Thread: President Obama wins Nobel Prize!

[quote name='justoneman' date='09 October 2009 - 11:16 PM' timestamp='1255148218' post='35502']

I am thinking they are trying to affect US political policy. After all they said that they nominated Carter as a shot to Bush. They denied it later but the main dude said it. After that they nominate another US President (Democrat of course) who was in office for 12 days. I think I get it.

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I'm thinking you are totally uninformed about what Obama's foreign policy is and what he said would be his foreign policy as he campaigned for office. His foreign policy, through the use of diplomacy and by not blindly siding with Israel on the West Bank settlements, has Palestine and Israel talking again.



He has used diplomacy to get Russia on board to put pressure on Iran. Bush had practically returned US/Russian relations to what they were during the cold war but today the relations have improved.

Medvedev on US/Russian relations:



I would like to see them better than they are today. But today they are better than they were yesterday. The truth of the matter is, one year ago, I got an impression that our relations had hit a dead end, they almost slid to the level of the cold war. I don't want to blame anybody...The bottom line is, we didn't want that to happen. What really matters is to see to it that the number of differences between our countries, our politicians, be smaller. I am very comfortable with communication with the President of the United States for several reasons. We are of the same generation, we had the same kind of education. When I was a postgraduate student, I read legal reviews at the time that were edited by Barack Obama. Had I known he was an editor, I would have read them more attentively.



The mindset is important. Today, when I'm communicating with the U.S. president, I get the feeling that he's attentively listening. He doesn't preach to you as a mentor, which is not very nice. When you are preaching to others, it's not nice. People like him not only here in the United States but in other countries as well. So he's managed to do certain things that others have failed to do. I believe if personal relations between the leaders are good, then it will be easier to build better relations for the future.



(For example), a recent decision by the President of the United States regarding forgoing the third site on ABM missile defense. Of course, this decision was determined by Barack Obama's mindset. It was not pro-Russia nor pro-Chinese nor pro-Europe, this was an American decision. What's important is Barack Obama listened to my position. Perhaps it was part of the basis for his decision. We are learning to listen to each other. This is a change from the previous administration. I think these are bold, courageous decisions, to change decisions of previous administrations concerning foreign policy. This was a complex decision. I tried to put myself in his shoes. It would not have been easy for me. It deserves our respect. We don't know what will happen next, but if we are continually attentive to each other, our relations will have a good future.

You, on the other hand, seem to share the opinions of the terrorists.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman

"He has done nothing for peace in Afghanistan ... We condemn the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for Obama."



Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official

"Obama has a long way to go still and lots of work to do before he can deserve a reward. Obama only made promises and did not contribute any substance to world peace."

And just for kicks and giggles here are what World leaders have to say about Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:

Nelson Mandela Foundation

"We trust that this award will strengthen his commitment, as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, to continue promoting peace and the eradication of poverty."



Kofi Annan

"It was an unexpected but inspired choice. In an increasingly challenging and volatile world, President Obama has given a sense of hope and optimism to millions around the world."



Afghan President Hamid Karzai

"We congratulate, wholeheartedly, President Obama on the award of this prestigious award. We recognize and commend President Obama's vision and leadership with a hope that peace and normalcy will return to Afghanistan and our region."



French President Nicolas Sarkozy

"It confirms, finally, America's return to the hearts of the people of the world."



Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader and 1990 Nobel Peace Prize winner

"I am happy. What Obama did during his presidency is a big signal — he gave hope. In these hard times, people who are capable of taking responsibility, who have a vision, commitment and political will, should be supported."



NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen

"I warmly congratulate President Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize. President Obama has made extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."



Martti Ahtisaari, 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner

"We do not yet have a peace in the Middle East ... this time it was very clear that they wanted to encourage Obama to move on these issues. This is a clear encouragement to do something on this issue. I wish him good luck."



Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"What wonderful recognition of someone who has already made such an impact on our planet with regards to the Muslim world, nuclear disarmament, climate change and, to some extent, the Middle East. He has reached out to the Arab world, including Iran, and North Korea.



In a way, it's an award — coming near the beginning of the first term of office of a relatively young President — that anticipates an even greater contribution towards making our world a safer place for all. It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama's message of hope."



Rebiya Kadeer, the Uighur leader who had been tipped for the prize

"I am very happy that he got it. Now he has to do something with the award. It raises expectations on him to stand up for oppressed nations."



Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and 2005 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

"I cannot think of anyone today more deserving of this honor ... President Obama has provided outstanding leadership on moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons."



