Along with its many other useful — and not so useful — functions, Facebook is nothing if not an accurate tap on student life. Whether it’s regarding the latest campus debauchery or last night’s episode of “The Office,” the tones of status updates usually correctly measure the pulse of opinions on these issues.
The same is true for national events.
True to form, when it was announced that President Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 9, Linfield students were quick to chime in on the matter via online posts
Their reactions more or less reflect that of the larger U.S. society and demonstrate yet again how polarized politics in this country have become.
According to a story on the CNN Web site, Obama’s supporters see the award as well deserved; his critics, however, say he has done nothing to earn the title and that it represents his skewed popularity abroad. The prize, after all, is awarded by a Swedish foundation.
Similarly, some Linfield students praised Obama for the accomplishment. Others complained that the Nobel Committee has forgotten its standards and begun to just hand out its awards. Others pointed out that nominations for the prize were due just 10 days after Obama was inaugurated. All were, pleasantly or not, surprised.
This award has indeed seemed to fuel the fire for those who believe Obama is under-qualified for the position of president at all.
One fact unites this variety of viewpoints: Obama has a long way to go.
In fact, he has the majority of his term to prove himself, and this is his stated intent.
As Americans, we should step back and see if this “call to action” is truly answered before we write off his deservingness.
After all, the change he promised in his campaign was never portrayed as a quick fix. His long-term goals can’t be forgotten.
The Nobel Committee cited its decision as one based on Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
Even though his name was considered long before his policies regarding Afghanistan, North Korea and Cuba were officially announced, isn’t diplomacy at the center of these foreign policy decisions?
The effectiveness of these policies is yet to be seen, but the effort is there, and it is on this effort that Obama was judged.
In the words of an Arizona State University representative, spoken after the school refused to award Obama an honorary degree after he delivered its commencement address last spring, “The body of his work is yet to come.”
Was the honor premature? Maybe. It’s too soon to tell.
From here, Obama has a long road to travel. As students, and by extension informed citizens, we need to clear the path before we pass judgment on the committee’s decision.

–The Review Editorial Board