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A Prize Too Far
Alex Brandon / AP Photo
The Daily Beast's award-winning columnist delivers a message from President Obama to the Nobel committee: Thanks, but no thanks.
12 PM October 10, 2009
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
I have just notified the Nobel Peace Prize Committee that upon due consideration, I have decided to decline the great honor they have presented me and therefore will not be going to Oslo in December.
I explained to them, I hope convincingly, that I should have done this yesterday, after the award was announced. But to be honest, I was in a state of shock and not thinking clearly. A president of the United States must be prepared for any news, any time someone walks through the door. But being told that I had won the Nobel Peace Prize was simply not on what the national-security folks call “the Threat Board,” a mere eight months into my term of office. In retrospect, it was a very “teachable moment,” and one I hope to have learned from.
I don’t know the Norwegian words for “Let’s get real,” but I tried earnestly to convey in plain English that awarding me the Nobel Peace Prize opens the committee itself to the charge that it dispenses its gold promiscuously.
I don’t know the Norwegian words for “Let’s get real,” but I tried earnestly to convey in plain English that awarding me the Nobel Peace Prize, at this stage of my presidency, opens the committee itself to the charge that it dispenses its gold promiscuously, without regard to actual accomplishment. To give the award to Albert Schweitzer, or Nelson Mandela or Desmond Tutu or Lech Walesa or Andrei Sakharov is one thing. To give it to me is, well, another. To put it in very blunt terms, it is hard for me to believe otherwise than that I have been presented this award for not being my predecessor.
Someone yesterday commented that it’s as if the actual intended recipient of the award is those American voters who elected me last November. I have the audacity to hope that those voters would feel, as I do, that they do not need to be thanked, much less awarded by a committee of five somewhat faceless Norwegians for simply voting their convictions. That said, I know that all Americans have the warmest feeling toward our Norwegian friends. Keep that salmon coming!
• Obama Won What?!: Daily Beast Contributors Weigh In Tom Lehrer, a great American satirist, mischievously said that he was going to give up satire now that Henry Kissinger had won the Nobel Prize. He was joking of course; sort of. But I feel that were I to accept the award, it would ultimately debase the coinage of the medal.
This is no false modesty. I have tried, in my very short time in office, to act in a manner worthy of a leader of a great nation. In my inaugural address, I held out America’s hand to all the world, friend and foe, saying that the handshake was offered in good faith, but not unconditionally. I have dealt to the best of my ability with such crises and threats, both inherited and new, as have come my way. I am at this moment engaged in the humbling task of trying to devise a correct strategy in Afghanistan. I have not risen to bait tossed at me by international toads and gangsters like President Ahmadinejad and the grotesquely coiffed King Jong-Il. I have even shaken Hugo Chavez’s fat, clammy hand at the U.N. I am on the case, working for peace, as best I can.
But we are still in the first quarter of this game, and to accept this award would be to declare a kind of victory, and that, in my view, would be be inappropriate, presumptuous, and tempting karma.
So, to the Nobel committee I say, in all humility, hold the gold and check back with me in say three years.
Meantime, takk fir mal. Or as we say in America, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online News Association award in the category of Online Commentary.
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John Talks Joe
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
Why America Must Learn to Bow
Martin Jacques is the cofounder of the UK think tank Demos, writes a regular column for The Guardian, and is a visiting research fellow at the London School of Economics Asia Research Centre. His new book, When China Rules the World, is available now.
Going Rogue: The Index
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online Journalism Award in the category of Online Commentary.
Going Rogue: The Index
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online Journalism Award in the category of Online Commentary.
Lessons from Another War
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online Journalism Award in the category of Online Commentary.
It's Time for Us to Go
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online Journalism Award in the category of Online Commentary.
What the hell, Obama? What do you think your doing not taking that award? Stop responding to peer pressure from the bullies on the playground and take the goddamn award.
First, did critics actually read his acceptance speech?? He was gracious and humble and said "I don't deserve to be in the company of others...." What more do you want from him.. He didn't ask for this.
Plus "No thanks" would have become "Obama slaps down committee and rejects Nobel Award." It would have went down worse to insult them.
ONLY Obama has do damage control after being given an award...jeeezzz.
Look who's saying he should decline the honor - as if he is unsure about what his efforts have been and are going to be - I applaud the Nobel Committee as forward thinking humanitarians. They have pinned a blazing light on his breast that will guide his decisions toward a more peaceful world. They have given him that much more support to do the peaceful thing, to turn him into a peacemaker. It may be manipulative, but we could use a little more peace around here.
I disagree. He should have said:
"Ba Vongool Tutti il tutti gli i norvegesi Asshola."
Asshola?
Seriously?
I would like to seriously add:
What a patronizing, preening, provincial twit you are, Mr. Buckley.
I retract my previous message. This is what Omaba should do, as described by Lynn Cheney on FNS.
"Send the Mother of a fallen U.S. Soldier to accept the awaed on behalf of The U.S. Military, the greatest peace keeping force in the world, whose efforts also protect those same people who are issuing this award." (paraphrased)
Lynn Cheney weighs in, huh? Now she has the legacy of a last name that will live in infamy. Daring to raise the name of US military forces sacrificed in a "pre-emptive" attack on Iraq, troops identified as a "peace-keeping force of the world."
..."galt" is your brain scrambled from worshiping at the feet of that sinister, trashy novelist, Ayn Rand, perchance?
hey galt,
you talkin about Obama or Scalia?
Liz Cheney said what? This from a member of a family that has so fastidiously avoided military service AND fought tooth and nail to prevent the from showing the return of those same fallen soldiers remains? You've got to be kidding.
Watching all this from outside the US, it is fascinating to see how Mr Obama is doomed if he does and doomed if he doesn't. I may agree that it was rather too early to award Obama, but at the same time they have their own reasons to do it. Obama did not influence any of the members to vote for him...just give him a break and use the space you get to write wisely.
What do you see outside the US, are they puzzling over the committees motives - do they cheer or jeer - which ones do which. As much as I hate the way Global Big Business has wrecked the American economy for American's I'm very interested in what our fellow Earth bound peoples think.
