Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize w/ Naomi Klein

[mmonk]

Run time: 06:36 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wybpp77fGA   Posted on YouTube: October 09, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 12, 2009 By DU Member: mmonk Views on DU: 2094

 
Naomi Klein has some critical words on this decision. Myself, I have made no comment on the award. In my opinion, maybe working to remove the nuclear shield may be worth noting. However, I have conflicts in other areas with current policies, but I enjoy watching rightwing heads explode over it. But has he earned it already? I don't think so personally. But to me, there are more important issues than whether he deserved it or not.

[jonnyblitz]

1. i feel the same as you. at first i thought i was reading "the onion"

when i read of his award but after i saw his humble and stunned acceptance speech i didn't give it much more thought. he seemed as surprised as many of us were. it just doesn't make sense that a war escalator would get a peace prize but whatever, it's the least of my worries at this point.

[mmonk]

2. Yep. I'm more concerned with trying to move this country in the right

direction. It will take a movement and a lot of determination. I'm glad bush and company are out of power but there is a boatload of problems and things that need changing. It needs more change than has taken place so far.

[Cha]

18. I'm sure you did think you were reading the Onion..

I wasn't surprised because I've been paying attention and so has Michael Moore among many others.

"Get Off Obama's Back ...second thoughts from Michael Moore"

Who goes on to say at the end..

"My prediction for the future? You become the first two-time winner of the Nobel Peace Prize!, Yeah!"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8695710


"Ten reasons Obama won the Nobel"


"Before he became president -- Obama forcefully argued, at great political risk, that the U.S. should talk to its enemies (famously, in a debate with John McCain). He convinced a majority of Americans, and that is now U.S. foreign policy.

January 22 - On his second day in office, Obama announced plans to close Guantanamo in a year. He has made great diplomatic efforts to find residences for innocent detainees, even as fearmongers accused him of wanting to release terrorists in America.

February 27 - Obama details his plans to pull out of Iraq. He made his speech in front of uniformed Marines and explained that combat troops would be out by 2010.

March 13 - Obama Justice department drops 'enemy combatants' label on detainees, marking a return to the Geneva Conventions.

April 5 - Outlines details of nuclear weapons reductions plan in a speech to the public in Prague. The plan calls for intense international diplomacy and a respect for the right of fledgling countries to enrich uranium for energy purposes, proposing an international nuclear fuel-bank for those aims. All this was in the face of North Korean long-range missile testing.

April 13 - Repeals restrictions on Cuban Americans, allowing them to visit home as long as they want and to send money. Also allows telecommunications companies to pursue agreements in Cuba, hoping to promote communcation. This is the boldest move towards peace with Cuba any president has made in over 40 years.

June 4 - Obama makes landmark speech in Cairo, in which he quotes three different holy texts and speaks Arabic. Again, at tremendous political risk at home, Obama makes empassioned tribute to the achiements of the Muslim world and admits U.S. role in overthrow of Iranian government, attempting to create environment of honesty, respect, and cooperation.

June 27 - The U.S. begins removal of combat troops from major cities in Iraq.

July 6 - Obama heads to Russia to speak with Russian president about nuclear arms reduction. He makes a speech at a Russian University, notably saying, "There is the 20th century view that United States and Russia are destined to be antagonists. And that a strong Russia or a strong America can only assert themselves in opposition to one another. And there is a 19th century view, that we are destined to vie for spheres of influence and that great powers must forge competing blocs to balance on another. These assumptions are wrong. In 2009, a great power does not show strength by dominating or demonishing other countries. The days when empires could treat sovereign states as pieces on a chessboard are over."

Sept 24 - In a first for a U.S. president, Obama presides over a U.N. Security Council summit, where members unanimously agreed to a sweeping strategy to stop the spread of and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons"

http://brainsandeggs.blogspot.com/2009/10/ten-reasons-obama-won-nobel.html

[mmonk]

24. Concerning troop withdrawals from Iraq:

1000 "combat enablers" to Iraq.

