a Nobel? really?

[cellio]

I'm neither an Obama fan nor an Obama detractor -- not an extremist on either side. From some things I've heard today, it seems important to state that.

I'm mystified by his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. It's possible that he could earn that someday, but now? He'd been in office for ten days when nominations closed, and since then he really hasn't done anything on the peace front yet. I don't understand what's going on in the heads of the folks on the Nobel committee.

Al Gore's prize doesn't seem to have anything to do with peace either, so this isn't the first time they've done something to prompt "WTF?"s. Have they changed the charter of the Peace Prize? It would be sad if it became meaningless.

Comments

[talvinamarich.livejournal.com]

What saddens me is that so many people are trying to blame it on President Obama.

Blame it on Norway's Government. Really. They choose the people who decide who is going to get the prize.

The Nobel Peace Prize has always been an attempt to influence policy. This is just a bit more brazen than some.

I think his kids say it best, though.

"After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, 'Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo's birthday,' " referring to the First Mutt. "And then Sasha added, 'Plus we have a three-day weekend coming up,' " in reference to Columbus Day. "So it's good to have kids to keep things in perspective." Source here. (http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1929447,00.html)

[cellio]

Blaming President Obama is wrong, yes. The committee is responsible for the choice, not him. Yes, he could have declined it, but I'm not sure that would have made sense either.