Nobel Peace Prize Awarded

[Scanner]

First I'm proud that the award went to a sitting American President.

Second, I understand and agree with the committee's statement:

"The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee - four of whom spoke to The Associated Press, said awarding Obama the peace prize could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his young administration.

They lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease U.S. conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen its role in combating climate change.

"Some people say - and I understand it - 'Isn't it premature? Too early?' Well, I'd say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now," Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, told the AP. "It is now that we have the opportunity to respond - all of us."

[John Schmidt]

I have no problem with an American president WINNING the Nobel Peace Prize. After all, winning is something that's realized after the fact; i.e., after the race, after the ball game, etc., it's the result of action taken. I'm not quite clear what the basis was for awarding this to Obama, hopefully we'll all find out down the road. I can't see anything in his past that would support it, but who knows....we're surprised everyday with new findings about someone in government.

I don't agree with a lot of his ideas and methods, some of which smack too much of Chicago "politics as usual." Having lived there when Daley's daddy was king, it surely rings a familiar bell. Guess I'll just have to wait and see....like the rest of us.

Note to Strong Eagle...Wayne, I bet you posted that just to stir things up a bit. Bingo!!   

[f6john]

This is not something I would following as a normal course of interest, so I ask the question, who were the other nominee's?

[Serk]

This is not something I would following as a normal course of interest, so I ask the question, who were the other nominee's?

I was curious about the same thing, did some Googling:

Due to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, lists of nominations are held for 50 years, so the official list of the Nobel Peace Prize Nominees for 2009 will not be available until at least 2059.

In 2009 there were 205 names submitted for the Nobel Peace Prize; 33 of them were organizations. This was the highest number of nominations in the history of the prize.

There have been some names released of the 2009 nominees however.

This included Colombia Senator Piedad Cordoba, Sima Samar, Chinese dissident Hu Jia, and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai.

Other nominees are believed to be French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Ingrid Betancourt, the Cluster Munitions Coalition, Zivko Popovski-Cvetin, SOS-Kinderedorf International, Greg Mortenson, Thich Quang Do and Pete Seeger.


There is no official list however at this time.

[RoadKill]

Scanner,I respect your ability to articulate your views and that brings me to the conclusion that you are an optimist playing the hand that you(we) have been dealt.  But... In MY OWN optimism I HOPE your post was only intended to "stir the pot" just as Puff/Eagle did. I am refusing to believe anyone is ACTUALLY this misguided.

First I'm proud that the award went to a sitting American President.

Second, I understand and agree with the committee's statement:

"The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee - four of whom spoke to The Associated Press, said awarding Obama the peace prize could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his young administration.

They lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease U.S. conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen its role in combating climate change.

"Some people say - and I understand it - 'Isn't it premature? Too early?' Well, I'd say then that it could be too late to respond three years from now," Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, told the AP. "It is now that we have the opportunity to respond - all of us."

[Moonshot_1]

Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize. I don't get it. He's done nothing substanitive yet. He's brokered no peace treaties or accords.
While he didn't start them he is commanding a two front war against terrorism so he's "at war" and wins a Peace Prize?

This is like getting a participation trophy just for showing up for a game that no one keeps score for.

We should all get a Nobel Peace Prize. I've done just as much for world peace as Pres. Obama.

[Doc Moose]

I can feel an increased sense of calm and peacefulness overcoming the world now.  People are smling and a new cooperation is taking place amongst the world.  A new world order?

Musta been the margarita's Tim mixed last night.....

[Scanner]

This is not something I would following as a normal course of interest, so I ask the question, who were the other nominee's?

The committee sends out thousands of letters inviting nominations and the list of nominees is kept secret for fifty years.  So, when you hear whackos like John Bolton proclaim himself a Nobel nominee, there is no way to verify it. The only way an individual could be certain they were a nominee is if they nominated themself.

[MAD6Gun]

Unbelievable. Obama wins the award after 12 days in office. What did he do in that 12 days?
I read in the paper this morning and I quote "president Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize because the judges found his promise of disarmament and diplomacy too good to ignore". PROMISE what the he!! does that mean. Just goes to show you. You can get major recognition for doing NOTHING. Jeez they will give this award to anyone........

[Doc Moose]

Madgun6,

I'll promise you the moon, but it doesn't make me (or you) an astronaut..... 

[JimL]

Unbelievable. Obama wins the award after 12 days in office. What did he do in that 12 days?
I read in the paper this morning and I quote "president Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize because the judges found his promise of disarmament and diplomacy too good to ignore". PROMISE what the he!! does that mean. Just goes to show you. You can get major recognition for doing NOTHING. Jeez they will give this award to anyone........

Even though I agree with many of you that this award was a farce, but to be completely honest I have to admit that his short time in office should not have had a bearing on whether or not he was nominated or awarded the Nobel Prize.  Obviously holding political office is not a criteria for nomination, but rather actions which the committee feels advance the causes which Alfred Nobel held sacred.

