# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/261 "2009-10-09T19:58:56Z")
> [@Kearsen](#): > > Much like Bush, I’d rather the “Commander in Chief” rely upon those with the experience and knowledge than to go with his gut when it comes to people’s lives on the line. I am with you, but I don’t think that Obama is a “gut” kind of guy. He comes off as a thinker more than Bush ever did. But I guess this is all subjective. ---
**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, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/262 "2009-10-09T20:00:15Z")
On further contemplation, I’m not quite as baffled as I was before. I still think it was premature, but I can see their point. Bush WAS a warmonger and he and his friends WERE turning America into a rogue state. > [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > Is it legal for a sitting President to accept a cash award? Someone on another board pointed out that the Constitution says : > [@](#): > > Article I, Section 9 the U.S. Constitution: > > “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” So if the Nobel Committee counts as a part of a “foreign state” you could argue that accepting the money is illegal. Giving it to charity like he’s said he would is best; defuses the issue. ---
**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, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/263 "2009-10-09T20:02:43Z")
[QUOTE=Jayjay] Teddy Roosevelt… [/QUOTE] I am torn between a great affection for the man, and a blistering hatred for his imperialism. But his personal toughness is likely exaggerated. He exaggerated it himself, fooled himself, when he undertook an expedition to the Amazon against wise counsel. I don’t mind tough guys so much, as I mind their need to prove it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/264 "2009-10-09T20:07:47Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Fine…go by what the award itself was specified to be (bolding mine): > > That says nothing to me about actual results but rather having done the most in an effort to make the world a more peaceful place. > > As to your challenge: > > [Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan](http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1976/index.html) received the Nobel Peace Prize for founding a peace movement in Northern Ireland. They had not achieved peace that year. They just set about towards that goal. Prior to receiving the award, they had: [ul] [li]Started out as uninvolved until the deaths of three children from a British soldier’s mistaken attack[/li][li]Then founded “Women for Peace” which soon[/li][li]Organized a series of marches to the graves of children killed by violence from The Troubles, just one of which drew a crowd of 35,000 people[/li][li]Organized a series of peace rallies, with the largest attendance of any such event ever in their region[/li][/ul] ---
**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, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/265 "2009-10-09T20:10:56Z")
> [@Kearsen](#): > > What point was that? The point that this is just going to be “Obama the Messiah” fodder. You stated plainly: > [@Kearsen](#): > > Clearly, it was for him being the Messiah. > If I call myself God and tell you that in 500 years time world peace will be commonplace, can I have the money? To what end was your statement? And why drag that stupid meme into the fray? ---
**Author:** ![Kearsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/266 "2009-10-09T20:15:36Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > The point that this is just going to be “Obama the Messiah” fodder. You stated plainly: > > To what end was your statement? And why drag that stupid meme into the fray? I read that as a poke at “God” and how some people, clearly, think of him as such. I personally think this is just a hearty “fuck you” to the former President. As funny as that is, the Nobel people shouldn’t stoop so low or be so political. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/267 "2009-10-09T20:17:55Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Just by virtue of not being a **Republican.** As pointed out, McCain probably would not have gotten it – nor, on the terms stated above, deserved it. A modern Republican. Nixon certainly improved international relations a great deal by going to and helping to open up China. ---
**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, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/268 "2009-10-09T20:20:38Z")
> [@Kearsen](#): > > I read that as a poke at “God” and how some people, clearly, think of him as such. There is the crux of the biscuit. As far as I can tell, the only people who think of him as a literal Messiah are a handful of daffy bastards who probably think Dick Cheney is a literal vampire too. Most of the time, the only time I hear it is from the right, assigning that particular belief to a whole host of people who don’t even remotely buy into it. Hence: stupid meme. > [@](#): > > I personally think this is just a hearty “fuck you” to the former President. As funny as that is, the Nobel people shouldn’t stoop so low or be so political. On this point, we agree. ---
