policy with pop

Facebook Status Updates on President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize Win

Where do you go for news? I get my news from Facebook.

Of course, I also go to internet news sites to get verification and more details. But, Facebook allows me to see what stories my friends are interested in as well as their opinions. And you know how much I love to read people’s opinions (comment on my blog please)!

Anyway, yesterday I learned from Facebook status updates that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. My Facebook friends had a lot of thoughts on the selection. Here’s a highlight of what I learned from my friends (to protect their identities, names have been changed but their grammatical and spelling errors have not):

The Harsh

Feisty  Frenchie “is wondering if the members of the Nobel Prize Committee have TV and read newspapers! As far as I can tell, Obama was not yet successful at settling the Arab-Israeli conflict…  or easing tensions with Iran… or coming to an agreement with North Korea… or bring the Burmese junta to the negotiate… I love the guy but that looks more like an ‘E’ for effort!”

Former Obama campaigner is “pretty stunned Obama got the prize. Where’s the peace?”

Mr. Protocol says, “First peace then a prize, not the other way around.”

Just Saying points out: “You Know Gandhi never got a nobel peace prize…hrmm…”

Designated (Political) Driver’s observations: “Obama receives Nobel Peace Prize. Clearly everyone has drank the Koolaid.”

Clever guy writes “What?! Is it true? Barack Obama just won project runway???”

Burn… And these comments are from my liberal-hippie buddies. Now a few words from my pals from the vast right-wing conspiracy.

Female, minority GOP supporter wonders: “is this a joke, Nobel Committee?????”

Conservative movie critic’s review: “Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace prize is like Shakespeare in Love winning the Oscar for Best Movie. If it’s a bad year, just save the award….”

Wordy-McWord-Word publishes, “You’ve got to be kidding me!! Some people spend their entire lives working towards achieving peace in their home regions and don’t even win the prize. This guy only makes a few passionate speeches…and he’s automatically qualified to become a Nobel laureate? Moreover, he’s been in office for less than a year and hasn’t even done anything worth writing home about. This the HYPE surrounding Obama is utterly absurd, and its way out of control. But who knows…maybe if future presidential candidates use the term ‘hope’ in their campaign slogans, they too can win the Nobel Prize.”

The Happy

Guy who drank the Kool-Aid exclaims, “Well done! Celebrate this and let it embolden you to further action.”

Deep Thoughts proclaims, “The world is bigger than one self-important nation. Keep the message alive, President Obama.”

ObamaFanBoy240131 writes, “Congratulations, Mr. President!!!”

In the Winner’s Circle points out that “Thorbjorn Jagland, chairman of the Nobel committee, said the decision was ‘unanimous’ and came with ease. Hope prevails :)”

In the Middle

Makin’ It Work states, “So I'm definitely an Obama fan...but really??? still pondering this one. Maybe it was retitled ‘Noble (Potential) Peace Prize’ How about ‘Nobel Peace Prize - Most Improved’?”

Mr. Analysis concludes, “Apparently Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize for not being George W. Bush”

Historian-in-the making scribes: “Today cannot be real: Barack wins Nobel Peace Prize, Marge Simpson on Playboy’s cover, Limbaugh to judge Miss America!?”

In Other News

Unemployed’s stream of consciousness: “I want a Nobel Peace Prize! Oh, wait. A freaking JOB would be good enough at this point.”

Observant but hungry writes, “haven’t eaten today, just watched people eat. that’s all.”

With that, my summary ends. But what are your thoughts on President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize?

Hayden Panettiere: Sign the Petition, Save the Whale

Heroes star Hayden Panettiere loves the whales. As you recall, she went letter-to-letter with the Japanese government over its country’s practice of killing whales and dolphins for human consumption. She argued mercury-filled whale meat is not healthy for humans to eat and killing whales is wrong. Hayden also had an incident with fishermen in Japanese waters. Then she recently held a DC rally to raise more awareness.

Like her Heroes character, her activism can’t be killed. Hayden is continuing her fight online. She just released this video:

So she wants us to join SocialVibe.com and sign the Whaleman Foundation petition to save the whales. She will then personally deliver the petition to the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

The IWC is an international body that studies and issues decisions about whaling. However, it does not have the power to enforce its rules. Countries voluntarily join the commission and have the right to object to any ruling. By objecting, the country signifies it is not under the objected IWC-decision.

Do you think the practice of killing whales for human consumption should be illegal? If you do, will you sign Hayden’s petition? Will you spread the word and help her reach her 1 million signature goal?

Do you think this petition, delivered by Hayden, will be effective in convincing countries to stop whale killing? If you don’t, what would be a better strategy?

Spain Eyes Olympic Offense

The Olympics: the global venue that allows athletes to show the world their abilities. Sometimes they shine and inspire the world. (I'm talking about you, Michael Phelps.) Sometimes they give heartbreaking performances. (No need to name names, US women's gymnastics.) But sometimes, Olympic athletes gain international attention for their antics outside of competition. Case and point: Spain's basketball team.

Spain's Olympic basketball team riled the world by taking this picture before coming to Beijing:

As you can see, the players used their index fingers to stretch their eyes to make Asian "slant eyes." They are getting heat for the picture as critics are calling their pose offensive, disrespectful, divisive and racist.

How did Team Spain respond? It criticized the media for blowing this picture out of proportion and defended the picture pose. The team said it was just following the instructions of their sponsor Seur, a Spanish courier company, for an ad. They thought that the pose would honor China, the host of these Olympics Games.

