The decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to First Term US President Obama has made the Nobel committee an international laughing stock. The decision for the President to accept the award has done the same for him, especially directly following the Olympics fiasco.
Yes, it wasn’t his decision to be named as this year’s award winner. But it was his decision how to respond. With it, he was given a great opportunity to win political points at home and abroad for both him and the US.
Here is what he should’ve said:
“I’d like to thank Nobel Committee for acknowledging the efforts WE in American have been making to encourage peace and democracy within America and around the world. This for the most part has always been our understood mandate.
Since it is apparent that both the Nobel Committee and the US share these similar values, we would like to recognize those who have not only strived and sacrificed, but also succeeded in their efforts.
Therefore we will accept this award in the name of …….”
At this point, the president could name any number of deserving people at his discretion and who embody issues he would like to raise attention to. Here is an example with the person who many believe really should have won:
“Therefore we will accept this award in the name of an incredible accomplished woman fighting for the well being, rights, and democracy of her own people in Afghanistan, Dr. Sima Samar. Dr. Samar, the Chairman for the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Dr. Samar was forced to flee after her husband was arrested. He was never heard from again. In Pakistan, Dr. Samar worked to set up medical services for Afghan refugees. In 1987, she helped open the first hospital for women, staffed by women in Quetta, Pakistan. In 1989, she established the Shuhada Organization, a non-governmental and non-profit organization committed to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan with special emphasis on the empowerment of women and children.”
Now he would have been in a position to win points AND create support to do what he needs to not only conclude the war in Afghanistan but also attack its corruption.
To outright reject the award, although appropriate since it was undeserved, would have been greatly damaging and embarrassing the Nobel people. Instead, simply deflecting the award to worthy candidates would not have only boosted his dignity but also the issues that are dear to him.
It would be nice to see Obama's administration take a page from Reagan's who kept as a working principle: There is no limit to what can be accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit.
But alas, it seems the NOBEL has lost its nobility
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