**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, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/269 "2009-10-09T20:21:45Z")
Anybody else think Obama must feel about like Harry Potter when the goblet shot his name out of the flames? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/270 "2009-10-09T20:29:08Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I am torn between a great affection for the man, and a blistering hatred for his imperialism. But his personal toughness is likely exaggerated. He exaggerated it himself, fooled himself, when he undertook an expedition to the Amazon against wise counsel. > > I don’t mind tough guys so much, as I mind their need to prove it. Oh, pooh, didn’t you like his classic book, “Alone in Cuba?” ---
**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, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/271 "2009-10-09T20:29:33Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Prior to receiving the award, they had: > > [ul] > [li]Started out as uninvolved until the deaths of three children from a British soldier’s mistaken attack[/li][li]Then founded “Women for Peace” which soon[/li][li]Organized a series of marches to the graves of children killed by violence from The Troubles, just one of which drew a crowd of 35,000 people[/li][li]Organized a series of peace rallies, with the largest attendance of any such event ever in their region[/li][/ul] Yeah…and? They were off to a good start on a noble endeavor. Wasn’t all really over till mid-2005 when the IRA decided to opt for exclusive peaceful means to advocate their cause. So roughly 30 years after the two women started. Not belittling their efforts but their goal was not achieved till looong after they started. So too Obama has a good start in some areas. ---
**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, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/272 "2009-10-09T20:31:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh, pooh, didn’t you like his classic book, “Alone in Cuba?” Well, no, I never read…hey, wait a minute!.. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/273 "2009-10-09T20:38:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Who, prior to this, won the award under those conditions? Al Gore. Yasser Arafat/Rabin/Perez. Kissinger/Le Duc Tho. That’s just offhand, though. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/274 "2009-10-09T20:44:20Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > So if the Nobel Committee counts as a part of a “foreign state” you could argue that accepting the money is illegal. Giving it to charity like he’s said he would is best; defuses the issue. That’s not a title, by that meaning. It conveys no political or temporal power. Duke is a title. Earl is a title. Knight is even a title. But ‘Nobel Prize Honoree’ is not. > [@Sampiro](#): > > Anybody else think Obama must feel about like Harry Potter when the goblet shot his name out of the flames? I got to wonder, with his daughters being the age they are, and him being a bit of a geek himself, if he had exactly that metaphor going through his head. ---
**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, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/275 "2009-10-09T20:45:56Z")
> [@](#): > > That’s not a title, by that meaning… Would “President for Life” be a title? Good to know, just in case. ---
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/276 "2009-10-09T20:47:34Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Worldwide respect, admiration and affection for an American President. Dreadful consequences abound. Woe is us. I have to hope much of the world is similarly confused by this absurdly premature award. ---
**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, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/277 "2009-10-09T20:51:35Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > That’s not a title, by that meaning. It conveys no political or temporal power. Duke is a title. Earl is a title. Knight is even a title. But ‘Nobel Prize Honoree’ is not. But it also refers to “presents”, which money would certainly qualify as. > [@](#): > > Article I, Section 9 the U.S. Constitution: > > “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any **present, Emolument** , Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” ---
**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, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/278 "2009-10-09T21:00:28Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#): > > 1. He needs to donate the entire prize to a worthy cause. He should donate the prize money to ACORN. The apoplexy that would induce in the far right would be priceless. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/279 "2009-10-09T21:03:27Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > What the hell is ‘world peace’? Is leaving the Taliban in power about world peace? How about the Kim Jung in North Korea? If the world wanted world peace they’d get off their collective ass and smack down the dictators of the world that cause such misery over those they subjugate. They should all be in Afghanistan and Iraq ensuring that those countries can’t revert back to dictatorships and can succeed in the modern world. No, what the world wants is the status quo, not world peace. This made me laugh. We need some fighting peace troops. Kickin’ ass and takin’ names for peace! Fuch ya! We’re gonna kill anyone who does not want to get themselves some peace! Who want’s a piece of this? Huh? Come on! ---
**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, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/280 "2009-10-09T21:08:57Z")
While I agree this is a very odd decision, watching the right wingers go batshit crazy has been quite amusing. 😛 [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=13) [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=15)