Why did Obama win the peace prize?

aligator_am

Can anyone tell me why they think he won it?

The only reason I can think of is that he's the first black president of the states, which isn't a really good reason as he seems intent on starting as many wars as Bush Jr was.

He certainly doesn't appear to be a president of peace.

Captain Darling

Is it because he is black?

Kojak

Captain Darling wrote: »

Is it because he is black?

African-American?

admiralofthefleet

cause white men cant jump

aligator_am

Kojak wrote: »

African-American?

He's not Kunta Kinte.

admiralofthefleet

aligator_am wrote: »

He's not Kunta Kinte.

do you know his sister, acunta getinta?

Wasn't it for all the peace he was gonna bring to the world?..

Superbus

'Cos the Nobel ain't noble, yo.

aligator_am

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

do you know his sister, acunta getinta?

I think so, she played for Everton for a while yeah?

OutlawPete

Cause the White House only has a door knocker.

robman60

It was definitely a premature decision. It was expected that he'd do a lot for world peace, but that's much easier said than done I guess.

mikemac

Maybe they wanted to give it to a Muslim?

EverEvolving

aligator_am wrote: »

Can anyone tell me why they think he won it?

The only reason I can think of is that he's the first black president of the states, which isn't a really good reason as he seems intent on starting as many wars as Bush Jr was.

He certainly doesn't appear to be a president of peace.

What wars has he started? If he was to pull out of the countries the US were already in as soon as he became president it would have had terrible consequences.

Not sure why he deserves an honorary award, but I think you may be citing unrealistic reasons why he might not be eligible.

PseudoFamous

I think he's a pretty swell guy.

Einhard

It's because he isn't George W Bush.

aligator_am wrote: »

The only reason I can think of is that he's the first black president of the states, which isn't a really good reason as he seems intent on starting as many wars as Bush Jr was.

How many wars has Obama started exactly?

BlueBaron

Nobel peace prize is a bucket of ****e

Sher didn't Nobel himself have a hand in creating dynamite, and Henry Kissinger also won it..pffffft

aligator_am

EverEvolving wrote: »

What wars has he started? If he was to pull out of the countries the US were already in as soon as he became president it would have had terrible consequences.

Not sure why he deserves an honorary award, but I think you may be citing unrealistic reasons why he might not be eligible.

Eh, what?

Well I'm fairly sure Bush wasn't in charge when they sent planes in to bomb Libya a couple of months ago.

Also, it seems that the U.S.A. hasn't officially declared war on anyone since the 1940's, so they seem to skirt that hurdle (considering the amount of conflicts they've been involved in since). So I should have worded my OP differently.

The question stands though, how can someone win a peace prize without proving that peace is their message, or ending existing wars?

aligator_am

OPENROAD wrote: »

I thought he was Irish

Maybe he was in The Commitments?

Firefox11

aligator_am wrote: »

Eh, what?

Well I'm fairly sure Bush wasn't in charge when they sent planes in to bomb Libya a couple of months ago.

Also, it seems that the U.S.A. hasn't officially declared war on anyone since the 1940's, so they seem to skirt that hurdle (considering the amount of conflicts they've been involved in since). So I should have worded my OP differently.

The question stands though, how can someone win a peace prize without proving that peace is their message, or ending existing wars?

Ah no your wrong. Libya is a NATO Led operation against a despot we should be rid of.

aligator_am

Firefox11 wrote: »

Ah no your wrong. Libya is a NATO Led operation against a despot we should be rid of.

Same as the despots in Syria and Yemen right?

EverEvolving

aligator_am wrote: »

Eh, what?

Well I'm fairly sure Bush wasn't in charge when they sent planes in to bomb Libya a couple of months ago.

Neither was Obama.

BlueBaron

I dont mind Obama winning one, but how in the name of god did Josiah Bartlet win it

mikemac

Bartlet won the Prize for Economics, not peace. And had to share it with a Jap economist ^^^^^

aligator_am wrote: »

Also, it seems that the U.S.A. hasn't officially declared war on anyone since the 1940's,

Interesting fact, good one

Had a look on wikipedia and so it was.
I knew Korea was a UN operation but I would have been sure there was declaration of war for Vietnam.
Seems not

aligator_am

mikemac wrote: »

Interesting fact, good one

Had a look on wikipedia and so it was.
I knew Korea was a UN operation but I would have been sure there was declaration of war for Vietnam.
Seems not

Look up the Gulf of Tonkin incident, they used it as an excuse to put troops on the ground in Vietnam, only declassified the document about 5 or 6 years ago I think.

Chuck Stone

I think that it was a kinda like a gift to the people of the US for not voting in another republican.

If the democrats would have feilded a turnip it would have won.

aligator_am

Chuck Stone wrote: »

I think that it was a kinda like a gift to the people of the US for not voting in another republican.

If the democrats would have feilded a turnip it would have won.

Fair point.

Killer Pigeon

Kojak wrote: »

African-American?

African-European-Indonesian-Hawaiian American perhaps?

Anyway, Obama isn't at all what people thought he would be. He basically says he'll do one thing and does another and the American people fall for it. He in no way deserved the Nobel Peace Price. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in his administration bribed the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award his the price so that he could sweeten up his image. He followed on with the same policies as Bush and actually went a little further. US Presidents don't have the power in America anymore. Obama doesn't have the power, he is a pawn that's dressed up like a King and elevated to demigod status - that way it's easier for people to ignore what he's really doing and who he's really working for.

