The Nobel Peace Prize 2009 [Archive]

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Blue Devil

10-09-2009, 10:50 AM

Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize to mixed reviews (http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5981JK20091009?sp=true)

...for giving the world "hope for a better future" and striving for nuclear disarmament...

Thanks for the confirmation Norway, ... now we know for sure.

Odinga has garnered the badge of Nobel excrement.

He joins other true works of diarrhea such as:

Jimmy Carter, ...for creating modern day Islamo-fascist fundamentalist Terrorism and is personally responsible for the 9/11 attacks and the current state of death and destruction in Iran and Afghanistan.

Al Gore, ...Who created the Global Warming hoax and continues to scam 10's of $millions of dollar each year off the scheme, ...and is poised to destroy the global Energy economy and plunge the average tax-paying Citizen into cold, dark, 1950 East Germany.

Yes Norway, ...you have done well.

Barack Hussein Odinga, ...Mmm, Mmm, Mmm.

The 2009 recipient of the Nobel Piece-O-**** prize

(for Social and Political Retardation, and Hope, ...but no Change for the better. Instead he will be responsible for the next Middle East WAR and Terror attacks on the U.S. and Israel)

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 10:53 AM

See, what I said.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 11:13 AM

Lucky Dog

10-09-2009, 11:30 AM

The Spiegel was fast and wrote this interesting article : Spiegel International (http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,654251,00.html)
It goes a little into the direction what I said as well.

Spiegel is right........Obama has done Nothing to deserve this except blow a lot of hot air.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 12:11 PM

I think this is for everybody a total suprise. Of course the whacky American ultra-right will tear him to pieces for this - even if he is as suprised as anybody.
Unfortunately I think the Nobel commitee is very naive in their understanding of some mindsets in America. Their intentions are without doubt good and noble, but they might hurt Obama with this more then strengthen him, at least back in his own country. On the other hand this shows clearly how deep the gap is between the worldview of certain intellectual parts of Europe (especially scandinavian northern Europe) and the deeply provincial, conservative, religious and in many aspects backward American right. They have nothing in common anymore, it could as well be two different planets. In resume, I am happy for Obama, I think this will strenghten his international efforts for peace and disarmament..and I am deeply worried about his position "back home". Now more than ever.

I forwarded the same text as above to my grand uncle, who is a well known American singer songwriter, and he just replied this to me: (I took out my name)

Hey ----, thanks for the Euro-perspective. Sadly, I think you're right -- there is an increasing gulf between European civilization and the States, although I think Obama (and many other factors) are healing this split. Nevertheless, certain voices on the right, like Sarah Palin, who has never even set foot in Europe, seems to view all countries other than their own as an inferior subset of humanity hardly worth knowing about. When Jesus returns, he will set up his New World Order in Anchorage, Alaska, Salt Lake City, Utah or perhaps Dallas, Texas, so they believe. Sigh. Obama won for the speech he gave in Cairo to the Muslim world. Plain and simple. A remarkable moment. Obama will prove that peacemaking is not appeasement. Blessed are the peacemakers, indeed.

Kofschip

10-09-2009, 12:38 PM

All I can say that this is amazing, totally amazing, especially considering that he was nominated for it by the Nobel Commitee when he was President for two weeks. The NBC Washington correspondent figured that he got it by not being like President Bush........

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 12:52 PM

I have wondered for a long time why we care what five Norwegians hold up in some hotel room in Oslo think about anything. But leaving that aside. Lets get to this:

“this shows clearly how deep the gap is between the worldview of certain intellectual parts of Europe (especially scandinavian northern Europe) and the deeply provincial, conservative, religious and in many aspects backward American right.”

I agree that there is a real gulf of understanding but I think the cause for it rises less from what Nausica is pleased to describe as gap between the high plateau of intellectual parts of Europe- represented by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee- and the lowly deeply provincial, conservative, religious and in many aspects backward American right.

I would say that, at least in part, exactly the opposite is true. Far form being the intellectual highland, the mindset in the Oslo Hotel room shared among those five Norwegian Committee members is actually the more provincial, narrow mindset. They have little if any understanding what American Society- or the rest of the world for that matter is all about.

These five Norwegians on the Nobel Peace Prize Committee and the rest of Norwegians for that matter come from one of the most homogeneous, insular and least culturally diverse countries in the world. In today's world they are the ones suffering from provincialism and conservative world view not shared by most of us living in the rest of world.

America is probably the most culturally diverse society in the world. This diversity sets up dynamics within the society that don’t lend themselves to easy understanding by five intellectual/cultural hermits hold up in an Oslo Hotel room.

