Ian Robertson, in his book, "Sociology,"
tells us that:

" All over the world, hundreds of thousands of
scientists and engineers devote their skills to
planning new and more efficient ways for humans to
kill one another: millions of workers labor to
manufacture instruments of death; tens of millions
of soldiers train for combat - and many of them
actually go to war. From a moral and even an
economic point of view, this vast investment of
human ingenuity and energy seems a tragic waste.

Unlike other economic goods, such as cars or computers,
the weapons of war are rarely put to any use - and if they
are used at all, it is to destroy economies, not to build
them. And looming over all these military preparations and
counterpreparations is humanity's ultimate threat, the
unleashing of full-scale nuclear war.

For millennia, people have hoped for peace in their time.
Today, as usual there is no shortage of grand proposals
for peace - such as the acceptance of one religion or
another, the establishment of a world government, or even
the reform of so-called human nature. Yet wars continue
as before, sometimes creating the discouraging idea that
hopes for peace are too 'idealistic.' "

President Obama if nothing else has at least achieved
something his predessor was unable to do. He has
extended his hand to the Islamic world. He has taken
a new approach to the problems in the Middle-East by
insisting that there will be a Palestinian State. He has
given people hope. However - does he deserve the Nobel
Peace Prize?

Your thoughts please?

Still a long way to go before there is peace in any place the seppos have their grubby paws.

If there was any doubt that the Global Corporates control the planet,then Obama is the both the litmus test and testament to this "New World Order".He has kept the patriot act and Bush's executive powers and extended wars in places like Pakistan.

He wants to attack Iran on the presumption of developing a singular nuclear weapon,yet Israel has up to 200 Nukes with no inspectors checking it's excesses.

It is truley an Obamination.

No person on this earth should recieve a Peace Prize when there has never been Peace and no Peace on the horizon.

What is the Criteria for this award?

He joins Yassar Arafat as a prize winner. Says more about the political appointment of the award than anything else.

The editors of The Australian are going to spontaneously combust over this one.

I'm looking forward to the tsunami of outraged conservative bitching with great anticipation.

Quite so, Sancho - but I haven't really noticed an outbreak of Peace since Obama became President.

Obama's infinitely more likely than his predecessor to work towards peaceful (or at least less aggressive) resolution of global conflict, but he hasn't actually achieved anything much yet.

I reckon he'll deserve the Nobel Peace Prize if he can sort out Iran without starting yet another unwinnable war.

Glad to see Foxy and the pied piper back.
The answer is very much yes for the reasons Foxy gave.
I never left behind with my socialism past a wish for equity and equality.
A wish for one world one people.
The yanks are not perfect, I often cringe at things like fox news and question how can it be?
But please, just for a second, ask what happens without them?
If America now retreats behind its own borders lays down its weapons do we think China will?
Radical Islam, Russia, India, the septic tanks rebuilt Europe twice, drove the Colombo plan.
Look for the good as well as the bad in them.
arjay will not ever do that but remember if we did not have America warts and all freedom would not be ours .
Well done to an American who is making history a man who is truly worthy of this reward.

Maybe some one could refresh my memory, but I don't recall any substantial efforts or achievements in achieving peace.

Perhaps I could get my 12 yr old son an Olympic gold medal for his potential to win the 100m sprint.

I remain confused.

No, it's ridiculous. Total 'reach round'.

About as much as I do, or perhaps, just a little less.

Foxy as you have said he has done much to extend the hand of friendship to the Islamic world. That is one step forward to peace but only the very beginning.

I am not sure if someone who has only just been elected to Office really mertis the awarding of a Peace Prize when there is some way to go yet and where many before him have failed. It smacks of the modern tendency to award medals and prizes to those who are merely doing their jobs without going beyond the call of duty.

President Obama may well be worthy of the Prize at some later stage. But all kudos for Obama for getting into the trenches early in attempting to overturn some of the bad decisions of former US Presidents.

Thorbjorn Jagland chairman of the Norwegian Nobel
Committee told reporters:

"We are not awarding the prize for what may happen in
the future but for what he (Obama) has done in the
previous year. We would hope this will enhance what he
is trying to do."

Peace is an ongoing process. Few would argue that Martin
Luther King or the Dalai Lama did not deserve
the Nobel Peace Prize simply because permanent peace was
not accomplished.

The prize is given because of efforts
not achievements. War and peace, are not either/or
alternatives, for the various actions or inactions of the
superpowers tend to move the world one way or another
along the continuum between military holocaust and peaceful
harmony. Therefore steps designed to enhance the prospects
for peace rather than war are matters of practical reality,
not impractical ideals.

