AP Newsbreak: Nobel jury defends Obama decision

AP Newsbreak: Nobel jury defends Obama decision

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091013/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nobel_peace_obama



OSLO – Members of the Norwegian committee that gave Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize are strongly defending their choice against a storm of criticism that the award was premature and a potential liability for the U.S. president.

Asked to comment on the uproar following Friday's announcement, four members of the five-seat panel told The Associated Press that they had expected the decision to generate both surprise and criticism.

Three of them rejected the notion that Obama hadn't accomplished anything to deserve the award, while the fourth declined to answer that question. A fifth member didn't answer calls seeking comment.

"We simply disagree that he has done nothing," committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland told the AP on Tuesday. "He got the prize for what he has done."

having destroyed the peace prize and making it a total mockery!

or SOP if you prefer.

just look at the boards here at DU ..you can see the mockery right here!


More US Troops in War Now Than During Bush's Surge
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6764572

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6764364

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6764145

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8699426

Are there less troop in Iraq, is Obama making progress in his effort to end the Iraq war?

The mockery being made is the pathetic spin of the Obama is Bush crowd.

tactics..it won't work anymore!

PSSSSSSS..I have been an ELECTED DEM IN MY STATE..NICE TRY THOUGH!! OH AND I WAS A RAPID RESPONDER FOR 4 YEARS ..2004-2008 FOR THE NATIONAL DNC...I GET HOW IT IS DONE!!


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6763270

What lies beneath the war in Afghanistan
by Eric Margolis | October 12, 2009 - 10:39am

Truth is war's first casualty. The Afghan war's biggest untruth is, "we've got to fight terrorists over there so we don't have to fight them at home."

~snip~

Obama has been under intense pressure from flag-waving Republicans, much of the media, and the hawkish national security establishment to expand the war. Israel's supporters, including many Congressional Democrats, want to see the U.S. seize Pakistan's nuclear arms and expand the Afghan war into Iran.

Obama should admit Taliban is not and never was a threat to the West; that the wildly exaggerated al-Qaida has been mostly eradicated; and that the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan is causing more damage to U.S. interests in the Muslim world -- now 25% of all humanity -- than Bin Laden and his few rag-tag allies. The bombing in Madrid and London, and conspiracy in Toronto, were all horribly wrongheaded protests by young Muslims against the Afghan war.

We are not going to change the way Afghans treat their women by waging war on them, or bring democracy through rigged elections.

I wish Obama would just declare victory in Afghanistan, withdraw western forces, and hand over security to a multi-national stabilization force from Muslim nations. Good presidents, like good generals, know when to retreat.

Rest of article at:: http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/24328

that espousing a politics of inclusion and supporting a world without nuclear weapons is a legitimate work of peace? Bringing our nation back to its world leadership status isn't enough for you? A man of character, a man who brings hope to the entire planet, a man who truly wants to unite people based more on their differences instead of their sameness...you don't think that's a man of true peace? You belong over on FreeRepublic.com. Leave anytime you want.

During a time when the world has almost lost its sight, President Obama is man of vision on what is and can be good. And that's one hell of a vision.

His inspiration to others for seeking peaceful solutions to world problems and his opening up of meaningful dialog to that end are only a few of his accomplishments to date. We voted for hope and others around the globe are supportive of that decision. I'm proud of the prize he won, but more proud that he's our leader.

Hell, they can crown him Miss America for all I care. I think he'd look kinda nice in a tiara.

:patriot:

Americans underestimate the impact Obama has already had on the rest of the world -- what is that Biblical quote about a prophet not being recognized in his own country?

That award was a joke!

He was telling me the same thing.

I'm ambivalent about the award myself. But people seem to be actively ignoring the history of the NPP. It's not reserved for people who promote only peaceful activities or who are pacifists.

I rather agree with Ezra Klein. It may be absurd, but it cannot harm us.

right decision no matter if some people can't or won't get it.

Thorbjoern Jagland's statement..

"Can someone tell me who did more than him this year? It is difficult to name a winner of the peace prize who is more in line with Alfred Nobel's will."

