Hasty decisions are bad decisions

In these times of hardship, peace and justice are at the forefront of the minds of many all around the world. 

These are the things that come to mind when I think of a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

 However, I have been wondering about the most recent recipient President Barack Obama. Upon hearing that he had won the award, I was utterly shocked. He has only been in office for nine months and has made plans of action that have not even been implemented yet. I did not expect this at all.

In the past, the prize has gone to people who have actually done things, from Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight for civil liberties and equality to Mother Teresa, who gave her life to pursue help and health for others.

The reason listed over the president’s picture on the Nobel Web Site is, “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

In reality, he has not yet done anything to be deserving of such an award.
He has made plans, announcements and ideas, and he has given people hope of a greater tomorrow, but anyone can do that. 

I was not the only person who was surprised about this new development. Certain late-night television personalities decided to make our president the target of their humor.
During a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, comedian Fred Armisen portrayed President Obama talking about his accomplishments, listing all of the things that he has promised and showing that nothing he has set out to do has been accomplished.

Mahatma Gandhi, who stood in non-violent protest against the British in his native India, was nominated six times before he even won his first Nobel Peace Prize.

President Obama was nominated two weeks after his inauguration, after making the same bloated promises that many have made before him. He won after his very first nomination.

Ultimately, my point is that there are more deserving candidates to receive the honor of a Nobel Peace Prize. I am not saying that Obama should not get one at all, but I feel that it was a somewhat hasty decision since he has yet to accomplish any of his presidential goals.