Awakening the Past to Save the Future

The political arena in the USA is laden with demands for instant gratification. We have been conditioned by the media and our own frenzy to expect immediate results whatever the problem. Knee-jerk reactions are typical responses to virtually any proposed change, and if the outcome takes more than a month we write it off as failure. Well then we are all failures if that is the case. The real industrial age began with the stone age and the advent of the bronze age many thousands of years ago. We have now mastered weapons of self-destruction and have used the atom bomb to kill thousands of humans. The art of self destruction has nearly matured and we can be thankful that we have some time to prevent its full maturation. The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama speaks to the wisdom of the Nobel committee who recognizes that we, the world, has the good fortune to have President Obama as the leader of the USA and the flag bearer of a nuclear weapon-free world.

The Nobel Prize Linus Pauling who won for characterizing the RNA molecule advocated cessation of all atmospheric testing of nuclear weapon because the fall out was deadly. His book written in the 1950's, "No More War" expressed his passionate belief that a peaceful world was possible, but it required recognition of the self-destructive path we were taking in developing and employing atom bombs. His message is resonating amongst some in the world who understand the essential need to abolish all atom bombs. President Obama is foremost amongst those.

President Obama has voiced his plan to eliminate all atom bombs by initiating a vigorous stockpile reduction program and the eventual destruction of all atom bombs. He understands that this need is vital to assure world peace and to avoid possible obliteration of life on Earth.

The Nobel Committee recognized his avowed purpose to eliminate atom bombs and and to attempt to create a more peaceful world. Like Linus Pauling, President Obama understands that the world's ultimate future is dependent upon creating a world where the capability for instantaneous immolation is replaced by a universal quest for peace.

The past tells us that instant change is illusionary and that only learning lessons from past mistakes and taking steps to correct them will do so. Those who clamor for instant gratification are incapable of learning from the past mistakes and fail to recognize how human inability to admit failure must be overcome before new paths can be taken.

President Obama recognizes that we must change but he also recognizes that we must learn to understand our failures and accept failures as stepping stones to a better future. We must learn from our mistakes by awakening the past and illuminate the missteps that have led humankind to the precipice of annihilation by atomic warfare.

The Nobel committee awarded President Obama with the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for this reason. Their choice was made with the hope and belief that President Obama will awaken us all and finally encourage the complete destruction of nuclear weapon stock piles and cease all atom bomb development. This vital step must be taken to bring peace to the world.