Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize

It was announced on October 9, 2009 that American President Barack Obama is this year’s recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace. The Nobel Foundation states that Obama was chosen "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." (Nobel Foundation) Controversy and debate ensued in the world wide media. Critics have debated Obama’s worthiness. Supporters have cited numerous examples of the current U.S. Presidents’ nobility. Obama does deserve this prestigious award. Nobel prizes are awarded for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics. In his will, award creator Alfred Nobel “specifically designated the
The columnist reiterates that Obama’s hesitation on making a decision in Afghanistan is "good leadership. It sends the right message about the Obama administration's intention to defeat the forces that attacked us on 9/11 and end as quickly as possible a war he inherited." Wickham continues, "Increased diplomatic contact with Cuba, recognizing the Honduran president's claim to office… and acknowledging that Israel isn't always right and that the Palestinians aren't always wrong.” He ends his defense of President Obama by stating. "Obama has done a lot in a short period of time to earn such a lofty honor.” Obama himself was said to be "surprised and deeply humbled.” (Newport) This is yet another example of why the current U.S. President does deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. Unlike his predecessor, Obama’s demeanour and attitude can perhaps begin to show the rest of the world that not all Americans are ignorant, aggressive and uneducated.