This past Friday I signed on to facebook and I saw a poll that asked if the president should decline the Nobel Peace Prize. I thought about it for a minute and then I ruminated over it a bit some more. First of all, I had no clue he was up in the running for this award. But it is a customary practice for the board/committee in charge to keep secret the names of the individuals considered. I asked a friend if in the entire history of the Nobel Peace Prize, has anyone ever declined the award and the reply was no. So why in the world would President Obama decline it? So I read an excerpt where the president said he would consider the award and let everyone know what he decided and I am so glad that after his consideration he has accepted it. He explained that it is not always what you have done necessarily that the award is given to you, but sometimes what you stand for. So this made me look at the president as not only a man and a leader. But a movement. Now to some dissenters this may look like I am making the president into a hero or messiah, but, really; if a board of Swedish people want to give him one of the most prestigious awards on this planet- doesn't he deserve it?
This made me think who would check yes for this poll. Probably most of the haters who hasn't given the President a chance even before he stepped into office. These are the same people to this day who question the legitimacy of the president from his birth to what, if any, are his religious affiliations. I don't know who put that poll up on facebook, but one thing is clear, that some people will say he doesn't deserve the award. Some of his supporters say that he should be careful to not take the award because he hasn't accomplished many of the goals he has set out since he came into office. Only time will tell if the award was given on good faith, or on good merit. I believe the latter to be true.
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In honoring President Obama, the Nobel Committee stated: "Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."The Committee highlighted President Obama's work on nuclear disarmament, adding that "Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play," said the committee.
ReplyDeleteThe question is:Is there a ranking system when several persons are competing for the prize?
The Norwegian Nobel Committee thinks there are many different roads to peace; that is why there are many different kinds of Nobel Laureates: people ranging from President BARACK OBAMA for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.(2009)to MARTTI AHTISAARI for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts(2008). Crtics should learn first, the chriteria for winning the Noble Prize, and review who had received the prize in the past and the reason why they earned, before judging whether President Obama fits in that category.
Good post and reply.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I want to say that I support many of the President's decisions (but not all of them) and his ideology, but I don't know if I would have checked 'yes' or 'no' in the poll.
It takes time to create meaningful and lasting change and the President has been in office for less than a year. The true test of any President is the legacy they leave behind when they leave office. I hope that the policies of President Obama will create the kind of change that is worthy of the Nobel Peace prize, but only time will tell.
However, after reading Janviere's reply, I think there is also a solid argument that he does deserve the prize for inspiring diplomats, politicians, and everyday people to pursue more peaceful resolutions to the world's problems.
The president has come so far and has many more miles to go. But Dam give the man something. He has worked hard to get to this place. Have seen him in action? Recently I went to one of his speeches at Maryland Univeristy. He spoke on health care reform. I mean, he debated hard for change. Not only did he give that speech in MD but in many other states. He even states that the bill will take time to affect America but he has faith. His actions show that he is willing to fight the battle. I seen him sweating, like he was working a labor job. So even if he doesnt get the bill passed, do we say he didnt try hard enough. Give the man something. Nobel or whatever, must we work everyone like a slave to say they have earned it.
ReplyDeleteThe Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most recognized and honorable awards given out by Norwegian Nobel Committee. However, some people felt a cloud of disappointment arise when hearing Barack Obama was awarded the prize in 2009. Perhaps the true reason of disappointment was not because it was he who was awarded, but because of their chosen reason. They claimed to have chosen him based on the activities he stated he will fix in the future, for instance, the falling economy and nuclear weapons. For past winners, it was always awarded to them based on what they’ve already accomplished for society. For example, President Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize because of his hard work to peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Memorable Mother Theresa was also honored with the prize along with Martin Luther King Jr; both were given the prize because of their powerful wars against society and discrimination. It is understandable for American’s to be at least somewhat surprised Barack Obama is already being awarded for act’s he has yet to measure up to.
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