To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize – men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.
That is why I’ve said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won’t all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it’s recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.
This award – and the call to action that comes with it – does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.
Who says he thinks? The difference between acuity and genius is a few I.Q. points on motivemagus’ chart…and really smart people are in their own world. No, the vaunted “intellectual” that lalas laments is hardly the only asset to a free democratic-republic. In fact, they’re often the greatest danger to it. It is really sad to to see that un-merited esteem for mere professional time-stampers is so prevalent. You scratch the surface and you find a mean-spirited, emotionally-maladjusted hedonist or choleric self-egotist. Obama is more of a “follower”; he has good verbal skills and a “mission” or a goal that he has no actual stake in or did not ever feel linked to in any great depth. Yet he has a strong desire to belong somewhere, anywhere, and to have status because of it.
To sum up: I still think he is a good candidate for an “Everyman” if he could break away from his chosen “friends” and become a leader for all the people of America and not just the chronically dis-affected. That’s why moderates and independents voted for him; they thought they were getting a well-rounded politician who could exercise fair judgement on critical issues.
MMagot, where are you comming from? You have no intelligent answer, so you automatically fling the “W” or “Rush” rant of idiocy. No surprise there. It is all that you are capable of.
BCS has the answer. Let Mr Obama speak for himself, and you who try to defend him might eventually realize that YOU are his greatest enemy.
“This award – and the call to action that comes with it – does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.”
In motive’s case it was back when he , a “thinking” man claimed that G.W. lied about WMD’s. Hahahhhahaha!
And the Democratic leadership went along with him; the great fear was Saddam would sell them to Al queda…etc. In fact, because there boy Clinton and his TEAM had botched the job so bad…they didn’t want anybody tying the 2001 debacle back to them. So what did the Dems do as soon as the pressure was off? Attack Bush tooth, fang, and claw.
puppy, that’s an imaginative case of revisionist history you’re spouting. There are many, many excellently researched and sourced books which disprove everything you wrote. Perhaps you should try reading them to inform yourself of the historical record.
Thanks but I lived through these events…Americans were scared and looking for leadership, Libs were kicking themselves for being out of the loop, Saddam was running around acting like he had hid WMD’s, blocking the UN inspectors…and the same people that your man now bows to and Geo. W. had to bootlick at the end of his Pres. are probably the same people calling the shots back then. I will give the Libs this; it now appears The Bushies were wrong- they jumped the gun…but it depends on how worried the experts were about the disorder of the time. I can forgive a regime for making mistakes in the service of a greater good.
I’d like to recommend the book “The Dark Side” by Jane Mayer. In it you will hear from and get to know some true unsung heroes, staunch conservatives, lifelong Republicans, handpicked by the White House who agonized over what they saw happening and tried to stop it.
And this is much more than about torture. Torture was only one small piece of the illegal and unconstitutional acts our president and his administration embraced.
You will learn of those who quietly and without fanfare resigned their positions in the latter years of Bush’s second term because they could no longer allow themselves to be part of the fundamental trampling of the Constitution that seemed to grow in fervor with each passing year and they knew there was no more they could do to stop it. They gave it all they had.
These were not liberals, these were handpicked conservative loyalists who were appalled at the unstoppable march to a secretive, imperial presidency that destroyed every system of checks of balances, especially those that existed within the White House itself.
You’ll learn how over time every dept, including the top officials and counsels of the State Department, the National Security Agency, and even layers of the Dept of Defense were told they had no need to know the legal authority upon which the directions they were given were founded. They were given verbal orders and told they represented the President’s wishes.
You’ll learn that the FBI forbid its people from participating in activities at the numerous secret “ghost” prisons because they knew they were illegal and unconstitutional. This wasn’t announced, no media exposure was sought. it was achieved quietly and with the steadfast belief they were fulfilling they duty to uphold the constitution, the oath even the president and vice president take.
I’m sure you remember that eventually the U.S. Supreme Court dealt stunning defeats to the Bush legal doctrine, including one 8 to 1 case with Scalia writing the most critical sections. From the book, you’ll learn that Cheney and Addington were on their way to overturning the SCOTUS decision by executive fiat until finally, Bush was convinced by others to tell Cheney no.
