Comments
Seriously? Shouldn’t they have waited to see if any of his efforts were successful first? For all they know, Israel bombs Iran tomorrow, then Iran goes for the bomb, and launches a missile at the Nobel commission, killing them all.
Yeah, I mean….I don’t know this seems a bit silly to me. The voting cut off was earlier in the year so by that point he definitely hadn’t really done anything yet. And now…..he hasn’t really reversed course from Bush on matters of peace and military and war and all that, except in terms of rhetoric and speeches and stuff. I know that in terms of this driving wingnuts crazy and it really being more a case of them selecting him for simply not being a more outwardly war mongering buffoon like Bush that I should be happy about this. But much like the whole Polanski thing this selection seems to reinforce a lot of stereotypes that I have always tried to dispute.
But he helped that racist cop and the angry black professor drink a beer together!!!
Seriously, though, this is weird and pointless. He hasn’t even been president for a year yet.
This is a complete joke. Gandhi didn’t even win the prize.
i hate when stuff like this happens and forces me to agree even partially with the extreme ring-wingers that i know.
The only kinda sorta maybe we’ll see justification I’ve seen made for this was that it was kind of an external pressure and line in the sand from the international community because in a lot of ways Obama is standing on a precipice between falling for the US-centric media spin on war and strength and American imperial power, and a different direction of reconciliation and peace and ending wars and non-peaceful practices. That what they were hoping to do is in some way figuratively pressure him to go in the right direction.
Don’t think I agree with that but it at least was an explanation somewhat rooted in something other than “Nya Nya….this is a snub at Bush!!!!”
“Nominations for the prize had to be postmarked by February 1 — only 12 days after Obama took office.”
How could he even be nominated at this time? And then to win?!
2 interesting perspectives:
Andrew Sullivan who is mostly conservative and who has a largely favorable take.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/10/all-over-the-world.html
Glen Greenwald who is mostly liberal and has a mostly unfavorable take:
I heard on the radio today that the Nobel Peace Prize is given out as an incentive for an upcoming challenge sometimes. Its official definition mentions that.
Then the radio host went on to ramble off a list of people who received Nobel Peace Prizes who probably shouldn’t have.
I got this from Barak this morning… he emails me every now and then…
Wendy —
This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I’d been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.
To be honest, 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 — men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.
That is why I’ve said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won’t all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it’s recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.
This award — and the call to action that comes with it — does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.
So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we’ve begun together. I’m grateful that you’ve stood with me thus far, and I’m honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
I agree with a lot of what was said here. I think there are other ways to motivate someone and create a “call to arms” than awarding one of the most prestigious awards out there. (whether the award actually means much or not, aren’t we all slightly humbled at the term “winner of the Nobel Peace Prize?”) I think one of the strongest ideals is integrity.. I’m one of those jerks that refuses to give a standing ovation for anything short of spectacular – even if I am one of the only ones left sitting… and I agree with some of the journalists that are saying the award is cheapened by this choice. For once I can say that I unreservedly agree with a statement of Michael Moore: Congratulations President Obama on the Nobel Peace Prize — Now Please Earn it!