In the case of Obama, his hubris is well known and well documented. He has so far shown an appropriate amount of humility in his comments about the award, stating that he didn't think that he was deserving. He is right and good for him for saying so. He appears to be somewhat chastened by the award, since it brought home to him what is obvious to many of us: he is a lightweight and a man of little real accomplishment. So plus points to Mr. Obama for finally showing some shred of humility.
Now to the nobel peace prize committee. It takes a lot of ego to think that the mere awarding of an admittedly once-prestigious award will somehow alter world events. The intent of the award has always been to highlight those true fighters for peace and freedom in this world who have actually either done something or are currently engaged in a struggle to overcome despotism of one flavor or another. Obama has done neither. He only offers the promise, as the committee said, that he will live up to the standards of the prize.
So what has the ego of the committee succeeded in doing? It has pointed out, quite clearly, Obama's short resume. The committee has also further debased the prestige of the award, if it had any left after being given to Yasser Arafat. This is the second prize given to an American politician that was really a slap in the face of George W. Bush, the first being the one given to Jimmeh Cahteh.
The nobel committee has made a farce of Obama and themselves, and it was its ego that did it.
*I will never again capitalize those three words.
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