Barack Obama 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner... wait, wtf?

[alanon]

Ok, so kind of returning to topic....

I see Obama won the nobel peace prize today.....

Seriously? This world is in some sad shape if he takes the prize. Before the extreme Obama supporters get on here extoling his virtues, bear in mind, that in order for him to win means that he was nominated for the award two weeks into his presidency and the latest!

 

[Tristam Green]

Ok, so kind of returning to topic....

I see Obama won the nobel peace prize today.....

Seriously? This world is in some sad shape if he takes the prize. Before the extreme Obama supporters get on here extoling his virtues, bear in mind, that in order for him to win means that he was nominated for the award two weeks into his presidency and the latest!

Given your third paragraph, you seem surprised?

While I think he's definitely better for the nation in terms of a president than any alternative from the last election, I'm no stranger to the fact that there are people out there who in effect think he's the best thing since sliced bread, and can do no wrong (which, of course, is fallacy at its worst).

 

[Cerato]

I’m surprised about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize, too. Then again, I’m not on the Nobel committee. That is, they aren’t all Americans. Perhaps it is as Obama himself suggested in his acceptance speech, more of a call to action than for deeds done. Whether Americans like it or not, he is highly regarded internationally. Maybe he won for the simple fact that he’s not George Bush.

 

[Halifirien]

I see Obama won the nobel peace prize today.....

Seriously? This world is in some sad shape if he takes the prize.

I think we were in sad shape long before he came along, but I agree it's premature. To his credit, he seems to recognize that. From the article I read, there's an understandable element of Bush closure involved. A drunk badger with a sharpened spoon would probably be more likely to get nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize after that administration.

Anyone check on Tomasello? He's going to be in rare form when he hears about this one, assuming his head didn't explode.

 

[Tristam Green]

I’m surprised about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize, too. Then again, I’m not on the Nobel committee. That is, they aren’t all Americans. Perhaps it is as Obama himself suggested in his acceptance speech, more of a call to action than for deeds done. Whether Americans like it or not, he is highly regarded internationally. Maybe he won for the simple fact that he’s not George Bush.

As I understand it, yes; it was for the progress made thus far, and for the intentions to strive to peace.

I dislike to use this term in this sense, but "the path to ruin is paved with good intentions" - I realize the heart is there, just as it is in many people to do good deeds and bring about peace, but it really is the action, rather than intention, that should be lauded.

Please don't read any of this as me saying he doesn't necessarily deserve the award - I can't say one way or another.

 

[Taurothar]

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/

I heard about this and instantly thought it was a gag. I was certain it was a misinterpreted Onionesque article that somehow leaked into legitimate news sources. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

I mean, the guy's not the second coming, but he's also not the worst president in recent memory. I just don't understand how someone not 1 year into his term, not really successful in anything he's attempted to get done, gets a prestigious award for successfully bringing world peace a large step closer. His foreign policy hasn't really gotten any results worth writing home about, and he didn't suddenly cure the tension between the Muslim nations and America/the West.

Could someone enlighten me as to what the hell was so impressive about his contributions to deem him worthy of such accolade?

 

[Hexx]

Maybe the fact that hes the first black US President? Sure, its not a significant contribution to humanity, but hey, look at this country's history when it comes to minorities in power. Becoming president while being something other than white is one hell of an accomplishment.

 

[Cort]

One has to be nominated upon February 1st, so some jackass nominated him after his being president all of 2-3 weeks.

Circle jerk of the year.

 

[Mirewen]

I personally like Obama but seriously? To nominate him a couple weeks after election... was probably someone swept up in campaign promises.

 

[Cort]

I personally like Obama but seriously? To nominate him a couple weeks after election... was probably someone swept up in campaign promises.

Promises that haven't been kept

 

[Hexx]

Promises that haven't been kept

Please dont turn this into another politically charged thread, theres enough of them to go around kthxbai

Mirewen, I agree, I think Obama is the best thing since sliced bread, but this kind of honor should have been given to someone else. Obama is great and all but he has yet to really do much (even if being the first black president is significant, it has no real impact on humanity as a whole).

 

[Tristam Green]

Please dont turn this into another politically charged thread, theres enough of them to go around kthxbai

It is by nature, given when someone has to be nominated.

I realize he was a Senator prior to his presidency, but even then; what did he really do to better the journey to world peace?

 

[Halifirien]

The Peace Prize isn't only given for past accomplishments, but also in anticipation of the future. I agree it's probably premature to award it to Obama -- which, to his credit, he recognizes -- but it's hard to deny he was already changing the tone of our international relations at the time he was nominated -- more diplomacy, less saber-rattling, etc.

Here's hoping he lives up to the honor he's been given.

 

[Tomasello]

Anyone check on Tomasello? He's going to be in rare form when he hears about this one, assuming his head didn't explode.

Let me put things in perspective for everyone.

Adolf Hitler was nominated for a Noble Peace Prize.

So there you go.

 

[Halifirien]

Let me put things in perspective for everyone.

Adolf Hitler was nominated for a Noble Peace Prize.

So there you go.

That doesn't put anything into perspective (other than your Obamahatred). Hitler didn't win the fucking prize.

 

[Hexx]

It is by nature, given when someone has to be nominated.

I realize he was a Senator prior to his presidency, but even then; what did he really do to better the journey to world peace?

True, but to say "Promises that havent been kept" is plain idiotic. The guy has only been in office for a few months, and had more backlash than any other president in recent history.

Hali put it best though, Obama may not have done anything world changing in the past, but who's to say he wont pull something big in the future?

 

[Miros]

Please dont turn this into another politically charged thread, theres enough of them to go around kthxbai

How can this not turn into a politcally charged thread? <_<;

The Peace Prize isn't only given for past accomplishments, but also in anticipation of the future. I agree it's probably premature to award it to Obama -- which, to his credit, he recognizes -- but it's hard to deny he was already changing the tone of our international relations at the time he was nominated -- more diplomacy, less saber-rattling, etc.

Here's hoping he lives up to the honor he's been given.

That's kind of retarded if you ask me. Going by what he's done in the near year he's been in I can't say I'm expecting much at all to change in the next three years. And if that's the case he may not be staying in that white house and have to power to live up to the peace prize. Does he give it back or is it no givesy-backsies?

 

[Tomasello]

That doesn't put anything into perspective (other than your Obamahatred). Hitler didn't win the fucking prize.

Of course it does. It shows how they can make the WORST possible choices. Hitler was nominated for the prize because of the politics of the era. Absolutely NO DIFFERENCE why Obama was nominated now. He hasn't done jack shit for peace. Iraq War. CHECK. Afgan War. CHECK (and getting worse). Hell fucking Gitmo is even still open.

Even Obama knows he doesn't deserve it. He's just too much of an egomanic to turn it away.

 

[Hexx]

How can this not turn into a politcally charged thread? <_<;

In the sense that, the Nobel Peace Prize is given out regardless of political leanings. Leothar asked how and why did Obama end up getting the prize, and made no real mention of any politics. Thats my opinion tho.

 

[Taurothar]

As a political figure Obama is inherently charged. How you feel about him politically will really influence your opinions on his "success".