When Alfred Nobel died on December 10, 1896, it was discovered that he had left a will, dated November 27, 1895, according to which most of his vast wealth was to be used for five prizes, including one for peace.
The prize for peace was to be awarded 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 of peace congresses." The prize was to be awarded "by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting."
To read more of the history of the Nobel Peace Prize, link provided courtesy of Sheria :o), who in her entry reminds us that President Obama has been talking of his philosophy of peace and dialogue for more than three years now, starting with his campaign. It was Sheria's entry that inspired me to make this entry, so thank you friend.
At the bottom of the history link, is a summary. I think this statement helps sum it up: "Different kinds of statesmen were awarded the Peace Prize, some for addressing global concerns, others for helping to solve regional crises, still others for the general principles they espoused. The human rights category was added to the list and gradually became perhaps the most numerous one."
An another quote: "...the Norwegian Nobel Committee has increasingly come to use the Peace Prize not only as a reward for achievements accomplished, but also as an incentive for the Laureates to achieve even more. This may be said to reflect the growing courage of the committee members or, perhaps more accurately, the increasing stature of the Nobel Peace Prize."
Peace has never been defined by the Nobel Committee, which I think is fitting as it means different things at different times. Regardless of how the minority in our country feel about President Obama, the world has hope that he can be true to his words and help bring about change. It is that hope, and President Obama's consistent rhetoric and demeanor, that in my opinion, has made him a worthy recipient of this noble honor.
[applauding] Well said!
ReplyDeleteAs I commented on Sheria's excellent entry, this same arrogance that is being exhibited in questioning the Committee's decision and motives, or in saying that Pres. Obama should not accept the award, is exactly one of the things that made the world hate us for so many years. We have a chance to turn that around, and have started to do so with this President. I'm betting that much of the world is looking at people like Limbaugh and Beck, and those who hate our President no matter what he does, with extreme puzzlement, wondering what their problem is...and probably thinking they're more than a little addlebrained.
I give people like John McCain and Tim Pawlenty credit for simply saying "Congratulations, Mr. President," and even John Boehner at least had the good sense to just keep his mouth shut.
These haters strike me as juvenile as the wanna-bes in high school who hated the popular kid just because he or she was popular...no matter how nice or smart a person they were. They're like petulant children, and yes...the world is watching.
Hey, you're right. I AM kind of vocal about this. ;)
I love this entry. Yes, this is usually Beth's arena but you did a superb job! Kudos
ReplyDeleteHugs, Rose
Nice job, Ken. Both you and Beth have to read the article on Conservapedia on the Nobel Peace Prize. Beth may already have seen it since she's been reading it a lot lately! :) I have to think of it as comedy, as Beth says, or my head will explode.
ReplyDeleteWell done on this worthy post. :)
Thank you Bucko I think that you brought something else to the conversation. I was having this conversation with Allan and much of the idea behind the Nobel Peace Price is that the recipient has work towards making Peace an universal conversation. And is how the world things about our president. As some one that strives to achieve that. This is a big slapped in the face to all those ass hats that called Obama a Fascist.
ReplyDelete