nobel peace prize 2009: barack obama

the smoke is clearing a bit since the whole world sighed a deep "what the fuck?" after hearing that standing US president, barack obama, won the nobel peace prize for 2009.

i think that, yes, he received the award a bit prematurely, considering he was only president for about 12 days when the nominations had to be submitted. but i think this is the first time the world (ok, the nobel committee) has been able to comment about obama as the US president. much of the world despised king bush the W and big dick cheney. international diplomats must be so pleased to have someone in the white house who recognizes the validity of other human beings and their nations that maybe this award symbolizes an acknowledgment of obama's efforts to bring the US back to a positive level of communication and collaboration with the rest of world.

i think the nobel peace prize and its $1 million reward might be a bit much for such a gesture, but i am pleased to hear obama say things like "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

in addition, the obamas hosted a star party at the white house last week!! how cool is that?!

anyway, here is geir lundestad, secretary of the norwegian nobel committee, describing why they gave the prize to obama. feel free to share your thoughts!