Our President has won the Nobel Peace Prize. Wow! So now what? Instead of expressions of national pride for this honor, many questions have been raised. Contrary to what many Obama supporters say, questions are good. Awards are given out so often now that it is becoming a bit trite really. Awards are given out for everything from best recipe to ugliest dog. Kids get awards in sports for just showing up. But what is the point of giving awards in general? What will be the outcome of this award in particular?
President Obama won the award for diplomacy, his willingness and skill in working with other leaders and keeping peace. Some question whether President Obama should accept this award considering he hasn’t even been in office a year and hasn’t had enough time to “accomplish” anything. Others say the President deserves this award because he has been willing to take a risk in going against the former American diplomacy strategy of might makes right. The Nobel Prize Committee has said Barack Obama deserves this award for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
So what should happen now? Some people say all the questions are just another example of unfair scrutiny of Obama. After all, other questionable people have won this and other awards without getting all the flack. However, the President knows he will always get extra examination and accepts it without complaint. When awards are given, the choice should be taken seriously. An award is recognition from one’s peers. It is a prize. But it is also a duty. The award winner becomes a standard bearer, a symbol and representative model. When we give awards, we should keep this in mind. Maybe now that so much close inspection is being done in this case, we will take more care in our choices in the future.
Also, when we receive awards we should handle it as an undertaking of responsibility and not an ego enhancer. In fact, the President has called this honor a humbling call to action. He says that he is more inspired to continue his work in nuclear non-proliferation, reversal of the global economic shutdown and resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Bible says peacemakers shall be called the children of God. Barack Obama has been declared a peacemaker among peacemakers. The Nobel Committee said that our President has “captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.” Those of us who consider it a duty to work to make the world better can look to this distinction and be inspired.
President Obama won the award for diplomacy, his willingness and skill in working with other leaders and keeping peace. Some question whether President Obama should accept this award considering he hasn’t even been in office a year and hasn’t had enough time to “accomplish” anything. Others say the President deserves this award because he has been willing to take a risk in going against the former American diplomacy strategy of might makes right. The Nobel Prize Committee has said Barack Obama deserves this award for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
So what should happen now? Some people say all the questions are just another example of unfair scrutiny of Obama. After all, other questionable people have won this and other awards without getting all the flack. However, the President knows he will always get extra examination and accepts it without complaint. When awards are given, the choice should be taken seriously. An award is recognition from one’s peers. It is a prize. But it is also a duty. The award winner becomes a standard bearer, a symbol and representative model. When we give awards, we should keep this in mind. Maybe now that so much close inspection is being done in this case, we will take more care in our choices in the future.
Also, when we receive awards we should handle it as an undertaking of responsibility and not an ego enhancer. In fact, the President has called this honor a humbling call to action. He says that he is more inspired to continue his work in nuclear non-proliferation, reversal of the global economic shutdown and resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Bible says peacemakers shall be called the children of God. Barack Obama has been declared a peacemaker among peacemakers. The Nobel Committee said that our President has “captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.” Those of us who consider it a duty to work to make the world better can look to this distinction and be inspired.
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