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This all got me thinking. Does Judaism, a results-oriented way of life, allow for celebrating good intentions? The answer was not long in coming... 10 Comments Posted
Thank you for succinct comment. This has greatly supported - and sorted - my own thinking. In G-d is our hope, and if Mr Obama can help push us in that direction, then blessings on him.
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How do you know that Obama intends to strive for peace? Peace at what price? Peace among whom? When?
Words are empty. Only Obama and G-d know the truth. I believe it was foolhardy of the Nobel Committee to award the prize on possible intentions.
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Thanks for those words. Many times I say I will do and i mean them (especially making up for past transgressions) but times do not always allow for the make up. Especially financial. As long as I know i am not just procrastinating it is good to know that G-d waits patiently. After all, everything happens for a reason. It is finding the good in it all that can be hard.
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Thanks for a good and balanced perspective on this. Though I am an Obama supporter, I tended to agree that the Nobel was a bit premature. This helps me reconcile things a bit. Perhaps in this case, the Nobel serves as less than an award for past work but as a fellowship/grant to encourage future, greater work.
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An optimist isn't necessarily a blithe, sappy whistler in the dark. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. If we remember those times and places where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us energy to act and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
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Perhaps then, all Miss America contestants, along with every political candidate, should be awarded a Nobel Prize, because they all announce how they want to eradicate world hunger, end war, help the poor,etc. It's not enough to have "good" intentions; they must be followed by "good" actions and "good" results. I'm sure many leaders we would consider evil believed their intentions were good - and many of their followers believed as well.
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Thank you for a balanced piece and also a reminder that good intentions do have value.
I would, however, like to point out that your habit of referring to the President as "Obama" comes across a little bit disrespectful. Protocol would have you refer to him as President Obama the first time you refer to him in a piece, and as Mr. Obama in subsequent references. Showing respect for the office of the President does not imply that you agree with him, it shows that you were raised right.
It would be very discourteous if someone referred to the Rebbe, z'l, as "Schneerson", would it not?
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Interesting additional point. In these politically fractious times, if President Obama can teach us all to treat each other with courtesy and respect, regardless of our views, that alone will be worth a Nobel Peace Prize!
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First of all, with respect, I think the majority of glamour girls searching for frivolous beauty titles fall into the category of sappy whistlers in the dark. However, I note that one or two have gone on to do great things with their blithe promises.
Both Aden from Chicago and Anonymous of Fayetteville are of course quite right. It is a sad a loathsome habit - introduced by the preaching media - to drop titles and salutations.
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Respect is more than a title. This Rabbi has shown great respect for this president by not showing all comments submitted! Respect is more than just words!
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