Haiku 101009

rainbow's end
fruits and vegetables
in baskets

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Recently, we read the following:

NPR: “Obama Wins Nobel, Vows 'Call To Action' “

“President Obama was ‘surprised and deeply humbled’ to be selected for the Nobel Peace Prize, he said Friday, promising to accept the honor as a ‘call to action’ to meet the challenges ahead in his presidency.

“At a short White House speech, Obama said he did not view the surprise award ‘as a recognition of my own accomplishments’ but rather as a recognition of goals he has set for the United States and the world…

“He won the prize ‘for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,’ the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced, saying it had ‘attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.’

" ‘Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future,’ Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee, said. ‘In the past year Obama has been a key person for important initiatives in the U.N. for nuclear disarmament and to set a completely new agenda for the Muslim world and East-West relations…’ "

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And we thought:

… We congratulate President Obama for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And we applaud the Nobel Committee for this apparently bold decision. Its members must have certainly expected that their decision would be criticized by some as "premature."

On the other hand, perhaps the committee meant this award to be a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts -- a challenge to Obama to pursue more profoundly and concretely the ideals that the award upholds. And, given Obama’s position as U.S. president and his current standing in world politics, perhaps the committee saw an opportunity to make a robust statement of support for Obama -- someone it sees as uniquely placed to lead the world more firmly along the path of peace, and of plenty that comes with peace.

Since the presidential campaign until now, Obama has talked consistently about pursuing more diplomatic and peaceable options in international relations. Now the Nobel Committee appears to be asking for a higher level of commitment -- for Obama to walk the talk. For the sake of all peace-loving peoples and nations, we hope he succeeds. He will, of course, need a lot of help…

Haiku 100209

on the sand
the sea ebbs and flows
fresh canvas

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Recently, we read the following:

NPR: “A Turning Point For Afghan War, And For Obama” by Kevin Whitelaw

"President Obama has spent most of his young presidency grappling with tremendous challenges, between trying to rescue the struggling economy and pushing for a major overhaul of the country's health care system. But a request from his top general in Afghanistan for more troops sets Obama up for perhaps his most difficult and momentous decision yet.

"With U.S. troops facing spiraling violence and a growing insurgency, Obama must decide whether to renew America's commitment to the war and boost troop levels by more than 50 percent.

"The moment is fraught with historical parallels, from Vietnam to Iraq…

"Obama says he is still conducting a strategic review of his options in Afghanistan…"

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And we thought:

…No doubt President Obama wishes he had a fresh canvas to work on in Afghanistan. Since he doesn’t, he has to deal with the various geo-political hues already painted in place.

The Vietnam war taught us at least three things: (1) You can’t fight an unconventional war with a conventional one. (2) You can’t fight a war on behalf of a people. (2) You can’t entrust resources, intended to help a people fight, to their corrupt leaders and politicians.

No doubt Obama, apparently a student of history, has a keen mind. He also has keen advisers. They will help him figure things out…

Haiku 092209

open house
a horsefly rubbing
hands and feet

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Recently, we read the following:

Washington Post: “IOC member said Obama's absence would be 'noted' “ by Nancy Armour (AP)

“Obama's absence at next month's vote to award the 2016 Games would be noticed, IOC member Dick Pound said Monday. But he's not sure how it would affect Chicago's chances to bring the Summer Olympics back to the United States for the first time since 1996.

" ‘I don't think there's an IOC member on the planet that wouldn't love to meet your president. He's a transformational figure in the world today,’ Pound said at a symposium on the 2016 Games sponsored by DePaul and the McCormick Foundation. ‘If he can be persuaded to go, I think it makes a huge difference.’

“ ‘Chicago is in a tight contest with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo, and the presence of world leaders has been instrumental in the most recent votes. Tony Blair helped London land the 2012 Games when he met IOC members in Singapore in 2005, and Vladimir Putin traveled to Guatemala City in 2007 to push Sochi's winning bid for the 2014 Winter Games.

“Obama has been an ardent supporter of his adopted hometown's bid for the Olympics, videotaping four messages for IOC members in recent months. But he called IOC president Jacques Rogge - personally - last week to say his priority right now must be the fight to reform the health care system…”

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And we thought:

…Tough decision: If President Obama does go to Copenhagen to pitch for Chicago, and Chicago gets the IOC’s nod to host the 2016 Olympics, it would certainly be a great stimulus package for Chicago and the rest of the Midwest.

But if Chicago loses its bid, the president’s detractors would have a field day, criticizing him for wasting his time on a "frivolous pursuit" – in the face of critical issues pre-occupying the American people. And he really can’t be sure anyway about his presence in Copenhagen making a difference.

We think – Pass. It’s not going to be a slam dunk. Besides, it really looks like it’s too soon for the U.S. to host the Olympics again…


Postscript: On October 2, 2009, Rio de Janeiro got the IOC's nod to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Haiku 060809

I find 
more lake place stars --
spring cleaning