On the anniversary of our blog, it seems only fitting to have Wretchard’s take on this turn of events. After all, it was he who was responsible for our breaking off from the Comment Section there and striking out on our own five years ago.
He says:
Look at it this way: if the Nobel Peace Prize award doesn’t put the President’s policies beyond reproach of mere mortals then what will? What can they give him for an encore? One of the indicators of the decline of a political class is the use of grandiose titles to dignify the merely ordinary. When pageantry, expensive exhibitions, sonorous awards and extravagant titles are all that are left to overawe the masses it is a sign of a way of life that is already passing. I can’t but recall Barbara Tuchman’s famous opening paragraphs of the Guns of August describing the last great gathering of royalty on the occasion of Edward VII’s funeral.
So gorgeous was the spectacle on the May morning of 1910 when nine kings rode in the funeral of Edward VII of England that the crowd, waiting in hushed and black clad-awe could not keep back gasps of admiration. In scarlet and blue and green and purple, three by three the sovereigns rode through the palace gates, with plumed helmets, gold braid, crimson sashes, and jeweled orders flashing in the sun. After them came five heirs, forty more imperial or royal highnesses, seven queens — four dowager and three regnant …
The muffled tongue of Big Ben tolled nine by the clock as the cortege left the palace, but on history’s clock it was sunset, and the sun of the old world was setting in a dying blaze of splendor never to be seen again...
Amid all this magnificence were three civilian-coated gentlemen, M. Gaston-Carlin of Switzerland, M. Pichon, Foreign Minister of France and former President Theodore Roosevelt, special envoy of the United States.
It was Roosvelt who represented the future. What does Obama betoken? I think historians may look back on this day and see as the day when the “civilian-coated gentlemen”, once happy to represent The People hastened, with unseemly alarcrity to rejoin the cavalcade of the modern aristocracy. I wonder whether history’s clock, as it was was at Edward’s funeral, is also nearing sunset.
Barcepundit (who asks if anyone checked with the Afghans before the award):
I’m wondering: if in a few months yet a third secret nuclear plant is discovered and we need to attack, will he give the Nobel back? I mean, they could have at least waited until the end of his presidency, just in case…
Ah, Barcepundit, this guy is a first class fly-killer, but they could find ten more secret nuclear plants and he won't do anything. In fact, one could built in the Capitol basement, where they used to hold mock Bush impeachmenta, and it still wouldn't change things.
Give.me.a.break.
Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize? For what?
I get it: they’re making up for his loss of face in Copenhagen.
Oh, wait. I forgot. Jimmy from the Ummah won it, too. And so did “Biggest Damn Carbon Footprint You Ever Saw”, Al Gore. And let’s not forget that piece o’ peaceful endeavor, Yasser Arafat, or ol’ Kofi “Corrupt is my middle name” Annan.
How did they miss Idi Amin?
Here’s the BBC report:
- - - - - - - - -
The Nobel Committee said he was awarded it for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples”.
Oh, sure. Extraoridnary, all right. That hope ‘n’ change jive is working so well that the Russians are rolling on the floor laughing. Obama is busy disarming and disavowing our commitments to countries they plan on pulling back into their dark sphere.
The committee highlighted Mr Obama’s efforts to strengthen international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament.
Highlight away, dudes. He gets a prize for “effort” but not for actually producing anything. Amazing. That’s the same way he won the US Presidency: Obama is nothing if not effortful.
“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the Norwegian committee said as the prize was announced.
“His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.”
Right: a prize awarded for sharing “values and attitudes”…with “the majority of the world’s population” - which just happens to be Muslim.
And all this time I thought they attempted to base their awards on actual accomplishment. Turns out all you have to accomplish is the mouthing of platitudes and the ability to use two teleprompters.
A question: is an award by the Nobel Committee to a sitting president an attempt to manipulate the American electorate?
Hat tip: Dan Riehl
40 comments:
What an obscenity! It approaches the farcical level of Yasser Arafat having won this gold plated turd. The Chosen One™ has achieved exactly squat during his ever-so-brief term in office. This is a prime example of Liberalism breathing its own exhaust. As if we did not already have to put up with an intolerable degree of narcissism wafting from Pennsylvania Avenue. I wouldn't be surprised to see the White House collapse into a singularity of pure unadulterated self-aggrandizing conceit.
When a friend of mine told me, my immediate reaction was "Joke alert ! :)". Only when I got a link about it I had to admit, this is real.
And this is bad, too. For it endows him with undeserved prestige that he will use to fend off criticism and make more mistakes.
Henrik--
It's a very sick joke. In fact, it's symptomatic of a real death wish by these folks.
Our MSM was already in the toilet for this guy. Now they will be there flushing and swirling compulsively.
Anyone want to bet who gets Time magazine's "Man of the Year" award? I'll bet they're setting the type and digging up pictures even now.
Can't start too early.
I am litterally sick to my stomach. This is such an obvious meddling in American politics.
God! If there is any day of the year where I am absolutely ashamed of my nationality it's when they award the Nobel Peace Prize. What a pathetic, ridiculous Socialist nation. Can't they give the Peace Prize to Sweden along with the rest of them? It's practically the only country that's worse than Norway. The Swedes would have given the Prize to Osama, not Obama.
