Obama awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

[Hondo]

The decision is rather laughable, isn't it? So too are all the complaints from right-wingers who feel very put-upon at the moment about this being some sort of 'liberal' conspiracy, but the concept of the Nobel prizes is surely about achievement, as it is in other fields. I look forward to receiving next year's Nobel prize for literature on the grounds that I've had a good idea for a novel.

Actually, the Norwegian's handle the Peace Prize, which is what Nobel requested. I think the 5 committee members come from various Norwegian political parties and more often than not have a more liberal outlook. But, thats just the way it happens to be. There is no conspiracy there, just a prize and a million dollar check. It's not like the winner gets made King of the World or God. It's more like being voted "best of show" at a dog show. Sure other mutts can do other things but this is the mutt that won.

[BDunnell]

Actually, the Norwegian's handle the Peace Prize, which is what Nobel requested. I think the 5 committee members come from various Norwegian political parties and more often than not have a more liberal outlook. But, thats just the way it happens to be.

Yes, the award of the peace prize to Henry Kissinger certainly indicated the liberalism of those involved, didn't it?

[anthonyvop]

Yes, the award of the peace prize to Henry Kissinger certainly indicated the liberalism of those involved, didn't it?

You are not insinuating that Kissinger was a conservative are you?

[steve_spackman]

They gave the Peace Prize to Henry Kissinger yet he advocated secret bombing campaigns during and after peace talks.

Oh yes, the Committee saw fit to give a peace prize to Henry Kissinger, because he signed the final agreement ending the war in Vietnam, of which he had been one of the architects. Kissinger, who obsequiously went along with Nixon's expansion of the war with the bombing of peasant villages in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Kissinger, who matches the definition of a war criminal very accurately, was given a peace prize!

Theodore Roosevelt brokered a peace between Japan and Russia. But he was a lover of war, who participated in the US conquest of Cuba, pretending to liberate it from Spain while fastening US chains around that tiny island. And as president he presided over the bloody war to subjugate the Filipinos, even congratulating a US general who had just massacred 600 helpless villagers in the Phillipines. The Committee did not give the Nobel Prize to Mark Twain, who denounced Roosevelt and criticised the war, nor to William James, leader of the anti-imperialist league.

[BDunnell]

You are not insinuating that Kissinger was a conservative are you?

This was a man who actively advocated some appalling policies while serving two Republican presidents. I would have thought that such a person would be a subject of your typically considered admiration.

[Hondo]

Yes, the award of the peace prize to Henry Kissinger certainly indicated the liberalism of those involved, didn't it?

I suppose I could goggle this but didn't Kissinger's Vietnamese counter-part also get the award? Wasn't that a split award?

I suppose peace or being a man of peace is one terms that leaves a lot of room for individual definition.

[chuck34]

Theodore Roosevelt brokered a peace between Japan and Russia. But he was a lover of war, who participated in the US conquest of Cuba, pretending to liberate it from Spain while fastening US chains around that tiny island. And as president he presided over the bloody war to subjugate the Filipinos, even congratulating a US general who had just massacred 600 helpless villagers in the Phillipines. The Committee did not give the Nobel Prize to Mark Twain, who denounced Roosevelt and criticised the war, nor to William James, leader of the anti-imperialist league.

You really should read up on T. Roosevelt. He wasn't the blood thirsty guy many histories try to portray him as. I mean really go back and read his own words. Sure it can sound a bit racist at times, but he really did have the best interests of the Cubans and Filipinos at heart.

But I suppose that is a bit outside of this discussion.

[wedge]

I suppose I could goggle this but didn't Kissinger's Vietnamese counter-part also get the award? Wasn't that a split award?

The Vietnamese counter part refused to accept it. The peace talks and the outcome were a sham.

[Hondo]

The Vietnamese counter part refused to accept it. The peace talks and the outcome were a sham.

Most are.

[anthonyvop]

This was a man who actively advocated some appalling policies while serving two Republican presidents. I would have thought that such a person would be a subject of your typically considered admiration.

Kissinger was an appeaser and one of the creators of detente with the Soviets. He also served 2 Presidents who were in know way conservative.