HERE'S WHAT I THINK
It makes sense to award a Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama
The Nobel Committee has a history of awarding the Peace Prize to some individuals based on their past accomplishments and to others based on their aspirations and the causes they champion, even when those causes have yet to bear fruit. According to Ronald Krebs in Foreign Policy Magazine, there have been 27 "aspirational" Peace Prize awards given since 1971. Former Nobel Committee chairman Francis Sejersted once said "The prize ... is not only for past achievement. ... The committee also takes the possible positive effects of its choices into account [because] ... Nobel wanted the prize to have political effects."
The United States is the most powerful country on earth, so the way our nation relates to the rest of the world is a big deal. Awarding the Peace Prize to an American president who has pledged to turn away from the doctrine of unilateral aggression that has so drastically damaged U.S. foreign relations, and who has proclaimed his dedication to pursuing the goal of global nuclear disarmament, is consistent with the way the Nobel Committee has long interpreted its mandate to recognize individuals who have worked "for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses" (quotation from Alfred Nobel's will).
You may agree or disagree with the Committee's political views or their criteria for giving awards, but the Obama choice is not the "shocking departure" that some are trying to say it is.
(photo from Wikimedia Commons. Captioned, "Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai with US senator Barack Obama in Nairobi, Kenya.")
Obama's Accepts the Nobel Peace Prize
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It is consistent with Nobel Prize philosophy to award the Peace Prize to Barack Obama
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, you're right!
spirituality says:
While I really appreciate the difference Obama is making to US diplomacy, finally reaching out to the world in a non black-and-white (no pun intended) way, I do think it's a bit early for the Nobel Peace Prize. I guess this speaks to his charisma abroad. They just couldn't resist rewarding him for being so very different, in a good way, than George Bush.
On the other hand, his stance on Israel alone is such a positive change, that perhaps it IS deserved.
Posted October 11, 2009
ulla_hennig says:
I am with you! I think it is consistent with Novel Prize philosophy.
Posted October 11, 2009
No way, Monkeybrain!
Spook says:
It may well be consistent with their philosophy. However in this case I think they are wrong. As is so often the case, they have done what is expedient and not what is right. Perchance I am biased because I think my old countryman, Morgan Tsvangarai, should have won this hands down and thank you for letting me sound off here.
Posted October 12, 2009
Wikipedia's article on the Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize (Scandinavian languages: Nobels fredspris) is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.
Official Nobel Prize website
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1
At U.N., Obama calls for new era in world relations - CNN.com
President Obama made a forceful call Wednesday for a new era in global relations, urging the United Nations to move past old divisions and disputes to...0 points
2
Dangerous Prize | Foreign Policy
Article by Ronald Krebs. He is skeptical about the benefits the Peace Prize confers on the recipient(s), but he confirms that giving the Peace Prize...0 points
3
After Launch, Obama Focuses On Disarmament - washingtonpost.com
Obama describes his commitment to working toward the eventual goal of a world without nuclear weapons.0 points
4
Commentary: When Nobel Prize rewarded failure - CNN.com
A look back at the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Woodrow Wilson.0 points
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1
President Barack Obama Nobel Peace Prize win mocks award; GOP has ammunition on Iran, Afghanistan
In one fell swoop, the Nobel Prize jury just made a mockery of the world's most revered honor and handed Barack Obama's opponents a great talking poin...0 points
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RELATED NEWS: FODDER FOR ARGUING MORE
Twitter buzz about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize
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- QoftheDesert
- Now that there's proof Al Gore didn't deserve his Nobel either, maybe he & Obama will both give them back! http://tinyurl.com/3f43uz #p2
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- nananenen
- EUA planeja enviar para Afeganistão mais 35.000 soldados. Obama seu marionete de merda, devolva o prêmio Nobel da Paz!
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- Beatmk
- ¿Premio Nobel de la qué para Obama? http://bit.ly/8Zu2Ng
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- gabalaui
- EEUU no firmará el Tratado contra las minas antipersona http://www.publico.es/272763 Otra decisión + bajo mandato del nobel de la paz Obama
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- Shakira_Shak
- About Palestine: an Open letter to Barack Obama: I recently wrote an article about your recent Nobel Prize on t.. http://bit.ly/5U48jR
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- NOTSethRogen
- RT @patrioterrorist: Pelosi wants a War Tax so that Nobel PEACE Prize Winner Obama can go wage more War. WTF?!? #tcot
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- patrioterrorist
- Pelosi wants a War Tax so that Nobel PEACE Prize Winner Obama can go wage more War. WTF?!? #tcot
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- 3arabawy
- RT @justimage I'm thinking of waging war across the globe, maybe then I too will win a Nobel Peace Prize!! #Obama #fail
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- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago Nov 12, 2009 @ 11:24 am
- Great lens!
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- Spook Spook Oct 12, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
- Love debates.
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- Pukeko Pukeko Oct 10, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
- Hi Joan, great minds do think alike! I am lensrollling this to my monkeybrain on this topic. I like how you put this page together.
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- GrowWear GrowWear Oct 10, 2009 @ 9:50 am
- Hi, great debate!
