Obama wins the Nobel peace prize!

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I support the president and believe that he is taking the country and the world in the right direction, but this seems premature. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

And to think he did it without ringing anyone's bells.   

[Dave Gray]

For which action did he receive this award?  Anything in particular?

[Phishfan]

Since we always discuss the definition of irony, is it ironic that a country involved in two wars has its leader as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize?

[Dave Gray]

Since we always discuss the definition of irony, is it ironic that a country involved in two wars has its leader as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize?

I would say no.

It would be ironic if Obama fought Jimmy Carter over who was more peaceful.

[jtex316]

Obama is the shit. He's in a win-win scenario, meaning that no matter what he does, everyone will love him all over the world. Give him the Peabody award and the Heisman Trophy, too.

[ethurst22]

Obama is the shit. He's in a win-win scenario, meaning that no matter what he does, everyone will love him all over the world. Give him the Peabody award and the Heisman Trophy, too.

I concur with Jtex

And while they are at it, lets give him the Grammy, Emmy, Tony Awards, put him in The Pro Football Hall of Fame and oh, lets not forget the Oscar which he rightfully deserves.

[Buddhagirl]

For which action did he receive this award?  Anything in particular?

You can read their reasoning here:  http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB/home/announce-2009/

"...for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons."

Also

"Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened."

Emphasis mine...
They're basically awarding all of us for no longer being bullies and attempting to take steps in the right direction.

The Nobel Peace Prize does not have to be for one singular act from my understanding. It can mean that you're moving in the right direction.

[StL FinFan]

Where outside of grade school do you get rewarded for effort?  It takes results and the jury is still out on Obama, imo anyway.  I would have a lot of respect for him if he said "Thanks but I have not earned it yet."

[Sunstroke]

I just can't believe he has enough time in his schedule to do a promo commercial spot for the new George Lopez late night show. I mean, come on...surely there is something important he could be doing instead of that?

[jtex316]

Where outside of grade school do you get rewarded for effort?

Some call this a "job".

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Emphasis mine...
They're basically awarding all of us for no longer being bullies and attempting to take steps in the right direction.

The Nobel Peace Prize does not have to be for one singular act from my understanding. It can mean that you're moving in the right direction.

Here is my take to use a football analogy.....  Obama getting this award now, it the equivalent of inducting Matt Ryan into the football hall of fame in Canton. 

I don't mean any disrespect to either. 

Ryan is a very good football player, but to claim he has earned a spot to Canton is ludacris.  Ryan earned the rookie of the year award last year and may very well likely be on his way to a hall of fame career, but he ain't there yet.

Obama has moved the nation and the world in the right direction.  Maybe as well as any world leader has ever done in the first 10 months in office.  I would not begrudge him the rookie of the year award or have problem with someone claiming he has been the most effective president in his first 10 months in office.  But to say Obama is already a Hall of Fame world leader in the area of peaceful foriegn relations....in my opinion it is too early.   

[Dave Gray]

I'm not saying that I would've given the award to Obama, but I think that the Peace prize is something very different that the tangible goals of a football hall of fame, which is measured purely by results.

I think that peace is a process, and I think that effort is part of that.

Again, I do think it's premature, but I don't think it's a travesty or anything like that.

[StL FinFan]

Some call this a "job".

Even at your job, you get awards for going above and beyond, not just for doing your job adequately.

[Spider-Dan]

Here is my take to use a football analogy.....  Obama getting this award now, it the equivalent of inducting Matt Ryan into the football hall of fame in Canton. 

I don't mean any disrespect to either. 

Ryan is a very good football player, but to claim he has earned a spot to Canton is ludacris.  Ryan earned the rookie of the year award last year and may very well likely be on his way to a hall of fame career, but he ain't there yet.

Obama has moved the nation and the world in the right direction.  Maybe as well as any world leader has ever done in the first 10 months in office.  I would not begrudge him the rookie of the year award or have problem with someone claiming he has been the most effective president in his first 10 months in office.  But to say Obama is already a Hall of Fame world leader in the area of peaceful foriegn relations....in my opinion it is too early. 

I disagree.  The Hall of Fame is a recognition of lifetime achievement; in contrast, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded yearly.  It is perfectly reasonable for the Nobel Peace Prize to be given to someone who has done a lot of work in one year.

Now, you can argue the merits of him being nominated 2 weeks into office...