The fact is, this was a political award from his fellow travelers, pure and simple.
The mere fact that they felt it necessary to disabuse concerned cinema watchers/foreign media of the notion that it was a political award just shows you where their true intentions lie in coming to this decision.
I don't happen to agree with your characterization of Tarantino though. Even though I have yet to see the "Kill Bill" franchise, I've watched a lot of the films he's directed or wrote up to this point in time, e.g. Pulp Fiction, Natural Born Killers, etc., and think that he's pretty good insofar as his particular cinematic niche is concerned.
In fact, "Jackie Brown" is probably one of the best action dramas that was made in the '90s. I suggest that you rent it if you ever have the opportunity.
The only thing that annoys me about Tarantino is my obnoxious acquaintances continual reference to him when trying to come up with an analogous physical archetype.
Telling me that I look like Quentin Tarantino is not a compliment in my judgment. And, if it's meant as an insult, than I think that they should be able to think of something a little bit more creative.
Jackie Brown is probably his best because it follows a narrative structure more than the other post modern attempts at films depicting violemce for violence's sake.
Certain scenes are memorable in Pulp Fiction but entertaining or enlightening...not at all. Purely ego driven manic and distressingly meaningless drivel driven by good performances...and that's about it.