# Obama wins Nobel Prize for Peace **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 9, 2009, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173 "2009-10-09T09:20:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/61 "2009-10-09T17:28:32Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I think that from a non-USA standpoint, Obama winning the election, and ending the 8 dismal years of Bush, was alone reason enough to give him the prize. That doesn’t wash, either… Bush was gone, even if _no one_ ran against him. Award a guy for being present at a legally-guaranteed event? Nope - Then the Constitution should be the one getting the award. I still think is it’s hangover Obamania in the northern lattitudes. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/62 "2009-10-09T17:39:09Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > I still think is it’s hangover Obamania in the northern lattitudes. That is my point - for non-USA residents, Obama winning was perhaps a turning point in what they view as efforts towards world peace. We can hash over what Obama had done, or not done, since he has been elected - but for many other countries, Obama’s election alone was reason enough to breathe a collect sigh of relief. Again - was this a valid reason? Who knows. It seems to have been the major political turning point of the year in the eyes of the Nobel Committee. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/63 "2009-10-09T17:53:36Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > … but for many other countries, Obama’s election alone was reason enough to breathe a collect sigh of relief. Which _still_ stikes me as stupid, and beyond stupid - Bush was _gone_, baby! Two and out; thems be da rules. A tree stump could’ve replaced him - Awarding Obama for being the legal equivalent of a tree stump is hardly respecting of the supposed dignity of the award. Do they disprespect their award _that_ much? Edit: Italics on wrong word ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/64 "2009-10-09T17:56:22Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Which _still_ stikes me as stupid, and beyond stupid - Bush was _gone_, baby! Two and out; thems be da rules. A tree stump could’ve replaced him… Or McCain/Palin, which arguably wouldn’t have been a great improvement. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/65 "2009-10-09T18:01:07Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Or McCain/Palin, which arguably wouldn’t have been a great improvement. Oh, I dunno - McCain strikes me as pretty much a blockhead, and Palin’s about as bright as a stump… But let us presume you’re correct - Then the American people should be getting the award. ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/66 "2009-10-09T18:03:15Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Which _still_ stikes me as stupid, and beyond stupid - Bush was _gone_, baby! Two and out; thems be da rules. While this has always worked in the US so far, following the rules of term-limits isn’t always a given in other countries, when a powerful man comes to office and then perpetuates great crimes. And I can see that other countries might have had moments of doubt that we’d follow through on two-and-done this time, with GWB being seen as such a great and powerful evil. Who cheerfully subverted our constitution in a number of other ways. (Obama supporter here, who thinks this complicates things sure, but there is no shame in his award, just a sense of ill timing.) ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/67 "2009-10-09T18:07:18Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Which _still_ stikes me as stupid, and beyond stupid - Bush was _gone_, baby! Two and out; thems be da rules. A tree stump could’ve replaced him - Awarding Obama for being the legal equivalent of a tree stump is hardly respecting of the supposed dignity of the award. Do they disprespect their award _that_ much? > > Edit: Italics on wrong word I politely didn’t mention you spelled latitudes incorrectly, but whatever. Excuse my typo. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/68 "2009-10-09T18:10:38Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I politely didn’t mention you spelled latitudes incorrectly, but whatever. Excuse my typo. 😛 **Hedda Rosa** : Really? Who _seriously_ doubted that Bush would go away again? Anyone who knows _anything_ about America would know better. Anyone too ignorant to know that, or too illiterate to look it up, has no place awarding anyone anything. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/69 "2009-10-09T18:17:31Z")
“Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.” - Comment from Obama today. I think he is saying exactly what I have been saying in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/70 "2009-10-09T21:26:22Z")
Agreed, **DMark**. I applaud the decision. I think it was made for all the right reasons. The efforts Obama has been making to restore U.S. diplomacy, and recover our prestige on the international stage, will go far in terms of bringing peace. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/71 "2009-10-09T23:02:08Z")
I take it from the tone of this thread that the headline is NOT a joke, which I honestly thought it was. It truly devalues the award AGAIN for me, after Gore won it. The Peace Prize should be given to someone who’s been mitigating a civil war for a decade, or championing the farmers of Ecuador against the government and cartels that want to take their land. Obama’s not even been in office for a year!!! No, this is not just because I didn’t vote for him. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/72 "2009-10-09T23:58:45Z")
Guys, you are aware that Obama’s been working for nuclear disarmament for years, right? ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/73 "2009-10-10T01:18:11Z")
Actually, no. But since I see no signs of actual nuclear disarmament, I would class that under “work in progress.” I hope this is a kick in the rear for him and his people to realize that he’s in a position to do a lot, not just talk about doing it, and it’s time to do more of the doing because a lot of the Western world would be behind him. I think he’s got all sorts of amazing potential, and I don’t want it squandered. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/74 "2009-10-10T02:15:33Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > That’s pretty much always been the point of the Peace Prize, though. Most of the other prizes - in particular, the science prizes - are only awarded _decades_ after the work that’s earned them, because the Nobel people want to make sure that the achievement is one that genuinely stands the test of time. That is the way the Nobel science committees do it, but that is NOT really in keeping with the rules. His will specifies that the prizes are to be given to those who did the most “in the last year”. But the committees have ignored that part, because they have been burned in the past by honoring scientific work that turned out to be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/75 "2009-10-10T02:41:22Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > That is the way the Nobel science committees do it, but that is NOT really in keeping with the rules. His will specifies that the prizes are to be given to those who did the most “in the last year”. > > But the committees have ignored that part, because they have been burned in the past by honoring scientific work that turned out to be wrong. The “Worthiness” gulf between the Scientific and Non-Scientific Nobel Prizes is really interesting- if someone wins the Nobel Prize for Physics, you know they’ve done something _really_ important and respectable, but the Nobel Peace Prize isn’t nearly as prestigious. > [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t think I’ve ever heard Obama sound even half this subdued. He said he does not think he belongs in the company of people who have won this award in the past, and just left without taking any questions. He said the award belongs to everyone who strives for peace, and made references to Iranian protesters, Aung San Suu Kyi, and soldiers overseas. Aung San Suu Kyi and the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces have both been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1991 and 1988 respectively. The United Nations themselves were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, FWIW. ---
**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 10, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/76 "2009-10-10T02:47:40Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > **Hedda Rosa** : > Really? Who _seriously_ doubted that Bush would go away again? Anyone who knows _anything_ about America would know better. Even someone from another country, who doesn’t suffer from “It can’t happen here” syndrome? Personally, if Bush wasn’t such an incompetent I wouldn’t be surprised if he would have made himself dictator for life. Fortunately, he and his supporters were as incompetent in instituting one party rule as they were in everything else. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/77 "2009-10-10T03:15:37Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > . The United Nations themselves were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, FWIW. That really says it all doesnt it ? ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/78 "2009-10-10T06:44:36Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Personally, if Bush wasn’t such an incompetent I wouldn’t be surprised if he would have made himself dictator for life. Fortunately, he and his supporters were as incompetent in instituting one party rule as they were in everything else. That’s almostly pit-worthily paranoid and without any kind of basis in obserable fact. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173/79 "2009-10-11T20:14:43Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > That really says it all doesnt it ? UNO deserves the award (whether Kofi Annan did is something is debateable), the UN has on balance been a force for good in the world. As for he prize, well considering the Obama-love going aroud, I full expect him to be canonized by this time next year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-nobel-prize-for-peace/513173.md?page=3)