Omama encourages peaceful solutions. He seeks reductions
in nuclear arsenals and wants to restart talks between Israel
and Palestine. As the Nobel Committee said:

"His extraordinary efforts to strengthen international
diplomacy and co-operation between peoples..." is the reason
they gave him the award.

Unless we are willing to give up
the possibility of gaining further advantages over each
other in military technology, and unless we begin to trust
one another sufficiently to enter into any agreements at all,
unless we talk to each other, we risk the murder of hundreds
of millions of people, and the jeopardizing of our very
species.

A leader who reaches out to the world and asks for
co-operation - surely deserves recognition for his efforts?

Well pointed out Foxy. Some food for thought.

i suppose with the premption doctrine...maybe its for what he is expected to do...not what he has done...noting that nominations for the nobble prize...closed 11 days after he took office...lol

the media builds people up[or cuts them up...ever notice its all villans and heroes...and sport?...recall mr no-bell..made his wealth from his patent on dynomight...[ewho rules the biggest warmongering state...of all time...

who derives its income from the busness/export of war....making ever more wars...on other peoples lands...not only having the highest prison population...ANYWHERE...but..has special extra prisons..on many foreign shores...

does he deserve the gold from the inventer of dino-mite...[10 million]..of course..thats what 30 pieces of silver is worth now-a-days...heard of the faulse prince of peace...beore the real one returns...its all media dtiven spin..jesus left to build his fathers hous...was offered/...AND REFUSED...these realms...who's realm is this

of course glory hounds love the glory via gory enactments...you know clinton..worked for busche seniour..you know that obama interned for kissenger..you know israel runs the usa clay goyam...simply insert notes..into the senete...carfully vetted by the jewish defence league...

the powers have activly/selectivly been/subverted away from the us people in 1913...the..nobble pieces prize..means they just paid you in glory...to allow the continuance of the gore/gory/glory..well done obama..seems no one watches..the obama deception...lol..that name change really did it for you..eh

oh and congrats by the way...they didnt want to wake you...lol..and with this open bribe...gently let you go back to sleep...just like all the other whiners..ooops winners..

go to sleep...lol..till they tell the goyam to bomb bomb iran...peace prize my buttt...we shall see..dont think god isnt watching..peace prize allows more pieces...get USA..to blow up things...its blood money bro...get it?

from car bombs...to pennytraitor cruise missiles...your the pres..of their biggest cuss-T-hummer

"We are not awarding the prize for what may happen in the future but for what he (Obama) has done in the previous year."

Foxy, I think that this comment from Thorbjorn Jagland says it all. Obama gets the prize for what he has done in one year.....which has resulted in how much of an improvement in world peace??

Given that Obama has got a long way to go, I think that his Nobel Prize is grossly premature.....and that surely there are many people who have been battling away for decades that are more deserving.

'Does the US President Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?'

No. Not at this stage.

Foxy,Obama was the one who extended the War into Pakistan.Not even Bush wanted to go there.Now he wants to pick a fight with Iran.Bush back in Aug 07 was jumping and down,making serious threats towards
Iran.Nothing has changed in Iran's nuclear status,yet now they are trying to push Iran into a corner,so it will fight back and they have another excuse to invade another country.

The really big worry is that now the US wants to use nuclear tactical weapons.They have already used depleted Uranium ammunition in Iraq which has also destroyed the health of their own soldiers.

The US in my view is out of control and Obama is just doing the biding of his puppet masters.After 911 when Bush brought on the Patriot Act and new Presidental Executive powers,this marked the end of any sort of Democracy in the US.Obama at the slightest excuse can suspend the Constitution and negate all Congressional powers.

These are really dangerous times.Germany went to war after difficult economic times and the US with all it's woes at home will be seroiusly tempted to unite the country via war.They want it all both the oil in the Persian Gulf and the new fields above Afghanistan.

The Nobel Peace Prize has a history of being
awarded to people for their efforts, rather
then their actual achievements. For example, West
German Chancellor Willy Brant was awarded the
prize in 1971 for his "Ostpolitik," and Gorbachev
was awarded the prize in 1990 - before the end of
the cold war.

There is no denying the fact that there are undoubtedly
very deserving people and organisations who work for
peace on a daily basis. However, the US President has
a larger world stage - and his position provides an
influential forum for world opinion, and while his
position may not always prevent war - it surely helps
influence the course of action that other superpowers
make.

