EDITORIAL
Carter's peace prize is right on the money

That Jimmy Carter, a master in the art of mediating international conflicts, should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize makes a lot of sense.

Ever since he left the White House somewhat humiliated in 1981, Carter has been working nonstop on promoting peace and human rights.

The irony of the timing of this honor isn't wasted on us. Did anyone really expect President Bush, also a Nobel nominee this year, to win?

There's nothing subtle about the award. Nobel Committee Chairman Gunnar Berge says the language "should be interpreted as a criticism of the line that the current (U.S.) administration has taken. It's a kick in the leg to all that follow the same line as the United States." And that presumably includes British Prime Minister Tony Blair, another Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

One can easily argue that Carter has been a better candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize since leaving the presidency because this is his life, not his job.