President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. It is a great honor for this country and for the President. For civil libertarians, however, the prize is a bit of a mixed message. Obama has blocked any investigation of war crimes or torture in violation of international law. He has also supported the limitation of free speech to allow the criminalization of criticism of religion. With less than a year in office, the selection may send the wrong message to Obama that personality rather than principles succeed in both domestic and international politics.
I know that it is not going to be popular to question the basis for this selection, but Obama has not proven to be exactly a ray of light on questions of human rights and international law. He is now in violation of various international agreements over torture and United Nations officials have denounced the United States for refusing to carry out its duty to prosecute those responsible for the torture program. Yet, the Nobel Committee has chosen this time to award him with the Peace Prize — undermining the importance of the Geneva Conventions.
To his considerable credit, he has re-examined our positions on a host of international agreements, including most notably global warming. However, one would expect to wait for at least a year to see if he carried through on such statements and policies. I believe if you look objectively at the record, it is hard to see why Obama warrants such an honor at this time. At least Teddy Roosevelt helped end the Russo-Japanese war and supported the creation of the Hague arbitration court. To put it simply, Obama’s selection is the triumph of hope over experience and he will have to earn this distinction in the years to come.
What do you think?
Congratulations,Mr. President.
It takes one to know one.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/10/09/bpr.obama.nobel.prize.elbaradei.cnn
Not bad when the seed money came from explosives. Not bad for a sitting president to get a bump of 1 million. I ask is it tax exempt?
This will, no doubt, have some conservatives’ heads exploding.
Congratulation, President Obama.
I’m probably swimming against the tide here but I’m going to ask it anyway.
For what, exactly? A couple of make nice speeches and not being a total war pig like his predecessor?
You all do realize he’d been in office less than a month when the application deadline (Feb. 1) rolled around, right?
It sure seems like the qualifications for this prize sure have dropped since Carter won his for getting Begin and Sadat to have a sit down.
Can we all say “hissy fit” weekend is about to take off?:)
Buddha:
I see some people from that commitee are explaining why.Also acknowledgeing the short time in office.
Obama just submitted the largest defense budget in our nation. He is engaged in three hot wars. He has used drones in violation of international law, drones which have killed civilians, including children. He continues to torture our detainees. He believes he has the power to imprison the innocent. He has violated our own and international law by refusing to hold US war criminals responsible for their actions. All this makes a complete mockery of the prize.
I think this decision was not based on reality, but perception. I see this as a general problem with the intelligentsia, especially its left-leaning members. The peace prize committee is deeply mistaken about Obama.
I believe the intelligentsia cannot come to terms with the reality that Obama isn’t Obama. Obama is a brand. In fact he is what advertisers call a “cult-brand”. And because Obama is a cult-brand, the intelligentsia cannot see the truth. Obama, in reality, opposes the very essence of this prize.
(BBC World News has a feature on this with reaction from around the world. It also features journalists asking tough questions, something we never get to hear in the US.)
Hereś the link to the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/03/000000_newshour.shtml
I think awarding this prize after such a short time in office will reduce its prestige. The Nobel Committee would have served their own cause better if they had waited at least one more year.
Buddha said…”For what, exactly? A couple of make nice speeches and not being a total war pig like his predecessor?”
and…
Jill said…”Obama just submitted the largest defense budget in our nation. He is engaged in three hot wars. He has used drones in violation of international law, drones which have killed civilians, including children. He continues to torture our detainees. He believes he has the power to imprison the innocent. He has violated our own and international law by refusing to hold US war criminals responsible for their actions. All this makes a complete mockery of the prize.”
—
I agree with both of you.
He has done little in the peace arena, other than a few nice speeches, and has done a tremendous amount on the war/killing front as demonstrated by Jill’s post.
I also agree with the professor on his comments regarding Obamas’s problematic relationship with free speech and the Geneva Convention.
From this point forward, I will personally give little attention or credence to the awards this committee makes. How could I? They just don’t have the creditability after this.
