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He must return the Nobel Peace Prize; a prize reserved for peacemakers

By       (Page 1 of 3 pages)   3 comments
Message Michael Payne

Why in the world did the Nobel Committee award their peace prize to President Barack Obama? The prize, according to the Nobel guidelines, is to be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses. Just one thing is wrong with their decision. Mr. Obama, based on those guidelines, does not qualify.

While he had a great opportunity just recently to justify that award, he chose not to do so when he decided to once again escalate the Afghanistan War by adding another 30,000 to 35,000 more troops. That in no way can be interpreted as a decision a peacemaker would make. He is escalating a war; he is not ending it. The only way to even begin the process of trying to find a way to peace in Afghanistan is to remove our troops.

The second question is: Why in the world did Barack Obama accept this prestigious humanitarian award when, in his heart, he must fully realize that he neither qualifies nor deserves it? Does he seriously believe that he belongs in the company of these former prize winners all dedicated promoters of peace in our world?

1993 Nelson Mandela " President of the ANC (African National Congress), then President of the Republic of South Africa. In accepting said, "We stand here today as nothing more than a representative of the millions of our people who dared to rise up against a social system whose very essence is war, violence, racism, oppression, repression and the impoverishment of an entire people."

1989 Dalai Lama 14th " Tibet, religious and political leader of the Tibetan people. In accepting said, "I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human understanding and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings."

1979 Mother Teresa " India, Leader of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. In accepting said, "I choose the poverty of our poor people. But I am grateful to receive (the Nobel) in the name of the hungry, the naked, the homeless, of the crippled, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared-for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone."

1964 Martin Luther King Jr. " U.S., leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, campaigner for civil rights. In accepting said, "Granted that we face a world crisis which leaves us standing so often amid the surging murmur of life's restless sea. But every crisis has both its dangers and its opportunities. It can spell either salvation or doom. In a dark confused world the kingdom of God may yet reign in the hearts of men."

1952 Albert Schweitzer " Missionary surgeon, FounderLambarà nà Hospital in Rà publique du Gabon. In accepting said, "If altruism, reverence for life, and the idea of brotherhood can become living realities in the hearts of men, we will have laid the very foundations of a lasting peace between individuals, nations, and races.


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