Why was Pres. Barack OBama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?

[FrenchieCat]

His work out of the gate in setting his sights at limiting nuclear weaponry, extending his hand to the Middle East, cancelled the Missile shield bullshit, work on the Palestinian-Israel conflict, Talking to Iran, Back at the negotiating table with N. Korea, Reassessment of Afghanistan, Withdrawing from Iraq, in the middle of closing Gitmo, promising no more torture, raprochement to Russia, repaired our alliance with Europe, battling American racism with grace....and increased the goodwill of the US by a whole bunch in the eyes of the world, and has given millions of people a lot of hope, something many had lost altogether!

and it keeps him working towards peace....so this prize is going to be valuable to the entire world!

[arcos]

1. I can probably think of hundreds of people who deserve it more...

And I really like Obama, and I think most of his policies have been good, and yes, even good for world peace!

But this is absolutely ridiculous.....

[FrenchieCat]

2. So what have these hundreds of people done who deserve it more....

speak up.

Hope they have worked on as many ways has he has in attempting to bring forth peaceful resolutions.

I think you are ridiculous!

[arcos]

7. Huh, I'm not insulting you, but thanks for your insult anyway! nt

[FrenchieCat]

10. I'm just waiting for your list of those hundreds who deserve it more......

I'd like their accomplishments with their names, if you please.

[arcos]

14. Just a few....

Obviously "hundreds" was an exaggeration, although I'm sure you'll stick to that... oh well...

José Miguel Insulza for trying to bring a peaceful resolution to the Honduran coup
Ingrid Betancourt for fighting for people who have been kidnapped in Colombia
Lula da Silva, for bringing millions of people out of poverty...

Just 3 examples from Latin America, of people who have been fighting for decades....

I'm sure you'll find this "ridiculous", but believe it or not, there's actually a world beyond the US.

[FrenchieCat]

21. I think that Barack Obama is tackling various important issues of peace.....

all at once! He deserves it.
His reach is greater than those you speak of....

[arcos]

23. It is WAY too early for that...

He has been President for less than one year... if gay rights supporters are supposed to wait for the "right time" before judging him then, at least, the Nobel committee and you fans should give him time to actually do something.... tackling things isn't enough if you haven't delivered. Sure, it is WAY to early for him to deliver, but then it is also WAY too early to give him such an award. Especially when you have a "surge" in Afghanistan, etc... kind of contradictory to "peace" if you ask me.

I "love" Obama as much as I can love a US President... personally I like him, and his policies are MUCH better than Bush's.... but jeez people, he's not fucking Moses or anything...

[FrenchieCat]

27. Sorry for you......

On the one hand he has been called Hitler, and a whole lot of hateful things.

He fucking deserves it, whether you believe it or not.

[arcos]

30. Being called Hitler is a qualification for the Nobel Peace Prize?

Oooooooookay.


I'm sorry, just because he's the US President, and mildly progressive, doesn't make him entitled to the prize.

Sure, Republicans have been absolutely unfair to him, as they always are, but such is life in politics.

You know what people all around the world are saying?

"Sure, he's a nice guy. But he got the prize because he's not George W. Bush."

I never heard that when Gore won it, because people actually knew what he had done, and people agreed he earned it.

Right now, I'm fucking sorry to inform you, but people are a bit shocked, a bit outraged, and totally amused at the Nobel Committee.

[FrenchieCat]

31. I don't give a shit. I'm an American, and I am proud of my President.......

You can just go and shit in some other thread at this point,
cause I have nothing left to say to you.

[arcos]

33. Great argument you got there!

I was also very proud when Obama won. Very proud, because I'm a Democrat, even though I'm not American, I agree with the principles of the Democratic Party, and I've been a DU'er for more than 6 years because I really do care about US politics and how it affects the whole fucking world. Because believe it or not, it fucking affects ALL OF US. And I'm fucking proud of your President, because I'm really fucking glad he was elected.

Still, I don't think he's Jesus Fucking Christ or immune to any mistakes, and if you think any criticism is "shitting on a thread" then you've got some REAL and serious issues.

[bigwillq]

65. Try not to get too personal; it's just a discussion board (nt)

[karynnj]

61. Actually, I did hear MANY people saying that part of the motivation

in Gore's case was to anger Bush. I suspect that almost any Democrat following Bush having fun on increased diplomacy (and all did) would not have gotten this - almost as a "welcome back into the sane world" prize. I think that Gore deserved it, but there is likely always somewhat of a political message sent. The fact is the criterion are broad enough that the award can go to very different people with very different accomplishments.