You do not have to look at fox news or the Australian to see conservatives rant.
Just read this thread, try foxy but you waste your time.
Our home grown conservatives, known here as Wil Robinson's[lost in space] will never dare compare Bush's mistakes with this great mans achievements.
Thought less my party right or wrong thoughts are in fact an illness.
And above all kill improvements in the conservative partys/movement.
Two full terms for this man even more for our bloke so the Wil Robinson's have to live with the fact few share their views.
Find the last American leader who bought so much hope to the office.

I think the awarding of a peace prize to Obama may be a little premature, but if it further inspires his efforts towards world peace and gives him a mantle of authority to unite others in this same quest, it may well be worth it.

Obama's early pronouncements on troops out of Iraq, on Guantanamo, on torture, on nuclear weapons and his Cairo speech were all a welcome distancing from his predecessor. They brought new hope to people across the world and united them in the belief that peace could at last be achievable.

I agree with others here though that his actions have not always as yet matched his fine rhetoric. His recent tough talk on Iran and his likely expansion of the war in Afghanistan are worrying signs that he might not be the true man of peace so many are hoping for.

It's interesting to read all the various
opinions - and the many valid points that
are being raised. The big one being -
"actions speak louder then words." So,
we'll have to wait and see I guess.
However, as Malcolm Turnbull said,

"President Obama is to be warmly congratulated
for his Nobel Peace Prize, which will heighten
both the opportunities for, and the expectations of
his Presidency."

"More than ever, the world will look to the President
for leadership."

As we all know, "Most of the important things in the
world have been accomplished by people who have kept
on trying when there seemed no hope at all."
(National Stroke Foundation).

Give it back Barack!

It is a major embarrassment to yourself and to the veracity of the Nobel Prize.

Just politely say; 'thanks but no thanks'.

Actually, it is much more than just a bit of an embarrassment, it is a major glitch in the history of the world's most esteemed prize.

Nominations closed twelve days into Obama's presidency, which can only mean that he is being rewarded for actions that happened after the close of nominations! That's a fundamental flaw. It should be reason enough for a total rethink on this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Come on Barack, give it back. You'll win a great of kudos if you do. Just tactfully suggest that the Committee award the prize to the person they deemed to be runner-up or go back and do a total re-evaluation.

US President Obama has done nothing except give billions to pay off BUSH and CO.
So sad really.
The US is active in over 100 countries if Obama closed all foreign bases and brought all the service men and women home that would bring more peace and save the US economy if it is savable.
Bryan

Pres. Obama showed that his administration prefers to negotiate and use diplomacy. The US action in the Middle East and with Russia proves tha thus far. Yes I think he deserves a Nobel prize.

The point that nominations for the award closed within a couple of weeks of Obama becoming president does make the whole thing look political rather than a genuine response to Obama's actions.

I wish Obama well and hope that he has changed approach enough to make a difference however the whole thing is going to look very silly if his presidency contributes to an escalation of conflict.

Time will tell if Obama can get strategy right to reduce conflict, the award should have waited until there were real runs on the board.

R0bert

we must never forget...under the nobble prize...lies a buisness selling explosions...every bang..is money in the bank

usa is good for busness...those bombers..need to get explosives...and every sale...is good for busness...

without the war/terror based income contributing...there would be no..nobble price/prize..[the 30 pieces of silver...10/12 million obama got...was blood money

http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=4749

but there is more
http://republicbroadcasting.org/?cmd=archives

http://whatreallyhappened.com/

business needs a cash cow...the biggest reason obama got the win...is his support of the carbon tax...

that tax goes direct to big busness...helps subsidise the business...of doing bu-sin-ess...will pay for the next growth spurt[will pay for the restucture..

via consumer tax/subsidy...of the industrial machine controlers/..bankers/multinationals coorporations/lawyers...licenced to steal tax ....direct from our purse

but in the main...the sheeple...unthinking faithfull..you lot couldnt care less...and im pretty much in the same place

we get the leaders..[others can control..thus geat as/what we deserve/..earned..yearned

Ludwig

<< Nominations closed twelve days into Obama's presidency, which can only mean that he is being rewarded for actions that happened after the close of nominations! >>

Perhaps he’s being rewarded for his uplifting and unifying campaigning and his decisive election victory, both of which have united and galvanized the world into believing for the first time in many years that a more peaceful world is indeed possible.

Mike Moore seems to think so.