Congrats to the President (!), but I don’t get it.
As more and more is revealed, remember you are judge by the company you keep. My favorite personal quote is,
“surround yourself with good people and good things will happen, surround yourself with bad people and bad things will happen”.
Look at who this man has surrounded himself with.
Kevin Jennings the school safety Czar likes the idea of man boy sex.
Jerimiah Wright GD’s Amerika.
Ayers, who now says he’s Obama’s Ghost writer and a terrorist.
Van Jones white people poison black people.
John Holdren wants to save the planet by exterminating people with mass sterilazation and FORCED ABORTIONS.
And let us not forget Obama himself on his abortion stance.
He voted in favor of a child born, that is out of the womb and BREATHING ON IT”S OWN to let die.
What did Ginsburg say, I think she read Holdrens book.
Ginsburg
“Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.“
Not to worry, her last breaths will soon take place.
This country is in deep trouble, be prepared to have it rammed up the poop shoot. We are heading down the old Hershey Highway.
At least that’s the direction the school safety czar is going, with the bottoms down.
Supremely silly. I would be embarrassed. The problem with this prize is its speculative nature. It’s awarded to people who *might* increase peace. I think it should be awarded to people who actually accomplish something material, and thus it should not be given out every year. Scarcity would make it more valuable and legitimate.
Has any other sitting Commander in Chief of 2 major military actions ever won the Nobel Peace Prize?
I voted for Obama, and support most of his policies, but this selection is ludicrous. He is better than his predecessor but not exactly an exemplar of peace, transparency or accountability. I also have not seen him devote decades towards the peaceful advancement of humankind (e.g., Carter), put himself at considerable risk to advance freedom (e.g., Mandela), nor swallow a bitter, unpopular pill contrary to his prior positions for the sake of peace (e.g., Arafat).
It makes me wonder what message the Committee intended to send — the nominal reason of “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples” is absurd in light of his brief tenure and minimal changes in US diplomatic or military policy. Obama has an extraordinarily compelling and inspirational personal story, but such does not a Nobel make.
Congratulations???
For what? For killing all those innocent children with drones?
I’m sorry, but something is amiss with this news.
Nobel Prize Committee wins Nobel Prize for Trolling.
“A bit of a mixed message..” – Understatement! This is the worst ‘go fuck yourself’ to real peacemakers since Bush got nominated for this ‘prize’. (LMAO)
No way, Jericho. Did they really nominate Bush? Really?
Hit and run trolling to begin in 5…4…3…
I’m sure they are Speechless in Gaza.
(BuelahMan, anyone can be nominated.)
You’ve got to be kidding me. I think Obama deserves the NPP as much as Henry Kissinger.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/10/09/obama/index.html
(BuelahMan, anyone can be nominated.)
Yes, apparently so. But this doesn’t speak very well of the nominees’ judgment (either Bush or Obama).
I wonder how many babies I need to kill to get the nomination?
I am also surprised by the pick. I am not sure if the committee wanted to curry favor or encourage more progressive action from the President, but either way it is premature at best, or ill-advised, at worst. I am reminded again of Lewis Carroll (as I am so many times) and his prescient commentary on modern times:
“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?”
For those of you who don’t agree with the president receiving the award, YOUR A RACIST. Some people just can’t except that a black man won the prize.
For those of you who don’t agree with the president receiving the award, YOUR A RACIST. Some people just can’t except that a black man won the prize.
LOL
I can’t accept that a black man (or any man) could be given a “peace” prize after raining down drone flown missiles down on innocent children.
If THAT makes me a racist, so be it.
Mespo:
that is certainly a stinging indictment (the Lewis Carroll quote). That quote is wrong on a few levels.
Was he nutsy cuckoo?
People are quick to dismiss this without looking at the criteria that was used to pick this years winner. They were specifically looking someone actively involved in a process to enhance peace around the world.
