Huh. Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

mr tall · 10-09-2009, 09:33 AM

Oslo is pretty lame

Polymorph · 10-09-2009, 09:43 AM

yeah, too soon, perhaps, but still, intricately trying to realign the New World Order while cleaning up/damage controlling all that shit that George Bush did seems like enough for me to be ok with this. But yeah, there are Impossible Expectations, and then there's this.

Bass-Invader · 10-09-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

http://www.reuters.com/article/world...5964X920091007
OSLO (Reuters) - Wanted - a peace maker or rights activist engaged in a current conflict whose influence would benefit greatly from winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

That is who Norway's Nobel Committee will choose for 2009 Peace Prize laureate if, as experts expect, it returns closer to Alfred Nobel's notion of peace. Past prizes went to climate campaigners, life-long diplomats and grass-roots economists.

Top contenders for the $1.4 million prize include Colombian peace broker Piedad Cordoba, Afghan rights activist Sima Samar and Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

French-Colombian activist and ex-hostage Ingrid Betancourt, Jordanian interfaith dialogue advocate Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad and U.S. and French presidents Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy are also in the running, although the field remains wide open.

Maltese-based bookmaker Betsafe lists Betancourt at 5-to-1, and Tsvangirai at 6-to-1. Austrialian Centrebet has Cordoba and Samar at 6-to-1 and both Obama and Tsvangirai at 7-to-1.

The secretive five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee does not disclose the nominees. The winner will be announced on October 9.

"It's quite likely this committee will reward somebody who is engaged in current processes," said Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the International Peace Institute in Oslo (PRIO).

"They want the prize to have an impact on things that are about to happen and want to affect events," he told Reuters.

Last year, Finn Martti Ahtisaari won for three decades of work to resolve numerous international conflicts. The prize was seen as a well-earned lifetime achievement award and did not appear have much impact on ongoing conflicts, critics say.

BIGGEST IMPACT OF PRIZE

Earlier this decade the Nobel committee said it widened the definition of peace to include environmental activism, with Al Gore and the United Nations' climate panel winning in 2007 and Kenyan conservationist Wangari Maathai in 2004.

Some say this strays too far from Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel's 1895 will, in which he says the accolade will go to those who do most for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for peace congresses.

"Giving the prize to someone in the middle of a security conflict, and with a chance of boosting his or her influence, is a wise way to use the power of the Nobel," said Professor Janne Haaland Matlary from Oslo University.

Other leading candidates include Chinese and Russian dissidents, such as Hu Jia and Lidia Yusupova, but some experts say the Nobel Committee will not risk challenging a major power this year, just after two politicians joined the panel.

"A controversial prize that raises severe protests by powerful states or other powerful interests would draw attention to ... the independence of the committee," said Harpviken.

some perspective.

patri©k · 10-09-2009, 09:54 AM

wow... some people really think this guy is bringing something new to the table. lol.

I got some mercury fillings and some Florida property for sale if y'all are interested *spits*

Sal De Ban · 10-09-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Oslo is pretty lame

but Helsinki has some decent architecture

le bricoleur · 10-09-2009, 10:18 AM

Take that stupid protesters outside of Robarts Library!

Yesterday, I walked out of Robarts after dropping some cash to get alumni borrowing privileges for the libraries, only to see some jackoff protesters with signs that had obama made up to look like hitler handing out hateful "literature" about obama's facist new world order.

Now I find it pretty disgusting when anyone is compared to a man responsible for the murder of six million jews.

I find it especially disgusting that this garbage is tolerated on a university campus.

And I find it extremely disgusting that they were conducting this protest a block away from the UofT centre for Jewish campus life.

I was fucking livid!!!

patri©k · 10-09-2009, 10:53 AM

yeah... fuck freedom of speech! fuck freedom of assembly!

praktik · 10-09-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patri©k

yeah... fuck freedom of speech! fuck freedom of assembly!

how about fuck YOU? People have the freedom to say their retarded shit pretty much anywhere and le bricoleur has the right to subsequently be upset about what they're saying.

Nowhere in his post was there anything coming remotely close to suggesting "fuck freedom of speech/assembly".

If I was to carry a sign saying "Down with Welfare Queens" next to an MLK memorial - that would be pretty tasteless - wouldn't it? I had the right to do it, but that doesn't change the fact I was an asshole for doing it

patri©k · 10-09-2009, 10:58 AM

lol, i heart tribe.

edit: i REALLY heart tribe.

Bacchus · 10-09-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal De Ban

you're thinking piece prize, not peace.

i <3 you guys so fucking much

i wish i spent more time during the day on tribe. Thank the lawd they gave me my internet back here at work...who knows for how long.

patri©k · 10-09-2009, 11:02 AM

Flashy_McFlash · 10-09-2009, 11:03 AM

Democratic administrations aren't so good for conspiracy lit, huh?