The part that confuses me is what constitutes "action" for being awarded the Peace Prize.  Obviously the Swedes (Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences) hold a rather high standard for the awards for Physics and Chemistry.  Awards are based on "actions" which have already produced tangible results, and are not based on future accomplishments that the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences hopes will be forthcoming.

I try to divorce my political beliefs from my opinion on this subject, but I will admit that it is hard to be completely objective.  I feel that the Norwegians are now using this award as a tool to espouse their political ideology rather than keeping with what I feel the original intent which Alfred Nobel established.  Obviously I could be wrong, and I have let my political views taint my objectivity.  

Regardless, I do not look at Norway with the same respect I did earlier in the week.  Obviously none of this applies to our brother Dag Verpeide, who we all like very much and hold in very high regard!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

It really is hilarious watching great intellects like Bill 'O , Hannity and Drug Rush Limbaugh have conniption fits calling the Nobel committee "morons" and "idiots".   LMAO.  Can't wait for Beck to come on...this should be good for a five minute cry sequence from him.

I hear Bin Laden called into Rush's show and declared himself a DittoHead!

     What's your opinion on the award to Obama?

He won't admit it probably but I'll bet it was the same ours "WTH???"

Raymond

[fstsix]

well folks dont worry about the opinions here i am sure we are not alone   http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Vte&ei=obDQSpGmIJXcNZL3hZQD&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&ved=0CAsQBSgA&q=obama+nobel+peace+prize+joke&spell=1

[Wizzard]

So now we give out that award for "what could be" instead of what happened. What a disgrace to the award and the body

[Scanner]

The Howlers have been startled from their slumber....

3 Days ago nobody on this board gave a damn about the Nobel Peace prize.  If asked who would receive it, the overwhelming response would have been "who cares".

Then, OMG, Obama wins it...OMG! What a farce...made me ill... indignant...sham....misguided

Suddenly it is of vital interest and the sanctity of the award must be protected!!!

It's truly embarrassing to see "americans" respond like this to an international honor for our president.  Then again...

On "Real Time" Friday night Bill Maher suggested that this weekend was the perfect time for President Obama to announce that he would repeal "don't ask, don't tell."

 "Forget all the good arguments for repeal, like, because it's the right thing to do, or because it was promised in the campaign," Maher said. Instead:

"Do it because it will make Rush Limbaugh explode like a bag full of meat dropped from a helicopter," he said. "Do it because it will make Sarah Palin go rogue in her pants."

[f6john]

3 Days ago nobody on this board gave a damn about the Nobel Peace prize.  If asked who would receive it, the overwhelming response would have been "who cares".




     You hit the nail on the head that time!  And now three days later I still don't give a damn. Funny thing is Obama had nothing to with it in my mind. I'm betting he wishes it had gone somewhere else for now. You can be honored and embarrassed at the same time and this award put him in an awkward position. All the attention should be focused on the committee, who knows maybe he was the best choice that they had on their list. If the international community views him as a peacemaker that's got to be a good thing.

[fstsix]

hehehehe no opinions here looks like some one is loosing their mind just observation. 

[Puffs Daddy]

Unbelievable. Obama wins the award after 12 days in office. What did he do in that 12 days?
I read in the paper this morning and I quote "president Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize because the judges found his promise of disarmament and diplomacy too good to ignore". PROMISE what the he!! does that mean. Just goes to show you. You can get major recognition for doing NOTHING. Jeez they will give this award to anyone........

Even though I agree with many of you that this award was a farce, but to be completely honest I have to admit that his short time in office should not have had a bearing on whether or not he was nominated or awarded the Nobel Prize.  Obviously holding political office is not a criteria for nomination, but rather actions which the committee feels advance the causes which Alfred Nobel held sacred.

The part that confuses me is what constitutes "action" for being awarded the Peace Prize.  Obviously the Swedes (Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences) hold a rather high standard for the awards for Physics and Chemistry.  Awards are based on "actions" which have already produced tangible results, and are not based on future accomplishments that the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences hopes will be forthcoming.

I try to divorce my political beliefs from my opinion on this subject, but I will admit that it is hard to be completely objective.  I feel that the Norwegians are now using this award as a tool to espouse their political ideology rather than keeping with what I feel the original intent which Alfred Nobel established.  Obviously I could be wrong, and I have let my political views taint my objectivity.  

Regardless, I do not look at Norway with the same respect I did earlier in the week.  Obviously none of this applies to our brother Dag Verpeide, who we all like very much and hold in very high regard!

A couple of misconceptions in the comment above and others before it.

() The Swedish Academy of Sciences has nothing to do with the selection of the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The selection committee for the Peace Prize is made up of people chosen by the Norwegian Parliament. As such, it typically represents the political spectrum of the Norwegian Parliament.

