Obama to receive Nobel Peace Prize for not being Bush

[Daidalos]

Actually, as a middle-of-the-roader, I look at Obama as one of my troupe. I am just a tad on the conservative side, he as much on the liberal. But all the power people in Washington are disliking him because he isn't a friggin' fringe fanatic like most of them, and like they were quite sure he would be.

I think the Nobel Prize Committee did him an injustice. You can't give out awards based on what you think someone is going to do in future.

I'm not sure your example does much to contradict erato's point. E.g. here in Sweden, the liberals are considered to be part of the right-wing coalition. I can't speak for other countries, however.

So, seen from a European perspective, Obama - while arguably liberal - could not be construed as "left-wing".

[Gurn Blanston]

I'm not sure your example does much to contradict erato's point. E.g. here in Sweden, the liberals are considered to be part of the right-wing coalition. I can't speak for other countries, however.

So, seen from a European perspective, Obama - while arguably liberal - could not be construed as "left-wing".

Nor am I saying he is. I am saying he is centrist, only slightly to left of center, as I am to right of center, thus I feel we have common ground. Seems odd to think of liberals being 'right wing', when there is no doubt that the opposite is true here. But no matter left or right, or your local interpretation of what they mean, it is those who are radically situated in either camp who have gotten control of the major political parties, at least here in the USA. As long as this remains the status quo, there will never be any progress for the country. We have been bogged down in partisan bullshit for a couple of decades at least, and there is no sign of an end to it. We are soooo screwed.



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Listening to:
Collegium musicum 90 - Richard Hickox - Hob 22 05 'Missa Cellensis' pt 08 - Gloria - 'Qui tollis' peccata mundi': Adagio

[Lilas Pastia]

Most Americans have little idea how the rest of the world is thinking. And, like it or not, the Nobel Committee is not american. Therefore you can't expect them to think along the lines of american politics.

Obama was obviously not selected for any concrete achievements (world peace can't depend on an individual). He's been chosen for the biggest onrush of fresh air this planet has experienced in decades. I don't really care about american domestic policies. That's your business. But, like it or not, his foreign policy speeches have stunned world diplomacy.

[Coopmv]

Yes, that is WTF. I am all for Obama's approach (perhaps because I'm a dirty Euroliberal) but he literally has not done anything yet, and winning a prize for what you might do is like being given a first class degree when you're admitted into university.

He might still come to deserve it later (yes, I know how much many of you contest this, please don't expend words telling me), but it's still perverse.

Lets see if he will be knighted by the Queen after he leaves office.  QE II awarded knighthood to both Reagan and the elder Bush. 

[Josquin des Prez]

Most Americans have little idea how the rest of the world is thinking. And, like it or not, the Nobel Committee is not american. Therefore you can't expect them to think along the lines of american politics.

Obama was obviously not selected for any concrete achievements (world peace can't depend on an individual). He's been chosen for the biggest onrush of fresh air this planet has experienced in decades. I don't really care about american domestic policies. That's your business. But, like it or not, his foreign policy speeches have stunned world diplomacy.

[Herman]

He's been chosen for the biggest onrush of fresh air this planet has experienced in decades.

But up till now it's just air.

Had I been a US citizen I would have voted for Obama, too. A McCain administration, especially with La Barracuda in tow would have been hugely destructive.

However up to today the Obama administration has been very disappointing. Much bad Bush stuff has not been turned back, especially in the sphere of the dubious executive powers; the Wall St bail out has been a boon only for Wall St, just as it looks like health care reform will only benefit the big players.

The only good thing is a fresh and smart sense of humor coming from the WH, but that clearly won't do.

There's plenty of time yet, but the momentum is not good. The Nobel (if it means anything, and I don't think it does) should have gone to somebody else. This is not going to benefit anybody  -  except make some weird old guys on the committee feel good about themselves.

[WI Dan]

E.g. here in Sweden, the liberals are considered to be part of the right-wing coalition.

In Sweden, when you speak of liberalism, you are referring to "Classic Liberalism", more or less.  Classic liberalism is strongly associated with the "right wing", both in Sweden and in the U.S.A..  Many Americans are no longer aware of that, however.      The definition of "liberalism" was totally corrupted and then hijacked by the left-wingers in the United States around the time of the "Great Depression", ... hence the confusion. 

Seems odd to think of liberals being 'right wing', when there is no doubt that the opposite is true here.

In the U.S., today, when we speak of liberalism, we are usually referring to "Social Liberalism", ... also known as "Welfare Liberalism", which is, of course, most strongly associated with the "left wing".  In the U.S., "classical liberalism" is most cherished by "conservatives", "constitutionalists" and "libertarians", ... whether they know it, or not.


Excerpt Source

Classical liberalism holds that individual rights are natural, inherent, or inalienable, and exist independently of government. Thomas Jefferson called these inalienable rights: "...rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law', because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual."

For classical liberalism, rights are of a negative nature—rights that require that other individuals (and governments) refrain from interfering with individual liberty, whereas social liberalism (also called modern liberalism or welfare liberalism) holds that individuals have a right to be provided with certain benefits or services by others.

Unlike social liberals, classical liberals are "hostile to the welfare state." They do not have an interest in material equality but only in "equality before the law." Classical liberalism is critical of social liberalism and takes offense at group rights being pursued at the expense of individual rights.

