Dear President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle:

Congratulations! At a time like this, when so many Republicans, rightwingers, malcontents, are targeting you over and over . . . it is refreshing and welcome to have you bestowed with the honor of receiving a Nobel Peace Prize.

I know you may have felt you were also being targeted by people who elected you to office – sometimes referred to as “the left wing.” Well, I am proud to be part of that “left wing.” I promise to keep on reminding you of our expectations that you would bring “peace” to America and to the World.

I know the Nobel Peace prize is for “Barack Obama,” but I don’t think it would have been possible without the total support of his First Lady Michelle, and so I acknowledge both of you as recipients of the prize.

I welcome your recent and active reluctance to simply “take directions” from the commander in Afghanistan. I have written you recently that I believe he should be “fired” for his abrasive and arrogant “leaking” of a so-called classified report to the press, and I have heard Secretary of Defense Gates admonish him for having spoken to anyone about the report. I have also heard other key military figures state he had no business in Great Britain discussing his report; that he should have been at work in Afghanistan.

I am grateful to Vice President Biden for standing up for his concept of what should be happening regarding Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. I believe it is true that there are only a relative few Taliban and/or Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, and that the use of special forces over time might be a smarter way to go.

I believe it takes courage to say that we should begin leaving Afghanistan, and was pleased to hear Richard Engle who is very familiar with the situation in those countries say so. Your critics are already at work diminishing the propriety of your having been named as Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

You have stepped out in many areas, even if you have been unable to follow through on some of the areas – closing Guantanamo; your speeches abroad where you told the truth about America and its history; your commitment to end the ugly history between Israel and the Palestinians.

Your recent actions regarding Iran and your reluctance to speak out inappropriately during its corrupt election process demonstrated your ability to be patient when you felt that was the proper course of action. Your actions on nuclear proliferation, and your ongoing efforts to have America join hands with other countries instead of showing up as the arrogant boss.

You have engendered so much criticism and lack of cooperation on many issues – detainees, court actions . . . handling of financial crisis, taking over as President with so many problems on your agenda. Maybe this well-deserved prize will bring some sense to the Republicans who have attempted to pull the rug from under your feet.

Valla con Dios, que le valla bien.

Go with God, and may you be well,

Ida Estrada Casillas

(I spell phonetically in Spanish)

PS – Your grandma and mom would be so proud! Happy for your daughters!!