earned it in the nominations period." Erick Erickson (Red State)

- Well that was resfreshingly straightforward! He immediately went racist. Well done!

"I'm looking at the charter, and we're just getting this now, but this guy Alfred Nobel stipulated the Peace Prize should go to the person who will have done the most or the best work of the fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses. I'm wondering, does that have anything to do with the delay of the deployment of 40,000 troops in Afghanistan, because that was his big postulization [sic] over the last week or so. Should I put more troops in?" Brian Kilmeade

- Suggesting that Obama somehow knew that he was in contention for the prize and cynically manipulated American foreign policy to win it. Sweet.

This, coming just a week after their jubilation at America losing out on the Olympics, means I have to agree with John Stewart. Conservatives have finally proven that they hate Obama more than they love America.

Stay classy, GOP!