Obama’s work nuclear proliferation (which has already resulted in one treaty) and a renewed since of international cooperation clearly fall into that category. I think his speeches in Cairo, Berlin and Prague were major factors in the decision. Lets not forget, some previous winners did nothing but give speeches about peace or another narrower subject.
All that being said, I’m not here to argue the wisdom of the choice. I agree with Professor Turley about the human rights issues that still need to be resolved, and would prefer to see this award delayed until those matters are settled. Hopefully winning this award will be a reminder of the great responsibility that he has, and we’ll see more movement on the really important issues.
I voted for Mr. Obama. However, this is a travesty and it only demeans the ‘Prize’. Dummin’ down, grade inflation, gradin’ on da Big Curve, and now lowering the standard for what I once considered the greatest ‘prize’ given by humanity to one who was actually deserving as a peacemaker.
I voted for Mr. Obama.
I didn’t. It was obvious long ago that he was lying: the same old BS from the Democratic party Sheople’s Messiah Complex.
Nothing changes. Just prettier words in the lies.
Whomever voted for this man should be ashamed.
Over at Red State, they are chalking this up to an affirmative action quota. How special.
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2009/10/09/barack-obama-wins-nobel-peace-prize/
J,
Which is why I was we’re also complaining about Albert Lutuli, Martin Luther King Jr., Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, and Wangari Muta Maathai being laureates.
Or it could be that we don’t think that President Obama has done enough (yet) to be included with those (mostly) great men and women who have received the award in the past. Although he does have the Lugar–Obama Nonproliferation Legislation to his credit.
J Guy:
exactly what has he done to earn it? Isn’t this award the equivalent to giving one to Einstein prior to his work just because he was a good guy and smart and in a couple of years he will probably do some good? Is the Nobel Prize the booby prize for not getting the Olympics?
What about Chinese and Cuban and Zimbabwean dissidents, who are actually doing something now?
The Nobel Peace Prize and UN have been corrupted.
What’s up? no chatter on Obama’s jury trial in CA? The Obama eligibility trial date has been confirmed.
Where is Vince? They might need him out there in the federal court to give testimony on the fraudulent COLB’s.
Buelah,
As opposed to what other choice? McSame and the Ice Queen? That “ashamed” high horse is riding low to the ground there, pard. Obama has done nothing but shown that both parties are equally broken, just in different ways. But ashamed to vote against the party that sold America’s civil rights to Saudi Arabia so their titular leader’s family could profit?
Ashamed never even crossed my mind. Pissed off I had such limited choice, but not ashamed.
And I was a Kucinich guy.
But disappointed? Yeah, he was a Senator so that made him suspect from the start – that’s a given he’s a narcissist at minimum. In practice however, Obama has proven to be a real lying sack of fascist crap as far as I’m concerned. He just has a different hand running his mouth than the last group of fascists in Bush Co. He’s all talk and no walk when it comes to fixing what’s wrong with both our government and our economy: from the Rule of Law to paying bonuses to the criminals who wrecked the economy instead of putting them in prison. But that has less to do with party than systemic corruption. And if you contend McSame would/could have done better? I’m just going to have to laugh in your face and disagree. The only way for us to fix Washington at this point is to clean house starting with K St.
But paraphrase Clint, “Ashamed ain’t got nothin’ to do with it.”
BiS,
There were several independents or one from the Green Party that would have made a far better truth telling president than the POS we have.
I know all you folks who voted for him really need to defend yourselves for your vote. That is what people do when they make such a monumental mistake. Instead of fessing up.
BTW: I voted Nader after Dennis was screwed by the system that knighted the O man.
The shame is that those who think of themselves as such great thinkers were so gullible, and yes, stupid.
Buelah,
You mistake what I said as a defense. What I essentially said is I have nothing to defend. You assume shame where there is none and assign stupidity because some of us choose not to blatantly piss away a vote on the Green Party this time around – a decision which in itself could be characterized as “stupid” if that’s the game you want to play. Careful there or that false sense of superiority is going to trip you up.