While they may be pleased to extol the virtues of cultural tolerance and diversity the Norwegians have a very sorry record of putting any of that liberal expansiveness and tolerance into practice or dealing with the actual social realities of such diversity.

If Obama’s speech in Cairo is the sole reason he is receiving the award, then I still would have to disagree that he deserves it. All I hear is the wind blowing. I am not seeing any trees move.

PS WRT the Nobel Committee being the ones who are out of touch: Eugene Fama- father of the thoroughly discredited Efficient Markets Hypothesis has the inside track on the Nobel Prize In Economics this time around. Now that would really cement the irrelevance of the Nobel Prize.

Snuffy

10-09-2009, 01:11 PM

Tommy De Seno
- FOXNews.com
- October 09, 2009

How to Win the Nobel Peace Prize In 12 Days

Let’s take a look at the president’s first 12 days in the White House according to his public schedule to see what he did to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize.

Editor's Note: Although President Obama had only been in office for 12 days before the nominations for this year's Nobel Peace prize closed the entire process actually takes a full year. According to the official Nobel Prize Web site invitation letters are sent out in September. Every year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee sends out thousands of letters inviting a qualified and select number of people to submit their nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. The deadline to submit nominations is February 1.

- Two hundred five names were submitted for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, 33 of which are organizations. A short list of nominees is prepared in February and March. The short list is subject to adviser review from March until August. At the beginning of October, the Nobel Committee chooses the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates through a majority vote. The decision is final and without appeal. The names of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates are then announced."

Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize this morning. Over the last decade the only requirement to win the prize was that the nominee had to be critical of George W. Bush (see Al Gore, Mohamed El Baradei and Jimmy Carter).

President Obama has broken new ground here. Nominations for potential winners of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize ended on February 1. The president took office only 12 days earlier on January 20.

Let’s take a look at the president’s first 12 days in the White House according to his public schedule to see what he did to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize:

January 20: Sworn in as president. Went to a parade. Partied.
January 21: Asked bureaucrats to re-write guidelines for information requests. Held an “open house” party at the White House.
January 22: Signed Executive Orders: Executive Branch workers to take ethics pledge; re-affirmed Army Field Manual techniques for interrogations; expressed desire to close Gitmo (how’s that working out?)
January 23: Ordered the release of federal funding to pay for abortions in foreign countries. Lunch with Joe Biden; met with Tim Geithner.
January 24: Budget meeting with economic team.
January 25: Skipped church.
January 26: Gave speech about jobs and energy. Met with Hillary Clinton. Attended Geithner's swearing in ceremony.
January 27: Met with Republicans. Spoke at a clock tower in Ohio.
January 28: Economic meetings in the morning, met with Defense secretary in the afternoon.
January 29: Signed Ledbetter Bill overturning Supreme Court decision on lawsuits over wages. Party in the State Room. Met with Biden.
January 30: Met economic advisers. Gave speech on Middle Class Working Families Task Force. Met with senior enlisted military officials.
January 31: Took the day off.
February 1: Skipped church. Threw a Super Bowl party.

So there you have it. The short path to the Nobel Peace Prize:
Party, go to meetings, skip church, release federal funding to pay for abortions in foreign countries, party some more.

Good grief.

:doh: Not a friggin thing worth that recognition :BS:

RickN

10-09-2009, 01:28 PM

When I first heard this, all I could think was WTF???? I thought you had to have actually done something not just get elected with the same mindset as the Euros.

Interesting thing, it is not just the right in the USA questioning this little piece of European BS.

From Powerline,

A number of readers have expressed to me their distress over President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I can't say I'm pleased either. This isn't a case of Obama's popularity winning something positive for Americans, as might have been true if he had persuaded the IOC to bring the Olympics to Chicago. This is (1) a personal award and (2) an explicit award for a particular vision of what constitutes good foreign policy. I'm indifferent to Obama winning a personal award and opposed to his vision of foreign policy receiving an award.

Some might argue that the prestige that comes with this award will help Obama in his dealings with the rest of the world. I doubt it. First, these days the Nobel Peace Prize impresses those in the know to about the same degree as a positive column by Tom Friedman. Second, I suspect that some key leaders will be envious and perhaps less well-disposed to Obama as a result of his awarded for who he is. I would have loved to witness Sarkozy's private reaction.

If it's any consolation to readers who have expressed distress, I think this award will prove to be an embarrassment to Obama, and possibly a negative for his presidency, here at home. The award is so absurd that even leftists have taken note. Ezra Klein wrote: "Obama also awarded Nobel prize in chemistry. 'He's just got great chemistry,' says Nobel Committee." Ana Marie Cox wrote: "Apparently Nobel prizes now being awarded to anyone who is not George Bush." The late-night comedians should have even more fun with this.

