Good Reason for Prize

Thorb explains it all:

"He got the prize because he has been able to change the international climate," Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said. "Some people say, and I understand it, isn't it premature? Too early? Well, I'd say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond — all of us."

It might be too late in three years. You've got to reward these things while they still seem good.

How bout we judge this new international climate by looking at what has changed. Is Ahmadinejad any more disposed to peace? Is Putin? Has the Taliban made any gestures of peace? Chavez and Castro have said nice things but what are they doing differently?

No, this prize is very much like having the wait staff at Bennigans singing you Happy Birthday. Everyone involved knows that there's no reason for it, but it seems nice. We want to congratulate you for not being dead yet and for coming to our restaurant.