Topic: Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize already. (Read 6113 times)

Tyler · « **on:** 09 Oct 2009, 10:07 »

So Barack Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize 8 months into his presidency, seemingly based around the fact that he makes people hopeful. The fact that there is an extreme lack of substance to go on is a bit confusing for me. His orations are great, but usually you get the award based on results. Just curious what everyone's opinions were.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #1 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 10:11 »

I agree that it's a little weird, here's why. I didn't think I should say the same thing in two different threads.

rynne · « **Reply #2 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 10:25 »

Yeah, I think it does nothing but make the Nobel Prize Committee and Barack Obama look like a joke. I understand that they're all happy to have someone in the White House who isn't following Bush's policies of unilateralism, which is a completely reasonable opinion. But to recognize Obama by giving him the Nobel Peace prize after 10 months of him being an international figure is ridiculous. The Nobel Committee is trying to be activist here, but no one can make the case that Obama's record of action has warranted this at all.

If nothing else, it lends credence the right's argument that Obama is a guy who's all media image and no substance. And now they can point to him as a President who's spending his time infatuating the rest of the world instead of fixing the very real domestic problems the US is facing.

pen · « **Reply #3 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 10:30 »

Someone at work suggested he decline the prize and recommend someone else who deserves it. Then it might paint a better picture of him since he hasn't done anything yet. Obviously this isn't going to happen, but it would have been a decent idea, imo.

ackblom12 · « **Reply #4 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 10:32 »

I honestly think that refusing it would have been a but of a "fuck you" to the committee. In the position he's in he really did the best thing he could have done, accept it and either use it as a extra bit of push, or just hope to god he doesn't fuck up.

RallyMonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 10:51 »

I would take a second look at your assumption that people are usually rewarded for their results. A lot of the most famous Nobel Laureates in this division seem to be awarded as a means to encouragement, not for finished results.

rynne · « **Reply #6 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 11:00 »

Quote from: Ptommydski on 09 Oct 2009, 10:39

I remember being in relationships whereby if the girl I was seeing was present when another woman paid me a compliment, she would get really mad at me and act like it was my fault somehow.

Had the other women thought your girlfriend's last ex was a douchebag, then yell to the whole street "Hey, this guy is the best boyfriend" within seconds of being introduced?

The Nobel Committee is the one who looks foolish here. Obama's primarily caught in the blast radius of embarrassment.

jhocking · « **Reply #7 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 11:02 »

Quote from: ackblom12 on 09 Oct 2009, 10:32

I honestly think that refusing it would have been a but of a "fuck you" to the committee. In the position he's in he really did the best thing he could have done

Yeah refusing the award would make a mildly questionable committee decision look completely ridiculous. I agree that the prize maybe shouldn't have been awarded to Obama in the first place, but refusing to accept the decision made would look awful.

Christophe · « **Reply #8 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 11:05 »

They gave me a Nobel but I had to ask them why
AHHHH C'MON BARACK A GUY

RallyMonkey · « **Reply #9 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 11:10 »

There is definitely no faulting Obama's handling of the news. You can insult the Nobel Committee as much as you'd like for their decision, but Obama really has done nothing wrong in regards to this.

Melodic · « **Reply #10 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 12:02 »

Quote from: Ptommydski on 09 Oct 2009, 11:18

By those standards I feel like borderline anybody deserves the award, let alone the relatively positive Barack Obama.

Borderline Anybody for president!

MrBlu · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 12:23 »

How did I know it would get there soon enough?

Aurjay · « **Reply #12 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 12:57 »

or he could of accepted it saying something like this... "I am both surprised and deeply humbled,'' he went on, adding, "Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people of all nations. To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace. But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women and all Americans want to build, a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievements; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes, and this is why I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.'' Ya i think that works.

pen · « **Reply #13 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:04 »

That works.

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #14 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:17 »

some of those comments are pretty great.

