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News & ArtsFriday, October 9, 2009
News Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 2:37 AM
That was fast.
President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline.
What those sneaky 'wegians are up to...
The committee said it wanted to enhance Mr. Obama’s diplomatic efforts. “We are awarding Obama for what he has done,” the committee said. “Many other people and leaders and nations have to respond in a positive way” to President Obama’s diplomacy.
Gee, I wonder how this will play on Conservepedia?
6
Wow, it's amazing they gave the Nobel Peace Prize to such a bigot. Ya know, what with his stance on gay marriage and all. Does getting the Nobel Peace Prize mean you get re-friended to SLOG?
8
I don't see how he really deserves it. Not now, and certainly not after 10 days of being president.
But anything that sticks in the craw of the Conservative Granfalloon is okay by me. Add in a few aneurysms, maybe even amongst the talking heads god willing, and I'll smile for the rest of year, scouts honor.
But anything that sticks in the craw of the Conservative Granfalloon is okay by me. Add in a few aneurysms, maybe even amongst the talking heads god willing, and I'll smile for the rest of year, scouts honor.
9
Living outside the US, I totally think he deserves it. It was amazing how the world changed the day he was elected. I don't know if it's possible to truly understand the impact of the 2009 without traveling outside US borders. I watched continuous coverage of the election, and of the inauguration on multiple channels in Norway. There isn't that much coverage of any other election, including our own on TV here. Once again, it feels like the world is working together for something and that's a feeling that's been missing for a very long time.
10
One other thing; it's beyond bizarre that the more the world likes Obama, the less the American right seems to. It's funny, because they are always the ones that like to say "America is the most powerful/important country in the world." You think they'd care how the country is seen on the world stage.
11
@7: A Norwegian screw you. The Peace Prize is given by the Norwegian Nobel Institute.
http://nobelpeaceprize.org/
http://nobelpeaceprize.org/
12
Given that the committee embarassed itself with this award, I doubt people opposed to President Obama will fail to note that.
But you guys might want to consider viewing the world on its own merits, not just seeing every action through a rather pathetic, narrow-minded viewpoint of how it affects Cheney or President Bush.
I love me some Dan Savage, and I have been reading him for about a decade. But there is something about his fan base--and even Dan himself--that leaves me cold. Some of you people talk about conservatives the way white power morons talk about blacks: you display an unthinking, bigoted contempt that only allows for bad feelings towards a large group of people, without acknowledging or even allowing for the human decency that is really there.
You can have public policy disagreements with people, even really serious, profound disagreements without hating conservatives like some of you do.
But you guys might want to consider viewing the world on its own merits, not just seeing every action through a rather pathetic, narrow-minded viewpoint of how it affects Cheney or President Bush.
I love me some Dan Savage, and I have been reading him for about a decade. But there is something about his fan base--and even Dan himself--that leaves me cold. Some of you people talk about conservatives the way white power morons talk about blacks: you display an unthinking, bigoted contempt that only allows for bad feelings towards a large group of people, without acknowledging or even allowing for the human decency that is really there.
You can have public policy disagreements with people, even really serious, profound disagreements without hating conservatives like some of you do.
14
Just saw online that President Obama has won the Nobel prize for peace. I'm not sure, but I think he is the first US president to win the prize while in office.
As much of an Obama supporter as I am (despite his lackluster support of gay rights, despite his promises) I wonder from where this prize has come. Let's face it, he hasn't done much of anything yet in his presidency -- and far less than many of us had hoped.
Less than a year into his presidency, the Nobel committee has decided that he should be honored with the most prestigious award that they can bestow. How exactly has he as an individual earned it? I'm not sure. He hasn't done anything substantive yet to earn such an honor.
As I wrote before, I am an Obama supporter, but he's so far done nothing to deserve the recognition of the Nobel committee. As an American, I can say that Al Gore has certainly done more.
I think that this Nobel actually should go to the people of the US (if they feel that a prize should go to any American at all), who voted President Obama into office -- the people who had the faith and belief that a saner, more intelligent, rational approach to foreign and domestic policy should be undertaken, despite the challenges.
I'm proud of my president. I believe in the tenants of our country. I really believe in the constitution. But let's give credit where credit is due. Not to President Obama, but to the people of the great country who put him where he is.
As much of an Obama supporter as I am (despite his lackluster support of gay rights, despite his promises) I wonder from where this prize has come. Let's face it, he hasn't done much of anything yet in his presidency -- and far less than many of us had hoped.