<< Many, for the past couple days (yes, myself included), have grumbled, "What has he done to earn this prize?" How 'bout this:

The simple fact that he was elected was reason enough for him to be the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Because on that day the murderous actions of the Bush/Cheney years were totally and thoroughly rebuked. One man -- a man who opposed the War in Iraq from the beginning -- offered to end the insanity. The world has stood by in utter horror for the past eight years as they watched the descendants of Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson light the fuse of our own self-destruction. We flipped off the nations on this planet by abandoning Kyoto and then proceeded to melt eight more years worth of the polar ice caps. We invaded two nations that didn't attack us, failed to find the real terrorists and, in effect, ignited our own wave of terror. People all over the world wondered if we had gone mad.

And if all that wasn't enough, the outgoing Joker presided over the worst global financial collapse since the Great Depression. >>

(TBC)

Ludwig (continued)

<< So, yeah, at precisely 11:00pm ET on November 4, 2008, Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. And the 66 million people who voted for him won it, too. By the time he took the stage at midnight ET in the Grant Park Historic Hippie Battlefield in downtown Chicago, billions of people around the globe were already breathing a huge sigh of relief. It was as if, in that instant, one man did bring the promise of peace to the world -- and most were ready to go wherever he wanted to go to achieve that end. Never before had the election of one man made every other nation feel like they had won, too. When you've got billions of people ready, willing and able to join a cause like this, well, a prize in Oslo is the least that you deserve. >>

Short answer No!

Medium answer he should dedicate it to the unsung heroes who work tirelessly for peace and give the money to help to the unsung heroes efforts.

Alternative answer give the money to me And I'll spend it wisely ....trust me ;-D.

Dear Bronwyn,

You've said it so beautifully. It brought
tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart.

I wish that I could have done it so eloquently.

Thank You from the bottom of my heart!

Bronwyn, you make fair and reasonable comments.

It was indeed a major move forward for Obama to win the presidency, after the disastrous Bush era.

But as significant as it was, it should not have been sufficient for him to have won the Noble Peace Prize.

"Perhaps he’s being rewarded for his uplifting and unifying campaigning and his decisive election victory, both of which have united and galvanized the world into believing for the first time in many years that a more peaceful world is indeed possible."

Perhaps. But perhaps not. This raises an interesting point; just what is he being rewarded for? What was in the minds of those who voted for him? What were the criteria that he had to meet? How rigorous are they? Or are they extremely sloppy, to the extent that a voter could vote for him with just about no real tangible foundation, other than the fact that he is now in power and Bush is gone?

The veracity and reputation of the Nobel Prize depend on it having strict criteria, as opposed to fuzzy concepts.

I still think that Barack should give it back.

Foxy

<< You've said it so beautifully. It brought tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart. >>

It was said beautifully, I agree Foxy, and it brought joy to my heart too. But I'm afraid I can't take any credt for it. The words weren't mine - I was quoting Mike Moore.

Make sure you go along to see his latest movie - "Capitalism: A Love Story" when it gets out here. Hopefully, it won't be too far away. He has a website and puts out an email newsletter too which you may be interested in subscribing to. It's always a great read. I'm a big fan, in case you haven't noticed. :)

Ludwig

<< I still think that Barack should give it back. >>

There's that mean streak coming out in you again, Ludwig. :)

Let him keep it and let it inspire him to actions that will match his fine rhetoric.

As also pointed out by Mike Moore, we can't expect Obama to bring about the massive changes required on his own. We all have to get behind him and demand change.

<< Obama is moving too slow for most of us -- but he needs to know we are with him and we stand beside him as he attempts to turn eight years of sheer madness around. >>

Now, taking away his prize wouldn't exactly be showing him that we're with him, would it? :)

<< << Obama is moving too slow for most of us -- but he needs to know we are with him and we stand beside him as he attempts to turn eight years of sheer madness around. >>

Now, taking away his prize wouldn't exactly be showing him that we're with him, would it? :) >>

Well said, Bronwyn. I suspect that even if Obama had already achieved the impossible (world peace), Ludwig would find fault.

I have been holding my personal debate on whether the Peace Prize was appropriate at this point in time; well the award has certainly achieved world focus on the issues, there is a change in philosophy in American politics and we are all talking about it.

Also, the Bush regime has been out of office for 9 months - what's not to like?

"There's that mean streak coming out in you again, Ludwig. :)"

Oh piffle! You do love to stir don't you Bronny. There ain't a mean bone in m' body (:>)

Well, if Ol' Barmy keeps it, he'll be waking up in the middle of the night for the rest of his life in a cold sweat with the thought that he absolutely didn't deserve it, it was an embarrassment to receive it, and a bigger embarrassment to keep it, that the noble cause of the Nobel Prize had been diluted because he kept it, that someone much more deserving had missed out, that the prize money could have gone directly into a cause related to peace if a major long-time peace campaigner had won it, etc, etc.

