Who are the judges of the Nobel committee?

[rollingrock]

I was under the impression individuals were awarded this prize for highly notable, highly recognizable achievements toward the goal of world peace. What highly recognizable things has Obama done so far toward that end? I can't even think of anything off the top of my head.

The timing would seem rather strange. Just as the Obama administration is announing an escalation of US forces in Afghanistan, out of the blue he is awarded a Nobel Peace Prize? Is the prize somehow related to Iraq? Because we are nowhere near ending the war over there either. There are still >100,000 US troops and another 100,000 private security contractors (aka mercs), who are still getting blown to bits on a daily basis.

Who judges these things? Why are they all Norwegian? What makes these mysterious, obscure names so qualified to determine who receives the prestigious award? I think these are very basic, very legitimate questions that deserve answers.



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By WSJ Staff

The choice of Barack Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize was a surprise pick from the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Here’s a list of panel members:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee 2009

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee of five, appointed by the Storting (the Norwegain parliament). According to the rules laid down by the Storting, election to the committee is for a six-year term, and members can be re-elected. The committee’s composition reflects the relative strengths of the political parties in the Storting. Although this is not a requirement, all committee members have been Norwegian nationals.

Thorbjørn Jagland (Chairman)
President of the Storting

Geir Lundestad (Secretary)
Professor, Director of the Nobel Institute

Kaci Kullmann Five (Deputy Chairman)
Adviser Public Affairs

Sissel Rønbeck (Member)
Deputy Director, Directorate for Cultural Heritage

Inger-Marie Ytterhorn (Member)
Senior political adviser to the Progress Party’s Parliamentary Group

Ågot Valle (Member)
Member of Parliament


http://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2009/10/09/who-chooses-the-norwegian-nobel-committee/

[AllentownJake]

1. Give it a rest

Is this premature, probably. Is it that big of a deal, probably not.

The reason they are the ones who give out the award, is because that is what was left in Alfred Nobel's will. The prize is not just a shiny metal, Nobel left a trust to give out awards and the awards are monetary.

[spanone]

2. he won it get over it.

[Enrique]

3. i'm waiting for Glenn Beck to explain who they are

diagram them on his blackboard and draw lines from one to the other.

[AllentownJake]

4. Norwegian Acorn

That is my guess

[Nikki Stone1]

5. LOL!!!!!!

:)