I think this award will seal Obama's image as vastly overrated and perhaps as president of the foreigners (Obama flirted with these images once before to his detriment; in the summer of 2008, his poll numbers sagged following his pompous foreign speeches before he had been elected president). In fact, this may well become the prevailing narrative for Obama at least until the economy improves quite substantially.

Obama seems sufficiently egomanical to welcome this award. But I wonder whether the shrewdest of his advisers do.

I guess Dear Leader made the awards committee legs tingle.

Now the three latest US scientist that won the award for medicine deserved it, even though our system is so inferior compared to socialized medicine in other countries. :laugh:

6s.

10-09-2009, 01:32 PM

I do not agree with Maskrider's arguments but I agree that the Nobel Committee have made a mistake IMHO. It gives the feeling Obama's been chosen for not being Bush, or for being the 1st black US president, or both. While it is notable history-wise, it does NOT make a Nobel Peace Prize.

bzhyoyo

10-09-2009, 01:36 PM

RickN

10-09-2009, 01:57 PM

This is being discussed on a French soccer forum I visit and guess what? Everybody thinks it's a ridiculous decision.
So I'd appreciate some members here not to confuse 5 men's opinion with the whole of Europe's. Thanks.

Sorry but when the thread starts off with some Euros gloating about something this stupid it is going to go that way. I am glad it seems some Euros have not fallen completely for Dear Leaders line of BS.

On another note, now the schools will have even more kids singing his praises.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Of course the "12 days" thing is typical Fox News bullcrap propaganda as usual. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/10/09/tommy-seno-obama-nobel-prize-win/

In the mind of Oslo he is of course awarded for his efforts in the de-escalation between the West and the Muslim world, his intention to strive for a world without nuclear weapons, as he said in Prague in march, peace process in the middle west and more. But I agree that they made a mistake - I think to understand however that the idea was to strengthen his back for things to come. But such prices should be given for accomplishments more than intentions, although I do not agree that he accomplished nothing.
Unfortunately Obama is somewhat a tragic figure until now. He has some bad luck, a bad situation (in which Cain/Palin wouldn't have done an inch better in my opinion) and he has a hatred faction against him that will do everything do sabotate him and will rejoice everytime something doesnt work out. I do however believe that he has the potential to be a truly great president - and he has obviously some dam good willpower and strength in him - he has shown that on many occasions already. It's sad he took presidency of a country that just crashed into the biggest economic desaster since the great depression. I fear this might sabotate his presidency, visions and intentions to a much greater degree than we all know at this moment. On the other side I am convinced that Cain/Palin - with the exact same problems - would have done their share of mistakes, and maybe it would have been worse. (remember Cain's total lack of understanding just days after the crash?) Except of course for healthcare, which they wouldn't have touched even with a biohazard suit on. In some ways Obama has shown a lot of guts to stick to his plans, despite the whole desaster around him - for which others than him where responsible, and yes, a lot of reps too. And a good prez needs guts - he wasn't a sissy so far. I hope the situation turns into something more favorable for him, and wish him also - plain and simple - just some more luck.

@Maskrider: My description of the "northern european intellectuals" was actually ment to be a bit sarcastic. I wanted to express between the lines that they live also in an ivory tower.

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 02:05 PM

On another note, now the schools will have even more kids singing his praisesMaybe they will all learn to sing Bob Dylan's "Sometimes Satan, comes as a man of Peace", mmm mmmm mmmm...

Sing Along!:D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVFExA_bGfw&feature=player_embedded

Man Of Peace

Look out your window, baby, there's a scene you'd like to catch,
The band is playing "Dixie," a man got his hand outstretched.
Could be the Fuhrer
Could be the local priest.
You know sometimes
Satan comes as a man of peace.

He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue,
He knows every song of love that ever has been sung.
Good intentions can be evil,
Both hands can be full of grease.
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

Well, first he's in the background, then he's in the front,
Both eyes are looking like they're on a rabbit hunt.
Nobody can see through him,
No, not even the Chief of Police.
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

Well, he catch you when you're hoping for a glimpse of the sun,
Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton.
He could be standing next to you,
The person that you'd notice least.
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull,
He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull.
I can smell something cooking,
I can tell there's going to be a feast.
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

He's a great humanitarian, he's a great philanthropist,
He knows just where to touch you, honey, and how you like to be kissed.
He'll put both his arms around you,
You can feel the tender touch of the beast.
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl,
Trees that've stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall.
Wanna get married? Do it now,
Tomorrow all activity will cease.
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

Somewhere Mama's weeping for her blue-eyed boy,
She's holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy
And he's following a star,
The same one them three men followed from the East.
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

RickN

10-09-2009, 02:21 PM

As far as the hatred faction towards Dear Leader, he has no more then Bush, Clinton, Reagan or any other recent prez on either side of the isle. His backers just whine about it a little more and throw out the racist charge anytime someone disagrees with him.

