Peace Prize: here's why
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Martin Luther King, Jr was a hero to my generation and in 1964 he became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
While those who had awarded the prize were no doubt congratulating themselves, Dr King was on his way home to certain death. The prize committee had inserted themselves directly into US internal politics. Dr King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 and I have despised the prize ever since. That prize was the last nail in the coffin of Dr King.
Recently, a Southeast Asian lady received the prize; she became an international celebrity, the effort became direct involvement in the internal politics of a Thai neighbour and now we are witnessing the negative results.
People who award these prizes do so for their self-aggrandisement, whether or not the recipients or other innocents are killed or destroyed as a result.
Can we tell Oslo and Washington to please stop getting involved in internal politics in Southeast Asia and to go massage their egos at someone else’s expense?
Guy Baker
Bangkok
