This is off topic, I know, and I always get a lot of heat for anything purely political.   However, if you disagree with the Nobel Prize Committee in their recent decision, you can leave your name and comment on this petition, which seems to be the most legitimate of the online petitions.   This petition should be kept relevant, so please don’t post jokes or false names.

It is unlikely to actually do anything in terms of changing what has been done, but it will at least make the descent from the citizens of the world a matter of record.   In my opinion this is a dark stain on the Nobel Prize Committee as it is so blatantly and obviously political and an example of the committee injecting themselves into politics and choosing a side.   It is also not appropriate for speculation based on intent, and in cases where the historical context cannot be judged, it is appropriate to wait some time.

In the past, the Committee has tried to avoid sensationalism and gaining attention.  Many prizes were not awarded until years after the actions of a person.  In this way the full impacts could be judged and the political and media circus could die down to leave things more dignified and free of sensationalism or conflict.   In other cases, the prize has been given shortly after an event when the a extreme magnitude was undeniable, such as brokering a major peace treaty.

Please do not feel limited to signing because you are not an American or a political type.  This is not a political issue, but rather an issue of history and the legacy of what was once one of the most prestigious honors in the world.   It is also about defending the legacy of those who have won in the past, including those whose efforts and achievements continue to touch all of us to this day.   As a citizen of the world, this prize is of your concern.  It is a high honor that was to live as more than just the legacy of Alfred Nobel, but to symbolize the best of humanity.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 1:50 am and is filed under History, Misc, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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