<more>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4098367

"Facts on the Nobel Peace Prize"

"On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses". Learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize from 1901-2008. The 2009 Nobel Prize is not yet included."

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/shortfacts.html


"Get Off Obama's Back ...second thoughts from Michael Moore"

Who goes on to say at the end..

"My prediction for the future? You become the first two-time winner of the Nobel Peace Prize!, Yeah!"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8695710


"Ten reasons Obama won the Nobel"

"Before he became president -- Obama forcefully argued, at great political risk, that the U.S. should talk to its enemies (famously, in a debate with John McCain). He convinced a majority of Americans, and that is now U.S. foreign policy.

January 22 - On his second day in office, Obama announced plans to close Guantanamo in a year. He has made great diplomatic efforts to find residences for innocent detainees, even as fearmongers accused him of wanting to release terrorists in America.

February 27 - Obama details his plans to pull out of Iraq. He made his speech in front of uniformed Marines and explained that combat troops would be out by 2010.

March 13 - Obama Justice department drops 'enemy combatants' label on detainees, marking a return to the Geneva Conventions.

April 5 - Outlines details of nuclear weapons reductions plan in a speech to the public in Prague. The plan calls for intense international diplomacy and a respect for the right of fledgling countries to enrich uranium for energy purposes, proposing an international nuclear fuel-bank for those aims. All this was in the face of North Korean long-range missile testing.

April 13 - Repeals restrictions on Cuban Americans, allowing them to visit home as long as they want and to send money. Also allows telecommunications companies to pursue agreements in Cuba, hoping to promote communcation. This is the boldest move towards peace with Cuba any president has made in over 40 years.

June 4 - Obama makes landmark speech in Cairo, in which he quotes three different holy texts and speaks Arabic. Again, at tremendous political risk at home, Obama makes empassioned tribute to the achiements of the Muslim world and admits U.S. role in overthrow of Iranian government, attempting to create environment of honesty, respect, and cooperation.

June 27 - The U.S. begins removal of combat troops from major cities in Iraq.

July 6 - Obama heads to Russia to speak with Russian president about nuclear arms reduction. He makes a speech at a Russian University, notably saying, "There is the 20th century view that United States and Russia are destined to be antagonists. And that a strong Russia or a strong America can only assert themselves in opposition to one another. And there is a 19th century view, that we are destined to vie for spheres of influence and that great powers must forge competing blocs to balance on another. These assumptions are wrong. In 2009, a great power does not show strength by dominating or demonishing other countries. The days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chessboard are over."

Sept 24 - In a first for a U.S. president, Obama presides over a U.N. Security Council summit, where members unanimously agreed to a sweeping strategy to stop the spread of and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons"

http://brainsandeggs.blogspot.com/2009/10/ten-reasons-obama-won-nobel.html

was awarded to William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies. That was quite a doozy!

The mediawhores are relentless.

gang on DU..so even though I turned off mediaWhore central in Nov 2002..I still have to deal with stupid shite.

Five politicians, 3 liberals and 2 who are the equivalent of Rockefeller Republicans made this decision. Some in Norway are asking for the resignation of the the committee's head, a former prime minister. The Peace prize has been politicized for years, but this year it stunned many.

"The left-leaning committee whose members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament lauded the change in global mood wrought by Obama's calls for peace and cooperation, and praised his pledges to reduce the world stock of nuclear arms, ease U.S. conflicts with Muslim nations and strengthen the U.S. role in combating climate change.

However, the decision stunned even the most seasoned Nobel watchers. They hadn't expected Obama, who took office barely two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline, to be seriously considered until at least next year."

More US Troops in War Now Than During Bush's Surge
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6764572

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6764364

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6764145

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8699426


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4101066

US wants bunker-buster fast, denies Iran is reason
Source: The Associated Press

The Pentagon has awarded a nearly $52 million contract to speed up placement of the bomb aboard the B-2 Stealth bomber, and officials say the bomb could be fielded as soon as next summer.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hveHz...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6763270

What lies beneath the war in Afghanistan
by Eric Margolis | October 12, 2009 - 10:39am

Truth is war's first casualty. The Afghan war's biggest untruth is, "we've got to fight terrorists over there so we don't have to fight them at home."

