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Barack Obama should not have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize.
Instead, he should have indicated that he's only been president for a short time, and other candidates were more deserving. By doing so, the president would have garnered admiration from the global community and goodwill for America from such an act of humility.
But Obama decided to accept the award, so now he must begin to earn it.
Since it's a “peace prize” that's at stake, the president must accomplish one or more of the following: avoid or end a war, expose and speak against humanrights violations, feed starving people and/or prevent disease.
Below are several initiatives that, if accomplished, would greatly improve Obama's resume: • Stop fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bring our troops home, and end the massive expenditures that could then be used for more productive purposes domestically.
• Demand that health care reform be enacted with a public option and other measures that reduce medical expenses for all Americans.
• Shut down Gitmo. Obama promised this during his presidential campaign, and he's been delaying the closure ever since. This facility is an embarrassment to the United States, as prisoners were abused on a regular basis. Additionally, the president should begin an effort to clean up our domestic prison system, which is disgraceful and fraught with similar human-rights violations.
• End the “Don't ask, don't tell” military policy. Enable gays and lesbians to serve our country in the armed forces without bias. Further, Obama should work diligently to enact legislation that would allow gays and lesbians to marry and enjoy the same rights as traditional married couples.
• Stop turning our backs to humanrights violations in China, Russia, Africa and the Middle East, even if it complicates diplomatic relations.
• Lead the effort to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. However, peaceful means should be exhausted before employing military force. The threat of a nuclear Iran would be too disruptive to the region. • Dedicate significantly more money for research to end the scourge of AIDS worldwide and all the other diseases that plague the African continent.
• Continue to push for a reduction in global warming. The future of our planet is at stake.
• Bring the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to an end after years of false starts and the loss of so many lives.
I understand any of these items is a tall order. But I think most would agree that accomplishing several of them would certainly justify the Nobel Peace Prize for our president.
Sal Bommarito is a novelist and frequent visitor to Vail over the past 20 years.
Instead, he should have indicated that he's only been president for a short time, and other candidates were more deserving. By doing so, the president would have garnered admiration from the global community and goodwill for America from such an act of humility.
But Obama decided to accept the award, so now he must begin to earn it.
Since it's a “peace prize” that's at stake, the president must accomplish one or more of the following: avoid or end a war, expose and speak against humanrights violations, feed starving people and/or prevent disease.
Below are several initiatives that, if accomplished, would greatly improve Obama's resume: • Stop fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bring our troops home, and end the massive expenditures that could then be used for more productive purposes domestically.
• Demand that health care reform be enacted with a public option and other measures that reduce medical expenses for all Americans.
• Shut down Gitmo. Obama promised this during his presidential campaign, and he's been delaying the closure ever since. This facility is an embarrassment to the United States, as prisoners were abused on a regular basis. Additionally, the president should begin an effort to clean up our domestic prison system, which is disgraceful and fraught with similar human-rights violations.
• End the “Don't ask, don't tell” military policy. Enable gays and lesbians to serve our country in the armed forces without bias. Further, Obama should work diligently to enact legislation that would allow gays and lesbians to marry and enjoy the same rights as traditional married couples.
• Stop turning our backs to humanrights violations in China, Russia, Africa and the Middle East, even if it complicates diplomatic relations.
• Lead the effort to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. However, peaceful means should be exhausted before employing military force. The threat of a nuclear Iran would be too disruptive to the region. • Dedicate significantly more money for research to end the scourge of AIDS worldwide and all the other diseases that plague the African continent.
• Continue to push for a reduction in global warming. The future of our planet is at stake.
• Bring the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to an end after years of false starts and the loss of so many lives.
I understand any of these items is a tall order. But I think most would agree that accomplishing several of them would certainly justify the Nobel Peace Prize for our president.
Sal Bommarito is a novelist and frequent visitor to Vail over the past 20 years.
