I kid you not:
One judge noted with surprise that President Barack Obama "didn't look particularly happy" at being named the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Another marveled at how critics could be so patronizing.In a rare public defense of a process normally shrouded in secrecy, four of the Nobel jury's five judges spoke out this week about a selection they said was both merited and unanimous.
To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama's young presidency, "We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done," committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe.
Jagland singled out Obama's efforts to heal the divide between the West and the Muslim world and scale down a Bush-era proposal for an anti-missile shield in Europe.
"All these things have contributed to _ I wouldn't say a safer world _ but a world with less tension," he said.
I'd recommend Jagland take a relaxing walk just about anywhere in Pakistan or Afghanistan or... hell... Chicago... and feel that tension just melt away.
Sigh.
Crossposted (*)



Comments (25)
"SERENITY NOW!!! SEREN... (Below threshold)1. Posted by rodney dill | October 14, 2009 8:07 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
"SERENITY NOW!!! SERENITY NOW!!!"
1. Posted by rodney dill | October 14, 2009 8:07 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 08:07
2. Posted by JLawson | October 14, 2009 8:22 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
"But dude, I don't understand. We burned the right incense, we sang the songs our guru gave us, we prayed to the sun and the moon and mother Gaia - and it should have worked. Obama's still here, instead of ascending up and becoming the new Godhead."
"Bummer, man - maybe you were wrong?"
"No, the Tarot, the runestones and the I Ching all agreed, he's the new savior and lightbringer. I don't understand why he's not acting like it, and why everyone else doesn't see it!"
"Face it, dude, ever since you had that concussion you've been a bit.. credulous."
"Nah, that doesn't have a damn thing to do with it! By the way, has the mail come yet? Today's the day the ouija board said a $50 mil check would come from that Nigerian dude I sent my checking account and routing info to..."
"Here's the mail. No check... but it sure looks like you got a lot of overdraft notices..."
"Aw, man! Not again!"
2. Posted by JLawson | October 14, 2009 8:22 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 08:22
3. Posted by hcddbz | October 14, 2009 8:28 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
At least Chamberlain had the Munich Agreement signed which "... contributed to _ I wouldn't say a safer world _ but a world with less tension," he said.
I mean we saw how well that worked but you know what everyone have a good nights sleep.
Ignore Iran, NK and the more aggressive Russia,
Consultation, removal of Difference worked so well and their was never war.
3. Posted by hcddbz | October 14, 2009 8:28 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 08:28
4. Posted by dfbaskwill | October 14, 2009 9:03 AM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
I wonder if anyone in Israel agrees. Or how about Poland and Ukraine. Those Icebacks have no clue what they are talking about. When we have the next terror attack here in the US during ObamaCare's administration, they will urge us to not "escalate" tensions any further by fighting back, just as they have repeatedly done to Israelis. Don't get me started...
4. Posted by dfbaskwill | October 14, 2009 9:03 AM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:03
5. Posted by Hank | October 14, 2009 9:13 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Re: "All these things have contributed to _ I wouldn't say a safer world _ but a world with less tension,"
I'm reminded of the saying about the calm before the storm.
5. Posted by Hank | October 14, 2009 9:13 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:13
6. Posted by Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN Retired | October 14, 2009 9:19 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Been in the Lutefisk a bit much, hasn't he?
6. Posted by Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN Retired | October 14, 2009 9:19 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:19
7. Posted by MPR | October 14, 2009 9:26 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Jagland is a true senior citizen of La La Land. When Obamalala was elected it set their hearts a flutter. Not surprising that they would want to affirm to the world that the America finally got it right. I feel better now that they approve of us.
7. Posted by MPR | October 14, 2009 9:26 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:26
8. Posted by Pretzel Logic | October 14, 2009 9:33 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Yeah, unless you live in an ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY!
8. Posted by Pretzel Logic | October 14, 2009 9:33 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:33
9. Posted by P. Bunyan | October 14, 2009 9:40 AM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
All the brutal thugs, terrorists, and dictators are a lot less tense, that's for sure. Castro, Putin, and Chavez are a lot less tense.
