Obama wins Nobel Prize

[MillsJROSS]

My point isn't to critique why we're talking about this now. I understand why it's a topic of conversation. My point is merely to say, maybe we shouldn't be foaming at our mouths in anger at this news.

It just seems that given the importance some people have put to this award ceremony, it's strange that we've never heard their elation of a good pick in previous years.

We can argue back and forth as to whether or not awarding this him now will push him in the right direction. I think it's pointless to do so, since only time will tell. However, I don't think the award was a dangling carrot Obama was constantly running towards, and would have steered him in the right direction either.

It has at the very least peaked my interest and allowed me to look at some history. In the will of Alfred Nobel he talks about parceling the award money out in five chunks, the peace prize goes as follows...

and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.

Barack Obama has strongly been working to try to be more diplomatic and work together with other nations and has been pushing for peace talks in Israel and "Palestine". He stopped the US from torture. He set a timetable to remove troops from Iraq. Was in the forefront when North Korea launched a missile, condemning them and ordering sanctions, and condemned Iran when their secret nuclear facility was revealed. Allowed Cuban Americans to travel more and send money to their loved ones. He has also been fighting for nuclear proliferation.

I think we can at least stop pretending that he's done absolutely nothing to deserve this award. That this does not diminish the Nobel Peace Prize, unless he does a 180 and starts warmongering all over the place (not likely). That in the end who wins American Idol has been far more newsworthy the past five years.

-MillsJROSS