Obama Wins Nobel Smoke And Mirrors Prize
Today I have lost all respect from the brand Nobel. Today they awarded President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize. A fine prize to win based on one’s dedication and hard-work to peace. None of which President Obama has accomplished or worked hard at (he’s only been in office for 9 months).
President Obama says:
“I am both surprised and deeply humbled,” Obama said at the White House. “I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments. But rather as an affirmation of American leadership. … I will accept this award as a call to action.”
I’m sure he is surprised because he in-fact has only made campaign promises. Last time I checked we are still in Iraq (promise of peace not yet kept), Gitmo is still open for business (promise of peace not yet kept) and he’s actually sent more troops to Afghanistan. That is far from peace last time I checked.
The Nobel Committee said it decided to honor Obama for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” What exactly has he done? What peace treaties has he signed? What cooperation between conflicting countries has he repaired? What summits has he been part of that resulted in peace? Does Iran, Iraq, Russia or anyone really think differently of the USA now? Do they mean just because he won the election? I’m confused?
I’m disappointed that the Nobel Peace Prize is now a political tool rather than an objective achievement of someones life and dedication. To me this is now a big joke, a scam.
Shouldn’t this award gone to someone who has made a real difference and not a smoke and mirrors wish? Wasn’t there someone much more deserving of this award?
The Nobel Peace Prize means nothing. They’ve sold out. Their brand is dead to me.
What do you think? Can someone, anyone win a prize like this based on promises or should actual achievment be the driver?
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October 9th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
The Nobel committee’s choice is fully consistent with their “brand” – a simple look at the list of awardees over the past 10, 20, or 30 years shows that the focus is not on those who achieved some great breakthrough toward lasting peace (because, curiously, there have seldom BEEN any of those). No, they’ve consistently picked those who make efforts toward peace, talk about peace, hope to achieve peace, and the like.
The Nobel brand is intact and consistent, if you understand it correctly.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Ya mean like Yasser Arafat? http://almaz.com/nobel/peace/1994a.html
I thought I understood it correctly but my perceptions have changed.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:45 am
The Heisman went on the PUP list (physically unable to perform) list for me in 1987, when Gordie “60 Minute Man” Lockbaum (Holy Cross ’88) did not win. It was banned for life from “my” league in 1988, when he AGAIN did not win.
The Nobel Peace prize took a serious blow in 1994 with Arrafat. Giving the award to someone (forget that it is any specific individual or the President of the United States of America) who has not yet accomplished anything puts it permanently out to pasture for me. But, like Jhawk23 (ROCK, CHALK, Jayhawk, Go KU!) says, the 2009 laureate is the best possible choice based on how the actions of the brand define it.
BTW, Big K, Matt Cassell showed some glimmers of possibility against the Cowboys on Sunday. Maybe…just maybe…
February 7th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
You have to be nominated for the Nobel Peace prize before you can be considered Obama was nominated for the Noble 2 weeks after he had taken office.