# 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:** 10
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/181 "2009-10-09T17:31:45Z")
[Obama Will go to Norway to Accept Nobel Prize](http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/09/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5374160.shtml) Obama’s getting to be an expert at squandering taxpayer dollars by flying to Scandanavia. ---
**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, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/182 "2009-10-09T17:32:20Z")
What difference does it make when he took office? Who says the award is being presented only for what he’s done in office. I think you’re also missing the point that the award is intended to spur future action, not just reward past accomplishments. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/183 "2009-10-09T17:32:20Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Read the quote more carefully. > > They are not saying Republicans are throwing their lot in with terrorists. They are saying they are joining terrorists as among the groups officially attacking the president on this issue. > > Nuance is generally lost on the far right though so I shouldn’t expect them to get it I guess. They are saying, quote: “The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists - the Taliban and Hamas this morning - in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize.” If you want to argue that they are not saying that the Republicans are throwing their lot in with terrorists, then you will have to explain to me what part of the phrase “the Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists” is not equivalent to “The Republications are throwing their lot in with terrorists.” Sure, I get the “meaning” of the statement - that the Republicans are offering the same opinion as the terrorists. Why make this observation, if not to score cheap and base points by comparing the opposition to Hamas and the Taliban and hoping the association sticks? ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/184 "2009-10-09T17:34:43Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > What difference does it make when he took office? Who says the award is being presented only for what he’s done in office. > > I think you’re also missing the point that the award is intended to spur future action, not just reward past accomplishments. In that case, I want an award for my future, intended accomplishments. ---
**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, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/185 "2009-10-09T17:35:32Z")
> [@Translucent\_Daydream](#): > > Its $1.2 million, right? The prize money? > > So if 5,130 people have died in Iraq as of today [according to this](http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/) it would be: > > $233.92 dollars a family? A lot more people than that have died in Iraq, but Obama’s predecessor is the one responsible, so let him pay the families. I’m not sure Obama will be able to accept the cash prize anyway. My guess is that he’ll either decline it or give it some other cause or charity. ---
**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, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/186 "2009-10-09T17:36:27Z")
True enough, they should pay more attention to the graceful generosity being displayed by the right. Screaming thier heads off, setting the furniture on fire, but _gracefully_… ---
**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, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/187 "2009-10-09T17:37:02Z")
> [@pinkyvee](#): > > In that case, I want an award for my future, intended accomplishments. Get someone to nominate you, and then convince the Nobel Committee that you’re capable of it. ---
**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, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/188 "2009-10-09T17:40:01Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > They are saying, quote: > > “The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists - the Taliban and Hamas this morning - in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize.” > > If you want to argue that they are not saying that the Republicans are throwing their lot in with terrorists, then you will have to explain to me what part of the phrase “the Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists” is not equivalent to “The Republications are throwing their lot in with terrorists.” > > Sure, I get the “meaning” of the statement - that the Republicans are offering the same opinion as the terrorists. Why make this observation, if not to score cheap and base points by comparing the opposition to Hamas and the Taliban and hoping the association sticks? They also explain what they mean by it, and it’s clearly intended to be a little tongue in cheek (and as an oblique reference to the rhetoric Republicans have been using against them for the last decade), so I don’t have a problem with it, and it’s good to see the DNC fighting back for once. I hope it’s the beginning of a trend. ---
**Author:** ![wayward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a87d85/32.png) [@wayward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayward)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/189 "2009-10-09T17:40:25Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > > [@PrettyVacant](#): > > > > I think the world is just relieved a President of the empire has been in power for 9 months and not invaded anywhere new. > > We’ve expanded drone bombing in Pakistan. Forget Pakistan, you guys bombed the frickin’ _moon_ today! ---
**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, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/190 "2009-10-09T17:41:48Z")
It shouldn’t have pissed us off. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/191 "2009-10-09T17:42:36Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Everyone’s forgetting his successful mediation of the Henry Louis Gates conflict. Now if he’ll just bring Ahmadinejad and Netanyahu over for a cookout we can end this foolishness they have. So if Obama had actually ended one of the wars we were in would they have made him King of Norway? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/192 "2009-10-09T17:43:12Z")