Boss Hog · 10-09-2009, 11:05 AM

I wouldn't put much thought into it. Kissinger won the same award.

chooch · 10-09-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal De Ban

you're thinking peach prize, not peace.

fixed

synchronizator · 10-09-2009, 11:10 AM

you know those times when something really retarded happens and you try to make sense of it but you just can't because it's just THAT retarded?

yeah, this is one of those times. getting a renowned award for making an effort is just ridiculous. people, wake the fuck up. seriously. that's all from me about this.

Flashy_McFlash · 10-09-2009, 11:11 AM

What 'reknowned award'? This thing is easier to get than a Juno.

synchronizator · 10-09-2009, 11:15 AM

bwaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! the juno part is hysterical.

it's still a celebrated award, everyone knows about it, and fortunately SOME worthy people have gotten it. but there have been a few questionables. this is one of those times.

Sal De Ban · 10-09-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chooch

fixed

ahhh two heads are better than one.

Wiseman · 10-09-2009, 11:30 AM

diablo · 10-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by praktik

how about fuck YOU? People have the freedom to say their retarded shit pretty much anywhere and le bricoleur has the right to subsequently be upset about what they're saying.

Nowhere in his post was there anything coming remotely close to suggesting "fuck freedom of speech/assembly".

If I was to carry a sign saying "Down with Welfare Queens" next to an MLK memorial - that would be pretty tasteless - wouldn't it? I had the right to do it, but that doesn't change the fact I was an asshole for doing it

History is written by assholes.

chooch · 10-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sal de ban

ahhh two heads are better than one.

lol!

synchronizator · 10-09-2009, 11:36 AM

we all have assholes, doesn't mean we have to use them.

wait. yes we do.

praktik · 10-09-2009, 11:38 AM

Im not sure the timing was right either, my first reaction was "wtf?"

But we may not be able to truly appreciate the swingaround in the rest of the world after his election, here is shimon peres:

“Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact. You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determination, and a feeling that there is a lord in heaven and believers on earth.” Mr. Peres, who won the peace prize with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasir Arafat in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, added: “Under your leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. You gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.”

And sullivan:

I've had some coffee now. Reading through all the reactions, compiled by Chris and Patrick, there are two obvious points: this is premature and this is thoroughly deserved.

Both are right. I don't think Americans fully absorbed the depths to which this country's reputation had sunk under the Cheney era. That's understandable. And so they also haven't fully absorbed the turn-around in the world's view of America that Obama and the American people have accomplished. Of course, this has yet to bear real fruit. But you can begin to see how it could; and I hope more see both the peaceful intentions and the steely resolve of this man to persevere.

This president has done a huge amount to bring race relations in this country to a different place, which is why the far right has become so vicious in attacking him and lying about him. They know he threatens their politics of division and rule. He has also directly addressed the Muslim world, telling some hard truths, and played a small role in evoking a similar movement of hope and change in Iran, and finally told the Israelis to stop cutting their nose off to spite their face.

Right now, we do not know where that direction will ultimately lead. We do know that we were facing a spiral of conflict that, unchecked, could have taken the world to the abyss. I see this prize as an endorsement of his extraordinary reorientation of world politics, and as an encouragement to see it through. In the midst of our domestic battles, and their ill-temper (from which I have not been immune lately), this is an attempt to tell us: look up for a moment, see how far we've come in pivoting away from global conflict, and give this man a break for his efforts and the massive burden he now bears.

And, in the darkness that still threatens, know hope.

Flashy_McFlash · 10-09-2009, 11:41 AM

uh

praktik · 10-09-2009, 11:43 AM

hehe, this one wins @ the economist:

One suspects that the Nobel committee may have been trying to reinvigorate their own public image by choosing someone "relevant", rather than someone like Thich Quang Do, the 80-year-old Vietnamese dissident monk. Or they may have wanted to lend Mr Obama some extra mojo for his upcoming pushes on climate change in the Senate and then in Copenhagen. But one fears the effect may be the opposite, on both counts. Every Facebook response I've seen so far has been a variation on the theme of "huh?" Maybe he can re-gift it somehow.