Less than a year into his presidency, the Nobel committee has decided that he should be honored with the most prestigious award that they can bestow. How exactly has he as an individual earned it? I'm not sure. He hasn't done anything substantive yet to earn such an honor.
As I wrote before, I am an Obama supporter, but he's so far done nothing to deserve the recognition of the Nobel committee. As an American, I can say that Al Gore has certainly done more.
I think that this Nobel actually should go to the people of the US (if they feel that a prize should go to any American at all), who voted President Obama into office -- the people who had the faith and belief that a saner, more intelligent, rational approach to foreign and domestic policy should be undertaken, despite the challenges.
I'm proud of my president. I believe in the tenants of our country. I really believe in the constitution. But let's give credit where credit is due. Not to President Obama, but to the people of the great country who put him where he is.
15
Snowguy, most of us would like nothing more than to have civil disagreements with people on the other side of the spectrum. But we can't do that when the other side of the spectrum abandons logic and reason completely. A more accurate metaphor would be yours flipped: we talk about conservatives the way black people talk about white power morons. A group of people who can't be reasoned with, or talked to, because they're too full of their own irrational bullshit to listen to a word anyone says otherwise.
There's not an outspoken conservative on the national stage who deviates from this pattern. Not one. George Will sometimes puts a word in here or there. Maybe some of the true conservative old guard show up on CNN once a month. The stage is dominated by madmen and charlatans. They, in turn, impress their tirades over and over again on 45% of the population.
I know a few people I can talk to and disagree with. A few out of probably several hundred people who lean right with no ability to debate, only an ability to repeat garbage they heard from the TV. Why should I bother singling out these few among the masses, unless I'm speaking to or about them specifically?
There's not an outspoken conservative on the national stage who deviates from this pattern. Not one. George Will sometimes puts a word in here or there. Maybe some of the true conservative old guard show up on CNN once a month. The stage is dominated by madmen and charlatans. They, in turn, impress their tirades over and over again on 45% of the population.
I know a few people I can talk to and disagree with. A few out of probably several hundred people who lean right with no ability to debate, only an ability to repeat garbage they heard from the TV. Why should I bother singling out these few among the masses, unless I'm speaking to or about them specifically?
16
@ Snow Guy: First of all, every single peace prize award is controversial. Looking at Der Speigel and Aften Posten, this doesn't even rank up among their big scandals. Norwegian journalists are split about 50/50 on whether Obama deserved it, and not nearly the outcry of people past. Al Gore was massively controversial. It's only 1430, but so far it's been surprise but not too much outrage. I expect our resident brown parties to make a fuss, but I'd be surprised if it sparked much controversy beyond that.
Secondly, you really are only considering Obama in a domestic light. When you follow Obama's international dealings, you might see a different story. The world watched Obama's reaction to the Iran election and widely praised him for it. Rightly so. The world is aware that his first phone call as president was to the Palestinian PM and he was roundly applauded. The world sees that Obama is withdrawing troops from Iraq and again they applaud. The way he deals with the rest of the world. The way he works with nations, compromises, dialogues, is noticed and has changed the world's opinion of America.
Bush trashed America in the world spotlight and in nine months, Obama has turned that around completely. Are there people still unhappy with America? Yes. Are there things the world still wants America to answer for? Yes. Are there still criticisms? Of course. There always will be. But today, America isn't some bully has to be put up with, America is someone that the rest of the world can work with.
Secondly, you really are only considering Obama in a domestic light. When you follow Obama's international dealings, you might see a different story. The world watched Obama's reaction to the Iran election and widely praised him for it. Rightly so. The world is aware that his first phone call as president was to the Palestinian PM and he was roundly applauded. The world sees that Obama is withdrawing troops from Iraq and again they applaud. The way he deals with the rest of the world. The way he works with nations, compromises, dialogues, is noticed and has changed the world's opinion of America.
Bush trashed America in the world spotlight and in nine months, Obama has turned that around completely. Are there people still unhappy with America? Yes. Are there things the world still wants America to answer for? Yes. Are there still criticisms? Of course. There always will be. But today, America isn't some bully has to be put up with, America is someone that the rest of the world can work with.
17
Conservepedia?! That goofball site? Better that the peace award has an effect on the bigoted http://www.newnation.org/
It compiles crimes mostly by African Americans. They also list crimes by Hispanics and Catholic priests. Dan, your obsession with Youth Pastors would fit in nicely.
