Guess what? The Nobel Prize brouhaha doesn't have a lot to do with you. It's the international community saying thank god the United States has finally gotten that tyrant out of the White House and has someone in there who recognizes the other peoples of the world.
The rest of the world really hated George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and their antiquated cold war attitude. Awarding Obama was sort of like a strange sigh of relief from across the globe.
Furthermore, Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee,isn't the slightest bit sheepish about the decision.
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48 comments:
The Swedish Acadamy should have waited to see what comes of this whole Afghan business.
And let the slobberfest begin ...
I'm okay with it, but only because I have absolutely nothing to do with it, and because I recognize that the Peace Prize is an almost entirely empty subjective thing that mostly is about giving money away, which is okay. It's not my money after all. I just grew up always thinking it was this crazy important deal, like naming someone "best person in the whole world". I hate to have that taken away. I want it to have real meaning. Like, I'm pretty confident in 4 years he would have deserved it. But nominating him 10 days into office is kinda obvious.
I wonder if he feels the same way? Like, he knows what the gesture was, but he wishes he had gotten it after a track record? Cause I'm sure it must have been a dream of his.
He should just give all the prize money to the national debt. I mean, it's symbolic, but maybe it would shut some people up.
Like a lot of people, I was completely stunned by the announcement. Then I was even more stunned listening to Jagland. In another inteview (that I can't find now), he described how the five-member committee was unanimous and completely unflinching in their selection of Obama.
Obama's presence on the international stage was one of the reasons he garnered my support; but even I underestimated just how prominent he is in that arena.
What's not to hate about Dubya and Dick?
Nice idea Bridgette, no matter what Mr Obama does with the money it won't shut some people up.
Hmmm let's see ..
Obama tends to support socialist ideas, like European nations ...
He's all about appeasing (negotiating with nutjobs) sworn enemies (Iran, North Korea).
Europe (and that includes Norway) loves the guy because he is more than willing to say that the U.S. is not a good country and responsible for any number of bad things.
Do I have it about right?
That he "wins" the Nobel Peace Prize should come as surprise to no one given the above.
BTW, he was in office all of ten days before the deadline to nominate folks for said prize expired.
Al
TRAG
Sorry, he was in office twelve days.
So, yeah, at precisely 11:00pm ET on November 4, 2008, Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. And the 66 million people who voted for him won it, too. By the time he took the stage at midnight ET in the Grant Park Historic Hippie Battlefield in downtown Chicago, billions of people around the globe were already breathing a huge sigh of relief. It was as if, in that instant, one man did bring the promise of peace to the world -- and most were ready to go wherever he wanted to go to achieve that end. Never before had the election of one man made every other nation feel like they had won, too. When you've got billions of people ready, willing and able to join a cause like this, well, a prize in Oslo is the least that you deserve. - Michael Moore
Gee, Tag. That means so much. I mean, Michael Moore, of Sicko, Roger and Me, Fahrenheit 911, and Capitalism - A Love Story fame is behind the quote. Shocked? Not me.
Obama hasn't done dick to bring peace to any part of the world yet. And I'm not making it up - look at the record. But of course, he deserves the Nobel prize for bringing "hope" to the world. The only problem is that "hope" doesn't solve dick.
By the way, Michael Moore should visit the Jenny Craig website. He is, by all accounts, an obese $uck.
Al
TRAG
Whatever the reason, whatever the outcome, it is worth all the flying bullshit to observe the red-eyed, spittle-flecked, apoplectic hate surging through the rightoid blogosphere.
They absolutely HATE that Obama has been given this prize.
I don't hate that he got it. I just don't think he deserves it - he HASN'T DONE DICK.
Al
TRAG
“Nobel mentions that this should be for achievement in the preceding year ..”
What did Obama do in the preceding year in terms of world peace other than to be elected President of the United States? Answer? Nothing.
“And this is indeed for achievements in the preceeding years …”
What, as a community organizer in Chicago? Or less than two years in the senate, where he voted “present” most of the time?
“He mentions three criteria .. fraternity between nations … Obama has done an awful lot for fraternity between nations…”
Bullshit, not in the twelve days he was in office before the nomination process ended.
“Reduction in Standing Armies ..”
Sorry, but according to our constitution, only the congress has that power.
“He has produced the vision of a nuclear free world.”
Nope. Ask Kim Jong Il or Ahmadinejad.
“And we are expecting very significant arms control agreements …”
Yeah, right. Like Ahmadinejad or Kim Jong Il really give a shit what Obama or the UN think given their past actions.
“And, the holding of peace congresses …the modern version of which is international diplomacy, which we feel … is that this decision is very closely based .. on Alfred Nobel’s will …
Peace congresses? What? International diplomacy? Give me a fucking break.