You’ll learn that the military counsels of every branch of the armed forces fought some of the policies put in place by Cheney and his chief of staff David Addington. You’ll learn after exhaustive legal research was completed by the chief counsels of every branch of the military and the Dept. of Justice, the White House Counsel would agree to their legal findings only to discover much later that Cheney and Addington would reverse the decision and determine that none of them even needed to be told the decision was reversed.
You’ll learn that from about 2005 on many true patriots resigned their White House positions. You’ll learn that after 2005, 2006 the issue was not about gathering intelligence by extraordinary methods, it became only about protecting themselves from possible criminal prosecution and thus no one could be released nor charged. They would continue to be “ghosts” until years later. As a result it was many more years before their “ghost” prisoners were even acknowledged by name, their families long ago having assumed they were dead.
You’ll learn that those in charge openly and repeatedly said they knew 50 percent the people in the Afghan and Iraq prisons were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, having been picked up for simply being in the area, yet the powers that be in the White House refused to release them for fear of word getting out about their treatment.
So don’t tell me you know enough because you lived through these events. I know you consider yourself informed, so make the effort to learn how close our great country came to throwing out every foundation in our history by emulating the very authoritarian, despotic, secretive regimes we oppose. This isn’t hyperbole, it’s well documented and of course it’s probably worse then we even know now because so much is still classified.
It was not about making mistake in the service of a greater good; the least you could do is learn the facts of what really happened. I promise, it will astound you.
^^Please forward that horror story to Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. I’d love to see the sparks fly if anything you said up there is based on the truth. Go for it Libs; you got the White House, The Senate, and the House. Put that —BUSH — in the bighouse for good.
Oh c’mon puppy, why would you discount the word of the staunch life-long Republicans who were appointed to the position of their dreams in the Bush White House only to find out it was a nightmare? It’s all true, it’s all documented and you should read it. It makes you appreciate the unsung heroes who fought the good right on behalf of our country and our constitution. Fennec is right, i see, you won’t approach anything with an open mind if it disagrees with your preset dogma.
The Dark Side Jane Mayer - Funds are short, have too many books of my own I want to read and need to read. I’ll put it on my “To Read” list well below On the Origins of Species… and The Dragons of Eden.
Right, only it isn’t Obama who authored the bill, it’s not costing anything near 1000 per “average customer” (CBO states 175 per household*). As for the entire India thing… well, if the US misses out on producing energy-saving equipments, other countries won’t. Actually, that’s one of the things Obama’s platform stressed - that the US should take the lead in this sector (which is becoming more popular in the US and EU). If it doesn’t, well, other countries will. Now, I am no less appalled by child slavery and sexual abuse, but it has nothing to do with it - it’s simple market logic.
Now, as per “Judge not or you will be judged” - I can honestly say that from what I have seen so far, you yourself are the most judgemental person on these boards. Whether you pride yourself on it or do not notice it, what you posted applies just as much for you as for anyone else.
You could, of course, read why Obama was given the Nobel Prize. I disagree with the committee’s assessment, but that is their choice to make. You make and fund a committee, then give your prize to whoever you want.
*: Depending on the household income; see http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press111/20090626/hr2454cbo20090626.pdf
nomad2112 over 14 years ago
That’s it, exactly …
ANandy over 14 years ago
Being anti-U.S. strengthens the resume’. There is nothing noble about the prize. It is awarded, not earned.
believecommonsense over 14 years ago
from Pres. Obama:
To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who’ve been honored by this prize – men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.
But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it’s also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.
That is why I’ve said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won’t all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it’s recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.
This award – and the call to action that comes with it – does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.
HUMPHRIES over 14 years ago
Kinda nice tosee someone who thinks we “can” work together in this world.