"I don't care. I'm happier about the Dodgers win last or that we're finally bombing the moon."

finally bombing the moon? Has it been talking shit?

Slick · « **Reply #15 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:21 »

We're bombing the moon in hopes of kicking up water to determine if ice exists in shaded craters on the moon.

Iran on the award:

Quote from: BBC

Iran's foreign minister said the decision to give the award was taken too "hastily".
"A good timing for the award would be when US troops have pulled out of Afghanistan and Iraq and the United States is standing up for the rights of the Palestinian people," Manouchehr Mottaki told the Mehr news agency.
But he said that if winning the prize encouraged the US president to reject the "warmongering" policies of previous administrations, Iran had no opposition to it.

Scandanavian War Machine · « **Reply #16 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:26 »

I know why we're bombingit , I just thought the language was funny.

Like he's spent his entire life looking up at the moon and thinking "...you son of bitch."

Slick · « **Reply #17 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:46 »

Q: Do you think this award will increase the partisan divide in the country?

A: Yes.

But James, why would you say that? This is simply an award given to people who have tried to make the world a better, more peaceful place. It is not a partisan award and does not explicitly condemn the right-wing of America.

Well, really, this award shouldn't do too much to widen the gap as rational people shouldn't really take that much of an issue with it, especially given his gracious response and acceptance, but it is going to be used as so much fodder to fuel the machine feeding off of fears of the furious ignorant.

fuckin' fascists

loco_banana · « **Reply #18 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:49 »

I always thought being at war inside the borders of other countries precluded one's eligibility for the Nobel.

Oh well.

Reed · « **Reply #19 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 13:55 »

See: Somalia

jhocking · « **Reply #20 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 14:12 »

Because he didn't start the wars then the fact of being at war shouldn't preclude his eligibility for this prize, the issue is whether or not he is working to end the wars he inherited.

RobbieOC · « **Reply #21 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 14:31 »

I feel obligated, even though I'm sure everyone is already aware, to point out that Alfred Nobel himself invented dynamite.

And we're bashing Obama for inheriting a war and having a hard time getting anything done in his first year of office. Also, like Tommy said, Henry Kissinger.

Honestly, I can only name like three other winners, so this has been a pretty non-story for me. I've never really cared much about the Nobel prize, and this doesn't make me care any more than I did before, except that I'm kind of just annoyed so many other people are making a big deal out of it.

RallyMonkey · « **Reply #22 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 15:50 »

The Nobel Peace prize was basically invented as a last attempt at reconciliation for his inner-remorse at having invented dynamite.

A Wet Helmet · « **Reply #23 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 15:55 »

Quote from: Reed on 09 Oct 2009, 13:55

See: Somalia

I did, up close and in person for nearly a year. That place suuuuuuucks

look out! Ninjas! · « **Reply #24 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 18:32 »

OBAMA WINS INAUGURAL NOBEL PRIZE IN THE FIELD OF NOT BEING GEORGE W. BUSH.

Nodaisho · « **Reply #25 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 18:39 »

Quote from: Reed on 09 Oct 2009, 13:55

See: Somalia

Or Afghanistan, after the Cold War.

est · « **Reply #26 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 20:04 »

Quote from: look out! Ninjas! on 09 Oct 2009, 18:32

OBAMA WINS INAUGURAL NOBEL PRIZE IN THE FIELD OF NOT BEING GEORGE W. BUSH.

Pretty much. This was the first thing I could think of. Like the panel was saying to the US: "MORE PRESIDENTS LIKE THIS AND LESS LIKE THE PREVIOUS ONE PLZTHX"

David_Dovey · « **Reply #27 on:** 09 Oct 2009, 21:41 »

Guys did you know that the flippin' United Nations won this flippin' thing in 2001? Flip!

