The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (awarded by the Norwegians rather than the Swedes) has been awarded to Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh and the Grameen Bank he founded. Yunus and Grameen Bank help to establish the concept of ""micro credit" whereby very small amounts of capital are loaned to the poorest of the poor, collateral free, to help them establish and maintain businesses. The recipients are as likely as not to be women.
The focus is on alleviating poverty rather than on generating corporate profits. ("Hey. That sounds a bit like socialism!")
The following conversation will take place later today in the Oval Office:
"Hey buddy. What's the news today?"
"Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize sir."
"Muhammad. That sounds like one of them Muslim names. They don't believe in peace like we do, do they?"
"Mr. Yunus is from Bangladesh sir. It is a predominantly Muslim nation."
"Bunglawhere?"
(sigh)"Bangladesh sir. It used to be East Pakistan."
"Hey. I know Pakistan. That's the place with the General. We have to pretend he's one of our pals but we think he likes terrorists!"
"They are not part of Pakistan anymore sir. They declared independence in 1971. There was a war over it."
"A war? Hey did we start it?"
"No sir. They managed this one on their own."
"So what did this Muhammad guy get the prize for?"
"He founded Grameen Bank. It loans money to very poor people."
"Why would a bank want to loan money to poor people for? Banks loan money to rich people like me!"
"It's a development bank. Its intent is to help build the economy in deprived areas rather than to make money. The bank was given the prize along with Mr. Yunus."
"Sounds a bit suspicious to me. Hey if they are giving the Peace Prize to banks maybe they'll give to other companies. How do we get them to give to Halliburton? I mean who's done more for peace than them?"
"I’ll look into it sir. I think it's time for Barney's walk. Perhaps you should check with the First Lady."
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