Congratulations Mr. President.  :)

I think the only other while-in-office USA government figure who received the prize was Henry Kissinger back in the 1970's.

(Jimmy Carter got his well after he was out of office).

:)  He is the fourth Pres to win the award.  I was surprised as everyone else, but when I heard the reasons it is o.k., though I do believe there are others more deserving.  When you boil it down he is getting it for being a gentleman. The reason for his win has to go right up the a$$es of the sound bite, rude, bully boy, crowd(YOU LIE!). 

While I'm glad he won it, I almost wish he hadn't.  The crazies are already coming out of the woodwork about it (read a comment this morning about how this reeks of a one world order and how this has to be the end times) and I daresay he's going to take a lot of flak for something he doesn't control and wasn't expecting. :-\\

While I'm glad he won it, I almost wish he hadn't.  The crazies are already coming out of the woodwork about it (read a comment this morning about how this reeks of a one world order and how this has to be the end times) and I daresay he's going to take a lot of flak for something he doesn't control and wasn't expecting. :-\\


Yeah, people will try to read all sorts of things into this.

As an American I think we should be glad that our President is receiving this award.  Not everything that Obama is doing is bad, so let's at least be happy for the good stuff that occasionally comes up.

He's basically winning for NOT being GWB.  or Sarah Palin.

Unfortunately it just re-enforces the rightwing opinion of the left that the left views him as a messiah or some other nonsense.  Then they'll mention war criminals (like Kissinger) that have won it, in order to play down the significance of winning it.

He's basically winning for NOT being GWB.   or Sarah Palin.

Unfortunately it just re-enforces the rightwing opinion of the left that the left views him as a messiah or some other nonsense.  Then they'll mention war criminals (like Kissinger) that have won it, in order to play down the significance of winning it.


Why would right wingers cite Kissinger's award to downplay it?  I think the general concensus of Kissinger (despite a tendency for him to be duplicitous) would be that he did a pretty good job bombing the living heck out of Hanoi, very similar to Obama's escalation of drone bombings in Pakistan.  Both Kissinger and Obama were/are diplomats, who are not afraid to drop a bomb or two when they see the need.  I would also think that Obama getting the award shows that the Nobel committee does not really have a left or right hand slant.

Nobel awards for years have gone both to staunch liberals and conservatives.  I dare say that my right-wing alma matre, the University of Chicago, has been a perennial favorite of the Nobel committee (guys like Milton Friedman, Myron Scholes, and Enrico Fermi).  I think this is all indicative that the Nobel committee tends to take a bipartisan view of who has contributed what to the world.

I see this as sort of ridiculous. I know everyone loves Obama and everything, but I know there were several people more deserving of this prize than Obama. He has great potential, but has done nothing so far to actually achieve any concrete results. I don't think that giving some imaginary 'hope' to certain people in the sweep of this larger than life Obamamania hype is really his doing as much as it was the media.

I guess Obama will have to go to Norway now. Lucky them. 

I see this as sort of ridiculous. I know everyone loves Obama and everything, but I know there were several people more deserving of this prize than Obama. He has great potential, but has done nothing so far to actually achieve any concrete results. I don't think that giving some imaginary 'hope' to certain people in the sweep of this larger than life Obamamania hype is really his doing as much as it was the media.

I guess Obama will have to go to Norway now. Lucky them. 


To me it certainly seems to be awarded too soon, but hey, it is a plus for the status of the USA.  I say congratulations nevertheless...

To me it certainly seems to be awarded too soon, but hey, it is a plus for the status of the USA.  I say congratulations nevertheless...


I wasn't aware that the USA were looking for validation in the closed quarters of some Norwegien awards committee.

I will offer my congratulations to the President but I have my reservations.  I sense one hell of a political firestorm over this.

I will offer my congratulations to the President but I have my reservations.  I sense one hell of a political firestorm over this.


anything that pisses of the neocons has to be good... they kind of deserve it for what they did to our country and the rest of the world the last 8 years...

