Obama, Nobel Peace Prize

khfreek · 10-11-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnard17

Doesn't work that way. The Committee can, and has, declined to award the prize in specific years due to a lack of "suitable candidates".

so making steps to quell the animosity of other nations towards the US through diplomacy isn't enough? Jeez. I'm not saying he's done the most, but I'm pretty sure he's done enough.

Barnard17 · 10-11-2009, 12:42 PM

Well yes, by your expectation of "enough". I'm simply saying that my expectation of "enough" would be changes that prove to be lasting (i.e. you can't tell if that is the case before the year is out) and/or a significant and continued contribution towards global peace. The fact of the matter is that the definition of the Nobel Peace Prize is that it's towards an individual for acts in the preceding year. Obama was elected at the end of November '08 and didn't officially take office until early '09. It is therefore arguably implausible that the actions he took in the preceding year to this had a significant enough effect on global peace to justify his winning.

Excerpt from the Will of Alfred Nobel

"shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."

WWWP · 10-11-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnard17

You're underestimating the complexity of global politics. Very little can be actually solved in a short time span by one person.

I was being facetious.

khfreek · 10-11-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnard17

"shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind."

That quote seems to set out the guideline that the winner should have done the most work in his or her respective field, not a specific amount.

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 10-11-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnard17

What are peoples thoughts?

Personally I think it's too soon into his Presidency to be handing out the prize. I've no doubt that he's done a lot to aid international diplomacy but it's far too early into his term to know how lasting that will be, or how far he will be able to take such developments.

He deserves it for finally handling a race issue the way it's meant to be handled: with beer.

bigtex · 10-11-2009, 09:05 PM

that "call to action" bit was interesting then the author kept mentioning obama's priority to eliminate nuclear weapons. im not saying the president is gonna use that peace prize for any political influence although it doesnt help...not a bad way to start your presidency.

boo boo · 10-11-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

He got elected into office on the platform of hope so it would only make sense that he wins this prestigious award for trying to make a difference.

So he ran a sly presidential campaign, why is that worthy of a nobel prize?

Guybrush · 10-12-2009, 02:37 AM

I think it's hard for americans to see why we think Obama is important. America is a huge nation and from over here, it's a little unsettling to see all those people and all that power under a president like Bush. Relations between America and european nations have been stressed in Bush's period, so it's important now that you guys have a president who seems to care about foreign politics, someone who seems to work with and promote cooperation rather than work against (ex. war on Iraq, failure to sign the Kyoto protocol).

Arya Stark · 10-12-2009, 08:15 AM

Well said, Tore.

~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ · 10-12-2009, 11:06 AM

Refreshing to get somebody's point of view from across the pond.

10-11-2009, 12:42 PM	#22 (permalink)
Barnard17 My home? Discabled, Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 204	Well yes, by your expectation of "enough". I'm simply saying that my expectation of "enough" would be changes that prove to be lasting (i.e. you can't tell if that is the case before the year is out) and/or a significant and continued contribution towards global peace. The fact of the matter is that the definition of the Nobel Peace Prize is that it's towards an individual for acts in the preceding year. Obama was elected at the end of November '08 and didn't officially take office until early '09. It is therefore arguably implausible that the actions he took in the preceding year to this had a significant enough effect on global peace to justify his winning. Excerpt from the Will of Alfred Nobel "shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." __________________ Vita brevis, Occasio praeceps

10-11-2009, 09:05 PM	#26 (permalink)
bigtex Groupie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 19	obama article that "call to action" bit was interesting then the author kept mentioning obama's priority to eliminate nuclear weapons. im not saying the president is gonna use that peace prize for any political influence although it doesnt help...not a bad way to start your presidency.

10-12-2009, 02:37 AM	#28 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I think it's hard for americans to see why we think Obama is important. America is a huge nation and from over here, it's a little unsettling to see all those people and all that power under a president like Bush. Relations between America and european nations have been stressed in Bush's period, so it's important now that you guys have a president who seems to care about foreign politics, someone who seems to work with and promote cooperation rather than work against (ex. war on Iraq, failure to sign the Kyoto protocol). __________________ Something Completely Different

10-12-2009, 11:06 AM	#30 (permalink)
~~someonecompletelyrandom~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,538	Refreshing to get somebody's point of view from across the pond.