Last November -- about a week or so after the U.S. elections -- I was on an airliner bound for West Africa via Europe and I noticed something interesting.
It was a diverse group of people on the plane and there were at least half a dozen people on the plane sporting Barack Obama T-shirts.
That's what I don't think Americans get about now-President Barack Obama. The rest of the world has collectively exhaled after the cowboy diplomacy of our 43rd president George W. Bush and embraced our 44th president Barack Obama, who espouses peace and diplomacy first.
Obama has reached out to the rest of the world, telling them if they'll unclench their fist, we'll talk. And it's about time to start talking, instead of abusing the U.S.'s clout as the biggest bully in the world. Obama changed our perception in the world almost instantly, which underscores what a great communicator he is.
The Nobel Peace Prize was just as unexpected as the previous week's Olympic bid for Chicago was expected and unsuccessful. And who would have thought Obama would have a Nobel Peace Prize at this point in his presidency? America underestimates him, but the rest of the world doesn't.
I'm amazed that Obama won the prize, but not surprised. And I hope it does inform future years of his presidency -- for diplomacy before guns, for thoughtfulness instead of shooting from the hip.
I hope he rises above the din of all the ridiculous sniping by people who believe anyone who doesn't agree with their political point of view can possibly do anything right.
There's lots of work to be done in the world. Let's get to it.
What a really interesting take on the entire situation!
ReplyDeleteSo many people spend all of their time fighting over how bad of a person he has to be - all you ever hear is 'me me me' when they complain.
I love the perspective from looking at it from outside of our own country.