There is so much controversy about President Obama receiving the Nobel Prize. On October 9, 2009 Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”.

The Nobel Prize committee also said, “His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.

I think it shows Europe feels he is worthy of this award. It is an award based on many factors but one should remember the fact that President Obama is the first African American president; this was a major breakthrough in this country – and he has integrity. President Obama has traveled non-stop to improve relations between the United States and the rest of the world. He supports the end to nuclear arms. He has strived to reopen peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. He hopes to improve conditions in the Muslim world. Obama is respected by many important and powerful leaders. This again is a huge change from the past.

al Qaeda

I for one believe it is a travesty for people to say the Nobel Prize is undeserving to a man who has shown great promise to this country. I have read on one blog that al Qaeda no longer poses a direct threat to national security in the United States, and President Obama’s administration believes it is America’s mission to correct the wrongs of the world. I don’t think this blogger has read of the many arrests in the States of men connected with al Qaeda, who have been captured by the FBI.

We as citizens of the United States of America must never forget the vulnerability of September 11, 2001. Our President seems to be on top of things and we will see the change that he has promised.

Where has our patriotism gone?

We should be encouraged and supportive to our Mr. President and the future of our country. It is not a time to pick apart the Nobel Prize committee’s decision, or be cynical to our president for accepting the award. We should be proud of the great achievements and respect for Barack Obama throughout the world.

Barack Obama is in great company. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter have all been awarded Nobel Prizes.

So for those of you who do not share the excitement or the joy of our newly elected President and would rather feel he has done nothing to stop our country’s involvement in two declared wars, let me remind you of this: we are not the only country who has troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Let us not forget whose guidance put us there.

I remember very clearly talking to a friend of mine about America going to war in Iraq, and Germany and France not joining in. My friend lives in Munch, Germany. He was concerned that his country is only 1000 miles from Iraq – the chances of a bomb hitting his country was more of a reality than one hitting the USA. Now this was just a conversation between two friends from two different counties. You don’t need friends in Europe to know Bush was not well liked by many nations.

Give Barack Obama time to mop up the eight-year mess that President Bush has left behind. No way humanly possible that Obama can achieve this all in his first year, but what he has done is regain creditability, honor and dignity back from other nations. That beginning was just the start, and it needed to start there.

Press Release For The Nobel Prize Committee:

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

These are congratulatory messages and statements made:

United Nations – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

We are entering an era of renewed multilateralism, a new era where the challenges facing humankind demand global common cause and uncommon global effort, Ban said in a press statement. “President Obama embodies the new spirit of dialogue and engagement on the world’s biggest problems: climate change, nuclear disarmament and a wide range of peace and security challenges.

Germany – Chancellor Angela Merkel

President and First Lady Obama with Chancellor Merkel

His call for a world free of nuclear weapons is a goal we all should try to make a reality in the coming years. It will certainly encourage the US president but also help us to help him”.

France – President Nicolas Sarkozy:

President Barack Obama and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France

I know that [the Nobel] will reinforce your determination to act for justice, for peace, and to preserve the great balances of our planet.[it] finally confirms the return of America in the hearts of all the peoples of the world”.

Israel – President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres:

Barack Obama with Shimon Peres

Under your leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. You gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.

Russia – President Dmitry Medvedev:

Dmitry Medvedev with Barack Obama

The award will encourage further U.S./Russian cooperation and hoped it would “serve as an additional incentive for our common work to form a new climate in world politics and promote initiatives which are fundamentally important for global security”

Russia – former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who won the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize:

I congratulate you on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I am convinced that it is the right decision, which significantly reinforces our family of Nobel laureates.

India – President Pratibha Patil:

I am sure that this honour would inspire all those who believe in promoting international peace and justice to achieve enduring harmony and fraternity among nations…the people of India join me in conveying to you our good wishes for the continuous success of your nation for positive change.

I would like to think that it’s not just a few people in the U.S. who support Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Putting partisan reasons to attack him on a daily basis aside, what’s your take on it?