Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

DdC · 10-09-2009, 04:21 AM

In a surprise, Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the committee said. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

Barack Obama Video:President Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize AP

Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize NYTimes

Mercury · 10-09-2009, 04:31 AM

That is surprising. I don't know why, but it is. Good for him.

John F. Kerry · 10-09-2009, 05:42 AM

just about to make this thread

wtf?

now if he ever ends up not having the history of being a former president to get 200k per speech he could have the cred of a nobel laureate to get like 100k per speech.

but seriously, wtf?

i mean wtf?

well they did give it to henry kissinger in 72 2 years before the vietnam war ended so i guess the nobel prize goes to people who will make peace in the future.

the nobel group would make be a lot more prestigious if they would show everyone their time machine rather than just focus on giving out peace prizes of the future.

too bad the nobel committe isnt the same as the ioc committe.

Mull D · 10-09-2009, 05:50 AM

He's sending 40000 more troops to Afghanistan to help continue this war that has nothing to do with 9/11 and that most Americans are unhappy that we're involved in, Afghani people don't want us there, Iraqis don't want us in their country. WTF indeed.

**Hedons** · 10-09-2009, 06:06 AM

Once again showing what a joke the Nobel Prize has become.

-Hedons

verklingen · 10-09-2009, 07:20 AM

the prize is and always has been more about encouragement than accomplishment. i think it's good

MannyBoy · 10-09-2009, 07:34 AM

Good for Obama and good for the world.

I am happy to see the world community viewing our leadership as pro-peace and less "might makes right". As far as Obama's actual steps toward peace, he is making good on his pledge to end American involvement in Iraq. I don't think this would have been the case with J. McCain.

On the other hand, as mention by another poster earlier, he is contemplating sending more military force to Afghanistan. This is troubling from a peacemaking perspective. I know the argument is more forces will get the job done and get us out more quickly. However, it seems kind of backward to me. More force = peace.

Let us keep the cause of peace for the good of all alive.

Mikey · 10-09-2009, 09:03 AM

I don't know much about politics, but why would the president of a nation that's at war with 2 countries get a Nobel Peace Prize?

Mikey · 10-09-2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by MannyBoy

Good for Obama and good for the world.

I am happy to see the world community viewing our leadership as pro-peace and less "might makes right". As far as Obama's actual steps toward peace, he is making good on his pledge to end American involvement in Iraq. I don't think this would have been the case with J. McCain.

On the other hand, as mention by another poster earlier, he is contemplating sending more military force to Afghanistan. This is troubling from a peacemaking perspective. I know the argument is more forces will get the job done and get us out more quickly. However, it seems kind of backward to me. More force = peace.

Let us keep the cause of peace for the good of all alive.

again...peace prize?

verklingen · 10-09-2009, 09:07 AM

in hopes that he will resolve them peaceably my man. i'm hoping this honor will re-invigorate the anti-war resolve we saw early in his campaign

and he said he would definitely increase troops in afghanistan late in his campaign, but he's been holding off. . . so much so that the pentagon is growing upset. it's a good sign i'd say

Mikey · 10-09-2009, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by verklingen

in hopes that he will resolve them peaceably my man. i'm hoping this honor will re-invigorate the anti-war resolve we saw early in his campaign

and he said he would definitely increase troops in afghanistan late in his campaign, but he's been holding off. . . so much so that the pentagon is growing upset. it's a good sign i'd say

i sure hope so.
call me inpatient but it has been 9 months.

Ego Tripping · 10-09-2009, 09:16 AM

Considering the massively ratcheted down war-probing rhetoric that this administration has been using, especially compared to a previous president that couldn't get enough of it ("bring it on"), especially in the face of a very belligerent Iran and North Korea (both of which are being more calmed than antagonized), I can see why the world has been sighing relief to a large enough degree to award Obama with this. Not to mention his effort to try and close Guantanamo, which I do think will happen during his term but I never expected it within anywhere near the first year of his taking office.

He's obviously a man largely of peace...and seem to desire peace. Afghanistan is a lot more complex than any other issue and the obvious choice is to pull out completely. But I feel if he did that, it would step on so many toes within the Military Industrial Complex, he might got he way of JFK.

If anything, I think his being awarded this prize though is showing how much the world really is conspiring to be more peaceful. The pressure is on Obama and I think he's fully aware of that...perhaps this could be an impetus for him to realize how essential its going to be to finally change our mid-east foreign policy when it comes to military action, no matter what the cost...but I'm sure he's nervous about doing such a thing...and for good reason.

Terry · 10-09-2009, 10:33 AM

Once again the status quo of US imperialism is safe to fight another day, congrats to the idiots who award these things.

stoneric · 10-09-2009, 12:30 PM

I was also encouraged by obama standing up to the pentegon and not going the mccorpse way and give them "anything they need". Still, withdrawing is off the table. The man sent drones to Pakistan 3 days after being sworn in. That eliminates him from any award with the word peace in it. Give it to someone who actually lives their life for the cause and not someone who's qualifications are he's better than our previous war mongering idiot.

