Update: Perhaps the move wasn’t such a surprise to everyone. Reuters reported on Wednesday about rumblings that the Nobel Committee was trying to return to its activist roots, and quoted Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the International Peace Institute in Oslo, “It’s quite likely this committee will reward somebody who is engaged in current processes.”
Well, if that was their intention, I’m much more on board. See below for my original entry.
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In a move that seems to have taken everyone by surprise (White House included), the Nobel Committee announced that it has awarded President Obama the peace prize this year — only 9 months into a tumultuous presidency.
First, I have to say, I’m a big fan of Obama. However, I’m wondering if they should call this the preemptive peace prize.
Has Obama truly earned this honor just yet? I’m convinced he will eventually earn it. But I say give the man a chance. If I were the president (ooohh if only), I wouldn’t feel any joy receiving the award; I’d feel undeserving and a bit inadequate.
It’s early days in the firestorm of discussion that is sure to follow, but the only rebuttal I’ve read that works for me comes from Thorbjorn Jagland, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and a former prime minister of Norway who says, “We have to get the world on the right track again.”
We really do, and I honestly believe Obama will work with the world to do that. But…he hasn’t done it yet.
What do you think?
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