Should Obama accept the Nobel Peace Prize?

[Porkchop]

Ok guys.  Its been a whole day and I've not seen anyone comment on our Nobel prize winning President so here is my two cents worth.

I think the Nobel Prize just got down graded.  Whether you like Obama or not, you have to admit that being nominated 11 days into office for the Nobel Prize was a joke (the deadline for nominations was in February).  Having the committee pick Obama was an even bigger joke.  I don't blame Obama for this.  He didn't nominate himself.  But even he admits it is undeserving.  To put things in perspective, Ghandi was nominated 5 times and was not awarded the prize.  I think the committee should have waited a year before considering Obama.

I think he should have turned the prize down.  What say you?

-Porkchop

[NF11624]

It is pretty ridiculous... but I can kindof see how he would be chosen.

1) There really weren't any other great candidates - I think this is the biggest factor.  With the global recession, there really weren't that many powerful people working on a global scale (whether you consider Obama's work global or not is still up for debate).
2) For the year leading up to the election, Obama mobilized more of the young people in this nation (and more of everyone really) whether to get them behind or against him - people were talking about the politics, young people were interested in the future of the country, and NRA members started buying up tons of ammo  
3) The economy is recovering... and the quarterback gets all of the glory and the blame.  In this case, the president will get the glory.

In order to qualify myself (since I try to avoid any political discussion on this and other fora) - I am not a country redneck conservative republican, or a super liberal democrat.  I agree with Porkchop that Obama should decline the offer, or perhaps pass it off to someone who he thinks is deserving (and thus turn it into a political +), but there are worse choices out there (Putin?)

[trumpetguy]

Of course he should not decline a major award like this.  He may have been nominated Feb 1, but selections are not usually made until mid-September.  He has done a lot to stimulate the use of diplomacy over force, and he has committed to reducing nuclear arms, closing Guantanamo, and a host of other things.  I hope he does much more.  But he was considered the most worthy among the nominated and he should accept.

However, I have to say I'm in 100% agreement with Michael Moore, who said this morning something to the effect of "Congratulations Mr. Obama.  Now earn it by ending Bush's wars and bringing our troops home immediately."

[yamahonkawazuki]

they are obamas wars now. AND  as CIC he can bring em home if he eo chooses. now getting a nobel nom after being pres for 12 days, w candidate / absent senator for 2 years, i disagree. BUT ITS BETTER than some of the other choices, so  i say accept it. i think there were some human rights ppl that deserved it more, but ehh weve got no sayso in the matter

[yamahonkawazuki]

Ill wish him the best, cause even though i didnt vote for him with one stroke of a pen he can f%$k my world up. so for next 4 years weve got him, ( hpefully not but we shall see. ill be the big man and congradulate him on this.

[TheDrunknmonky]

I was told that if you weren't going to say anything nice, don't say anything at all..  therefore i'm biting my tongue on this one.  where's my law degree and peace prize?

[tt_four]

What did they say he's actually getting it for?

I'd have to say I've never met a politician that I did like, whether they're republican or democrat, but as far as public figures in the past 10 years, he doesn't disgust me like most of them do. So while I'll say that I don't know if he deserves it, because I don't think he's done anything extraordinary that a president shouldn't be trying to do, I'm not gonna say he shouldn't take it. I don't deserve it, but I'd definitely take it if they gave it to me.

[Cal Price]

From a non-U.S. perspective I have to say I find the award a little surprising but i don't think he should turn it down, that would be churlish. I believe he will accept the 1.4 million that goes along with the gong and donate it to charity(ies) - good for them.

I hope in the coming years he earns and justifies it.

[trumpetguy]

Honestly, I think he was awarded it as a slap to Bush's face.  Silly, I admit, but he should not turn it down. 

Now he should try to act like NOT Bush (he has not done much of that yet...) since that's why he won.

[tt_four]

Haha, I was just gonna say, the opening skit on SNL tonight was the line "I won the nobel prize, for not being George Bush", which is fair enough to me.

[Jughead]

He shouldn't have even been nominated.Sorry I try to stay out of the Political BS but with this Administration its hard.

[spc]

'and one part to the person who 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. ' -Qouted from the last will and testament of Alfred Nobel.

All Obama has done is belittle his own country by constantly apologizing for actions we had a right to take and increase the occupying forces in a country that did not attack our nation.  Honestly, if you think Alfred Nobel isn't spinning in his grave, you are a genuine imbecile.

Of course, Al Gore was awarded one for making a 'Documentary' with partial science and fictitious statistics.  Seriously, the man was given a 'Peace' prize for claiming that global warming is going to kill us all when the vast majority of the Geologic community agrees that we are at the beginning of an Ice Age?!?!?!?  And Obama was given one for doing nothing different from the previous leader, yet somehow being the 'change' the whole god dammed world needs?!?!?!?  I'd like to nominate duck Cheney for the Medal of Honor for trying to kill that fuching lawyer.  Surely that is just as deserving of positive recognition as 0's 'achievements'

I'm taking my private healthcare, my money, my civil liberties and my guns.  Fuch this forum and it's broke, entitlement-loving, motivation-lacking, piles of shaZam!.