It compiles crimes mostly by African Americans. They also list crimes by Hispanics and Catholic priests. Dan, your obsession with Youth Pastors would fit in nicely.
18
Conservatives are fools. They want so hard to believe in dear Grandpaw Reagan and Auntie Margaret's philosophy, but it just doesn't work (look around you for proof)
19
RWGirl:
Having lived abroad for 5 years on this post and having spent a great portion of my adult life as a US citizen abroad. I respectfully disagree.
I also resent the implication that living abroad gives one any particular wisdom. I do not know why you are over seas but your writing smacks of semester abroad arrogance.
Here are a few things, internationally, that stick in my craw: Obama's cowardice with China to meet the Dalai Lama, his failure to stand up to Turkey on the genocide issue, his failure to lower the terror alert due to his aggressive military stance and his betrayal of human rights in regards to DOMA and DADT.
We all liked what he did with the missiles in the Czech Republic, however Obama has been little more than a symbolic president and as important as this is, it does not translate in to greatness.
My first post was in 1989, in South East Asia where Ronald Reagan was an extremely popular US president (really). Being popular overseas does not mean shit.
Having lived abroad for 5 years on this post and having spent a great portion of my adult life as a US citizen abroad. I respectfully disagree.
I also resent the implication that living abroad gives one any particular wisdom. I do not know why you are over seas but your writing smacks of semester abroad arrogance.
Here are a few things, internationally, that stick in my craw: Obama's cowardice with China to meet the Dalai Lama, his failure to stand up to Turkey on the genocide issue, his failure to lower the terror alert due to his aggressive military stance and his betrayal of human rights in regards to DOMA and DADT.
We all liked what he did with the missiles in the Czech Republic, however Obama has been little more than a symbolic president and as important as this is, it does not translate in to greatness.
My first post was in 1989, in South East Asia where Ronald Reagan was an extremely popular US president (really). Being popular overseas does not mean shit.
20
@4 and Dan, The Nobel Committee did this to a degree with Carter in 2002. At the time we were getting all worked up to invade Iraq and they probably thought that an a US President being awarded for peace efforts may have stopped Bush. Obviously it was a huge shot in the dark and failed.
Obama is considering escalating Afganastan: they again maybe hoping against all odds that this may deter Obama from going deeper into that nightmare war. I doubt it will work but it's a nice thought.
Obama is considering escalating Afganastan: they again maybe hoping against all odds that this may deter Obama from going deeper into that nightmare war. I doubt it will work but it's a nice thought.
21
The Nobel Peace Prize has been a farce since Arafat got one and a joke since Carter got one.
It reflects the fawning infatuations of the PC humanist Liberal European chattering class more than anything else.
Even Obama's most ardent supporters have to be embarrassed by the inappropriateness of the award at this stage of the administration.
The glaring lack of progress on any front- international or domestic- makes this seem like an affirmative action set aside and cheats what could have been a deserved legitimate awarding of the prize later on.
It reflects the fawning infatuations of the PC humanist Liberal European chattering class more than anything else.
Even Obama's most ardent supporters have to be embarrassed by the inappropriateness of the award at this stage of the administration.
The glaring lack of progress on any front- international or domestic- makes this seem like an affirmative action set aside and cheats what could have been a deserved legitimate awarding of the prize later on.
22
Obama is being rewarded by Europe for not being Bush.
It is quite an accomplishment, especially for a black man, and America should be proud.
It is quite an accomplishment, especially for a black man, and America should be proud.
23
@19: I'm not American. I've lived in America and traveled there numerous times, but I'm Norwegian.
If it came across as arrogance, I apologize. That wasn't my intent. When a poster claims my country has embarrassed itself, it does lead one to jump to the defensive. Americans have one perspective, people in European nations have another. Not better or worse, just different. Given that it's my country that's giving Obama the award, it makes sense that I'd offer my perspective and the perspective of what I've read. There's a change in perspective you get living outside your own country.
If it came across as arrogance, I apologize. That wasn't my intent. When a poster claims my country has embarrassed itself, it does lead one to jump to the defensive. Americans have one perspective, people in European nations have another. Not better or worse, just different. Given that it's my country that's giving Obama the award, it makes sense that I'd offer my perspective and the perspective of what I've read. There's a change in perspective you get living outside your own country.
