Asked by The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595)
The Old Gray Mare 37 days 2 hours ago. (More question by this person)

What are your personal thoughts about the Nobel prize award for President Obama?

Give your answer some serious thought. Do we now award Nobel Prizes for rhetoric or possibilities? Don't we need results of peace efforts first?

Answer from Ben Morrish ^(7,929)
Ben Morrish 36 days 22 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
The Nobel Peace Prize is given to the person that the committee decides has :

"done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses"

It is given for working towards peace, not necessarily for achieving it.

Rhetoric is "one of the arts of using language as a means to persuade", so yes, the Nobel Peace Prize can certainly be given to people who use rhetoric to promote peace and build dialog and fraternity between nations.

Obama has, in a short space of time, bought a lot of difficult issues into the spotlight and forced other national leaders to at least discuss them rather than continue ignoring them.

While I was surprised by Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize this year, I think it is great - he may not have got concrete results yet, but he has made more progress on nuclear disarmament than has been achieved on a long time, and his change of plans on the missile shield has also improved international relations.

Of the other 200+ nominees, there are many deserving people, but I don't see Obama as being one of the weaker nominations, and congratulate him for his win.

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 6 hours ago.
Thank you so much for your well written answer to this question. We certainly do need to support our own and I really like your last sentence! I also like your def. of Rhetoric - that's right on.

Answer from Gregory Lewis ^(1,502)
Gregory Lewis 36 days 19 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
I wholeheartedly approve, for the reasons Ben stated below.

- G

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 6 hours ago.
Short and sweet answer! (I'm always too wordy huh?) Seems I've found my voice again - had freelanced a whole lot, and all the time, and then kind of got away from it. Lately though - I'm out there writing, writing -- hope I've got stuff to say.

Answer from Paul Schroeder ^(2,366) 36 days 17 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
Now,Obama is really pressured to certainly honor his campaign promises to establish peace and end the two( losing) wars that we are engaged in, as well to honor his promises to close Guantanamo Bay detention camp and to end torture procedures;this award"for peace"almost certainly forces him to.

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 5 hours ago.
Pressure is right. Some of his folks seem to be impatient with progress. Give me a break. He's been in office for less than a year and is working it. You're so right, in my opinion, that the Nobel Prize is a way to tie his hands and to stop the wars etc etc etc. which, again in my opinion, is a way to tie the hands of America and to lesson our world power status. Obama has to tread a careful line here, my final opinion. I value your words and thank you for sharing.

Answer from Kenny St.pierre ⁽⁶⁹²⁾ 36 days 13 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
   Selected as Best Answer!   
He didn't deserve it. I love the guy, but this was not right. Now we give out awards (The Nobel no less) for talking about what our intentions and dreams are, rather than what we have done to carry them out.

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan were all great players, but none of them ever received the MVP award before the season began. You gain that award through hard work, dedication, and selflessness. Imagine giving one of these men the MVP in preseason because one of them said, "This year my goal is to average 50 points, 20 rebounds, and 15 assist a game."

How would any parent like it if their child was overlooked or denied an award their child deserved? What if their kid worked hard on an important project, but got beat out by another kid who had relayed some great ideas for the project, but hadn't yet done anything to deserve the award?

I looked up the definition of what the Nobel Peace Prize stands for, and here is what Webster's New Riverside Dictionary says, "An award made annually by the Nobel Foundation for distinguished "achievements" AND the promotions of peace."

Yes, Obama has "promoted" peace, but who hasn't. There are 6 year old's who will stand before an auditorium of people and reply when asked, "What would you do if you were President?" And 75% of the time the child's answer will be, "I would "work" hard to make the world a more peaceful place."

The key to Webster's definition is the word, "achievement." Need I say any more?

I am sure there was someone worthy and waiting to receive this great award through their hard work and dedication, but it wasn't Obama. Would it have killed the Nobel Foundation to wait a couple of years to see if Obama does achieve his goals? What was the hurry to give the award now? Isn't the Nobel given out annually or every two years?

Surely there are some underlying motives behind this decision they are not telling the public.

Kenny................Excellent question !!!

Comment from Ronyae ^(4,476) 35 days 18 hours ago.
Albeit I am a strong supporter of POTUS, and am praying for the change to continue ... I want to agree with Kenny on this point: "... Surely there are some underlying motives behind this decision they are not telling the public ..."

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 12 hours ago.
I so much appreciate all the points of view and comments - actually thought there would be more. Seems like everyone has an opinion and, strong opinion at that, that comes down on either side. I remained really open minded on this one and had several great comments. I also think there may be underlying motives - I just hope it's not to so-to-speak tie America's hands in Afghanistan - I mean on the one hand we have our military experts ask to finish the job we started by allowing additional troops, on the other hand our President wishes to withdraw, and in the middle is the fact that certain world leaders would like to see us weakened. Something's at play - could it be that it becomes more difficult to continue the wars if you've already been given a peace prize and the world powers are trying to tie our President's hands - how can you send more troops if you stand for p e a c e!

