Nobel jury speaks out in defense of Obama prize

In this Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 file photo,

Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee,

Thorbjoern Jagland, holds a picture of President Barack Obama,

in Oslo, Norway, after the announcement of Obama

as winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

I know you are aware of the many opinions being shared about President Obama's selection as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner. The following article tells of the unusual act of the committee members to publicly defend their choice.

It notes that many both abroad, and even in his own party have asked what has he done to deserve the prize?

While reading the article, my Heart spoke out, that Obama easily qualified for the prize simply by the presidential political campaign that he waged and won.

His attitude, his tone, his intentions, and his responses, have all engendered a new America. And if America, had not begun to change, if we had continued with the policies, beliefs, and attitudes that fueled the Bush regime, which it was evident by the McCain and the Clinton campaign rhetoric, would be continued, the whole world would still be in a state of extreme anxiety. The bottom line is America's sense of herself and her actions effect every living being on the planet.

Perhaps some of his actions may not have met what our personal expectations demand, but his personality alone, has acted as a 'Balm in Gilead'. I am in no way asserting that Barack Obama is a messiah, or an enbodiment of my brother Jesus the Christ. But his campaign and election, and months in office have all amounted to steps toward the correction and healing that is necessary in this nation, and in the world. And only those individuals that are blinded by their mental illness are unable to see that, acknowledge that and respect that.

Obama's campaign and election effectively sidetracked the aims of that group of Americans (old wealth, oil industry, Industrial-war complex, etc.) whose delusions, ignorance and outright madness have them bent on enslaving humanity, and Earth's resources in their service. And all in the name of 'progress' and 'profit'. Their vision America as an empire!

I never voted that at any cost, I want America to be the most powerful nation on Earth. Did you? I don't even think like that. But our Constitution and we the people, have been co-opted, and detered from our pursuit of happiness, to the ends of someone else's. Finally, the masses of the dominant culture here, are awakening, and feeling the negative effects of their years of following such folly.

Within this nation, Native Americans and African-Americans have been almost destroyed by these philosophies and mores that have led people further and further from their true selves. A caste and class system has pervaded, that alloted certain roles, income levels, neighborhoods and different levels of justice to everyone and group that was not White and heterosexual male.

We have long been sick of this sweep, as the people of this nation have been molded into caricatures of some madman's ideal of 'paradise'. Because it took destroying all of our humanity to create it. It took, dehumanizing our brothers and sisters that looked different than we did. It took decimating the land and covering it with asphalt and structures, that now lay empty. Our food is so full of chemicals that it kills us instead of nurtures our bodies. Water and air both poisoned. And it took wiping out the precious wildlife that graced this land.

Obama's campaign, election, and days in office have been about raising to othe forefront the harmonizing factors that must be embraced if this nation, and humanity are to survive. His significance is that his enbodiment is a step towards de-emphasizing the inequalities in the necessities of living that man has erected and imposed upon us all.

That's why people are pissed. Here and abroad. There are too many issues, that are just simply unjust, favoring a few, overtly wrong, and most importantly ---unnecessary. And these are correctable. He speaks to that. He inspires hope, because he says...Yes We Can. And it's evident, that the majority of the people here and abroad want a real change.

Obama 'gets it'. Because he has lived in other places in the world, because he comes from a multiethnic family, because he is intelligent, because he has lived an ordinary life, and because he is part of those disenfranchised by those in power. He 'gets it' also because he is educated, and because he has good values that he listens to and lives by. Most importantly, unlike the Bushes and all of their cabinent members, he is an humble man, and realizes that humility is a valuable character trait to be cultivated throughout one's life.

All of this, when he lives it, ACTS as a balm. A balm is an aromatic salve or oil. It has a soothing healing, comforting agent or quality. A balm is a healing compound, where herbs, oils other natural organic matter are brought together to synergistically do their work. And again, this clarifies what I mean that he, himself is no messiah. It's not about or just him, but all that his presence enbodies and brings together. We, are a part of the balm that he is.

So if we can see Obama's presence in the White House as that -- as a healing compound of various qualities perfectly suited to the needs of this moment, that when applied to some of the ails of current human civilization, ---already has and can continue to begin to bring together the elements and circumstances, that will allow the organism of Life --the One Life of this Planet that we all are -- to purge, rest, rejuvenate, restore and renew Itself, we should have no problem with the decision of the Nobel committee to nominate and select him as the 2009 Peace Prize winner.

There's a message following the article, and as always I appreciate your comments.

By IAN MacDOUGALL and KARL RITTER, Associated Press Writers Ian Macdougall And Karl Ritter, Associated Press Writers – 46 mins ago

OSLO – One judge noted with surprise that President Barack Obama "didn't look particularly happy" at being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Another marveled at how critics could be so patronizing.