10-09-2009, 11:38 AM	#48
praktik TRIBE Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Up ur nose and around the corner! Posts: 7,737	Im not sure the timing was right either, my first reaction was "wtf?" But we may not be able to truly appreciate the swingaround in the rest of the world after his election, here is shimon peres: “Very few leaders if at all were able to change the mood of the entire world in such a short while with such a profound impact. You provided the entire humanity with fresh hope, with intellectual determination, and a feeling that there is a lord in heaven and believers on earth.” Mr. Peres, who won the peace prize with Yitzhak Rabin and Yasir Arafat in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, added: “Under your leadership, peace became a real and original agenda. And from Jerusalem, I am sure all the bells of engagement and understanding will ring again. You gave us a license to dream and act in a noble direction.” And sullivan: I've had some coffee now. Reading through all the reactions, compiled by Chris and Patrick, there are two obvious points: this is premature and this is thoroughly deserved. Both are right. I don't think Americans fully absorbed the depths to which this country's reputation had sunk under the Cheney era. That's understandable. And so they also haven't fully absorbed the turn-around in the world's view of America that Obama and the American people have accomplished. Of course, this has yet to bear real fruit. But you can begin to see how it could; and I hope more see both the peaceful intentions and the steely resolve of this man to persevere. This president has done a huge amount to bring race relations in this country to a different place, which is why the far right has become so vicious in attacking him and lying about him. They know he threatens their politics of division and rule. He has also directly addressed the Muslim world, telling some hard truths, and played a small role in evoking a similar movement of hope and change in Iran, and finally told the Israelis to stop cutting their nose off to spite their face. Right now, we do not know where that direction will ultimately lead. We do know that we were facing a spiral of conflict that, unchecked, could have taken the world to the abyss. I see this prize as an endorsement of his extraordinary reorientation of world politics, and as an encouragement to see it through. In the midst of our domestic battles, and their ill-temper (from which I have not been immune lately), this is an attempt to tell us: look up for a moment, see how far we've come in pivoting away from global conflict, and give this man a break for his efforts and the massive burden he now bears. And, in the darkness that still threatens, know hope.

10-09-2009, 11:43 AM	#50
praktik TRIBE Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Up ur nose and around the corner! Posts: 7,737	hehe, this one wins @ the economist: One suspects that the Nobel committee may have been trying to reinvigorate their own public image by choosing someone "relevant", rather than someone like Thich Quang Do, the 80-year-old Vietnamese dissident monk. Or they may have wanted to lend Mr Obama some extra mojo for his upcoming pushes on climate change in the Senate and then in Copenhagen. But one fears the effect may be the opposite, on both counts. Every Facebook response I've seen so far has been a variation on the theme of "huh?" Maybe he can re-gift it somehow.

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10-09-2009, 09:33 AM	#26
mr tall TRIBE Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: PF9K Posts: 17,915	Oslo is pretty lame

10-09-2009, 09:43 AM	#27
Polymorph TRIBE Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Vacant/not vacant Posts: 3,784	yeah, too soon, perhaps, but still, intricately trying to realign the New World Order while cleaning up/damage controlling all that shit that George Bush did seems like enough for me to be ok with this. But yeah, there are Impossible Expectations, and then there's this.

10-09-2009, 09:54 AM	#29
patri©k Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 06 Kush Ave. Posts: 19,697	wow... some people really think this guy is bringing something new to the table. lol. I got some mercury fillings and some Florida property for sale if y'all are interested spits

10-09-2009, 10:18 AM	#31
le bricoleur TRIBE Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,266	Take that stupid protesters outside of Robarts Library! Yesterday, I walked out of Robarts after dropping some cash to get alumni borrowing privileges for the libraries, only to see some jackoff protesters with signs that had obama made up to look like hitler handing out hateful "literature" about obama's facist new world order. Now I find it pretty disgusting when anyone is compared to a man responsible for the murder of six million jews. I find it especially disgusting that this garbage is tolerated on a university campus. And I find it extremely disgusting that they were conducting this protest a block away from the UofT centre for Jewish campus life. I was fucking livid!!!

10-09-2009, 10:53 AM	#32
patri©k Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 06 Kush Ave. Posts: 19,697	yeah... fuck freedom of speech! fuck freedom of assembly!

10-09-2009, 10:58 AM	#34
patri©k Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 06 Kush Ave. Posts: 19,697	lol, i heart tribe. edit: i REALLY heart tribe.

10-09-2009, 11:02 AM	#36
patri©k Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 06 Kush Ave. Posts: 19,697

10-09-2009, 11:03 AM	#37
Flashy_McFlash Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 51,857	Democratic administrations aren't so good for conspiracy lit, huh?

10-09-2009, 11:05 AM	#38
Boss Hog Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: applying for the high school get-along gang Posts: 51,269	I wouldn't put much thought into it. Kissinger won the same award.

10-09-2009, 11:10 AM	#40
synchronizator TRIBE Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in your dreams. Posts: 6,863	you know those times when something really retarded happens and you try to make sense of it but you just can't because it's just THAT retarded? yeah, this is one of those times. getting a renowned award for making an effort is just ridiculous. people, wake the fuck up. seriously. that's all from me about this.

10-09-2009, 11:11 AM	#41
Flashy_McFlash Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 51,857	What 'reknowned award'? This thing is easier to get than a Juno.

10-09-2009, 11:15 AM	#42
synchronizator TRIBE Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in your dreams. Posts: 6,863	bwaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! the juno part is hysterical. it's still a celebrated award, everyone knows about it, and fortunately SOME worthy people have gotten it. but there have been a few questionables. this is one of those times.

10-09-2009, 11:30 AM	#44
Wiseman TRIBE Promoter Join Date: May 2004 Location: She was on it like the teenage gardner Posts: 18,031

10-09-2009, 11:36 AM	#47
synchronizator TRIBE Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in your dreams. Posts: 6,863	we all have assholes, doesn't mean we have to use them. wait. yes we do.

10-09-2009, 11:41 AM	#49
Flashy_McFlash Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 51,857	uh