On December 10^th President Obama waved to the crowd gathered in several thousands outside the hall in Oslo where, in a royal and solemn ceremony, he had been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Outside there were supportive cries of “Yes, we can!”—reminders of his political campaign’s battle cry. There were also drumbeats and shouts of opposition from a band of Norwegian peace activists, protesting the war in Afghanistan.

The American leader won the prize, in the opinion of the Nobel committee, for radically changing his nation’s approach towards the wider world. The panel cited his efforts to accelerate nuclear disarmament, tackle climate change, and use diplomacy rather than threats in dealing with intransigent nations. That judgment is currently supported by large numbers of Europeans, who view the change in posture by the American administration with profound relief, and so approve of Barack Obama, the man of the hour.

Back  home in the USA, the scene is more hostile. Political friends and foes alike are mostly discomfited by an award that smacks of political manipulation on the part of the Nobel committee. The common view is that the President has not done enough to date to deserve such a prestigious prize. Although the financial award of $1.4 million will be donated to charity, it is an embarrassment. Critics complain that the winner does not deserve the honor because he is incompetent.

Mr. Obama acknowledged the image problem, saying that the award was “controversial” and that he saw himself “at the beginning and not the end of my labors on the world stage.”  As modestly as someone can who is collecting such an prestigious and rich award, he indicated his accomplishments were “slight” when compared with those of Albert Schweitzer, Martin Luther King, George Marshall, and Nelson Mandela. Going even further in modesty, he said “far more deserving” were those men and women who had been “jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice,” and those giving similar “quiet acts” of service to humankind.

Could President Obama have refused to accept this controversial award? Well yes, of course. But it would have been a snub to those who wished him well by awarding the prize, and, no doubt, critics at home would have called it an act of national betrayal. Still, critics would always find fault whatever he might do. This was a difficult situation made worse by the fact that America is fighting two wars: one (Iraq) regarded by most people on Earth as unjust, and the other about to escalate with a surge of coalition (mostly American) troops.

WODEN SAYS:  Remember the bread and water.

When Woden was a little Anglo Saxon divinity, his daddy complimented him on finding a way to prop up the holiday caravan (Americans please read: vacation mobile home). It was a parental compliment that stuck in his mind and made him really feel like a god.

We do that sort of thing a lot for our children. We put their strange scribbling up on the fridge, telling them how good they are and hoping that one day they will be as prolific and as rich as Andy Warhol. We applaud them as they wobble away on their first bicycle, fearful lest they wobble under the wheels of a bus but hoping they may grow up to win the Tour de France. We reward them for passing their school exams by giving them their first car. Should they become a soloist in a choir or orchestra, or write a novel, or get a job with good prospects, we, as parents, praise and reward their efforts. It’s the loving thing to do.

Why then is it so hard to do the same for politicians? Well, in truth, President Obama was so rewarded. Strong men cried when he celebrated his victory that night in Chicago, and later, his inauguration was viewed by millions the world over. A nice reward for winning the election and for helping to pull down some of the wall of racism around the USA.

So what’s this fuss about the Nobel Peace Prize? Obama will still have to make progress in his two wars, disputes with Iran and North Korea, the Israel/Palestine issue, the world economic and domestic jobs problems, and global warming—to name just a few major problems. But at least some people have put it on the line that he is worthy of support. The Nobel committee made tangible the widespread recognition of his potential as a world leader, in effect offering thanks for the good that we can expect as he leads and inspires us to create a more peaceful future.

Now let’s start the meal: It comprises a little bread and water, like the President’s work so far on the world stage, still not a major achievement but a real change of direction—a feast for six billion human brothers and sisters hungry for stability and peace. “For what we are about to receive, may we be truly thankful.”