~snip~

Obama has been under intense pressure from flag-waving Republicans, much of the media, and the hawkish national security establishment to expand the war. Israel's supporters, including many Congressional Democrats, want to see the U.S. seize Pakistan's nuclear arms and expand the Afghan war into Iran.

Obama should admit Taliban is not and never was a threat to the West; that the wildly exaggerated al-Qaida has been mostly eradicated; and that the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan is causing more damage to U.S. interests in the Muslim world -- now 25% of all humanity -- than Bin Laden and his few rag-tag allies. The bombing in Madrid and London, and conspiracy in Toronto, were all horribly wrongheaded protests by young Muslims against the Afghan war.

We are not going to change the way Afghans treat their women by waging war on them, or bring democracy through rigged elections.

I wish Obama would just declare victory in Afghanistan, withdraw western forces, and hand over security to a multi-national stabilization force from Muslim nations. Good presidents, like good generals, know when to retreat.

Rest of article at:: http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/24328

articles brought on DU that are written only to cause division. Mediawhore articles trying to start shit that some on DU just lap up and don't question bc it's anti-Obama.

President Obama got the NPP for the reasons stated not bc of what some posters at DU insist is the reason he should not have gotten it.

The Bottom Line is the President got the Nobel Peace Prize and there's nothing you or the rest of the anti-Obama gang can do about it except regurgitate more whine.

Henry Kissinger?
Woodrow Wilson?

You seem to imply that those award were deserved.

:rofl:

themselves. We've already got the right admitting that they agree with the Taliban. We got tape of them cheering when we didn't get the Olympics but crying 'cause he got an award. We see them keeping their kids away from school to avoid hearing a speech... and on, and on and on.

What I love about it is nobody's opinion means a goddamned thing. The decision is not going to be changed and twenty years from now it will be forgotten that some whiners even moaned about it. LOL

Let 'em get it off their chests. Just know that another one is coming.

I'm getting tired of this one already anyway. Bring on the next poutrage.

God can only guess what the next one will be. Probably that he gave too much oh his money from the prize to one charity instead of another.

Twenty years from now, the right will be taking credit for all of the advances the Democrats will do, and trying to spend the surplus again.

Living in Iowa, I am not kidding you... Grassley is running a political commerical that he will protect the elders medicare. Yep you read that correctly. The right who fought us tooth and nail on medicare, will now "protect" it.

Up is down, Down is up.. sheesh

I've been a Democrat all my life, but I'm not blind. Some day Obama may be deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize, but right now? Nope, nyet, no........

:shrug:

Here's a picture of me on set.

Scientists defending the moon mission against those who argued the moon would be cracked in half or knocked out of orbit must have been doing that because they were unsure it *wouldn't* be cracked in half or knocked out of orbit.

(and they actually did defend themselves against this. They had a page on the NASA website about it)

Lot of haters and jealous assholes in the world.

Did you expect anyone in the cabinet to say otherwise?

:D

:rofl:

but neither do you.........

:)

My feeling is that she is extremely proud, and it just made her job easier

ignore. I can't imagine why.

"Secretly thinks otherwise"? The poster tries to cheapen the SOS..I take exception with that.

It is so very funny that I recognize them from my ignore list from the primaries. Whenever I see what some of you call "poutrage" on this board 9 times out of 10 it is a primary bitter ender. LOL, they are still pissed while Hillary has moved on and seems to be over it already.

ones off who aren't here to make this a better world.

Oh, Hillary's moved on alright and loves her job..that's what people do who really care about their country and not there to nurse their egos.

Frankly, they don't care what people believe the prize should be about. They've got their instructions and follow it whether we like it or not. "Been politicized for years." Well, that was Alfred Nobel's point.


