The Nobel Prizes are awarded each year through the generosity of the late Alfred Nobel — the inventor of dynamite — who left virtually his entire estate for that purpose.

Depending on the type of prize, the recipient is decided upon by various groups. A committee of five persons picked by the Swedish Parliament is responsible for naming the person receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

There is not a requirement to choose a recipient of that prize every year and some years no prize is given, though it has been decades since that has happened.

This year, much to most everyone's surprise, President Barack Obama was chosen to receive the Peace Prize. He also expressed much surprise.

The truth is, and Obama well knows it, he has not made the accomplishments that many others have in receiving the prize. We don't know what the committee's thoughts were — and no one else does, either — but it was probably to try to push Obama into further actions toward the benefit of world peace.

We find it mostly amusing the number of those who dislike Obama who are now railing about his selection and who are denigrating the Peace Prize.

First, we don't think those on the committee care what you think, not even (gasp!) Rush Limbaugh. Secondly, the selection of the Peace Prize winner is very often controversial — most especially within the home country of the Nobel laureate.

Shirin Ebadi of Iran, and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, who have fought for rights in their respective countries, have been imprisoned for their efforts. Yasser Arafat shared in the award in 1994 and his selection caused an uproar, as might be expected. We still remember when Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam shared the award in 1973, another controversy ensued.

The committee answers to no one and the prizes are awarded from a private fund. Our guess is most of those reading this editorial would agree with four out of five selections over the course of the prize. If you don't, take a deep breath and be a good sport. Congratulate our president. We certainly do.