I voted for Obama and I quite like Obama, but I am in complete agreement with Mr. Buckley. It's not too late, Mr. President, to turn this thing around.
Buckley! I love you but YOU'RE WRONG! Take the prize, Obama! Accept a gift in the manner in which it was given. Do your best. Screw everyone else, they're just jealous!
Take the prize and the hint, you are the best hope for peace in this war torn world.
I would have expected a Buckley to know more about manners. When you are presented with a gift - any gift - the ONLY proper response is "Thank you" After that you can say whatever you like. But "No, thanks, because..." is ill-bred.
I wouldn't say ill-bred, just differntly bred from the genteel culture. Remember Chis's dad was William F Buckley, I don't think he would care much about the horse, he'd worry more about the motives and base a response on his evaluation. Again I say - the committees actions are to be lauded, I believe Obama should say "I will keep this token as a reminder and try to live up to the high standards that are used to determine who receives it." Now that is the proper response.
This annointment of Obama is really out of sync with reality. Regardless of who you voted for, he has nothing in his resume to even nominate him for this award, which simply verifies that the award is strictly political and has long lost its luster from the original intent.
I'm afraid that the Nobel group has lost its credibility and value, and falls in the same category as the American Music Awards, but one of popularity of a group of 5.
Obama successes:
-- Legislation Signed --
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill)
Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (SCHIP)
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act
Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act
Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
-- Executive Orders --
Reversed Bush Administration policies on stem cell research
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay
So much for "nothing in his resume", CR. There is lots of other stuff too, for anybody willing to look.
Well put, Alan. Obama is the one who actually agreed to decrease the nuclear arsenal....a gigantically huge deal!
My only complaint is that Gandhi didn't get the prize, but they also have some reasons for that, which I do not agree with.
Buckley... something like 'å være ærlig med oss selv' or perhaps 'å være ærlig med velgerne'
Please don't brag about the Stimulus Bill. It was a very nicely orchestrated run on the American Taxpayer, yet unborn, on behalf of Wall St. Banks and Politicians....and no one else. That's not Stimulus, it's theft!
Do you remember The President's trip to Columbus, Ohio touting the Stimulus Package as a way to save the 24 New Recruits whose funding had run out? They all ended up getting fired, along with an additional 250 existing Columbus, Ohio Uniformed Officers who had already been on the job, some for many years. That's not Stimulus....it is the incineration of money. Money for which we cannot pay and will have to pay interest for generations to come.
Good God Man, what are you thinking? The Banks we gave the money to are still broke, not lending, and playing 3 card monty with the Financial System at your expense. Now the money is gone to Bonuses for the wonderful job everyone did ripping off the US Treasury. This is not Stimulus, it's theft!
AlanD2:
1) American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Stimulous Bill) has done NOTHING to help the economy, but did a great deal to pad special interests wallets and shelter their losses from bad business decisions.
2All of the rest of his "successes" have not shown their results yet, and if it is anything like the stimulous package, I'll be happy if it gets tied up in bureacracy.
You seem to think that our government can proactively help in the marketplace. They can't and never have had a realistic success. It is the bureacracy led by manipulation and bribery that our government has destroyed private enterprise.
There was a time when you, or anyone, could easily get into business and succeed or fail based on what the people wanted to spend their money on. Today you have to go deep into debt to start a business, then deal with every mickey mouse license, fee, permit, policy, etc. many of which contradict each other, in order to open a business at all.
By the way, stem cell research was never outlawed, it just wasn't paid for by the government, and as such I am pissed that he is spending tax dollars on research that more and more doctors say can come from other areas with better results.
Also, Guantanamo Bay is still open, and it should be. Who in their right mind wants to bring those turkeys to our soil? Are you nuts? Why bring a "cancer" to spread into the prison system here in the US.
You and I disagree on some things my friend, and this is clearly one of them.
Yes, but nominations for the thing had to be submitted by last October(?). In any case, it was before he took office. He hadn't done any of that stuff at that point.
Don't get me wrong: I voted for the guy, and back him completely. However, I'm not sure the award was deserved.
Wow. Now you are giving Obama credit for all the work that Congress has done - all without any real leadership from Obama to pass these acts of legislation in the first place.
First, the stimulus bill has so far mostly failed - banks have pocketed much of the stimulus money and are still paying bonuses for failure, the homes act is a total failure, the credit card act has not stopped rates from going up and new fees being added, and - guess what - Guantanamo Bay will now NOT be closed by January 22, 2010 as promised.
So what have you got left that was "BIG" for Americans and their future? Practically nothing - unless you count the declaration of Leif Ericson Day ... Saturday Night Live has given the best summary of the 10 or so major issues that Obama has not produced any results on - go watch it, guy.
ConstitutionalRights said: "American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Stimulous Bill) has done NOTHING to help the economy".
The Wall Street Journal does not agree with you: "Stimulus Is Helping US Economy Out of Recession" [9/1/2009].
Of course, you may not agree with this bastion of liberal thinking. :-)
ConstitutionalRights said: "It is the bureacracy led by manipulation and bribery that our government has destroyed private enterprise."
Here is your private enterprise in action, CR:
Pfizer recently agreed to a record $2.3 billion settlement for health-care fraud.
An average of 22% of health care claims in California are rejected by insurance companies. PacifiCare, the worst, rejects 40% of its claims.
After UnitedHealth Group paid fines of $1.4 billion for various frauds, they fired CEO William McGuire. McGuire took with him a golden parachute of $1.1 billion, the largest in the history of corporate America.
Rick Scott, leader of Conservatives for Patients Rights, was CEO of a hospital which defrauded Medicare for $1.7 billion.
Stephen J. Hemsley, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, has made over $750 million in salary, bonuses, and other income in the last 4 years.
"An investigation by the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations showed that health insurers WellPoint Inc., UnitedHealth Group and Assurant Inc. canceled the coverage of more than 20,000 people, allowing the companies to avoid paying more than $300 million in medical claims over a five-year period."
"The South Carolina Supreme Court has ordered an insurance company to pay $10 million for wrongly revoking the insurance policy of a 17-year-old college student after he tested positive for HIV. The court called the 2002 decision by the insurance company 'reprehensible.'"