On the plus side he has most of the MSM kissing his rear, at least until this stupidity. Now many more will start to question him and his policies.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 02:25 PM

well yes...Bush firsted started a war without asking anyone and with false "proof"....Obama just wants to reform healthcare..but you are right of course RickN, it's the same. :D

Maybe we should start to call it the Divided States of America? Seems it's all falling apart into hate camps anyway.

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 02:26 PM

@Maskrider: My description of the "northern european intellectuals" was actually ment to be a bit sarcastic. I wanted to express between the lines that they live also in an ivory tower.

Perhaps so, but your is sarcasm about the misguided good intentions of the Nobel Committee you explain as being a result of their lacking a true understanding of Americas backward provincialism and low mindedness.

Far from it- America is a country so diverse and open that anyone- regardless of one's prejudices and stereotypes- can find a place to hang their hat and claim to have found the "true" America. When they actually haven't come close.

Chris

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Far from it- America is a country so diverse and open that regardless of one's prejudices and stereotypes everyone can find a place to hang their hat and claim to have found the "true" America. When they actually haven't come close.

You are certainly right. This gets lost in the loudmouthing of some like Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and others, also Moore and so on. They are heard over the pond you know - -
Unfortunately we often only get the extremes.

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 02:32 PM

You are certainly right.

Hehe. When I say, "that anyone- regardless of prejudices and stereotypes- can find a place to hang their hat and claim to have found the "true" America. When they actually haven't come close", I include you and yours, too.;)

And of course we Americans have a very narrow understanding of European viewpoints and concerns. It works both ways.

bzhyoyo

10-09-2009, 02:42 PM

Sorry but when the thread starts off with some Euros gloating about something this stupid it is going to go that way.

ah, so it was just pay back... if I reacted like that... :emot-angel:
Anyway, I'm listening to a radio (a musical one) praising the decision so whatever you "Yankees" think of the "Euros" be aware that the decision is not unanimously praised or criticized. I suppose it's not so different on your side of the pond.

I think that if the Nobel commitee really wanted to help Obama, they wouldn't have given him the prize. It's not going to help him on the home stage, and I doubt it will have any effect on the world one.
I'm beginning to think they have given him the prize because they didn't have any worthy candidate this year, or at least candidates famous enough to make the prize talked about in the media. If they had given it to a nobody that really deserved the prize, it would have only reinforced the growing impression that many people seem to have that the prize doesn't really mean a lot.

Naus, I'd like to agree with you on your assesment of Obama, but I feel it's too soon. The more I see it, the more I see the polarization of US politics as the biggest problem for any significant change.

Snuffy

10-09-2009, 02:45 PM

Which is it?

GOP chairman scoffs at Obama winning Peace prize

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Republican Party is contending that President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize as result of his "star power" rather than meaningful accomplishments.

Michael Steele issued a statement Friday saying, "The real question Americans are asking is, What has President Obama actually accomplished?"

Steele, who took over the reins of the party earlier this year, said he thought it was "unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights." He said he doesn't think Obama will be "receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action."

---

Gore calls Obama's Nobel Prize win well deserved

WASHINGTON — Former vice president and Nobel Laureate Al Gore is calling President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win extremely well deserved and an honor for the country.

Gore shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work on global warming. He said Friday that what Obama has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history. Gore specifically cited Obama's United Nations speech on abolishing nuclear weapons, his shifting of the missile defense program in Eastern Europe and Russia joining with the United States and other countries to confront Iran on nuclear nonproliferation.

Gore delivered his remarks Friday at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Madison, Wis.

:o

Willy

10-09-2009, 02:55 PM

The only thing that Obama has actually accomplished is to run the US government massively in debt and striving for more. That and a lot of pretty speeches that don't do a thing. Maybe trying to ruin the US is what the award is for and why Naus is so happy about it.

Snuffy

10-09-2009, 03:00 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/09/nobel-prize-obama-embarrassment-process-expert-says/

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 03:02 PM

Maybe trying to ruin the US is what the award is for and why Naus is so happy about it.

Clearly you haven't read my last posts. That "Naus wants harm to America" thing is getting old and tired.