Ego Tripping · 10-09-2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by stoneric

I was also encouraged by obama standing up to the pentegon and not going the mccorpse way and give them "anything they need". Still, withdrawing is off the table. The man sent drones to Pakistan 3 days after being sworn in. That eliminates him from any award with the word peace in it. Give it to someone who actually lives their life for the cause and not someone who's qualifications are he's better than our previous war mongering idiot.

Granted...but here are their words verbatim:

Quote:

"Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts."

I must admit, he has really stressed his dedication to diplomacy...but that doesn't mean he can stop all the wars at the drop of a hat...this guy can't even talk about healthcare without being called a traitor or a socialist...imagine if he tried to withdraw all forces from the Middle East? The right would have a shitfit that would make the current political climate seem like a new years party. One could be rest assured if he tried to really ratchet down our occupation there, he would be called a terrorist from every Republican from around the country and would only create further distraction from attempting to fix any domestic problems that we face.

It's not so much that he's just "not Bush"...it's the dramatic break in the policies of how to deal with international affairs. I feel we'd already be at with with Iran if any other candidate got into office...maybe even North Korea. Even in the short amount of time he's been in office, the amount he's shifted the political spectrum as well as the perception of the United States throughout the international community is nothing short of astounding. The polarity is palpable and in some ways too hard to ignore. I do feel this award might be a bit premature in terms of the amount of time he's in office, but I do see the unique situation that surrounds Obama and why it merits recognition.

John F. Kerry · 10-09-2009, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Ego Tripping

Granted...but here are their words verbatim:

I must admit, he has really stressed his dedication to diplomacy...but that doesn't mean he can stop all the wars at the drop of a hat...this guy can't even talk about healthcare without being called a traitor or a socialist...imagine if he tried to withdraw all forces from the Middle East? The right would have a shitfit that would make the current political climate seem like a new years party. One could be rest assured if he tried to really ratchet down our occupation there, he would be called a terrorist from every Republican from around the country and would only create further distraction from attempting to fix any domestic problems that we face.

It's not so much that he's just "not Bush"...it's the dramatic break in the policies of how to deal with international affairs. I feel we'd already be at with with Iran if any other candidate got into office...maybe even North Korea. Even in the short amount of time he's been in office, the amount he's shifted the political spectrum as well as the perception of the United States throughout the international community is nothing short of astounding. The polarity is palpable and in some ways too hard to ignore. I do feel this award might be a bit premature in terms of the amount of time he's in office, but I do see the unique situation that surrounds Obama and why it merits recognition.

i agree with your point about how he cant do the liberal thing and withdraw all the troops, but i dont think its necessarily because of why u said, i personally believe obama is a prety moderate middle of the road guy.

u dont graduate from harvard without being somewhat well rounded and intelligent, even if u are liberal, dont forget many dems were strident anti communists and didnt have any problems with wars as long as they were just and we were doing the right thing.

obama has stood up to the liberals in congress and i applaud him for it- if he manages to keep standing up to them i think he will win reelection pretty easily, but he will basically have to keep fighting the fringes of his own party if he wants to maitain the confidence of the nation.

Terry · 10-09-2009, 01:23 PM

Being moderate is for pussies, the fringe is where all the funs at

al-Mu'akhkhir · 10-09-2009, 02:05 PM

lol so much for the reputation of the nobel peace prize. I guess we know that the people handing those out are in kahootz with the people backing barack obama.

osirus2020 · 10-09-2009, 02:18 PM

Who's in charge of distributing the Nobel peace prize? They have to be out of their minds.

stoneric · 10-09-2009, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ego Tripping

Granted...but here are their words verbatim:

I must admit, he has really stressed his dedication to diplomacy...but that doesn't mean he can stop all the wars at the drop of a hat...this guy can't even talk about healthcare without being called a traitor or a socialist...imagine if he tried to withdraw all forces from the Middle East? The right would have a shitfit that would make the current political climate seem like a new years party. One could be rest assured if he tried to really ratchet down our occupation there, he would be called a terrorist from every Republican from around the country and would only create further distraction from attempting to fix any domestic problems that we face.

It's not so much that he's just "not Bush"...it's the dramatic break in the policies of how to deal with international affairs. I feel we'd already be at with with Iran if any other candidate got into office...maybe even North Korea. Even in the short amount of time he's been in office, the amount he's shifted the political spectrum as well as the perception of the United States throughout the international community is nothing short of astounding. The polarity is palpable and in some ways too hard to ignore. I do feel this award might be a bit premature in terms of the amount of time he's in office, but I do see the unique situation that surrounds Obama and why it merits recognition.

Stopping wars at the drop of the hat and escalating a hopeless situation are miles apart. I really don't care that it was part of his campaign promise, it should get you eliminated from the award he recieved. If they worded it in a way to ignore his warmongering, it doesn't make it right.