Um, you haven't made any attempt to address the questions that I posed in my last post. I guess this means that you know as little about the criteria or lack thereof as I do.

I heard a discussion on the radio last night about this subject. It seems that these criteria are indeed not known by anyone except perhaps a few experts on the subject....or that there are no criteria and the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize really is as fuzzy as I suggested it seemed to be.

I'm looking forward to seeing 'Capitalism: A Love Story'.

Dear Bronwyn,

Even though the words weren't yours Bronny,
you drew our attention to them - so you
deserve the applause.

I'll definitely go and see Mike Moore's Movie.

Dear Fractelle,

I totally agree - with Bush gone - what's not to like?

As Ian Robertson points out in his book, "Sociology.":

"Often, significant pressure for peace comes from the
acts of a handful of individuals. in 1981, an American
doctor and a Russian doctor founded International
Physicians for the Prevention of War, a group that
focused on the medical consequences of nuclear warfare.
Within five years, the organisation had over 150,000 members
in forty-nine countries, and it had won a Nobel prize
for peace. Similarly, a small group of Japanese activists
conceived the idea of "nuclear free zones," - places
that formally refuse to allow nuclear weapons inside
their boundaries. Within a few years, nineteen countries
had explicitly prohibited the presence of nuclear
weapons on their soil, and more than 3,400 communities -
cities, countries, and provinces - in twenty-four countries,
had declared themselves "Nuclear free."

"Every journey of a thousand miles begins with
one step."
(Chinese proverb).

By trying to change a global consensus for war to one
for peace Barack Obama has taken that first step.

Foxy,
Apparently clarification is required.
I suspect the award was premature but a reasonable give what had preceded him, the president(*&@#$) Shrub (coca comes to mind, delusional and toxic/destructive).

Notwithstanding Obama promises much but to moment has actually achieve nothing beyond his Job instruction. To me he is proving to be competent.

I tend to be concerned about heroes simply because it puts too much (unreasonable) expectational pressure on the individual. He is when all said and done a human and probably has the same foibles/failings as the rest of us. Contrary to the media imprimatur I don't want to know if he picks his nose passes wind in bed or snores. I want to know how he's going to LEAD. (N.B. the word) He can realistically do no more.

Therefore I think to avoid giving a smack in the face to the Nobel crew he should accept the award on behalf of all those ordinary people who work tirelessly without a chance of such an award.
My point there is that his good deeds might encourage others to follow with good will and deeds...in which case Obama has done his job and subsequently will be rightly remembered in history as one of the better US Presidents.

The money would be better spent on aiding the projects of the un-sung heroes.

Or failing that give me the money in which case a dinner for OLOers I'd pay would be apposite yes? The balance well, er it would solve some problems :-) .....perhaps create a few ( any one got a spare liver?) :-( ..

Dear Examinator,

As I've stated previously - peace is an ongoing
process. And of course many have argued that
the US President did not deserve the Nobel
based on the fact that permanent peace was not
accomplished. But then people like the Dalai Lama,
Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter,
Mikhail Gorbachev, Willy Brandt, et al, received
the Nobel because of efforts not achievements.

Just the fact that he has won demonstrates how effective
he has been in reaching out to the world.
And, as Bronwyn pointed out in her post - anyone who
encourages peaceful solutions gives us all hope.
We can only hope that as Malcolm Turnbull stated,
this "will heighten both the opportunities for,
and the expectations of his Presidency." The
world will look to him for leadership.

Examinator

<< Or failing that give me the money in which case a dinner for OLOers I'd pay would be apposite yes? The balance well, er it would solve some problems :-) .....perhaps create a few ( any one got a spare liver?) :-( .. >>

Your liver will be fine I'm sure, provided of course you don't over-indulge, but I do advise you choose your guests carefully.

I'm sure even the most robust of livers would react badly if their owners were attempting to digest a meal in the company of some from around here. :)

Foxy
Spot on I agree.
I often ponder if some of the people you mentioned really deserved it either. Hmmmm? Most of them however had a history. At the time of Obama's nomination he was still at the gonna stage.

I guess it comes down to different strokes for different folks.

Bronwyn

Of course you're right but shhh I was trying to boost my chances by showing how diplomatic I am.....You laugh and it's hands on head for you! :-)

My god Bronny I thought you had more intelligence than to fall for people like Mike Moore. I liked him when I was a lot lot younger, and actually I give him credit for encouraging an interest in politics by cracking jokes. But a more dishonest man you will unlikely find. Once I read about all the fabrications and (it would be really funny and outrageous; if it were actually true) I dumped him as quick as I could.

