Obama's Nobel prize

The news that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize was at first shocking.

The deadline to file nominations for the prize was February 1st. He had served just 4 years - less than one full term - in the Senate and had been president for 12 days at the point of the deadline.

And of course, it's extremely doubtful that the nomination was filed right at the deadline, so it's very possible it was filed before he took office.

What has Obama accomplished for peace to earn such an award?

That was my first question. But I think it's the wrong question.

The right question is, "What does the award really mean?"

The truth is, I don't know how the committee defines who has most fought for peace.

One thing I do know: Jimmy Carter and Al Gore have won the award.

Let's be serious, if Jimmy Carter can win the award, can't anyone?

Those who arguably contributed to peace more than any other presidents include Franklin Roosevelt (WWII), John F Kennedy (space program) and Ronald Reagan (Cold War - "peace through strength"). They're nowhere to be found in the annals of Nobel Peace Prize winners.

And yet, a one-term president who was soundly defeated in 1980 for total ineffectiveness - and has contributed little since then beyond talking about what he thinks about peace - somehow has walked away with the prize.

The point is, the Nobel Peace Prize has no relevance unless you respect the institution that it is.

Frankly, I can't find a compelling reason to respect it.