The Audacity of the Peace Prize

Today the President was told he had won the Nobel Prize for Peace! What a surprise -- apparently for him, too. At first I wondered if it was a bit early for such an award. But the Nobel Committee's explanation makes sense to me. Those of us who live in Europe have been so relieved that Obama has made such a positive impression on other countries, in fact just the relief of not being embarrassed by our government ...

This President has shown a willingness to reach across the chasms of mistrust and even hatred to use the methods of diplomacy and dialogue with nations that been openly hostile and mistrustful, not only of the United States, but of all western countries. Some of those critics in the United States of the Nobel Committee awarding its prize to Mr. Obama, should remember that our country is the leader of the world, that what we do and how our President is seen to behave and the gestures that he makes are vital to the way the world sees us. And after the eight long years of the last presidency, the way the world saw us was damaging and dangerous. Hatreds were deepened, mistrust was enhanced; we were ugly America.

In a few short months the international attitude towards the country has changed from suspicion and mistrust to hope and respect. We should remember that as the leader of our country he represents the people of that country, whether they voted for him or did not. And in that context the Nobel Peace Prize belongs to the people and is a tribute to the country which elected him. Not only must Obama prove himself to be worthy, so must we all.

Musings about Lincoln and Obama

It's no secret that I love Barack Obama. There has been so much criticism of him the past few months -- mostly because changes are not happening fast enough for some people -- especially progressives -- which I more or less am. Patience, I say ... it is important that when important changes take place, that the ground work is carefully laid, and that the structure of success is well-conceived.

Two weeks ago I finished Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. What a wonderful tome. For it is indeed a "tome", but I relished every page. I read the book because it was often referred to during the presidential campaign as being influential on Obama. Clearly Lincoln was a great role model for our current President -- from announcing his candidacy from the same place in Springfield, Illinois to using Lincoln's Bible on Innauguration Day. And there are many ways in which he reminds me and others of the 16th American President up to and including his own Cabinet Team of Rivals. Like Lincoln, I believe that Barack Obama is a man of great patience and one who understands the importance of seizing the right moment.

I read with great interest, for example how Lincoln was able to bring about the Emancipation Proclamation when the time was right, when the Congress would pass it. No one knows for sure if Lincoln's intention from the beginning was to end slavery in every state of the Union -- it was a long and drawn out process and the timing of its acceptance was a matter of knowing not only when, but how.

I think of this often now. My greatest political wish is to have single payer healthcare. I have not been happy with the plan put forth by Obama during the campaign. And many of us are not sure what to think about an alternative 'Public Plan' and none of us want the 7 year trigger -- that is ludicrous. However, over the past several days concern is raining down because 'Obama is looking at the 7 year trigger'. Obama is smart -- he has to look at the plan -- if only to know what it says in order that hopefully when he says "no" he can give definitive reasons why it is a bad idea -- because, as he famously put it to one television reporter "I like to know what I'm talking about". The best way to defeat an idea is to understand the idea and the ramifications of that idea.

A few weeks ago at a Town Hall Meeting the first question he was asked was about why Single Payer health care wasn't part of the current discussions. He said that if it weren't for the fact that we were a country that had in place an insurance based system and if the country could start from scratch, Single Payer Healthcare is what he would want. I can't exactly explain why but that admission on his part made me think that maybe, just maybe he was trying to work our way there -- one step at a time.

And it also makes me think that it is important for all of us to work toward that goal with him so that he has plenty of back up. In Lincoln's day he didn't have the luxury of the people at his finger tips. Politics was at the mercy of the politicians much more than it is now. Obama said, "We are the people we have been waiting for". We got him elected and with us he/we can succeed in making the changes that we want happen. If Lincoln managed to get the Emancipation Proclamation incorporated into our Bill of Rights, we can manage to help Obama get every American healthcare for all and I believe he is on the case.

One Week into the First Year of Obama 2009

Things seem to be moving right along! Now the pundits talk about the first 100 hours instead of days ... It would seem that we have chosen well this time and it should be quite a ride.

Inauguration day was wonderful and so human. Such as flubs with the oath and romantic snuggles. Not to mention despair when Senator Kennedy was victim to an attack which reminded us that he is indeed a very sick 'lion' and with Senator Byrd's collapse at the sight of the 'lion's distress . .. Despite the coldness of the events nothing spoiled the party. We had some 'bubbly' and a steak dinner.

The next day Fox News worried that perhaps President Obama wasn't really President because the oath had been flubbed -- by the Chief Justice. Some were amused that the 'perfectionist' Justice Roberts had blown giving the oath to the one who had voted against his confirmation! Rather deliciously that same day the oath was re-administered in the White House with a mere 9 witnesses and no 'bible' -- this is ok because the Constitution does not demand one.

There was some controversy about the clothes that Michelle Obama decided to wear. I thought she looked gorgeous -- but worried that she must be cold -- 16 F is colder than people in Britain can appreciate -- it rarely ever gets that cold here. So for me she was not only chic but brave! As for the evening dress -- hey -- anybody who has her man looking at her the way he did is doing everything right -- no mistake about that ...

And since then things have been moving so fast that we can't really keep up with him. I expect he will make some mistakes, but I for one don't doubt that it isn't about 'him' it's about 'us'. He is not about making people's pocketbooks rich, he is about making people's lives richer. His inaugural address was a great speech. On the day it was hard to appreciate how much he said and how important all that he said was. I have read and re-read it and each time am more impressed than the time before. He spoke for our time and for our future and he reaffirmed the past that was framed by our founding fathers and he did it in a way that speaks not only to our citizens, but includes and invites peoples around the world in our hopes and aspirations.

Getting It ... I Hope So

Long time no write... I'm paralyzed by fear and ennui. Politics has grabbed me by the throat and I may be choking to death. Last week I held my breath and watched pundit after pundit, toggling between CNN and MSNBC. I am now sick of punditry and having to take long breaks without the TV on!

My conclusion is that pundits have no idea what is on the public's mind. Truth be told none of them thought Obama had won the debate and they were all flabberghasted at the polls afterward. While watching the debate I was impressed by Obama and thought McCain horrible and rude. But at the same time I thought that the Public would go for that and not for the Lincolnesqe demeanor of Obama. Ho ho ho, shows me that that the public really does like 'nice' but 'smart'. Sure, it would be good if Senator Obama also shared with Lincoln his sense of humour and ability to respond with off the cuff (seemingly) rebuffs in the give and take of a debate. But that is not his forte and trying to make it so would probably come off as rehersed and phony.

The performance of John McCain reinforced the idea that 'he just doesn't get it'. He looked like an out of touch grumpy and bitter old man, holding on to past glories in the hope that they will catapult him into the White House, despite lacking the intellectual ability to comprehend the task he wants so much to be entrusted upon him.

He repeated over and over the mantras of the campaign trail -- especially when he didn't have the ability to explain coherently and cogently the thrust of his debate. It was almost pathetic when he resumed the 'I am a maverick' phrase we have all heard over and over again. And he messed up the campaign rhetoric about earmarks and 'you shall know their names'.

Perhaps I should wait for the Vice Presidential debate before I say what I think about Sarah Palin. Most of all my greatest single fault with Sarah Palin is the way she was chosen. This was the first presidential decision-making that John McCain made and the way that was done indicates for me once and for all that he is a dangerous, impulsive gambler, that would not bode well for the future of our country.

It would seem that the American people are at long last 'getting it'!