Johnny C · « **Reply #28 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 00:24 »

Quote from: Tyler on 09 Oct 2009, 10:07

Just curious what everyone's opinions were.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJkOz3afFY

Johnny C · « **Reply #29 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 00:26 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 10 Oct 2009, 00:24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJkOz3afFY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCvkatCGNFY

Johnny C · « **Reply #30 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 00:27 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 10 Oct 2009, 00:26

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCvkatCGNFY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnzHimtQjtw

Johnny C · « **Reply #31 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 00:29 »

Quote from: Johnny C on 10 Oct 2009, 00:27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnzHimtQjtw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k_iaodv-Zc

Inlander · « **Reply #32 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 01:26 »

Ehh, I figure since 1973 this prize has been fair game to anyone anyway.

Johnny C · « **Reply #33 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 10:54 »

Nobel Gear!?

JD · « **Reply #34 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 10:58 »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arPnVL_7y_Q&feature=related

Spluff · « **Reply #35 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 16:48 »

I think all this means is that there is little to no peace in the world currently.

look out! Ninjas! · « **Reply #36 on:** 10 Oct 2009, 17:59 »

Quote from: David_Dovey on 09 Oct 2009, 21:41

Guys did you know that the flippin' United Nations won this flippin' thing in 2001? Flip!

Hey I won Time's Person of the Year in 2006.

look out! Ninjas! · « **Reply #37 on:** 11 Oct 2009, 03:00 »

Also, I figure it was because he was the guy that stopped Hillary from becoming president.

scarred · « **Reply #38 on:** 11 Oct 2009, 03:38 »

David_Dovey · « **Reply #39 on:** 12 Oct 2009, 06:20 »

I will personally make sure that whomever of you kills Hideo Kojima will receive next year's Nobel Peace Prize. I can do this.

Ã¶de · « **Reply #40 on:** 12 Oct 2009, 07:59 »

Quote from: Spluff on 10 Oct 2009, 16:48

I think all this means is that there is little to no peace in the world currently.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violence.html

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #41 on:** 12 Oct 2009, 08:14 »

Hey, guys. I've just read the criteria for the Nobel peace prize on the suggestion of my father, and I've found this out (which many of you might already know):

Quote

during the preceding year [...] shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.

I have been arguing from a position assuming that it's like one of the other Nobel prizes. It's totally not. Obama does fit the criteria pretty well though he has not achieved any peace.

look out! Ninjas! · « **Reply #42 on:** 12 Oct 2009, 19:46 »

It's different in that the other Prizes are picked by leading professionals in the field, whereas the Peace Prize is picked by a group of Norwegian politicians. You can't have professional peaceniks get it, though, or they'd be awarding it to The Grateful Dead again.

But, I think that while the difference is significant, we should also consider the fact that public perception is probably heavily on your first line of thought.

Inlander · « **Reply #43 on:** 12 Oct 2009, 20:05 »

As far as fraternity between nations go, you can't underestimate how much happier the rest of the western world is with the U.S. now that Bush is gone and Obama is in - and a large amount of that is due to speeches and various other pronouncements Obama's made. Now obviously we've still got just as many wars going on in the world as we did a year ago, but there are an awful lot of people in the English-speaking world and in Europe who absolutely hated everything the U.S. had become over the last eight years, and who are now ready to embrace the U.S. again and are thankful for that.

Bastardous Bassist · « **Reply #44 on:** 12 Oct 2009, 22:01 »

Quote from: look out! Ninjas! on 12 Oct 2009, 19:46

It's different in that the other Prizes are picked by leading professionals in the field, whereas the Peace Prize is picked by a group of Norwegian politicians. You can't have professional peaceniks get it, though, or they'd be awarding it to The Grateful Dead again.

But even if it were picked by people who tried to establish peace, the criteria isn't to select someone who has achieved the most peace (though, let's be honest that Metternich did a lot to secure peace, too!), but someone who has tried the most to achieve peace.

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Author Topic: Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize already. (Read 6113 times)

ackblom12