Re: email from Barack Obama

Today I received another email from President Barack Obama.  I must have received a dozen such emails since he won the office.

Because this particular email is a testimony to the power of humility, I thought that now would be a good time to bring up something that's been bugging me. 

Friend --

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize....

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Great great email, gracious, hits all the right notes for the occasion.   Most importantly, Obama acknowledges what we all -- deep in our hearts -- know to be true: that this American president has not yet earned this prize.  

Only one thing bothers me about the email.   That's the signature line:   

President Barack Obama.

President Barack Obama always signs his emails to me this way.  It annoys me.  I know he's the president.  Since his email represents something of a milestone in terms of presidential humility, I will take this as an opportunity to implore that the president consider signing his future emails "Barack Obama."

Certainly, now that he has won the Nobel Peace Prize, everyone now knows his job title.