Just love how the righty-up-tighties are getting their knickers in a knot ;oD
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
Who says he thinks? The difference between acuity and genius is a few I.Q. points on motivemagus’ chart…and really smart people are in their own world. No, the vaunted “intellectual” that lalas laments is hardly the only asset to a free democratic-republic. In fact, they’re often the greatest danger to it. It is really sad to to see that un-merited esteem for mere professional time-stampers is so prevalent. You scratch the surface and you find a mean-spirited, emotionally-maladjusted hedonist or choleric self-egotist. Obama is more of a “follower”; he has good verbal skills and a “mission” or a goal that he has no actual stake in or did not ever feel linked to in any great depth. Yet he has a strong desire to belong somewhere, anywhere, and to have status because of it. To sum up: I still think he is a good candidate for an “Everyman” if he could break away from his chosen “friends” and become a leader for all the people of America and not just the chronically dis-affected. That’s why moderates and independents voted for him; they thought they were getting a well-rounded politician who could exercise fair judgement on critical issues.
Motivemagus over 14 years ago
Pup, you have completely described George W. Bush – except for the smart part.
Loco80 over 14 years ago
MMagot, where are you comming from? You have no intelligent answer, so you automatically fling the “W” or “Rush” rant of idiocy. No surprise there. It is all that you are capable of. BCS has the answer. Let Mr Obama speak for himself, and you who try to defend him might eventually realize that YOU are his greatest enemy.
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
Loco, many Libs here seem smart up until the time they fail the GeorgeBush Test.
4uk4ata over 14 years ago
“This award – and the call to action that comes with it – does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.”
Typical Obama anti-Americanism.
cdward over 14 years ago
4uk4ata, for a moment I thought you were serious. Wheew. Good post.
Pup, I suppose any time anyone mentions George Bush, you’ll say they flunked. Unless, like scott, it is to praise him.
HUMPHRIES over 14 years ago
puppy - “fail the George Bush test”?? - Which is ?
Got your knickers untangeled yet ?
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
In motive’s case it was back when he , a “thinking” man claimed that G.W. lied about WMD’s. Hahahhhahaha! And the Democratic leadership went along with him; the great fear was Saddam would sell them to Al queda…etc. In fact, because there boy Clinton and his TEAM had botched the job so bad…they didn’t want anybody tying the 2001 debacle back to them. So what did the Dems do as soon as the pressure was off? Attack Bush tooth, fang, and claw.
believecommonsense over 14 years ago
puppy, that’s an imaginative case of revisionist history you’re spouting. There are many, many excellently researched and sourced books which disprove everything you wrote. Perhaps you should try reading them to inform yourself of the historical record.
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
Thanks but I lived through these events…Americans were scared and looking for leadership, Libs were kicking themselves for being out of the loop, Saddam was running around acting like he had hid WMD’s, blocking the UN inspectors…and the same people that your man now bows to and Geo. W. had to bootlick at the end of his Pres. are probably the same people calling the shots back then. I will give the Libs this; it now appears The Bushies were wrong- they jumped the gun…but it depends on how worried the experts were about the disorder of the time. I can forgive a regime for making mistakes in the service of a greater good.
believecommonsense over 14 years ago
I’d like to recommend the book “The Dark Side” by Jane Mayer. In it you will hear from and get to know some true unsung heroes, staunch conservatives, lifelong Republicans, handpicked by the White House who agonized over what they saw happening and tried to stop it.
And this is much more than about torture. Torture was only one small piece of the illegal and unconstitutional acts our president and his administration embraced.
You will learn of those who quietly and without fanfare resigned their positions in the latter years of Bush’s second term because they could no longer allow themselves to be part of the fundamental trampling of the Constitution that seemed to grow in fervor with each passing year and they knew there was no more they could do to stop it. They gave it all they had.
These were not liberals, these were handpicked conservative loyalists who were appalled at the unstoppable march to a secretive, imperial presidency that destroyed every system of checks of balances, especially those that existed within the White House itself.
You’ll learn how over time every dept, including the top officials and counsels of the State Department, the National Security Agency, and even layers of the Dept of Defense were told they had no need to know the legal authority upon which the directions they were given were founded. They were given verbal orders and told they represented the President’s wishes.
