The mystified/confused/perplexed/annoyed/outraged citizens (translation: Republicans) who are in full knee jerk and/or old-fashioned apoplexy mode about Obama being given the Nobel Peace Prize are missing something.
The point.
And before those of you who are predisposed begin the eye rolling, cluck cluck cluck of “yeah, yeah, here comes another other full throated defense of Barack The Boy Wonder”, let me save you the wear and tear on your eye roll apparatus and clucker.
My personal O is that he isn’t entitled to the prize.
In the spirit of full disclosure, though, I should share that, in my world, there is a difference between being entitled to something and deserving something.
But that’s a semantic distinction best addressed at another time in another blog.
Or maybe I’ll add it to a revised edition of my book “Three Hats”, a terrific holiday gift idea for any one and everyone in your family and/or life, available in hardback and paperback online at Blurb.com.
And now, back to the show…
The point that my aforementioned affronted citizen/friends are missing is that the correct doorstep on which to deliver the big ass bag of “WTF?” isn’t the one at 1600 Pennsylvania.
It’s the one over there at Nobels-R-Us.
Because even those folks who are still walking around with a beatific smile, their pupils dilated from the inauguration ceremony, lo that ten months ago, are very likely, in the night when Mr. Sandman throws a few rational thoughts in their eyes along with the sleepy dust, thinking to themselves, “wtf?”
Even if it’s only the lower, rather than upper, case “wtf?”
Because no one, friend, foe, supporter, non-supporter, ally or enemy, can totally get past the feeling that there’s something rotten in Denmark.
Or Norway, as the case may be.
Actually, I think “rotten” is unnecessarily hyperbolic.
What’s happened here isn’t so much simply incredible as it is sadly inevitable.
So far (and when I say so far, I mean so far, the jury is still out), I like the guy, so I’m inclined to cut him more slack than, say, any one who smiles, nods and drawls “hell, yes!” when asked if they’ll plant a Palin 2012 yard sign next to the cinder blocked El Camino in their front yard.
Or who lives in Mississippi or Alabama.
Potato. Potahto.
But, slack or no, I think, despite the Nobel homies best efforts to dress up the package in the rationalizing ribbons and bows of “strengthening international diplomacy” and “fostering a spirit of hope”, what they’ve really done here is succumb to a virus spreading through the world at a pace giving H1N1 a first class run for the money.
Celebrity-itis.
An inflammation of the sensory system resulting in starry eyes, vapid facial expressions, intense feelings of admiration, adulation, sometimes bordering on worship of everyday men and women who, through some professional, vocational and/or occupational effort (or just plain dumb damn luck) have come to the attention of the general public with their singing, dancing, acting, rapping, movie starring, TV appearing, talk show bantering, cheating, philandering, lying ways.
In other words, a whole big damn chunk of the people in show biz.
And just about anybody in politics.
Love him or hate him, Kanye West is a star.
Love her or hate her, Paris Hilton is a star.
Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin is a star.
Love him or hate him…
Barack Obama is the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient.
There are those already whining that this award is diminished by giving it to someone in anticipation of what they show the potential to someday do in the cause of world peace, as opposed, of course, to having actually accomplished something in the cause of world peace.
What do you say we try to put our bickering aside and really join hands and find some common ground?
Let’s not say that the Nobel Peace Prize has been diminished.
Let’s just say that it’s been put into a new 21st Century perspective.
And has, in fact, been elevated to a place equal to those awards of achievement that our society and culture have, by their actions and attentions in recent years, shown to be the most precious and prestigious.
America’s Got Talent.
Dancing with the Stars.
The Biggest Loser.
The Apprentice.
Ad nauseum.
And, in that spirit, I say, yea thee, Barack Obama for adding that natty Nobel to your trophy case.
Who knows?
With that kind of momentum, you may, someday, even find yourself at the very pinnacle of world recognition.
Personally, I think you can do it.
Randy, Kara and Ellen will be with you from the get go.
But winning over Simon…
Now, THAT will prove you deserve to be a player on the world stage.
Break a leg, Mr. Prez…
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