I think the reasons suggested for the uproar over President Obama�s Nobel Peace Prize miss a deeper issue.� First, no one would dispute that Mr. Obama has not yet achieved the level of contribution to world peace that other honorees have.� He, himself, acknowledged that. �Critics of both right and left argue that the reward reflects an unhealthy cult of personality, and that his rock star status has overwhelmed better judgment.� Some point to the Europeans� apparent delight at sticking it to Dubya.� And, needless to say, racism is part of the angry outbursts as well.

But there�s a missing source of the outcry.� It�s probably less conscious; certainly less articulated.� It�s that the award gave a new focal point for mounting fears generated by a profound shift the world is undergoing on many fronts: The economic meltdown; global dangers and threats; the impact of climate change.� It�s an interlocking world, in which everyone has to figure out how to compete and collaborate with everybody else.� And it�s a diverse world – not �out there,� somewhere, but right here in people�s community and workplace.� Moreover, shifts in how people conduct their social, sexual and individual lives are visible all around.

In today�s new era of tumultuous change, we�re shifting from an environment of �old-style �command and control,� in private relationships, careers, and organizations, to �collaborate and cooperate.�

This wave-change, this new reality that the future has arrived, is very hard to digest for some. I�m not referring, here, to the Fox crowd — the right-wing commentators and pundits.� Most probably know better; and know what�s going on throughout our society and the world.� They may not like the changes taking place � perhaps symbolized for them by a black man in the White House.� But they�ve chosen to exploit fears among segments of the public hardest hit by these massive changes.� They�re exploiting them for their own avarice and self-promotion.

Of greater concern are those struggling to regain a foothold onto a decent life.� They are terrified about life in the present world � and what�s to come.� They see social changes and governmental forces doing things that counter what they�ve always believed, and that they fear will make their lives even worse. That can turn into anger.� Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne has honed in on the genuine economic fears and resulting anger of many people caught up in �Obama hatred.� http://tinyurl.com/yztlmhs He points out the need to understand and empathize with those who feel left by the wayside, with little hope of ever getting back on track � middle class people, with genuine rage.

When those people hear voices that intensify their indignation fear and anger of this new world environment � without positive help to understand or adapt to it � they become further alienated from society.� They remain angry and scared, but without knowing how to make sense of what�s going on; and without learning how they might embrace the new realities with practical actions and renewed hope. That�s dangerous for them and for our society.

This shift can be hard to understand and deal with. Those who have difficulty doing so need empathy, help, and practical actions; not contempt or derision.� Save the latter for those who use President Obama�s Nobel Prize � or anything else they can find � as fuel for increasing fear, hatred and division.