Christine Smith’s Blog

Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize

 Listening to numerous discussions on various talk radio shows across the nation about Obama’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, I was struck by the observation that not one caller or host I heard ever mentioned what is to me the single most important (and obvious) objection to it:  Obama is a warmonger.  He has blood on his hands.  The death toll his presidency is responsible for just keeps increasing. 

Rather than focus on the incongruity of awarding any prize with the term “peace” in it to such a person, those who disagreed with it simply repeated phrases such as “It’s too soon,” or “Not yet.”  Such comments imply there would be a time when it would be appropriate to consider giving Obama the prize, it’s just that “he hasn’t earned it yet.” 

There is no end in sight to the evil perpetrated by the U.S. government against people worldwide through its military bases, conflicts and occupations, with Obama’s actions certainly the antithesis of a peacemaker.  Iraq. Afghanistan. Pakistan.  And threats to impose strict sanctions against Iran.

It’s reminiscent of Orwell’s “war is peace.” 

Interestingly, reading the text of Nobel’s will, one finds a man who seems truly dedicated to recognizing great achievements in the worlds of literature, science, and peace.
I particularly appreciated his description of what would become the Nobel Peace Prize to be given, “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity among nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

Reading that description, then thinking of Obama, makes me realize (again) the once esteemed prize has now become, in my opinion, meaningless and lacks all credibility. 

Past controversial American recipients have included, among others, Al Gore, Cordell Hull (FDR’s Secretary of State for 11 years), Henry Kissinger, Theodore Roosevelt, and Elihu Root (U.S. Secretary of War during the Philippine War).

If Obama was a man of peace, he could have done much to end the U.S. imperialism worldwide already, rather he escalates wars and the misery that comes as a result.
The Obama body count continues.

Back in January, I wrote a blog entitled “Welcome to Obama’s ‘New Era of Peace’ - 22 Pakistanis reported dead “  In it, I include a link to the excellent St. Pete for Peace website (which continues to be an excellent resource on this topic). 

I share that blog again with my readers, as it is as valid then as now…and sadly apparently will continue to be. Considering Obama’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize, it made me think of what I had written then, contrasting his words and deeds, and what the future would hold as yet another warmonger would occupy the White House.  I invite you to read my blog from January 27, 2009.