I'm a little surprised at all of the animosity toward former President Jimmy Carter's being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Yes, it's true that the North Korean government lied to him in 1994, but does that mean we should therefore never negotiate treaties with other nations? Some people think it does. Conservative--no, wait!--no spin talk show host Bill O'Reilly thinks that North Korea's behavior makes Carter's award invalid. But Carter also negotiated the Camp David treaty, and his work for America's disadvantaged people in the last 25 years has also been the work of peace.

Not that I was any particular fan of Carter. He had an opportunity to be the President for the Women's Movement--it was the peak of the Second Wave--and he did nothing at all.

On the other hand, compare Carter to two other Nobel nominees: Rudy Guiliani, who ran roughshod over New Yorkers' civil rights for years, and then became an instant father figure during a time of tragedy. And President George W. Bush, who gave a great speech right after the September 11 attacks, but who has otherwise shown himself to be totally ignorant of the geography, politics and culture of the rest of the world.

I'll stick with Carter, thank you.