# Clueless Idiots: The Nobel Committee **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 9, 2009, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175 "2009-10-09T10:53:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/101 "2009-10-09T16:22:15Z")
> [@anu-la1979](#): > > Is this a joke? My answer would be Aung San Suu Kyi. She’s already got one. 1991. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/102 "2009-10-09T16:23:52Z")
> [@Misery\_Loves\_Co](#): > > Just in the interest of fighting ignorance and all: > > from [here](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1_QF_M_HvZAOpRa9UGcm5CbA-1gD9B7HDR80) > > > [@](#): > > > > \_ Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful. > > > > More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments. > > I suspect this is the rationale for the prize. Him winning for not being George Bush was one thing. But him winning because of what they _want Obama to do_ is truly creepy. It’s like PAC money from the Nobel people. If they’re trying to influence policy, Obama should not be allowed to accept it - the money part of it, anyway. Or the actual thing to hang on his neck. It’s a political gift. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/103 "2009-10-09T16:24:36Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Yes, just get elected president > … > > or bomb Cambodia. So… how big of a bomb are we talking about here?. Five hour drive, bada-bing-bada-boom! and where’s my 1.4 million? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/104 "2009-10-09T16:30:15Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Mother Teresa[…] pretty deserving. Fuck that noise. Bitch deserved to die in one of her own [del]deathcamps[/del] hospitals, choking on the money she got from the dictators and scum of the world. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/105 "2009-10-09T16:37:58Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > For what? Being a prisoner? Anybody can be a prisoner. “Mr Mandela, the Nobel Committee called…” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/106 "2009-10-09T16:46:04Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Fuck that noise. Bitch deserved to die in one of her own [del]deathcamps[/del] hospitals, choking on the money she got from the dictators and scum of the world. Oscar Romero was robbed. He did far more than she did, and got killed for it. During Mass, too. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/107 "2009-10-09T17:11:58Z")
> [@St.Anger](#): > > it is clear Obama has no intentions of starting wars with other countries under false pretenses, setting up secret prisons overseas, holding prisoners without due process.or refusing to negotiate with world leaders we don’t like. Mostly true, but, aren’t those the _minimum_ standards of decency for international relations? Winning a peace prize for _not_ starting wars under false pretenses is kind of like getting a MacArthur Genius Grant for not wetting your pants. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/108 "2009-10-09T17:24:49Z")
[According to Wiki:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Nobel_Peace_Prize#Nominees) > [@](#): > > Candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize can be nominated by previous winners, members of national government and judiciary, and academics, among others. A five-member Nobel Committee, whose members are chosen by the Norwegian Parliament, examines the nominations and creates a shortlist of between 5 and 20 candidates. After further examination of the candidates by a group of academics who are the Nobel Institute’s permanent advisers, the committee selects the final winner.[2] > > In 2009, Obama was one of the 205 original nominations for the award. Other nominees included civil rights activists in China and Afghanistan, as well as African politicians. Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba,[6][7] Afghanistan’s Sima Samar,[6] Chinese dissident Hu Jia, and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai had been regarded as pre-announcement favorites for the award.[2] My guess is, they figured Obama for the least controversial choice, at least globally. The Colombian senator is bound up with the hot politics of Latin America right now, Alvaro Uribe’s way vs. Hugo Chavez’ way, choosing the Chinese dissident would make the Chinese government mad, don’t get me started about Zimbabwe . . . WRT Obama, there’s a general global consensus for the moment that everybody likes him, or wants to, and he should be given a chance to give peace a chance. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/109 "2009-10-09T17:32:58Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > The black guy with the hot wife with the bangin’ booty and the mean underbite? That’d be me neightbor Ted. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/110 "2009-10-09T18:46:27Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What does he get when he “finishes the effort”? A promotion to the Chemistry laureates? Nah, there’s already enough chemistry between him and the Nobel committee. I have nothing against the guy, but _seriously_. “In charge, black, and not Dubya” doesn’t say much. By that criteria, you could also nominate Michaelle Jean of Canada, or even Jacob Zuma of South Africa. Can’t they at least wait until the end of his term before deciding that he’s a historical peace figure for the ages? ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/111 "2009-10-09T18:51:10Z")
> [@glee](#): > > I think it was too early. > > However this may bring home to decent US citizens how much Bush wrecked the reputation of the US. Thats exactly how I felt about it when I heard. It won’t work however. People determined to hate Obama will hate him no matter what he does. Still, it is fun to see the Right Wing chafe at it. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/112 "2009-10-09T18:51:14Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > From what I heard, the deadline for nominating someone for the Nobel prize was two weeks after the inauguration. > > Lots of Hope going on there. What a flipping joke. What’s the problem? The Nobel committee got all mavericky. You like mavericky. The entire right loves mavericks! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/113 "2009-10-09T19:00:03Z")
Maybe if they gave Sarah Palin Miss Congeniality? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/114 "2009-10-09T19:04:04Z")
This prize is a joke. It’s just the Nobel committee slapping Bush again, like they did in 2002 when they gave it to Carter. (Not that Carter might have been deserving of it for his Habitat work, but the reasoning the committee gave was a clear slap to Bush.) So the lauded committee can take pride in doing for the Nobel Prize what John Kerry did for the Purple Heart. Fucking idiots. They diminish their own prize ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/115 "2009-10-09T19:05:51Z")
Wow, you’re actually going drag the swiftboat smears into this? That’s so 2004. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/116 "2009-10-09T19:09:16Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Nah, there’s already enough chemistry between him and the Nobel committee. > > I have nothing against the guy, but _seriously_. “In charge, black, and not Dubya” doesn’t say much. By that criteria, you could also nominate Michaelle Jean of Canada, or even Jacob Zuma of South Africa. Can’t they at least wait until the end of his term before deciding that he’s a historical peace figure for the ages? They could hardly wait for him to _start_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/117 "2009-10-09T19:11:11Z")
Oops. Hit “submit” inadvertently. Then missed the edit window. That should be they diminish their own prize by giving it to Obama before he’s delivered. I do think he’'s probably on track to earn one in a few years, and I’ll be glad if that were the case. But this? Sad. Sad for the committee, because they’re a bunch of nitwits. Sad for him because I’d bet anything that he wished they hadn’t given it to him. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/118 "2009-10-09T19:12:31Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Wow, you’re actually going drag the swiftboat smears into this? That’s so 2004. Hell no. I’m going back almost forty years. His scumbaggery holds up well. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/119 "2009-10-09T19:14:47Z")
You mean while Bush was defending the skies above Amarillo from the Viet Cong Air Force? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175/120 "2009-10-09T19:17:10Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > Hell no. I’m going back almost forty years. His scumbaggery holds up well. Oh, I see, you actually BELIEVE that shit. I thought we generally tried to keep the ignorance out of this place. There must be a hole in the fence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clueless-idiots-the-nobel-committee/513175.md?page=7)