An e-mail from the POTUS

[lagilman]

[uncut because I think everyone really should read it. Maybe it's heartfelt, maybe it's good spin, but it's gracious and dignified and impressive for that...]


Laura Anne --

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Comments

[wedschilde.livejournal.com]

i really liked the message.

[chicating.livejournal.com]

Nice.

[burger-eater.livejournal.com]

That's the same message he sent me!

Now I don't feel special.

[lagilman]

He called you Laura Anne? Maybe I should give him my lecture about stripping out names in a mail merge...

[desperance.livejournal.com]

That's actually rather elegant. He does good elegance. Which is not enough, but hey. Start somewhere.

[lagilman]

Having a literate POTUS is a nice change, I'm telling ya...

[otterdance.livejournal.com]

I agree that it is an elegant and humble response, spin or not. I think it might have made a better impression overall if he'd humbly declined the award. I hate seeing the sh*t storm that this has stirred up. What did the Norwegians have against Obama??

OTOH, his measured, thoughtful approach to world politics and events is worthy of notice. It is a real sea change in American policy and one for the good.

[lagilman]

If he had declined the award, it would have been a slap in the face of the award and the committee both, and would have garnered terrible press, worldwide -- and the GOP would still have said nasty things about him/it.

I wonder sometimes if most Americans realize how disliked we became, as a nation, during the Bush administration. This award was, in its own way, them saying "welcome back to the table, America, we're glad to see you again."

[otterdance.livejournal.com]

But there's been a lot of bad press overseas, as well.

[lagilman]

Believe me, had he refused it? Much worse and more damaging political fallout, without any benefit whatsoever.

[otterdance.livejournal.com]

In other words, this was a lose-lose situation for Obama, and not one of his own choosing at all. I feel for the guy.

[stephen-dedman.livejournal.com]

I suspect that whatever happens, the spinmeisters on the right will manage to turn it into a lose-lose for Obama. If Jesus had appeared at Obama's inauguration and repeated the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Faux News would demand Obama be impeached for violating the First Amendment. And most of the 'bad press overseas' has come from the few who supported the Iraq War, and see this as the Nobel committee thumbing their noses at Bush.

That said, and despite my admiration for Obama and faith in his good intentions, I do think there were people more deserving of the award.

[sorek.livejournal.com]

You got a an actual form letter, written by one of the President's actual secretaries? Cool!

And no that wasn't intended as sarcasm. Even a form letter from POTUS is still cool, since he spelled your name right.

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I think the committee gave the Nobel to him to thank him for not being George Bush.