Carter works selflessly

Last week, former President Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award, which the Nobel committee wanted to give him in 1978 (but couldn't because of a technicality), was well-deserved and is a testament to the compassionate and selfless nature of Mr. Carter.\nIn awarding the Prize to Carter, the Nobel Committee said it chose him "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development." This description of President Carter's life sums up succinctly 20 years of service unlike that of any other ex-president.\nThough Carter's presidency has been considered lackluster by many, after his defeat in 1980, he used his clout as ex-president to promote good causes around the world. Whether it is bringing attention to rare diseases affecting impoverished people, preventing international conflict or ensuring fair elections in remote areas of the globe, President Carter has always been up to the task.\nSome of Carter's most noteworthy actions have been as an election monitor. In connection with the Carter Center, he has led election monitoring groups to countries where democratic institutions are new and uncertain. In fact, just this week, Carter traveled to Jamaica to monitor elections. These monitoring trips help ensure that elections in volatile countries have as much integrity and fairness as possible.\nIn addition to election monitoring, Carter has been a leader at mediating international conflicts. In our history books, we read about his mediation of the historic 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. The Nobel Committee called this "a great enough achievement to qualify for the Nobel Peace Prize." But, President Carter has done much more. He has also traveled to North Korea, Cuba and countless other worldwide locations to work towards peace and democracy for all people.\nUnlike some ex-presidents who are content to serve on corporate boards and occasionally take on public causes, Carter has made a career out of selflessly working for those who are less-advantaged. It can be sure that he could have retired early and lived an easy retirement; instead, he has chosen to continue his career of service at home and around the world. \nUnfortunately, one member of the Nobel Committee chose to add a political slant to Mr. Carter's well-deserved win. According to The New York Times, Nobel Committee Chair Gunnar Berge said that Carter's award "must also be seen as criticism of the line the current U.S. administration has taken on Iraq." He likely was referring to President Carter's skepticism about possible U.S. involvement in Iraq. Mr. Berge's statement is unfortunate. In its midst, some have criticized Carter's award as a political statement. Regardless of Carter's position on Iraq, his history of promoting peace and stability around the world is second to none. Politics need play no role in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to someone so deserving as Jimmy Carter.\nJimmy Carter's 20 years as an ex-president have been an example of selfless devotion to others. While Mr. Carter, now 78, is aging, he still remains committed to the causes that are dear to him. He was, however, quoted in The New York Times as saying, "I see the end of my active life coming in the next few months or years." Mr. Carter, your retirement and your Nobel Peace Prize could not be more deserved.