Blue Devil

10-09-2009, 03:03 PM

Pierre looks out the window and sees Boudreaux standing out in his pasture.

Pierre tells his wife Marie, that he is worried about Boudreaux.

The next day he looks out his window and he sees Boudreaux still standing out in his pasture and tells Marie that he's really worried about Boudreaux.

The next day, he looks out and Boudreaux is still standing out in his pasture.

He says, "Marie, Boudreaux has lost his mind and I need to go help him!"

He walks over to Boudreaux and says, "What the hell are you doing Boudreaux?"

Boudreaux says, "I'm trying to win de Nobel Prize."

Pierre says, "Mais, how you plan to do dat?"

Boudreaux says, "I saw a show on TV and dey said if you want to win de Nobel Prize dat the most important thing is, ...dat you have to be out standing in your field."
.
.
.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 03:25 PM

This one is interesting and raises some good points. Indeed the Nobel Price was by far not always awarded only for accomplishments in the past - but often as a strategic political move:

Nobel Committee, Strategic as Ever, Taps Obama for Peace Prize
by Robert Naiman

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama.

Some initial commentary has called the award unprecedented and wondered why the committee would give President Obama the award when he "hasn't done anything yet."

But anyone who thinks this award is unprecedented hasn't been paying attention.

The Nobel Committee gave South African Bishop Desmond Tutu the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his leadership of efforts to abolish apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid wasn't fully abolished in South Africa until 1994. The committee could have waited until after apartheid was abolished to say, "Well done!" But the point of the award was to help bring down apartheid by strengthening Bishop Tutu's efforts. In particular, everyone knew that it was going to be much harder for the apartheid regime to crack down on Tutu after the Nobel Committee wrapped him in its protective cloak of world praise.

That's what the Nobel Committee is trying to do for Obama now. It's giving an award to encourage the change in world relations that Obama has promised, and to try to help shield Obama against his domestic adversaries. The committee is well aware that history is contingent and that Obama might fail. It knows very well that the same country that elected Obama also gave the world George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

The initial steps that Obama has taken are already under fierce attack. The Obama Administration has now recognized that the Afghan Taliban are not a threat to the United States and that the United States can live with the Afghan Taliban playing a role in the government of Afghanistan. But right-wing forces in the military, Congress, think thanks and the media are denouncing these moves towards sanity as surrender. They want a full-out Vietnam against the Taliban.

The Obama Administration has begun its promised diplomatic engagement with Iran. Of course, as every honest person knew, real engagement meant de-emphasizing the unachievable demand that Iran end its enrichment of uranium and instead focusing on achievable demands like opening Iranian enrichment facilities more fully to UN inspections and greater international oversight over the enriched uranium that Iran has already produced. Here also, the "endless war" right-wing is trying to undermine Obama.

In giving this award, the Nobel Committee is telling these right-wing forces to back off. And it's sending a message of encouragement to those Americans who put Obama in office:

"Showing signs of significant improvement. Keep up the good work."

Robert Naiman is Policy Director at Just Foreign Policy.

6s.

10-09-2009, 03:38 PM

The only thing that Obama has actually accomplished is to run the US government massively in debtIt's barely one year old and your memory betrays you already. Does Bernanke ring a bell?

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 03:41 PM

Nobel Committee, Strategic as Ever, Taps Obama for Peace Prize
by Robert NaimanSorry Nausicaa. While I pretty much agree with Naiman's assessment of Obama's policy initiatives- foreign and domestic- I am afraid he is putting words and motives into mouths and hearts of the Committee that in reality just are not there. He is projecting his own spin onto them.

I think the Committee just did it because Obama is black and they imagine America as a hate filled racist country with lynched black men hanging from every lamp post. They are happy that a hate filled racist country like us has finally elected a black president in spite of ourselves. Perhaps they are sub consciously working thru the guilt they feel living in a racially pure country unsoiled by the problems of diversity. Whatever reasons they may claim for awarding Obama the Peace Prize IMHO it was done out of naivete, arrogance and ignorance. They are pompous, preening peacocks- thinking that they have something to teach us when they don't.

EDITED to ADD: Except maybe about universal health care!

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 03:48 PM

It's barely one year old and your memory betrays you already. Does Bernanke ring a bell?

Absolutely. Bush and his investment banking butt buddies ran the economy into the ground. There is no memory- beyond the last thing they heard Rush or Haniity tell them.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 03:49 PM

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 03:58 PM

Maybe you are right but still Naiman is right on one point. It has indeed been given as a strategical political move in the past. Not only for Tutu like mentioned in the article, also Gorbatchev comes to my mind.