This guy has truly drunk the kool aid.
Al
TRAG
I bestow the Saying "Dick" A Lot O'Brien Prize to Al The Retired Army Guy for saying "dick" a whole bunch of times in this comment thread.
I think Obama getting the nobel peace prize this early in his presidency is wrong. He may have good intentions but the prize shouldn't be rewarded for intentions. How about the nominee Greg Mortenson who has risked death attempting to build human relationships with the Muslim world and building 131 schools in Pakistan educating mostly girls. Muslim clerics have announced fatwas against him for his work. This is action and not intention. I think he is more deserving of the award.
Is the saying "dick" a lot O'brien Prize look anything like the water tower on the campus of Eastern Michigan?
Okay folkmoot, I assume this is what you mean.
I like the garbage can by the door.
That's it. lol. The garbage can does add a bit of class to the whole thing.
Whats with the too early? Since when do efforts to promote world peace come too early? Obama getting the peace prize is a recognition that perhaps this country is getting back to its roots and abandonining the militaristic stance it has taken in recent years. As a nation we should be proud that an American is recognized for promoting peace rather than war.
Gee, The Taliban, Rush Limpballs and Al The Retired Army Guy agree. At least, you are a Limpballs patriot, Al!
Interesting comment about this country getting back to it's roots. Please explain which roots? I could care less about Obama and this award. The company he is keeping with this award is not exactly awe inspiring.
James Old Guy
Erin,
You are absolutely right. The award was a "You're not George Bush" award. Here's a million dollars.
More interestingly, let's see how this grand reward impacts Obama's tough decisions on Afghanistan, Guantanamo, and Pakistan. Just because handcuffs are velvet doesn't mean they are any less constraining.
Obama is now beholden to people who most certainly do not have his, or America's best interests at heart. One hopes he understands this, and can distance himself from it.
One other thing. To Dean: the rightists are not "spittle-flecked", or full of hate about this. It's the best laugh we've had in a while. It is so absurd it is absolutely droll. We're going to have a lot of fun, and get a lot of mileage, out of this ridiculous pandering. It's very exciting, fun stuff! I hope they do it again next year!
Welcome Kim (velociman) and James. Al needed some team members.
Did someone say velvet handcuffs?
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Hey, Erin! Velvet handcuffs, indeed. Several possible outcomes here: the Nobel Peace Committee has beclowned themselves (and the Norwegian parliament is going to replace them all), or Obama becomes the butt of jokes despite the fact he had nothing to do with this, or we just keep giving him Nobels until, and after, he's served his 8 years. Actually, all three might happen.
Conservatives don't care. It's theater of the absurd time. I'm with Tom Friedman of the New York Times: Obama should accept it on behalf of the United States Armed Forces: the greatest peacekeepers in the last half century. That would rock.
If that isn't just like a conservative. He comes in here showing a girl his velvet handcuffs, gets her attention, but it turns out to be one just another big goose egg.
**sigh**
i'm not a fan of this choice, and as you well know i voted for him. 'hope doesn't solve dick' is a bit harsh; tell that to Vaclav Havel or Alexander Solszhenitsyn or Aung San Suu Kii or a captured John McCain circa Oct. 26, 1967. hope is the impetus for action; you gotta have enough brains to trace that back Al, you just gotta. there are other factors that serve as impetus for action, for example religion, hate, ambition, but hope is among them.
but anyway, i tend to agree with Al the Retired Dudalicious on this one (call Ripley's!). I do understand the rationale, but still. I'm not a big fan of Gore winning it either...Gore is still a fatcat slimy politician who lives in a big fucking mansion and offsets his carbon output with money--something that only a fucking imbecile would allow if that imbecile were to be serious about reducing CO2. Give me a break w/buying your way out, seriously. Only in America. But I digress.
I am nonplussed by Obama's win; i am happy, on the other hand, that this country is being seen in better light around the world. despite most conservatives' position on not giving a shit how we stand globally, it is actually quite important that we are willing to collaborate and play the game with others. in the end, without that, this country will go down the toilet from within; whether it be Wall Street again, or the fucking retards watching Fox News and going to church and voting. So yea, being seen by the rest of the world as a collaborative playa is important.
Just having Alex call Al "Dudalicious" makes all of this worthwhile.
My life now has meaning. I have accomplished something that is at once momentous and small.
I'm late to the party but I am surprised by this generalization by our friend Al..
"He's all about appeasing (negotiating with nutjobs) sworn enemies (Iran, North Korea)."
I thought the only thing you slobbered over was foie gras Al.
