A premature peace prize

Much to the surprise of most Americans, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama. Their decision was based on Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” They also noted his “vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.”

While the Nobel Committee — appointed by the Norwegian Parliament — may hope that Obama, a great orator with tremendous vision, will someday earn the prize, the fact is that, not even one year in office, the president has no trophies for accomplishment to put on his presidential mantel. While some have credited him for making an inspirational speech to the United Nations, that certainly doesn’t qualify him for a Nobel Prize. Where’s the beef, Mr. President?

Obama said he was surprised and humbled by the prize. You know what I am? Shocked and amazed by what was such an obvious political move by the committee. Were they hoping we would disarm and back off our aggression?

Ronald Reagan was president when the Berlin Wall came down. He helped forge the impossible, an unspoken understanding that neither East nor West Germany would use hostile force against each other. Unfortunately, Obama wasn’t able to broker such an understanding with Russia in dealing with Iran as it works to develop a nuclear bomb. Once again, the U.S. will be bullied and rebuffed for its attempts at diplomacy.

Obama has put aside plans to develop U.S. missile defense stations in Poland and the Czech Republic. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has decided that punishing Iran for secretly developing a potentially harmful nuclear energy program is counterproductive.

We must implement sanctions if Iran does not allow inspectors access to its nuclear sites. Obama was absolutely naïve in thinking that an act of appeasement toward the U.N. would help bring about cooperation. Many saw this move as a ploy to lure Russia into supporting sanctioning Iran.