'Let him keep it and let it inspire him to actions that will match his fine rhetoric.'

So you win the prize, then it inspires you to work hard to attain it. Strange logic. Maybe they should pick a runner in the next 100m final, give him the gold medal, and see if he runs really fast so he isn't so embarrassed about receiving it already. Oh, that's right, he should get it for the training he put in. Pity about the other contestants.

He must be an amazing man to win a peace prize after 11 days in office! Yep, that's when the winner was decided. I still reckon he's full of spin. I liked Clinton too. He sounded as nice as Obama.

Dear Houellie,

Who then would you suggest for the Nobel?
(Apart from Clinton, that is).

Any of these guys.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6284468/Nobel-peace-prize-the-alternatives-to-Barack-Obama.html

All these awards are jokes. Like when Alan Border won Father of the Year.

Seriously Foxy, what did Obama do in his first 11 days in office to deserve a Nobel Peace Prize. If it's to encourage him as you say, why don't we just give it to the Iranian president to encourage him to do better. He needs more encouragement.

Foxy

Your comment:

"But then people like the Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Willy Brandt, et al, received
the Nobel because of efforts not achievements"

I think you will find that all of them had substantial achievements behind their name.

If after 10 years, for whatever reasons, Obama has achieved nothing or even expanded the war in Afghanistan, this award will be a joke.

Dear Houellie,

Thanks for your input - and of course
the choices you suggest for the Nobel
are undoubtedly worthy ones.

However, the Nobel Committee selected
the leader of a superpower who
has the capacity to deter war globally.
He has the capacity to enhance the
prospects for peace rather than war.
By placing the emphasis on international
diplomacy, co-operation between peoples,
seeking reductions in nuclear arsenals,
arms control, reaching out to the Islamic
world, encouraging peaceful solutions -
the US President captured the world's
attention and - gave the world hope for
a better future.

Dear Shadow Minister,

If more and more nuclear weapons are built,
and if more sophisticated means of delivering
them are devised, and if more and more nations
get control of these vile devices, then we
surely risk our own destruction. If a world
leader, a leader of a superpower such as the
US advocates finding ways to reverse that process,
by finding peaceful solutions, then possibly
in ten years time we can divert unprecedented energy
and resources to the real problems that face us,
including poverty, disease, overpopulation, injustice,
oppression and the devastation of our natural
environment.

Obama, (contrary to the previous Administration) is
pointing us in the right direction - that we will
choose to enhance the life on this planet
- and not destroy it.

HECK..im awarding him..an emmie...AND an oscar

The lying game: how we are prepared for another war of aggression
Text size
John Pilger
October 15, 2009

In 2001, the Observer in London published a series of reports that claimed an “Iraqi connection” to al-Qaeda, even describing the base in Iraq where the training of terrorists took place and a facility where anthrax was being manufactured as a weapon of mass destruction. It was all false. Supplied by US intelligence and Iraqi exiles, planted stories in the British and US media helped George Bush and Tony Blair to launch an illegal invasion which caused, according to the most recent study, 1.3 million deaths.

Something similar is happening over Iran: the same syncopation of government and media “revelations”, the same manufacture of a sense of crisis. “Showdown looms with Iran over secret nuclear plant”, declared the Guardian on 26 September. “Showdown” is the theme. High noon. The clock ticking. Good versus evil. Add a smooth new US president who has “put paid to the Bush years”. An immediate echo is the notorious Guardian front page of 22 May 2007: “Iran’s secret plan for summer offensive to force US out of Iraq”. Based on unsubstantiated claims by the Pentagon, the writer Simon Tisdall presented as fact an Iranian “plan” to wage war on, and defeat, US forces in Iraq by September of that year – a demonstrable falsehood for which there has been no retraction.

The official jargon for this kind of propaganda is “psy-ops”, the military term for psychological operations. In the Pentagon and Whitehall, it has become a critical component of a diplomatic and military campaign to blockade, isolate and weaken Iran by hyping its “nuclear threat”: a phrase now used incessantly by Barack Obama and Gordon Brown, and parroted by the BBC and other broadcasters as objective news. And it is fake.

