Thoughts On Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech

"The concept of a 'just war' emerged, suggesting that war is justified only when it meets certain preconditions: if it's waged as a last resort or in self-defense; if the force used is proportional, and if, whenever possible, civilians are spared from violence." -Obama

None of these conditions are ever met in war. It's like saying, "fight fair," but fighting can never be fair because someone is always getting hurt. Perhaps it would be nice if war from this point forward followed all of these rules but then again, if we as humans had the capacity to uphold such conditions consistently, then we probably would find another way to settle our differences rather than fighting.


"We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes." -Obama

Not with that attitude we won't. Jk jk, but honestly, I like that he gave us that tough pill to swallow.


"Evil does exist in the world. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism--it is a recognition of history, the imperfections of man and the limits of reason." -Obama

Honestly, I think the whole "good vs. evil" thing is so last century... There is a more modern way of framing it, I think, which highlights the complexities of conflict into more than just two groups. It's not black and white. Maybe I will write about that in my next blog...


"We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest--because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other people's children and grandchildren live in freedom and prosperity." -Obama

Some Americans DO seek to impose their will (*cough cough* Sarah Palin and her supporters *cough cough*). Also, I don't like that he used the word "better" when describing the future because "better" can be defined differently for lots of people, based on their culture. For one person, "better" could mean all people different from him rot in jail. The American way is not necessarily better and this is highlighted by the fact that there are still groups in American society who aren't seen as equals socially or politically (aka gays). We can't go around defining words like "better" when we still have a lot of work to do on acceptance and appreciation of difference.


"So yes, the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another--that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy. The soldier's courage and sacrifice is full of glory, expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms. But war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such." -Obama

Ummm war preserve peace? Ok Mao. If there is war then there IS NO peace. Huhwo. Also, I'm just over this whole obsession with "martyrdom." Stop perpetuating it. It's not glorious--it's sick-- that people have to DIE just to believe differently. And then when that someone dies, the killer (or killers) turn(s) into the new (perceived) enemy for all that martyr's supporters and thus another war begins in that martyr's name. Why don't people understand this??? It's not glorious to die for what you believe in--it's glorious to believe differently than others and still be able to sit around the table peacefully and enjoy each others' differences.


"War is sometimes necessary and war is at some level an expression of human feelings." -Obama

This to me sounds like a little kid justifying hitting his classmate on the playground, "You hurt my feelings so I hit you," and that somehow makes it ok? Remember the phrase, "Use your words?" Sheesh.


"The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice." -Obama

WAR requires responsibility and sacrifice as well, am I right??? But engaging in war and not peace is so much easier for us. The belief that ANYTHING is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. I think this is kind of a cop out.


Ponder this: Did anything stand out to you in Obama's speech? What do you think about war?