Obama 'doesn't deserve' peace prize

[IndianaGreen]

Obama 'doesn't deserve' peace prize

By David Usborne, US Editor

Thursday, 10 December 2009

President Barack Obama will accept this year's Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo this morning, tackling head-on the paradox in his receiving the accolade just 10 days after committing an additional 30,000 US troops to the war in Afghanistan. The presentation in Oslo City Hall will be seized by the President as an opportunity to articulate, if he is able, how pressing forward with two wars is compatible with his wider vision of breaking down walls with dialogue and co-operation.

While the award was extended to Mr Obama in part on the basis of his series of soaring speeches, for instance on banning nuclear arms and reconnecting America with the Muslim world, his speech this morning may be the hardest one successfully to pull off.

It hardly helps that attitudes domestically to his having won it at all are hardly favourable. A new national poll by Quinnipiac University shows that barely a quarter of Americans think he deserved the prize this year. As many as 41 per cent, meanwhile, say they think less of the whole Nobel Prize system because of Mr Obama's selection.

He faces criticism from human-rights groups, who question why he deserves the prize because of what they see as his uneven commitment to their cause. While he was quick to end torture by the CIA and to order a close of Guantanamo Bay, he seems to have avoided criticism of Chinese repression and of Iran's response to riots after this summer's presidential elections there.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-doesnt-deserve-peace-prize-1837396.html

[FBaggins]

1. It appears that the Norwegians aren't pleased with him either

The winner traditionally takes a victory lap of events/interviews/kids' programs/and meeting the king. The president has reportedly canceled/decline most of them and Norway feels snubbed.

[emulatorloo]

2. This "doesn't deserve" is a big thing in wingnut circles too. Might explain the polling

The nobel committee thinks he deserves it. In the end they are the ones who give the prize.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Norwegians are rightfully offended. Obama is treating this as some trophy to pick up and take home

But perhaps the more awkward situation awaiting Obama is that some Norwegians are upset by his decision not to participate fully in the occasion. Obama will be skipping out on such traditions as a dinner with the Nobel committee, a concert in the Nobel Laureate's honor, a press conference, and lunch with the king. According to a poll cited by the AFP, 44 percent of Norwegians considered it "impolite" to skip the lunch, while 53 percent said it was "impolite" to not attend the concert. Obama will be in Oslo for less than 24 hours; the official Nobel program is typically spread out over three days, according to the AFP.

Siv Jensen, the leader of Norway's largest opposition party, the Progress Party, told the Norwegian tabloid VG that, "Of all the things he is canceling, I think the worst is canceling the lunch with the king. This is a central part of our government system. He should respect the monarchy."

The Nobel committee, meanwhile, brushed off the criticism, saying they always knew Obama wouldn't be able to attend the entire series of events.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/09/obama-nobel-peace-prize-s_n_386279.html

[paulsby]

4. "he should respect the monarchy"

i repeat this, just for all the levels of irony and fuckupedness...

[IndianaGreen]

7. Norway is a constitutional monarchy. The prime minister is the head of state.

The monarch is a non-political figure that serves as a unifier, much as Queen Elizabeth in the UK, or Shimon Peres in Israel.

[paulsby]

9. and it's still the height of irony

and if you don't get that, yer humor meter is broken

[IndianaGreen]

10. The irony is that Norway has a great health care system, among the best in the world

Why would a Norwegian view their monarchy with the cynicism we view our own government, or the Brits view their royals?

If lunch with King Harald is the traditional Nobel Prize event, skipping the lunch is pure bad manners.

[aquart]

11. It damn well is.

I never expected this kind of churlishness. Does Obama not have a Chief of Protocol to tell him what's appropriate?

[paulsby]

12. wow. talk about a blatant irrelevancy

yes, and norwegians eat a lot of fish too!

(about as relevant)

the idea that a president should respect a monarchy is ironic. maybe you aren't familiar with US history or something...

[IndianaGreen]

13. How do you reconcile your words with Obama's exceedingly low bow to Japan's emperor

He is a guest of the Norwegian government and people. You don't insult your host!

[paulsby]

14. you still don't get it

i'm not saying that obama should not respect the monarch of norway

i am saying that the idea that he should IS IRONIC.

man, i cannot believe how dense people can get.

[IndianaGreen]

15. I don't find it ironic at all, anymore that I find Michelle Obama wearing a veil

when the Obamas met the Pope:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/07/president_obama_meets_pope_ben.html

[emulatorloo]

5. Yeah, that is a little sad, I suppose he thinks he shouldn't take the time away.

But it would be better to do some of the events, especially the lunch.

[timeforpeace]

6. They could have wired the money and he wouldn't have had to go.

[IndianaGreen]

8. Or FedEx the Nobel medallion and spare all the trouble

[DemReadingDU]

16. yeh, really