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?) :-( ..