For people who agree with Kathy Kinsley's proposal that the Afghan scientists who hid the radioactive material from Al Qaeda deserve a Peace Prize, there's now an on-line petition available.

I've signed it. (Thanks to Dan Hartung for setting it up)

[Update at 10:45AM PDT]

When I signed early this morning, I was number four. Now there are twenty seven. I know that Kathy and I have both publicized it, but don't know if anyone else has picked it up on their blogs yet. We'll know that Instantman has when it starts jumping by orders of magnitude. Did all those signatures come from my and Kathy's site?

[1:11PM PDT Update]

Now there are thirty seven signatures, and I see that Bill Quick has linked to it.

Let's see how fast we can spread this meme.

Why not the Congressional Medal of Freedom, if foreign nationals are eligible.

The Nobel Peace Prize laurels are tainted by their association with Arafat (unless your argument is that since the Nobel committee won't revoke Arafat's prize, the next best way to wash away the stain is to add more worthy candidates to the list).

BTW, while you're signing online petitions, this one is another worthwhile one to join, if you haven't already:

Congressional Medal of Freedom for Flight 93
http://www.petitiononline.com/flight93/

I have just posted the call to sign this
petition on many public and private forums.
It _will_ spread.

140 as of 7:45 EST today

Ken, that is my argument!

oops... that's 7:45 EDT

I'm with Ken Barnes on this one. Why do we care so much more about peace than freedom anyway? A dictator who "pacifies" his country like Le Duc Tho in Vietnam can get the Peace Prize, but the rebels who executed Nicolae Ceaucescu and freed Romania can't.

How about a petition to end the Peace Prize? It's tainted. Arafat and Le Duc Tho are just one or two steps down from Franco and Pol Pot.

The PRESIDENTIAL Medal of Freedom may go to anyone the President wishes to honor, even Anwar Sadat or Lech Walesa.

The CONGRESSIONAL Medal of HOnor, though, is for American military service members who have distinguished themselves in combat or peacekeeping. Don't confuse them!

My argument is that the Nobel prizes will be around forever, and Arafat isn't the first person to "stain" it (no matter what the prize committee thinks). But maybe someone with access will take the baton and press for this -- you never know. Why not give it to someone who really deserves it?

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