http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298580.stm
that's great!! if there's one thing that's been a success, it's been his diplomatic efforts, especially w/Iran...
I'm not trying to pick fights here, but...really? I mean it hasn't been a full year yet. We're still duking it out in Afghanistan. Was the selection pool between him, Bono, and Brangelina?
I don't think Iran is really as important perhaps as the missile defense reversal, but still. I just don't get it.
EDIT: I'm not saying that it's WRONG, I just don't see WHY, so if anyone can enlighten me, please do, because I can't really think of any one else that has done anything either. Sort of bleak world view I guess...
Quotethat's great!! if there's one thing that's been a success, it's been his diplomatic efforts[...]
Hahahahahaha
The Nobel nomination deadline was 12 days after he entered office. Wow. Congrats. ::)
There were a record number of nominees
I don't think that he's deserved this honor, hasn't proven himself (yet). More than anything, I think it shows the global appeal of Obama. The World loves this guy.
I voted for him. He's worked hard so far and basically done what he said he would. I'm waiting to see results before I pass judgement on him as a President and global ambassador of peace though. Too soon for the NPP...maybe we should finish this business in Afghanistan first. ::)
You have to exhibit a lot of "peace" to be the first black president of our nation. I don't know about you guys, but I am white and have never experienced systematic discrimination and oppression, and I have literally never put my life on the line to live out a dream; that has to come from a place of peace.
Kudos to Obama :)
QuoteI'm not trying to pick fights here, but...really? I mean it hasn't been a full year yet. We're still duking it out in Afghanistan. Was the selection pool between him, Bono, and Brangelina?
I don't think Iran is really as important perhaps as the missile defense reversal, but still. I just don't get it.
EDIT: I'm not saying that it's WRONG, I just don't see WHY, so if anyone can enlighten me, please do, because I can't really think of any one else that has done anything either. Sort of bleak world view I guess...
well i think his efforts w/Iran will influence our dealings w/russia/china...the missile defense reversal was important, too (i guess remains to be seen if it was the right decision) as for him not deserving it, other presidents have received it or been nominated for less. i'm sure there were a ton of other people who deserved it more, but i think he's done a lot to reverse all the DAMAGE of the last 8 years. the US's international relations have rippling effects on the world, so that's why i think the last few months have been crucial. he also stood up to Israel (whether you agree w/it or not), this also had effects on our ties to the Arab world. I don't know if any of it has made a difference, but he's done what I think he should have...
brad----stop laughing at me! ;)
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for him! Maybe it's just his presence as our leader that offers the greatest promise of peace to the rest of the world. I can understand that effect. BUT, without having seen the list of other nominees, and probably not knowing most of who they are, I'd still have to say that there must be people who were nominated that have spent their lives working and struggling for peace. I just think that there must have been someone more deserving, more proven.
He is the commander-in-chief of an army that is fighting and losing two wars right now. Nobel Peace Prize? I don't get it either.
QuoteQuoteI'm not trying to pick fights here, but...really? I mean it hasn't been a full year yet. We're still duking it out in Afghanistan. Was the selection pool between him, Bono, and Brangelina?
I don't think Iran is really as important perhaps as the missile defense reversal, but still. I just don't get it.
EDIT: I'm not saying that it's WRONG, I just don't see WHY, so if anyone can enlighten me, please do, because I can't really think of any one else that has done anything either. Sort of bleak world view I guess...
well i think his efforts w/Iran will influence our dealings w/russia/china...the missile defense reversal was important, too (i guess remains to be seen if it was the right decision) as for him not deserving it, other presidents have received it or been nominated for less. i'm sure there were a ton of other people who deserved it more, but i think he's done a lot to reverse all the DAMAGE of the last 8 years. the US's international relations have rippling effects on the world, so that's why i think the last few months have been crucial. he also stood up to Israel (whether you agree w/it or not), this also had effects on our ties to the Arab world. I don't know if any of it has made a difference, but he's done what I think he should have...
brad----stop laughing at me! ;)
I agree, but I'd at least like to see it then given to him after we see some results, not lofty dreams. The Iran issue, or really, the Middle East is such a deep-seeded issue that it really would be worthy of the NPP if someone was able to quell a lot of those tensions. That much has yet to be seen since Iran is already threatening to destroy Israel (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33239990/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/)...again
I'd just hate to see the prize reduced to the respect that we give the Grammys and Oscars: may the best campaign win, regardless of the quality of its product.
QuoteI'd just hate to see the prize reduced to the respect that we give the Grammys and Oscars: may the best campaign win, regardless of the quality of its product.
Word.
