It was reported early Oct. 9 that Barack Obama will be the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a tremendous honor shocking the general public and the Commander In Chief alike.

While this unanticipated announcement has come as a delight to some and an indignation to others, everyone is still wondering how the president (of not even a year) procured such an esteemed tribute.

I believe that credit should be given where it's due, but for all the campaigning the president has done for change, he hasn't accomplished much in his first nine months, which is why critics are outraged by the recent announcement from the Nobel Committee.

Alfred Nobel specified in his will that the prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses." Since his election, Obama has certainly made efforts to accomplish all of these things, but has yet to make any groundbreaking feats -- domestic or international.

It should also be noted that nominations for the prize were due Feb. 1, less than a month after Obama took office. It makes one wonder how the president was even considered for the honor when any strides toward significant change he made were accomplished months after his Inauguration.

Why then didn't the award go to a worthier candidate, perhaps someone who has made an actual difference in the world? Only the Norwegian Nobel Committee can answer that.

Since he started his presidential campaign, Obama has been the media's pet, so it's hard to know whether or not our glorified new leader is capable of making a positive change in our country and in the world. In time we'll see, but right now it's safe to say his efforts aren't Peace Prize-worthy.

Jeff Nelson is a senior at LeRoy-Ostrander High School. To respond to an opinion column, send an e-mail to life@postbulletin.com.

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