Nobel Peace Prize Alternatives

In reading the announcement this morning that Barack Obama had been given the Nobel Prize for Peace, I (like many others) thought: Afghanistan.

Since receiving McChrystal's recommendation for more troops, Obama has been grappling with what to do in Afghanistan. He's had a couple weeks already, and will likely need a couple more. It's not an easy decision. And the timing of the Peace Prize announcement seems especially awkward considered the monumental decision to be made.

That said, I think there are many other more deserving (and less awkward) to give the award to. I'm no expert on the competitive field of Peace Prize candidates, but I would have given the award to....

Morgan Tsvangirai- formed a unity government with Mugabe--after an election was blatantly stolen from him. Was nearly beaten to death by Mugabe's police a few years ago. If that's not living by a turn-the-other-cheek, Peace-loving worldview, I don't know what is. He avoided falling in to the common pitfall of civl-war African states. What's more he's travelled around the world rallying for aid money, and he's liberalized Zimbabwe's dismal economy. In short, if I were a Zimbabwean, he'd be the only thing to make optimistic about my cholera filled, inflation scarred nation. And I know personal tragedy shouldn't factor in, but his wife died this past year. This guy's had a rough year of it. Plus giving him the award would bring some much needed attention to Zimbabwe and his coalition government at a time when Mugabe is showing he will never live up to the power sharing agreement.

There are countless other figures who I'm sure are much deserving, but I'd go with Tsvangirai.

Zimbabwe turns 29: Mugabe Quotes!

Man is this going to sound pessimistic, but here it goes.

Mugable circa 2001:

The MDC will never form the government of this country, never ever, not in my lifetime or even after I dies. Ndinya kupikirei ndinomuka chidhoma—I swear my ghost will come after you. (Meredith: 177)


The MDC should never be judged or characterized by its black trade union face; by its youthful student face; by its black suburban junior professionals; never by its rough and violent high-density [urban] elements. It is much deeper, whiter, and wider than these human superficies; for it is immovable and implacably moored in the colonial yesteryear and embraces wittingly or unwittingly the repulsive ideology of return to white settler rule. MDC is as old as strong as the forces and interests that bore and nurtured it; that converge on and control it; that drive and direct it; indeed that support, sponsor and spur it. It is a counter-revolutionary Trojan Horse contrived and nurtured by the very inimical forces that enslave and oppressed our people yesterday. (Meredith: 192)

Mugabe 2009:

As Zimbabweans, we need to create an environment of tolerance, and treat one another with dignity and decency, irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, tribe, political or religious affiliation

...We are grateful that the formation of an inclusive government has allowed the spirit of oneness in which we celebrate our 29th year of independence. (al jazeera)

Needless to say, I seriously question the longevity of this coalition government. If I were Tsvangirai, I'd be very scared that Mugabe was going to do something crazy.