As her soldier father lined up to return to Iraq, one little girl just couldn't let go. Emotional moment (NBC Philadelphia)
US President Barack Obama sat down with senior lawmakers driving a raging debate on US Afghan strategy, as he works towards a decision on whether to send thousands more troops to war (AFP/File/Jim Watson).
(WQ) Fittingly, on the birthday of actual peace activist John Lennon, who died violently in the US, and coming off a humiliating setback with the Olympic selection committee's rejection of Chicago's bid to host the games, a young president (only 9 months into his administration) has gotten the honor of his life. He admits he does not "deserve" it, but notes that sometimes the prize is awarded to spur on peace.
President Barack Obama accepts the award in the name of all citizens even as he contemplates increasing troop levels in Afghanistan by 40,000 additional American soldiers and has utterly failed to withdraw from Iraq as elected. It is, therefore, safe to assume that he is learning the great political lesson of "going along to get along" with awards and honors to prove it. Those in charge behind the scenes continue in a different more appealing guise.
(Note that this Nobel prize is the only one awarded by committee members who have no idea about peace, are not experts, and have themselves accomplished nothing in this field. After all, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated five times but never won).
- Barack Obama wins 2009 Nobel peace prize (Telegraph)
