The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Barack Obama, though unexpected, is confirmation that the international community recognizes visionaries and what they stand for.

The president has brought hope for peace and disarmament to a world in dire need of someone or something to believe in. The fact that he received the award early in his term should be applauded, not ridiculed, by fellow Americans and serve as a symbol of the United States’ commitment to global order and stability.

It is refreshing for a change that a leader of our country was recognized for efforts aimed at achieving solidarity and peace around the world and goes a long way toward improving America’s reputation that was severely damaged by the Bush administration’s policies.

Political pundits, such as Glenn Beck, are too shallow-minded and agenda-directed to acknowledge the significance of the award and would rather concentrate their criticism on the length of time the president was in office when the award was bestowed than to accentuate the noteworthiness of the achievement. Political alignments should be put aside and true Americans should rally behind the president and the ideals that we stand for.

The American public demonstrated its desire to change the world’s perception of us as a nation by electing a true visionary and someone who will tirelessly lay the groundwork for improving world relations. The president faces a gargantuan task that may or may not be achieved during his administration, but he will certainly begin a sturdy foundation upon which we can build on.

Critics have deemed that the award was given prematurely and that the president’s objectives have not been met, but almost universally would have to agree that the desired fruition begins with the planting of good seed. Mr. Obama has made his positions known and the Nobel committee responded with a faith-based nod of approval that among the nominees for this year’s award, the president was the person who exemplified the values and commitment to world peace and harmony that Alfred Nobel established as a prerequisite when he wrote his last will and testament.

The current state of the world did not occur overnight, nor should it be expected to improve drastically any time soon. Sustained efforts of dedicated people, such as our president, will surely in time erode some of the barriers that men have erected as invisible fortifications that threaten the very existence and harmony of the world’s inhabitants.

Obama has marveled the world with his achievements and winning the Noble Peace Prize is one of the many accolades that he will eventually receive. His humble acceptance of the award is characteristic of those who are destined for greatness and will serve as an example to those who devote their lives to the promotion of good will and the improvement of international relations. As for me, I say, a remarkable achievement for a remarkable man.

— Harold Thomas, Orangeburg

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