() President Obama was not chosen "after 12 days in office." In fact, the selection was made in October, just before the results were announced.

() As another poster noted, the nominations are not "open" to anyone. They are limited to previous winners and a select group of others chosen by the committee. The "short list" (the length of which is not made public) is set the previous March based on names submitted by the February deadline, which may be the basis of this misconception. From March until August, the short list nominees are evaluated and the committee meets on a regular basis until October when a majority of the five members determines the winner. Although the results of the vote are not revealed, it appears (based on comments from the members) that the decision in this case was unanimous.

http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html

[JimL]

3 Days ago nobody on this board gave a damn about the Nobel Peace prize.  If asked who would receive it, the overwhelming response would have been "who cares".

I was once humiliated publicly by my English professor when I used the word "never" when expressing an opinion in a research paper I had to read in front of the class.  The subject was "Dental Hygiene" so in retrospect I probably deserved any humiliation I received for not being creative enough to come up with a better topic.  However to this day, I remember that old hag telling me that one of the surest ways to loose credibility is to use the words "never, always, everybody, nobody, none, every and all" when you don't know for certain if the assertion is true.

I do take an interest in all things that impact the world I live in, and I do take note of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.  If I had to describe where the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize falls in the overall hierarchy of importance, I would probably say that there are many other factors that have a much greater influence in the world I live.  Like many folks I have noticed that when the award is given to a US president, that president follows a liberal ideology.  I suppose an argument can be made that only liberal US presidents have fulfilled the standards which Alfred Nobel envisioned when he established the foundation.  However when I look at a president such as Ronald Regan who was largely responsible for bringing down an evil, repressive Soviet empire; and enabling millions of people to live as free human beings....I quickly reject that notion.

If Nobel had left an organization from a conservative country such as Australia in charge of picking the Peace Prize recipient, and a long line of Republican presidents were given this award because of their work in deposing repressive regimes and freeing millions of people; I think a lot of people would start shouting "foul"....and rightfully so.

When a strong correlation develops where the recipients are aligned with a specific political ideology, one has to believe that the award is not based so much on merit, but based on one political views.   This is what I believe the Norwegians are now doing.  I honestly believe that they are using this award to influence world political ideology in what they believe is a positive manner.

I have to admit that it has make me take a second look at how the rest of the world views the US role (and I admit a predominately conservative/Republican stance) of "Nation Building".  For the first time I realize that other nations may be as uncomfortable with Nation Building as I am with Norway trying to influence world affairs.

[JimL]

A couple of misconceptions in the comment above and others before it.

() The Swedish Academy of Sciences has nothing to do with the selection of the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The selection committee for the Peace Prize is made up of people chosen by the Norwegian Parliament. As such, it typically represents the political spectrum of the Norwegian Parliament.

() President Obama was not chosen "after 12 days in office." In fact, the selection was made in October, just before the results were announced.

() As another poster noted, the nominations are not "open" to anyone. They are limited to previous winners and a select group of others chosen by the committee. The "short list" (the length of which is not made public) is set the previous March based on names submitted by the February deadline, which may be the basis of this misconception. From March until August, the short list nominees are evaluated and the committee meets on a regular basis until October when a majority of the five members determines the winner. Although the results of the vote are not revealed, it appears (based on comments from the members) that the decision in this case was unanimous.

http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html

Puffs Daddy I did not make that claim, I respectfully refer you to the preceding sentence where I clearly state that they are responsible for the areas of Physics and Chemistry.  The point I was trying to make in the next sentence (possibly it was poorly worded) was that the award for Physics and Chemistry are not based on "future accomplishments"

[RoadKill]

WOW! now that I have heard all the compelling evidence from the left.....I think Obama should be KING !    

[Puffs Daddy]

A couple of misconceptions in the comment above and others before it.

() The Swedish Academy of Sciences has nothing to do with the selection of the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The selection committee for the Peace Prize is made up of people chosen by the Norwegian Parliament. As such, it typically represents the political spectrum of the Norwegian Parliament.

() President Obama was not chosen "after 12 days in office." In fact, the selection was made in October, just before the results were announced.

() As another poster noted, the nominations are not "open" to anyone. They are limited to previous winners and a select group of others chosen by the committee. The "short list" (the length of which is not made public) is set the previous March based on names submitted by the February deadline, which may be the basis of this misconception. From March until August, the short list nominees are evaluated and the committee meets on a regular basis until October when a majority of the five members determines the winner. Although the results of the vote are not revealed, it appears (based on comments from the members) that the decision in this case was unanimous.

http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html

Puffs Daddy I did not make that claim, I respectfully refer you to the preceding sentence where I clearly state that they are responsible for the areas of Physics and Chemistry.  The point I was trying to make in the next sentence (possibly it was poorly worded) was that the award for Physics and Chemistry are not based on "future accomplishments"

Sorry if I misunderstood your meaning. As you note, it wasn't exactly clear.

