2 Obama "Happenings," One Matters

Two major Obama happenings this week: 1. President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize and 2. He speaks at the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner. One of these is much more important than the other, but it's not the one you might think.

Like many, I was puzzled by the announcement that Obama had won the prize.  But then I listened to what the Nobel Committee had to say about the award, and I realized that not only were they trying to acknowledge the political shift in the wind that his election had generated, but they were also trying to send some messages to him and the world at large: stay the course you've charted Mr. President on international dialogue for peace and nuclear non-proliferation.  Were they also giving the global finger to "W" - you betcha.

But,in the final analysis, Obama winning the prize isn't going to change much of anything.  Obama charted his path a long time ago; he doesn't need the Peace Prize to goad him in any new direction. And, for the second time in 2 weeks, I find myself agreeing with conservative columnist David Brooks of the NY Times who opined that the awarding of the Peace Prize to the President was just so much political posturing and that people who are inclined to value it will take heart and people who don't like moderates, liberals or international foundations who give the finger to conservatives and right-wingers are going to ridicule it and them.  So, the Obama win ain't much of nothin' - it doesn't matter. Which is too bad, because I think the Committee devalued it just a bit.

Now, Obama reiterating that he's going to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the US military - now that's something important.  I mean that.  The greatest nations in the world have gays and lesbians openly serving and doing so proudly and with distinction in their military.  A diverse array of senior officers in the Pentagon have all repeatedly said that purging gays and lesbians from the military under "don't ask, don't tell" is demoralizing and undermines unit cohesiveness. And at a time when we're fighting two wars: we need every able and willing person to sign up to serve regardless of sexual orientation.

Obama said to the assembled activists at the dinner: "I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration."

No one will ever convince the right nor the wing-nuts to feel good about Obama, but judging from the thunderous cheers from the guests at the dinner, just about everyone else is happy with his re-stated commitment. Now, that matters.