Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize...

[Rolvix]

I think that although awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize might be a bit premature, it signifies a great amount of trust and confidence the rest of the world has given to him. With the support of a good majority of the world behind him, maybe he will be able to accomplish his goals with a bit more ease. Not that it will be easy by any stretch of the imagination to clean up the mess he was left with...

[colchar]

I think that although awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize might be a bit premature, it signifies a great amount of trust and confidence the rest of the world has given to him. With the support of a good majority of the world behind him, maybe he will be able to accomplish his goals with a bit more ease. Not that it will be easy by any stretch of the imagination to clean up the mess he was left with...

Perhaps, but that doesn't qualify someone to win this award - especially as the nomination period closed only two weeks into his term in office. What did he win this for, his inauguration ceremony?

[colchar]

Let me first give a defense of the selection: despite what has been said here (and I'm sure elsewhere; this is the first I've heard the news), the President has accomplished something, and that something should not be so quickly dismissed. Even if he goes on to be a mediocre, unaccomplished, or down right poor Commander in Chief, President Obama has already proven that in a country scarred by a disgusting racial past, someone other than an old white guy can be elected President. That such an accomplishment was made during the worst situation this country has seen in generations (across the board; politically, economically, militarily)--a time with lots of fear and resentment, emotions that often magnify hate and anger and distrust of the "other"--makes it an even greater accomplishment. A black man won the Presidency in a time of fear by an overwhelming majority, in which he won states like Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Indiana. That's something. Is our racial problem over? No. But I think we have seen a paradigm shift that can, at least in part, be attributed to the President. That is "something" and it would be a shame if it gets tossed aside as nothing for political, or other, reasons.

But those are American issues, not worldwide issues which is what I thought this award was supposed to be for.

[Rolvix]

I think that although awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize might be a bit premature, it signifies a great amount of trust and confidence the rest of the world has given to him. With the support of a good majority of the world behind him, maybe he will be able to accomplish his goals with a bit more ease. Not that it will be easy by any stretch of the imagination to clean up the mess he was left with...

Perhaps, but that doesn't qualify someone to win this award - especially as the nomination period closed only two weeks into his term in office. What did he win this for, his inauguration ceremony?

I didn't say it qualified him to win the award, I agree that he hasn't done anything worthy of it yet.

[Miles]

I think that although awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize might be a bit premature, it signifies a great amount of trust and confidence the rest of the world has given to him. With the support of a good majority of the world behind him, maybe he will be able to accomplish his goals with a bit more ease. Not that it will be easy by any stretch of the imagination to clean up the mess he was left with...

Perhaps, but that doesn't qualify someone to win this award - especially as the nomination period closed only two weeks into his term in office. What did he win this for, his inauguration ceremony?

You gotta admit, that was one helluva peaceful inauguration ceremony.

[windsor]

I know I know!!! It was for the beer summit! Using to bridge the gap between and


( was as close to a prof. smilie as I could get)

[Shammrog]

A few quick thoughts:

1. Nothing against Obama. I only fault the selection process, which in this case I believe is based on political sentiment.
2. Winning the award is somewhat a sign of newfound international goodwill towards the U.S. I say "somewhat," because as I understand it this particular award is made by a panel of 5 people.
3. The award is supposed to be for accomplishments in fostering international peace. The stated reason for the award is that Obama has promised international cooperation, a nuclear-free world, etc. - things Obama has talked about but not really accomplished after 9 months. And certainly not after less than two weeks (when the nomination was made.) It is NOT for the accomplishment, however remarkable, of his winning the Presidency.
4. I think this award could not possibly be more political. A rebuke of Bush - Obama got this award for not being Bush (and, again, nothing against him - just the awarders.)
5. Take it with a grain of salt. Yassir Arafat also won this "peace" prize.

[colchar]

5. Take it with a grain of salt. Yassir Arafat also won this "peace" prize.

An excellent point.

[rockymtn devil]

5. Take it with a grain of salt. Yassir Arafat also won this "peace" prize.

As did Henry Kissinger. Perhaps between those two, it should be renamed the Nobel War Prize.

To Colchar, I don't think the issues I presented are unique to the United States. Issues of race abound (look at the steps FIFA/UEFA have take to prevent racial violence towards African soccer players in Europe). Certainly past recipients have had only regional impacts.

Finally, although this may well simply be based on "political sentiment", I think it's done so without thinking through the consequences. Does anyone really think this helps President Obama? I've avoided the news today, but I have no doubt that the GOP is using this as a pretext to attack the President. This makes his job harder and, therefore, the five men in Oslo likely haven't done their ideology any favors (assuming, of course, they share the President's ideology).

[Shammrog]

Next up, Sarah Palin wins the Nobel prize for literature, based on her soon-to-be-released book.

[colchar]

Next up, Sarah Palin wins the Nobel prize for literature, based on her soon-to-be-released book.

Well played! Mind if I borrow that?

[windsor]

Next up, Sarah Palin wins the Nobel prize for literature, based on her soon-to-be-released book.

Well played! Mind if I borrow that?

I would like to borrow that line too!

[Shammrog]

By all means, please do!

[knights68]

Agree or Disagree?

http://townhall.com/columnists/JerryBow ... m_syndrome