Hello! Magazine Politics

The following is written by one of FreedomFighter's good friends Amadeus Finlay. And yes that is his real name. It's an interesting take on the hilarious travesty that is Obama receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize and is far more balanced than FreedomFighter ever could be on the subject.

In the wake of President Obama receiving the Noble Prize for Peace, my fear that politics is becoming yet another victim of the world of reality shows and gossip magazines was given shock reinforcement. I regret to say it, but I believe that this is yet another example of the shift of politics from its true place to a two-dimensional social tool. While Barack Obama has proven himself to be a true ambassador for peace and international co-operation in an age of acute global instability, he has as yet achieved little from his admirable overtures.

When dealing with countries such as Iran, Russia and North Korea, a strong, yet peaceful voice from the United States will do little to ease tensions with these nations whose gung-ho attitude will be quenched by nothing other than their own directives. Not that I am a diplomatically blind neo-Conservative advocating military intervention, but I do question the validity of awarding the Noble Peace Prize to a man who has produced no tenable results.

When the President is placed alongside previous laureates of the Prize such as David Trimble, Kofi Annan and the Dali Lama, Obama’s eight months in power seemingly does not warrant a Noble Prize for Peace. While his Presidency may prove to be a successful exercise in achieving world peace, it is too early to make such assumptions. In addition, if Obama does succeed or indeed fails in his endeavours, what will this mean for this Noble Prize for Peace? Whatever the case, I fear that the validity of the Prize will be undermined. On reflection, therefore, does the 2009 Prize not fall under the bracket of modern political hype?

If one takes just a moment to reflect, the observant individual will realise that American Presidents of late have been transformed from politicians into inelegant tools of social media. The Noughties has seen a frenzy of internet activity, conspiratorial books and the dawn of the true celebrity politician. While Bush was portrayed as the warmongering, brainless buffoon of the right, Obama by contrast, has become a crude caricature of a cool young President who plays basketball and toked pot behind the bike sheds as a youth.

I feel Obama deserves more than this. He deserves to be recognised as a man whose honesty and integrity to achieve peace in the global theatre comes from a sincere desire to curb the threat of nuclear mania. He does not deserve to have the Noble Prize for Peace casually draped over his shoulders in a negligent continuation of the celebrity politician.

While FreedomFigher doesn't believe Obama deserves much of anything, save a trial for treason, it's nice to hear a more moderate voice every now and then.