One thing I actually have learned over time is to occasionally turn something over and look at the other side. I call these excursions into another dimension my "180s" because, surprisingly, things don't look wrong upside down, just more interesting, and more complex.
This time, what I found more surprising and interesting was not Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize, but the absolute lack of pleasure taken by Americans in that honor. From the fundamentalist Right to the comics of the Left, all anyone can talk about is Mr. Obama's singular lack of action and the absurdity of receiving recognition for it.
Action:
Is there a more American word? We get things done. We take military action. We are an active people who exercise rigorously. We prefer action movies. The action of our NRA rifles is well-oiled. A highly litigious society, we take legal actions against our doctors, hospitals, neighborhood restaurants, and neighbors. We carry through and put into effect, carry out tasks, execute decisions, and action the operations. Most of all, we go "where the action is," because that is the singular value we hold as a nation.
Intention:
We have always cared less about intentions than actions--we forged a nation, demanded independence, and opened up the West. Intentions mean nothing to us without accompanying actions, follow-through, and resultant wins. That's why we don't get the same feelings of amazement and admiration a lot of the rest of the world has experienced since roughly a year ago when America renounced its Cowboy "action-figure" and voted in the man of values that include family, openness, honesty and diplomacy.
We don't even understand how Mr. Obama's could have won, but now that the fellow who renounced torture and secrecy and embraced openness and talk has taken charge, we can do nothing but carp about his "lack of achievement."
What Is Achievement?
No one, from the Nobel committee to Obama himself, has claimed this prize in the name of achievement. Though the citation itself is short, apparently few of the pundits have bothered to read its text. For it is a recognition of "values and attitudes," as well as a call to further action rather than a prize for actions already taken.
The Prize is in recognition of extraordinary efforts made, a vision of peace shared, a new climate created, multilateral diplomacy emphasized, dialogue and negotiation preferred (all actions as well as achievements). From this side, it looks as if Mr. Obama has accomplished quite a lot and intends to do even more.
Why Was the Prize Awarded?
Not, actually, for the reason(s) most Americans assume (without checking the facts). The Nobel Citation literally encourages the pre-eminent global spokesman, Obama, to continue to work--in full view of the world--for arms control, toward constructive steps to slow climate change, and to further strengthening human rights.
The last line of the citation holds the key that Americans have largely ignored in their jaded and hot pursuit of snarky ingratitude. It is the one thing Americans most need to hear that has been most ignored. Aren't we willing to bend our necks a little and look at the bottom of this thing? What's there is a surprise, all right; it's a hopeful call to action, not to but from our "singularly under-achieving" President:
"Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."
Actual Text of the Nobel Citation:
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples.
- The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.
- Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics.
- Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play.
- Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.
- The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations.
- Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting.
- Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.
- Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future.
- 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 world's population.
- For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman.
- The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."
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