You’ll learn that the FBI forbid its people from participating in activities at the numerous secret “ghost” prisons because they knew they were illegal and unconstitutional. This wasn’t announced, no media exposure was sought. it was achieved quietly and with the steadfast belief they were fulfilling they duty to uphold the constitution, the oath even the president and vice president take.
I’m sure you remember that eventually the U.S. Supreme Court dealt stunning defeats to the Bush legal doctrine, including one 8 to 1 case with Scalia writing the most critical sections. From the book, you’ll learn that Cheney and Addington were on their way to overturning the SCOTUS decision by executive fiat until finally, Bush was convinced by others to tell Cheney no.
You’ll learn that the military counsels of every branch of the armed forces fought some of the policies put in place by Cheney and his chief of staff David Addington. You’ll learn after exhaustive legal research was completed by the chief counsels of every branch of the military and the Dept. of Justice, the White House Counsel would agree to their legal findings only to discover much later that Cheney and Addington would reverse the decision and determine that none of them even needed to be told the decision was reversed.
You’ll learn that from about 2005 on many true patriots resigned their White House positions. You’ll learn that after 2005, 2006 the issue was not about gathering intelligence by extraordinary methods, it became only about protecting themselves from possible criminal prosecution and thus no one could be released nor charged. They would continue to be “ghosts” until years later. As a result it was many more years before their “ghost” prisoners were even acknowledged by name, their families long ago having assumed they were dead.
You’ll learn that those in charge openly and repeatedly said they knew 50 percent the people in the Afghan and Iraq prisons were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, having been picked up for simply being in the area, yet the powers that be in the White House refused to release them for fear of word getting out about their treatment.
So don’t tell me you know enough because you lived through these events. I know you consider yourself informed, so make the effort to learn how close our great country came to throwing out every foundation in our history by emulating the very authoritarian, despotic, secretive regimes we oppose. This isn’t hyperbole, it’s well documented and of course it’s probably worse then we even know now because so much is still classified.
It was not about making mistake in the service of a greater good; the least you could do is learn the facts of what really happened. I promise, it will astound you.
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
^^Please forward that horror story to Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. I’d love to see the sparks fly if anything you said up there is based on the truth. Go for it Libs; you got the White House, The Senate, and the House. Put that —BUSH — in the bighouse for good.
believecommonsense over 14 years ago
Oh c’mon puppy, why would you discount the word of the staunch life-long Republicans who were appointed to the position of their dreams in the Bush White House only to find out it was a nightmare? It’s all true, it’s all documented and you should read it. It makes you appreciate the unsung heroes who fought the good right on behalf of our country and our constitution. Fennec is right, i see, you won’t approach anything with an open mind if it disagrees with your preset dogma.
OmqR-IV.0 over 14 years ago
Bcs is a true punster, she’s learnt the art! ;-)
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
The Dark Side Jane Mayer - Funds are short, have too many books of my own I want to read and need to read. I’ll put it on my “To Read” list well below On the Origins of Species… and The Dragons of Eden.
d_legendary1 over 14 years ago
Sour grapes. And the fact that he’s not bush is a bonus.
NoFearPup over 14 years ago
Yo, stale bisc’it, go dunk yo’self!
4uk4ata over 14 years ago
Right, only it isn’t Obama who authored the bill, it’s not costing anything near 1000 per “average customer” (CBO states 175 per household*). As for the entire India thing… well, if the US misses out on producing energy-saving equipments, other countries won’t. Actually, that’s one of the things Obama’s platform stressed - that the US should take the lead in this sector (which is becoming more popular in the US and EU). If it doesn’t, well, other countries will. Now, I am no less appalled by child slavery and sexual abuse, but it has nothing to do with it - it’s simple market logic.
Now, as per “Judge not or you will be judged” - I can honestly say that from what I have seen so far, you yourself are the most judgemental person on these boards. Whether you pride yourself on it or do not notice it, what you posted applies just as much for you as for anyone else.
You could, of course, read why Obama was given the Nobel Prize. I disagree with the committee’s assessment, but that is their choice to make. You make and fund a committee, then give your prize to whoever you want.
*: Depending on the household income; see http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press111/20090626/hr2454cbo20090626.pdf