Promises of Change and Nobel Prize Snubs (Vertex Tangent)

This week’s Vertex Point discussed the Nobel committee’s decision to award a Peace Prize to President Barack Obama, and the many critics who rightly pointed out the lack of accomplishment in President Obama’s short stint in the White House. Av suggested that perhaps the committee’s motivation was that through Obama’s promise of change and action, he made the world a more peaceful place. In short, President Obama “has been able to set a new tone throughout the world” creating “a readiness for dialogue.” While Av called the award “premature” and “misplaced,” I believe the Nobel committee got it right.

Mahatma Gandhi once famously said: “Peace is its own reward.” Too often Nobel prize winners are people who have already accomplished something. Those people already have peace, and a second award is almost redundant. The Nobel committee needs to stop focusing on the actions people take, but rather on the promises that they make. Stop awarding discoveries and accomplishments, and start focusing on promises and potential.

That being the case, I think the committee needs to seriously reconsider some of their previous snubs. Here are some of the men who no doubt should have earned a Nobel Prize for their promises of change and calls to action:

Richard Nixon – Nobel Peace Prize
While Richard Nixon’s legacy is marred by the Watergate Scandal (those who have seen Frost/Nixon might have heard of it), many of us forget some of his boldest promises. Nixon, after two successful terms as Vice President, was elected President in 1969. During the campaign, Nixon portrayed “himself as a figure of stability in a time of national upheaval.” By 1969, the Vietnam War was in full swing, and Nixon promised “peace with honor,” and that “new leadership will end the war and win the peace in the Pacific.” While Nixon did not convey his specific plans on how to end the war, it was obvious that tipping his hand would interfere with the ongoing negotiations in Paris. Nixon’s promise was certainly bold and uplifting, and thus clearly worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize. – Thank God peace came so easily and swiftly.

Yahya Jammeh – Nobel Prize in Medicine
Yahya Jammeh is the current president of The Gambia. He took control of the country in a 1994 coup, and was elected president two years later, in September 1996. In January 2007, Jammeh claimed that he could cure HIV/AIDS with natural herbs. To date, more than twenty five million people around the world have died of AIDS-related diseases. The claim to be able to cure such a widespread epidemic is nothing short of heroic. While some know-nothings have questioned his remedy, Jammeh’s statements were clearly inspiring and uplifting, and therefore deserving of a Nobel Prize in Medicine. – Phew. Imagine if AIDS was still around.

Jimmy Carter – Nobel Prize in Economics
In 2002, Jimmy Carter was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, and became the only United States President to have received the award after leaving office. However, Carter was clearly snubbed by the Nobel committee for his efforts thirty years earlier. In a 1977 fireside chat, Carter, wearing a lovely sweater, promised to wage a war on the energy crisis. In 1979, he proclaimed: “I am tonight setting a clear goal for the energy policy of the United States. Beginning this moment, this nation will never use more foreign oil than we did in 1977 — never. From now on, every new addition to our demand for energy will be met from our own production and our own conservation.” While Carter was disappointed with his failed re-election bid in 1980, he should be even more upset with the Nobel Committee. Carter’s inspiring promise created a readiness for dialogue, and was more than deserving of a Nobel Prize. – Energy Crisis averted.

George W. Bush – Nobel Peace Prize
George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, experienced the unfortunate attacks of September 11th a mere eight months into his presidency. While Bush received much criticism regarding his handling of Hurricane Katrina and his broad tax cuts, he clearly had one shining moment of heroic declaration. In 2003, Bush embarked on Operation Iraqi Freedom, an operation that would free the Iraqi people and make the world a safer place. On May 1st, 2003, while aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, Bush declared the operation a success, displaying a banner of “mission accomplished” during a nationally televised address. Bush’s declaration of such quick achievement was both exhilarating and inspiring, and thus worthy of a Nobel Prize. – It would be a major debacle if his declaration was false.

Bob Hawke – Nobel Peace Prize
Bob Hawke was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia. After a decade working in the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Hawke was elected to the House of Representatives, and became Prime Minister within three years. 1987, Hawke promised that “by 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty.” For his optimistic and hopeful guarantee, Hawke surely warranted a Nobel Prize. – It would be really terrible if any Australian children still lived in poverty.