Obama FAILS to deliver peace to the world, REWARDED by Norwegian Nobel Committee - by Koki
the_grip on 9/10/2009 at 19:07
I whine against both of them, but then I guess it is a tell anyways. NPP = Popularity Contest
Pyrian on 9/10/2009 at 19:09
I'm reminded of a political cartoon from 1995: "Quick, give them a Nobel Peace Prize while they're reloading!"
CCCToad on 9/10/2009 at 19:39
Quote Posted by heywood
That would have been ballsy, but it would have cheapened the prize even further. He'd basically be telling the prize committee that they're a joke.
Judging from most of the posts here, it seems like a lot of people would agree with the sentiment that the committee is a joke.
Aerothorn on 9/10/2009 at 19:41
Also, it's Obama: the man is good at making mean things seem nice. He could have done it in a way that was respectful.
The problem is, they probably would have then proceeded to "not award it" rather than actually give it to someone else...so in retrospect, I'm not sure that would have been a great plan of action, either.
Ostriig on 9/10/2009 at 21:45
So, according to this thread:
Inline Image:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7598/obamaic.jpgI was also rather "eh?" when I heard about it earlier today. But I really think the lolwut goes out to the deciding Committee, I don't see what anyone could tag on Obama over this stunt. After all, does one
really turn down a Nobel Peace Prize?
Captain Spandex on 9/10/2009 at 22:42
I don't blame Obama.
It's mostly just the European politicians who seem to still be finishing in their pants every time Obama's name is mentioned. He still hasn't accomplished any of his promises, but whatever... this isn't the first time the Nobel Peace Prize has gone to someone who's still not delivered peace of any description.
Gryzemuis on 9/10/2009 at 23:28
European politicians have nothing to do with the selection of the Nobel prize winners.
Yes, Obama hasn't really achieved big goals yet. But that doesn't mean he hasn't done anything. Even when those actions were just saying things.
He told the Russians: "He, you know what, we're not gonna build that anti-rocket shield on your borders anyway. How do you like that ?"
That was a huge thing, imho. Compare it to the way Bush handled things. Like a true cowboy hero. Never backing off. Never admitting you were wrong. Never re-thinking a previous decision. Always assuming the other guy is wrong. Always ready to pull your gun first.
Obama also said he wants to work towards removing all nuclear weapons from the whole world. When was the last time you heard a US President say something like that ? Obama said he wanted to get that done. If he succeeds, it will be the biggest peace achievement in the last 65 years.
Yes, he hasn't achieved much yet. But he has said what his intentions are. He's turned into a different direction. I think that is a huge deal. I think it will have a huge impact on world politics.
Let's hope he can accomplish some of those things before he gets shot. Like JFK, like MLK, like Rabin.
demagogue on 9/10/2009 at 23:40
Quote Posted by LittleFlower
European politicians have nothing to do with the selection of the Nobel prize winners.
I think I see what you wanted to mean, but European politicians are
exactly who is selecting Nobel prize winners.
In one article I read, it noted that the selection came basically down to Jagland and a transparently political agenda to pressure Obama to make good on his promises, and he's said as much himself
Quote Posted by AP
There are four women and one man on the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Members are elected by Norwegian lawmakers so the panel reflects the political makeup of Parliament. The five members are:
_ THORBJOERN JAGLAND. 59. Chairman. Has served as lawmaker for the left-leaning Labor Party for 16 years. Was Norway's prime minister from 1996-1997 and foreign minister from 2000-2001. Member of the prize committee since 2009. Elected secretary-general of the Council of Europe on Sept. 29.
Dismissed criticism that giving the prize to Obama was premature. "Too early? Well, I'd say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now. It is now that we have the opportunity to respond," he told AP.
_ KACI KULLMAN FIVE. 58. Deputy chair. Served as lawmaker for the right-wing Conservative Party 1981-97 and chaired the party 1991-94. Briefly served as Norwegian trade minister. Held a seat on board of Norwegian oil company Statoil until 2007. Member of the prize committee since 2003.
Told AP the committee covers "the political spectrum in Norway" but doesn't view its selections as political. "We have one duty and that is to do what Alfred Nobel put in his will."
_ SISSEL MARIE ROENBECK. 59. Labor Party lawmaker until 1993. Has held Cabinet posts as minister for administration and consumer affairs, environment and transport and communications. Member of the prize committee since 1994.
_ INGER-MARIE YTTERHORN. 68. Senior political adviser to the parliamentary group of the right-wing populist Progress Party. Lawmaker from 1989-93. Member of the prize committee since 2000. Told AP the prize could be seen as praising Obama's reversal of Bush administration policies: "I guess you could read it like that."
_ AAGOT VALLE. 64. Lawmaker for the Socialist Left party. Joined the peace prize committee in 2009. Expects Bush supporters to criticize decision to award Obama: "Those who were in support of Bush in his belief in war solving problems, on rearmament, and that nuclear weapons play an important role ... probably won't be happy."
CCCToad on 10/10/2009 at 00:28
Quote Posted by LittleFlower
Obama also said he wants to work towards removing all nuclear weapons from the whole world. When was the last time you heard a US President say something like that ? Obama said he wanted to get that done. If he succeeds, it will be the biggest peace achievement in the last 65 years.
Reagan said that.
heretic on 10/10/2009 at 00:31
For some reason a president being awarded the Nobel prize while still serving in office just doesn't seem right.
