Why the fuss over Obama's Nobel Peace Prize?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 7:16pm

I've been reading the comments on Facebook and Twitter about Obama's receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Now, I have lukewarm feelings about Obama, so I don't really have strong feelings one way or the other about him getting the award.

However, I spent the afternoon at the Riverhead Country Fair and met lots of people I don't get to see regularly. It seemed to be a burning question for all of them: How could Obama possibly be named the winner? They also wanted to know what he'd done to acheive it. Of course, I had no answers.

Really folks, this is an award that is decided upon by a committee and no politicians (that I know of) serve on the committee. Plainly put: He got the award. It's over and done with. In a few weeks people will remember it as much as they remember Alice Ripley's Tony Award.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 7:22pm

So, what you're trying to say is that if an insane woman won a Tony, then it's no surprise that Obama won a Nobel prize.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:07pm

As so aptly put on SNL last night, he won the award for not being George W Bush.

[binau]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:13pm

I'm not sure about this, but I think a Nobel Prize might be a little more important than some acting award.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:15pm

I think it comes down to Republicans not understanding how a president could be popular and beloved. Certainly, none of theirs have been lately.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:36pm

Today someone told me that the Nobel Committee voted on Obama's prize a mere 12 days after he was elected.

Geeze!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:39pm

I think the question of what has he done is a valid one. He's been in office less than a year and nothing he's done as of yet as been "groundbreaking" other than his being elected. I don't hate Obama - I just found the win to be a bit of a shock. I would honestly love to know who the other nominees were. I know the year Gore won one of the other nominees was a woman who had hidden Jews from the Nazis.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:44pm

Obama was speaking out on his philosophy of international politics before he was inaugurated, and before he was elected. Obama's approach to the world scene was a part of his campaign. The Nobel committee had many many of his speeches and position papers regarding international affairs at their disposal for their consideration. It isn't as if he suddenly became president and only then made his ideas and opinions known.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 8:48pm

I'm not sure that campaign promises should be the criterion upon which the Nobel Committee should base their awards. Every presidential candidate waxes magnificently~

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 9:27pm

someone told me that the Nobel Committee voted on Obama's prize a mere 12 days after he was elected.

No. That's when the nominations were due. The voting was later.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/11/09 at 9:31pm

On the other hand, he's been in office longer than W was without there being a major terrorist attack on US soil.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 5:44pm

"On the other hand, he's been in office longer than W was without there being a major terrorist attack on US soil."

I know GW had been in office 20 months when 9/11 occurred, but what was the first terrorist attack? I'm getting old, and the memory is going...

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:06pm

GW had only been in office 8 months when 9/11 happened.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:12pm

I told you my memory wasn't working---you are absolutely correct! Thanks!

Maybe tequila would help...

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:16pm

tequila helps most everything.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:38pm

As always, Stockard is the voice of reason.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 6:44pm

I certainly try my best, Reg.....

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/12/09 at 7:33pm

He prevented Vice President Palin.


Anyone NOT satisfied by that?

[alterego]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 7:48am

It certainly is a strange choice coming so early in his Presidency. If it happened at the end of his term after he really had achieved something it would be a worthy award, but now? There is a cash prize that comes with the prize. Will he keep the money or should he donate it to a worthy cause?

[roquat]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:52pm

WHO CARES?! Another non-story for pundits to chew and worry to death in order to fill the times when they're not ranting about health care, Afghanistan, and the economy.