You've Got To Be Kidding

[4thofeleven]

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Seriously, what has he done to earn the honour? "Extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples"? What efforts? I mean, yes, he's made some nice speeches here and there, and he's not actively hindering diplomacy like his predesessor - but nothing I'd class as 'extraordinary', and his primary focus seems to have been on domestic issues.

I mean, alright, I've never been onboard with the Obama hype, but please, can anyone point to something he's done that justifies this award?

(My choice? I was betting on Morgan Tsvangirai)

Comments

[pyramidhead316.livejournal.com]

I think it's because the people in many parts of the world are enamored with Obama because he represents something different. That, and people were so tired of George W. Bush, they'll see anyone who comes after him as a saint.

Of course, things are different here. People are pretty divided over Obama, with conservatives believing he's ruining the country and liberals disappointed he hasn't implemented the changes he promised, and kicked the asses of delusional conservatives while he's at it. Some people are actually saying he ruined George W. Bush's foreign policy, which is a bizarre statement. A man who had the potential to bring the world to a catastrophic world war actually had a good diplomatic policy? o_O

I think it's understandable that people would be confused over what he did to merit receiving the prize. I'm not unhappy with the nomination and subsequent win, but surely there were other more deserving recipients, many people from other countries will probably agree. The only plus is that it is beneficial for the U.S, for people living in this country. On the one hand, it shows that the U.S. is recovering from the damage George W. Bush did to its foreign image. On the other hand, it does seem odd that a President of the United States would win such a prize, especially so soon in his new term. Maybe if he'd have been 3 or 4 years into it and had achieved some substantial accomplishments, but right now? Maybe there were some more deserving candidates; in fact, I'm almost sure there were. I guess they gave it to him for the image he's promoting of a more understanding world, rather than George W. Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" where the U.S. went in guns blazing and told everybody what to do. This will be heavily debated for years, and I'm sure conservatives must be furious (they'd probably have preferred that John McCain receive the Nobel Peace Prize, even though he could have started World War 3), or believing that it's a sign of 'socialist Europe' embracing the new 'socialist American president', but I think they just gave it to him because of the image he's presenting.

I've seen a question over whether Obama should give back the prize, but I think that's stupid. Nobody is going to give back a prize of this sort when you receive it, unless you're really not flattered and want it to go to a better person. Plus, they'd have to do a whole new ceremony, or award the prize to the other person in private, and there would be a rigorous discussion as to who that other person should be. Also, it's kind of ridiculous to have just one Nobel prize for peace, come to think of it. There are many outstanding individuals working for peace all over the world. Should only one be recognized for it?

Looking into it through some research, the Peace Prize seems to be a heavily debated subject, because there are no specific details for what requirements constitute a prize. An oversight on Nobel's part, but it has resulted in a fierce debate on who should get the prize every year. People have been left out of nomination and others have been given nominations that some individuals weren't sure they deserved. According to Wikipedia's article (which is not the most reliable source, I'll admit) "the Nobel Peace Prize may be awarded to persons or organizations that are in the process of resolving a conflict or creating peace." Since Obama is trying to resolve the Iraq war and bring peace to the region, I suppose that would qualify him for the award. Never mind that George W. Bush started the conflict, since Obama is trying to resolve it, that would qualify him for the award. His attempts to negotiate with Iran may also count for the prize.

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not criticizing Obama himself - he seemed just as confused by the choice as anyone else - but it is an odd choice so early in his term (nominations for this year's award closed barely a week after his inauguration).

I'm more confused at to what the Nobel comittee were thinking - traditionally, when giving the Prize for playing a role in negotiations, both sides get the prize. Arafat and Rabin shared one, Mandela and De Klerk shared one. So he probably wasn't chosen for an award based on any of his attempts at negotiation, which brings us back to why?

(Which may explain why Tsvangirai didn't get the nod - nobody wants to have to refer to "Peace Prize winner Robert Mugabe"...)