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Joan Ball is a business professor at St. John’s University in New York and the author of Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life.
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?
posted October 9, 2009 at 12:45 pm
The phrase: He’s received a Nobel Peace Prize only 9 months into his Presidency. Quote, above.
He wasn’t born nine months ago, when you read of his life and books he has always showed his intention, character, and his manner and aura of himself which is one of Peace, and goodwill. The people of Europe and Scandinavia recognize this much more clearly than the fighting Politicians, Attention grabbing Media, or the brainwashed Republicans in the U.S.
posted October 9, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Yes, I read that article and I believe the idea was that they hoped that by awarding him the prize, they’d be adding to his cache and influence, and might be assisting his FUTURE peacemaking efforts. I think they hoped their decision might be considered an ethical use of the committee’s power to influence world events for the better. Not sure if it will work though if everyone thinks it’s a joke and the prize is already considered so devalued. It might have backfired on them.
posted October 13, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Just to put this in perspective, Mohandas Gandhi is someone that was truly deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, and he wasn’t awarded one.
As described in Nobel’s will, one part was dedicated 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”
To date, Barack Obama hasn’t accomplished anything of note to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. You don’t award someone Nobel Peace Prize for something they haven’t done yet.
posted December 11, 2009 at 11:32 am
i read this article and i very much agree with it, Obama hasn’t done much to earn it, yeah he might of written some books but so has Stephanie Meyers, there are people far more worthy of getting it than him, just cause he’s the first black president don’t mean nothing, and i am not just a damn brainwashed republican i am a worried citizen