As an American citizen and soldier, with a blog that often speaks about issues of war and peace, I’d be remiss if I didn’t weigh-in about Barack Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Regardless of our opinions of President Obama’s politics, Americans can and should feel justifiably proud that the Nobel Committee chose to bestow this honor upon him. He has joined an elite group of U.S. Presidents – Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. (Jimmy Carter was chosen after his presidency ended.)
Does Obama deserve this? Perhaps not. He even admitted as much in his speech Friday morning, by noting that he was “surprised and humbled.” But he got the award anyway.
What should we think of this? Is this appalling politics, or an affirmation of American foreign policy under the Obama administration?
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Admittedly, President Obama has scarcely been on the job long enough to have made the difference that previous Nobel Prize winners have made. For example, consider Bishop Desmond Tutu, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa (who also opined Mr. Obama has not yet contributed enough to earn recognition), and others who devoted years of their lives for their respective causes before being recognized by the Nobel Committee.
Obama’s administration still has a long way to go in making its mark on world peace. We’re still at war with terrorists, and are embroiled in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Perhaps the recognition was a bit premature. But what of it? The selection committee had plenty of other candidates to consider, and yet chose to recognize the American president. They had their reasons.
Analysts will spend hours writing about the award’s effects on President Obama, on U.S. Foreign Policy, and on the world at-large. Much will be said about the sense of obligation it may create for the President’s administration.
But one thing is for sure – Mr. Obama didn’t nominate himself, nor did he campaign to win the award. This isn’t like a U.S. Presidential election. He had no input, and shouldn’t be blamed for the committee’s choice. Instead, he should be congratulated.
DEEP IRONY BEHIND THE “PEACE” PRIZE
The Nobel Prize for Peace had an ironic beginning. It’s named for the inventor of dynamite – who believed TNT would be such a destructive weapon that no one would use it. He presumed that it would bring an end to warfare. Obviously, Mr. Nobel’s assumption was wrong. Dead wrong.
His invention has been used in wars ever since, to cause horrific destruction. And yet the prize and its legacy remains. It’s awarded by an international committee whose members must choose someone they believe has done (or perhaps will do) the most to forward the cause of world peace.
WHY CELEBRATE?
Whether we think our President has done much for this cause yet or not, the International Nobel Committee has seen fit to award him this year’s prize for peace. The committee says it feels Mr. Obama’s efforts towards denuclearization and international diplomacy have gone far in reducing tensions in the world, and should lead to further peace. Of course, the last part remains to be seen.
However, we as Americans can and should rejoice that our President was chosen for this auspicious award.
Even if he hasn’t done enough yet to deserve the award, he deserves to be congratulated.
Congratulations, President Obama! This American soldier encourages you to keep working for peace. Our country’s future depends upon it.
Jeff
