Obama has won a Nobel - Page 6

deepimpact2 · #1 10-10-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

And that is EXACTLY why some of us (like myself) feel he doesn't deserve it........yet. If he fulfills all these expectations, then sure go ahead and give him the prize. But why should he get it now, when he hasn't fulfilled them yet? The Nobel Prize hasn't (at least from my understanding) been given out to just expectations, they've been given out to actions. He hasn't completed anything yet, he hasn't SHOWN anything yet (except that he apparently loves to talk). That isn't Nobel Prize worthy.

The problem is that it really is none of your business why they decided to give it to him based on expectations. Let the folks in Europe do what THEY want to do with an award that THEY give. People are wasting their time griping and complaining about it. Just because you and some others think he doesn't deserve the award doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things and thank goodness for that.

I completely understand why Europeans feel the way they do about Americans...

Kappamd · #2 10-10-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

The problem is that it really is none of your business why they decided to give it to him based on expectations. Let the folks in Europe do what THEY want to do with an award that THEY give. People are wasting their time griping and complaining about it. Just because you and some others think he doesn't deserve the award doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things and thank goodness for that.

I completely understand why Europeans feel the way they do about Americans...

Yeah, thank you for providing such a great example.

texas*princess · #3 10-11-2009, 11:58 PM

Personally, I think the win was a bit premature. I'm not one to say "he didn't deserve it!!!!!" or "PROVE TO ME WHY HE DESERVED IT!!" It already happened. There's nothing anyone can do about it. The committee members thought he was the best for whatever reason, and they're the ones who decide who wins, so whatever.

SWTXBelle · #4 10-12-2009, 07:27 AM

Just because those in a position to award a prize chose someone does not mean they necessarily earned it - I'm reminded of the good ol' days of the Olympics when Russian and other Soviet Bloc judges could be counted on to blatently favor their athletes. Certain Academy Award winners have surprised me - and not in a good way. Emmys, Grammys, Tonys, heck, MTV Music Awards

- Debating the winners of subjective awards is the American way!

No one that I've read has advocated taking the award away, draw and quartering the judges, or really anything in terms of "doing something" about it. I've requested (both here and in my newspaper column) that those who feel he deserved the award let me know what it is they feel qualifies as Obama having done the "best and most" in promoting peace but no one does.

deepimpact2 · #5 10-12-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I've requested (both here and in my newspaper column) that those who feel he deserved the award let me know what it is they feel qualifies as Obama having done the "best and most" in promoting peace but no one does.

Perhaps that is because in light of the circumstances, we aren't obligated to do so. No one has to answer to you or anyone else who disgrees with the decision because the committee has the discretion to do what they feel is best. The fact that they felt this way is enough for me and should be enough for you.

chopper606 · #6 10-10-2009, 03:23 PM

Why did he get it and will it help him after losing the Games for Chicago? Okay he did not lose them but, it looks bad on his credit side of things, right? He is in charge of two wars at this time. He has not ever been able to work out the Middle East peace or problems anywhere else. Will the future be kind?

deepimpact2 · #7 10-10-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chopper606

Why did he get it and will it help him after losing the Games for Chicago? Okay he did not lose them but, it looks bad on his credit side of things, right? He is in charge of two wars at this time. He has not ever been able to work out the Middle East peace or problems anywhere else. Will the future be kind?

I wasn't following the bid for the games very closely. However, I am curious. How many countries were making a bid for the games? And why does he need "help" after "losing" the games for Chicago?

And you said he has not ever been able to work out the ME peace or problems anywhere...What do you mean EVER? He's STILL in office.

srmom · #8 10-10-2009, 05:32 PM

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I think it has been made quite clear that he received it in essence because of EXPECTATIONS in the FUTURE. If that is the case, it is too early to say he doesn't deserve it because he hasn't had time to live up to those expectations.

If this is going to be the criteria for awarding prizes, medals, etc. in the future, why don't we just start having committees decide before an athletic event who the committee EXPECTS to win the event, then award the medal or the win based on the expectation.

Or why even bother having elections any more, they are expensive and a waste of time, let's just have a committee decide who should win the seat because they are EXPECTED to win.

I think this new way of awarding based on expectations could save all of us a lot of time and energy in the future!

deepimpact2 · #9 10-10-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srmom

If this is going to be the criteria for awarding prizes, medals, etc. in the future, why don't we just start having committees decide before an athletic event who the committee EXPECTS to win the event, then award the medal or the win based on the expectation.

