Letters to the editor
Re “The peace prize? Really?” Editorial, Oct. 10, and “Prized for his Nobel words,” Opinion, Oct. 10
I kindly take exception to The Times’ editorial. Yes ... really. It is a world award.
Eight years of the prior administration set back American relations and respect in ways we still can’t measure. Maybe this was given because the world was thrilled to have survived the Bush years.
President Obama communicates at high and understandable levels and has done much to restore America’s image. This honor illustrates how grateful the world is to see “change we can believe in.”
By the way, I’m a lifetime registered Republican.
Lee Ferrero
Los Osos, Calif.
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I am so happy our president was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel committee’s belief that Obama deserved recognition “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” and his “vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons” far outweighs any criticism, including your disappointing editorial.
Achievement of Obama’s goals takes time. Promoting hope and the possibility for peace must be immediate in order to change the tenor of our times.
Madeline DeAntonio
Encino
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The Oslo vote of confidence has renewed expectation for actions to solve the biggest problems the world has ever faced.
The committee’s decision, much criticized, may turn out to have been, more than anything else, in the best interest of the causes championed by Obama, who clearly understands the honor as “a call to action.”
A substantial majority of Americans voted for Obama on the basis of his campaign promises for fundamental change. I recall excitement, hope and joy, and belief in the person who believed that together we can bring about that change.
I share the European perspective: It doesn’t diminish the honor; it increases the mandate for action.
A. Fleck
Venice
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Everyone, including Obama, seemed surprised at this award, especially so soon. The peace prize tends to be only a bad joke, useless and somewhat diminishing of the respect that all Nobel Prizes should earn. I am inclined to recommend to the committee that it eliminate the peace prize and replace it with a “war prize.” There would be many more candidates, and perhaps the criteria would be clearer. And maybe the world leaders of violence would take some measures to avoid being the winner.
Daryal Gant
La Crescenta
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After hearing that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize, I immediately wrote the Nobel committee telling them that although I had not really accomplished anything in the field of science, I am forever talking about how much we need a cure for cancer. Surely, I explained to the committee, that should make me a clear front-runner for next year’s Nobel in chemistry.
Steve Kowit
San Diego
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Obama’s peace efforts are a work in progress, but he is deserving of the award.
Not only has he returned the U.S. to engaging in true multilateral diplomacy to reduce international tension in key areas, resumed serious efforts to mediate a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and is reconsidering the feasibility of our continuing war efforts in Afghanistan, he is domestically pursuing a peaceful path in dealing with the belligerent and oppositional right wing of the Republican Party -- certainly another most challenging task.
Bill Hessell
Culver City
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Since Obama took office, the right wing has been working feverishly to delegitimate everything he says or does.
Sadly, The Times’ editorial concerning his Nobel Peace Prize plays right into the right’s strategy.
In casting such aspersions, The Times -- by damning with faint praise both the president and the Nobel committee -- has ranged itself alongside noxious America-haters.
If The Times had nothing supportive to say about the award to Obama, then it should have had the good grace to say nothing at all, or to limit its remarks to a pro forma congratulation.
Paul Marchand
Cathedral City
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It is difficult to think of anything that has happened in the last year that is more significant to world peace over the long term than Obama’s election.
It was something I did not expect to see in my lifetime. A progressive candidate of African descent won the presidency of the United States. This not only brings hope to the world, it confirms this country’s commitment to our ideals.
Joseph McCarty
Thousand Oaks
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In spite of his twisting, tormented attempt to justify Obama’s prize, Tim Rutten gets it right when he says that “commentators and politicians all over the map were denouncing the award as ‘absurd’
Carl Moore
Lomita