Hell Momar Khadafi was so emboldened by Obama he actually came over here and pitched a tent on American soil! I mean he literally pitched a tent-- I know every terrorist, thug, dictator, and anyone who wants to see America hurt or destroyed figuratively pitched a tent when Obama was elected, but Momar came over here and literally pitched a tent on our soil only weeks after he gave a hero's welcome to the Lockerby terrorist! For the first time in my adult life I was truly ashamed to be an American,
I was even more ashamed when it was some local government who made Khadafi take down his tent. If had been President and Khadafi did that I would have sent him a letter:
Dear Momar,
60 seconds after the time you started reading this letter, the spot where you are standing and everything within a 100 yards radius will be a smoldering crater.
I hope you're wearing running shoes. Have a nice day!
Sincerely,
President Bunyan
Anyway, Obama's foreign policy, where he is repeatedly not doing the right thing (kinda like Biden warned), will do nothing to encourage world peace, but may very well lead to world war, and a nuclear war at that.
The Bush hating leftists are all pitching tents they're so pleased and "less tense", but intelligent, thinking people are stocking up on ammo and survival supplies.
9. Posted by P. Bunyan | October 14, 2009 9:40 AM |
Score: 3 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:40
10. Posted by JIM | October 14, 2009 9:51 AM | Score: -9 (13 votes cast)
Come on chaps, smarten up.
Obama's selection as recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize was nothing more an unthinly veiled insult to the "foreign policy" of Bush and Cheney.
Of course Obama did not deserve the prize, he knows it, his supporters know it, the world knows it and the GOP knows it. Obama has been saddled with the task of undoing the mess of the previous administration.
Obama has two hopes of sorting out Afghanistan, Bob Hope and No Hope. And everybody knows it, with the exception of deluded "bloggers" who have little or no concept of the world in which they live in!
10. Posted by JIM | October 14, 2009 9:51 AM |
Score: -9 (13 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:51
11. Posted by Dr Carlo Lombardi | October 14, 2009 9:57 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
10. Posted by JIM
Chaps?
I haven't heard that term used since Laurel and Hardy's "A Chump at Oxford".
Blimey!
11. Posted by Dr Carlo Lombardi | October 14, 2009 9:57 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 09:57
12. Posted by gary gulrud | October 14, 2009 10:32 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Norwegians remaining in the old country are intellectually impaired, morally vacuous mutant throwbacks.
What? I'm only half Norsk, if you don't count dissipated Scots.
12. Posted by gary gulrud | October 14, 2009 10:32 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:32
13. Posted by mag | October 14, 2009 10:33 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
I feel a lot less saver since Obama's election. In fact I am very afraid of what he will do not not do. Not only because he is a weak leader, but also so clueless. Just what these Nobel lefties would love. Obama plays into their hands, that's why they like him so much. Screw them.
13. Posted by mag | October 14, 2009 10:33 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:33
14. Posted by Falze | October 14, 2009 10:41 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Sort of like the proverbial frog relaxing and growing less 'tense' in his (ever-warming) bath water, eh?
14. Posted by Falze | October 14, 2009 10:41 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:41
15. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 11:22 AM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
"Nobel Peace Prize Judge: Obama has made the world less tense"
Yeah... yeah right! I will sleep better tonight knowing this!
15. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 11:22 AM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:22
16. Posted by _Mike_ | October 14, 2009 11:27 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Obama - He's done for the world what Lewinsky did for Clinton.
16. Posted by _Mike_ | October 14, 2009 11:27 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:27
17. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 12:17 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
#16
Ha ha ha ha ha... choke, spit..
17. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 12:17 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:17
18. Posted by Dennis D | October 14, 2009 12:32 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
I think the big picture is being missed. How can anyone with an ounce of INTEGRITY accept an Award they themselves know they did not earn? I would feel dishonest accepting such an award. Obama does not?
18. Posted by Dennis D | October 14, 2009 12:32 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:32
19. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 1:36 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Obama is a narcissist extroardinaire and a proven pathalogical liar ...
The rest of us..Not so much.
19. Posted by 914 | October 14, 2009 1:36 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 13:36
20. Posted by hermie | October 14, 2009 1:40 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
If making the world 'less tense' was the prime qualification for the Nobel Peace Prize, why didn't the guys who invented Valium win it?
