Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

[Burgold]

I don't feel the need to influence the rest of the world. Let them do their own thing and we'll do our own thing.

Now, that's naive!

You know no one ever minds their own business. Everything is interconnected these days. Isolationism can't work.

[Midnight Judges]

That they gave it to him because it's transformed into a global popularity contest and really has no practical meaning to the peace process or to the folks that actually had an impact on building peace globally?

IMO, Obama has already done a lot. For one, he changed the entire way Americans debate foreign policy. And we are the most influential country in the world so the impact is substantial.

Under Republicans, it was cool to trash Europe as socialists, refuse to go along with their initiatives, treat allies like subordinates, act unilaterally, etc. During the campaign, even in the primaries, Obama single-handedly re-centered the entire foreign policy debate to a point where even Republicans wanted to brag that they were hip with Europe.

Obama also won the debate about engaging enemies in talks, and it is starting to pay off. Americans previously were worried about engaging enemies because they were afraid it would give them legitimacy. Obama changed that and it is paying off in Iran as well as with the Palestinians.

I can certainly see why a person would feel like the nobel committee jumped the gun based on 11 days of work. But there is no rule that says they have to base this award solely on work done in an official capacity. So that criticism is without merit.

[stickyshooZ]

I thought the honeymoon was over by now. Guess I was wrong.

[The 12th Commandment]

I thought the honeymoon was over by now. Guess I was wrong.

First time for everything, right?

[D'KanSkinFan]

And, I bet the $4 mil prize money wasn't too bad........yes, I know - he said he was giving it to charity........."right"...........:hysterical:; and if you believe that - and Robert Gibbs, hope you like your nominations......gives you job security now, doesn't it?

It is a TOTAL shame the people who deserved the Nobel Peace Prize didn't win the award.............total SHAME................God, what a shame.....they DESERVED the award. Kinda cheapens the award now.........sad,......

[stickyshooZ]

First time for everything, right?

:cool:

[Predicto]

I think someone has this quote in their sig around here, but I could be wrong.

“You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”~ Winston Churchill

Oh, Obama definitely has enemies.

Irrational American conservatives.

Speaking of which, did you hear that Glenn Beck says the Nobel Prize should have gone to the people who organized the tea parties?

[Predicto]

Hitler was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1939....they sure got that wrong.

Everyone gets nominated for the damn thing. Nominations don't mean a thing.

[Larry]

Skipping over about 10 pages of this thread. (Although observing that the parts I've read have been considerably more rarional and civil than I expected.)

Not trying to claim that I think Obama deserved this award (I don't think he did), but I think that on Day 1 of his administration he announced that he was closing Gitmo. So I do think that at least that announcement (still not accomplished) might have been a factor in his nomination/election.

[GibbsFactor]

IMO, Obama has already done a lot. For one, he changed the entire way Americans debate foreign policy. And we are the most influential country in the world so the impact is substantial.

Under Republicans, it was cool to trash Europe as socialists, refuse to go along with their initiatives, treat allies like subordinates, act unilaterally, etc. During the campaign, even in the primaries, Obama single-handedly re-centered the entire foreign policy debate to a point where even Republicans wanted to brag that they were hip with Europe.

Obama also won the debate about engaging enemies in talks, and it is starting to pay off. Americans previously were worried about engaging enemies because they were afraid it would give them legitimacy. Obama changed that and it is paying off in Iran as well as with the Palestinians.

I can certainly see why a person would feel like the nobel committee jumped the gun based on 11 days of work. But there is no rule that says they have to base this award solely on work done in an official capacity. So that criticism is without merit.

I suppose the question is when was the deadline once nominations were submitted? Suppose he was nominated for his success in the Presidential race and then took the lead with his speech from Egypt. Perhaps we are not privileged to the true impact he has made around the world, especially our problem areas. And let's face it, if your good with the US, you are at peace. The more countries that diplomatically engage us, the safer the world is.

