So, he is a surprise choice for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize; some would even say that choosing him as a recipient of the award is so left field that the other 204 nominees could potentially start a green revolution. But Obama has a just reason as to why he is a decent candidate to recieve this award (there is no best candidate)… and here are my 10 arguments for him being a good choice.

1. The award is given to those who have achieved or helped improve international relations over the last year. Obama has certainly innitiated this since taking office by meeting as many international counterparts as possible within his first 9 months. This isn’t an effort to rack up the airmiles, moreover he is attempting to reach out and let the world know that he is more engaging than the previous administrations.
2. The most important characteristic in bringing peace is diplomacy; Obama is the master at this. The world can be a more peaceful place with each community getting their share of the pie. Don’t forget – this CANNOT be achieved overnight, but he has been more proactive in getting the ball rolling than any other president in history.
3. Jimmy Carter achieved his award after years of hard work, and infact Bill Clinton’s role was ‘overlooked’ for his effort in the Oslo peace accord, but Obama is trying to pressurise the regional governments to work with their neighbours to gain peace in the region. The previous administration did didly-squat about the Middle East peace process; the last 9 months have re-innitiated the work done originally by the Clinton administration. Support for Israel cannot be pulled awayby the US government because there will be a global effect from various different angles, so diplomacy will help achieve 2 states which can co-exist in peace. We must not forget that one man’s will cannot change established institutions, no matter how iconic the man is; however, atleast he is putting the issue on the agenda and making sure that slow but steady progress is being made – this did not happen over the last 8 years.
4. He has revolutionised politics in a way by re-introducing bi-partizanship. Very rarely has any government around the world looked to work with the opposition to ensure that the domestic and global economies have stabilised and grown.
5. The Obama administration is more open than any previous administration. They are also more active in the United Nations than any previous govenment. The UN, largely considered an international political playground, is still an important institution in maintaining world peace; the UN peacekeepers who give their lives while bringing peace in other nations have not died in vain.
6. Obama is working hard to maintain international arms control and nuclear disarmament. Iran and North Korea have pledged to reduce their activity and conditionally open up their facilities to UN arms inspectors to observe their activity – when has this happened in the past?
7. The Iraq and Afganistan wars are a major issue – there is no denying this. However, Obama is fighting the fire which was set by the last administration. If the troops were completely withdrawn tomorrow from both these nations, it will create instability – can anyone guarantee that nobody will question and critisize the decision to fully withdraw troops and leave 2 nations in absolute turmoil? What people do not realise is that the troops spend more time maintaining peace and building the infrastructure in these places. A lot of lives have been lost, however pulling out completely is not an option at the moment – the instabillity that it would create is not predictable, and unpredictable calls is what the Bush administration made. Damned if you do, and damned if you dont!
8. The US government is working harder to achieve climate change targets. Although they are still a little way back from achieving the Kyoto targets, they are doing more now in terms of research and investment than any previous US administration in working towards environment sustainance.
9. Obama is reaching out to people; he is a personality to start off with and then someone who makes things happen. He has a proven track record before he was president in ensuring change was made – in terms of local and national laws, but also in campaigning for international causes while he was a senator. His track record extends to beyond the last 9 months, his achievements – they are greater than what is being reported by the media.
10. Obama has a lot to achieve. He has spoken a lot, and a lot has yet to be done; his job however is to fix the past and build on it for the future. In 9 months, he has initiated more than the previous administration had in 8 years, and the eventual results will prove whether Obama was the right choice; however, unless everyone gets behind the plans, initiatives and proposed solutions, the world is going to remain in the same state as it had been at the end of 2008 – screwed.

This wasn’t a personal agenda against the Bush administration, but a lot of Obama’s work over the past 9 months has been to neutralise damage and show recovery in every sense of the way. What do you think – is there anyone else who matches this bill from the 204 nominees? Email me your reasons [biscuitinabasket at googlemail dot com], and I will post them as a post.

