Nobel committee jumps gun with Peace Prize

obama getting the noble peace price is a joke! he has done nothing for this country or man kind to deserve it. He is has and continues to put our country in more debt then we have ever seen. Putting more people out of work, one example: the farmers in Ca. ( just turn on the water!). He puts America down every time he opens his mouth; if he hates his country so much he should do us all favor and leave it, there are communist countries that would except him and he’ld love it there. Obama, Nancy, p. Harry R. Chris D and more should all be removed from office, and brought to trail to see what overall damage they have done to our country. Then after they are removed “Term Limits” for them all, and the general public should have to show prof that they know something about the person/persons policies that they are voting into office because it will effect all of us and (most of all) the country. this last election most people voted for the color of his skin; that statement was made by many people I personally know. They had no idea what he stood for just that he was black. One more comment to the question WHOs to Blame for the problems we are in. It started with Carter then Clinton’ Bush office tried to worn them (I’ve seen the videos and so can everyone else) Now this administration is using scare tactics on us that this and that has to be done (NOW)and this much has to be spent (NOW)and it’s all the others guys fault; well what about they debt they have put us in. Well Washington should spend some money on supporting our troops instead of their new cars,jets, trips. vacations, send some of their money that they haven’t paid their taxes with. Our country is at war and this president is making friends with all our enemies people that want to destroy us. Not because they hate Bush! that is the stupidest thing I ever heard of. We are a free people and super power in the world we are a good people and we do a lot of good in the world; these politicians have us fighting against each other, one part against another; we are all Americans black,white, and etc. we need to stand up together and take our country back from these people we placed in office who are only looking out for themselves not us and not our country. Stick together and stand by our military our young men and women who are out there fighting against our enemies so we won’t have to have any fighting at home.

donna, that was quite the rant.

I agree with the premise of the article that he should not have won the award.

Unfortunately, as I look at recent award winners I feel that the voting group is putting politics ahead people who truly deserve the award.

As a side note, doesn’t it feel strange to award a Peace Prize named after the person who developed TNT.

Poorly written paragraph above should read.

“As I look at recent award winners I feel that by selecting Obama the voting group is putting politics ahead people who truly deserve the award.”

The committee probably thinks they can influence a US president to advance their agenda. Either that or they think they can further castrate him or the US. Did I just repeat myself?

“Compare this to Greg Mortenson, nominated for the prize by some members of Congress, whom 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.”

Yes, an orator who has done very little over 9 months definitely deserved to win over this man. Grats, Nobel committee – you picked a real winner. Sadly, this was the Peace prize and not the “Not GW Bush Award,” so you just look like a gang of syncophants.

What a joke. If you’ll excuse me, I’m off to collect the Nobel Physics prize for that time machine that’s I’m off to design.

As seen above, Obama’s win provides the perfect platform for Republicans to criticize him. Who cares that the economy and job growth have nothing to do with the Peace Prize, let’s trot them out as reasons he should not have won. It also supports the Republican view that Obama will never be criticized.

“As seen above, Obama’s win provides the perfect platform for Republicans to criticize him.”

Hmm, except that I voted for him as a non-Republican moderate. Guess you’re one of those people who votes every four years and then ignores the candidates you voted for?

“Who cares that the economy and job growth have nothing to do with the Peace Prize, let’s trot them out as reasons he should not have won.”

Peace is more than just tanks and bombers. With our economy in shambles and our financial system ruining everyone in the name of the unholy dolalr, there is no peace domestically. How can a man who can’t heal his country heal the world?

“It also supports the Republican view that Obama will never be criticized.”

Actually, a lot of non-Democrats feel that you CAN’T criticize him. If you do, you’re either a racist who hates seeing a black man in office, or a Republican puke, or someone who doesn’t love your country. It’s a sad state of affairs that exercising one’s first-amendments right or fulfilling your obligation as a citizen to critique your government is now looked upon as being racist or disloyal.

“there are communist countries that would except him and he’ld love it there.”

Donna needs to move to some country where they’ll “except” her for not knowing English.

Award was premature. But Obama is less of a jackass than Bush, though only slightly, so I guess that means something.

Zeke- Right, a guy commenting on a university article is clearly the kind of person who pays little attention to politics. I’ll refrain from referring to people who criticize Obama as Republicans from now on.

I would think that a person could have a poor domestic fiscal policy but a peace promoting foreign policy. I don’t see why those are mutually exclusive. It certainly would provide doubts that Obama could implement his foreign policies, but he could be good at one and bad at the other.

Well, I’m sorry that you feel you can’t criticize Obama, although you appear to have little trouble doing so. It’s ironic that such a claim is commonly seen on comment boards such as this. In reality, your cries of persecution are little more than ad hominem attacks.
For what it’s worth, I think the award was premature. Obama has continued to treat suspected terrorist much the same way the Bush administration did. Hard to desearve a peace award when you support the indefinite detention of people.

Republicans are like Kanye West, saying somebody else should’ve won. Why do you care? Political agenda, maybe? It’s almost certainly good for America. You have a problem with that?

And democrats were like Kanye West, saying that Gore should’ve won the election in 2000 and that Kerry should’ve won the election in 2004. What’s your point?

I admit, I would not have voted for Obama on this one. But let’s get real. Go take a few minutes to research who past winners of the prize were. Many, many, other people were awarded before they achieved anything great, but what those people all had in common is that they were offering a new inspiration. Some rather shady people were also chosen. Say Henry Kissinger? Half of the world views him as a criminal. Many of the earliest laureates had ties to colonialist policies. Other notables, like Gandhi and MLK were left out.

What has Obama done? He has moved the US away from its go it alone attitude of only a few years ago, and perhaps spoiled little American children do not care about that, but I can promise that the rest of the world does.

Look at other examples, Al Gore got the prize for talking about global warming, unfortunately policy was barely changed. Rigeberta Menchu got the prize for written a falsified book that didn’t lead to the end of violence in her country (though it did open a few eyes up). On and on and on and on.

My point was bleeding obvious. The prize, however shaky the rationale, is good for America. Republicans are sticking their noses into something that isn’t their business. It is childish to point out that Democrats have acted the same way in the past. We should be concerned about what is good for America—not cheap political gain.

“My point was bleeding obvious. The prize, however shaky the rationale, is good for America. Republicans are sticking their noses into something that isn’t their business.”

Kindly explain how the prize is good for America. I’m curious as to how this leads to an improved economy, job creation, improved health care, or racial equality. Is China going to suddenly open up their trade now? Is Russia going to completely disarm? Is the Taliban going to quit killing American soldiers? Until you can demonstrate any real gain, you’re just spouting rhetoric.

And it’s not just Republicans “sticking their noses in something.” There are a lot of people on both sides of the aisle who are concerned that people who deserve this award for doing great things will be discouraged to see it awarded to someone who hasn’t done much. Still others worry that this is a distraction to issues more pressing to our country. Either way, a sitting president is EVERYONE’S business, whether you think so or not.

Just another leftist group giving a fellow leftist the reach-around. Nothing to see here.

I detest Bill Clinton, but at least he accomplished something worthy of the nomination, if not the award. He lost out to an affirmative action hire. This is absolutely beautiful.

Alex -you took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you.

Rick – If you’re going to call someone “childish”, at least make an argument that doesn’t liken a political party to a rapper.

Alex and re:Rick-
Well, the award is a validation of the foreign policy path Obama has chosen and an encouragement to other nations to embrace the same ideals. It could possibly lead to increased international cooperation although it’s unlikley an award can accomplish that.
That is basically what Obama said by the way.
Of course it won’t single handedly solve any of the problems you discussed, but sometimes symbolic moves are significant even if results aren’t seen immediately. Obama’s election as President didn’t end racism, but it’s hard to deny the symbolic significance of his win.
This is far from the travesty many of you are making it out to be. There have been countless controversial picks (Arafat, Kissinger, Gore) that were picked not for their deeds, but for their aspirations and goals. This isn’t the first time the Prize has been used as a means of encouragement so to speak. Besides, can you even tell me who won last year without looking it up?

Tim,
Obama was nominated less than two weeks after he was elected. No accomplishments to his credit, other than getting elected. If that’s the criteria, then every US president should win this award.

You’re right, this isn’t a travesty.

It’s a joke.

Bob-
Where did I say he accomplished anything? Even 2 weeks into his presidency, Obama had made it clear what is foreign policy would be. You may believe the award should only be given after an individual accomplishes something, but the history of the award says otherwise. So by your standard the award has long been a joke and is nothing to get upset about.

So, Tim, by your reasoning anyone who tries really hard to do well should get the prize? What then would you say to the people who have actually done great things to create peace in the past year? Take a look at this list:

http://nobel-peace-prize-news.newslib.com/story/2155-3248538/

Can you possibly, seriously think that Obama was more deserving than these people? This isn’t a matter of comparing Obama against other people, or against GW Bush (which is what everyone seems to be focusing upon), but comparing his “achievements” against those who have actually DONE SOMETHING to earn this award.

Obama has reached out to nations, but so have other leaders of the world. Other nations have had a positive dialogue with each other for years. So Obama gets the Nobel for doing what every else is doing? Good policy, yes. Nobel worthy? No.

You question Bob about whether this award has always been a joke. I’ve never been big on it, but after this I’m completely disgusted. Never mind people working to end rape, murder, oppression, and real violence, let’s reward someone who is good at delivering speeches – speeches written by someone else and merely delivered with a hefty dose of charisma.

I guess neo-cons will now start calling the Nobel Prize a “leftist/liberal/communist/fascist” agenda. That seems to be the answer or rather the blame for everything they disagree with or know nothing about.

Probably because no neo-con would ever be held in the same esteem around the world. More like inbred/intolerant/narrow minded monkeys they’ve devolved into despite their lack of understanding of evolution.

Wow. Donna Byrne: When did they get the internet in the trailer?

Alex-
That isn’t what I said and it isn’t really my reasoning anyway. It’s the reasoning of the Nobel Prize Committee. It seems clear that they take more into account than accomplishments. The award has been used to encourage and promote agendas the Committee agrees with. Again, people are free to disagree with that view, but this isn’t the first time the award has been used in that manner.

As I noted in my first post and as Obama stated in his speech, there are others who are more deserving.

You are free to see the award as a joke, but Obama isn’t just any ordinary speech maker. He is a speech maker that leads a powerful country that has the potential to lead other nations in nuclear disarmament and increased cooperation. Without US participation, those aspirations are impossible to reach. Naive or not, those goals epitomize what Mr. Nobel wanted to reward and promote.

Tim,
The long history of the award DOES NOT indicate anything other than real accomplishments. Take a look at Teddy Roosevelt’s award and tell me it wasn’t earned. However, the recent history has been nothing more than a nod to leftists and terrorists, regardless of accomplishment or promise.

And, again, you’re right.
There’s absolutely nothing to be worried about. The Nobel Prize for “Peace” has been a joke for quite some time. In the end, it will be an albatross upon poor President Obama’s neck. Particularly with his Afghanistan decision looming and his recent attempts, yet again, to blame President Bush for the most recent Obama troop surge.

“When you start at the top, you’ve got nowhere to go but DOWN.”