::::::::
It's a way of saying the United States is back. After 8 years of arrogance and foolishness, Obama stands for something different. It wasn't just hell for us here, it was bad for the rest of the world too. In a short time, Obama has changed the climate of international relations for the better. Last spring, he personally stepped in and moderated a heated argument between Hu Jintao and Nicolas Sarkozy. He doesn't just inspire with his speeches, this is a guy with a personal touch. The world knows he's different, not perfect, but better than what we have had. He's a leader among other leaders. Something that Bush never was, even though he was probably the most significant leader in the world because he was POTUS.
The world knows the United States is ready to lead, to tackle tough problems, and they have been inspired by Obama's speeches in Cairo and at the UN. They see his work on nuclear issues and in strengthening international institutions. Those are significant and will be remembered as such. The world wants this. They want us to get involved in these issues. To work on nuclear proliferation, climate change, to moderate fairly the conflicts around the world, to combat world poverty etc etc. Obama is a symbolic figure. People look up to him, they see what they want in him, he can be anything and everything to anybody. Some may see ugliness, but most others see greatness, hope, change and all other forms of inspiration.
Who else does that sound like?
Us.
The American people.
People around the world see what they want to see in us. They see ugliness, ignorance and all kinds of negatives. But most of all, they see hope. They may disagree with us or even hate us sometimes, but they look up to us. Many dream their whole lives of moving here. Or even coming to visit. When people want a new life, a better life, they come to the United States. I received a message from a person overseas when I wrote a column shortly after the Iraq War started. This person was sad. He said that our friends overseas felt almost betrayed that the U.S. would sink so low as to attack another country preemptively and for no reason. And that people over here were bashing countries like France and Germany for not joining in. He felt that we were better than that. That we should be a better example for the rest of the world. Our actions were disheartening for those who project their hopes and dreams on us. It hurt them.
Neither Obama or the United States is perfect. Obama hasn't closed Gitmo. He's escalated the war in Afghanistan. He's kept some of the same egregious programs that Bush implemented. But he still means something to people, and the good far outweighs the bad. The United States has condoned slavery, committed genocide against American Indians, we overthrew Mossadegh in Iran, Arbenz in Guatemala, we had unnecessary wars in places like Vietnam and Iraq, and we have been known to support questionable leaders and enact questionable policies and trade deals from time to time too. But for most of the world, the good far outweighs the bad. They look to us for leadership. They want to be like us. To have the lives that we have. We mean something to the rest of the world and they look up to us almost like a big brother. And just like it hurts when a big brother is a jerk to you, it means the whole world when he's good to you too.
I think that's what this award means. It symbolizes the good things. In Obama. In the American people. It's an honor that people look up to our president so much. That they look up to us so much.
They think we're back.
They have hope and can dream again.
Maybe it is just a symbol. That Obama doesn't deserve it. That he doesn't deserve the world's hope. Maybe he really isn't that good. Maybe we aren't either. But he has time to prove it.
And so do we.
The world knows the United States is ready to lead, to tackle tough problems, and they have been inspired by Obama's speeches in Cairo and at the UN. They see his work on nuclear issues and in strengthening international institutions. Those are significant and will be remembered as such. The world wants this. They want us to get involved in these issues. To work on nuclear proliferation, climate change, to moderate fairly the conflicts around the world, to combat world poverty etc etc. Obama is a symbolic figure. People look up to him, they see what they want in him, he can be anything and everything to anybody. Some may see ugliness, but most others see greatness, hope, change and all other forms of inspiration.
Who else does that sound like?
Us.
The American people.
People around the world see what they want to see in us. They see ugliness, ignorance and all kinds of negatives. But most of all, they see hope. They may disagree with us or even hate us sometimes, but they look up to us. Many dream their whole lives of moving here. Or even coming to visit. When people want a new life, a better life, they come to the United States. I received a message from a person overseas when I wrote a column shortly after the Iraq War started. This person was sad. He said that our friends overseas felt almost betrayed that the U.S. would sink so low as to attack another country preemptively and for no reason. And that people over here were bashing countries like France and Germany for not joining in. He felt that we were better than that. That we should be a better example for the rest of the world. Our actions were disheartening for those who project their hopes and dreams on us. It hurt them.
Neither Obama or the United States is perfect. Obama hasn't closed Gitmo. He's escalated the war in Afghanistan. He's kept some of the same egregious programs that Bush implemented. But he still means something to people, and the good far outweighs the bad. The United States has condoned slavery, committed genocide against American Indians, we overthrew Mossadegh in Iran, Arbenz in Guatemala, we had unnecessary wars in places like Vietnam and Iraq, and we have been known to support questionable leaders and enact questionable policies and trade deals from time to time too. But for most of the world, the good far outweighs the bad. They look to us for leadership. They want to be like us. To have the lives that we have. We mean something to the rest of the world and they look up to us almost like a big brother. And just like it hurts when a big brother is a jerk to you, it means the whole world when he's good to you too.
I think that's what this award means. It symbolizes the good things. In Obama. In the American people. It's an honor that people look up to our president so much. That they look up to us so much.
They think we're back.
They have hope and can dream again.
Maybe it is just a symbol. That Obama doesn't deserve it. That he doesn't deserve the world's hope. Maybe he really isn't that good. Maybe we aren't either. But he has time to prove it.
And so do we.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Wetzelbill/1069