"Humana was recently featured in a HuffPost story for denying health care due to lack of an enema. In 2005, it settled a racketeering suit for $40 million. It settled a fraud lawsuit in 2000 for $14.5 million. Since 2000, its profits have soared from $90 million to $834 million."
I hope you are proud of the fraud and criminal behavior of these companies.
drlg12: Yes, nominations had to be submitted by February. But the committee didn't make its final decision until 6 months later, so they had lots of time to see what the Obama administration was doing.
Which was nothing.
Glenda1976: Which was...
-- Legislation Signed --
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill)
Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (SCHIP)
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act
Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act
Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
-- Executive Orders --
Reversed Bush Administration policies on stem cell research
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay
The main reason that Gandhi didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize is that he died after being nominated and before the voting. The Noble Peace Prize is never awarded posthumously.
magicman your racism is showing. I see the stimulus money put in action everyday to create jobs and stabilize our economy here in California. If you do not see the effects it is because you refuse to look. But in case I am wrong in my assessment of your ignorance feel free to look for yourself. The state of CA has a webpage dedicated to tracking the progress of the Recovery Act funds in our state. In transportation alone 20k jobs have been created in CA since February. My cousin who is a teacher (and a brilliant one at that) was rehired after being laid off thanks to the stimulus money. I'm tempted to rip you a new one but honestly I can only feel pity for pathetic, ignorant, and angry little people like you.
http://www.recovery.ca.gov/
HE ALSO DID ALL OF THIS!!!!
Offended the Queen of England .
Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia
Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
Kissed Socialist Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia .
Sided with Hugo Chavez and Communist Fidel Castro against Honduras .
Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions while they're building their nuclear weapons.
Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
Expanded the bailouts.
Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
Quadrupled our national debt.
Announced the termination of our new missile defense system the day after North Korea launched an ICBM.
Released information on U.S. Intelligence gathering despite urgings of his own CIA director and the prior four CIA directors.
Accepted without comment that five of his cabinet members cheated on their taxes and two other nominees withdrew after they couldn't take the heat.
Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who identified military veterans and abortion opponents as "dangers to the nation."
Ordered that the word "terrorism" no longer be used and instead refers to such acts as "man made disasters."
Circled the globe to publicly apologize for America 's world leadership.
Told the Mexican president that the violence in their country was because of us.
Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from the Department of Commerce.
Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced removal and expulsion to Cuba of a 9-year-old whose mother died trying to bring him to freedom in the United States .
Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists who threatened one American life and the next day announces members of the Bush administration may stand trial for "torturing" three 9/11 terrorists by pouring water up their noses.
Low altitude photo shoot of Air Force One over New York City that frightened thousands of New Yorkers.
Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure them that the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be on their own with the Muslims.
Praised Jimmy Carter's trip to Gaza where he sided with terrorist Hamas against Israel .
Nationalized General Motors and Chrysler while turning shareholder control over to the unions and freezing out retired investors who owned their bonds. Committed unlimited taxpayer billions in the process.
Passed a huge energy tax in the House that will make American industry even less competitive while costing homeowners thousands per year.
Announced nationalized health care "reform" that will strip seniors of their Medicare, cut pay of physicians, increase taxes yet another $1 trillion, and put everyone on rationed care with government bureaucrats deciding who gets care and who doesn't.
@ djanimaequeen
Well, here from New York, it all looks rather different. Today we are celebrating record Bonuses at Wall St. Firms which caused the run on the American Taxpayer through the elimination of Glass-Stiegel and the CDO and CDS markets which were formed without Cash Markets to support the trade in these securities (if I am over your head on this one, give a holler).
Today's news is that Obama is now 'Fundraising' these same folks who profited from their own crimes, which as of yet, go unpunished. Perhaps you also missed the fundraising list. It is the first time in History that Goldman Sachs has finished SECOND in anything....generosity not apparently being their strong suit.
Get a clue. You've been ripped off. And now monies are being squandered in the 'protection' of Public Projects (like in Columbus, Ohio...an apparent showpiece of Stimulus Spending that blew up in the President's Face).
The simple math is that we do not need Teachers. We need workers to PAY FOR Teachers. Perhaps you are misunderstanding the flow of Funds that are required in order to Fund you job. Export something to China first, and then Fund a Teacher, instead of, you know, running up a bill on the hopefully future born generations, should they be so fortunate as to survive past our Abortion and Genocide Policy here in America.
@ djanimaequeen
Racism? How does that play out in a comment about Public Expenditures?
Although the Republicans have tried mightily - and have harmed the American people - to make our President ineffectual. In fact, in the 9 short months since his inauguration, he has accomplished a lot. Remember, thanks to George Bush and the Republicans who marched in lock-step behind him - he started in a deep, deep hole. He has worked steadily and without any help from the Republicans (who have suddenly become worried abut the Constitution and fiscal responsibility) to fix the mess.
The Committee decides who wins their prize - they decided that our President - Barack Obama - has won. I say - congratulations Mr. Obama and thank-you, on behalf of the US, to the Committee. That simple!
Buckley, you are adorable, in the most manly sense of that description. Hans and Frans would be proud! Are you ready to *pump it up*? Or, is this an Emeril moment? Either way, it is time to dish out some truth and to get to the reasonable point...lest we all find ourselves buried under a second heaping helping of "Fresh Hell" anew stew.
There is nothing NOBLE (yes, that is an acronym and pun intended) in being awarded the Nobel Prize at the infancy of a Presidency that is awash in self inflicted terror and needs a hand out of trouble, instead of a plunge back into it. I too would have respectfully declined the Prize under such circumstances for reasons relating to the purity of the prize itself and the burden it would place upon me in the form of Great Expectations (oddly, it did turn into a Dickens Classic, just as predicted in one of your first articles at the Daily Beast,,,replete with Adisors clutching their 'groins'). We may yet return to those heady days...or perhaps more wisely run from it. This award being the most recent case in point.
When did our country become Governed by Nobel Prizes? What's next? A Pulitzer Bank Prize Policy, complete with fictional accounting methods?
