N. Korea Peace Prize premature

IT’S INTERESTING that our president’s supporters — aka: himself — believe he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has been silent, likely because it believes actual peace should be achieved before awarding the coveted prize. I recall the humbleness and discomfort former President Obama displayed when he was awarded the prize in 2009 — he felt undeserving. President Trump, on the other hand, smiles and slyly acknowledges that “everybody says” he deserves it. Character displayed.

At the same time, gutting the deal with Iran is likely to have the exact opposite result. While the deal may not have been the “best” deal, it did have the possibility of keeping nukes out of Iran’s hands for eight more years. A deferral being better than nothing, now we don’t even have that. While North Korea de-escalates, Iran is burning our flag in the streets and chanting “death to America.” Our president’s motive is in question since it’s about him, not us. Character demonstrated.

I also find it interesting that in the path to “peace” with North Korea, the president’s secretary of state promises to help the people of North Korea by providing them economic aid to “get on par with those in South Korea.” Perhaps instead, that aid could be used to fund CHIP and keep funding for SNAP in place to ensure our own citizens have economic benefit. Many New Mexicans can use the same level of economic aid as North Korea — except there is no Nobel to win for that. Character indeed. RAYELLEN SMITH Albuquerque