Or why even bother having elections any more, they are expensive and a waste of time, let's just have a committee decide who should win the seat because they are EXPECTED to win.

I think this new way of awarding based on expectations could save all of us a lot of time and energy in the future!

I'm sorry. I'm confused. Isn't all of the stuff concerning the Nobel Peace Prize done in Europe?

srmom · #10 10-12-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

I'm sorry. I'm confused. Isn't all of the stuff concerning the Nobel Peace Prize done in Europe?

Giving something for nothing - the European way!

(I'm sure they'd love your characterizations)

deepimpact2 · #11 10-12-2009, 11:25 AM

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Originally Posted by srmom

(I'm sure they'd love your characterizations)

What are you talking about?

srmom · #12 10-13-2009, 11:16 AM

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The difference is that a foreign country is "in charge of" this award. I certainly do question things...when the US is "in charge of" it. I'm not arrogant enough to tell folks in a foreign country what they should or should not do. That attitude is why other countries have so much hatred towards the US anyway. Instead I leave my questioning for things that occur HERE.

Hey, if you take a perusal of many of the foriegn countries editorials about the Obama Peace Prize, you'll see that they are puzzled by it as well. There are some downright critical ones coming out of Australia. Guess they must be arrogant too (or maybe just racist).

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...12/2711565.htm

Quote:

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer has taken aim at the Nobel Peace Prize committee over its decision to award the latest prize to US President Barack Obama.

Mr Downer described the decision 'a farce' and said Mr Obama should have refused to accept the prize.

"He has been in office for less than nine months when it is announced that he has won the prize, so they would have made the decision a few weeks ago I suppose. It does make the whole system a bit of a farce," he said.

Mr Downer says it is a pity Mr Obama did not refuse the award.

He says the prize is overtly political and the committee is not equipped to choose the right winner.

"There are people out there like Morgan Tsvangirai, the Zimbabwean leader, who have been struggling for years and years for human rights and for a fair deal for their people who have been ignored," he said.

"While somebody who is, admittedly a very great global celebrity who has just come to office, gets the Nobel Peace prize.

"So it is clearly a completely political decision. Not a decision based on merit.

"Frankly to be nominated after he has been in office for 11 days and to win the prize after he has been in office for less than nine months, I think it discredits the whole system."

AND:

Quote:

The award has confounded some international observers who say it is premature, given that the President has been in office for just nine months and has achieved little on a range of foreign policy fronts.

Former Polish President Lech Walesa, also a Nobel Laureate, said it was too early to award Mr Obama with a peace prize saying he had made no contribution so far.

The Taliban in Afghanistan condemned the decision, saying he had escalated the conflict there and contributed to the deaths of countless civilians.

The editor of French newspaper liberation, Fabrice Rousselot, said the announcement had come as a surprise.

"I think what I would say is basically, has President Obama deserved it so far - the answer is no," he said.

"He hasn't achieved anything, you know, in terms of foreign policy and in other terms. I mean, he's involved in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

How dare they question a committee of 5 men from Norway! SHAME!!!

srmom · #13 10-13-2009, 11:33 AM

Even Clarence Page (who's Black btw) is questioning the validity of awarding Obama the peace prize. Is he a racist?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...7428792.column

In this roundup of editorials, overwhelmingly people are questioning the timing/validity of it:

http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time....orial-roundup/

And then the jokesters:

Jay Leno: "That's pretty amazing, winning the Nobel Peace Prize," Jay Leno said Friday night of President Barack Obama's latest accolade. "Ironically, his biggest accomplishment as president so far ... winning the Nobel Peace Prize."

SNL this weekend joined in the jokes about Obama not deserving the prize just yet, suggesting that honors like People's Sexiest Man designation may soon go to children.

deepimpact2 · #14 10-13-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srmom

Even Clarence Page (who's Black btw) is questioning the validity of awarding Obama the peace prize. Is he a racist?

What are you talking about?

And when did anyone say that racism was the reason for people being against Obama receiving the award?

srmom · #15 10-13-2009, 11:55 AM

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It is what it is. I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Neither am I

It's just fun to debate it (especially when there's nothing going on at my office).

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Interesting approach. So, I guess all of us who protested apartheid should have kept our American traps shut, since we shouldn't tell folks in a foreign country what they should or shouldn't do. Let's stop all the complaining about Darfur while we're at it and keep our opinions about the Middle East to ourselves. And we won't even start on why the French think Jerry Lewis is so funny.

Well said, but I used to love Martin & Lewis movies, I must have a French aesthetic.