Dear Anglo-French cousins of ours in Guernsey (Channel Islands),

It was a pleasure visiting and meeting you folk last week! It was my first ever trip on your shores, and although it was a business trip, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.

On Tuesday, as we (my boss and a director) started our journey in freezing cold London, I had a sense of nervousness in me. I was travelling to train clients (solo) for the first time, and the hundred million questions in my head just would not stop. Part of the distraction from my nerves, before we boarded the flight was the chance to spend time in the Executive Lounge – another first for me!

So as we waited in the exec lounge, I noticed a small little device on the tarmac, which could only be used in a sling shot surely…. turns out – it was our plane. I dont think I have travelled in something so small before – (capacity – 44 passengers, and 4 crew in total). The lane was so small, that it had steps built into the exit doors!

Eventually we boarded, the pilot wound the side jack, and kick started the 225 miles journey to the tiny island of Guernsey. When we landed about 45 minutes later, I got a nice big shock when i saw the airport…. it was a porter cabin! A slightly elongated one… but none the less a porter cabin!

(The airport is the ground floor – and yes, thats the whole airport!)

We got off the plane and into the cab in less than 2 minutes (literally); it’s quite funny how short the walk was, and how I wish every airport was like this! After a fairly uneventful cab ride to the hotel, we were all tired, and hit the sack pretty soon that night.

Tuesday morning started before 7 (because of the location), and the first thing which popped into my mind was to take pics! The enterance of the Hotel was quite nice, and later on in the day I found out that Guernsey doesnt quite have the multi storey hotel complexes. Everything is built into the hills, or is a conversion of old town houses.

Breakfast was had, and I began my journey to the client offices. The first thing which I noticed when I stepped out of the hotel at 9am was how much warmer Guernsey was compared to London; the temperature must have been atleast double digits – which would have been awesome if I was outdoors!

The clients office was near the marina, so I was excited about lunch time and surely as soon as it was time, I was out of the door and made my way to the marina. There is something about water which attracts me to it. The effect is the same as the ring and everybody else in Lord of the Rings. I love water, will get into it, but then suffer panic attacks in shallow water. That sucks!

The 2 days ended up being great, and the training sessions were very productive. There is a trait which I always try to associate with myself – thinking on my feet, having an answer when it is required; I have been questioning this of recently because I have hardly been tested in the last few months. So when I was faced with a barage of questions during the training, it was good to know that once the dust was blown off, the trait is very alive for sure!

People of Guernsey – let me tell you what I loved about you and your island.

In the 2 days, which I spent on your tiny island, I loved the fact that Guernsey feels like a village. I loved the long winding roads, going up and down. I loved the fact that the roads are so narrow that you have to mount the pavement to pass in so many places. The best thing about Guernsey was the fact that almost every person I walked past, smilled, nodded, or said “hi!”. People were cheery, and the cabbies were the best! I love the fact that life is simple in Guernsey, and there is a sense of communityamongst the 70 odd thousand people on the island.

Spending time in Guernsey also reminded me of the desire in me to travel; but I can’t do it alone. I spent time catching up on reading (Jimmy Carter – Palestine Peace not Apartheid – Check my reads in 2009 for more details ); I havent read a book in a fair while now, so it was good to catch up again.

More than anything, I realised from my trip to Guernsey (yes, I know, it was only Guernsey!) that I get a chance to travel because of my job…. I don’t know how many people get a chance to do that – and I am thankful for it!

Leaving Guernsey wasn’t the most pleasant experience. The airport staff were first very anal about my toiletries. They wanted me to carry only one clear plastic bag; they couldnt care less that I travelled into Guernsey with 2. Idiots. I had to throw away some stuff. Worse still, the woman in front of me had to throw away half her make up. She wasnt pleased! I got into the waiting area, and my first thoughts were – am I in the right place? the reason for this? Well, why dont you have a look of the end to end plan!

I landed safely in cold cold London. By the time I had commuted between Gatwick and home, it had begun to snow and settle – far cry from the double digits which I felt in Guernsey.

A wicked trip none the less, and would reccomend it to anyone as a weekend away trip!