Recently we all were surprised to learn that President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize for, for, what exactly was it for?  The head of the Nobel Committee and former Prime Minister Thorbjoern Jagland defended the selection saying they were “capturing the spirit of the times, the needs of the era.”  This drew criticism not just from the usual sources (Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh) but from the Progressive media as well.  In a piece titled “Obama’s Nobel Farce” Daily Beast columnist Peter Beinart stated, “I like Barack Obama as much as the next liberal, but this is a farce. He’s done nothing to deserve the prize”.  Indeed he and other Progressives note that this award, nominations for which closed Feburary 1, 2009, was effectively given to Obama 10 days after taking office Jan 20th.  As such it cannot possibly represent a nod to his accomplishments, but perhaps one to his potential (or more likely an attempt to influence our internal politics).

As highlighted in another TBM post, the Obama Administration has been quite aggressive in marketing the President and his ideas.  Imagery after all counts for much in American Politics; a fact  at the forefront of this administration’s efforts since last year’s campaign.  From his logo, to the media’s intentional Messianic imagery (imagery which differs dramatically from those created to depict former President Bush), this President  and his media enablers have taken the cult of personality to levels quite uncommon in America.  US Presidents have always taken great pains to craft a media image; FDR was never pictured in his wheelchair and President Obama is never photographed smoking.  Such media shenanigans are hardly a cause for concern, that is, until they begin to drive policy or present disinformation to the public.

That said, I was somewhat surprised last month at the response to Obama’s planned speech to schoolchildren.  After all, what’s the problem with a President inspiring children, especially the first Black President?  Anyone can be President in America.  Of course, then the other shoe fell, there was a lesson plan in which students were challenged to describe what “they could do to help the President achieve his goals” and it began to get a little creepy.  Still, a misstep by a new administration, right?  They all make such errors.

But the drip, drip kept on coming.  Next up was the leaked transcript of a conference call between NEA Director Yosi Sergant, Buffy Wicks (Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement), Michael Skolnick (political director for Hip-Hop heavyweight Russell Simmons- did you know hip hop producers had political directors?) and a large group of Artists and Media types who JUST MIGHT stand to gain funding from producing the “right sort of art”.  The request was direct, asking them to produce artwork in support of the Administration’s policy initiatives.  Mr Sergant was far from subtle: “I would encourage you to pick something, whether it’s health care, education, the environment, you know, there’s four key areas that the corporation has identified as the areas of service” Sergant said on the call.  As the Huffington Post reports “The NEA funds programs that increase access to art in rural areas and leads arts education programs across the country. The independent organization offers grants to artists but historically has not dictated themes in such specific terms.”  Well, in this case, they strayed a bit beyond the usual mission statement, far enough that when this call became public Mr. Sergant was forced to resign as NEA Director.  And in doing so they were aware of the line they were treading, noting that they needed to be careful of the language used, lest they run afoul of the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government.

We’re staring to see a pattern here…

Next up – using kids to push Administration policies, first in chants of general support (worship?)

In Case those lyrics were a bit garbled (they are little kids after all) this passage is instructive

He said red, yellow, black or white
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama

Then in specific areas of Legislative Activity (be sure to watch the lyrics on this one)                

Remarkably CNN just ran this as a nice little song, some forward thinking kids (who likely have no idea what a deductible is) singing what inspires them.  Sorry if after this long pattern of manipulation we begin to see something a little different.

Which brings us full circle to the Nobel Prize.  Perhaps that is just an outside attempt to do the very same thing: to sell us in an off-hand way a pattern of thought in an attempt to influence our internal politics and policies.  Cap and Trade Legislation?  Well they gave Al Gore the prize for his documentary.  Perhaps by repeating the award they can finally help us reach enlightenment.  And on Iran, El Baradi needs all the time in the world.  After all, we want to be liked, to be seen as a sophisticated member of the international community of nations.  A huge golden “atta boy” can’t hurt, nor can it be seen as anything but a repudiation of Bush’s term in office.

So we are officially on alert.  The issues before us today are to important, indeed critical to our future as a nation, to allow slick media campaigns and singing schoolchildren to divert attention from the realities before us.  Medicare has a $39 Trillion dollar projected deficit which must be addressed, no matter how well Lady Gaga sings her lines.  We must think clearly and without prejudice about the decisions made today, for they will affect our descendants profoundly.  The work of artists are often inspirational and moving, but they will never address the real concerns and serious issues of health care reform.