I feel badly for President Obama (we do always like to see our President's prosper), but in this instance he is being put on the spot, it not being a comfortable spot to be put on to begin with. I cannot recall a single instance of any person, much less a President, declining a Nobel Prize, so there is no delectable precedent to fall back upon, this being the reason why Kennedy wrote 'Profiles In Courage' to begin with. Courage is a necessary ingredient and might be culled from the Presidential Achives as perhaps some precedent for 'correct action', should anyone be so bold as to present the idea.
Frankly, a quick rewrite of Banking Law forbidding the double debiting of Checking and Debit Card Accounts in order to HFT maximize Bank Service Fees would be the most IMPORTANT detail for present focus....but alas, the Jewish Bankers are far too interested in rewriting 'Hilter:The Sequel', as they rush headlong to place their RACE in harms way for a second Holocoaust. Why we do this as people can only be considered MAD from the get go.
The collaterol damage of 'Our Egghead Depression' has now fallen upon the brow of Northeast Catholic in Philadelphia as well as Lourdes Health Systems in Camden, NJ....It's flagship Hospital 'Our Lady of Lourdes' barely surviving on prayer. This is not just MAD, it is 'NUTS!' as General McAuiffe might remind us from his bunker at Bastogne.
P.S. I wonder if Obama realizes yet that he's been setup?
You need a hobby.
Good Idea. I've taken up researching your past comments at TBD. Wanna see a few?
In referrence to:
Al Qaeda NYC Terror Plot Foiled
nortonclybourn
Better move to Idaho with magicman. You can share recipes for mung beans.
In referrence to:
An Ivy League Tragedy
by John Connolly
nortonclybourn
They're trying to branch out from Missing White Woman stories to Missing Asian Woman. Still no word on any Black or Hispanic Women, I guess none of them are missing.
Snarky aren't you? I haven't actually seen anything constructive or prescient in anything you've written so far. Why is that?
You're right. I need a new hobby. Looking up your past comments at the TDB wasn't riveting enough to keep me interested more than 15 minutes. It is all snark and no action.
magicman, you've definitely honed in on one of the BIG problems: Banking corruption (and mismanagement). You see, instead of us solving the real problems facing our country, the Right continues to do the Wrong thing by making an issue where there should be none. Granted, the Nobel is premature, but as a response to Obama's efforts at rebuilding our relationships with Europe & the Middle East (which GWB so effectively compromised), was a nice gift from Europeans (who are our Allies, and who we should listen to before deciding, getting intelligent input, even if we decide to ignore it).
The Right has become the Wrong party for America, and I can attest to the fact that many of my progressive Republican friends want nothing to do with Southern Evangelicals who have hijacked their party. IF there was indeed a separation of church and state, this should have been impossible.
What this points out in clear detail is how we need to re-legislate, to include a separation of business and state. Given the Wall Street corruption (which the media is ignoring), we also need to re-legislate to create and enforce much stricter regulation on those who seek greed (through fraud and the misuse of public funds, not to mention it should be ILLEGAL to receive ANY bonus beyond cost of living increase by anyone receiving public funds), exploitation, and forcing a social dogma that is not based on factual data and scientific method. We ought to follow the 'Vulcan Way,' making logic superlative, because the more we allow our emotions to dictate social policy, the longer the majority will experience Middle Class decline, and that path leads to US disintegration.
@ Fentro
Good to see a lightbulb on somewhere in the Universe. I share your concerns. For all Americans, the American Dream has been turned into the American Nighmare, most prominently in California. Million Dollar houses now half their value. How do you rebound from that one in life? You don't.
The American Dream is alive and well, in Canada, not the US.
Canadian unemployment as a full 1% lower than that in the US. Canadian GDP is growing, the US GDP is not. NO Canadian banks have failed. Canadians have UNIVERSAL health care access and of a quality much higher than most Americans (except the filthy rich and elected politicians) have. An average everyday Canadian has exactly the same health care as the Premier of his province and his Member of Parliament. 98% of Americans do NOT have the same heath care as the Governor of their State or their Congressmen. All of the reinforces the fact that the American Dream is alive and well in Canada and not in the US.
Fento you are WAY off the mark. Your idealogy was pulled straight from la la land. Who is going to regulate business if we attempt this separation? Are they to regulate themselves? Are you aware that is what has occurred these last 8 years and is the reason why we are currently in this economic turmoil? Does history mean anything to you? Are you aware that in EVERY instance that we have deregulated and attempted to let the market govern itself that the market CRASHED? You're either high or a bank CEO. Either way you're out of touch.
And PS
"What this points out in clear detail is how we need to re-legislate, to include a separation of business and state"
WTF!? So we need legislation to say that we will not legislate over business?
Dude! Put down the crack pipe!
@ MurphyJ87
The fact is that GNP calculations are seriously distorted. In today's climate we are seeing a decline in the dollar at the same time as we are seeing a decline in real economic activity. This phenomena will register a false positive in stated GNP. If Nixon's 1971 decoupling of Gold to the Dollar and the closure of 'The Gold Window' resulted in a 95% decline in the value of Dollars since then, then how relevant is GNP? The answer is ... it's not. An additional distortion in GNP calculations is Government Spending, also factored into GNP calculations, and which has been the entire cause of both the Dollar's decline through Deficit Spending and money printing to cover the loss (a tax) and our Current Crisis. I don't disagree that Canada is in far better shape than the US. But the Canadians didn't cook up a Fannie Mae or Freddy Mac economy as we did here, so naturally the consequences here will be far greater.
The issue, as far as I'm concerned, may have more to do with a concept of Economic Malpractice, which has yet to be addressed either in Law or in Congress...and which continues to this very day.
djanimaequeen, you must have misread my email, because I agree that we need stricter regulations (i.e., "re-legislate" to remove the gov't and business relationship, which is corrupt). Do the words "we also need to re-legislate to create and enforce much stricter regulation," mean something else to you? Re-read my post, djanimaequeen, because you are the one who must be using the crack pipe, as your conclusions are the total opposite of what I said.
"...but alas, the Jewish Bankers are far too interested in rewriting 'Hitler:The Sequel', as they rush headlong to place their RACE in harms way for a second Holocaust."