[Mad Mike]

Well, there we will disagree. I have a problem with anyone who lies to me, let alone my own government. If Clinton and Gore had done the same thing, I would hold them equally accountable. There must be transparency in the process. Without it, we are no better than the other dictators.

With respect to Bin Laden, Iraq, and their ties. I certainly don't have all the insight. And that stuff you posted about the Iraqis and Al Qaeda working together I can totally believe. You're probably right. And I don't disagree. Sadaam was a bad bad guy, and deserved (even without WMD) to be taken down. This I don't dispute.

I just think we need to be transparent. Tell me the truth and I'll respect, follow, get behind, fight for all sorts of stuff.

I fully agree that Bush did a horrible job of explaining the need for the war. Worst communicator ever. He brought much of the backlash on himself. Michael Moore further destroyed any chance of reasoned debate with his BS movie.

I'm just trying to explain why I believe he did things the way he did. He had a legal argument and the aftermath of 9/11 was probably the only chance we had to do it without even more resistance. If only he was less arrogant and a better communicator, things would have gone much smoother. He further compounded the problem with a horrible post combat plan. I give him credit for eventually figuring it out but he sure screwed it up in the beginning.

Thanks for the rational debate.

[Stadium-Armory]

I fully agree that Bush did a horrible job of explaining the need for the war. Worst communicator ever. He brought much of the backlash on himself. Michael Moore further destroyed any chance of reasoned debate with his BS movie.

I'm just trying to explain why I believe he did things the way he did. He had a legal argument and the aftermath of 9/11 was probably the only chance we had to do it without even more resistance. If only he was less arrogant and a better communicator, things would have gone much smoother. He further compounded the problem with a horrible post combat plan. I give him credit for eventually figuring it out but he sure screwed it up in the beginning.

Thanks for the rational debate.

Yea man, good stuff, I enjoy the discussion. Cheers!

[IHOPSkins]

Everyone gets nominated for the damn thing. Nominations don't mean a thing.

I got this from NPR

There was about 200 plus nominations of which about 30 were groups

I bet most of the approx 170 people that got nominated have a longer PEACE resume than..."I make a good speach"

[D'KanSkinFan]

I got this from NPR

There was about 200 plus nominations of which about 30 were groups

I bet most of the approx 170 people that got nominated have a longer PEACE resume than..."I make a good speach"

*psssst*,

uh,

speech.

IHOPSkins....."I'm on your side"

[Predicto]

I got this from NPR

There was about 200 plus nominations of which about 30 were groups

I bet most of the approx 170 people that got nominated have a longer PEACE resume than..."I make a good speach"

I completely agree with you.

My point was only that nominations don't mean a thing. Many truly wacky people get nominated - like Hitler.

[IHOPSkins]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html

Obama said he did not feel he deserved "to be in the company" of past Peace Prize winners......

True

Would you look at that....Obama and I agree on something

If you don't deserve it....give it back!

......Obama said he viewed the decision less as a recognition of his own accomplishments and more as "a call to action."

So you can add Norway to the list of Obama Puppet Masters...I wonder if Pelosi or Daley are jealous?

Nice

[IHOPSkins]

I completely agree with you.

My point was only that nominations don't mean a thing. Many truly wacky people get nominated - like Hitler.

NPR also said that the "List" won't be released for decades.....but

Someone released some of the names...(nominators?)

Some Human Rights guy from Afghanistan.....Some Columbian guy who helped release hostages

Sorry I can't remember names....no disrespect intended

[Mad Mike]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/09/nobel.peace.prize/index.html

Obama said he did not feel he deserved "to be in the company" of past Peace Prize winners......

True

Would you look at that....Obama and I agree on something

If you don't deserve it....give it back!

......Obama said he viewed the decision less as a recognition of his own accomplishments and more as "a call to action."

So you can add Norway to the list of Obama Puppet Masters...I wonder if Pelosi or Daley are jealous?

Nice

Terrible take on an awesome speech.