So far Obama’s barely earned a Nobel Participation Certificate. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/193 "2009-10-09T17:45:18Z")
Obama certainly has made progress in promoting peace and humanitarian causes. Scrapping the missile shield was pretty big news, for one. Revealing the torture memos was big, too. Guantanemo detainees are starting to get trials. We’re on a timetable for withdrawal in Iraq. He’s engaging middle eastern rivals in promising discussion that never would have happened before. The tone he has set regarding international diplomacy is inarguably less hostile and confrontational than we have seen recently. You can argue he doesn’t deserve it by aligning yourself politically against him and disagreeing with his approach, and it would be a legitimate argument. But I think the Swedes have a perfectly legitimate argument, too. Who would you suggest deserves it more than him? ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/194 "2009-10-09T17:46:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Withdrawing from Iraq. Explain? Because last I checked we’re still there and last I checked he’s just continued a process started in part under the previous administration. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/195 "2009-10-09T17:49:16Z")
Setting aside Obama’s actual win, the whole bit about the nomination occuring two weeks into office is meaningless. Remember a year or two back when Rush Limbaugh was bragging about being a nominee? All it meant was that some Right leaning think tank group submitted his name to the committee. All Obama’s nomination meant was that someone said “Hey, let’s send in Obama’s name” and got him on the list before it closed. Whether or not Obama’s actions between the listclosing and the final decision made him deserving of the prize is a good question but shocked gasps that his name was _on_ the list are kind of silly. ---
**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, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/196 "2009-10-09T17:50:21Z")
He’s significantly drawn down, and set a time table. The previous administration was never going to do jack shit. McCain said he wasn’t going to ever leave at all. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/197 "2009-10-09T17:52:34Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The fact that it’s making so many on the right shit themselves with hatred, jealousy and bitterness justifies the choice all by itself. Doesn’t that just sort of prove my point? If an organization that gives out a “Peace Prize” starts to make its decision making based on what will upset a subset of the political spectrum in the United States then I can only view that as monumentally unfortunate, and certainly not something for any reasonable person to celebrate. I do think that the Norwegians are probably a little more mature than you, though, and I doubt very much that their decision was at all based on how individual Americans would react. It’s much more likely it came about because Obama has positioned himself in opposition to Israel which has long been a very popular stance amongst Europeans. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/198 "2009-10-09T17:52:37Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > Sure, I get the “meaning” of the statement - that the Republicans are offering the same opinion as the terrorists. Why make this observation, if not to score cheap and base points by comparing the opposition to Hamas and the Taliban and hoping the association sticks? Because it is true. What is wrong with pointing out that among the people really mad about this are terrorists? Particularly when Republicans more than anyone are frothing at the mouth terrorist haters? That the most self-proclaimed patriots in the country are aligning themselves with those who seek to destroy that country? To me it’s more of a Dorian Gray thing and the Dems are showing the Repubs the picture of their actual selves. I’m perfectly fine with pointing this out to them and not letting them continue to wrap themselves in the flag and assume some holier-than-thou stance. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/199 "2009-10-09T17:52:54Z")
> [@LonghornDave](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by \*\*Jack Batty \*\* > > It doesn’t matter what he says or doesn’t say - accept it or not accept it - this is just going to wind up a big mess of “Obama the Messiah” shit from the right. > > Wouldn’t that be the correct response from those people since it isn’t an insult of Obama but of his supporters? No, it wouldn’t be the correct response, and let me tell you why. Because the whole “Obama as Messiah” meme is retarded on the face of it. The last thing we need is to hear more right-wing American frothers accusing the left-wing American frothers of undue worshipfulness over something they had nothing to do with in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/200 "2009-10-09T17:55:04Z")
> [@pinkyvee](#): > > In that case, I want an award for my future, intended accomplishments. I’d like a $1.4m pay check for my intended future accomplishments :). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172.md?page=9) [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=11)