Saw this article in the Washington Post online, and thought it might spur a good debate - whether or not he deserved the award is a moot point, as far as I'm concerned - what interests me here is whether, legally, he's allowed to accept it.

washingtonpost.com

The relevant sections of the U.S. constitution states that: Article I, Section 9, of the Constitution, the emolument clause, clearly stipulates: "And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State."

So, given this, was Obama allowed to accept the award? In light of this, should he politely return it? I find this kind of minutia interesting...

Mark