If one were to point out a central theme for most of the global reaction to President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize win, it would be the fear on the part of the overwhelming percentage of the planet’s population that our young leader will be hamstrung by the award.
This article by Olivier Picard of France’s Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsace puts it this way in part:
“Barack Obama cannot yet boast of results. He is, however, the leader of a country at war in two countries. And every time he has to use force, this distinction will be discredited by his actions. The truth is that this doesn’t serve him, but instead places an added burden on his shoulders. Getting America to face the crisis that resulted from eight years of “Bushism” was already a challenge. Doing it with a white flag in one hand and the Star-Spangled Banner in the other is a tightrope act that puts him doubly at risk.”
By Olivier Picard
Translated By Mary Kenney
September 10, 2009
France – Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace – Home Page (French)
Upon hearing the news, the response was first surprise. That was then succeeded by a spontaneous burst of sympathy. Then came a rather disagreeable astonishment. And finally, the vague feeling that an error had been made. The choice to give Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize has given us the strange impression of living history in fast forward – as if we were overtaking in double-quick time that which had yet to occur.
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