Here I am breaking my own rule, I suppose, about staying politically neutral... even though to be completely honest my jaw-dropping shock at today's headlines has nothing to do with politics...

I had just logged onto my computer's Instant Messenger this morning, when...

KM: OBAMA?? The nobel peace prize?? whaaa?

Shawn McEvoy: what?

Shawn McEvoy: just got to my desk

Shawn McEvoy: okay, seeing it now

Shawn McEvoy: if it wasn't CNN, i'd swear it had to be The Onion. What has he DONE, exactly?

Shawn McEvoy: this isn't even anti-obama sentiment on my part. just sheer confusion

KM: no kidding!

KM: the committee even had to brush off questions that they were premature...something to do with his "promise"

KM: seems kind of insulting to previous winners who suffered for years

Shawn McEvoy: oh, ya think? man.

Shawn McEvoy: all i need to know is that reporters "gasped" when his name was announced. even a biased media was shocked

KM: LOL

KM: yep

KM: my favorite explanation in the CNN article:""His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population," it said."

KM: let's not worry about what's right or wrong, let's just go with the majority

Shawn McEvoy: and it's takes like this piece of reader feedback that are going to start fights:

"Yes, President Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. He has done more for strengthening the US relations with other countries than President Bush did in his 8 years of presidency. It is so predictable to hear Republicans and disgruntled white racists use such an honor to criticize. Stop hating. The world has spoken!!!"

Shawn McEvoy: excuse me, the nominations for this award were due 10 DAYS into his presidency. that's why i am bothered. had my president truly deserved something for truly establishing peace, i'm all on board

KM: right

Shawn McEvoy: and back to your majority quote... um, how cutting-edge is THAT idea anyway? "majority rules." hmmm... never thought of that before...

KM: ok, last one: "The Norwegian Nobel Committee lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation but recognized initiatives that have yet to bear fruit: reducing the world stock of nuclear arms, easing American conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthening the U.S. role in combating climate change."

Shawn McEvoy: "yet to bear fruit"... see, that's just embarrasingly silly

So what now? Well, the world and a lot more important things are moving forward. I'll continue to pray for and support the President, hoping he lives up to this mounumental honor. In the meantime, at least it's good to know that a whole world of possibilities have just opened up for me and so many others. I have just penned the following letter:

To Whom it May Concern,

I would like to nominate myself for the Nobel Prize in Science. I fully intend to do a science project someday, so I think by precedent I am qualified.

Thank you. Sincerely,
Shawn McEvoy