The criticism of the Nobel Committee's awarding of the 2009 Peace Prize to U.S. President Barack Obama has been twofold.

First, the commander in chief of a country fighting in two conflicts is seen as a man of war not a peacemaker. And although the war in Iraq is said to be winding down, there are still some 115,000 U.S. troops there and another 30,000 are heading for Afghanistan.

Second, the award was for Obama's promise/potential to do good. Well, politicians are good at making promises. But giving him the prize for what he may achieve is like presenting Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees with the American League and World Series MVP awards in April. It all reminds me of the old joke: "Potential? It's a French word meaning you haven't done a damn thing yet!"