# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![SecondJudith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@SecondJudith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecondJudith)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/41 "2009-10-09T11:40:35Z")
I like the theory that the Nobel Committee awarded it to him because they felt bad about Chicago’s not getting the 2016 Olympics. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/42 "2009-10-09T11:40:26Z")
At first it didn’t register because I thought I heard the tail end of one news story and the start of another. When I heard it again I kept waiting for the reason. It was vaguely given as having a vision of a nuclear free world. It comes across as one of those trophies they give to every kid who tried out for sports. It’s condesending. Looking at the [process of nomination](http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html) it starts in September with nomination Invitations that go out to various organizations and past winners. These have to be in by February 1st so President Obama was proposed as a candidate after only being in office for 12 days. Most of the nomination window would have been when he was a Senator. the short list is made during the months of February and March so thats 2 months in office to get on that list. From the short list they deliberate through August. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/43 "2009-10-09T12:06:53Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Looking at the [process of nomination](http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html) it starts in September with nomination Invitations that go out to various organizations and past winners. These have to be in by February 1st so President Obama was proposed as a candidate after only being in office for 12 days. Most of the nomination window would have been when he was a Senator. the short list is made during the months of February and March so thats 2 months in office to get on that list. From the short list they deliberate through August. To me that is the most stunning part. Somebody, 12 days into Obama’s Presidency, said, “I think that this guy should be nominated”. I voted for Obama. I have had many disagreements with Obama, but I think that all in all, he’s doing a good job. But this is laughable. ---
**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, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/44 "2009-10-09T12:08:11Z")
It’s fair to say I don’t understand the committee’s rationale. And I am impressed with the membership’s general agreement thus far. No one seems to be arguing the award is justified, although there’s at least one vote for “It’s great, because it’s a slap in the face ot Bush.” ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/45 "2009-10-09T12:13:08Z")
They’re more than welcome to award him a prize but give it to him AFTER he’s saved the world and preferably out of office. They just awarded the American taxpayer a bill for $700,000 to fly him out so he can get a check for $1.4 million. That would make a lovely gold watch for anybody after they retire. Maybe they can agree to a teleconference to save all that co2. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/46 "2009-10-09T12:13:31Z")
Affirmative action runs riot again. At least Jimmy Carter had Habitat for Humanity to point to. Obama doesn’t even have ACORN. This is like what decorations from the King of England used to be - given because you are someone, not because you did something. What a joke. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/47 "2009-10-09T12:15:41Z")
I’m tempted to just link to the “Messiah” thread. 😉 I voted for Obama. I think he’s done a good job so far with all the crap he inherited. The Noble Peace Prize? No freakin’ way! ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/48 "2009-10-09T12:16:24Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > At first it didn’t register because I thought I heard the tail end of one news story and the start of another. When I heard it again I kept waiting for the reason. It was vaguely given as having a vision of a nuclear free world. It comes across as one of those trophies they give to every kid who tried out for sports. It’s condesending. > > Looking at the [process of nomination](http://nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/process.html) it starts in September with nomination Invitations that go out to various organizations and past winners. These have to be in by February 1st so President Obama was proposed as a candidate after only being in office for 12 days. Most of the nomination window would have been when he was a Senator. the short list is made during the months of February and March so thats 2 months in office to get on that list. From the short list they deliberate through August. It’s a farce and a slap in the face of those who actually earned this status. A humble man would probably decline, too bad I don’t see much of that trait in this case… ---
**Author:** ![Henrichek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5daacb/32.png) [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/49 "2009-10-09T12:17:12Z")
Meh, I too thought this thread was about some silly hypothetical situation, until I turned to the news and went :eek:😕. Those Norwegians should really consider awarding the peace prize based on actual accomplished results instead of some dubious “hope” he apparently has instilled. I don’t have anything in particular against Obama, but this was really undeserved, and only serves to dilute the value of the award, which really needs a long string of worthy recipients to regain proper respect. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/50 "2009-10-09T12:27:44Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > 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. Offer Hope. ---