Sticky_Fingers

mikemac wrote: »

I knew Korea was a UN operation but I would have been sure there was declaration of war for Vietnam.
Seems not

As far as my memory serves (from reading Nam, anyone remember that publication) it was classified as a Police Action.

Kev_ps3

aligator_am wrote: »

Can anyone tell me why they think he won it?

The only reason I can think of is that he's the first black president of the states, which isn't a really good reason as he seems intent on starting as many wars as Bush Jr was.

He certainly doesn't appear to be a president of peace.

Because all those international organizations like the UN, IMF etc are run by the west. Its no surprise they vote for their own, even if the head of the biggest war monger state in the last century gets a prize for peace which is beyond laughable.

MungBean

Firefox11 wrote: »

Ah no your wrong. Libya is a NATO Led operation against a despot we should be rid of.

It wasnt initiated by NATO it was initiated by the US military who then handed the lead role to NATO.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

American military operations have actually expanded under Obama. He's about as deserving of a peace prize as Gadaffi.

Sanjuro

It was given to him in an orgy of misplaced good-will and band-wagon-jumping. Because he was perceived as the anti-Bush, the Nobel committee thought that under Obama, all war would be ended, a new era of peace and prosperity was guaranteed, so ah, sure **** it, give him the award in advance.

In reality, Obama has kept a great deal of the Bush policies, and even expanded them. More troops into Afghanistan. Obama has spent more on the military in his first term than any other president in US history. Basically, hurling the Nobel Peace Prize at Obama was a massive mistake. But then, they did give Henry Kissinger the same prize.

seamus

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/press.html

Zebra3

aligator_am wrote: »

Can anyone tell me why they think he won it?

The only reason I can think of is that he's the first black president of the states, which isn't a really good reason as he seems intent on starting as many wars as Bush Jr was.

He certainly doesn't appear to be a president of peace.

He won it for his speech in Cairo which he has totally backtracked on.

And Irish people turn out to greet him like some sort of hero and his hands are covered in blood. :rolleyes: Idiots.

Orando Broom

He put manners on them Al Queda fücks.

It was premature, but the Nobel Prize is the most faddish gong going. It bears no resemblance to the current reality and it given the the á la mode cause going, usually someone with a profile akin to celebrity status.

Opelfruit

Chuck Stone wrote: »

If the democrats would have feilded a turnip it would have won.

A lot of Americans are now of the opinion that they did!

If the Republicans could find a credible candidate then he could be in real trouble in 2012. Fortunately for Obama you're more likely to find an electable candidate within the Addams or Munster families!

positron

Obama ended Bush's reign of manipulation and fear. Anyone remember the comment "If you are not with us, you are against us"? I think Bush was doing more damage than most us would know, admit or believe, and Obama's election to the position caused a lot of positivity towards America in the whole world.

The man deserve it, IMHO!

Zebra3

positron wrote: »

Obama ended Bush's reign of manipulation and fear. Anyone remember the comment "If you are not with us, you are against us"? I think Bush was doing more damage than most us would know, admit or believe, and Obama's election to the position caused a lot of positivity towards America in the whole world.

The man deserve it, IMHO!

Why? What he did he actually change?

Monkeybonkers

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

He's about as deserving of a peace prize as Gadaffi.

Or Gerry Adams

positron

Zebra3 wrote: »

Why? What he did he actually change?

Worlds perception about America. Try re-reading the headlines on various newspapers and reaction from public around the world on his election. Perception is a powerful thing.

And about what promises he made and kept / broken, have a look at this. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/subjects/politifacts-top-promises/

You have to admit he's a cut above your usual politicians (especially the American ones where it's all about family wealth and connections) and he's clever, articulate and has the ability to understand world outside America without "military-vision".

LeeHoffmann

Why did Obama win the peace prize?

because he...can? :cool:
being facetious here, but seriously, I'd say it's because of the positive message rather than actions

ejmaztec

It wasn't a proper prize, they were just taking the peace.

c_man

Why did Obama win the peace prize?

Cos he seems like a nice guy?

Sure as he pointed out...

“The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation,”
“As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States,” Obama continued. “In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch.”

Heh, so that's his take on the constitution.

Where are the howls of 'illegal war' for his latest war-mongering?

SharpshooterTom

positron wrote: »

You have to admit he's a cut above your usual politicians (especially the American ones where it's all about family wealth and connections) and he's clever, articulate and has the ability to understand world outside America without "military-vision".

Hell no, his approval ratings have been poor so far. He's definitely not all that.

For me he's one of the most overrated politicians of all time. Never understood his hype.

Zebra3

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/30/us-drone-strikes-somalia

Obama spreads war.

Sticky_Fingers

Orando Broom wrote: »

He put manners on them Al Queda fücks.

It was premature, but the Nobel Peace Prize is the most faddish gong going. It bears no resemblance to the current reality and it given the the á la mode cause going, usually someone with a profile akin to celebrity status.

FYP, the Nobel for the scientific disciplines still has some credibility at least.

Manic Moran

c_man wrote: »

Cos he seems like a nice guy?

Sure as he pointed out...

Heh, so that's his take on the constitution.

Well, that was his take on the Constitution. When he finally got onto the other side of the Resolute Desk, he changed his position to match that of his predecessors.

NTM