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 5 hours ago.
Kenny, What a "right on target" answer this seems to be. I know I wouldn't want to take or get something I didn't deserve. I'd feel the fool if I did. Seems like lots of people feel that way too. We do live in a world of "entitlement" though so I am not surprised. All you have to do is turn on the tv and hear the commercials like "get the money you deserve," and "because you deserve it." blah blah. It's the times maybe? Or is there a far deeper message here? I like the way you phrased your answer. And that is the primary reason you get the prize! Get it? You deserve it!

Comment from Kenny St.pierre ⁽⁶⁹²⁾ 22 days 17 hours ago.
Thank you, and I see you took some time to comment to many others personally also, which I think is very nice of you to do so. It's apparent this topic hit a nerve with you. It's always important for us to remember to voice our opinions and comments - which you did so well. Thank you again.

Answer from Chris Cole ⁽⁸⁵¹⁾ 36 days 8 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
BREAKING NEWS: While in office only nine months, President Obama has been nominated for The Heisman, a C.M.A., A Grammy Award, a Video Music Award, a Superbowl Ring, and an Oscar for Best Performance by a lead actor in the movie, "Unachievable Goals Promised to a Ficticious Society."

All kidding aside, I do not comprehend how President Obama was even nominated when the Nobel deadline was February 1st. He has started a lot of projects, but America has yet to see any results from his overzealous agenda.

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 6 hours ago.
Yes, I can't figure out how after being in office for a short two or three weeks, this award was voted on. Personally, I don't like to get recognition for something I didn't accomplish. I once got an award in a horse show - first place - out of 12 horses - and I know my horse did not go into the canter directly. I felt funny about it and, believe it or not, I went to talk to the judge after the class about it. Well, he did make me feel better. He told me our horse was so much better than any of the other ones showing that day, that even the "little hickup did not affect the rank of first place." I was fully prepared to give up the ribbon because I had not felt very good about getting something I thought I didn't deserve. Small thing - but the Nobel Prize? Wow. But it seems that everything for President Obama has happened that way. Time will tell all. Thanks so much for writing. I'd like to get lots more opinions - PS I did like your answer too.

Answer from Suzy ⁽⁹¹⁸⁾
Suzy 35 days 5 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
He has a lot to accomplish yet to bring more peace to this world but you have to give him credit for continually aiming in the right direction. He deserved it!

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 35 days 5 hours ago.
Thanks Suzy. You are so very right about having to accomplish a lot. Trouble is that the USA cannot do it all alone. Credit is due indeed! I think the world is a troubled place and there are tough customers out there. Peace can be so elusive with all this power mongering. I'm sure that the U.S.A. will continue to play an integral part. I wholeheartedly support the effort and accomplishment.

Answer from Joyce Dunn ⁽²³⁴⁾
Joyce Dunn 34 days 13 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
I think it's an indication of a much needed improvement in the way much of the world views America. Attitude is everything, you know, and the President's attitude is one of making/keeping peace, whenever possible/practical.

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 34 days 9 hours ago.
I think you are right - the world does see us differently than we would like to be viewed. Yet I am an American, proud of it, and really don't understand some of the attitude. Perhaps it has something to do with jealousy - we are great and, quite simply, most of the rest of the world reaches. We have freedom, power, a very good way of life - to be our blessings far outweigh our nonblessings. We give generously to any country that needs help, and have been forever - there is an emergency, we send help and any other necessities. We have Katrina - who helped us??? We have an earthquake in San Fan - who helped us??? We give aid; we provide technology; we invent; the illegals are pouring into this country and even every other nation is pouring into this country. Why then is such rampant jealousy and attitude. I for one am immensely proud of this country and would NOT want to live anywhere else on this globe. Furthermore, I think there is so much beauty and diversity in this country, I don't find the need to travel abroad - I want to see this country's every nook, cranny, hill and valley. I love this country and I am proud to say it. I sincerely hope our President, with his methodology for peace, can make some inroads in the world and wish him well.

Answer from Fran Larson ^(23,243)
Fran Larson 33 days 16 hours ago. More questions answered by this person)
I think giving President Obama the Nobel Prize is an encouragement to try and promote peace and good will among all nations. It probably also stands as a progression in history that hopefully, the line between the color of your skin is getting lighter and grayer.

About peace efforts: I think the search for peace is an ongoing thing and I don't think we can put a time-line on it. Unfortunately, President Carter had never been recognized for all his peace efforts. He is quietly in the background doing his thing. Fran Larson

Comment from The Old Gray Mare ^(1,595) 33 days 7 hours ago.
Thank you for that. If it can be accomplished, I mean promoting peace and good will, then I'm really all for it. It just seems that whatever the United States does is just never enough. The world (of nations) is ambitious and has separate agendas. All countries are out for themselves. It's quite the cast of characters. Any inroads to peace in the world is commendable.