**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, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/51 "2009-10-09T12:27:45Z")
Who was he competing against? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/52 "2009-10-09T12:30:28Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > 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. Offer Hope. On edit:\*\* Henrichek\*\*, you may be vastly underestimating just how much the world needs and craves hope after the last eight years. They could have given him the prize in his first 10 days. His accomplishment is who he is and what he represents to the rest of the world. Oooops… looks like I double-posted. Sorry about that ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/53 "2009-10-09T12:33:40Z")
I suppose the idea might be - given he’d done nothing at that point - that the award went to the electorate for turning away from the preceding lunacy. Slightly offbeat thought but what the hell else makes sense . . . ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/54 "2009-10-09T12:36:15Z")
Much as I admire him, this is too soon; he hasn’t earned it yet. It will be seen by all too many as just a slap at Dubya, and will also complicate military decision-making on Afghanistan and Iran policy. Obama should promptly but respectfully decline it, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/55 "2009-10-09T12:42:11Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > The committee for the Peace Nobel Price has officially jumped the shark. > I like Obama as much as the next guy but this is mind bogglingly stupid, Obama has great potential for doing things worthy of the price (and also for FUBARing in a grand scale), but so far he hasn’t done anything deserving it. > > He should refuse it and tell the committee members, in the kindest possible terms, to lay down that bong and start taking their position seriously. Agree 100% ---
**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, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/56 "2009-10-09T12:43:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Obama should promptly but respectfully decline it, IMHO. I agree. Make some humble speech about how he’s not yet worthy, judge him when he has more of a track record, etc. No doubt most of the Right will find something objectionable about that, but it will make him look better in everyone else’s eyes I think. ---
**Author:** ![wmfellows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@wmfellows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wmfellows)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/57 "2009-10-09T12:44:09Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > Offer Hope. You’re serious aren’t you? That’s an absurd reason to award the prize. > [@](#): > > On edit:\*\* Henrichek\*\*, you may be vastly underestimating just how much the world needs and craves hope after the last eight years. They could have given him the prize in his first 10 days. His accomplishment is who he is and what he represents to the rest of the world. Rest of the world?!!?! He represents another human being become President of the USA. Nothing more, nothing less. This is starry eyed tripe. The decision is complete idiocy on the part of the Committee. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/58 "2009-10-09T12:47:20Z")
I can think of one thing that could justify this decision- that in conducting an honorable & victorious campaign of the U.S. Presidency, he successfully overcame America’s heritage of racial tension. That is not an insignificant thing, though I really don’t think it justifies the Nobel. Then again, a lot of Nobels probably aren’t that justified. Has anyone here ever actually read a book that won the Nobel for literature? The science awards probably would stand more scrutiny though. ---
**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, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/59 "2009-10-09T12:49:01Z")
> [@wmfellows](#): > > Rest of the world?!!?! > > He represents another human being become President of the USA. Nothing more, nothing less. Another human being who is neither Bush nor a Republican; that DOES do the rest of the world good. Not Nobel Peace Prize level good, but certainly enough to make the world more hopeful for the future. As long as America is both so powerful and so determined to screw with the rest of the world, who is President will matter to the world. ---
**Author:** ![A.Selene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@A.Selene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.Selene)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize-what-is-the-sound-of-a-right-wing-head-exploding/513172/60 "2009-10-09T12:54:00Z")
I am somewhat surprised and very pleased to see that Dopers see the stupidity of this decision. It’s good to find an oasis of clear thinking in the desert of hype that will undoubtedly appear. I did not vote for Obama, and am not a big fan of his, but had hopes that he would bring the troops home and reorient the US attitude towards military campaigns abroad. But of course, he hasn’t, (meet the new boss, same as the old boss) and the very things that Bush got slammed on - rightfully so - Obama has continued. And he deserves a Nobel? It’s a mockery and a sham. [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=2) [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=4)