Humanist

I never knew or even thought that there was ever anyone nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and they turned it down.

I have recently learnt that a Vietnamese Revolutionary and Negotiator, Nobel Laureate Le Duc Tho did exactly that.

A revolutionary who told the truth. Who insisted that there is no peace without justice. Who kept his integrity for there is no honor in accepting awards from the very systems that tried to erase you. And to Tho the prize means nothing coming from the same hands behind the terror (source Sony Thang on X @nxt888).

Tho was co-nominated with Henry Kissinger for their role in the Paris Peace Accords. Interestingly, Kissinger accepted and received the prize.

Tho apparently declined to accept the prize, because whereas the peace accords had been signed, “there was no peace in Vietnam” – the aggressors continued with the bombing, the lies and violating promises, reportedly.

Nobel Laureate Kissinger, medal in hand, history holds, in addition, “orchestrated more deaths in Chile, Cambodia and East Timor.”

Parallels can be drawn with former President of the United States (POTUS) Nobel Laureate, Barack Obama, who, medal in had, presided over the bombing of Libya, in order to orchestrate regime change.

To this day, nearly a decade later, the once vibrant country, Libya, remains in chaos and shambles.

For more insights read “President Obama: Libya aftermath ‘worst mistake’ of presidency.”

It bothers me to hear and read about how POTUS Donald Trump proclaims he is entitled to be nominated and become a Nobel Laureate, while he presides over the bombing of Gaza and of Iran.

It bothers me to see clips of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nonchalantly declare his nomination of POTUS Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, while the Israel onslaught on Gaza under his leadership continues.

And at the backdrop of POTUS Trump’s order that rained bombs on Iran.

I so love the symbolism of the Nobel Peace Prize and its intent to contribute to fostering peace around the world.

But the number of Nobel Laureates with the propensity for non peaceful means – for violent conquest are getting to be one too many.