I agree. And if Obama would/could come out and express his intentions and goals as clearly and starkly as Tutu was able to do- because the issue of apartheid was so clear for all to see- maybe Obama will reap some capital from the Prize.

Maybe Obama should have Naiman over for a beer and have him draw up a plan of attack seeing as Obama's current crop of advisers seem incapable of developing or carrying thru with any coherent messages or workable plans of their own.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Fair enough.

RickN

10-09-2009, 04:25 PM

If that is the reason they gave Dear Leader the award it shows how little they understand the US and our politics. It will more then likely do him far more harm then good.

As for Bush being hated for starting a war without asking anyone, first the left hated him long before then, and second we do not need to ask anyone. We do not need anyone's permission when all they do is sit on the sidelines a bitch, and in case you forgot we spent months trying to get the UN etc to do something so we would not have to go to war. Instead they sat around with their thumbs up their butts.

EDIT: Even Huffpo is getting into the act, and they do not come much further left.

Nobel Insiders: Beer Summit Sealed it for Obama

OSLO, NORWAY (The Borowitz Report) - As the world responded with a mixture of surprise and amazement to the announcement of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel insiders revealed that the President's "beer summit" at the White House put him over the top.

"The committee was definitely split down the middle right up until the end," said Agot Valle, a Norwegian politician and member of the five-person Nobel committee. "Some of them were still quite upset about that nasty business with the Somali pirates."

But, according to Ms. Valle, "someone brought up the beer summit, and we all agreed that that was awesome."

Ms. Valle said she hoped that Mr. Obama's victory would be seen not only as a victory for him, but "as a tribute to the healing power of beer."

Ms. Valle acknowledged that the President's win was widely considered an upset, with most pundits having expected the prize to go to Mad Men or 30 Rock.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andy-borowitz/nobel-insiders-beer-summi_b_315108.html

Toastmaker

10-09-2009, 05:55 PM

What an unbelievable joke this "committee" has made of themselves. Another useless, defective political process to be thrown on the trash heap, right behind the entire UN.

Scratch

10-09-2009, 06:15 PM

The Nobel Peace Prize no longer means anything and hasn't for quite a few years. Arafat, the father of modern terrorism got it, Jimmy Carter got it for a photo op when Israel and Egypt got tired of killing each other, and now this good for nothing, never done nothing in his life but vote present gets it.

One starts to wonder about the IQ of Norwegians. This is stupid beyond belief.

Willy

10-09-2009, 06:19 PM

Clearly you haven't read my last posts. That "Naus wants harm to America" thing is getting old and tired.

My bad I forgot that the high and mighty Naus knows everything and is always right. :BS:

You run the country down so much that there isn't much else to think. Try bitching about it when you actually know something.

Snuffy

10-09-2009, 07:22 PM

.. That "Naus wants harm to America" thing is getting old and tired.

You mean there's actually hope that it might be sinking in?

I doubt it ... you're being blamed for this is getting old and tired because your tripe is old and tiring. Try changing your tune and see what happens.

:horse1:

MaskRider

10-09-2009, 08:06 PM

I am reposing this Nobel Prize related stand-by alert I had buried at the bottom of one of my earlier brilliant postings:

Eugene Fama- father of the thoroughly discredited Efficient Markets Hypothesis has the inside track on the Nobel Prize in Economics this time around.

If Fama gets it we will know that the Nobel Prize Econ Committee has also taken leave of its senses! :D

The announcement by the Nobel Committee is due on Monday, Oct 12.

Nausicaa

10-09-2009, 08:21 PM

You mean there's actually hope that it might be sinking in?

I doubt it ... you're being blamed for this is getting old and tired because your tripe is old and tiring. Try changing your tune and see what happens.

:horse1:

Oh my tune varies quite a bit, like shown in this thread for example. You are just too blind to see it.

Panthera Pardus Nigresco

10-09-2009, 10:03 PM

All I can say that this is amazing, totally amazing, especially considering that he was nominated for it by the Nobel Commitee when he was President for two weeks.

If this statement is true.....Then I wager no one else on the planet will best this....

Toastmaker

10-09-2009, 10:55 PM

While thinking about this, I remembered another glaring example of how faulty this selection charade really is;

One of the world's most noble and brave champions of peace, Mahatma Ghandi, was never even considered by the esteemed selection "committee".

Really sad.

MaskRider

10-10-2009, 01:24 AM

If this statement is true.....Then I wager no one else on the planet will best this....

It would be very, very interesting to know who placed Obama's name into the kitty. Want to bet it was Carter? I wonder what the criteria are for being allowed to place a name into nomination? Does one have to be a past Prize winner?