24
Bah! Half finished my thought:
There's a change in perspective you get living outside your own country. My perspective changed dramatically after living in America and to a smaller degree, after living in Germany. My perspective isn't better, it's just different.
There's a change in perspective you get living outside your own country. My perspective changed dramatically after living in America and to a smaller degree, after living in Germany. My perspective isn't better, it's just different.
26
"So soon? Too early. He has no contribution so far." said former Polish President Lech Walesa, a 1983 Nobel Peace laureate, of Obama.
27
@20 --- Wow!
You were at their committee meetings BOTH times so you know their intentions and motives?
Wow!
You were at their committee meetings BOTH times so you know their intentions and motives?
Wow!
28
Too soon?
Obama has attempted to restart stalled talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, but just a day after Obama hosted the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in New York, Israeli officials boasted that they had fended off U.S. pressure to halt settlement construction.
Moderate Palestinians said they felt undermined by Obama's failure to back up his demand for a freeze.
Obama has attempted to restart stalled talks between the Israelis and Palestinians, but just a day after Obama hosted the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in New York, Israeli officials boasted that they had fended off U.S. pressure to halt settlement construction.
Moderate Palestinians said they felt undermined by Obama's failure to back up his demand for a freeze.
29
27
from Washington Post
The Nobel committee chairman said after awarding the 2002 prize to former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, for his mediation in international conflicts, that it should be seen as a "kick in the leg" to the Bush administration's hard line in the buildup to the Iraq war.
from Washington Post
The Nobel committee chairman said after awarding the 2002 prize to former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, for his mediation in international conflicts, that it should be seen as a "kick in the leg" to the Bush administration's hard line in the buildup to the Iraq war.
30
Europe is weak and too impotent to effect change in the world and must content itself nipping at the heels of the superpower...
(Washington Post)
"The award is clearly a slap at Bush from a committee that harshly criticized Obama's predecessor.
"The Nobel committee chairman said after awarding the 2002 prize to former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, for his mediation in international conflicts, that it should be seen as a "kick in the leg" to the Bush administration's hard line in the buildup to the Iraq war.
"Five years later, the committee honored Bush's adversary in the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore"
Like Slog, the Liberals on the Nobel Committee just can't seem to move on past Bush...
(Washington Post)
"The award is clearly a slap at Bush from a committee that harshly criticized Obama's predecessor.
"The Nobel committee chairman said after awarding the 2002 prize to former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, for his mediation in international conflicts, that it should be seen as a "kick in the leg" to the Bush administration's hard line in the buildup to the Iraq war.
"Five years later, the committee honored Bush's adversary in the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore"
Like Slog, the Liberals on the Nobel Committee just can't seem to move on past Bush...
31
It is awful early in his first term to get the award. They must be worried, like Dan, about his health.
32
The Nobel committee praised Obama and said he had returned multilateral diplomacy and institutions like the U.N. to the center of the world stage.
33
So the Nobel Peace Prize is like the Grammys and the Oscars now. It's just a popularity contest. Hey, I like Obama, but what has he done? I'm sorry I don't see it.
34
"Obama's election has caused a dramatic improvement in the image of the U.S. around the world. A 25-nation poll of 27,000 people found double-digit boosts to the percentage of people viewing the U.S. favorably in countries around the world. "
35
@30: That's because Europe isn't a country. Every nation has it's own agenda. You could argue that the EU has a common agenda (it would be a slim argument, but you still could argue that), but Norway isn't part of the EU and the EU has no bearing on who the Norwegian Nobel Institute gives the Peace Prize to. I doubt you'd like it if I lumped you in with Canada and Mexico, so don't lump all the countries on this continent together.
If you were to say that Norway is too weak to affect change, then sure, that would be true. But we don't try to, nor do we pretend to have that kind of influence.
If you were to say that Norway is too weak to affect change, then sure, that would be true. But we don't try to, nor do we pretend to have that kind of influence.
36
@35: You've made some interesting points, but please don't feed the unregistered trolls. Particularly not the ones who can't spell "eunuch."
37
The five-member Nobel Committee in Norway said of Obama:
"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."
You lead by showing the way- not by slavishly following the "values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
Liberals eat this stuff up-
they are humiliated when Europe doesn't like us.
Conservatives realize that America has a unique responsibility to lead the world and that leadership isn't a popularity contest.
"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."
