# obama wins nobel peace prize....what is the sound of a right-wing head exploding? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 9, 2009, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172 "2009-10-09T09:07:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![strqwert44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@strqwert44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/strqwert44)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/1 "2009-10-09T09:07:41Z")
lol…let the arguing begin. Obama deserves this/sucks because… ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/2 "2009-10-09T09:12:04Z")
I thought this was a joke or a hypothetical at first. I’m quite surprised to find it true. I can’t for the life of me fathom what a president who has been in office less than a year could possibly do to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This is truly baffling to me. Two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are still raging; our economy still sucks; and the world is no more or less peaceful than it was when Bush was president. What the fuck did he do to earn this prize? Not that I put any stock in the Nobel Peace Prize anyway. Henry Kissinger and Yasser Arafat - both people who are responsible for countless civilian deaths - also won the prize. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/3 "2009-10-09T09:13:27Z")
Um…I can’t even begin to think of anything he’s done that’s of any significance towards winning the Peace Prize. That’s not a slam on Obama–he’s only been in the office for ten months–but no, so far he’s done nothing all that impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Gustav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Gustav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gustav)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/4 "2009-10-09T09:23:48Z")
Wow what a boneheaded decision. This is gonna hurt Obama so bad. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/5 "2009-10-09T09:24:05Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Um…I can’t even begin to think of anything he’s done that’s of any significance towards winning the Peace Prize. That’s not a slam on Obama–he’s only been in the office for ten months–but no, so far he’s done nothing all that impressive. This is the final proof that they’ll give the damn thing to anybody (and this is a Canadian who thinks Obama is really cool) ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/6 "2009-10-09T09:35:14Z")
Silly decision. When he actually does something and the results can be viewed then yes by all means but after only so short a time in office? All this will do will give more ammo to his critics and futher diminish the Nobel Peace prize. I thought it was a joke when I first read this. I’m a pretty big Obama supporter but this is ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/7 "2009-10-09T09:45:02Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > Silly decision. When he actually does something and the results can be viewed then yes by all means but after only so short a time in office? All this will do will give more ammo to his critics and futher diminish the Nobel Peace prize. > > I thought it was a joke when I first read this. I’m a pretty big Obama supporter but this is ridiculous. Agreed 100% ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/8 "2009-10-09T09:48:16Z")
He shouldn’t accept it. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/9 "2009-10-09T09:48:51Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > Silly decision. When he actually does something and the results can be viewed then yes by all means but after only so short a time in office? All this will do will give more ammo to his critics and futher diminish the Nobel Peace prize. > > I thought it was a joke when I first read this. I’m a pretty big Obama supporter but this is ridiculous. Also agreed. I guess they thought that just not being Bush is enough. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/10 "2009-10-09T09:51:11Z")
A baffling decision, but I do like the explanation currently on Wikipedia: “Presumably, President Obama was awarded the prize as he was not George Bush.” ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/11 "2009-10-09T09:52:27Z")
Jeebus. This is an issue on which right and many on the left are going to be united. How silly. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/12 "2009-10-09T09:53:55Z")
I am thinking maybe the smart, classy thing would be for him to respectfully turn it down: say something along the lines of “If you still think I deserve it in three years time, then I will be very proud to accept.” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/13 "2009-10-09T09:59:17Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Um…I can’t even begin to think of anything he’s done that’s of any significance towards winning the Peace Prize. That’s not a slam on Obama–he’s only been in the office for ten months–but no, so far he’s done nothing all that impressive. This article was linked to in the other thread. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091009/ap\_on\_re\_eu/eu\_nobel\_peace;\_ylt=AmSWAJSQ1s3i7U6Pua1GvOyROrgF;\_ylu=X3oDMTJoYTEycTJhBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMDA5L2V1X25vYmVsX3BlYWNlBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA3ByZXNpZGVudG9iYQ--](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091009/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nobel_peace;_ylt=AmSWAJSQ1s3i7U6Pua1GvOyROrgF;_ylu=X3oDMTJoYTEycTJhBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMDA5L2V1X25vYmVsX3BlYWNlBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA3ByZXNpZGVudG9iYQ--) > [@](#): > > citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation This makes sense but it does seem far too early unless it’s the attempt that counts as much as results. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/14 "2009-10-09T09:59:54Z")
The right is going to have a fucking field day with this. ---
**Author:** ![Gustav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@Gustav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gustav)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/15 "2009-10-09T10:00:50Z")
I don’t know if there exists any respectful way to turn down a nobel prize. Certainly not that won’t be used against him. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/16 "2009-10-09T10:01:57Z")
Are they really that hurting for nominees this year? I’m with y’all, unless they can offer one heck of a justification for this… ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/17 "2009-10-09T10:14:24Z")
Another vote for “Huh? What did he do yet to deserve it?” > [@Gustav](#): > > Wow what a boneheaded decision. This is gonna hurt Obama so bad. I doubt it. The people who’ll get all worked up over this are the ones who hate him implacably anyway. The rest of us know that he had nothing to do with the decision, and ( as seen in this thread ) are going to be baffled at the Nobel Committee, not angry at Obama. > [@leander](#): > > The right is going to have a fucking field day with this. And most likely make idiots of themselves again in the process. The reaction I’ve been seeing on other sites from the righties has been on the order of “They’re giving it to him because he’s a traitorous appeaser and a socialist!” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/18 "2009-10-09T10:15:42Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Not that I put any stock in the Nobel Peace Prize anyway. Henry Kissinger and Yasser Arafat - both people who are responsible for countless civilian deaths - also won the prize. Much as it pains me to say it, even Arafat probably deserved the prize more than Obama does. At leat \*he \*actually signed a peace agreement. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/19 "2009-10-09T10:17:58Z")
I think it’s a slap at Chimpy and I think it’s great. This says to the world that Bush was so universally despised that the mere act of replacing him is worthy of the Peace Prize. That, and keeping Palin from being one aged, cancer-riddled heartbeat away from being commander in chief. ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/20 "2009-10-09T10:24:40Z")
> [@Gustav](#): > > I don’t know if there exists any respectful way to turn down a nobel prize. Certainly not that won’t be used against him. I have no idea how respectfully he did it, but Le Duc Tho declined the award. From _Wikipedia_: > [@](#): > > Lê Ðức Thọ and Henry Kissinger were jointly awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in negotiating the Paris Peace Accords.[2] However, he declined to accept the award, stating that there was still no peace in his country. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172.md?page=2)