Read entire article

http://www.johnpilger.com/page.asp?partid=549
http://www.infowars.com/united-states-to-send-up-to-45000-more-troops-to-afghanistan/

http://www.infowars.com/goldman-sachs-bankers-set-for-bumper-bonuses-as-profits-more-than-triple/

http://www.infowars.com/government-to-use-swine-flu-for-another-control-mechanism/
http://www.infowars.com/deaths-in-china-from-flu-vaccination/
http://www.infowars.com/people-who-get-a-seasonal-flu-shot-are-twice-as-likely-to-catch-swine-flu/
http://www.infowars.com/hopeful-redskins-cheerleader-ends-up-with-neurological-condition-after-vaccine/
http://www.infowars.com/drugmakers-doctors-rake-in-billions-battling-h1n1-flu/

http://www.infowars.com/an-inconvenient-question/
http://www.infowars.com/flashback-there-is-no-global-warming/
http://www.infowars.com/freezing-temps-shatter-global-warming-myth/

http://www.infowars.com/obama-poised-to-cede-us-sovereignty-claims-british-lord/
http://www.infowars.com/the-pocket-spy-will-your-smartphone-rat-you-out/
http://www.infowars.com/obama-controls-your-tv/
http://www.infowars.com/dems-undermine-free-speech-in-hate-crimes-ploy/

http://www.infowars.com/deformed-babies-in-fallujah/
http://www.infowars.com/us-military-spreading-death/

http://www.infowars.com/economic-takeover-detailed-in-upcoming-fall-of-the-republic-trailer-4/
http://www.infowars.com/federal-reserve-exposed-on-real-time-with-bill-maher/
http://www.infowars.com/dems-undermine-free-speech-in-hate-crimes-ploy/

http://www.infowars.com/ron-paul-warns-of-violence-from-pending-dollar-crisis-says-israel-strike-on-iran-the-trigger/
http://www.infowars.com/russia-giving-no-ground-on-iran-sanctions/

http://www.infowars.com/populist-rage-at-government/

Foxy,

In spite of being in office for a year, Obama has yet to commit to reducing the stockpile of weapons at all.

"President Obama vowed that the United States will take concrete steps toward a world free of nuclear weapons"

"President Obama urged nations Sunday to get rid of nuclear weapons"

"America will maintain a safe and secure nuclear capability "to deter our adversaries and reassure our allies"

If you look into it, Obama is looking to ensure that no one else gets nuclear weapons. If the US reduces its warheads from 10 000 to 9000 by eliminating some of the obsolete designs, how on earth will the likes of Iran no longer feel the need to arm themselves.

Talk is cheap, and that is all I have seen so far.

And a Logie OUG.

Lets not remember Foxy, that he was judged the winner after only 11 days in office.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Miracles don't happen overnight - the US President
inherited quite a mess in his own country
that will take time to clean up. However, as I said,
he has captured world attention and given the world
hope for a better future - and with all the problems
that exist - we certainly can use a positive force
instead of a negative one. Instead of looking at what
hasn't been achieved why not look at what has?
Google Obama's achievements for yourself.

Dear Houellie,

I'm surprised at you.

I would have thought you to be the type of person
that "thinks outside the square," yet here you are on
OLO coming up with the same old nay-sayings of
the status quo. I would have thought that you of
all people would understand why the Nobel Committee
awarded the prize to Obama

Yeah like jumping on that Obama bandwagon is thinking outside the square.

Dear Houellie,

It's not about jumping on anybody's band wagon -
but actually weighing up all the pros and cons.
Of acknowledging that to most people what
doesn't change if the will to change. Of
recognising that there are positive alternatives
available on this planet, all that is needed is
to find them and take direction.

"Somewhere there must be a place
Called Little Peace
Where men with little humanity
Do not have the power
To make great decisions.
Where little fears do not lessen
The so small span
Of our lives,
Where
For once
We can know peace.
Just a little.
To know the taste of it."

(Maurice Strandgard - "Little Stringy Bark Creek").

Foxy

I find President Obama inspiring, while the Nobel Committee have made some bad calls, this is not one of them. Although the timing could be a little better.

Heard the following on the radio this morning (when you get your new PC - look up Laurence Olivier narrating "Time") and thought you'd enjoy it as well. My perennial favourite inspiring verse remains Desiderata, but I think this is worthy as well.

BTW, does Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize? Yes he will!

Houllie, go have a beer or a ciggie or whatever it is you do when stuff gets deep and meaningful.

Theme from the play "TIME".

Stand before me on the sign of infinity,
all you of the earth.
With the granting of the law of provination
comes the application of change.

I will give you the key.
And with this knowledge, please realise,
comes the responsibility of sharing it.
I will show you the way.