MaskRider

10-10-2009, 01:28 AM

Here is the ANSWER:

Qualified Nominators
The right to submit proposals for the Nobel Peace Prize shall, by statute, be enjoyed by:

1. Members of national assemblies and governments of states;
2. Members of international courts;
3. University rectors; professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology; directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes;
4. Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize;
5. Board members of organizations who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize;
6. Active and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee; (proposals by members of the Committee to be submitted no later than at the first meeting of the Committee after February 1) and
7. Former advisers appointed by the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

Bip

10-10-2009, 04:14 AM

Sorry but when the thread starts off with some Euros gloating about something this stupid

I think I could be forgiven a little amusment knowing the tone and sentiment of this website. Gloating is too harsh a word, a giggle prehaps.
No foul or disrespect intended.

I think the Nobel comitee lost a lot of credibility after awarding the prize to Arafat however, I do think the decision to give Obama the prize was a good one.

As a Norwegian I should be described as a Scandinavian not a Euro.

Nausicaa

10-10-2009, 05:44 AM

RickN

10-10-2009, 08:22 AM

Funny I do not remember any gloating about how screwed up Europe is, a lot of sadness but no gloating. Of course I do not read every post so may have missed some.

As for the prize committee, they screwed the pooch on this one. The peace prize has been known to be a joke here for many years, but they may have just torpedoed Dear Leader big time. This has been the main topic every where today and everyone is having a good laugh at it.

Strangely both sides are saying Obama would earn a lot of respect here in the US if he did not accept it by saying he had not earned it yet. This does not apply to the Fars and I know many Euros would get their panties in a bunch but it might help him here at home where he really needs it.

Blue Devil

10-10-2009, 12:27 PM

Here is the ANSWER:

Yep...

- Jimmy Carter
- Al Gore
- Bill Ayers
- Skip Gates
- James Hal Cone

Quite the cesspool nomination committee...

...Turds, thieves, racists, and terrorists all...

Trans_23

10-10-2009, 12:29 PM

I wonder what the sentiment among the wacky right would be if one of their own "untested" politicians won the award. Sarah Palin perhaps? :ugly25:

Blue Devil

10-10-2009, 12:49 PM

I think I could be forgiven a little amusment knowing the tone and sentiment of this website. Gloating is too harsh a word, a giggle prehaps.
No foul or disrespect intended.

I think the Nobel comitee lost a lot of credibility after awarding the prize to Arafat however,...

Agreed.

Like the TIME magazine "Man of the Year", ...they have re-oriented their Geo-political relevance to the status of Tiger Beat (en.wikipedia.org).

New Icons for Accomplishment, Performance, and Humanity will need to take their place.

P.S. I think a helium balloon would be a more fitting recognition for this recipient.

His only real accomplishments have been getting elected, ...by being of the least substance, ...and rising above the rest.

...and then floating away our treasury on the prevailing winds...
.
.
.
...to CHINA.

I wonder what the sentiment among the wacky right would be if one of their own "untested" politicians won the award. Sarah Palin perhaps? :ugly25:

The same...

...but me thinks she would not have accepted it.

Snuffy

10-10-2009, 01:16 PM

I wonder what the sentiment among the wacky right would be if one of their own "untested" politicians won the award. Sarah Palin perhaps? :ugly25:

It would never happen ... the "committee" is also a left leaning organization and it only chooses left leaning candidates ... Sorry.

And I agree with BD on this ... Ms. Palin would have had the good sense not to accept it. The same as Obama should have done. He should have turned it down.

:dead:

Trans_23

10-10-2009, 01:56 PM

Just in case you guys need a new avatar, I found this site for you.

http://www.democraticstuff.com/ObamaNobelPeacePrizeProducts?gclid=CPCOxtT4sp0CFQY MDQodeXGGig

Oops, wrong forum....:)

Uncleal

10-10-2009, 02:23 PM

I wonder what the sentiment among the wacky right would be if one of their own "untested" politicians won the award. Sarah Palin perhaps? :ugly25:

That can never happen, for with the award comes Fame and Favorable Press

and that's one thing the Left can never allow :BS:

Blue Devil

10-10-2009, 02:40 PM

Just in case you guys need a new avatar, I found this site for you.

http://www.democraticstuff.com/ObamaNobelPeacePrizeProducts?gclid=CPCOxtT4sp0CFQY MDQodeXGGig

Oops, wrong forum....:)

Wow, ...Thanks T.

MLK, Odinga, Nobel Piece Prize....

Why, ...that's like a chocolate cake...
.
.
.
...and the paper bag it came in.