Why would right wingers cite Kissinger's award to downplay it?  I think the general concensus of Kissinger (despite a tendency for him to be duplicitous) would be that he did a pretty good job bombing the living heck out of Hanoi, very similar to Obama's escalation of drone bombings in Pakistan.  Both Kissinger and Obama were/are diplomats, who are not afraid to drop a bomb or two when they see the need.  I would also think that Obama getting the award shows that the Nobel committee does not really have a left or right hand slant.

Nobel awards for years have gone both to staunch liberals and conservatives.  I dare say that my right-wing alma matre, the University of Chicago, has been a perennial favorite of the Nobel committee (guys like Milton Friedman, Myron Scholes, and Enrico Fermi).  I think this is all indicative that the Nobel committee tends to take a bipartisan view of who has contributed what to the world.


I was making a joke with Kissinger... I believe Hitler was nominated (didn't win), so I'm sure they'll play that one way more than one of their own, even if it would make a better comparison.

snagging this from another site, this is what people see him as having started so far:

He has reached out to the Muslim world.

He has reached out to Russia.

He is willing to talk to his enemies.

He takes responsibility on the climate change front.

He wants to abolish nuclear weapons.

He puts pressure on the Israelis to make peace and stop the settlements.

Friend of mine posted this about the prize:

THIS JUST IN: LOUIS ARMSTRONG JUST RECEIVED THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE (retro-active of course) for his "VISION" of peace. He saw skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright blessed day and the dark sacred night and he "THOUGHT" to himself???? What a wonderful world.


I guess that is an attempt at a joke.  As if this is any of Obama's fault. 

As if this is any of Obama's fault. 


That is what is irking the hell out of me.  Everyone is going to blame Obama.  OBAMA DID NOT AWARD THE PRIZE TO HIMSELF!!!  If Obama had refused the prize, then the people who dislike him would be going on about what an ungrateful prick he is.  Sort of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.

anything that pisses of the neocons has to be good... they kind of deserve it for what they did to our country and the rest of the world the last 8 years...


Good point.

Obama's response:

"I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honored by this prize," he said. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century."


Now of course we get all this backlash about him not being deserving of the prize because he hasn't done anything.  I think we can all agree that it takes some time time for policies to take effect.  However, Obama inherited a crapstorm, but he came out working from day one.  To say he has not done anything is far fetched.  Plus, this is the first year of his Presidency.  He has 3 more years to work.  He took a chance with some bailouts because our economy was getting flushed down the toilet.  He passed a stimulous bill, and it seems road construction was stalled for the longest time, but many projects when up overnight after that.  Amazing how that works.  No one could see that our infrastructure was in major need of attention?  He has reached out to the Muslim world.  He is trying to repair relations with Russia.  He listens to his cabinet.  He tries to come up with the best options given to him.  Very high actions in my opinion.  Heaven for bid he represents America for a bid in the Olympics.  Olympics aren't patriotic anymore either? 

I am frustrated with how the health care reform has been handled.  I wish more people would be shown in the news instead of the radical ideologies.  I wish he would not give in on his health care reform policies.  I think at times he has given to easy just to be labeled as bipartisan.  However, until Republicans can start acting like adults and be bipartisan themselves, I think Obama should stick up for what he promised the majority.  Were is the right wing?  Oh yes, complaining, complaining, complaining.  The left are anxious because he has yet to close Guantanimo Bay, still slowly ending the conflict in Iraq, might escalate Afghanistan, and wishy washy on public option, amongst others.  The right has a problem with him because he is a socialist, communist, facist, manchurian candidate who is spending our future away.  It doesn't really matter what he does, it seems he is screwed either way.  I hope he isn't another Politician. I hope it is not a sign that America is broken, politics are broken, and we don't matter to them anymore.  However, regardless of these things, I believe that he is trying to work for America and I am proud to have him as President.