From an article entitled "Common misconceptions about the Nobel Peace Prize" (from the AP earlier today):
Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.
More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.
QuoteFrom an article entitled "Common misconceptions about the Nobel Peace Prize" (from the AP earlier today):
Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.
More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.
List of prize winners since 1980... only recognize some of the names
Wonder how many were in similar situations as Pres. Obama
_ 2009: U.S. President Barack Obama
_ 2008: Martti Ahtisaari
_ 2007: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Al Gore
_ 2006: Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank
_ 2005: International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei
_ 2004: Wangari Maathai
_ 2003: Shirin Ebadi
_ 2002: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
_ 2001: United Nations, Kofi Annan
_ 2000: Kim Dae-jung
_ 1999: Medecins Sans Frontieres
_ 1998: John Hume, David Trimble
_ 1997: International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Jody Williams
_ 1996: Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Jose Ramos-Horta
_ 1995: Joseph Rotblat, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
_ 1994: Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, Yitzhak Rabin
_ 1993: Nelson Mandela, F.W. de Klerk
_ 1992: Rigoberta Menchu Tum
_ 1991: Aung San Suu Kyi
_ 1990: Mikhail Gorbachev
_ 1989: The 14th Dalai Lama
_ 1988: U.N. Peacekeeping Forces
_ 1987: Oscar Arias Sanchez
_ 1986: Elie Wiesel
_ 1985: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
_ 1984: Desmond Tutu
_ 1983: Lech Walesa
_ 1982: Alva Myrdal, Alfonso Garcia Robles
_ 1981: Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
_ 1980: Adolfo Perez Esquivel
(http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/arts/photos/2009/09/15/kanye-swift-cp-w7314481.jpg)
As of right now, this just deserves a :-?.
This didn't take long hahaha
(http://www.elchode.com/images/photoshop/fark/2009/wikinobel.jpg)
There is not an eyeroll big enough.
QuoteThere is not an eyeroll big enough.
Come on, you had to have known someone would have done this eventually. Rush is calling this a bigger failure than the loss of the Olympics
QuoteQuoteThere is not an eyeroll big enough.
Come on, you had to have known someone would have done this eventually. Rush is calling this a bigger failure than the loss of the Olympics
Has Rush - assuming you mean Limbaugh - historically respected the Nobel Peace Prize? And losing the Olympics may be a blessing in disguise, although I hope Toronto gets the 2015 Pan Am Games only because our waterfront is a mess.
QuoteQuoteThere is not an eyeroll big enough.
Come on, you had to have known someone would have done this eventually. Rush is calling this a bigger failure than the loss of the Olympics
Oh, I'm not surprised by the response. Just kind of amused by its lameness.
"Filling the upper echelons of government...with unqualified personnel"? Really? I don't think this administration has appointed too many "Brownies" just yet...
"Spending money the US didn't have" oh yeah, you couldn't say that about any other President before Obama ::)
QuoteThis didn't take long hahaha
(http://www.elchode.com/images/photoshop/fark/2009/wikinobel.jpg)
;D That's pretty good. The vocal Right got a lil' wit in 'em.
QuoteYou have to exhibit a lot of "peace" to be the first black president of our nation. I don't know about you guys, but I am white and have never experienced systematic discrimination and oppression, and I have literally never put my life on the line to live out a dream; that has to come from a place of peace.
Kudos to Obama :)
So by your logic, he got the prize cause he was black? What ever happened to giving someone an award for an achievement? It wouldn't make sense if he was nominated right now, let alone the beginning of the year.
Giving this award to Obama was a joke. Why don't we let the guy be president for a damn term before we crown him King of the world. Even he thought it was BS....he didn't sound humble, he had a sense of "WTF" in his speech this morning. Unbelievable.
the problem is this- the guy didn't even get his foot in the door before the opposition started trying to get his ass impeached- he, in their eyes, can never, and will never do anything right... they will never give him a chance to be successful and will never admit he as done anything good.
And that happens with every president- maybe now more than ever before... Bush's second term was like this- Obama's first year- even more so... Its a terrible trend thats slowly spinning out of control.
Soon the elected presidents will just be killed by their opposition because, well, it's not their guy/gal
This two party system has turned into a screaming match by a bunch of stubborn babies- whoever can scream the loudest gets the most screen time on our "news" channels (more like reality tv shows if you ask me)
We need to start working towards unifying OUR country... now you aren't going to make everyone happy all the time but if we all work hard we all GIVE and take and learn and understand one another then I think it's a step in the right direction.