[Mongo]

[PAVALKER]

     Yep, that about sums it up .....

[asfltdncr]

The award may be the world breathing a huge sigh of relief for ANY hope of change from the previous Administration.

[fstsix]

Yep sure dont miss this do we.   http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/03/news/economy/jobs_january/index.htm FOX news report read all about it!!!!!

[Varmintmist]

I am more concerned with the timing of the morning BM than the nobel door prize.

He was nominated with 12 days in office, and has been in office less than a year, and by his own admission hasn't gotten anything accomplished in that time (thankfully) he didnt win anything. He was gifted a title because his views are in line with a commitee.


At a guess it was a gift because the Olympic commitee didnt award Chicago even after Himself showed up. I figured he had it in the bag before he went to Copenhagen. That way he could take credit for it. I was wrong. He figured because he went to Copenhagen he had it in the bag.

I bet J. Carter, another award winner that didnt accomplish anything, is happier than a clam that Himself is in office. The way its going, Carter is the second biggest joke already.

Anyone with integrity would have not accepted the award for doing nothing, even if they agreed with the commitee. He didnt, so there you go.

[Dag]

Regardless, I do not look at Norway with the same respect I did earlier in the week.  

Behind closed doors in the Nobel Committee, three of the five members have argued against that Barack Obama should get the prize.
Most Norwegians support your point of view in this matter.
The Nobel Committee has received a lot of strong criticism in the Norwegian press.

[fstsix]

Regardless, I do not look at Norway with the same respect I did earlier in the week.  

Behind closed doors in the Nobel Committee, three of the five members have argued against that Barack Obama should get the prize.
Most Norwegians support your point of view in this matter.
The Nobel Committee has received a lot of strong criticism in the Norwegian press.

Thanks Dag  No disrespect here" or ever. If you have any Press from your area to link anytime, Send it here please. We in USA have a little problem with our Media just a little problem  T.I.A

[JimL]

Regardless, I do not look at Norway with the same respect I did earlier in the week.  

Behind closed doors in the Nobel Committee, three of the five members have argued against that Barack Obama should get the prize.
Most Norwegians support your point of view in this matter.
The Nobel Committee has received a lot of strong criticism in the Norwegian press.

Dag, thanks for sharing that information.  It is interesting that since only 2 of the 5 members were in favor of awarding the prize to Obama, that he ended up receiving it.  Fstsix is correct, we do have a problem with our U.S. mainstream media deciding what news we should not receive.

[hubcapsc]

 

[Dag]

Thanks Dag  No disrespect here" or ever. If you have any Press from your area to link anytime, Send it here please. We in USA have a little problem with our Media just a little problem  T.I.A

Here is a few links  (Use google translate)

Nobel majority argued against Obama
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=569016

Jagland should consider his position
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/eu/artikkel.php?artid=573347

Why bother us about the meaning of five eccentric Norwegians?
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/nobels_fredspris/1.6812422

[JimL]

Here is a few links  (Use google translate)

Nobel majority argued against Obama
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=569016

Jagland should consider his position
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/eu/artikkel.php?artid=573347

Why bother us about the meaning of five eccentric Norwegians?
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/nobels_fredspris/1.6812422

I many not agree with some of the Norwegian political views, however there is no doubt that Norway has some of the prettiest Blonde hair blue eyed politicians.  Obviously Siv Jensen is much better to look at than Hillary Clinton or Nancy Pelosi!!

[Hoser]

This is not something I would following as a normal course of interest, so I ask the question, who were the other nominee's?

I was curious about the same thing, did some Googling:

Due to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, lists of nominations are held for 50 years, so the official list of the Nobel Peace Prize Nominees for 2009 will not be available until at least 2059.

In 2009 there were 205 names submitted for the Nobel Peace Prize; 33 of them were organizations. This was the highest number of nominations in the history of the prize.

There have been some names released of the 2009 nominees however.

This included Colombia Senator Piedad Cordoba, Sima Samar, Chinese dissident Hu Jia, and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai.

Other nominees are believed to be French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Ingrid Betancourt, the Cluster Munitions Coalition, Zivko Popovski-Cvetin, SOS-Kinderedorf International, Greg Mortenson, Thich Quang Do and Pete Seeger.


There is no official list however at this time.

I was nominated, also several times in the past.  Check it out in 2059! hoser

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Nobel peace prize, you would think that would go to someone who would say, topple a dictatorship government, try the dictator and see through the execution of said dictator.

Anyone know of any recent president that might have accomplished that task? Think Hussein and not the Obama Hussein.

What am I thinking, you don't get the peace prize for "eliminating" anyone, even if the "eliminated" killed hundreds of thousands himself.

Raymond