First off, the big issue while I was gone was Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Like most people I went through various stages on this announcement. At first I was horrified because I knew this could not be good for the domestic agenda that Obama is trying to push. The Republicans will likely be able to rip him apart for the rest of his term as President for accepting the award. I though the Norwegians who awarded Obama were being selfish and stupid. Then I hanged my opinion.
I still think it's excellent ammunition for the Republicans but I also think the Norwegians were quite just and very reasonable in awarding Obama. The first justification for Obama's award is I think the weakest. This is that he created a groundswell of hope throughout the world. The second stronger argument is that achieved what was largely thought to be impossible. He is a Black President. Maybe people have forgotten the images of Americans crying on election day, the scores of people who said that they never thought they would live to see this day, or Obama's election day message: "Change has come to America."
It might be crass and unsophisticated but this is the best reason for Obama to win the Nobel Peace Prize. For a good article on the Obama Peace Prize read Doug Saunders article in the Globe and Mail. Saunders is smart and always has something interesting to say. For a crap article on the Obama Peace Prize read Margaret Wente's tautology in the Globe and Mail.
Despite the fact that Obama deserved the Peace Prize I believe that he missed a great opportunity by accepting the Prize. This is not my opinion I stole it from Ross Douthat. I think Douthat is right. Politically, the genius move would have been to turn down the prize. The White House's argument that one doesn't turn down the Nobel Peace Prize is weird. Why not turn down the Prize? Declining the award would have handcuffed the Republicans. Maybe the White House feared Republicans would be able to use Obama's rejection of the award as a sign of weakness and self-doubt. I think the Republicans would have trouble selling that. Most AMericans would be impressed by a gracious rejection of the Prize.
Okay Issue Number Two: Man City Vs Man U Game. I didn't see it so I have no idea. All I can say is that Craig Bellamy is still underrated.
Okay Issue Number Three: The Oilers. So far, the Oilers look like an eighth placed team. Though in fairness the only game I have seen so far saw them without Souray or Staios. Nevertheless, the Oilers desperately need a first line. Neither Hemsky nor Horcoff are superstars. Ilya Kovalchuk's contract is up soon maybe they can get him for Hemsky and something else. Horcoff's never leaving thanks to his fat contract. Until the Oilers have a top line they are not going anywhere.
Okay Issue Number Four: The beach ball. What a joke! (adapted from the White Tiger). Where was the ref on that. There is no way in the world that goal should have counted. That ref should be permanently relieved. Nevertheless, Liverpool is awful without Torres or Stevie G. I thought Benayoun might be able to take over the game but he was really crowded out by a tougher, stronger Sunderland side. Too bad Sportsnet wasn't showing the Arsenal game. My man RVP scored another barn burner of a goal. I love the way he plays. With the way LIverpool is playing, the question of who Man City is going to replace in the top four has been solved.
Yet, Man City is not the only team knocking on the Champions League door. Sunderland has put together a nice record and gave Man U a run for their money. Maybe there will be a greater number of top teams deposed than initially thought.
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