What Might Have Been

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama is one of those things that goes under the Dave Barry category of "I am not making this up." Many commentators of all political persuasions have sliced and diced this, so I will not do so. I would like to discuss, however, what might have been.

Morgan Tsvangirai was one of the other nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, the personal playground of Thug-for-Life Robert Mugabe. Under Mugabe's rule, this former British colony (Rhodesia) that was one of Africa's success stories has been reduced to grinding poverty, suffered from 1,000,000% inflation, and seen the death or exodus of many of its best and brightest. Tsvangirai has been fighting Mugabe within the system for almost 10 years trying to turn this around and change life for Zimbabweans. he linked the local currency to the U.S. dollar and immediately broke the hyperinflation. The economy is showing signs of life. But in the process, he has experienced extreme personal tragedy. His wife was killed in a car crash that many believe was engineered by Mugabe. Two weeks later, his grandson drowned. Tsvangirai perseveres, though, and perhaps he will one day triumph and bring Zimbabwe back into the fold of civilized nations.

Here is a man who has toiled for peace. A Nobel prize would have given him stature in his own country and the world and brought Zimbabwe's plight to the world's attention. Mugabe would be less likely to do away with a Nobel prize winner than a mere political rival. It is sad to think what might have been.

www.newsweek.com/id/216212