12 October 2009

Nobel Peace Prize:
The Party of No In Another Extremist Attack on Obama

Many of you may have already received the message from President Obama on his unexpected Nobel Peace Prize for Obama's pledge to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other international initiatives in the first year of his administration.

Attacks on this recognition are stridently coming from GOP blowhards and the usual media gas bags. Behold the words of GOP National Chairman Michael Steele:

"The Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control, And truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way.”
“It’s a stunning, if not truly surprising, indication of just how meaningless a once honorable and respected award has become.”

This latest virulence from the anti-Obama GOP warrants a reprise here and elsewhere of Obama's reaction to the prize:

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama