Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize...

[IDrinkaRum]

With Obama's waffling on military things, he might bring "peace" to the other countries of the world, but what about peace in his. own. country? The country is much divided.

And what did he do in the 12 days of Presidency before the nomination process was closed? He skipped church twice, signed some executive orders, and ummm ... attended a parade or 2.

Did he get nominated on campaign rhetoric and promises? Sounds like that's what happened.

And as Americans know, anything promised during the campaign has a low chance of being passed/done.

Does anyone remember Bush Sr.'s "No New Taxes"?

[Rapscallion]

Does anyone remember Bush Sr.'s "No New Taxes"?

Not the sort of thing for which you'd expect someone to be nominated for the Nobel prize.

I don't know if he was or not, but I don't recall him actually winning it.

Rapscallion

[IDrinkaRum]

True Raps, but the point I was "trying" to make was: Campaign promises aren't always to be counted on.

President Obama might have said he'll bring Utopia to the entire world once he becomes president, but that doesn't mean he'll actually accomplish it.

[AdminAssistant]

President Obama might have said he'll bring Utopia to the entire world once he becomes president, but that doesn't mean he'll actually accomplish it.

It's already been pointed out that the Peace Prize is not about accomplishments. It's to give encouragement to those who WILL accomplish great things. I have no doubt that the world, and especially America, will be a much better place at the end of Obama's presidency than it is right now.

[Rapscallion]

True Raps, but the point I was "trying" to make was: Campaign promises aren't always to be counted on.

Completely in agreement. I think it's ridiculous to give him laurels to rest on before he's shown decent results.

I do think Obama is the best chance the world has for a better future. I don't think it's certain.

Rapscallion

[Fire_on_High]

Conservatives still hate him,

A bit less after he told it like it is about Kayne West, anyway

[gremcint]

They probably nominated him early on so they could have him in the running, during his campaign he raised a lot of serious issues in his speeches. They probably figured they want the option of choosing him later, so nominating him isn't really that big of a deal, someone said there were over 200 nominations, that is a lot it's not like they put him in the top 5 right away.

[Fashion Lad!]

One of the best comments of all about this whole situation. From reddit.

Robert Gibbs: Hey, nice seeing everybody today. I have one big announcement then questions. Okay? I'd like to announce president Obama has just won the Nobel Peace Prize! Alright, now I'll take any questions. You first Helen Thomas!

Helen Thomas: Is the president going to send 40,000 troops to Afghanistan?

Robert Gibbs: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[Boozy]

He was the best canidate out of 205? Really?

Yes. And I'll tell you why.

Because:

Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.

More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.

Bolding is mine.

Obama is trying to bring the US back into the international community by establishing non-combative relationships with other nations. And many of his own countrymen hate him for it. The rest of us don't want to see his commitment to peace and cooperation waver. We need the American president to know that he is doing the right thing. So much damage has been done in the last 8 years, and I don't want Obama to get beaten down by right-wing chest-thumping warmongers before he's had an opportunity to fix some of it. I believe that receiving the Nobel Peace Prize will strengthen his resolve.

[tropicsgoddess]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. He barely did anything worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. All that's ever been done thus far in this administration was the cash for clunkers program, which temporarily gave a boost to the economy (we need long term solutions here!!!) and (finally) having an exit plan for Iraq. Other than that, we're still sending more troops to Afghanistan, the economy is still down the tubes while unemployment is spiking up too! So I hope that Obama will do the right thing and decline the Nobel Peace Prize, because for him to accept that would be a travesty to the others who have done so much to win it.

[Fashion Lad!]

Obama is trying to bring the US back into the international community by establishing non-combative relationships with other nations. And many of his own countrymen hate him for it. The rest of us don't want to see his commitment to peace and cooperation waver. We need the American president to know that he is doing the right thing. So much damage has been done in the last 8 years, and I don't want Obama to get beaten down by right-wing chest-thumping warmongers before he's had an opportunity to fix some of it. I believe that receiving the Nobel Peace Prize will strengthen his resolve.

We don't hate him for talking pretty. I don't like him because he's not able to keep his promises. He hasn't really done anything. And a lot of the things Bush got blasted over, is what Obama is continuing with.


What good is this?

Instead, the administration will continue to hold the detainees without bringing them to trial based on the power it says it has under the Congressional resolution passed after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, authorizing the president to use force against forces of Al Qaeda and the Taliban

I compare him receiving this award to a movie based on its trailer. It doesn't make sense. The trailer can look awesome, but the movie itself can blow. Most people receive the award several years after their accomplishment. What a slap in the face it will be if Obama doesn't keep his promises.

Seriously... war is peace?

[Flyndaran]

Kissinger, the guy that wanted to win the war in Viet Nam with nukes, won it. I think the Nobel Peace Prize has been a joke for a very long time.

[BlaqueKatt]

Yes. And I'll tell you why.

quoting an associated press story with no references does not hold water-I'll quote again from the actual Nobel Peace Prize website and Nobel's will which does not state that it states

According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize is to go to whoever "shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses".

Bolding mine
the full text of his will can be found here

[Rapscallion]

The thing that bothers me about this award is that it's distracted from the real work the guy's trying to do. He may deserve it more fully in the future, and I hope his aims come to fruition. Right now, it's making him look like someone who attracts sycophants.

Rapscallion

[protege]

Is it just me, or is Obama still trying to campaign for the presidency? Up until now, he hasn't done anything...but get us further into debt. Hardly worth a Nobel, IMHO.