A common claim is that they should have waited for results. Yet if they had waited for results, it could have been too late. Who knows what will happen with Iran? Giving him this was a way to push for the continued pursuit of peace. That does not mean that questions about the intentions of other countries should be dismissed, but negotiations, not war, should be the primary way to change behavior. It is much better to reach an agreement than to force it down the throat of another country.
Did he deserve it? No. Was it a right decision? Yes.
Congratulations Mr. President. And to those of you questioning whether this is appropriate, let me remind you that Woodrow Wilson, who did more to expand American imperialism in the early 20th century, won the prize. I do not think you have to be perfect to win this. Honestly, I think I agree with Ann Marie Cox who stated that this has become the “anybody but George W. Bush” prize.
BVM, there will be no trial. If you were actually a real person, I’d be happy to place a friendly wager on it. I might even give you some odds. The “trial” date is part of a case management order that is entered in every action. It is merely a schedule of dates for events which may or may not occur.
I am also mystified by this award, not of course for any of the reasons currently pouring out of every right wing cesspool in the country, but because it appears premature at best. I tend to agree with Ryan, but I believe that an awful lot of hope and expectation has gone into this selection, the justification for which remains to be seen.
I also voted for Pres. Obama. However, I do not believe that requires an “apology” for any reason whatsoever, much less a sense of shame. One makes judgments. The alternatives were absurd. Green candidates have as much credibility among voters as green cheese, and voting for marginal candidates has never accomplished anything other than to throw elections to people like George Bush. Maintaining purity of principle in the voting booth worked fine for me when I was a kid casting my vote for George McGovern, but at some point we all grow up and try to work with possibilities.
Mark Appleton:
The justification given by Jagland, the committee leader, is that sometimes the committee has to dive into realpolitik to encourage trends that has been started. Willy Brandt was given the award for his Ostpolitik – his new approach towards Eastern-European countries. Back then it may have helped to reaffirm the commitment to such policies and it helped make Europe safer. This is similar. Obama shows a new approach towards the middle east.
I’m pretty sure that today next to no one questions Willy Brandts award.
I did not vote for Obama call me a racist. I would have voted for Edwards and McCain, until he was forced to take Palin. I voted my conscience and hit the Nader ticket.
I think that a Junior Senator who had not even fished the first election from 2004. Count em 4 years as a US Senator. That is it. That is why I did not vote for him. Period.
The Nobel Peace prize has been degenerated with the award to Obama in his role as President. Did I get lost and somehow or another his presidency has been longer than a year? The nominations start in February for the previous years work. If I am correct in my assumption he was still running for office in an unexpired US Senate Seat from the state of Illinois.
I do not think that he was eligible for his work at that time as he had not even gotten his cabinet through congress. You know the tax issues and all of the other stuff.
I think that this award is BULL SHIT AND IT IS BASED ON RACE. But then again, it has been touted as what he’s going to do. Yeah BS again.
The strictly enforced deadline for postmarking of nominations is 1st February. If someone nominated himself or herself, they would automatically be disqualified. Only living persons may be nominated for the Nobel Prize. This has sometimes sparked criticism that persons deserving of a Nobel Prize never received the award because they passed away before being nominated.
Link for qualifications:
http://www.worldcolleges.info/nobel_index.php
I want the bank to give me a loan so that I can set up a business that can make some money. I am think high end offset printing presses with some really cool green and many other colored ink with that good ole specialized paper.
I think a cool million should just about cover the set up, the first couple of runs and the legal defense after the government gets pissed off about the competition in the supply of currency. And to think that the government wants to shut down free enterprise.
The above was meant only for humor.
Mike A.,
I voted my conscience, third party. I did not waste my vote. Nadar voters didn’t lose the election for Gore or Kerry, that simply isn’t true. I am afraid we will all get at each other´s throat with this conversation and I don’t want to do this. But I just can’t accept that it is a waste of my vote to vote my conscience. I’m glad I made the choice I did.
