Quote:Just a nit; He was nominated 2 weeks after taking office.
But, I agree with you that this is an anti-Bush statement to the US. I think it should have gone to Morgan Tsvangirai, or Piedad Cordoba, but then again I'm a rational human being (most days).
It is obvious that this award given by political hacks has become nonsensical, and giving it to Obama for charm, even tops giving it to Al Gore for flying around the world in his private jet telling people how much he cares about the environment. What I wonder is when Nobel’s will, which says the peace award should go “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” will be honored. The US is increasing forces in Afghanistan, hasn't pulled out of Iraq, and in fact has done nothing in the past year to make the world a safer place. I'd say the world is less safe than a year ago, less bellicose, yes, and also less safe.
So easy Kandrathe.
Cordoba was accused of having realtions with farc and Tsvangirai just wants to become prime minister. Giving him the prize would be a political statement against Mugabe. A statement we could probably all agree with but still a statement.
You quote exactly why Obama won this prize ****to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations**** there has been no-one last year who has done more. Again, he could do this because he is the president of the most powerful nation in the world and not a politician in a small third world country. A direct removal of all troops from Afghanistan and Iraq would not have been a very wise idea, so he didn't do this.
Maybe as a US citizen you don't realize this but relations of the US with many countries in this world was absolutely horrible during the Bush reign. Now things are much nicer. Again, maybe it was just because he was 'the guy after Bush' but then Nobel shouldn't have made the statement you quoted, and just give the award to the guy with the best intentions, and not looked at the overal results.
ps and the prize to Gore also has proven to be a visionarry thing. OK, Gore uses lots of energy, has a private plane, probably wasn't accurate with the truth in his movie (which I didn't see) but the influence on the normal guy (so not on the scientific part of global warming which was cleared up alrrady 10 years ago) has been tremendous. Maybe also helped by the economic crisis which made car manufacturers change course, but still.
In that respect....I think the prize in economics is much more a useless award.