You lead by showing the way- not by slavishly following the "values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
Liberals eat this stuff up-
they are humiliated when Europe doesn't like us.
Conservatives realize that America has a unique responsibility to lead the world and that leadership isn't a popularity contest.
39
@35
yap
yap yap yap
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yap
yap yap yap
yapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyapyap
40
@36: Sorry. I should have known better.
Perhaps this will make up for it: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/2491…
Perhaps this will make up for it: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/2491…
41
@37,
A true conservative knows that the purpose of the United States is to take care of itself and its own business, and not stick its nose into the business of other countries. When your country has a humble foreign policy, your popularity increases on its own. Your view isn't conservative, it's neocon, and in my eyes, neocon=traitorous. I know I shouldn't feed trolls, but you neocon losers need to be smacked down by the very ideals you claim to have but actually betray .
A true conservative knows that the purpose of the United States is to take care of itself and its own business, and not stick its nose into the business of other countries. When your country has a humble foreign policy, your popularity increases on its own. Your view isn't conservative, it's neocon, and in my eyes, neocon=traitorous. I know I shouldn't feed trolls, but you neocon losers need to be smacked down by the very ideals you claim to have but actually betray .
42
This is hilarious.
Misanthropic conservatives and self-loathing liberals, blowing up monumentally over Obama getting a Nobel Peace Prize.
Misanthropic conservatives and self-loathing liberals, blowing up monumentally over Obama getting a Nobel Peace Prize.
44
This has made my morning! Honestly - woke up to a surprise two inches of snow (we skipped Autumn completely), thought about my 1.2 mile walk to work through snow and wind, and then heard on NPR - Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize. Awesome. And what RWgirl said @9: the world changed the day he was elected.
45
Time Magazine
"Frankly it seems premature when he hasn't been in office even a year yet, and has not yet actually achieved the goals he set out — although he certainly has made some very noteworthy efforts," says Mark Fitzpatrick, Senior Fellow for Non-proliferation at the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies. "I think he will be embarrassed by it and it will be unhelpful in the domestic milieu."
That's an understatement. As TIME's Mark Halperin notes on The Page, "Barack Obama's critics have long accused him of being a man of 'just words,' rather than concrete actions and accomplishments. The stunning decision to award him the Nobel Peace Prize for, basically, his rhetoric, will almost certainly amuse his detractors in America more than it will delight his supporters."
(Read Mark Halperin's take on The Page.)
Americans, many of whom recently expressed surprise and disappointment that Obama failed on the international stage in his hands-on bid to win the Olympic Games for Chicago, will denounce Obama's award as a farce. Even neutral critics will agree that the honor seems, at a minimum, premature."
"Frankly it seems premature when he hasn't been in office even a year yet, and has not yet actually achieved the goals he set out — although he certainly has made some very noteworthy efforts," says Mark Fitzpatrick, Senior Fellow for Non-proliferation at the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies. "I think he will be embarrassed by it and it will be unhelpful in the domestic milieu."
That's an understatement. As TIME's Mark Halperin notes on The Page, "Barack Obama's critics have long accused him of being a man of 'just words,' rather than concrete actions and accomplishments. The stunning decision to award him the Nobel Peace Prize for, basically, his rhetoric, will almost certainly amuse his detractors in America more than it will delight his supporters."
(Read Mark Halperin's take on The Page.)
Americans, many of whom recently expressed surprise and disappointment that Obama failed on the international stage in his hands-on bid to win the Olympic Games for Chicago, will denounce Obama's award as a farce. Even neutral critics will agree that the honor seems, at a minimum, premature."
46
Mark Fitzpatrick and his colleagues at the International Institute of Strategic Studies reacted in the same way: "Is this a joke? We all thought it was a joke."
50
@23
I'm an American who lives outside the U.S. right now and I can tell you that the guy from post 19 is a complete idiot. Boy he read you wrong, too.
You are absolutely right about the change of perspective (and yes, wisdom)one gets from living outside of their own country. And I must say, it's nice having Obama as my president because every one around me isn't filled with the anti-America-rage like they were in the days of Bush. People used to view my nationality with an air of disgust in those days, and it was something they had to work past in order to like me. I don't get that anymore. Everybody seems to like Obama here and they see positivity, cooperation and hope when they used to see belligerence, arrogance and greed.
I'm an American who lives outside the U.S. right now and I can tell you that the guy from post 19 is a complete idiot. Boy he read you wrong, too.