20. Posted by hermie | October 14, 2009 1:40 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 13:40
21. Posted by Falze | October 14, 2009 2:16 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
forget Valium, there are a whole bunch of farmers in Afghanistan waiting for their medals.
21. Posted by Falze | October 14, 2009 2:16 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 14:16
22. Posted by Flu-Bird | October 14, 2009 4:08 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Do you realy trust a bunch of idiots who gave this same prize to a terrorists leader(YASIR ARAFAT)a loser president(JIMMY CARTER) and a lying exaerating former veep(AL GORE) their a shame to the origional meaning of the peace prize They all deserve to be punished but the guillotine would be too quick for them
22. Posted by Flu-Bird | October 14, 2009 4:08 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 16:08
23. Posted by Mark | October 14, 2009 5:26 PM | Score: -5 (7 votes cast)
Wow - hate much?
Like you all care about the typical Pakistani or Afghani? Or even Ukrainian? Give me a break!
Yeah, it was so much better when the entire planet hated us - not!
23. Posted by Mark | October 14, 2009 5:26 PM |
Score: -5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 17:26
24. Posted by P. Bunyan | October 14, 2009 6:57 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Sorry Mark but your premise is false. Really its just projection-- global projection in this case. It takes a tremendous amount of arrogance to project your opinions on the entire globe.
Reality: leftists hating President Bush does not equal the entire planet hating America.
24. Posted by P. Bunyan | October 14, 2009 6:57 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 14, 2009 18:57
25. Posted by Jose Martinez | October 17, 2009 9:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Obama's Nobel funds should be donated to the U.S. government to pay for his two Air Force 1 Scandanavian trips (Copenhagen - failed plug for Chicago Olympics) and Oslo - to pick up his $ 1.4 million peace prize. Each Air Force One trip cost the tax payer about $ 920,0000.
And there is the issue of how the tainted Nobel foundation funds invested in Swedish armament industry and in weapons of mass destruction.
1. Originally the directive from Alfred Nobel was to place the funds in real estate or similar safe investments, however since 1953 the foundation was allowed by the Swedish government to invest in shares, which stopped the hither to depletion of the funds.
2. The funds are at the moment approx US$ 500 million in total (it shrunk approx 20% last year).
3. The management is not done by the foundation itself, it is split across several (about ten) portfolios managed by different asset managers in Sweden and other countri es, the spread across countries and by asset type can be found here: http://nobelprize.org/nobelfoundation/finan-manag.html
4. As late as 2005, there is an explicit admission from the foundation that there are NO ethical guidelines issued to the asset managers:
www.dagsavisen.no/innenriks/article256458.ece?service=articlePrint - in Norwegian)
5.There have been several 'scandals' surrounding the asset management, presumably deriving from the lack of ethical guidelines from the Nobel foundation
- In 1998, the Observer made an investigation into the investments and found that many of the world largest arms manufactureres (including Boeing, British Aerospace, GKN och Smiths Industries) were in the Nobel foundation portfolios
- in 2005, a Norwegian organization 'Norwatch' looked specifically into the portfolio handled by a US firm group called T Rowe Price who in their general portfolios have manufacturers of both cluster bombs and atomic bombs (Lockheed Martin). The Nobel foundation did not exclude the possibility that their funds were invested in such shares
6. it is probable that such investments are held in the the Bofor group, which has a high level chemical plant in Ifshahan, Iran, which manufactures TNT, and quite likely sophisticated chemical precursors used to help create nuclear enriched uranium.
However, dynamite and related products was the original invention and=2 0business which gave Alfred Nobel the means to set up the prize in the first place, and he was the owner of Bofors from 1894-96, during which he "had the key role in reshaping the iron manufacturer to a modern cannon manufacturer (...)" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bofors
No doubt the prestige of the prize to a large degree derives from the large sums involved, but is therefore also stained by the way the money was and is procured.
But the prestige also derives from Alfred Nobels testamentary wish to promote peace and international understanding.
The paradox the funds for the Nobel Prize are invested and retained in funds related to armament productions and weapons of mass destruction and many people are unaware of this situation.
25. Posted by Jose Martinez | October 17, 2009 9:53 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 17, 2009 09:53