Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize - Page 2 - Parenthood.ORG Boards for Parenting, Families, Chat, Support and More!

heidi · #11 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:16 PM

I am not going to argue that fact either Angie.
But if George W can get nominated maybe it is a war carry over thing :) You know peace by guns.

Angie · #12 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:26 PM

I don't get it any way you slice it... I don't agree with Al Gore's global warming science, but I could see how his continued work on environmental awareness / issues could warrant the nomination, consideration for and even being awarded the Nobel Peace Price... You at least see a body of work there...

Nikki · #13 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:35 PM

And has anyone actually read as to the reasoning given by the Committee?

Quote:

"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 said, explaining its decision.

Quote:

In its announcement Friday, the committee praised Obama for bringing about a shift in tone.

Quote:

"The committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons," the statement said.

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."

Quote:

The committee added, "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."

Obama's win unique among presidents - CNN.com

And they noted something also very interesting imo:

Quote:

He rejected the notion that Obama had been recognized prematurely for his efforts and said the committee wanted to promote the president just as it had Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990 in his efforts to open up the Soviet Union.

Obama: Nobel Peace Prize is 'call to action' - CNN.com

The Committee is being up front that it's Obama's policies and attitude towards the world community and his role as a spokesman for those views which line up with theirs which is the basis for them presenting him with the award. And because his views line up with theirs and they wish to encourage them…and no doubt because he is the POTUS...the man in charge of the world's superpower and thus can have a huge impact on the world community (as the past 8 years glaringly shows us) they are awarding it to him as a way to promote the success of those views.

Which, if you think about it, isn’t really all that unreasonable.

But regardless – personally, I think it’s a bit premature. But hey…it’s their award…they can award it to whomever they want.

And realistically - to many Republicans it wouldn't matter anyway when it comes to timing or "body of work". Anything positive having to do with Obama...even if it's good for the country...it's something they're going to argue against.

As such, Obama could end the Middle East crisis today and you'd still have Hannity and Rush and Michelle and Ann (and many of their followers) all dithering about how appalling it was that such an award was presented to Obama.

Jeff P · #14 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 01:38 PM

Well, on the positive side, Obama is not the least deserving recipient that they have picked. Still, I don’t see where he has accomplished anything. This new tone is fine and to be honest America needed a new face to the world. I hope his approach works. Still, it is sad to me that so little recognition is based on accomplishments, now just saying the right things and being from the same political side is enough. The cynical side of me wonders if this was done to increase pressure on Obama to close Guantanomo Bay and not increase troops in Afghanistan.

A VP at the company I work for had a saying about the company: "efforts are appreciated, results are rewarded." I always found it a bit jarring but at the same time it drove home the point that the company does not prosper by people trying to make money, it is successful because of people getting things done (cutting costs, new customers, new products, etc.).

Quote:

He rejected the notion that Obama had been recognized prematurely for his efforts and said the committee wanted to promote the president just as it had Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990 in his efforts to open up the Soviet Union.

I don’t think that is a good comparison. Gorbachev won the prize in 1990, by then he had already introduced “perestroika” in 1987 and “glasnost” and the law on cooperatives in 1988, as well as oversaw the holding of multiparty elections. On the foreign side, in 1987 a major treaty was signed which greatly reduced intermediate range nuclear weapons and in 1988 he announced the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and began allowing eastern European countries control over their own internal affairs. Obama has done nothing even remotely as ambitious.

If Obama does help achieve true peace (as opposed to Neville Chamberlain type peace), then he deserves the prize. Until then, no way.

Jeff

MattG · #15 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Make more sense the nominating Bush... But whatever.

Melissa · #16 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angie___D

He hasn't done anything in his entire life that would qualify him... unless going on a world tour bashing and apologizing for your country is what it takes these days....

ya that.

Nikki · #17 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 03:52 PM

And a very diplomatic response from the President:

Quote:

"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations," the president said. "I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize."

A President showing some humility...it's been so long.

Obama donating Nobel prize money | NECN

heidi · #18 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Nikki did you just call me a republican?? Girl those are fighting words.

I do believe it is premature.

Nikki · #19 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

NECN: Washington, D.C.) - President Barack Obama plans to donate the $1.4 million cash prize awarded to him as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Friday that it was likely multiple charities would benefit from the president's donation. The decision on which charities will receive portions of the money, according to Gibbs, has yet to be made.

So let's see - the President didn't do anything to create the situation. But in response - he avoided any problems that may have arisen from rejecting the prize. He's shown some humility. And he's providing a sizeable amount of money to charity. Not too shabby imo.

Nikki · #20 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heidi

Nikki did you just call me a republican?? Girl those are fighting words.

I do believe it is premature.

Where did I do that? That's sooo not how I see you!

If anyone had asked me if Obama deserved the peace prize I would have said the same thing - not yet. In fact, that's what I said above as well.

But reading through their explaination and reading some of the info about what's been done in the past - I can understand where the Committee is coming from and I don't think it's totally unreasonable either.

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