When you think about it, diplomacy is the use of a lot of words and demeanor.  People think Obama is just full of words, empty rhetoric and no action.  However, I think his words inspire.  There is nothing more powerful than getting people inspired.  I will not agree with everything he has done.  But, in my opinion he has gone out and done more than what people are giving him credit for.  Maybe I will eat my words in 3 years.  However, I think this is why Obama won the peace prize.  To dog on what Obama has done, is dogging on the rest of the world.  The are looking for some hope in a different America.  He was humbled by winning.  Is it such a bad thing?  They gave it to him for his ability to show the world that we all want to work for a better future. 


End rant.   

Ditto

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/15/wav.gif

I wasn't aware that the USA were looking for validation in the closed quarters of some Norwegien awards committee.


I don't think anybody was "looking for validation", but why not celebrate a prestigious award? ???

When I got up this morning and learned that he won the prize, it made me rather sick.  More and more often, it has felt to me that the award has become less and less meaningfull, and more of a sad joke of what it once was.

I think to me the biggest problem is that he simply has not been President long enough to determine anything.  He has not even been in office 10 months for goodness sakes.  And I am sure that there is a message in the award as well.

After all, how can he continue in Iraq and Afganistan if he has the "Nobel Peace Prize"?  Because I am willing to bet doughnuts to dollars, that this will impact the involvment of troops in SW Asia.  General MacChrystal is already trying to get another Surge in Afghanistan, and being called by some in the administration "General MacArthur".

If the current President can get the award for 10 months of "Keep the policies the same" and continuing the tensions, then why not go back to a President that actually helped to end the Cold War?  How about giving President Reagan a NPP, for his work in ending almost 50 years of tension and fear of global nuclear war?  Heck, he even made a proposal to the Soviet Union to disband all ICBMs.  It is not our fault that they did not think he was serious.

Or we can nominate my Staff Sergeant for the Nobel Prize for Literature.  He is a published author, so that should be good enough, right?


Both Kissinger and Obama were/are diplomats, who are not afraid to drop a bomb or two when they see the need.

Henry Kissinger was a Diplomat, President Obama is a politician.  They are very different skills, and hold very different offices.

If you look back at the greatest Politicians in modern history (PM Churchill, Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan, FDR), you find that there was often little "Diplomacy" in their actions.  While they could all be subtle and suave in their actions, by and large it was used as grease before the big hammer came out.

When I got up this morning and learned that he won the prize, it made me rather sick.  More and more often, it has felt to me that the award has become less and less meaningfull, and more of a sad joke of what it once was.

I think to me the biggest problem is that he simply has not been President long enough to determine anything.  He has not even been in office 10 months for goodness sakes.  And I am sure that there is a message in the award as well.

After all, how can he continue in Iraq and Afganistan if he has the "Nobel Peace Prize"?  Because I am willing to bet doughnuts to dollars, that this will impact the involvment of troops in SW Asia.  General MacChrystal is already trying to get another Surge in Afghanistan, and being called by some in the administration "General MacArthur".

If the current President can get the award for 10 months of "Keep the policies the same" and continuing the tensions, then why not go back to a President that actually helped to end the Cold War?  How about giving President Reagan a NPP, for his work in ending almost 50 years of tension and fear of global nuclear war?  Heck, he even made a proposal to the Soviet Union to disband all ICBMs.  It is not our fault that they did not think he was serious.

Or we can nominate my Staff Sergeant for the Nobel Prize for Literature.  He is a published author, so that should be good enough, right?

Henry Kissinger was a Diplomat, President Obama is a politician.  They are very different skills, and hold very different offices.

If you look back at the greatest Politicians in modern history (PM Churchill, Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Reagan, FDR), you find that there was often little "Diplomacy" in their actions.  While they could all be subtle and suave in their actions, by and large it was used as grease before the big hammer came out.


They didn't give the Prez the award because of what he has done on the national scale, they gave him the award for the change he has initiated on the tone of politics on a world wide scale.  He may be a politician, but his diplomatic skills have managed to tone down the mean spirited rhetoric in global politics. 