Here, what you can see is the most vigorous engagement in diplomacy that the US has ever had - we have special envoys in many trouble spots - the middle east, Sudan - as working on Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan - etc. (I do think that the US did help after the Mumbai attacks)

I agree with you that it might have been better to wait until there were more policy successes, but there really has been a major effort.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

69. Frenchie

I think you should cool it. Let the haters hate, that is all they can do. This is a time to rejoice over our President being recognized by the world.

I see a lot of "insurgent" talk on these boards, but when it is all said in done, and 2012 comes, these people will look at his record and gladly vote for Obama again.

[RichGirl]

34. So he's ONLY been president for less than one year....

...yet everyone expects him to have solved every problem we have or have ever had.!!

All the people you mentioned did something that they deserve recongnition for...but they did just one thing. On election night, before he even was president, he united the world in a way that it's never been united before. His speech to the middle east, that alone did more for peace than all the others combined.

[arcos]

35. They did just one thing? You really have NO clue what they have done, right?

Had you ever heard of any of them before I mentioned them?

And I'm sorry, yes, he united the world in his election night speech. I saw it, so did everyone else in my household and most of my friends. And I cried, a lot. But you are WAY overestimating his impact, after all, people all around the world are more concerned about getting food to their tables, about having affordable healthcare (you know, healthcare is not an exclusively American issue...), and a decent education.

He united as many people as he has disappointed around the world also. Sure, he is MUCH better than Bush, and ALL foreigners around the world will be cheering his reelection against the GOP. But he is still the American President, distrusted by default by a good chunk of the world, because the US hasn't always had the best interest of other countries in mind.

[Kind of Blue]

39. Perhaps you should check out the Peace Committee's

criterion. Just a few:
"According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded '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.' "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Peace_Prize

This is also a good read on Prize's criteria/decision from the Nobel site.
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/articles/sejer...
Here's a snippet:
"But it must also be attributed to the assumption underlying what we have been discussing, which is that the broad range of criteria always includes what I have called a strong moral element. It appears to be precisely this type of prize which has the potential to attract people's attention. There also appears to be a self-reinforcing element here: widespread attention attracts still more attention. Many people, in short, feel a need for symbols that can appeal to their better instincts, or (Kant again) help them to overcome the evil principle in themselves. The choices of Peace Prize Laureates appear to have succeeded in some measure in creating symbols of this kind, whether the Laureate is a humanitarian aid worker like Mother Teresa or Fridtjof Nansen, an antimilitarist like Carl von Ossietzky, a statesman like Woodrow Wilson or Willy Brandt, or a campaigner for human rights like Nelson Mandela or Carlos Belo. I think this goes a long way towards explaining the prestige of the Prize. When all is said and done, the most important effect of the Nobel Peace Prize may be that it has succeeded in creating clear symbols which appeal to our best instincts – symbols of good will."

[arcos]

40. So, those I mentioned don't deserve it in your interpretation of the criterion? nt

[Kind of Blue]

50. Well, I think Your Interpretation of the criterion is Obama

does not deserve it as much as those You favor. Just passed the information along to you to help you understand why he was chosen and do believe Obama is an excellent worldwide choice.

Hey, my personal favorite Gandhi was passed over many, many, many times and he was a stronger worldwide figure than the good people you've mentioned. I'll just leave this suggesting that you read what the Nobel site has to say about their process. And the bottom line is that no one can please all of the people all of the time.

[arcos]

52. Thank you, for at least being polite...

Unlike most other posters.

[karynnj]

60. Here, you can add Obama

It was significant that the US did not accept the coup - that is a major turn in our foreign policy and one that carried political risk. How many Democratic leaders had his back here? His own state department was at times counter to him - as when the state department sent a letter to Republican Senators that backpedaled on this. ( http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph... )

In addition, the coup leaders have hired American lobbyists with solid ties to powerful Americans - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/world/americas/08hond...

I know you can say that the US merely joined the position of the rest of the world, but the same is true of De Klerk - who I am NOT equating Obama to. The fact is that this is a country where a substantial part of the population made Oliver North a hero and attacked John Kerry for his investigation.

[treestar]

68. But how important are those things world wide, this year?

Putting the US back on course is what most of the world needs this year.

[arcos]

16. Ever heard of Juanes?

He brought several hundred thousand people to sing for peace in the border between Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. He also brought a million people to La Havana, just a couple of weeks ago. He's singing for peace.

He's ridiculous too, I'm sure.