QuoteQuoteYou have to exhibit a lot of "peace" to be the first black president of our nation. I don't know about you guys, but I am white and have never experienced systematic discrimination and oppression, and I have literally never put my life on the line to live out a dream; that has to come from a place of peace.
Kudos to Obama :)
So by your logic, he got the prize cause he was black? What ever happened to giving someone an award for an achievement?
No, silly, not just b/c he is black. He is the first black PRESIDENT of The United States of America.
The Prize didn't go to the black crack dealer on the corner, or Jay-Z or Michael Vick, it went to the first black PRESIDENT of The United States of America; a country that was built on the backs of slave labor and oppression, but now ALL colors are shining through.
Being the first black PRESIDENT isn't an achievement in your book?
Don't be so bitter! Celebrate! :)
QuoteThe Nobel committee said it honored Obama for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."
I'm going with the committee on this, who has probably thought this out more than anyone here (or everyone here combined! ;))
I'd agree, just maybe do it a bit later, you know, after we've seen some lasting effects and lofty hopes and dreams.
I didn't vote for the guy (nor McCain) but I haven't witnessed the mass degradation of society that was promised by the opposition, nor the next "great era" yet. I have witnessed our "legislature" disintegrate, but that would have happened regardless of the election's outcome.
I have also witnessed my small little town go from vacant storefronts this time last year to half-vacant store fronts, so that's a good sign.
I just wish at work I got a bonus every time I promised to take on a project.
QuoteQuoteQuoteThere is not an eyeroll big enough.
Come on, you had to have known someone would have done this eventually. Rush is calling this a bigger failure than the loss of the Olympics
Has Rush - assuming you mean Limbaugh - historically respected the Nobel Peace Prize? And losing the Olympics may be a blessing in disguise, although I hope Toronto gets the 2015 Pan Am Games only because our waterfront is a mess.
Yes, here in America, everyone outside of computer programmers stopped knowing any other Rush years ago unfortunately. He respects the Nobel Peace prize I assume, but only when he or someone close to him wins it.
To contrast it, this has unleashed a full circus in the states. The head of the Democrats have now equated the Republicans to being on the side of Al Qaeda and Hamas; all three of whom have lambasted the award.
Quote
I just wish at work I got a bonus every time I promised to take on a project.
Become president (as a minority that was once enslaved and then disriminated against for 100's of years) of the most powerful nation on the planet and you might get some more perks.
You're comparing apples to oranges. :)
QuoteQuote
I just wish at work I got a bonus every time I promised to take on a project.
Become president (as a minority that was once enslaved and then disriminated against for 100's of years) of the most powerful nation on the planet and you might get some more perks.
You're comparing apples to oranges. :)
Misplaced guilt as justification for this just reads color into a black and white situation. I didn't know the NPP was an award for people who stood on the shoulders of giants in overcoming civil rights challenges. Should he get a grammy too, since they have about the same amount of relevance as far as reasonings.
I don't see any of this guilt over civil rights having anything to do with whirrled peas. It's the equivalent of saying "oh look, here is this African American man, we feel bad for him, so let's give him this award to show him there's no hard feelings and good for him for rising above it all". It seems so sanctimonious and pretentious...not to mention patronizing.
Mandela got it for actually working hard to make a difference, enduring a hell of a lot more discrimination than Obama ever experienced. I wish Obama could jsut do something without having the rest of the guilt-ridden world read race into everything that he does or has happen to him. That goes for both sides of the debate.
QuoteIt's the equivalent of saying "oh look, here is this African American man, we feel bad for him, so let's give him this award to show him there's no hard feelings and good for him for rising above it all". It seems so sanctimonious and pretentious...not to mention patronizing.
That mind set isn't just patronizing, it's straight-up racist.
bear sin rug...you have a screw loose.
Obama becoming President was awesome (and I didn't even vote for him) because it put the US even higher when it comes to racial acceptance. We have come a long way since the 1800s, but how does it make sense in 2009, after we have had black supreme court justices, Oscar winners, CEOs, Senators, NFL head coaches, etc etc etc etc, to have your mindset, which is:
A man deserves a Nobel Peace prize for being black and becoming president. It is ridiculous and is racist, not to mention non-nonsensical. You are a little over the top man.
You know what, we should go ahead and give the guy an Oscar....just in case he one day acts in a movie....cause if he did, it would be inspirational....oh, and he is black (bear sin rug wants us to remember that). Screw white people, black people, yellow people....let's move on with life.
Being the first black PRESIDENT isn't an achievement in your book?
--------------------------------------------
It's an achievement, alright...but has nothing to do with why he was bestowed with the honor and for you to suggest so is a little out there.