This is a good thing for the US no matter how you feel about it. If it gives Obama just a little more leverage when dealing with allies and problem nations then what is your problem with it/

Dear god, I'm sick of party politics. Left, Right whatever. All fools who are more concerned with tearing down anything the other party does than doing what is best for the country. Damn you all. :doh:

[IHOPSkins]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixFDKrSniYfsDT0IoKYq_vs9-YjgD9B7PA301

Q: Is the Norwegian Nobel Committee, by giving the award to Obama, trying to discourage him from sending more troops to Afghanistan?

A: Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland told The AP that it was not explicitly trying to influence any change in Obama's thinking about committing more troops to Afghanistan. But by getting the prize, and the status it confers, Obama may find himself with more leeway — at least abroad, if not at home — to seriously debate and decide whether such a surge is needed.

Q: Could the Nobel committee be trying to influence other aspects of U.S. foreign policy?

A: Yes, even if it is not trying explicitly to do so. The committee said that Obama had engaged in "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy" and singled out his effort to "work for a world without nuclear weapons."

This is why the Nobel Peace BRIBE ....oh I mean Prize should be given after the fact

When does Obama get the keys to the UN?

[IHOPSkins]

....This is a good thing for the US no matter how you feel about it. If it gives Obama just a little more leverage when dealing with allies and problem nations then what is your problem with it.....

It opens us up to Foreign influence

Sorry

He is President of the US....not Chief UN PR Speechmaker

Its BS he gets something for nothing besides appologizing

What he does with it might make things worse

.....All fools who are more concerned with tearing down anything the other party does than doing what is best for the country. Damn you all....

Remind me what Obama DID again?

Except a Prize he admited he didn't deserve

[Baculus]

It opens us up to Foreign influence

Sorry

He is President of the US....not Chief UN PR Speechmaker

Its BS he gets something for nothing besides appologizing

What he does with it might make things worse

Oh sheesh, I thought maybe we were coming to a common agreement on the thread, but I guess not!

BTW, you are totally off base, because he has done more than merely "apologized," whatever that tired term is supposed to mean. Anyway, if you don't care for the ideals behind the Nobel Peace Prize . . . why do you care if Obama wins or loses the award? Are you making hay of it just to create controversy? What is the point of your issue with his award?

[Stadium-Armory]

IHop, I don't think that's fair. Its a huge leap to say that his being awarded the prize, will influence his judgement in military affairs. There is no evidence to support that.

[Baculus]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixFDKrSniYfsDT0IoKYq_vs9-YjgD9B7PA301

Q: Is the Norwegian Nobel Committee, by giving the award to Obama, trying to discourage him from sending more troops to Afghanistan?

A: Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland told The AP that it was not explicitly trying to influence any change in Obama's thinking about committing more troops to Afghanistan. But by getting the prize, and the status it confers, Obama may find himself with more leeway — at least abroad, if not at home — to seriously debate and decide whether such a surge is needed.

Q: Could the Nobel committee be trying to influence other aspects of U.S. foreign policy?

A: Yes, even if it is not trying explicitly to do so. The committee said that Obama had engaged in "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy" and singled out his effort to "work for a world without nuclear weapons."

This is why the Nobel Peace BRIBE ....oh I mean Prize should be given after the fact

When does Obama get the keys to the UN?

This is one big red herring you are trying to present here.

[Baculus]

Terrible take on an awesome speech.

This is a good thing for the US no matter how you feel about it. If it gives Obama just a little more leverage when dealing with allies and problem nations then what is your problem with it/

Dear god, I'm sick of party politics. Left, Right whatever. All fools who are more concerned with tearing down anything the other party does than doing what is best for the country. Damn you all. :doh:

For a rare moment, Mad Mike and I can come to an agreement: I think this is good for the United States.

[IHOPSkins]

IHop, I don't think that's fair. Its a huge leap to say that his being awarded the prize, will influence his judgement in military affairs. There is no evidence to support that.

Is there evidence of it....no

Does he care about how popular he is abroad?.....you betcha

I would liken it to, should I say....Lobbyists

Just because a politician accepts donations....doesn't prove it influenced his decision.......Does It?