The Nobel Peace Prize that President Obama recently was awarded.

He’s gotten a lot of flack over this, especially in the conservative media – he even himself stated that he doesn’t really think he deserves it. And he might be absolutely right, and it sure is a strange nomination and award.

But credit must be given to the Nobel comittee, because they’re not dumb. I believe their major reason for awarding Obama with the peace prize was for his quick actions in reaching out to the muslim world and initiating diplomatic negotiations – something the Bush administration actively refused, much to the detriment of the entire worlds stability. His speech in Kairo alone is applaudable.

Over at Salon.com there’s been a very interesting article written about Obamas work towards stability in the world so far. Much of what is written has never been mentioned in the general media, and one can argue that the democrats are pretty much worthless in reporting their own progress.

Some major important points both from that report and generally:

• The withdrawal of troops from Iraq are ahead of schedule. So far he has brought home 22,000 troops out of Iraq.
• He has cut war spending by $30 billion.
• Pakistan has as we speak today launched a major offensive towards the Taliban strongholds within their borders – as much as a response to the new US leadership as anything.
• He has managed to convince Iran to allow in UN inspections, as a result of direct negotiation.
• His effort towards dragging the US, kicking and screaming, toward a modern healthcare system (last country in the western hemisphere) could result in a much more stable and equal society.
• By dismantling the Bush plan of an aging missile defense system in eastern europe, he has opened up unforeseen diplomatic possibilities with Russia – apart from saving billions of dollars while at the same time planning a much more efficient defense plan in the area.
• His promises to close Guantanamo Bay and the administrations refusal to continue previous torture policies is a big move towards human rights in the world.

So give the guy some credit – and don’t listen to the major news outlets all the time. Obama is a force in the world most of us probably won’t acknowledge until years have passed and history can make its judgement. And so far, I honestly believe history will treat him as possibly one of the most important leaders of our time.

If we give him the chance.

Mr. Obama last week signed four bills, each just a day or two after Congress passed and sent it over to him.

Story on Washington Times

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Due to the recent pause here on WIOD, I am sure our readers would really like to know what they’ve missed!

Well, this President seems to be working in some kind of alternate timespace and it’s hardly possible to list every thing he’s been up to until now, but here’s a (incomplete) list of things that the administration has changed so far:

• Reversed restrictions on stem cell research
• Appointed an assistant to the president for science and technology policy
• Created a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
• Expanded loan programs for small businesses
• Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch
• Expanded eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
• Expanded funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners
• Directed military leaders to end war in Iraq
• Sent two additional brigades to Afghanistan
• As promised gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in the first 100 days of his administration
• Granted Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba
• Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program
• Released presidential records
• Now requires new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions
• Pushed for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors
• Created a White House Office on Urban Policy
• Supported increased funding for the NEA
• Funded a major expansion of AmeriCorps
• Worked to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear
• Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees
• Pledged to weatherize 1 million homes per year
• Invested in all types of alternative energy
• Enacted tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars
• Provided grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes
• As promised appointed at least one Republican to the cabinet
• Extended unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspended taxes on these benefits.

Ofcourse, we are still awaiting many of his biggest campaign promises and many of the major issues are still pretty shady on what he’s really going to do with. And to be fair, this list is some of the neat things Obama has done and not the bad – but I would be hard pressed to really find much concrete for such a list as the things that possibly can end up on that side are still in the works (for example the iraq war, bailout, stimulus, gitmo and ofcourse the haunting marijuana legalisation issue).

So far, pretty neat track record.

Seems Obama can’t get a break appointing his nominees:

President Obama’s nominee for the No. 2 post at the Environmental Protection Agency dropped out, saying scrutiny of a group he was affiliated with was threatening to become “a distraction” for the administration.

The EPA announced the decision by Jonathan Cannon, nominated for the post of deputy EPA administrator, a day before he was scheduled to appear before a Senate panel considering his nomination.

Story on Wall Street Journal

Also in the news today: Budget Has Obama Courting Fellow Democrats

To ensure that all signing statements previously issued are followed only when consistent with these principles, executive branch departments and agencies are directed to seek the advice of the Attorney General before relying on signing statements issued prior to the date of this memorandum as the basis for disregarding, or otherwise refusing to comply with, any provision of a statute.

Story on NYTimes

Even as it pulls back from harsh interrogations and other sharply debated aspects of George W. Bush ’s “war on terrorism,” the Obama administration is quietly signaling continued support for other major elements of its predecessor’s approach to fighting Al Qaeda.

In little-noticed confirmation testimony recently, Obama nominees endorsed continuing the C.I.A. ’s program of transferring prisoners to other countries without legal rights, and indefinitely detaining terrorism suspects without trials even if they were arrested far from a war zone.

Story on MSNBC

President Obama, with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., signed the $787 billion stimulus bill at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on Tuesday.

In related news, The President finally OK’d the awaited boosting of troops to Afghanistan.

Story on BBC

In other news, while Obama signed the Stimulus bill his press secretary stated “while there are no particular plans at this point for a second stimulus package, I wouldn’t foreclose it.”

Bill Clinton took the opportunity for some limelight on CNN to say “It’s quite a good bill!” as well.

Maybe we’re progressing from Obamania to Stimulusmania?

Story on NYTimes

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs released the following statement:

Senator Gregg reached out to the President and offered his name for Secretary of Commerce. He was very clear throughout the interviewing process that despite past disagreements about policies, he would support, embrace, and move forward with the President’s agenda. Once it became clear after his nomination that Senator Gregg was not going to be supporting some of President Obama’s key economic priorities, it became necessary for Senator Gregg and the Obama administration to part ways. We regret that he has had a change of heart.

Link to White House blog post

He has already lost four nominees for senior posts.

Tom Daschle, who was to become the new secretary of health, and Nancy Killefer, Mr Obama’s choice to oversee budget and spending reform, both pulled out last week over questions about their payment of taxes.

Story on BBC