This is a curious and disturbing comment in an otherwise unremarkable post, magicman.
Are you suggesting that "Jewish bankers" were responsible for the Holocaust?
And are currently responsible for the murder in France of Jews, for being Jewish?
And will be to blame for the destruction of Israel, when Iran launches its promised nuclear annihilation?
Please clarify your statement. Better still, apologize and withdraw it.
@ Isabella
No, I am not suggesting 'Jewish Banker's' are responsible for the Holocaust. I am suggesting something else. What seems 'dangerous' is the prominence of 'Jewish Names' in this Crisis and which will only result in putting Jews in harms way. It is not my opinion that such an insensitivity is even wise. Yet, it prospers. I am sounding an alarm bell, if you can read all the way through History and understand where the dangers really lie. I am alledging the construction of 'scapegoats' and 'set ups' that assign blame to others not responsible, or even award Peace Prizes in the midst of War.
Magicman - race is a social construct. There is nothing inherent in being Jewish that causes a person to be better in financial matters. Occupations can be driven by culture, but our society will not benefit from you pointing out which ethnic origin you think had a hand in the financial meltdown. Evolved citizens know that there is plenty of blame to go around, but it is poor choices, not ethnicity on which we should fix our focus.
Thanks M Waterman. I thought it was going to pass without comment. Of course, skills and experience handed from one generation to another facilitate ongoing success in any field, which is not the same as genetic/ethnic transmission.
magicman's reply duly noted. I took his remark to mean exactly what he intended to warn against.
Had any one of a number of other ethnic groups,instead of Jewish,been named, there would have been mass outrage from contributors to this page. Yours excepted, the silence in this case was deafening.
@ Isabella
You continue to miss the point. This was a 'Paulson Job' not a Goldfarb one. Yet Goldfarb's name is hanging in the window, and that will prove dangerous to Jews worldwide, as has already been evidenced in France, the land of Fraternite'....
@ MWaterman
Race is not a social construct, it is a biological one. This is why Jews marry within their own race. They have been doing things this way for thousands of years. I'm surprised you haven't noticed. The Sephardics and the Orthodox are as purely inbred a people biologically as you will ever find with the Amish being the newest modern adaptation of the very same strategy. Not all Jews are Bankers, that is a recent phenomena, just as it is for the Irish. Formerly, the potato growing Irish elevated themselves just as the Jews did and others aspire to as well. Today's potato farmers are mostly mexican, just as the formerly Jewish Garment Industry Sweat Shops are now all in China, Singapore and Malaysia.
@ Isabella
The skills and experience handed down from one generation to the next is made irrelevant once massive technological change occurs on a grand scale, as is occurring in today's times. This is largely the cause of what is happening in today's economy and markets. Once massive and new technology is introduced into a society it destabilizes that society in a way which it will not understand until well after the process is complete. It is part of a 'natural' evolution in markets and economies and is not the psychology based explaination offered by some such as Malcolm Gladwell as an explanation for what is occurring. We are not psyching one another out, we are being tsunamied by the technical limits of a new creation not clearly understood by society at large. This last occurred in 1873 during that Depression and which ushered in the Industrial Revolution, a period in time which was known to it's people as "The Crime of 1873", not unlike the same theft that is occurring in Banking and Industry today.
I too voted for Obama and like him as well. But seriously, whats next, Wrestlemania? Obama might have peace in his heart but so far his policies have produced none. This stupid gesture lessens the likelihood that he ever will. Should he say no thanks? No way, Hulk Hogan had some rough patches early in his career and he went on to be Campion of The World.
WOW! There's a role model for sure Hulk Hogan.....amazing
Mr. Buckley,
as always you both inform and amuse.
This award surprised me as much as everyone else. Like the President perhaps, I am a little confused and even a little embarassed: what can he do now to make this make sense? Or HAS he already done something to earn it?
Well, as many have noted there IS his not being his predecessor. G.W. Bush called some nations 'evil' and refused to even meet them, all the while demonstrating with deeds that war was more acceptable to him than alternatives. Afghanistan was and correctly so, but not Iraq, and our rhetoric about Iran and North Korea was as belligerent as their own. So I find it hard to blame Iran, for instance, for wanting nuclear weapons, when the USA was led by a man who not only does not talk softly but seemed eager to use his big stick. Israel aside, if I were them I'd still be trying to arm up to deter another President like HIM.
Iran and North Korea, et al, are not going away, and Obama has his work cut out for him. But he HAS already done this: the entire world relaxed a long-held breath of fear when Obama came in, because we never knew if/when Bush was about to launch another war. That sigh of relief has became a tangible thing, too, because Obama has remained calm so far even when he calls out Iran's cheating or takes down pirates, and especially when he speaks of reducing weapons. Thus he remains reassuring about the possibility of peace even to all those evil, rogue nations. Peace seems more really possible all the time. (Congrats to Turkey and Armenia!)
Anyway, it would be even more confusing and embarassing to return the award now, and I know you know that. So let's just hope he does REAL stuff now and wins a second. They'd make nice bookends for his tenure.
Sorry to say, had the US Navy waited for Obama's approval in the Pirate affair, the outcome would not have been happy. While the president dithered, the Navy acted.
You are exactly right in one respect: Obama remains reassuring about the possibility of peace even to evil, rogue nations.
His reassurance to the Iranian government encouraged it to brutally quash dissent and jail and sentence opposition protesters to death. President Obama was waiting to see the outcome of the election before he chose which side to support.
It also gave Iran more time to perfect the nuclear weapons which make its threats to Israel (and the world) real. The Nobel Peace Prize is also a reward for kowtowing to the mad mullahs of Islam.
Hi Isabella. I might as well respond, I have the time as you do.
The Navy does not act without orders. Period. The Commander-in-chief sets the rules, so that if the Navy acted it is because they already knew their scope. This is personal knowledge, and it is true.
As to our potential enemies, as I pointed out paranoia even from them can be a rational response if/when threats to them border on insane. That works both ways.
So what matters now?