"his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

"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 shared by the majority of the world's population."

I think the prize was a bit premature, but I can't argue with the reasons put forth for the award, and applaud him.

The bit about your staff sargeant, he's published?  Well let's see it, you never know, do you?

The bit about your staff sargeant, he's published?  Well let's see it, you never know, do you?


Yes, he is published.  His first book was written while on deployment to Afghanistan, his second while he was here in Qatar.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Lincoln%20Crisler

My question is...why?

Obama didn't march to Washington and have a dream....What I'm saying is that Obama isn't Martin Luther King and even MLK is probably spinning in his grave!

My question is...why?

Obama didn't march to Washington and have a dream....What I'm saying is that Obama isn't Martin Luther King and even MLK is probably spinning in his grave!


Why would Martin Luther King be spinning in his grave over something so petty over a prize?  I highly doubt he woudl give 3 sheeshs.  Is that what we all worry about, whether the prize was worth it or not?

Yes, he is published.  His first book was written while on deployment to Afghanistan, his second while he was here in Qatar.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Lincoln%20Crisler


Well then, I guess it just ain't good enough

Asking for contributions to the RNC of $25 to $1,000, Steele wrote that "the Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control. And truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way."


The reason Obama got the Nobel is because he stands for the antithesis of this type of rhetoric.

My question is...why?

Obama didn't march to Washington and have a dream....What I'm saying is that Obama isn't Martin Luther King and even MLK is probably spinning in his grave!




You cannot possibly be serious.

One of my buddies from high school posted this on Facebook:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJuEOaF84o&feature=player_embedded

Hmmm!

Asking for contributions to the RNC of $25 to $1,000, Steele wrote that "the Democrats and their international leftist allies want America made subservient to the agenda of global redistribution and control. And truly patriotic Americans like you and our Republican Party are the only thing standing in their way."


The reason Obama got the Nobel is because he stands for the antithesis of this type of rhetoric.


I think there is a more advanced form of thinking than the average rhetoric.  If he did not have to deal with the present circumstances more of that would come out.  In other words what goes on in Obama's mind may be comparable to MLK however in his position it's been compromised.

One of my buddies from high school posted this on Facebook:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJuEOaF84o&feature=player_embedded

Hmmm!


Excellent.

My question is...why?

Obama didn't march to Washington and have a dream....What I'm saying is that Obama isn't Martin Luther King and even MLK is probably spinning in his grave!


WTF are you even trying to say?

WTF are you even trying to say?


Obama is evil!  The Nobel Prize is a sham!  :o :o

All silliness aside...I'm still perplexed that they decided to give it to Obama but I'm proud for America.  It's not like they gave the prize to Kim Jong-Il :P

My question is...why?

Obama didn't march to Washington and have a dream....What I'm saying is that Obama isn't Martin Luther King and even MLK is probably spinning in his grave!


Obama does have a dream and the reason why he can't march on Washington is he's in Washington and has to deal with everyone and is monitored by everyone. 

My question is...why?

Obama didn't march to Washington and have a dream....What I'm saying is that Obama isn't Martin Luther King and even MLK is probably spinning in his grave!





Announcement

The Norwegian Nobel Committee

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2009

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

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. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

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. 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.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Oslo, October 9, 2009

Obama is evil!  The Nobel Prize is a sham!  :o :o

All silliness aside...I'm still perplexed that they decided to give it to Obama but I'm proud for America.  It's not like they gave the prize to Kim Jong-Il :P


They did give it to Yassir Arafat a few years back so yeah, maybe it is a sham.  :-\\

I see this as sort of ridiculous. I know everyone loves Obama and everything, but I know there were several people more deserving of this prize than Obama. He has great potential, but has done nothing so far to actually achieve any concrete results. I don't think that giving some imaginary 'hope' to certain people in the sweep of this larger than life Obamamania hype is really his doing as much as it was the media.

I guess Obama will have to go to Norway now. Lucky them. 


I agree with you there.

