Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

I'm already on record rooting for Greg Mortenson to win the Nobel Peace Prize. I'm inspired by his work and the risks he's taken to bring schools to Afghanistan and Pakistan and further peace in that troubled region. I saw the prize as a way to raise awareness about one man's path to peace -- an approach involving listening, learning and taking time to build constructive relationships -- a way of living that can be applied to many other efforts. I saw the granting of the prize as a way to inspire others to take risks.

Which is why my initial surprise about Obama's award has been followed with enthusiasm. Yes, we are all looking for concrete results. But it seems to me that the Norwegians' decision is less about tallying points already scored than about honoring a brave new strategy and inspiring others to take part. A strategy, by the way, that is consistent with Alfred Nobel's last will and testament of 1895 -- that a peace prize should be dedicated to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations....." 

Nobel also cited in his will the "abolition or reduction of standing armies" as worthy peace initiatives -- a goal that currently seems far, far away. But who can argue that Obama has not focused with great intensity on building fraternity between nations? Call it naive, if you want to pretend that America would benefit by a continued path of aggressive unilateralism, but Obama's open-handed approach is just what Nobel was seeking.  

And for anyone who imagines that approach to be soft or weak, it's worth remembering that Sweden's native son was no pushover: Alfred Nobel was the inventor of dynamite.

Comments

[Daniel]

I don't know, man.. I don't know.
I fundraise for Centra Asia Institute. I don't fundraise for the white house. that should tell ya something!!

[Daniel]

It seems to me that Obama says "Lets all be like Greg Mortenson"
so how that makes him the winner I just don't know

[Louis Vuitton Outlet]

Hang in there. Things will get better.

[ClubPenguinCheats]

I don't fundraise for the white house. that should tell ya something!!

[Ahmed]

It is not listed in the oaficifl Nobel Prize nomination database.Regardless, clearly, while a good movie, it didn't do more peace' than Obama could do. As you know, WWII still happened, as have numerous other battles around the world. Perhaps you should give the President the benefit of the doubt, or at least the chance to succeed.

[Eric]

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