Time will tell. I already said Ithe Nobel award seems premature. But my glass is half-full, and I can only hope I'm right. You should too, what's the point in hopelessness?
Best wishes.
John
yes, it is a surprise, but let's not forget that the nobel is not a lifetime achievement award.
-- Myth: The prize is awarded to recognize efforts for peace, human rights and democracy only after they have proven successful.
More often, the prize is awarded to encourage those who receive it to see the effort through, sometimes at critical moments.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/10/09/common_misco nceptions_about_the_nobel_peace_prize_1255065701/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/09/nobel-prize-to-obama-defe_n_316 098.html
some of the recipients mentioned above had not yet completed their goals, but were, indeed, on their way.
given the current climate, it is fair to say that obama has done much to inspire the american people and those internationally as well...there is a sense of hope that was lacking and there is value to this.
"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" -browning
obama has, at the least, hit a "reset" button of sorts, provided a wake-up call that we need not settle, and, that one person can make a difference.
the nobel is simply an affirmation of this and it should inspire america and its "powers that govern" to strive to be better, to do better.
Exactly-
Mr.Buckley and most
Of the U.S. doesn't seem able
To comprehend that
30% of the time-
The Nobel Peace prize is given
As an aspirational award.
Meaning it's presented
To encourage a promising development-
The President has signaled a new era
In international co-operation
And moved to reduce nuclear arms.
He is hardly the first
To receive this award as an encouragement.
And it seems likely that the Nobel committee
Sees a chance that it could re-invigorate
Mideast peace talks-
And perhaps even influence the situation
In Afghanistan.
It's rash to underestimate
The power of persuasion and the motives
Behind the awarding
Of the prize.
Righ on!
And, as one would have expected, several past "inspirational" winners in the past 50 years were total failures in trying to achieve their goals.
So Obama is to be rewarded for good intentions, but meanwhile the American people keep sinking towards Third-Worldom, in spite of all his promises? I am beginning to think the Nobel Peace Prize concept was a total mistake on the part of Alfred Nobel.
Aspiration: Hog-tie the United States, put it back in its box while the (Islamic) dispossessed assume power in the vacuum.
The new era of international co-operation: Iran jails dissidents. Sentences dissident leaders to death. Iran perfects nuclear weapons to destroy Israel. Islamic thugs worldwide prepare for action. N Korea tests Hiroshima-size bomb.
Influence the situation in Afghanistan: Taliban extends control to 80% of Afghanistan. Reimposes brutal legal and social policies. Germany contemplates withdrawal. US casualties increase. McChrystal gets 25 minutes. Al Qaeda expands. Pakistan military headquarters attacked. White House dithers.
Reduce nuclear arms: ours.
Talking softly only works when you carry the biggest stick. Microphones don't count.
Your "statement by the President" my have some merit, Mr. Buckley. But in your final statement, "Thanks, but no thanks," you've got him quoting Sarah Palin! Now that, sir, is a bridge too far.
Barack Obama won - first the Presidency and there are still people (some in Congress) questioning his legitimacy and now the Nobel Peace Prize. And now you, Mr. Buckley, are questioning this.
Get over it - Obama didn't ask for it, he won it. Be happy, be proud - be American!
@ the upstater
Except that this 'win' will only cause him to 'lose' votes in Congress at a critical time when programs of Health and National Financial Importance are being considered, as well as Banking Reform....which is long overdue...just like the Q2 TARP Fund Dividend payments that are still missing from 34 of our Governmentally inspired 'healthy' stress tested Banks will attest.
Obama is a Politician? It is never a 'positive' for Politicians to lose voters, especially those in Congress? To lose votes over an award made from Norway, isn't exactly the good American outcome that you pretend it to be. Obama's life just got harder. And you are cheering that as a Proud American? You must be an anarchist, right?
The only reason he'd lose votes over winning an award is because of overly emotional voting. He didn't ask for this award, so why punish him or his policies because of it? If you don't like him or his policies, then vote against them. Don't vote against him because someone gave him an award. Baka!
magicman: What proof do you have that he will lose votes in Congress?
He has no Republican votes to lose - all of them will always vote against his major legislation (stimulus, health care, cap-and-trade, etc.)
Democrats - his party - should be proud of him. Will "blue dogs" be affected by his win? This is one area in which you might find some proof.
@ al-nafs
Except that The American People have never responded well to Kings or Elites from Europe telling them what to do and most particularly how to think. In fact, that would be cause to rebel in and of itself. Is is part of our Character as a people. This is a gross miscalculation Politically on the part of the Norweigians themselves. I do understand Norway's gratitude for Obama's efforts in negotiating with Putin and Russia to remove Nuclear Missles in Eastern Europe, but frankly, with all of the budget cuts it would have been fait accompli no matter who was in Office. But why not give the award to Putin? He certainly needs some encouragement too, perhaps even more encouragement than Obama himself.
The plain fact is that The Republicans will see this as a slap in their face from Norway at a time when Obama has been all fast break in Politics and no Defense. Expect trouble, no matter what McCain says. Elections are on for next year and McCain is quickly becoming a Senior Statesman, which of course means his ideas will be Universally ignored. That alone tells you which direction this one is going. Snarling Republican Bears are no picnic...the world is quickly coming to find.
In my opinion, Norway blew it and kicked the beehive by making this award too soon in Obama's Presidency. Likely a fight will break out now.
I think the one swing vote in the Senate was Olympia Snowe. The House is another matter and can change quickly, especially with an election coming up a year from now. Here's the link on where Snowe stands:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/6662033.html
And today it Snowed, first in the Olympic Region, and then in the Senate. Kismet!
Geez, where's Kanye West when you really need him?
As has already been pointed out by dozens of people: the Nobel has in the past been awarded as much for idealogy as it has for a fait accompli. Kissinger receiving a 'peace' prize is far more ludicrous than Obamma receiving one. Kissinger helped orchestrate the secret bombing of Cambodia, which led to the slaughter of millions by the Khymer Rouge. What is peaceful about that? Conservatives hate Obamma so much, that even an honor that reflects positively on the U.S., is used to feed their contempt & hatred for him, & for the office he holds.In less than a year, America has begun to regain the trust & respect of other nations, trust & respect the Bush years squandered. It is not always about what you 'do'.Obamma is an active advocate for disarmament & world peace."Peace", get it?; as in Nobel peace prize.