It's very simple. Throughout the universe
there is order.

In the movement of the planets, in nature
and in the functioning of the human mind.
A mind that is in its natural state of order,
is in harmony with the universe
and such a mind is timeless.

Your life is an expression of your mind.
You are the creator of your own Universe -
For as a human being, you are free to will whatever
state of being you desire through the use of your
thoughts and words.

There is great power there.

It can be a blessing or a curse -
It's entirely up to you.
For the quality of your life is brought about
by the quality of your thinking -
think about that.

Thoughts produce actions -
look at what you're thinking.

See the pettiness and the envy and the greed and the
fear and all the other attitudes that cause
you pain and discomfort.

Realize that the one thing you have absolute
control over is your attitude.

See the effect that it has on those around you.
For each life is linked to all life
and your words carry with them chain reactions
like a stone that is thrown into a pond.

If your thinking is in order,
your words will flow directly from the heart
creating ripples of love.

If you truly want to change your world, my friends,
you must change your thinking.

Reason is your greatest tool,
it creates an atmosphere of understanding,
which leads to caring which is love.

Choose your words with care.
Go forth ... with love.

Depth? Fractelle put your Tarot cards away for a second so I can stop laughing.

Don't buy that Harbour Bridge Foxy, I'll sell it to you even cheaper.

My ponderings while sitting back having a beer are 10 times deeper than...
a) I would ever share with a bunch of anonymous website posters
b) a pair like this, akin to two pretentious uni students enthusiastically quoting Keats

Foxy,

I think Obama is great, has a lot of potential, and probably will go on to do great things. But that is completely beside the point.

I have googled Obama's achievements and as of yet I cannot see any that merit a Nobel peace prize.

As he is not an old fossil, in 8 years from now I am sure that he will have clocked up some heavy weight achievements, and could be given the prize on merit.

If the prize is awarded on potential it could be routinely given to every new president. Imagine that twit GWB with one.

Dear Fractelle,

Some words stick like burrs and punish
at a touch. Some become soiled with
improper use, some remain forever
unspoken, clamped in a throat that aches
to let them out.
And there are others that heal the heart.
These are the most meaningful of all.

Thank You for being so consistent in your posts
by always contributing with meaningful words.
The poem was wonderful!

Dear Houellie,

Inside you are more possibilities than you could
possibly use up in one lifetime.

Therefore - it's a shame that you can't seem to muster
your own courage and take pride in your wonderful
intelligence - and display some of it - to us on OLO.
Simply continuing to poke and stir at people
- doesn't demean anyone else, except yourself.

Dear Shadow Minister,

We need new ways of thinking to cope with the nuclear age.
We need world leaders who are concerned for the human
condition, who realize the horrific reality of nuclear arms,
and can nerve us to build an alternative future.

If by giving the US President the Nobel Peace Prize - this
will have a positive effect towards building that
alternative future - then surely it will be worth it.

I remember a children's picture book written by Rod Trinca and
Kerry Argent called, "One Woolly Wombat," which teaches
children how to count, and presents a nursery rhyme about
cute Australian animals:

"One woolly wombat sunning by the sea
two cuddly koalas sipping gumnut tea
three warbling magpies waking in the sun
four thumping kangaroos dancing just for fun
five pesky platypuses splashing with their feet
six cheeky possums looking for a treat
seven emus running...in and out the bush
eight spiky echidnas eating ants - whoosh
nine hungry goannas wondering what to cook
ten giggly kookaburras writing riddle books
eleven dizzy dingoes twirling with their paws
twelve crazy cockatoos counting on their claws
thirteen hopping mice picking desert pea
fourteen slick seals sailing out to sea."

Cont'd ...

Cont'd ...

Philip Neilsen took this firm favourite of children's
rhymes and using the same rhythm and language,
presented us with a slightly different version, by
displacing the subject, the poet tried to make
readers take a second look at something we take for
granted, by placing it in a new context, in this case,
the effect of a nuclear blast in Australia. He called
his poem, "Bush Lullaby," the title is well chosen,
except in this case the sleep is not sweet:

"Bush Lullaby,"

"One cackling kookaburra swept from the trees
Two uneasy emus brought to their knees

Three bustling bandicoots deafened by the sound
Four waddling wombats burnt underground

Five writhing ringtails sliced into meat
Six crisp koalas toasted by the heat

Seven tangled taipans dissected on the grass
Eight playful platypuses melted smooth as glass

Nine crippled kangaroos, mutant crow and currawong
Ten million jolly swagmen floating in the billabong."