[flyingdutchman]

The right-wing loonies over at CMG are blowing a gasket!  I love it.  A much deserved award to a man worthy for what he has brought and will bring to diplomacy around the world.  Blow it out your pie-hole Rush Limbaugh!

[The new erato]

The right-wing loonies over at CMG are blowing a gasket!  I love it.  A much deserved award to a man worthy for what he has brought and will bring to diplomacy around the world.  Blow it out your pie-hole Rush Limbaugh!

While (as an European) being strongly in favor of Obama, I think the prize was a misstep. But seing those kind of reactions I nearly think the prize was right and necessary. 

[flyingdutchman]

What I find totally amusing are the comments over there that Obama can't now send 40,000 troops to Afghanistan.  The right-wing blows him apart because he is questioning contemplating it and now looks for an opportunity to cry hypocrite when he does send 40,000 troops to Afghanistan.

[Florestan]

Fully agreed. From this perspective, too, Obama is a typical moderate, a rather sober realist, or more or less Christian conservative. In our national parliament he would be seated far right.

With all due respect, this is... let's say, very strange: (1) if he is a moderate and a sober realist, he can't be far-right, (unless in the Dutch parliament the only moderate and realist people are the far right); and (2) I don't think Obama would identify himself as being right-wing, much less far right.

Be it as it may, and jokes aside, AFAIK the Nobel Prize for Peace is awarded for achievements, not intentions or desires. That Obama wishes the world to live peacefully I have no doubt; but only time will tell if his actions will be succesful in this direction.

[Coopmv]

What I find totally amusing are the comments over there that Obama can't now send 40,000 troops to Afghanistan.  The right-wing blows him apart because he is questioning contemplating it and now looks for an opportunity to cry hypocrite when he does send 40,000 troops to Afghanistan.

We need to stop this nations building nonsense.  The US is making the very same mistakes made by the Roman Empire 2000 years ago ...

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

My thoughts were: a) Well, there's one mighty guy in the US, who's not completely braindead, therefore he receives the nobel price. For not being braindead - b) The comitee seems to be a poor Zeitgeist comitee only. I'm sure there are a lot other people out there working hard for peace, who deserve the price. BTW, T hink war is bad, but human. We will never become the Übermensch.

The right-wing loonies over at CMG are blowing a gasket!

What's CMG?

[The new erato]

Classical Music Guide.

[DavidW]

We need to stop this nations building nonsense.  The US is making the very same mistakes made by the Roman Empire 2000 years ago ...

QFT.

[karlhenning]

I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations. To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize, men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

[secondwind]

Reading Obama's statement, I think he has done about the best he could with this situation--to admit, in all honest humility, that he hasn't earned the award, but to reframe the choice of the committee in terms of the award being given to a renewed idea of America in the world.  In those terms, and on behalf of that idea, he can accept the award--and then, we hope, live up to it.

[Josquin des Prez]

The right-wing loonies over at CMG are blowing a gasket!  I love it.  A much deserved award

Who's the loony again? Giving Obama the Nobel prize because he has spread happy feelings of joy joy is insanity. But of course, as always,
it is the right-wingers who are the crazy ones for blowing a gasket over common sense. Further proof liberals act according to their own feelings rather then their heads.

[Lilas Pastia]

What else did you expect when you initiated that thread? So far, the only negative comments have come from the USA. Further proof conservatives act according to their own feelings rather than their heads.

The Nobel could have gone - again - to an obscure dissident of a totalitarian regime. Fighting dictature doesn't mean you're a model for world peace efforts. Were the French Resistants worthy of a Nobel? Very brave men and women, but their fight was strictly internal. For many, revenge and deep-seated hatred of the Enemy was their main motivation. The Nobel Committee has recognized vastly different people and organizations over the past 100 years. Struggles big and small have been showcased by the award. Dissenters to the award usually come from the recipient's own country. Just like this year .Obama could have used his energies to advancing his domestic agenda at the expense of foreign policy.  I just don't understand why many Americans are not impressed and proud of the distinction. Rush Limbaugh and his minions lament that Obama wants to 'emasculate' the USA. That bespeaks of a deap-seated inferiority complex. You don't need to look and act like a bully to be respected.

Speaking up for peace with the force and exposure the US presidential office brings is both noble and courageous - quixotic even. Recognizing the formidable impact of the President's words, the Nobel Committee has decided to give his ideas and actions (speeches) a boost. Of course that's political. Big surprise there: can you name ONE Nobel Peace award that could not be labeled political?

[greg]

Further Rush Limbaugh and his minions lament that Obama wants to 'emasculate' the USA. That bespeaks of a deap-seated inferiority complex. You don't need to look and act like a bully to be respected.

No, you don't need to be a bully, but you have to have balls as a country to be respected- and it makes you wonder if the dictators of the world see Obama as someone who is chopping off America's balls.

Reading Obama's statement, I think he has done about the best he could with this situation--to admit, in all honest humility, that he hasn't earned the award, but to reframe the choice of the committee in terms of the award being given to a renewed idea of America in the world.  In those terms, and on behalf of that idea, he can accept the award--and then, we hope, live up to it.

Agreed.