Have you actually read the citation or any of the reasons enumerated by the committee?
QuoteBeing the first black PRESIDENT isn't an achievement in your book?
--------------------------------------------
It's an achievement, alright...but has nothing to do with why he was bestowed with the honor and for you to suggest so is a little out there.
Have you actually read the citation or any of the reasons enumerated by the committee?
I didn't suggest it.....bear sin rug did. I certainly think what Obama did was freaking amazing. But I don't (like bear sin rug above) think that warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.
All of a sudden, a bunch of people who know very little about the awarding of the Nobel Prize are more knowledgeable than the Nobel prize committee! ;D ;)
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize after 11 days in office??? Received the same award as Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, Desmond Tutu, Amnesty International, and Martin Luther King, Jr. ??? Hasn't hosted a peace conference, signed a treaty, or ended a conflict yet??? Was more worthy than activists and leaders around the world who are jailed, banished, and have struggled & suffered for many years for peace???
If any of you think a white American president gets the Nobel for doing the exact thing Obama has, then you are obviously not paying attention. This is clearly about race.
Quote
A man deserves a Nobel Peace prize for being black and becoming president. It is ridiculous and is racist, not to mention non-nonsensical.
So you agree with me. Thanks. (non-nonsensical = makes sense.)
silly ;D ;D
QuoteQuote
A man deserves a Nobel Peace prize for being black and becoming president. It is ridiculous and is racist, not to mention non-nonsensical.
So you agree with me. Thanks. (non-nonsensical = makes sense.)
silly ;D ;D
Funny when the only defense you have is to point out typos. I like everyone on these boards but you.
QuoteQuoteQuote
A man deserves a Nobel Peace prize for being black and becoming president. It is ridiculous and is racist, not to mention non-nonsensical.
So you agree with me. Thanks. (non-nonsensical = makes sense.)
silly ;D ;D
Funny when the only defense you have is to point out typos. I like everyone on these boards but you.
"non-" is a typo? That's a helluva typo! ;D
All of a sudden, a bunch of people who know very little about the awarding of the Nobel Prize are more knowledgeable than the Nobel prize committee! I guarantee you that 99% of you (and probably 100%) didn't go to sleep Thursday night, tossing and turning about who was going to be announced as the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, you just heard the news and responded; and now everyone is up in arms about a decision that they didn't give 2 shits about on Wednesday! ;D ;)
Get over it, jeeeez ::)
QuoteAll of a sudden, a bunch of people who know very little about the awarding of the Nobel Prize are more knowledgeable than the Nobel prize committee! I guarantee you that 99% of you (and probably 100%) didn't go to sleep Thursday night, tossing and turning about who was going to be announced as the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize, you just heard the news and responded; and now everyone is up in arms about a decision that they didn't give 2 shits about on Wednesday! ;D ;)
Get over it, jeeeez ::)
::)
On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who 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".
Can't we be happy that an American won the NPP? Are we so Obama-sensitive (negatively and positively) that every thing that he does or is done to him is turned in to a mega-event?
My $.02 is that he has put himself out there to try to advance peace. As Pres of the USA, he plays a pretty big role in working toward world peace. Our recent past put Us (as a country) at odds with a fairly significant portion of the world on a variety of topics. To me, this award is an acknowledgment of Our stated change in attitude/direction and serves as motivation for Us to stay the course.
Racially speaking, I don't think I get it. If race were a major factor, I'd think that the award would have gone to the American people for over-coming the despicable legacy of racism and electing Obama.
Just my $.02.
I think they gave him this based on his speeches, not his actions. And that's what gets on my nerves about Obama, he's a lot of talk but so far he's done nothing (other than closing down an illegal prison).
We are still fighting two wars and there's a chance we'll soon be sending more troops into Afganistan. Seems to me the leader of a country who's not fighting a war or two would be a better candidate. But maybe I'm just ignorant to how they choose the Nobel PEACE Prize and I should just shut up, go with the flow, congratulate Obama for being a great speaker, and live with the fact that he can't get anything done as President. ::)
I think this debate is healthy and important because it's almost been a year for Obama as President and it's time to reflect so we can know how best to move forward. How much has really changed? At what point will he actually live up to the man he claims to be in his speeches? Maybe this will light a fire under his ass to actually do the things he talks about, but I'm losing HOPE.
This argument is coming from someone who voted for Obama, agrees with most of his policies, and is pissed because nothing is changing.
QuoteQuoteBeing the first black PRESIDENT isn't an achievement in your book?
--------------------------------------------
It's an achievement, alright...but has nothing to do with why he was bestowed with the honor and for you to suggest so is a little out there.
