Obama - man of peace

thebookcellar said:
"According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded 'to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.'"
Of course, Nobel himself set a great example by inventing dynamite.
 
A cursory review of their post-WW2 history shows Norwegians have a "thing" about peace. Their brutal occupation by the Nazis had a profound effect on their collective national psyche, which led to both a national commitment to promote international peace and to maintaining military forces large enough to defend the country, which are under firm civilian control.

By awarding Obama this year's prize the Committee was following past precedent. The Prize has frequently been awarded with an eye to nudging world events toward peace, not just for finalized deeds.

For example, in 1996, the prize was shared by two Indonesians, pushing for East Timorese independence from Indonesia. That award helped lead to Indonesia's pullout in 1999. The 1994 prize to Rabin, Peres, and Arafat was awarded before they completed the Oslo Accords that held a promise of peace, but eventually broke down.

The Prize Committee is a bipartisan group of Norwegian political leaders - liberal and conservative. The members include Thorbjørn Jagland, former Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and President of the parliament; Kaci Kullmann, former Chairman of the Conservative Party; Sissel Marie Rønbeck, former Cabinet Minister; Inger-Marie Ytterhorn, senior adviser to the Progress Party; and Ågot Valle, former President of the Parliament.

Announcing the award, Jagland said he thinks the Nobel prize can spur peace, rather than simply reward its achievement. He noted the prize will put pressure on Obama to deliver on his promises.

He stated: "we are awarding the prize for what he has done in the previous year" - mentioning Obama's reaching out to the Muslim world, restarting the Mideast peace negotiations, and working through international institutions to promote peace and nuclear disarmament.

Any smart businessman understands good will is a major asset for any organization. Good will towards the U. S. Will be increased by this award, which reinforces the results of the recent global survey that showed the U. S. voters, by electing Obama, have remade America's international image and now it is the most admired nation in the world. The improved good will can bring tangible results over time.

This is a good thing in a time when there few good things to celebrate.
 
I disagree with the Gentleman who said he was putting it in context. Handing Obama this Prize cheapens the prize and lowers the credibility of the Nobel Committee. The nominations closed Feb 1, less than TWO WEEKS after Obama was inaugurated. Handing him the prize is equivalent and just as ridiculous as giving a child star an Oscar for lifetime achievement.
 
richprust, you make a lot of fair points. It's almost as if obama will have this award to live up to for the rest of his presidency. Ultimately, I think they were a year or two too early, but you make a fair argument.
 
Should'nt George W. be given this award? Most democrats blame him for everything that has happened so far in Obamas administration. Shouldn't he be given credit for this too?
 
richprust said:
A cursory review of their post-WW2 history shows Norwegians have a "thing" about peace. Their brutal occupation by the Nazis had a profound effect on their collective national psyche, which led to both a national commitment to promote international peace and to maintaining military forces large enough to defend the country, which are under firm civilian control.

There wasn't anything "brutal" about the occupation. They were mostly collaborating happily with the Germans (except for some communists up in the north who actually fought). For instance, unlike Denmark, they handed over their Jews readily to the Germans. After the war many of the leading Norwegian collaborators (like the Oslo police chief, if memory serves) kept their jobs. In the battle for Berlin in 1945, quite a few Norwegians were fighting on the side of the Germans.

The Norwegians kowtow to power. The Germans, and now the Americans.
 
All I'm gonna say about Norway is they have plenty of oil up north so they are set - don't have to really deal with "reality". Don't really know about their WWII activities but I do know that their beer is HORRIBLY expensive - try getting a good buzz on that pedestrian street in Oslo and watch your wallet flatten out something awful. Been there a few times and probably shant visit again, prefer Sweden and Denmark if we be's talkin' Scandinavia.

Anyway, here's Dudester's opinions for the last week or 2 -

OBAMA GETS THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE - gimme a break !!! The dude has hardly done anything since he got into office and he sure hasn't gotten us closer to any peace. You boys here surprised that I ain't his cheer leader? Good, be surprised, the dude had his chance and time is running out...

HEALTH CARE - man, if we don't get a Government Health Plan/Public option than F*ck em all. Congress (whores) so scared of the Health Insurance Companies (pimps) cutting off the cash, so scared that the insurance companies basically own them which means they basically own us - SCARY

ROMAN POLANSKI GETTING BUSTED IN SWITZERLAND - figures, a country that takes money from any group, be it ALQUEDA or some DRUG CARTEL into it's banks sets up Polanski with a call from LA's flipped out DA (he's going after Medical Marijuana - which is legal in California by state law - next). This guy is really cleaning up things, more of a show. Polanski had sex with a 13 year old Hollywood Party girl who now lives in Hawaii with her own kids and husband and wants the man left alone. So 32 years later they trick his ass. Oh, he hasn't paid . Naw, just had to deal with a half ruined career and the fact that there were dozens of countries he couldn't visit. The man has paid big time, leave his ass alone already. He spent time in jail, he's no threat. IT'S JUST A SHOW - HIGH PROFILE SHOW !!!

LEVI, SARAH PALIN'S SON IN LAW (Sort of since he never married her daughter) is now going to pose for PLAYGIRL ON LINE (I think the actual magazine is in bankruptcy). In other words, he's gonna pose sans clothes in Photo's so everyone can see his Cheney. SARAH PALIN ALMOST BECAME VICE PRESIDENT (with McCain that PROBABLY meant President due to his age and health history). This is how crazy this country is getting, I mean, check out this disfunctional family.

THE LUNATICS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE ASYLUM
 
Harpo is harping with glee due to this ridiculous Nobel Prize awarded to Obama . This is akin to giving the same prize to Adolf Hitler.
There is less peace since he has been in power more wars more suffering , Guantamona Bay still functions , Troops are being sent in greater numbers to Afghanistan which has turned to hell on earth .

The USA has been particularly hard hit with increasing poverty and a police state in action witness Pittsburgh at the G20 meeting with scenes of police brutality akin to the worst of any Latin American dictatorship .

There is no peace in this man . His goals are clear and his bosses have the man signed sealed and delivered.
 
cabrera said:
Harpo is harping with glee due to this ridiculous Nobel Prize awarded to Obama . This is akin to giving the same prize to Adolf Hitler.
There is less peace since he has been in power more wars more suffering , Guantamona Bay still functions , Troops are being sent in greater numbers to Afghanistan which has turned to hell on earth .

The USA has been particularly hard hit with increasing poverty and a police state in action witness Pittsburgh at the G20 meeting with scenes of police brutality akin to the worst of any Latin American dictatorship .

There is no peace in this man . His goals are clear and his bosses have the man signed sealed and delivered.

Give me an EFFING break with your elementary attempt at re-writing history....... There's no bigger sick A-holes on this planet than the destructo team of Cheney/Bush. No blamin' this crap on Barack, it was that retard W that didn't have a clue.... what's he doin' these days? Crawled back inside a Jim Beam bottle would be my first guess... and second... and third.....
BTW, when are we going to be "smokin' out" Bin Laden? It's been 8 years... Retard said he was gonna do it pronto (but retard said a lot, did nothing. No, wrong. Did MASSIVE damage to the USA)
 
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