My racist comment was a JOKE.
see
J Guy
1, October 9, 2009 at 10:54 am
It is only a false man who can shoulder the shame and burden of wearing a false medal or who accepts an undeserved accolade; regardless of how humbled and honored are his professions of gratitude.
The Emperor has no clothes…
Jill, I appreciate your point of view, but I am convinced that Nader votes lost Florida for Gore in 2000. I have admired Mr. Nader for many years, but I believe his election efforts have been quixotic at best. However, I do respect the idea of voting one’s conscience and agree that we should not tear each other apart over this. Besides, the president still has over three years to prove that my increasing cynicism is unfounded.
Mike A.,
There was a documentary that examined the question about the votes. It went through them carefully and concluded Nader actually hadn’t lost the election for Gore. I’m going to try to find this for you. It was on PBS, I think.
This is it: http://www.anunreasonableman.com/
You may have seen it. It was a while back, but I believe my memory of this info is correct.
As to the other issues, I consider the matter resolved!
J,
In that case, have you ever heard of Poe’s Law? Not one about poetry.
Mespo wrote:
“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?”
_________________________________
Mr. Carroll’s statement is about all that makes sense nowadays in all things tegarding politics, finance, religion, and war.
Apparently Glenn Greenwald is getting a ration of the smelly stuff for his column. The right wing desire for a strongman screams for itself. Here is the left wing with that same need:
“UPDATE II: Numerous commenters are angrily chiding me for failing to cheer for Obama’s award and, worse, for failing to refrain from criticizing him on this most special day. Those who are saying that sound exactly — and I mean exactly — like Chris Matthews, on April 9, 2003, when he scolded Democrats for criticizing George Bush and the Iraq War on the glorious day when the Saddam statute was pulled down:
Why don’t the damn Democrats give the president his day? He won today. He did well today.
Apparently — just like Chris Matthews taught Democrats back then and some Obama supporters are insisting today — Presidents are entitled to certain Special Days where citizens are obligated to cheer for the leader and refrain from expressing criticisms. Similarly, it’s excessively negative and disrespectful to point out the glaring inconsistency between (a) escalating a war, killing civilians with air raids and imprisoning people with no charges and (b) receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. And anyone who disagrees that Obama deserves the Prize is a Far Leftist purist on the same side as the Terrorists and other America-haters and enemies. Today is one of those days when 2003 doesn’t seem to be too far in the past.”
I am very pleased with this much deserved selection. There are many new names on board today with plenty of negative things to say—exactly the kinds of exploding heads I referred to in my earlier post.
The Nobel Prize Selection Committee could have chosen anyone from around our war and poverty torn world. They chose someone who represents and who is truly promoting peace and dialogue over war, death and destruction because the world is so desperate for what Mr Obama represents even if it hasn’t yet come to full fruition. Just as Mr Obama is a different kind of politician, the folks at the Nobel Prize are telling us the world wants to be different. Great for them and good for Mr Obama.
Budda,
Nice to see you, and I agree with you. I vote my preferences during primary elections, but I had hoped that Obama would wait eight years and then take the Presidency. I’m not ashamed of having voted for him.
I also agree with JT. Most of my time is spent sending emails and letters as a member of Amnesty Int’l and ACLU. The torture thing really, really gets to me. But he has released some Guantanamo inmates. If they do go on to join a terrorist cell, whether by previous inclination or because of their treatment here, our men and women in the military can take care of that.
I am VERY disappointed with Obama’s actions, but I am NOT going to join in with the “let’s rejoice in his failure” movement. Having said that, now I’m going to enjoy myself with vids from Fixed News. The first report I heard from that side is “I didn’t know the Committee had affirmative action.” I expect more “anti-Christ” believers finding the Nobel as proof of their assertions.
Mespo: I love the Lewis Carroll quote.
N.B. If you are looking for a good book that won the Nobel in 1994, Kenzaburo Oe, “The Pitch Runner Memorandum” is a great read. I just reordered it, along with some of his other works. It’s very political.