When taking the pose, player Jose Calderson thought the picture "was going to be something nice, something with no problem." He went on to call the picture "an affectionate gesture" on his blog. Head coach Aito Garcia Reneses compared it to taking a picture on you on tips of your toes to honor tall opponents. He didn't consider that nor the "slant eyes" pose offensive.

Another player, Pau Gasol, admitted he was uncomfortable with the picture but not because he thought there were racial undertones but because he thought slanting his eyes was "clownish." Although he went on to apologize to anyone offended, saying that was not the intent.

Do you think the "slant eyes" are offensive and an unworthy pose for Olympic athletes to make? Or do you think the PC police and the media are creating unnecessary drama?

What do you think of Spain's response to this controversy? How would you handle? And what, if any, repercussions should Spain's basketball team face?

Phelps Going to Beijing Olympics; Should Bush?

Michael Phelps, arguably the most dominant swimmer in the world, heads to Beijing after securing the right to swim in eight Olympic races at the U.S. Olympic trials. In Beijing, he will focus on breaking Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals won at one Olympic Games. Take a look at how he’s approaching this Herculean task:

As Phelps focuses on capturing eight Olympic gold medals, there is worldwide protest over Beijing's selection as the site of the 2008 Olympic Games. Critics say that China’s record on human rights, treatment of Tibet, its monetary support of Sudan leaders (who have allowed Darfur genocide to continue) and other reasons should disqualify China as the host country. Some have advocated boycotting the Olympics but that isn’t likely. Instead, many are calling on world leaders to boycott the opening ceremonies to convey their concerns and put pressure on the Chinese government.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders have said they will not attend the opening ceremonies; however, U.S. President George Bush indicated today that he will go, stating that his absence will be “an affront to the Chinese people” and hinder future negotiations with the Chinese government. Furthermore, supporters of having the Olympics in Beijing argue that the Olympics are suppose to be non-political. To them, having world leaders boycotting the opening ceremonies goes against Olympics spirit, which is to unite the world in good, fun athletic competition.

Do you think President Bush and other political leaders should skip the opening ceremonies? Or would that do more harm than good?

Bonus: Do you think Michael Phelps will break Mark Spitz’s record by winning eight Olympic gold medals?

Be Like Michelle Kwan: A Citizen Diplomat

If you want tips on your triple lutz, this isn’t your blog post. Sorry. But this post can help you be like Michelle Kwan the Diplomat.

Kwan became the first US Public Diplomacy Envoy on November 9, 2006. Her duties include traveling to other countries on behalf of the State Department to build goodwill. Kwan accomplishes this by being a positive role model and sharing her American story.

And, boy, does she have a story to tell. Sure, she is generally known as a figure skating legend who has won five world titles, nine US national championships and two Olympic medals. But it is her upbringing that is inspiring and made her into the respected champion she is today.

Born in the United States to Chinese immigrants, Kwan had a humble, working-class beginning. With a strong belief in their daughter, Kwan’s parents took second jobs and even sold their home to pay for the high cost of elite figure skating. When that was not enough, Kwan was fortunate enough to have support from the L.A. skating community, which provided her with a scholarship. The sacrifices and the commitment made by Kwan and her family, as well as support of the community, paid off as Kwan went on to become the most decorated skater in US history.

While her victories are impressive, it is the grace she showed in defeat that has captured the hearts of so many. Remember when she helped a confused Olympic champion Sarah Hughes reach the top of the podium in 2002?

It is no wonder that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tapped Kwan as the first Public Diplomacy Envoy.

But you don’t have to be Michelle Kwan to help build goodwill between America and other countries. While you probably will not be sponsored by the State Department to be an official US representative, you can participate in citizen diplomacy. Citizen diplomacy is the belief that everyone has a responsibility to shape their respective country’s international image and relations with other nations. Anyone can be a citizen diplomat, and it can be as formal or informal as you like. Just connect with other citizens of the world and build positive relationships that dispel negative American stereotypes.

Here are some good resources to learn more about how to be a citizen diplomat:
Coalition for Citizen Diplomacy
U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy

So are you ready to change America’s global image? And which celebrities do you think the State Department should select to officially represent America abroad?

(Thanks to Leah Adams for providing the Kwan picture)

George Clooney's Peace

Get your mind out of the gutter. Actor George Clooney shares his thoughts on peace in the video below.

In case you didn’t understand what Clooney’s message was, I’ve watched the video five times and will give you the run down.

Clooney, who starred in The Peacemaker with Nicole Kidman, explains the meaning of peace in this YouTube commercial for the Better World Campaign. Apparently, it is not as trivial as colored ribbons and white doves as some of us might have believed. The Batman star tells us that peace is a full time job. The title of the job: UN Peacekeepers. The responsibilities include: protecting civilians, overseeing elections, and disarming ex-combatants. Clooney didn’t mention anything about salary or benefits but he makes the UN Peacekeepers sound cool by re-imaging them as peace waging warriors… I mean… PEACEiors. Learn more about UN Peacekeepers here: the good and the bad.

Do you agree with Clooney’s definition of peace? Have a different definition? And are UN Peacekeepers winning the war… the battle… the struggle for peace? Or is there a better institution to wage peace? Or is Clooney correct in saying that the UN Peacekeepers are the only ones willing to go to distress areas and do things that others can’t or won’t do?

And, what’s up with Clooney downplaying 5-K runs, wrist bands, and donations as expressions of peace and then sending us to the Better World Campaign site to write a thank you note to the UN Peacekeepers? Shouldn’t he ask us to do something that has more impact on the ongoing waging of peace? Like joining the UN Peacekeepers?