Of course I have something to say about President Barack Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course I do. And, against my better judgement, I am going to say it here. And most of you will totally get what I am saying because I know you, lovely readers, but some of you will not get me at all. Because of this we need to get some things clear, very clear, right off the bat:
I am not saying Barack Obama deserved the Nobel or did not deserve the Nobel. I am not saying that the Nobel was premature or timely. I am not saying Barack Obama received the Nobel for his accomplishments or that he received the Nobel for nothing at all.
Here's what I am saying:
Let's get a little bit of class, America.
Let's stop with the name calling and the vitriolic rhetoric and the all-out rude reaction to the news. An American just won a prestigious international award, which he accepted in the humblest of ways. This is an occasion to commend, not vilify. At the very least, there is an expectation that Obama has the power to promote peace throughout the world and, as Americans, we should take pride in our nation, if not our President, for this fact.
I posted this on Facebook yesterday:
A lesson in class from Sen. John McCain: "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."A simple point: America let's be classy.
And, in response, I get a sarcastic version of this: BUT WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE TO DESERVE THIS AWARD? HUH?
The irony. Oh, the irony. Miss my point much?
Yesterday, some of the classiest members of the G.O.P. have congratulated Obama. They may not agree with the decision--they may, in fact, completely and utterly disagree with the decision and I suspect they probably do--but they responded with the utmost human decency to the announcement.
Governor Tim Pawlenty said that, whatever the circumstances, "when anybody wins a Nobel Prize that is a very noteworthy development and designation and I think the appropriate response is to say 'Congratulations.'" Agree or disagree, the appropriate response is to say congratulations. Now that's classy.
Look, I don't know purport to know anything about the Nobel Peace Prize. I don't know the requirements or the qualifications. I can barely name 10 recipients of the prize and, looking at the list, I can't even tell you who half the people are. I am sure this is the case for most Americans. What I do know is this: when somebody wins it, it's better to have a little grace than to go all Kanye West on the committee, acting like petulant children. America, where's your class?
There are times when trenchant dissent is a meaningful, important, critical part of American discourse; I think everyone should speak their mind about Obama's policies, for sure. Don't care much for Obama's health care plan? Say so. Certainly.
But when somebody wins a Nobel Peace Prize, the classy thing to do is say congratulations, or say nothing at all.
Congratulations President Obama.
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