Everyone should think of one thing...Obama is the first EVER leader of a major power to address nuclear weapons using the term disarmament...not limitation or non-proliferation. This alone changes the tenor of the international discussions on the issue and is certainly a step forward that Alfred Nobel would have deemed worthy of his legacy.
Well, if you want to talk disarmament, why stop at Nuclear Weapons? Why not include GM and Chrysler in the discussion? Weren't they disarmed as well? Or, is that both disarmed and dislegged? Perhaps maybe we are just picking over the corpus delicti that cannibals cheer when the soup is on.
Um, we're talking about Nuclear Disarmament. As in getting rid of weapons that are as dangerous to the aggressor as they are to the target. I have no idea why you brought automakers into the conversation, but I suspect that you're trying to exaggerate some semantic definition of the word 'disarmament' in an attempt to distract people from what it is that we are actually talking about.
@ al-nafs
Nuclear Disarmament is out of the question simply because our Towers were struck. Those missle sites removed from Eastern Europe are now Norway's problem. We won't be paying for them anymore. We're having a Financial Problem. That was one of many 'points of the pun'. Puns are frequently used to convey subtext and meaning separate from what seems readily apparent from the words themselves. Juxtaposition is a similar kind of device in that it causes comparison and can be humorous. "The Fat man in the little coat". Most people find the predicament humorous because it is contradictory. The contradiction here is that Norway is cheering the loss of it's own Nuclear Security, formerly conducted at our expense. Let's hope that nothing goes awry in the world. It could happen, for the first time in recorded History. Or, the Norweigians may find themselves stranded and made a target with all of that Oil lying around unprotected.
Ah, so that's why that made so little sense. Your premise was that nuclear disarmament was out of the question, which is exactly what we were discussing. So it was off topic.
As for conventional disarmament, the missile sites were changed from fixed sites to mobile vehicles. It is one of those facts that keeps getting ignored.
I get that it was a pun, it was just a bad one.
@ al-nafs
It is always a good idea to have a sense of humor about yourself while your wallet is being picked by your Rich Uncle. Bad puns are the moral equivalent of Bad Policy. Should we ever see good Policy, the puns will improve. Until that time, our work should be no better than theirs, in an effort to point out the defect and the solution. Anyone can 'goldbrick' a solution, right?
Fixed conventional weapons being far more dangerous to The People there than mobile weapons, which factoring in the risk of moving these weapons only increases the likelihood of mishap. Think of it as the difference between burrying a skunk in the ground or dragging it behind your car all through town.
Thanks, tom! We also have discussed it and think that this is a very important and peace affirming step.
I'm reminded of that day May 1, 2003 when Bush posed in photo-op splendor costumed in full flight suit regalia with the members of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
There displayed for optimal graphic effect extended the now infamous banner: "Mission Accomplished." It led many to believe, erroneously so, that America's mission in Iraq had been conclusively resolved.
While not a perfect analogy Obama's Nobel and Bush's egregious PR hubris have a commonality; both validate victories that have yet to be realized.
Proclaiming the validity of pro-active accomplishment is like an ill-advised technique of enticement an elementary school teacher might use to spur on a student of ability " to do better work."
"We know you show a lot of promise, I'm giving you this award plaque now because I'm sure you will live up to all the responsibilities required of the awardees. Congratulations on your future success with which this award endows you.
Should we now think as the Nobel Peace Prize as a motivational tool, a magical honor enabling the recipient, engendering the awardee with the will and power to go forth into the real world and actualize verifiable results?
Has society become so denigrated, our cultural, political compass become so skewed that we can no longer distinguish between achievement and wishful thinking?
I think
There is a BIT
Of a difference between
Bush's 'egregious PR hubris'
Leading him to make an utter
Fool of himself on the flight deck
Of an aircraft carrier-
And being surprised by a Nobel Peace prize.
But you see commonality?
Now THAT'S a skewed analogy-
Made by someone who's bemoaning
Society's inability to distinguish
Between achievement and wishful thinking-
You could use a little practice
Yourself Planet.
Obama winning of the Nobel is based on wishful thinking and nothing else.
Aircraft. Automobiles. Landing on the Moon. Bicycles.
Once upon a time, these were all 'wishful thinking' too. The idea has to be followed by action. And Obama *is* taking action, in fact it's those actions that you've been complaining about ever since he took office.
Glenda1976: Obama successes:
-- Legislation Signed --
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill)
Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act
Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (SCHIP)
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act
Helping Families Save Their Homes Act
Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act
Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
-- Executive Orders --
Reversed Bush Administration policies on stem cell research
Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay
A little more than "wishful thinking", Glenda. Health care reform looks likely now. And there is even more for anybody that wants to look.
And-
Whether or not
You add them to his list
Of accomplishments Alan-
Let's not forget that the Obama administration
Is taking on all of the tough issues
That have been ignored
And kicked down the road
FOR DECADES.
Credit where credit is due.
No doubt about that, Rita. Just tackling health care reform is enough to justify this prize!
Riter: Wishful thinking nails the Nobel committees thoughts for sure.
Those Eurosocialists expect President Obama to be their lap dog. Let's hope they're wrong! George Patton
I like the Eurosocialists much better than the Republicans, who are a purely negative force in the United States and are only trying to do damage to the country.
Oh, for God's sake... give it a rest!
Barack Obama should take the prize, thank them graciously and in his usual charming style and then go on with his life.
Jeez.... Americans are laughed at all over the world because they refuse to try to understand anything. They are usually so stupid they just react like three year olds to everything they see and hear.
Shut Up.! You are embarrassing the rest of us.
Who the hell, in his/ her right mind would go to the Nobel Committee and refuse to take the prize.?
What an ignorant bunch of ...holes you all are.
Henry Kissisnger was awarded the Peace Prize for his work in trying (I say trying) to bring the Veitnam war to a victorious conclusion. And some of you maybe will know how that turned out. But the word was "trying"
What the hell is it you do not understand?