I am glad he won, the Noble Peace Prize. I am not surprised that the Fox News such, have come out of the wood work, and behaved like well, usual.

::)

As for  some Americans being happy that the US lost the Olympics, all I can saw is wow.

::)

If I may...






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. 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.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."






I couldn't be more proud of our President.  All of the @ssholes out there that can't understand why he won are just that - @ssholes. 

If I may...



I couldn't be more proud of our President.  All of the @ssholes out there that can't understand why he won are just that - @ssholes. 


I agree, he is trying to accomplish stuff, and seems like with everything he does, there are those trying to shoot him down.
It's almost like they are waiting for him to fail, just so they can say, "He wasn't worthy of being President, after all."

It's almost like they are bitter, that Bush's term couldn't be extended, and that McCain wasn't voted in.

It's really sour grapes, and that's really sad.

They gave the damn thing to Kissinger after he and Tricky Dick ordered illegal carpet bombing in Southeast Asia causing incalculable human suffering.  Thus, my feelings about the Peace Prize are mixed. 

Sean Hannity sez George W. Bush should get the prize...

:D

If I may...



I couldn't be more proud of our President.  All of the @ssholes out there that can't understand why he won are just that - @ssholes. 


I guess that makes me an @sshole then.

Sean Hannity sez George W. Bush should get the prize...

In a way, he did win the prize... what I mean is that the only reason Obama has been considered that much of a change in atmosphere that it's worth awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize before he's actually done anything significant peace-wise is because the last bunch, with GWB at the helm were so overwhelmingly awful: bellicose, belligerent, arrogant and stupid is not a good combination for international diplomacy.  I know it's hard for a lot of Americans to comprehend just how much damage GWB et al have done to the US's standing worldwide (hey, I don't mean you, Max)... but for those people: trust me on this, the simple fact of Obama's election has done a huge amount to change what people overseas think of the US.  Which is quite an achievement on its own.

My first reaction to the NPP was that it was premature, yet looking at what the committee said, I can see their reasoning.

I guess that makes me an @sshole then.


Me too.  :-\\


Sean Hannity sez George W. Bush should get the prize...

:D


Now if it was 2001 or 2002, sure. But now...it wouldn't fly!

They did give the Peace Prize to Gorbachav, and they could've gave it to Reagan who told Gorbie to tear the walls of Berlin down!

They gave the damn thing to Kissinger after he and Tricky Dick ordered illegal carpet bombing in Southeast Asia causing incalculable human suffering.  Thus, my feelings about the Peace Prize are mixed. 

Sean Hannity sez George W. Bush should get the prize...

:D


Of course, he would!

::)  ;D

Me too.  :-\\

Now if it was 2001 or 2002, sure. But now...it wouldn't fly!

They did give the Peace Prize to Gorbachav, and they could've gave it to Reagan who told Gorbie to tear the walls of Berlin down!


That was Reagans mistake.

Obama is evil!  The Nobel Prize is a sham!  :o :o

All silliness aside...I'm still perplexed that they decided to give it to Obama but I'm proud for America.  It's not like they gave the prize to Kim Jong-Il :P


Don't sell the Nobel Peace Prize committee short.  They gave one to Yasser Arafat, the father of modern middle-eastern terrorism, shortly before he kicked the bucket.  Kim might make it to 2010 before dying of cancer, so there's still time.

http://operatorchan.org/n/src/n25614_AdviceObama.jpg

It's not like there isn't precedent.  Jimmy Carter's 2002 prize was awarded in part for his 1994 meddling in North Korea, and to South Korean President Kim Dae Jung for his equally naive approach to Kim Jong-Il.

As of this writing, that image macro is as premature as Obama's award - but given the track record of the people who award the Nobel Peace Prize, it would be par for the course.  When Iran conducts their first successful test - whether it be in the desert, over an Israeli city, or in a US coastal city - you can say you saw it here first.

The only good thing to come out of this fiasco is that even Obama himself admits the Nobel Peace Prize folks were off their lid.