Saeb Erekat, a chief Palestinian peace negotiator

"We hope that he will be able to achieve peace in the Middle East and achieve Israeli withdrawal to 1967 borders and establish an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital."



Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean Prime Minister, who was among those favored for this year's prize

"I wish to congratulate President Obama. I think he is a deserving candidate."



Obama's uncle, who is in Kogelo, Kenya

"It is humbling for us as a family, and we share in Barack's honor ... we congratulate him."



Ali Abkar Javanfekr, a media aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

"We are not upset, and we hope that by receiving this prize, he will start taking practical steps to remove injustice in the world. If he removes the veto from the United Nations Security Council, then it shows the prize was given correctly to him."



Shimon Peres, Israeli President

"Under your leadership, you have begun making peace a reality and making it a key issue on the agenda, which must be realized. From Jerusalem I express my confidence that the bells of understanding and dialogue between the nations will start ringing again."



José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission President

"A tribute to President Obama's commitment to the values of peace and progress of humanity. This award is an encouragement for engagement by all those who can contribute to bring about a safer world."

[quote name='Dr.Knuckles' date='10 October 2009 - 02:07 AM' timestamp='1255154873' post='35509']

I'm assuimg from the 3 pages of responses that this isn't a joke.



But I still can't believe it. No fucking way.





What a sick joke. I can't even try to be funny anymore. I feel like I just drank piss.

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Unless you admire the prize or haven't noticed the past recipients, I am surprised at your surprise.



It's like asking the question.. What is Art?



Only in this case, one would have to say.. What is Peace?



Personally, I believe in Peace through strength, not photo Ops.



Oppenheimer and Patton did a lot more for Peace than Al Gore or Obama.

[quote name='Gypsy' date='10 October 2009 - 01:11 AM' timestamp='1255151494' post='35504']

Can you name one ex President or sitting President who has done more to move the Middle East peace process through than Carter? Put the partisanship aside and be honest.

...

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Carter did not do anything to promote peace. If you actually read about how all that went down, you would realize that. Begin and Sadat aproached Carter. They already had the deal struck. Carter got a photo op and the American people got stuck paying billions of dollars every year to both Isreal and Egypt:





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_David_Accords



"...The agreement also resulted in the United States committing to several billion dollars worth of annual subsidies to the governments of both Israel and Egypt, subsidies which continue to this day, and are given as a mixture of grants and aid packages committed to purchasing U.S. materiel. From 1979 (the year of the peace agreement) to 1997, Egypt received military aid of US$1.3 billion annually, which also helped modernize the Egyptian military.[6] (This is beyond economic, humanitarian, and other aid, which has totaled more than US$25 billion.) Eastern-supplied until 1979, Egypt now received American weaponry such as the M1A1 Abrams Tank, AH-64 Apache gunship and the F-16 fighter jet. In comparison, Israel has received $3 billion annually since 1985 in grants and military aid packages...."

[quote name='Gypsy' date='10 October 2009 - 07:15 AM' timestamp='1255173308' post='35537']

You may want to go back and read the history since he left office.

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There is a big BS line written about Carter out there. He did not broker a deal as is suggested. He was owed by Israel and Egypt. We are getting fleeced to the tune of billions and billions of dollars every year by these two countries. For 30 years we have been paying this. Why? Because Jimmy Carter is an idiot.

The chairman of the Nobel committee has stated clearly they awarded the prize for pushing their political beliefs rather than based on the recipients accomplishments.





From the Times:





http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6868905.ece





Thorbjørn Jagland, the committee chairman, made clear that this year’s prize fell in that category. “If you look at the history of the Peace Prize, we have on many occasions given it to try to enhance what many personalities were trying to do,� he said. “It could be too late to respond three years from now.�

[quote name='justoneman' date='10 October 2009 - 07:45 AM' timestamp='1255175145' post='35541']

There is a big BS line written about Carter out there. He did not broker a deal as is suggested. He was owed by Israel and Egypt. We are getting fleeced to the tune of billions and billions of dollars every year by these two countries. For 30 years we have been paying this. Why? Because Jimmy Carter is an idiot.

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Would you say the same thing about the US getting involved in the Northern Ireland peace process?

[quote name='Blueneck' date='10 October 2009 - 08:07 AM' timestamp='1255176461' post='35552']

Would you say the same thing about the US getting involved in the Northern Ireland peace process?

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Did England and Ireland approach us with an offer to have us pay them billions each every year? I am unaware of that if it is so.