PS. Do you actually think Buckley would be enchanted if Barack Obama won any prize?
You are all so gullible it hurts one's brain to even think about your inane posts.
Thank you Mozart. I see you share my frustrations.
dailyplanet
I'm reminded of that day May 1, 2003 when Bush posed in photo-op splendor costumed in full flight suit regalia with the members of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln
What was even more embarrassing is that nine years later Bush's award to himself is still not working.
But you never hear a word about this, do you?
And Patton says something everyday about a lap-dog...Everyday, ten times a day, could someone please acknowledge him so he will stop.
This is not a rip on Mr. Buckley, who's writing I adore, but this is just how I have seen the reaction in the last week:
Obama fails to get the Olympics in Chicago; obviously the world has rejected him, and he no longer holds sway over the opinions of other nations.
Obama gets awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; obviously those stupid foreigners are still drinking the kool-aid, buying into his empty promises.
Let me guess how the next 3 years will go:
The wind blows west; Obama is an idiot!
The wind blows east: Obama is a charlatan!
The sun rises: he can't do anything right!
The sun sets: he is full of empty promises!
We get it, folks, if you hate him you hate him. Can we move on now?
I agree with everything you said except it won't be the next 3 years...it will be 8! For all you haters, it will be 8 very long years of whining....for the rest of us, it will be 8 very long years of din.
When you look back at the Bush years and think about all the bad geography, (Bin Laden, we all are told today was just one mile from Bushs strike when B ush decided to let him go.) all the terrible grammer, the shoe throwing, the continued reading of My Pet Goat even after being ad vised a bout the hit on September 11, the spying on American citizens, Cheney and his madness, the enormous tax breaks for one percent of the most wealthy in the US, how in the world can anyone spend a week yakking about a prize given to Barack Obama by people that obviously had good intentions in their plan.
This is all so a bsurd as to be hysyterical.
The haters spend all their time slamming Barack Obama. days, nights, and all in between... can one just imagine how much good all the energy could really do if it was expended honorably and
intelligently.
We will never know because the crazies keep running crazily.
The way that Obama has been handling himself with foreign leaders, his approach, is most worthy of the Peace prize. He's thoughtful, has good manners, is genuinely reaching out to others. At this time, he is exactly what we need. His peace provoking "inaction" is far more powerful than any bullying, posturing or bombing. He is a most worthy recipient of the Nobel prize for peace, demonstrating intelligent, thoughtful, considerate conduct at the highest possible level.
agree!
Crickets from the Clintons.... Has Hillary congratulated her boss yet?
Clintons are passe. nafta killed Bill.
Chris. Politics are really something. But I like your statement.
This award should be rejected if its promise cannot be fulfilled. The fact that the committee gave it, however, is bizarre.
Ottoheinz: Many other recipients of the Peace Prize never met their expectations. Should all of them return their prizes (and money)?
The committee was quite sane in its decision. There is not one other man on the planet who will have a bigger impact on global peace and prosperity over the next 7 years.
@Christopher Buckley.... Hopefully, when the Nobel prize in Literature is mistakenly awarded to you sometime in the future, you'd use a rephrased version of that statement in turning down the award. Good luck!
If I win it I will humbly except it........It could happen.
You will have to learn to write in your own language first.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Christopher Buckley... often sharp as a tack, though I almost always disagree with you, as here. Let's forget about whether or not Obama deserves the NPP... reject it?
Are you high?
You think he looks bad now? If he refused the NPP, he would be seen as the biggest heel in the world, even by Americans. I searched a bit on the internet, and could not find one person who had EVER refused the peace prize--ever! (TDB commenters, I know you'll correct me if I'm wrong).
Sartre refused the Nobel prize for literature but, you know--he was Sartre.
If Obama refused the NPP, no matter how much that were to actually meet up with the justice of the matter, he would be followed by the infamy of that story until the day he died--to say nothing of the 2012 election. I can see the headlines now:
OBAMA SLAPS WORLD, NORWEIGANS IN FACE
OBAMA TO PEACEMAKERS: "THANKS, BUT NO THANKS!"
OBAMA TO NOBEL COMMITTEE: "NO I CAN'T!"
You're a smart man, Mr. Buckley, but I'm mighty glad you're not an Obama adviser. Feel free, however, to sign up to help the next Republican presidential campaign.
Welcome back Mr Buckley. Of course Mr Buckley is not serious that Presidenet Obama should reject this prize. This was just a canvas upon which Buckley could paint another witty sketch, full of history, charm, and insights.
Compare the delightful prose Buckley uses -- to the rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh's fans calling his talk show and saying Obama had "a big fat mouth and didnt deserve the prize" to which Rush replied "wow, you are on a roll." .
Yeah, I mean, this is why I went out of my way to call the guy smart. I disagree with him, but at least I can stand to read his stuff. Limbaugh is an ass-clown. Buckley is a writer.
I realize that this is meant to be humorous and witty, but that doesn't necessarily mean he didn't want it to go down this way. A writer, especially a political writer, can be smart, funny, and wrong at the same time. Just look at P.J. O'Rourke.
i was initially moved by the arguments of those who said he should gracefully not accept the award however i think you've about got it right. as for sartre, well not only was he sartre but a move like that might actually help a writer whereas for a politician it would at best avoid some immediate negativity but might ignite a whole other fire.
it's too bad we all get worked up over an award determined by five people from the land of little light. so much better if we concentrated on the real problems at our door.
OR
FOLLOWING PRESIDENCE SET BY REP jOE WILSON
OBAMA BREAKS (NOBEL) DECORUM
LOL
Mr. Buckley as well as his father the late Mr. Buckley have been advising the Republicans for years
and you can sure seen wht that has done for the Republicans.
They have been reduced to a bunch of crazies running with their hair on fire.
"Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been honoring men and women from all corners of the globe for outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and FOR WORK IN PEACE." Obama, canceled the waste of money "missile defense" to ease relations with Russia, got a Nuclear resolution passed at the UN, signaling a peaceful approach to the future, and has changed the overall perception of America in the world, THAT MY IDIOT FRIENDS deserves at least a ribbon.
Thank you.
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