[arcos]

12. Just a couple of people I can think of, from the top of my head....

José Miguel Insulza, trying to bring a peaceful resolution to the Honduran coup
Ingrid Betancourt, who was a FARC hostage for 6 years

Oh, but they are Latin Americans, right......

[karynnj]

62. There have been Latin American winners, including you President

Oscar Arias Sánchez.

[lamp_shade]

3. Why am I not surprised at your disappointment?

[arcos]

9. I have no clue, since I don't know you and you don't know me...

Care to lighten me up?

[arcos]

20. So? Was it just another senseless attack?

Of course it was....
*crickets*

[JTFrog]

32. Obama won. Deal with it.

Or not.

[arcos]

36. Huh?

Sure, he won. And I'm glad. I cried of happiness.

That still doesn't explain how he deserves this.

[JTFrog]

37. "Still, I don't think he's Jesus Fucking Christ"

Tears o' Vicks perhaps.

It's been explained why he deserves this. You just choose to ignore it. Which, of course is your right not to Deal with it.

[arcos]

38. No, I don't ignore it... I just disagree... which I can, can't I?

I believe there's a huge US bias in this choice, which I think it is pretty contradictory with peace.

It also sickens me when people think of politicians as Gods... you can be a fan and defend someone, but attacking other people just because they disagree with you is mean spirited. I think Obama is a great man, but in my opinion he doesn't deserves this prize, at least yet. I think he has made some mistakes, and I think it is VERY healthy for mistakes to be pointed out in any situation.

If that makes me, in your view, someone that has to "deal with it", well, you will be disappointed to know that even though I disagree with this, I'm not losing any sleep over it. Sorry.

[JTFrog]

43. Why feign ignorance when you obviously understood my original post?

Sweet dreams.

[arcos]

48. Your original post was an attack I shouldn't even have answered...

I haven't feigned ignorance at all, but oh well... "sweet dreams", whatever.

[JTFrog]

51. Not feigned?

[JNelson6563]

44. Name 100

Stupid claim. "I like Obama but..." Mmmhmm. Sure ya do.

Julie

[uponit7771]

49. Come on,....wtf?!

[karynnj]

56. Could you name - maybe 10?

[proud2BlibKansan]

63. I agree

He was nominated Feb 1st. 10 days into his presidency.

This is indeed ridiculous.

[Honeycombe8]

64. That's always the case. But he is the most famous person in the world, and the tone he sets is

critical for the globe, not just our country. Bush had a devastating effect on peace and war around the globe, just by his approach and tone. Obama's approach has, and will, have a similar effect.

Part of it has to do with his fame. That makes anything that he does so much more important than what some others do.

No matter WHO had won, there would ALWAYS be someone else that someone thought more deserving, and might actually BE more deserving of it in some way. It's always that way with this and other awards.

[LittleBlue]

4. Hahahaha! LMAO @ Republicans, Israel

WE got the peace prize! Yay! Instant credibility to resolve world problems.

Now everyone, listen the hell up to President Barak Obama as he brings peoples together.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Thank you......

He will have to live up to it.....and he will!

The world wants it as much as he does.
This is their message.

Reporters are going to try and belittle him.....
little do they know that at the end of it all,
their names will not even make it in the history books,
and his will. They can suck on that.

[OKNancy]

5. The Peace Prize has always been somewhat symbolic

I think to many what he symbolizes is extremely important. It's not just his "good works". It's also about who he is.

[mucifer]

8. yeah but we didn't get the olympics that's much more important

[democracy1st]

11. LOL republican heads will explode hehe

[FrenchieCat]

13. They'll find a way to discredit the whole operations.....

But you know, that's expected.

Part of why he probably got the prize was based on how he has responded to the hatred of him here in this country.

The International world is weighing in and calling bullshit on our home grown racists.

LOVE IT!

[goclark]

28. Excellent Point ~ Some in the USA

who were upset that MLK won as well.

[JNelson6563]

47. Especially DU Rethugs.

They are taking it pretty hard. I love to see 'em sit in their own poop and cry.

Julie-the merciless

[Number23]

15. But Frenchie, he LOST THE OLYMPICS!! The WORLD HATES HIM!!

I think, at this precise moment, it must suck and I mean really, REALLY suck to be an Obama-hater, no matter which color tie (blue or red) you wear.

Lord, I love that man. Congratulations Mr. President. You make so many of us (and honestly and truly, MOST of us) so terribly proud.

[FrenchieCat]

19. True....the haters are frothing at the mouth.......

we shall know them by the white foam near their mouths......
and their protestations that because he inherited two wars,
he doesn't "deserve" it!

Others still will simply decide that others were more deserving.

I LOVE IT!

