Obama's Nobel Prize: Honor or Epitaph?

President Barack Obama is one of just three U.S. presidents to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize while in office. In 1905, Theodore Roosevelt was honored for his role in ending the Russo-Japanese war.

Woodrow Wilson received the prize in 1919 following his work to secure a framework for a post-World War I peace and the founding of the League of Nations. Of these honored statesmen, Barack Obama is the only one to have received the prize based on his potential achievements, an action which has sparked outrage from the president's critics.

The fact that nominations closed merely 11 days after he took the oath of office only serves to exacerbate the offensiveness of the award. In reality, none of the 44^th president's campaign promises have been fulfilled, a fact that even the Obama-worshipping writers of NBC's Saturday Night Live have finally tapped into as a satirical resource.

According to the official Nobel Foundation website, "The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and a cash award."

It goes on to explain that there are indeed two types of Nobel Peace Prize - achievement-based awards and what is known as an "aspirational" prize. I don't know about anyone else but, in my opinion, the idea of giving such a prestigious award based on what someone aspires to do is ridiculous. Just imagine the ensuing fallout if the Olympic committee were to give a gold medal to an athlete because of his or her ambition to win a competition.

As a writer, the Pulitzer Prize is the most coveted of all honors and, while it is not something I actively pursue, my objective has always been to offer written works which are thoughtful, informational, educational or entertaining while being beneficial to my fellow man - in short, "Pulitzer-worthy."

But now that I know one can be recognized for the mere desire for achievement, I am disappointed that the Pulitzer committee has yet to honor me. Since I finish every article I start to write, I at least have some chance (however remote) of actually completing a piece of work that would earn such a prestigious honor. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, may not be as lucky with his pre-emptive accolade.

While admirable, the president's hope for a world that is free of nuclear weapons is by no means unique. Many people have campaigned to limit or eliminate the threat of nuclear war.

From heads of state to everyday people, there are countless millions who have given their life's work to the endeavor. Of course, the 48-year-old president is not the only person to have such an honor bestowed on him with insufficient merit.

Former Vice President Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to reduce global warming and promote strict environmental standards. He has used virtually every known media to lecture the public on the looming ecological disasters facing the planet and the personal responsibility of each citizen to do their part in support of his cause.

Mr. Gore, however, seems to be somewhat hypocritical in his own efforts since he has yet to give up his own gas-guzzling Hummer SUV fleet and private jet. If the environmental calamity is so dire that a Nobel Prize was warranted for his warnings, he should at least pretend to practice what he is preaching.

Until this week, most people probably thought the Nobel Peace Prize recognized actual achievements that would eventually benefit mankind in some way. Actually, the selection is quite subjective and, though it is a little known fact, the committee which awards the honor can also nominate people to the list of potential recipients.

Nevertheless, giving the prize to Barack Obama on such insubstantial grounds and unrealized promises seems frivolous. Many conspiracy theorists even believe the initial nomination was a publicity stunt organized by the incoming administration.

If so, Mr. Obama's own people may have secured a place for him in history as one of the most ineffective presidents since Jimmy Carter. The shiny new Nobel medal around his neck could turn out to be a symbol of incredible expectations and unfulfilled promises.

Author Gery L. Deer is an independent writer and journalist based in Ohio. For more information, go online to www.gerydeer.com