Have you actually read the citation or any of the reasons enumerated by the committee?
I didn't suggest it.....bear sin rug did. I certainly think what Obama did was freaking amazing. But I don't (like bear sin rug above) think that warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.
I realize it was bear sin rug who said that. The committee has given the reasons for the award, so for people to continue speculating about why it was given to President Obama is kind of pointless, no? Now, the subject of whether it was deserved or not is another matter...
QuoteIf any of you think a WHITE American president gets the Nobel for doing the exact thing Obama has, then you are obviously not paying attention. This is clearly about race.
How about a yellow president?
There. My question is almost as preposterous as your pie-in-the-sky assertion.
Obama won because he's not Bush. And the prize was a gift to the American people for taking out the trash in the last election.
QuoteHow about a yellow president?
There. My question is almost as preposterous as your pie-in-the-sky assertion.
sass, with all due respect, if Joe Biden were President, and he had done exactly what Obama has done over the past 11 months, do you really think Joe Biden gets the Nobel Peace Prize? Ask yourself that question and answer it honestly. I confidently say he doesn't.
And I voted for Obama and suppot him, and I don't have a problem with how the Nobel committee handles THEIR award. It's an AWARD.
I am not on the committee.
I am just clearing up all the questions/objections about why Obama got the AWARD.
QuoteObama won because he's not Bush. And the prize was a gift to the American people for taking out the trash in the last election.
What he said :)
I am just clearing up all the questions/objections about why Obama got the AWARD.
--------------------------------------------------------------
LOL. Continue with your nonsensical drivel if you must...
he INHERITED TWO WARS and a recession, and the committee knows, the WORLD knows that his election is not so much about a young, inexperienced, bi-racial, liberal, culturally popular guy getting elected, it's about an administration acknowledging the changing times in international global affairs, it's about FINALLY having someone who's willing to compromise and work w/other nations, about realizing that we won't be the superpower we once were ever again, and as our economy and our influence over the world will get smaller, it's about a man and an administration w/the potential to make things better for everyone as this is happening. i think it's very telling that he won, ...it's a sign of just how important the next 8 years will be for international diplomacy. instead of calling the enemy evil, you extend a hand and then when they reject it, you get other countries on board to help you; the last 8 to 12 years have been about isolating the US and pissing off other nations, so when it hits the fan, we are alone,...um other than britain and....mexico? oh wait, not even them anymore. you can disagree about all his socialist policies, but if you can't see the bigger picture here...it just doesn't seem like you've been paying attention....just my .02.
QuoteI am just clearing up all the questions/objections about why Obama got the AWARD.
--------------------------------------------------------------
LOL. Continue with your nonsensical drivel if you must...
Do you think a white president gets the Nobel for doing the same thing Obama has done? Seriously, do you?
You're the one proudly sporting the Crown of Conjecture, not me.
QuoteYou're the one proudly sporting the Crown of Conjecture, not me.
How about the Crown of Rationality?
Your refusal to answer my question (twice now) answers it for me.
If Obama is white, he doesn't get the Nobel prize. Period. It is what it is.
Who is being irrational? The person who accepts the statements of the committee as fact or the one who insists that he knows otherwise...just because?
I didn't answer your question because your question is ridiculous. It is impossible for me -- and you -- to say with any certainty how the committee would react in the face of hypotheticals.
Honestly, I don't think it's about race at all, at least in the minds of those who issue the award. I think they'd be fairly blatant about the racial aspects if it were the case.
In all honesty, I think it's just on pretense and the "hope" (pardon the cliche) of a better tomorrow.
Though I traveled abroad post-9/11, I was greeted with more fascination than contempt than I was warned about. Still, I think that the standing of us here in the States was more of a war hawk looking to pick a fight with the next person who looked at him the wrong way. I think there was a lot of apprehension that we'd keep rolling through the mid-east half-assed and make everyone else's lives a diplomatic hellhole since they'd have to be "with us" or "against us".
Though nationally we are still divided, the election turned out to be much more one-sided than the last two. There was an acknowledgment of popular sentiment and less of a "decider" approach. And there was the promise to correct the wrongs of the past decade, much of which lead to the tumultuous atmosphere. Speculation of an invasion of Iran was so rampant it even factored into the Sopranos' final season.
There was the campaign promise to avert this, and to quell a growing tide of resentment domestically and internationally. I think that's why he got it - the hawaiian was going to show the world how to safely surf a rising tide of uncertainty.
And that's fine.
My whole argument is to just wait until he gets to the beach.
I do not think that the rest of the world is so hung up on race as us here in America to really play into the petty color games.