09-10-2009, 10:55 AM
I find this near infinitely depressing.
Leaving aside the fact that he has been in office less than a year and has actually achieved close to zero by way of concrete contributions to 'world peace' - quite the contrary in fact, on any reasonable examination of the facts - it is the fawning nature of the awards process itself. As if the President of the worlds dominant arms manufacturer/exporter and wager of war on any country that fails to see things the US way or any so-called 'insurgency' against those bribed, cajoled, or threatened into doing so, actually NEEDS another $1.4 million plus a diploma and gold medal.
This from the BBC:
Leaving aside the fact that he has been in office less than a year and has actually achieved close to zero by way of concrete contributions to 'world peace' - quite the contrary in fact, on any reasonable examination of the facts - it is the fawning nature of the awards process itself. As if the President of the worlds dominant arms manufacturer/exporter and wager of war on any country that fails to see things the US way or any so-called 'insurgency' against those bribed, cajoled, or threatened into doing so, actually NEEDS another $1.4 million plus a diploma and gold medal.
This from the BBC:
Quote:The Nobel Committee said he was awarded it for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".
The committee highlighted Mr Obama's efforts to strengthen international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament.
There were a record 205 nominations for this year's prize. Zimbabwe's prime minister and a Chinese dissident had been among the favourites.
The laureate - chosen by a five-member committee - wins a gold medal, a diploma and 10m Swedish kronor ($1.4m).
Should Obama have won?
"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the Norwegian committee said as the prize was announced.
"His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
Asked why the prize had been awarded to Mr Obama less than a year after he took office, Nobel committee head Thorbjoern Jagland said: "It was because we would like to support what he is trying to achieve".
"It is a clear signal that we want to advocate the same as he has done," he said.
He specifically mentioned Mr Obama's work to strengthen international institutions and work towards a world free of nuclear arms.
Peter Presland
".....there is something far worse than Nazism, and that is the hubris of the Anglo-American fraternities, whose routine is to incite indigenous monsters to war, and steer the pandemonium to further their imperial aims"
Guido Preparata. Preface to 'Conjuring Hitler'[size=12][size=12]
"Never believe anything until it has been officially denied"
Claud Cockburn
[/SIZE][/SIZE]
".....there is something far worse than Nazism, and that is the hubris of the Anglo-American fraternities, whose routine is to incite indigenous monsters to war, and steer the pandemonium to further their imperial aims"
Guido Preparata. Preface to 'Conjuring Hitler'[size=12][size=12]
"Never believe anything until it has been officially denied"
Claud Cockburn
[/SIZE][/SIZE]