In a rare public defense of a process normally shrouded in secrecy, four of the Nobel jury's five judges spoke out Tuesday about a selection they said was both merited and unanimous.

To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama's young presidency, "We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done," committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe.

Jagland singled out Obama's efforts to heal the divide between the West and the Muslim world and scale down a Bush-era proposal for an anti-missile shield in Europe.

"All these things have contributed to — I wouldn't say a safer world — but a world with less tension," he said.

For nine-year Nobel committee veteran Inger-Marie Ytterhorn, Obama's demeanor spoke volumes when he first acknowledged the award during a news conference Friday on the lawn of the White House Rose Garden.

"I looked at his face when he was on TV and confirmed that he would receive the prize and would come to Norway, and he didn't look particularly happy," she told the AP by telephone.

"Obama has a lot of problems internally in the United States and they seem to be increasing. Unemployment, health care reform: They are a problem for him," she said.

She acknowledged there was a risk the prize might backfire on Obama by raising expectations even higher and giving ammunition to his critics. "It might hamper him," Ytterhorn said, because it could distract from domestic issues.

Still, she added: "Whenever we award the peace prize, there is normally a big debate about it" so the Obama controversy was not unexpected.

It was unusual, however, for the Nobel jury to speak out so candidly about their selection.
Even the most seasoned Nobel watchers were surprised by Obama's Nobel — they hadn't expected the U.S. president, who took office barely two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline, to be seriously considered until at least next year.

Jagland said that was never an issue for the Nobel committee, which followed the guidelines set forth by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who established the prize in his 1895 will.

"Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year," Jagland said.

"Who has done more for that than Barack Obama?"

Aagot Valle, a left-wing Norwegian politician who joined the Nobel panel this year, also dismissed suggestions that Obama was undeserving of the honor.

"Don't you think that comments like that patronize Obama? Where do these people come from?" Valle said from the coastal city of Bergen. "Well, of course, all arguments have to be considered seriously. I'm not afraid of a debate on the Peace Prize decision. That's fine."

World leaders have reacted positively to Obama's Nobel in most cases, the committee said, with much of the criticism coming from the media and Obama's political rivals.

"I take note of it. My response is only the judgment of the committee, which was unanimous," Jagland said.

In announcing the award Friday, the committee, whose members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, applauded the change in global mood brought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation. They also praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease U.S. conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen the U.S. role in combating climate change.

The White House declined comment on the Nobel judge's latest statements.
However, Obama expressed surprise and humility at Friday's news conference, saying the prize should be considered not a "recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations."

Nobel Peace Prize selections have often been surrounded by fierce debate. Controversial awards include the 1994 prize shared by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli leaders Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin for Mideast peace efforts, as well as the joint prize to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese negotiator Le Duc Tho for a 1973 cease-fire agreement. The Vietnam War continued for two more years.

So the Nobel jury "expected that there would be a discussion" about Obama's award, said Kaci Kullman Five, a former Conservative Party parliamentarian and longtime Nobel committee member.

Valle said the criticism shouldn't overshadow important issues raised by Obama's Nobel.
"Of course I expected disagreement and debate on ... giving him the prize," she said. "But what I want now is that we seriously raise a discussion regarding nuclear disarmament."
___
Ritter reported from Stockholm.

If I can, I'd like to share the song, "Balm in Gilead."

You must however, remove the religious aspect. You can put in Obama's name instead of my brother Jesus', your name, or any name you deem appropriate. This is not about Christian proselytizing in any way AT ALL.

You know I've always wanted to include music and more images to make your visit and time with me more fulfilling and nourished. I want you to leave here feeling like you're ready to go forth, whether for a dynamic workout, or to spend time with those you love most, meet those that oppose you, or to relax even further in the sweetness of inner communion and deep contemplation. I want you to feel like you've just had the greatest meal, delicious, beautiful on the plate, light in your stomache, and firing you the highest level of food value possible for your body, mind and soul.

As you watch, I want you to pay attention to the people in the cathedral-- the diversity. I want you to enjoy the singer's voice, and her spirit. I want you to attach all of that to what I've written above, and feel empowered by the fact that such a man does lead this country now.....that is....if we will let him Be himself.

I want you to feel that you are strengthened and assisted at this time, to be bolder, and take leadership, and be the Balm in your environments. Be the healing compound that brings together a variety of people with great, different and even unusual ideas to apply to the ails of our time.

You ....Be the Balm in Gilead.
loveu~
Kentke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-nTeHQKVIg