SILOAM SPRINGS — Most fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time.” But this isn’t a fairy tale, it’s afor real tale. Barrack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

When I heard this, I was dumbfounded, thunderstruck, incredulous and uttered so many other adjectives of disbelief that I don’t have room in this column to rattle them all off.

I have finally accepted the fact that he was indeed the recipient of the award, and I have to extend him my congratulations; but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why he got it.

The deadline for nominations for the prize was Feb. 1, 2009. He had served as president 11 days when his name was submitted. A niece of mine pointed this out to me and asked: “What had he done by then, and what knucklehead nominated him?” Both are great questions. Of course, the answer to the first question is “nothing,” and no one will know the answer to the second one for 50 years. That’s how long the nominator’s names are kept secret.

He’s not Bush

So, knowing that he had done nothing to advance the cause of peace as of Feb. 1, I set out to find what I could about why the Nobel committee made this decision. After reading and re-reading the citation attached to the award, I concluded that the main reason Obama got it was that he isn’t George W.

Bush. Of course, Obama has said that himself on many occasions, and the Nobel people believed him. Thepresident has finally gotten recognition for it.

Words of praise

Past recipients Jimmy Carter and Al Gore were effusive in their praise, as were other liberals and left leaning national leaders worldwide.

All claimed Obama has restored the reputation of the United States by reversing Bush’s policies and for emphasizing diplomacy and cooperation. The Nobel committee of five appointed by the leftist Norwegian government, agreed with Carter, Gore, et al, stating: “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the worlds population.”

Another passage in the citation reads “... the committee decided the prize was to be awarded to President Obama for his extraordinaryefforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation ... Dialogue and negotiations are preferred instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.” In other words, besides not being Bush, Obama has diminished respect for and fear of our mighty super power status, along with our desire and ability to use force.

By the way, you don’t have to take my word for the makeup of Norway’s government. I looked it up. It consists of a left of center governing coalition of the Socialist Left Party, the Labour Party, and the Centre Party, an ultra-left green party.

Has it helped?

But I digress. I have to ask: How has all of Obama’s speechifying helped us besides gaining praise from liberals around the world? Hasit caused our NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan? Has it convinced Russia and China toback stern sanctions against Iran, if and when we ever get around to proposing them at the United Nations?

Has it influenced the Saudi’s and others in the world of Islam to stop harboring and supporting terrorists? Has it stopped North Korea’s nuclear pursuits and rocket launches? What about Venezuela?

Its dictator for life, Hugo Chavez, has heaped praise on Obama. But has he ceased his anti-U.S. rhetoric? We all know that the answer to these questions is an emphatic “no !”

Another view

Lech Walensa, freedom fighter and former Polish premier, received the award in 1983 for risking his life as leader of the Solidarity Union when Poland threw off the heavy yoke of subservience to Soviet Union. When informedthat Obama was this year’s recipient, he expressed surprise and disbelief at the selection.

He said “Too fast! He hasn’t had the time to do anything yet.”

I believe he got it right.

I opine, you decide.

- Willie Williams is a Siloam Springs resident. He can be reached at bryjwil@yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 3 on 10/14/2009

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