[mucifer]

17. Congratulations Mr. President. Now PLEASE negotiate our way out of Afghanistan.

[girl gone mad]

18. Why was Henry Kissinger awarded one?

Irony?

[TankLV]

22. Just NOT being War Criminal bush* or a Criminally Incompetant Repuke cinches it for me...

that ALONE would qualify him...

[arcos]

25. Right, because the whole world is the United States, huh?

It is actually called the Nobel United States of America Peace Prize, right?

[mogster]

24. Congrats, FrenchieCat

I think it also represents an acknowlegde of the internal US struggle the last decade, and is a little bit yours too

[FrenchieCat]

26. Thanks!

I appreciate your comment!

[Jackeens]

29. "I think he's won the Nobel Prize for not being George Bush."

So said the reporter on Sky News (UK) just now - he could be right! Although methinks the President amounts to a bit more than "not being George Bush"

According to this guy the deadline for nominations was February 1 - so the President was nominated 11 days after his inauguration.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

46. ROFL - Can't argue with that.

[GCP]

41. As a big poke in the eye to Bush

Period

[Kind of Blue]

42. I hadn't heard the news and thank you for posting!

Excellent choice

[Monk06]

45. Nixing the missle shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. Engaging Iran and NK

and telling the Israilis no to settlements in the
West Bank as a precondition to peace.

It's not one big block buster it is a number of
things the biggest one being the end of the Bush
Doctrine.

[babylonsister]

53. I just woke up to this news! How fantastic! nt

[FrenchieCat]

54. Isn't great?

I'm ecstatic!

[babylonsister]

57. Me, too, Frenchie!

This is a great feather in his cap after being a punching bag for so many weeks.

Now we'll see how many disregard this award because it went to our President.

[karynnj]

55. Add to your wonderful list that he did make the hard decision

to turn America's policy in Latin America by not accepting the coup in Honduras. This is controversial in this country as the right has for decades won that debate politically. In the 1980s, even a substantial wing of the Democratic party had no problem with our support of right wing thug - the Contras. (I know some here would have wanted a crystal clear policy here - stronger than it was - but Obama's position is a pretty massive change - and there were very few American politicians out their who had his back on this.)

Although less noteworthy than most of your list, in a way it may indicate a turn in American foreign policy, not just from Bush - which any Democrat would have done, but from the previous at least 50 years.

[FrenchieCat]

58. Aye......

I was going to list it as well....and figured I'd wait till good folks chimed in.

Thank you!

[Clio the Leo]

59. So the right can KISS our collective HIND ENDS!!!!!!!

And they better get ON it!!!!!!! Time's a wasting!!!!!! lol

Sure .... it's a bit puzzeling ........ but I DONT CARE!!!!! Do a skit on that SNL!!!!!!! Whoohooo!!!!

I KNEW Blowing up the moon was a good idea!!!!! How about tomorrow, we take out Mars and Venus!!!!

Ha ha!!! ONLY Barack Obama could knock blowing up the moon off of the headlines!

[Scurrilous]

66. K & R

[quiet.american]

67. Go, Frenchie! nt

[ClayZ]

70. Bravo! It was a GREAT DAY for the USA today!

K and R

[strategery blunder]

71. He deserves it for his rapproachment with Russia alone.

Bush started the Second Cold War in all but name, and Obama has practically worked miracles to undo the damage that Bush did. This morning on another thread I read Medvedev praising Obama, and that praise was not faint realpolitik bs, either.

And yet US/Russian relations are all but UNREPORTED in the American media. The average American probably has no fucking clue of the great strides Obama has made in foreign policy, because the corprat news only trolls him on Iraq and Afghanistan. Reporting on Russia and Latin America doesn't generate the ratings that WOAR does.

Add this to the accomplishments that other DUers (thank you Frenchie ) have pointed out, and I am proud that I no longer have to be ashamed of my country anymore. Forget exceptionalism; I cried this morning when the realization hit me that I would no longer have to apologize for being an American if I visited another country.

Yes there are still MANY problems and trolls out there, and the American media is all too happy to troll him for "It's eight months into your Presidency; WHY HAVEN'T YOU SOLVED EVERY LITTLE SQUABBLE IN THE ENTIRE GLOBE YET!!!111!!!!"

The media has its own agenda, and it ain't peace.

[cherokeeprogressive]

72. I hadn't realized that he did all those things in his first 11 days.

Which is when he was nominated.

So you're maybe saying that he was nominated by Feb 1 of this year because of what someone thought or knew he would do during the time between when he was nominated and the time the five judges decided he should win?