You are absolutely right about the change of perspective (and yes, wisdom)one gets from living outside of their own country. And I must say, it's nice having Obama as my president because every one around me isn't filled with the anti-America-rage like they were in the days of Bush. People used to view my nationality with an air of disgust in those days, and it was something they had to work past in order to like me. I don't get that anymore. Everybody seems to like Obama here and they see positivity, cooperation and hope when they used to see belligerence, arrogance and greed.
52
47
We are $2 Trillion deeper in debt.
The war in Afghanistan is Vietnam2.
Seven Million people have lost their jobs.
North Korea and Iran flaunt their nuclear and missile technology.
and, oh yeah, the world likes us!
We are $2 Trillion deeper in debt.
The war in Afghanistan is Vietnam2.
Seven Million people have lost their jobs.
North Korea and Iran flaunt their nuclear and missile technology.
and, oh yeah, the world likes us!
53
I think this is pretty damned stupid. But when you consider that Alfred Nobel was the inventor of dynamite, I guess you can't expect much.
54
Great, how's Obama gonna be able to drop bombs now when needed? This is only going to infuriate the looney left and raging right......and hang like a 100lb millstone around Obama's neck. He shoudl turn it down.
56
Compare Obama to Greg Mortenson, nominated for the prize by some members of Congress, who the bookies gave 20-to-1 odds of winning. Son of a missionary, a former army Medic and mountaineer, he has made it his mission to build schools for girls in places where opium dealers and tribal warlords kill people for trying. His Central Asia Institute has built more than 130 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan — a mission which has, along the way, inspired millions of people to view the protection and education of girls as a key to peace and prosperity and progress.
Words are nice.
But it's better to let actions speak for themselves.
Words are nice.
But it's better to let actions speak for themselves.
57
Time magazine-
"The last thing Barack Obama needed at this moment in his presidency and our politics is a prize for a promise.
Inspirational words have brought him a long way — including to the night in Grant Park less than a year ago when he asked that we "join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand."
By now there are surely more callouses on his lips than his hands. He, like every new president, has reckoned with both the power and the danger of words, dangers that are especially great for one who wields them as skillfully as he. A promise beautifully made raises hopes especially high: we will revive the economy while we rein in our spending; we will make health care simpler, safer, cheaper, fairer. We will rid the earth of its most lethal weapons. We will turn green and clean. We will all just get along.
So when reality bites, it chomps down hard. The Nobel committee cited "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." His critics fault some of those efforts: those who favor a missile shield for Poland or a troop surge in Afghanistan or a harder line on Iran. But even his fans know that none of the dreams have yet come true, and a prize for even dreaming them can feed the illusion that they have.
Maybe the prize will give him more power, new muscles to haul unruly nations in line. But peacemaking is more about ingenuity than inspiration, about reading other nations' selfish interests and cynically, strategically exploiting them for the common good. Will it help if fewer countries come to the table hating us? To a point. But it's a starting point, not an end in itself.
At this moment many Americans are longing for a president who is more bully, less pulpit. The president who leased his immense inaugural good will to the hungry appropriators writing the stimulus bill, who has not stopped negotiating health care reform except to say what is non-negotiable, whose solicitude for the wheelers and dealers who drove the financial system into a ditch leaves the rest of us wondering who has our back, has always shown great promise, said the right things, affirmed every time he opens his mouth that he understands the fears we face and the hopes we hold. But he presides over a capital whose day-to-day functioning has become part-travesty, part-tragedy, wasteful, blind, vain, petty, where even the best intentioned reformers measure their progress with teaspoons. There comes a time when a President needs to take a real risk — and putting his prestige on the line to win the Olympics for his home town does not remotely count."
More...
"The last thing Barack Obama needed at this moment in his presidency and our politics is a prize for a promise.
Inspirational words have brought him a long way — including to the night in Grant Park less than a year ago when he asked that we "join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand."
By now there are surely more callouses on his lips than his hands. He, like every new president, has reckoned with both the power and the danger of words, dangers that are especially great for one who wields them as skillfully as he. A promise beautifully made raises hopes especially high: we will revive the economy while we rein in our spending; we will make health care simpler, safer, cheaper, fairer. We will rid the earth of its most lethal weapons. We will turn green and clean. We will all just get along.
