Can We Have Our Nobel Prize Now?

Barack Obama? Really?!

I was completely shocked yesterday to wake up and find that U.S. President Barack Obama had been awarded the Nobel Prize for peace. From 205 nominees, the Nobel Committee decided that this international celebrity was deserving of this prize, despite the fact that he was nominated eleven days after taking office and is just coming off the back of a complete failure in the international community after his attempt to bring the Olympics to his home of Chicago. This president has not even achieved what he intended in his short term domestically, let alone in foreign policy.

But wait, lets ignore the escalating war in Afghanistan and the inequitable steps taken in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a moment and give the Nobel Committee some credit. Perhaps we should look at the reason cited for awarding the peace prize to Barack Obama. "The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons." When we consider that Obama has really done very little to work for a world without nuclear weapons, it is clear that this award is for intentions. Giving a peace prize for the intentions of peace and for the potential of peace is simply ridiculous. Surely the Nobel Committee should be more concerned with tangible efforts that have really helped create peace in the world, not hopeful promises. They don't award Olympic medals for people who intend to excel and they should not for what was once the most illustrious award one could receive.

There is an even worse implication from this award. What straight thinking, empathetic and decent person would not wish for a world without nuclear weapons? Even political "hawks" would happily get rid of these abominations if it could be assured that they were completely eradicated from every country. In giving this award for the vision of Barack Obama, the Nobel Committee has implied that this vision of peace is lacking in everyone else. Apparently, Obama's hope for world peace is more pure and wholesome than ours and so should be awarded. In effect, the Nobel Committee has derided the rest of humanity that had a vision of world peace long before Obama appeared.

The Nobel Committee needs to award everyone a peace prize or fall into disrepute. This is the only way to give the rest of us our robbed dignity back.

-The English Student

A Victory Speech For Barack Obama

Fellow Americans, we have arrived at a momentous occasion.

It has taken us a long time to get here, we have seen prejudice, violence and hatred in our history. Not only hatred towards African Americans, but women, old, young and Hispanic Americans. Their voice was often unheard, their dreams denied.

But I believe that today we have heard the voice of this country. It is a voice that has rung out strong amongst the cynics, a voice that has shattered the myth of apathy and declared with thundering certainty: Yes we can!

Of course, having the power to change is just a step towards this change. We must put aside our old divisions and look for unity when facing the challenges ahead. As two opposing sides, we will only create enmity. But as one, we can affect great change for the future of our country, and the future of our world.

I have heard your voice today and together, we can face whatever comes tomorrow.

-The English Student

U.S. Presidential Nominations

After clinching the Republican nomination, John McCain commended his running mates for an honourable and fair process. Unfortunately for him, the "honour" of this contest may be the undoing of his party this year.

Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have fought a long and protracted competition, moving from coast to coast in a bid to clinch the Democratic nomination for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. At times, this battle has been anything but honourable, with both sides trading blows on a personal level.

The global attention garnered from these often petty attacks has created a worrying situation for any detractor of the Democratic Party. By firmly grasping the majority of media coverage, Obama and Clinton have become the main focal points of this election. The seemingly underhanded techniques of each campaign have ensured that this nomination has basically become the actual presidential election.

But this is not the only advantage gained from the high level of awareness the Democratic candidates have reaped. By drawing attention to their campaigns, the policies and ideals that Obama and Clinton stand for have become accountable and intensely debated. This creates a more transparent version of the political competition and in doing so, the Democrats are assured to emerge with a candidate that has well developed and defensible opinions.

In what is essentially a broken democratic system, it is something of a relief to find at least some accountability.

-The English Student