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December 14, 2009 in Opinion
Kathleen Parker: Obama rises to moment
After Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize speech, anyone still questioning whether he is really a Christian, rather than a Muslim aligned with fanaticism, needs to seek therapy forthwith.
Anyone still unconvinced that Obama is really an American committed to his nation’s values, rather than an imposter who doesn’t pledge allegiance to his critics’ satisfaction, should probably surrender to the asylum.
Obama’s speech, an artful balance of realism and idealism, was both a Judeo-Christian epistle, conceding the moral necessity of war, and a meditation on American exceptionalism. He was, in other words, the unapologetic president of the United States and not some errant global villager seeking affirmation.
The speech was a signal moment in the evolution and maturation of Obama, from ambivalent aspirant to reluctant leader.
Rising to the occasion, he managed to redeem himself at a low point in his popularity by reminding Americans of what is best about themselves.
Paying homage to champions of nonviolence, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, he nonetheless acknowledged that as commander in chief charged with protecting a nation, he couldn’t follow their examples alone.
“For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world. A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince al-Qaida’s leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force may sometimes be necessary is not a call to cynicism – it is a recognition of history, the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.”
With those words, Obama aligned himself with conservatives, who believe in both the fallibility of human nature and in an enduring moral order. At the same time, he left room for moral conundrum: the difficulty of reconciling two seemingly irreconcilable truths – “that war is sometimes necessary, and war at some level is an expression of human folly.”
Though the Oslo speech follows others that have inspired even his critics, this was Obama’s most presidential. This one marked the moment when Obama became a leader, defined as an individual who chooses the hard road because he believes it is the right one.
Some of the machinations of Obama’s own justifications were evident in the text. He made a point, for example, of implying that his Afghanistan war is more justified than George W. Bush’s Iraq war. Speaking of the two engagements, he said: “One of these wars is winding down. The other is a conflict that America did not seek.”
He took pains to note that other wars, especially “holy wars,” are never justified. And finally, “war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such.”
And so the reluctant warrior, who set out to save the world from pestilence, plague and global warming, now must also wage war against both an ideological foe as well as his own temperament. Leadership is not for cowards.
Of the 4,000 or so words Obama uttered, those most soothing to American ears, if not so much to those sitting in closer proximity, were Obama’s paean to the sacrifices and gifts of his countrymen. He reminded the world that, whatever mistakes we’ve made, the U.S. has shed its blood and spent its treasure to enable democracy, and to promote peace and prosperity around the world.
There is much about Obama’s administration to criticize. But at certain moments, the president articulates our problems in ways that elevate us beyond our pettier differences. His Nobel Prize may have been all the things critics have listed, but Obama’s response was a triumphant expression of American values and character.
Kathleen Parker is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. Her e-mail address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.
Don’t fudge fish standard 
Fuschia on December 14 at 12:34 a.m.
“the U.S. has shed its blood and spent its treasure to enable democracy, and to promote peace and prosperity around the world.” by bankrupting mom and pop and putting them out of work right here in the USA.
Was Obama asleep during the Bush 2.0 administration or in denial?
Bush instituted Democracy in a Dictatorship.. by creating a Dictatorship out of our Democracy.
Megan_B on December 14 at 10:44 a.m.
Thank you for this article. The number of religious radicals who are claiming that Obama is the Anti-Christ continue to grow, in scary numbers. Most of these individuals are poorly educated and will believe anything their church pastor declares, without any fact-checking or research of their own. If you don’t support the president political legislation of policy suggestions, fine. But to support your point-of-view with discriminating lies, generated form the opposing side is simply evil. Not only are you making other followers of Christ look bad, but you are pushing people away from your faith. Being intelligent doesn’t make you a Satan worshiper, and critical thinking does not make you disloyal.
I met Michelle Obama when she came to Spokane during the campaign of 2008. She is a very real, independent, career woman. She was Barack’s boss when they met. She continued to be the main money-maker for their household until recently. I don’t know very many independent career women who are willing to subjugate themselves into marrying a Muslim man. And I haven’t heard of very many Muslim men who are willing to marry women of the same caliber as Michelle.
Could it be that those accusing Obama of being a Muslim are simply afraid of the fact that he’s different? Utilizing these fear, political powers will manipulate and create false information however they can to generate the most votes for the next election. Both parties have been guilty of doing this. Now we finally have a president who is letting us in on all of the facts behind his policies, and the political opposition is scrambling for anything they can get their hands on, including innate, discriminatory fears.
empyrius on December 14 at 11:20 a.m.
What is “a Judeo-Christian epistle”?
Is that a letter stating Jesus, humankind’s Savior, was born naught of the Virgin Mary, and that we should all just agree to disagree and get on with our American imperial hegemony project! Or . . .
A letter stating that all Judaists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, et al, and assorted non-believers, are all going to burn eternally in a lake of fire! Or . . .
That just the “elect” Calvinists are saved?
Just checking . . .
Dazzeetrader11 on December 15 at 1:30 a.m.
Nobody has ever doubted that Obama can give an amazing speech..it’s how he was elected! Serioulsy, he had done nothing in his 150 days as a US Senator before he focused on the Presidency. Remember though……even this Nobel was undeserved and he even said so. Because he self-deprecates, there is no reason for him to rise in the polls…what’s new?
Deosn’t matter if he Muslim, Christian or Buddhist. He’s not performing. His choices are leading this country to increasing dependence on the government and its programs. It’s socialism…in its early phases. He’s defamed the US currency and said some less than flattering things about this country….then send 30 K troops to a war.
He says lots but wake up America! He’s a talker…a show horse but not a work horse. It’s his Presidency…and he should stop blaming Bush. Go back to Clinton to see how this country finally fell to greed. We can build it back but not with this President. ….sorry to say..
Fuschia on December 15 at 9:00 a.m.
Megan must be crosseyed or got the wrong ballot. I never saw Michelle’ Obama’s name on it.
Megan_B on December 15 at 2:35 p.m.
I was using Barack and Michelle’s marriage as an example of one of many reasons Barack does not display the behavior of a Muslim. As the author of this article stated, and I will repeat, “anyone still questioning whether he is really a Christian, rather than a Muslim aligned with fanaticism, needs to seek therapy forthwith.”
If you disagree with the President’s policies, governing capabilities, preparation, or level of experience. Fine. It’s a democracy and you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. However, the main point in my previous comment, and once again in this one, is that spreading falsehood on the basis of prejudice and fear will only make one appear ignorant and uninformed. I am not accusing you in particular as a member of this group, but I am speaking of those that are.