FormerFedLeo: I totally agree. The whole cognitive dissonance thing that’s going on.
rcampbell,
I don’t understand how you are able to say Obama is promoting peace over war, death and destruction. We are in three escalating wars: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. Obama has illegally used drones in Afghanistan which have killed civilians, including children. This isn’t a lack of plans coming to fruition, it is exactly his plans’ logical outcome. You cannot escalate wars and claim you are for peace. You cannot order torture, rendition and the imprisonment of the innocent and claim to be a man of peace. This selection simply rings hollow.
Hardly exploding heads, rcampbell, just not ideologues such as you represent.
One of the reasons this site is so important is that—although Professor Turley is a liberal-leaning, civil libertarian—he is not an ideologue. There are also others here who are intelligent, free thinkers with rather deep religious backgrounds, such as Mike Appleton, who would never blindly support a cause or action—as in this case—just because of some ideology or ideological leader. Another example is the somewhat irreligious Mespo, who is an Obama supporter, or appears to be, although he too finds this coronation of Mr. Obama a curious act and incongruous with the facts. I trust that I did not misrepresent their thoughts—notice, I did not say ‘beliefs’.
As a lifelong conservative Republican, I voted against Mr. Bush and McCain/Palin, although all of my closest relatives voted for them, out of religious, conservative ideologies instead of thinking of the harm their votes could cause.
Anyone who genuinely thinks that Mr. Obama deserves this award—including him—epitomizes the term ideologue, just as those who praised/praise Mr. Bush/Cheney for their war crimes that surely saved us from evildoers. Illogical, rigid ideologues of any stripe–liberal or conservative–are the real threats to our U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and associated freedoms.
Mr. Glen Greenwald’s column, that Jill referenced, clearly states my position regarding the man for whom I voted but for whom I have lost most of the respect that elicited my vote for him.
FFLEO,
mespo had multi god worshiping abilities.
Mesopotamia
“From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
“Ancient Iraq” redirects here. See also: History of Iraq.”
I wonder if we need to worry about terrorist threats from him.
But alas, the Primary gods and goddesses of Mesopotamia ( < meso (μέσος) = middle and potamia < ποταμός = river, literally means "between two rivers"
However, I am sure that he worshiped this one extensively.
* Gula or Utu (in Sumerian), Shamash (in Akkadian) was the sun god and god of justice
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia
Here is a good, brief article by Dr. Robert Epstein. Author, editor, radio talk-show host, and longtime psychology researcher
_________________________________
The “Thank-God-You’re-Not-Bush” Prize: A Psychologist Weighs in on Obama’s Nobel
“The contrast effect works in many domains, including the political. And yes, it can even cause intelligent, well meaning people to confuse bringing peace to people with giving inspirational speeches about bringing peace to people.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-robert-epstein/the-thank-god-youre-not-b_b_315715.html
_________________________________
FFLeo,
Good article, thanks. My home page is really 3 pages long, and I got stuck on my Reader. I hadn’t gotten to Huffington yet, but they are both on my first page.
I think he’s right. But, you may hate me for this. Christopher Hitchens wrote a book (very short) on Mother Theresa. I discovered it by watching that brief resurgence of Tom Snyder. Because Hitchens said something negative about her, Snyder THREW HIM OFF the set. I read it. It took an enormous amount of courage to write that book. And I don’t think ego was part of his motivation.
I had heard of the contrast effect (specifically the water experiment) but didn’t think of it. I’m really beginning to see Mespo’s quote from Lewis Carroll. Language is so essential to politics and perception. Witness 1994 contract on America. Instead of saying your opponent is misguided, say he’s psychotic. There was an actual list of words, far more egregious words. I believe that, in part, is setting the stage for the rhetoric.
I could really go on, but (taking your advice) I’ll work on that in notepad first. I have been doing that, and my responses turn into essays, too long to post. But maybe I’ll put them in my blog.
