Obama Effect: Doomsday Clock Takes a Step Back

Some snickered when President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize last year. However, his actions and leadership are having tangible effect.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists -- an organization of scientists and scholars that "informs the public about threats to the survival and development of humanity from nuclear weapons, climate change, and emerging technologies in the life sciences". This group announced last week that it would push its Doomsday Clock back one minute, to six minutes to midnight, in recognition of President Obama's efforts to combat nuclear proliferation and climate change.

The Bulletin concerned the world was spiraling towards nuclear disaster first introduced the clock in 1947, and it has been adjusted only 18 times since.

The group of scientists -- which includes 19 Nobel laureates -- hailed Obama's "pragmatic" foreign policy:

"With a more pragmatic, problem-solving approach, not only has Obama initiated new arms reduction talks with Russia, he has started negotiations with Iran to close its nuclear enrichment program and directed the U.S. government to lead a global effort to secure loose fissile material in four years."

I continue to see polls that show Obama's approval rating is falling. Personally, I think that Obama is an outstanding president. I shudder to think of what our nation would be like if we were living with President John McCain and Vice President Sarah Palin.

Anyhow, take a moment to be glad that we are saved a minute on that pesky Doomsday Clock!