2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner: Barack Obama

[QUOTE="Espada12"]

[QUOTE="fidosim"] And that's the real reason Obama won this prize. The international community, and Europeans in particular, want an American president who will make the U.S. weaker to make everyone else stronger, in order to "advance the cause of peace"fidosim

What makes you think they want american *weaker*?

That is true obviously, but it won't be diminished anytime soon, america does not only have a military influence, they have a media influence as well as economic influence that only the british(media) can rival. Even if america was to lose every soldier on earth right now it would still be one of the most powerful countries, they know this so I don't really think they want america weaker.. probably less aggressive.

The Nobel committee stated:

"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. 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."

I completely agree with them.

Engrish_Major

That doesn't warrant a price prize at all, especially not knowing whether or not he is really true to those statements he made.

Bleh. Ever since Arafat won the damn thing, its pretty much become useless.

That doesn't warrant a price prize at all, especially not knowing whether or not he is really true to those statements he made.

This is an embarrassment, he should not accept this award. Almost as bad as when Yasir Arafat won. I can almost guarantee Obama is wishing this didn't happen.

Gooeykat

[QUOTE="Acemaster27"]That said, it does give him incentive not to escalate any more wars the US is in or potentially could get in (Afghanistan and Iran).fidosim

This is EXACTLY the attitude that is destroying the country.

The right-wing is obssessed with making the rest of the world bow down to the will of the USA. It's a lousy attitude and one of the main reasons there's so much anti-American sentiment in the world.

[QUOTE="Espada12"]

That doesn't warrant a price prize at all, especially not knowing whether or not he is really true to those statements he made.

Engrish_Major

Oh, they absolutely respected the U.S. under Bush. Once it became apparent that he was willing to use force to protect American interests, other countries had to respect the U.S., whether they approved or not. There is a big difference between being liked and being respected. Obama has tried to buddy up to the rest of the world by conceeding to other countries as a "citizen of the world", but it won't amount to anything tangible unless he is looking out for American interests. The Nobel comittee says that Obama gives a message of "hope". Hope for what, in their eyes? Hope for a less belligerent United States, led by a man who feels guilt for his country's use of power.fidosim

[QUOTE="Espada12"]

That doesn't warrant a price prize at all, especially not knowing whether or not he is really true to those statements he made.

Engrish_Major

This is something many american presidents have done before hand, the difference is he is doing it after bush tarnished the american reputation by attacking iraq without thinking.

[QUOTE="fidosim"]Oh, they absolutely respected the U.S. under Bush. Once it became apparent that he was willing to use force to protect American interests, other countries had to respect the U.S., whether they approved or not. There is a big difference between being liked and being respected. Obama has tried to buddy up to the rest of the world by conceeding to other countries as a "citizen of the world", but it won't amount to anything tangible unless he is looking out for American interests. The Nobel comittee says that Obama gives a message of "hope". Hope for what, in their eyes? Hope for a less belligerent United States, led by a man who feels guilt for his country's use of power.Engrish_Major

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

[QUOTE="fidosim"][QUOTE="Acemaster27"]That said, it does give him incentive not to escalate any more wars the US is in or potentially could get in (Afghanistan and Iran).Netherscourge

This is EXACTLY the attitude that is destroying the country.

The right-wing is obssessed with making the rest of the world bow down to the will of the USA. It's a lousy attitude and one of the main reasons there's so much anti-American sentiment in the world.

The right-wing is obssessed with making the rest of the world bow down to the will of the USA. It's a lousy attitude and one of the main reasons there's so much anti-American sentiment in the world.Netherscourge

The only reason ive seen so far in terms of why he was chosen, is basically because he isnt George Bush, lol. A lot of people really didnt like that guy, and I guess they're (the committee) just happy that Obama is trying to take a step in the opposite direction as the Bush Administration. Although, there is still conflict going on in the Middle East involving US troops everyday it seems.I say he setanother example. Bring our troops home.

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

George Bush's ignorance over the past 8 years has rallied more terrorists together then anything Osama Bin Ladin ever did.

Oh... Wow... Seriously?

The only reason ive seen so far in terms of why he was chosen, is basically because he isnt George Bush, lol. A lot of people really didnt like that guy, and I guess they're (the committee) just happy that Obama is trying to take a step in the opposite direction as the Bush Administration. Although, there is still conflict going on in the Middle East involving US troops everyday it seems.I say he setanother example. Bring our troops home.

KcurtorMas

He can't, and it's a promise he should not have made without knowing whether he could do it in a timely manner or not.

[QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

Engrish_Major

When the smaller kids are within earshot of the bully, they show respect. Respect out of fear, yes... but respect nonetheless. Not saying it's a smart way of garnering respect, nor am I saying it's a way of keeping it longterm, but there's no question that violence makes others pay attention to what you say.

EDIT: d'oh, beaten by fidosim.

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

fidosim

Bill Gates was a nerdy kid once...

[QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

Engrish_Major

Bill Gates was a nerdy kid once...

Netherscourge

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

GamerForca

I wouldn't consider the US to be the middle school bully, but for the sake of argument, i'd say that the bully is still respected. If he's willing to beat people up and not let people take advantage of him, people have to take that into account and be willing to conceed to him and suck up to him a bit. Continuing the analogy, take the nerdy kid who as asthma and a studder, who always gives up his lunch money when threatened. People come to take full advantage of the nerdy kid, because they realize that he's a pushover. He emboldens other kids who might not otherwise be bullies into taking advantage of him. Do people "like" the nerdy kid? Sort of, when they're taking his lunch money. But do people respect him? Absolutely not.fidosim

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Espada12"]

That doesn't warrant a price prize at all, especially not knowing whether or not he is really true to those statements he made.

fidosim

Fear and respect are not synonymous...