My favorite “god” is the Kuan-Yin, compassion. Very popular in China, and has both Buddhist and Hindu representations: The woman with a hundred arms.
I don’t like a lot of what Obama has been doing, but there is this:
http://crooksandliars.com/media/play/wmv/10249/31888
I know it happened a couple of weeks ago, but that’s the bottom line. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing to Congress and my locals, and tell them to MAN UP! Do something!
I also have not agreed with Obama on everything that he is done, but he has done a good job in ending the unilaterlism of the Evil Bush Empire. Now that President Obama has won this award, he has even more pressure on him to do the right thing in many areas. Congratulations President Obama. I wonder if he got a congratulatory call from Bush or Cheney??
Quote:
“…the abolition or reduction of standing armies…”
________________________________
“In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel stipulated that the peace prize should go “to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/09/nobel-prize-to-obama-defe_n_316098.html
___________________________________
I think the award should have gone to Iommi, Osbourne, Butler & Ward for writing “War Pigs.” They’re way overdue.
Congratulations President Obama!
I hope you prove all the naysayers wrong and prove the Nobel prize committee to have been prescient!
The great folk singer Pete Seeger now ninety and a perennial contender for this award (in my mind at least) wrote this song in 1967; you all probably know it too, when ever i hear him live and sing along, it always makes me cry, not sad tears but the kind where you get all choked up thinking why can’t we all get along and wouldn’t it be wonderful.
My Rainbow Race
One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shores
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I’ll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It’s too soon to die
Some folks want to be like an ostrich
Bury their heads in the sand
Some hope their plastic dreams
Can Unclench all greedy hands
Some want to take the easy way
Poisons, bombs…They think we need them
Don’t you know, you can’t kill all the unbelievers?
There’s no shortcut to freedom!
Go tell, go tell all the little children
Go tell mothers and fathers too
Today is our last chance to learn to share
What’s been given to me and you
http://www.last.fm/music/Pete+Seeger/_/My+Rainbow+Race
Congratulations President Obama!
I hope you prove all the naysayers wrong and prove the Nobel prize committee to have been prescient!
The great folk singer Pete Seeger now ninety and a perennial contender for this award (in my mind at least) wrote this song and whenever i heard him live, it always made me cry, not sad tears but the kind where you get all choked up thinking why can’t we all get along, and wouldn’t it be wonderful.
My Rainbow Race
One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shores
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I’ll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It’s too soon to die
Some folks want to be like an ostrich
Bury their heads in the sand
Some hope their plastic dreams
Can Unclench all greedy hands
Some want to take the easy way
Poisons, bombs…They think we need them
Don’t you know, you can’t kill all the unbelievers?
There’s no shortcut to freedom!
Go tell, go tell all the little children
Go tell mothers and fathers too
Today is our last chance to learn to share
What’s been given to me and you
http://www.last.fm/music/Pete+Seeger/_/My+Rainbow+Race
Congratulations President Obama!
I hope you prove all the naysayers wrong and prove the Nobel prize committee to have been prescient!
The great folk singer Pete Seeger now ninety and a perennial contender for this award (in my mind at least) wrote this song and whenever i heard him live, it always made me cry, not sad tears but the kind where you get all choked up thinking why can’t we all get along, and wouldn’t it be wonderful.
My Rainbow Race
One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shores
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I’ll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It’s too soon to die
Some folks want to be like an ostrich
Bury their heads in the sand
Some hope their plastic dreams
Can Unclench all greedy hands
Some want to take the easy way
Poisons, bombs…They think we need them
Don’t you know, you can’t kill all the unbelievers?
There’s no shortcut to freedom!
Go tell, go tell all the little children
Go tell mothers and fathers too
Today is our last chance to learn to share
What’s been given to me and you
http://www.last.fm/music/Pete+Seeger/_/My+Rainbow+Race
Of course it could just be the Irish in me because Kermit the frog does it to me too.
P.S. Sorry if this is a double post, it did not seem to take.