[yamahonkawazuki]

'and one part to the person who 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. ' -Qouted from the last will and testament of Alfred Nobel.

All Obama has done is belittle his own country by constantly apologizing for actions we had a right to take and increase the occupying forces in a country that did not attack our nation.  Honestly, if you think Alfred Nobel isn't spinning in his grave, you are a genuine imbecile.

Of course, Al Gore was awarded one for making a 'Documentary' with partial science and fictitious statistics.  Seriously, the man was given a 'Peace' prize for claiming that global warming is going to kill us all when the vast majority of the Geologic community agrees that we are at the beginning of an Ice Age?!?!?!?  And Obama was given one for doing nothing different from the previous leader, yet somehow being the 'change' the whole god dammed world needs?!?!?!?  I'd like to nominate duck Cheney for the Medal of Honor for trying to kill that fuching lawyer.  Surely that is just as deserving of positive recognition as 0's 'achievements'

I'm taking my private healthcare, my money, my civil liberties and my guns.  Fuch this forum and it's broke, entitlement-loving, motivation-lacking, piles of oh my goodness.

But he was nominated 12 days or so into his presidency. do they nominate based on what someone has done? OR what they think someone might do?, cause 12 days in, IIRC he did nothgin 

[BaltimoreGS]

Honestly, if you think Alfred Nobel isn't spinning in his grave, you are a genuine imbecile.

For those that don't know, Alfred Nobel only created this award as a last minute attempt to keep from being remembered as "Le marchand de la mort" (the merchant of death).  His motives were selfish, not altruistic, so I don't think you have to worry about him actually giving two sh*ts about who gets his award.

As for Obama:  I didn't vote for him, he won, life goes on, deal with it.  I don't think he deserves the award but he won that too, it is his.  I just hope he does something good with the prize money besides buying Michelle $1,000 shoes.

-Jessie - Ron Paul supporter

[The Buddha]

Believe when he got the award he said "I've got this thing and its golden, and I aint giving it away to no body for nothing" - or something similar.
Dont remember what I'm talking about ... go back to the Rod blagoyawich's wire tap and listen ...

Anyway dont see how they are Obama's wars or Obama's economic crash ... but I do say it is Obama's bail out, though McCain's bailout would have been near identical, so dont see how the right can complain about that, Bush started it, Obama continued it, McCain proposed almost the same thing, so left and right are aligned in the bailout.

Yes all the right can see is anti gun and pro choice and ghey rights, and essentially that is all that separates the 2.
Cool.
Buddha.

[ohgood]

Of course he should not decline a major award like this.  He may have been nominated Feb 1, but selections are not usually made until mid-September.  He has done a lot to stimulate the use of diplomacy over force, and he has committed to reducing nuclear arms, closing Guantanamo, and a host of other things.  I hope he does much more.  But he was considered the most worthy among the nominated and he should accept.

However, I have to say I'm in 100% agreement with Michael Moore, who said this morning something to the effect of "Congratulations Mr. Obama.  Now earn it by ending Bush's wars and bringing our troops home immediately."

i'll agree with you and that nutcase M.M. in that the award should be earned by actually doing something.

barack (oh, wait, no one knows his first name !) hasn't done a thing yet to end the war, or actually STOP MURDERING PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF OUR GOD AND COUNTRY, so ya, i'm not for his nomination.




then again, what politician would stop a war ? it's just a few peeee-ons being slaughtered, not anyone with real money (power) or anything. <--- sad but true.

[The Buddha]

Really trumpetguy? never heard of Pat Tillman have you ?
But by and large yes.
Cool.
Buddha.

[trumpetguy]

Really trumpetguy? never heard of Pat Tillman have you ?
But by and large yes.
Cool.
Buddha.

I know all about Pat Tillman -- friendly fire casualty held up as a hero for propaganda purposes.  Why do you bring him up?  I'm confused...

[yamahonkawazuki]

Evidence of ths charge of propaganda purposes? cmon now tg, have some respect he lost his life, for a liberal TG i had thought of you as one of the more open minded liberals out there, like i asked, any evidence of "propaganda " purposes" am curious where this comes from :thumb:a

[The Buddha]

Really trumpetguy? never heard of Pat Tillman have you ?
But by and large yes.
Cool.
Buddha.

I know all about Pat Tillman -- friendly fire casualty held up as a hero for propaganda purposes.  Why do you bring him up?  I'm confused...

Not just no body's getting killed, just mostly so ...
Cool.
Buddha.