[QUOTE="KcurtorMas"]

The only reason ive seen so far in terms of why he was chosen, is basically because he isnt George Bush, lol. A lot of people really didnt like that guy, and I guess they're (the committee) just happy that Obama is trying to take a step in the opposite direction as the Bush Administration. Although, there is still conflict going on in the Middle East involving US troops everyday it seems.I say he setanother example. Bring our troops home.

He can't, and it's a promise he should not have made without knowing whether he could do it in a timely manner or not.

Bill Gates was a nerdy kid once...

Netherscourge

And wasn't respected until after he had so much lunch money that he could buy and sell an army of bullies.

[QUOTE="GamerForca"][QUOTE="Engrish_Major"]Still disagree. We got more respect by invading Iraq? I'm sure very few people outside of the USA think that. It's like saying that the idiot beligerent middle school bully is respected.Espada12

Fear and respect are not synonymous...

chessmaster1989

Thesaurus.com says otherwise.

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Espada12"]

That doesn't warrant a price prize at all, especially not knowing whether or not he is really true to those statements he made.

fidosim

[QUOTE="Espada12"]Are you talking about the madrid bombings? Do you even know if spain has a capable army of going overseas?GamerForca

The thing is, respect through violence is outdated thinking that will not keep the US safe. Terrorists do not fear death. They do not fear war. Like I said earlier, Bush did exactly what bin Laden wanted him to.Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]Fear and respect are not synonymous...

Oleg_Huzwog

Thesaurus.com says otherwise.

Fear (n): a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Respect (n): esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability

In what way are those the same? :?

[QUOTE="Espada12"][QUOTE="GamerForca"] Afghanistan is probably a better argument. When the US is attacked by terrorists, they have the will to fight back. When Spain is attacked, they run scared. The world wants a US that will run scared.GamerForca

The US spends more than all the NATO european nations put together. There is no way spain alone could possibly have an army capable of overseas military action.

Why would you attack U.S. soil unless you want an 800 lb. Gorilla after you? fidosim

[QUOTE="GamerForca"][QUOTE="Espada12"]Are you talking about the madrid bombings? Do you even know if spain has a capable army of going overseas?Engrish_Major

heh - Bill Gates was a nerdy kid once - probably picked on by Bullies...

Then one day he creates Windows, becomes the richest man in the country and now Bullies are BEGGING him for a job in the Microsoft mailroom, where they can make like $15 a hour stuffing envelopes and getting 100% free Health Benefits.

Gotta love Karma.

The Bully is no longer in the White House - I look forward to the Bush's, Cheney's and Rumsfeld's in the future begging Democrats for a public option health coverage, because they can no longer afford their personal docotor's bills when all the wars have ended, all the Wall Street thieves are gone and all their stocks in oil countries dry up.

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

A willingness to carry out those threats does.

GamerForca

I so deeply care about what five Norwegian academic elitists think.

[QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]Fear and respect are not synonymous...

chessmaster1989

Thesaurus.com says otherwise.

Fear (n): a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Respect (n): esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability

In what way are those the same? :?

Come now, surely you don't mean to say you've never heard the following announced during a baseball telecast:

"most feared hitter in their lineup"
"pitcher needs to respect this next hitter"

The two phrases are interchangable. The words can be synonymous.

[QUOTE="GamerForca"][QUOTE="Espada12"]Are you talking about the madrid bombings? Do you even know if spain has a capable army of going overseas?Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="Engrish_Major"][QUOTE="GamerForca"] Are you saying they don't? :|fidosim

Exactly, they folded to the terrorists' threats. That's on the lines of what the world wants the US to do. BTW, al Quaeda has stated that they want to retake lands that the Moors previously owned, which is virtually all of Spain. GamerForca

He was insinuating that they had a role in the bombing if I am getting the jist of his post correctly.

Exactly, they folded to the terrorists' threats. That's on the lines of what the world wants the US to do. BTW, al Quaeda has stated that they want to retake lands that the Moors previously owned, which is virtually all of Spain. GamerForca

[QUOTE="Netherscourge"]Bill Gates was a nerdy kid once...

Oleg_Huzwog

And wasn't respected until after he had so much lunch money that he could buy and sell an army of bullies.

[QUOTE="Oleg_Huzwog"]

[QUOTE="chessmaster1989"]Fear and respect are not synonymous...

chessmaster1989

Thesaurus.com says otherwise.

Fear (n): a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Respect (n): esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability

In what way are those the same? :?

Yes, there is a huge difference. People will listen to a criminal with a gun not out of respect but out of fear for their life. Take away the gun and there's no fear and nobody will pay him any attention. A respected man will have the ears of the people whether he has a gun or not.

[QUOTE="GamerForca"][QUOTE="Espada12"] Are you talking about the madrid bombings? Do you even know if spain has a capable army of going overseas?Espada12

The US spends more than all the NATO european nations put together. There is no way spain alone could possibly have an army capable of overseas military action.

[QUOTE="GamerForca"] Exactly, they folded to the terrorists' threats. That's on the lines of what the world wants the US to do. BTW, al Quaeda has stated that they want to retake lands that the Moors previously owned, which is virtually all of Spain. Engrish_Major

:|

This is cheap heat at best. At worst? That would lead to a ban if I said it and I'll leave it at that.