So when reality bites, it chomps down hard. The Nobel committee cited "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." His critics fault some of those efforts: those who favor a missile shield for Poland or a troop surge in Afghanistan or a harder line on Iran. But even his fans know that none of the dreams have yet come true, and a prize for even dreaming them can feed the illusion that they have.
Maybe the prize will give him more power, new muscles to haul unruly nations in line. But peacemaking is more about ingenuity than inspiration, about reading other nations' selfish interests and cynically, strategically exploiting them for the common good. Will it help if fewer countries come to the table hating us? To a point. But it's a starting point, not an end in itself.
At this moment many Americans are longing for a president who is more bully, less pulpit. The president who leased his immense inaugural good will to the hungry appropriators writing the stimulus bill, who has not stopped negotiating health care reform except to say what is non-negotiable, whose solicitude for the wheelers and dealers who drove the financial system into a ditch leaves the rest of us wondering who has our back, has always shown great promise, said the right things, affirmed every time he opens his mouth that he understands the fears we face and the hopes we hold. But he presides over a capital whose day-to-day functioning has become part-travesty, part-tragedy, wasteful, blind, vain, petty, where even the best intentioned reformers measure their progress with teaspoons. There comes a time when a President needs to take a real risk — and putting his prestige on the line to win the Olympics for his home town does not remotely count."
58
President Obama got a Nobel for reengaging the US in international diplomacy and not being bat shit crazy. It's kind of like getting a prize for going the speed limit.
59
The unfulfilled campaign promises had hardened my heart some, but I do feel sad for him about this. The reliably unimpressed Guardian puts it well:
The reality is that the prize appears to have been awarded to Barack Obama for what he is not. For not being George W Bush. Or rather being less like the last president. The question now is whether having being anointed perhaps too early by the committee, a Nobel prize earned so cheaply and at so little cost will help him in his efforts on the international stage or rather be an albatross around his neck. Something against which all his future efforts will be judged – and perhaps found wanting.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct…
The reality is that the prize appears to have been awarded to Barack Obama for what he is not. For not being George W Bush. Or rather being less like the last president. The question now is whether having being anointed perhaps too early by the committee, a Nobel prize earned so cheaply and at so little cost will help him in his efforts on the international stage or rather be an albatross around his neck. Something against which all his future efforts will be judged – and perhaps found wanting.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct…
61
i assume BHO will take it as a challenge from the committee to work for peace and not accept the status quo - i.e. israeli settlement policies.
and i hope a large number of birthers and tea baggers stroke out over this.
and i hope a large number of birthers and tea baggers stroke out over this.
63
what did i just say?
President Obama on Friday said he was "surprised and deeply humbled" by winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership," Obama said from the White House Rose Garden.
"I will accept this award as a call to action."
President Obama on Friday said he was "surprised and deeply humbled" by winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership," Obama said from the White House Rose Garden.
"I will accept this award as a call to action."
64
I am so happy about this. I am going to get drunk as hell and talk shit about Cheney all night long. SEE HOW HE LIKES IT!
65
Man, GWB and his wife must be fuming in their high rise multi-floor condo in Dallas right about now.
Talk about being bitch-slapped ...
Talk about being bitch-slapped ...
66
@49,
Then refute it, based on conservative principle. You can't, so you make a non-funny riposte. Chickenshit. Beat it, neocon troll.
Then refute it, based on conservative principle. You can't, so you make a non-funny riposte. Chickenshit. Beat it, neocon troll.
68
After reading news reports from around the world for the past two hours, listening to a few (educated) pundits and chatting with friends, I'm squarely in the camp that this was a message from the rest of the world to the USA: "We like how you've changed, we like the directions we see you thinking about going, you've removed the fear of unilateral gunslinging that hanged over the world for the past 8 years, so here's a recognition of that. And, oh yeah, if you're ever tempted to divert from this perceived track of improved behavior, our award will make it harder on you."
It's like daddy stopped drinking and doesn't hit mommy anymore, so we can love him again. Or something.
It's like daddy stopped drinking and doesn't hit mommy anymore, so we can love him again. Or something.
70
@ 63 -- It is indeed a call to action. It's the Norgie's call on Obama to shelve contingency plans for de-nuking Iran, and to avoid escalating Afghanistan into Pakistan. In brief, "Let's just see him try that with this hung around his neck."
If it were awarded on merit, there are a dozen more deserving recipients in Seattle alone.
If it were awarded on merit, there are a dozen more deserving recipients in Seattle alone.