RJ
Ok, first, I work for a blosted federal bureaucracy and I'm sitting here in my underwear with my laptop writing this on Monday 10/12/09 because I'm off work for COLUMBUS DAY! If all you conservatives are so righteous why are you not in the street today criticizing the U.S. Celebration of that murderous bastard or at least criticizing our countries pandering to the citizens of Genoa?
Second, upon reflecting on the award for a moment I sent this message to my local conservative radio talk show host:
Dear America,
Thank You for not electing another Murderous Imperialist from the rotting corpse that is the Republican Party.
Sincerely,
The Nobel Committee.
Third,
How many mornings during the year do any of you wake up and think "Gee, I better check to see what that silly Nobel Comittee has been up to before I go on with my day." I think I know the answer.
I been seriously considering going off grid because I think we're all being duped by corporations on both sides of the aisle to get our drawers in a bunch while they suck the life out of us via "The Free Market."
I think we should all get naked and get in a pile. That'd do more for peace than 40 thousand additional troops to Afghanistan could ever imagine.
The End.
RJ
"blosted federal bureaucracy"...bloated of course, my apologies.
RJ
I am SO ready for the pile, RJ.
@ RJ
Before you got into said pile, were those boxers or briefs?
Enjoy your fed day off!
Someone quoted Thomas Friedman. That guy's been wrong about everything. If you get a chance, see what Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi had to say about Friedman on his blog a while back. It's hilarious.
Boxers, like old Southern homes, have plenty of ballroom.
RJ
I do slobber over foie gras, RJ. It is so ... goooooddddd!
Al
TRAG
Ha! Al is an East Coast foie gras-eating, educated elitist. I knew it all along.
Hey, I'm not Dubya either!! Where's my 1.4 million bucks?
Seriously, folks, I liked one of the observations I heard either on PBS or NPR over the weekend that the committee awarding the prize to Obama wanted to "nudge" him a bit into "walking the walk" toward peace, not just "talking the talk." I think Obama's heart is in the right place. He would love nothing more than world peace. He is, after all, the commander-in-chief. He has the power to end our role in futile death and destruction in Afghanistan and Iraq. The optimal way to support the troops is to fly mostly-empty 747s over there, load up the troops for the flight home today, feed them all the lobster and filet mignon they want and allow controlled alcohol consumption. When I say "mostly empty," the only passengers to Iraq and Afghanistan would be the senior management and boards of directors of Halliburton, KBR, the Bechtel Group, Blackwater Worldwide, General Electric and other companies among the top 10 war profiteers. Let them personally inspect what their employees have "accomplished" over there, buy their own body armor and pay $7.50 for a can of pop like the soldiers have to do. Keep the execs there for an indefinite time--like our soldiers face.
Incidentally, all this demonizing of "socialism" is pretty annoying. When you take a close look at socialism in operation, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This raises the question as to weather He would be more comfortable in a socialist society or a quasi-capitalistic society as ours? (We do have socialism, after all, for Wall Street, AIG, et al., and two of the "Big Three" car makers.)
Sunday evening I saw Michael Moore's latest offering, "Capitalism: A Love Story," with fellow members of Veterans for Peace at the Cedar Lee. It is very informative as well as entertaining. You can't help concluding Wall Street has been calling the shots in the country for years, regardless if a Democrat or Republican is sitting in the Oval Office. Time will tell if Obama has the cohones to do the right thing about the Bush/Obama wars.
Lou Pumphrey
I don't know what Jesus felt about socialism, but as for capitalism, he did chase the money-changers out of the temple. And he said something about sticking a camel through an eye of a needle.
S(wine),
Nope. I grew up in our lovely hostess' hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Nothing elitist about that. I just love the taste, flavor, and texture of foie gras. Sorry to disappoint! ;-)
Al
TRAG
Oh Erin, how rich your life must be :)
http://shady80baby-shady80baby.blogspot.com/2009/10/does-barack-obama-really-deserve-peace.html
Umm...first you say, "My fellow Americans...The Nobel Prize brouhaha doesn't have a lot to do with you."
And then you say, "It's the international community saying thank god the United States has finally..."
Aren't WE (I am one of your fellow Americans) the United States? In that case, it DOES have "a lot to do with" us--at least the ones who voted for him.
Agreed! The rest of the world was just happy that for once we were smarter than we look! Lol. We actually elected someone that cares about people and not just about money...and oil.
thanks for visiting my page
Amazing how those who've done nothing but bitch and whine about Obama being awarded this prize, and who now (but only now, because it's been awarded to Obama) consider the award "worthless", but were quite happy and tight-lipped about it being awarded to Henry Kissinger in 1973 - when it was awarded to him, without so much as a whiff of irony, for bombing Laos and Cambodia back to the Stone Age: an act which saw revered US satirist Tom Lehrer retire with the comment "political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize."
Check it out http://shady80-shady80baby.blogspot.com
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