It is an insult to Martin Luther King to have that fraud on the same rolls, ...much less on the same shirt....

He earned his. (and was a Republican, ...Oops.)

Odinga-world...

...Image over Substance.

RickN

10-10-2009, 03:34 PM

I wonder what the sentiment among the wacky right would be if one of their own "untested" politicians won the award. Sarah Palin perhaps? :ugly25:

I agree with everyone that not only would it not have happened but she would have turned it down, but if it had of and she accepted she would be getting the same treatment.

That seems to be one of the differences between Euros and the far left, and most of the rest of the USA. We think you should earn an award not just have something handed to you. That is one reason honorary degrees are looked on as a joke by most.

Another interesting comment posted at Powerline,

Reader Alan Macomber writes:

Got curious about how the media in Norway is playing the Nobel Peace Prize decision (I read/write Norwegian fluently), so I check out the Aftenposten (largest daily) this morning. Found one of those opinion poll widgets on their site- vote on if you think the prize to Obama was correct. 62% of Aftenposten's own Norwegian readers voted not vs 37% who voted yes. Just thought you'd be interested in how it plays out over there. Swedish dailies are pretty much skewing this as a stupid joke the Norwegians have created (to be expected...Swedes love to laugh at dumb stuff their next door neighbors do).

http://www.powerlineblog.com/

Willy

10-10-2009, 04:24 PM

I wonder what the sentiment among the wacky right would be if one of their own "untested" politicians won the award. Sarah Palin perhaps? :ugly25:

As many others here have said, hopefully she'd have the good sense to turn it down.

Swedish dailies are pretty much skewing this as a stupid joke the Norwegians have created

And Obama has walked right into it.

Toastmaker

10-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Another element of proof that Obama is an amature. Had he been an intuitive, skilled politician, he would have immediately recognized the sublime, but lasting benefits of gently refusing to accept -

Unfortunately for him and his crew, his ego would not allow him to do so. He seems to be now a firm believer in his own propaganda to the extent that inherent incompetence is no longer recognizable.

It's dangerous for us that this condition exists in our White House.

bzhyoyo

10-10-2009, 07:27 PM

Rick, thanks for helping me making up my minds, from now on I'll refer to you yanks or far right-wingers.
We'll be even.

ashes2ashes

10-10-2009, 08:11 PM

He seems to be now a firm believer in his own propaganda to the extent that inherent incompetence is no longer recognizable.

A bit like the 43rd president of the USA and Iraq really. But I don't want to hijack this thread and turn it into yet another Iraq discussion.. What I'm pointing out is after having one of the most incompetent presidents in office, the right has lost finger-pointing credibility. When hes halfway through his term then maybe some criticism will be more valid.

Overall though I don't think he deserved the award just yet. But he has taken some steps regarding Iraq and Gitmo and thats a start, however, he has a long way to go.

NOTE: Conspiracy theories going round over here that they gave him the peace prize so he would get off Israels back. "Heres your peace prize Barry, now go away", that kind of thing. This coming from some big figures by the way, not just the word on the street.

Toastmaker

10-10-2009, 08:25 PM

I don't compare Obama to Bush, or anyone else, Ashes. And, EVERYONE has the right to point a finger - especially when the pointing is accurate.

RickN

10-10-2009, 08:41 PM

Rick, thanks for helping me making up my minds, from now on I'll refer to you yanks or far right-wingers.
We'll be even.

Your welcome, and in case you did not understand it, Euros and far left means Europeans and our far left. Which as you guys have pointed out many times our far left is about middle of the road in Europe.

I am not even sure where our far right matches up with your politics. Probably along the lines of the skinheads etc.

Nausicaa

10-10-2009, 09:08 PM

There is no left in America, only right and extremely right. You guys don't know what left is.

Willy

10-10-2009, 09:44 PM

Like you know America. :BS:

CybrSlydr

10-11-2009, 01:08 AM

There is no left in America, only right and extremely right. You guys don't know what left is.

You know something, Naus? If that's the case, I really, REALLY hope it stays that way.

What we call the left is bad enough already.

Hans Jaeger

10-12-2009, 02:45 PM

Don't forget that hypocrisy is the basis from which the Nobel Peace Prize springs. It was funded by the fortune that Alfred Nobel made on the invention of modern explosives which allowed a huge leap forward in the capacity of war to kill people.

The whole thing is flawed from the outset, and the presumption by a committee of Norwegians thinking that they can change the world by awarding prizes is rather laughable.

The decision to award a peace prize to Obama, based on practically nothing in the way of achievement, shows how irrelevant the prizes really are. You could work really hard to shoot yourself in the foot and not do it any better.