The committee also takes the possible positive effects of its choices into account. Among the reasons for adding this as a criterion is the obvious point that Nobel wanted the Prize to have political effects. Awarding a Peace Prize is, to put it bluntly, a political act – which is also the reason why the choices so often stir up controversy.
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/articles/sejersted/index.html

Source: Associated Press
AP Newsbreak: Nobel jury defends Obama decision
AP

Asked to comment on the uproar following Friday's announcement, four members of the five-seat panel told The Associated Press that they had expected the decision to generate both surprise and criticism.

Three of them rejected the notion that Obama hadn't accomplished anything to deserve the award, while the fourth declined to answer that question. A fifth member didn't answer calls seeking comment.

"We simply disagree that he has done nothing," committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland told the AP on Tuesday. "He got the prize for what he has done."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091013/ap_on_re_eu/eu_nobel_peace_obama

These so called seasoned Nobel watchers were probably watching through a tunnel.

There is nothing in the rules that state the winner must have performed such actions while President.
I would think his actions as Senator to reduce nuclear arms possibly was a factor.
I would think there were factors of his campaign that played a role in his nomination.
I would think that most all of the countries that were behind Bush's war-mongering made Obama stand out as one that was looking for peace was a major factor.

What a conclusion....

I defend evolution to creationists all the time. What does that say about evolution!!!??

That's the end of the story really. Folks are thinking thank goodness American's back rejecting it would say OK we're wrong nevermind. It's meant to be a motivator for the nation to do more if it was handed back, it would send the message we'll go back to our old ways thanks. Sure conflicts with his approach to the wars, but the relief that America is going a different direction on so many other issues is palpable. President Bush horrified the world in his negligence to the environment international relations when he left office that tension automatically dissipated and President Obama taking America in an overall less hostile direction to the world as a whole is why he got the prize. I'm very glad they stood by their decision to give the award as something that is such positive influence is exactly why the Nobel prize was created. Sure disagree with him on the wars, but it's almost as destructive as the wars themselves to be opposed to him receiving it.

to build global support for the policies of his young administration." Makes sense to me. Obama is not George Bush. And the world is grateful.

The Bush half.

I'd say it's much more than half the population. They don't know other countries even exist and if you asked them to point to them on a map, they wouldn't be able to.

I saw this go down in Norway. The first day the reaction was mild surprise, the next day the opinion of US conservative pundits and media reached our shores and the media here got into a frenzy. It was so visible that the award may have had another effect of revealing the media bias to Norwegians. I wouldn't bet on it though.

I think Obama deserved the prize, and the prolonged focus of the Nobel committee on the development in the US shows they are aware of the inner struggle going on, and in any forward looking perspective, the prize is not to be seen as a restraint but as an extra support IMO. The only person with any credibility having said that he doesn't deserve it is Obama himself, which of course is what you'd expect from him. I hope he finds in it a toolbox to use to mend the world further.
As the award is attacked from the left and right, it only confirms what I've noticed for a long time: It's hard to be a moderate.

A thought about the strong anti-award bias and Obama:
The world outside doesn't have the insight the Nobel committee has, because according to the US media, the Dem administration never win on anything. We know that the reason for that is media bias, the outside world just reports what the US media reports, in the tone they use, as if it were true.
So Obama's accomplishments have made considerably less impression abroad than it would if the media had been balanced. To some extent, this also counts for the US internally, you know. Media is our common shared knowledge, if it fails to acknowledge, no acknowledgement will be registred. Only the internet and some outlets has fair reporting, the rest is seriously imbalanced on anything Democrat.
If I'd used the US and the Norwegian media only, I would not know what has passed inside the US for the last eight years. Most surely, the Nobel committee has a much better understanding than most people abroad about the struggle going on, and have followed Obama for some years now.

The prize is always criticized and I think this is what makes it what it is. It's no big deal.

:hi:

"Most surely, the Nobel committee has a much better understanding than most people abroad about the struggle going on, and have followed Obama for some years now."

Some of us have been following his works too and were not surprised by the NPP being given to President Obama.