72
The Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded proactively, nor is it a cookie for saying nice things. It is a recognition for a lifetime of work for worldwide peace.
Last year, it was given to former Finnish president and UN diplomat Martti Ahtisaari "For his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts," including securing Namibia's independence, campaigning for the importance of both NATO and the EU, and first-hand involvement in solving conflicts in Kosovo and Iraq, among others.
Obama has lovely words, and once he acts upon them, he will deserve such recognition.
Last year, it was given to former Finnish president and UN diplomat Martti Ahtisaari "For his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts," including securing Namibia's independence, campaigning for the importance of both NATO and the EU, and first-hand involvement in solving conflicts in Kosovo and Iraq, among others.
Obama has lovely words, and once he acts upon them, he will deserve such recognition.
75
"Conservatives realize that America has a unique responsibility to lead the world and that leadership isn't a popularity contest."
brilliant.
and true.
Leading by example is not "stick(ing) its nose into the business of other countries", my good boy...
On January 11, 1989, in his farewell speech to the nation President Ronald Reagan used the phrase the "shining city upon a hill" to describe the America he aspired for. An America that shown as a Beacon of Liberty and Opportunity to the World. An America constructed and inhabited by men aware of the great Trust placed in them by Providence and their great Responsibilities to Mankind.
The phrase comes from John Winthrop, the Puritan, who said "The eyes of all people are upon us."
"We are commanded this day to love the Lord our God, to walk in his ways and to keep his Commandments and his ordinance and his laws, and the articles of our Covenant with Him, that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God may bless us in the land whither we go to possess it. But if our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other Gods, our Pleasure and Profits, and serve them; it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely Perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it. Therefore let us choose Life,that we and our seed may live, by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him, for He is our life and our prosperity."
The Liberals strive mightily and successfully to turn the hearts of America away from God, to worship other Gods- our Pleasure and Profits, and serve them; and as they are successful we shall surely Perish out of this Good L.and
brilliant.
and true.
Leading by example is not "stick(ing) its nose into the business of other countries", my good boy...
On January 11, 1989, in his farewell speech to the nation President Ronald Reagan used the phrase the "shining city upon a hill" to describe the America he aspired for. An America that shown as a Beacon of Liberty and Opportunity to the World. An America constructed and inhabited by men aware of the great Trust placed in them by Providence and their great Responsibilities to Mankind.
The phrase comes from John Winthrop, the Puritan, who said "The eyes of all people are upon us."
"We are commanded this day to love the Lord our God, to walk in his ways and to keep his Commandments and his ordinance and his laws, and the articles of our Covenant with Him, that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God may bless us in the land whither we go to possess it. But if our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other Gods, our Pleasure and Profits, and serve them; it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely Perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it. Therefore let us choose Life,that we and our seed may live, by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him, for He is our life and our prosperity."
The Liberals strive mightily and successfully to turn the hearts of America away from God, to worship other Gods- our Pleasure and Profits, and serve them; and as they are successful we shall surely Perish out of this Good L.and
76
58 FTW! I wouldn't say Obama deserved the prize, but I wouldn't say he DIDN'T deserve it either. (And yes, I think EVERYBODY who isn't George Bush should get a prize for not being George Bush. Except Dick Cheney & friends, obviously.)
77
Setting a new tone in world relations, cleaning up the mess made by the previous administration and giving a voice to those who have been silenced by those who have ruled for for over 233 hundred years since our founding. That's Nobel Peace Prize material and then some.
Congratulations to our President!
Congratulations to our President!
78
I see this as a slap in the face to any of the previous winners who actually earned it. He was nominated for this just 10 days into the Presidency. I don't care what he did before becoming President because they nominated *President Obama*, not Senator Obama!
79
@78: I think you are forgetting your history. Kissinger won it even after bombing Cambodia, Jimmy Carter was given it as essentially a "screw you" to Bush and Al Gore was given it for making a movie that was really only relevant in the US, Ghandi was nominated five times and never won it, the Dali Lama was given it because they screwed up and didn't give it to Ghandi. Should I go on?
The prize has always been controversial, but this is by far one of the smaller controversies. Especially when you consider someone who committed genocide won the prize.
The prize has always been controversial, but this is by far one of the smaller controversies. Especially when you consider someone who committed genocide won the prize.
80
How a cold, calculating, insincere shell of a man could win this award is beyond me! So many in this world are blind - it's scary.
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