No meaningful troop withdrawals until after January elections

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/10/14/iraq-election-law-delay-imperils-us-pullout/">Iraqi Election Law Delay Imperils US Pullout.

Let's hope all goes forward but we must guard against counting our chickens before they hatch.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

3. He may not be the liberal of peoples dreams,but it's poor taste to knock anyone for getting an award

... All Naomi's points may well be valid on his score sheet, but any drawbacks still don't overide the positives that come from the eleciton of President Obama and he was awarded for the positives of his presidency so far.

[mmonk]

4. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

And I get a kick out of the rightwing meltdown over it. However, I would probably give it to someone not currently engaged in a war. I do note the progress on the nuclear front though, and don't discount it.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

7. Well, not saying Naomi can't say it, but saying the award has been cheapened seems a bit hard...

whether from our side or the right. Ultimately it was an award everyone can be proud of and not finding anything positive in this is a bit confusing.

[liquid diamond]

17. I'm getting a kick out of the LEFT-wing meltdown too.

Who would have thought both sides could agree on something about Obama?

[Cha]

19. None of these knockings matter..it's these

people who are important.

"Can someone tell me who did more than him this year? It is difficult to name a winner of the peace prize who is more in line with Alfred Nobel's will."

<more>
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4098367

"Facts on the Nobel Peace Prize"

"On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will, one part was dedicated to "the person who shall have 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". Learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize from 1901-2008. The 2009 Nobel Prize is not yet included."

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/shortfacts.html

They can natter away forever.. but PO won and it's a call to Action for all of us as he stated in this letter..

Cha --

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

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.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

[mmonk]

21. I agree with this part: "it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes."

I think ultimately that is what the decision was about. We'll see how it goes.

[rollingrock]

5. Irony award?

we're up to our necks in two full-scale wars in the most politically unstable region of the world, with no plans to end them anytime soon. it baffles me how any US leader could receive an award for that.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

8. If he initiated the wars there would be a stonger case to say he didn't deserve the awards, but ...

it was more the card that was dealt him. His award is clearly non related to the wars he inherited, but his efforts in all other areas internationally. If the cause is for the President to improve the nations image it doesn't really improve things when some say he doesn't deserve it.

[rollingrock]

9. If he did something to end them

and to promote peace in the Middle East, there might be a good case for giving him the award.

and all presidents talk about nuclear arms reduction, Clinton did and even Bush. so what?
its just talk.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

10. Also talking to Iran is just talk, but that isn't where we were last year and where he achieved the

award, at least it seems from my perspective. The Nobel Peace committee aren't expecting miracles, but they acknowledge a critical and important shift in US policy and thats a very important start. Peace is a never ending on going process and any path towards that end should be encouraged and they were. The reality is the President on his own is not going to restrain the military industry, that's where the people come in. It's not just President Obama who will have to show his further committment to the award it will in the end come from the people too. In the long term this will be the most powerful award they ever awarded, because there will be people on the left and even right that read the message from the Nobel award committee and see it as their call for more peace and act on that.

[Kind of Blue]

14. Well said. And welcome to DU :)

[Cha]

22. Very well put and thank you for your insight in

explaining what has happened to those who aren't quitte there yet.

[rollingrock]

23. An award based on false hopes?

I guess that's why they gave it to Kissinger too.

[Bushknew]

6. SPOT. ON. I love Naomi Klein.

[swilton]

11. Thanks for posting mmonk

I agree with Klein

[mmonk]

12. You're welcome.

[Andronex]

13. If you look beyond the rhetoric...

you have to agree with Naomi Klein that not much has been accomplished, on the contrary it's more of the same. You don't get to be the President of the empire by rocking the boat.

[shadowknows69]

16. +1 and welcome to DU!

[mmonk]

20. That is true. Maybe this is a bid to influence US policy.

[shadowknows69]

15. Gotta agree with Naomi on several points.