Dymphna, please consider leaving Benjamin Strong's (hereinafter simply B.S.'s) comment up, despite the eggregious use of profanity. It serves as the archetype of leftist thinking, exclusively ad hominem, including the obligatory allegation of racism. On this darkest of days, it is helpful to have before us such an example of what we fight against -- irrationality in its basest incarnation.
28. wretchard:
Dymphna,
I remember wondering why people at swimming in the ocean sometimes ran indoors when a rain started. Were they afraid of getting wet? It probably has something to do with our affinity for a “normal setting”. It rains, we run indoors, even when there’s no point. But if it happened every day the definition of “normal” would probably change.
If you walk along a mountain trail long enough with the freezing rain coming down eventually you change your expectations. That little wooden shelter at the end of the stage looks mighty inviting, and the prospect of instant oatmeal cooked over a stove suddenly seems appealing. There comes a point when you realize that your situation has possibilities. Freedom is really the act of understanding the possibilities.
I knew some guys who used a cockroach whose wings they’d disabled to crawl along a ledge pulling a string behind him. Once they had the string over to the next cell window, they could loop messages across on a kind of string belt. Freedom! In the current situation, I think freedom starts by accepting that we’re not in control. But there are possibilities. Somehow history, or if you will, God, is mixing things around. We can’t help it. The cards are being dealt. The only thing to do is play them. And in that situation, there’s no way back. There’s only forward. Having to go forward is always sad in the way leaving an old home is sad. I knew a lady once who told me that she didn’t want to go anyplace new because she didn’t want the novel to drive out the sacred memory of the old. She could do that. She was the kind. But properly considered, we have no alternative but live our lives on a trajectory toward the future. “All we have to do is to decide what to do with the time that we are given us.” What Gandalf said.
And remember what Frodo said too. “I will bear the Ring, though I do not know the way.”
Mind pointing out examples of hate and belligerance (sic) Mr. Fool?
...aside from Mr. Strong, of course.
It's quite clear what this blog stands for, namely conservative principles. I love how you conservatives support war, guns and are against welfare and then say in the same breath that you are Christians. In fact, the site conservapedia is so concerned about the obvious discrepancies between the Bible and conservative thought that they have undertaken to rewrite it, replacing all the socialistic implications in it with more suitably conservative terms. Smacks of desperation. And in response to you Doug, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the implications of those who support increased military spending, less welfare aid and greater rights for gun owners. Those things are exactly ideas that promote peace. They are more akin to the tools for war.
*aren't exactly ideas that promote peace
Affirmative Action on an international scale!
We're the sorcerer's apprentices. We won't get rid of these demons for a long time!
How did they miss Idi Amin?
He's dead. That renders the question moot.
I'm more puzzled that they missed the opportunity to hand it to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or to OIC chairman Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, both masters of propagating The Religion of Peace. But perhaps those would be more blatantly stupid choices.
Affirmative Action on an international scale!
Most certainly.
We won't get rid of these demons for a long time!
Couldn't agree more. And when our enemies really start exploiting the softness of the current regime, they'll find someone to blame. Over and over. Which I'm sure the Bad Guys will reaffirm him in.
"I'm more puzzled that they missed the opportunity to hand it to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or to OIC chairman Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, both masters of propagating The Religion of Peace."
Maybe they'l give it to them next year? I first read the news here. I thought you where joking. I prpogecized several months ago that a mahoundian would be awarded is year but then I was thinking of one of the science awards, not the prize in litterature or peace. Oh well, after all he represents the religion of PEACE. I guess that is the message that they want to get through. Who knows, maybe next year they give it to Mad Jad, just as Henrik suggested. Alfred Nobel must be rolling in his grave. No, spinning like a propeller would be more like it.
"How did they miss Idi Amin?
He's dead. That renders the question moot."
They have given out prizes post-humestly before so what is stopping them? But why settle with a small fish like Amin? Why not Hitler or Stalin instead? They did much for peace didn't they?
It's a liberal conspiracy. A last gasp at giving him a superior edge of authority over Iran, while at the same time staying his hand. Can a peace prize winner launch an air strike?
It's a really dangerous move. The Iranians won't give a damn. We could well all be screwed.
Zenster:"What an obscenity! It approaches the farcical level of Yasser Arafat having won this gold plated turd."
I disagree. It exceeds it. They've really lowered the bar this time, even since the Arafat times. Arafat was one of the negotiating parties in a peace agreement (which is worthless, but still...) Obama has done nothing. The deadline for the nomination was the 1st of February 2009. He won for winning the elections.
Why not Hitler or Stalin instead?
Hitler was nominated. The invasion of Poland sortof twarted his chances, though...
If they really insisted on granting 0bama a prize, they could have invented one for "Pretty Speeches". And then given it to his Teleprompter :)
Next thing: Give Mad A a prize in chemistry :(
Fool,
I do not understand European politics so I rarely comment on this blog. However, I do know a bit about Christianity so I will leave you with these thoughts:
10 Therefore I will give their wives to others,
And their fields to those who will inherit them;
Because from the least even to the greatest
Everyone is given to covetousness;
From the prophet even to the priest
Everyone deals falsely.
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’
When there is no peace.
12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed,
Nor did they know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
In the time of their punishment
They shall be cast down,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 8:10-12
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.'
Matthew 10:34-36
36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’For the things concerning Me have an end.”
38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:36-38
I wonder if two swords will be enough for us?
Latest from TOTUS, about the Great Effort:
Big Guy is actually thinking that now that he's won the Nobel, he might take a call from the Dalai Lama now that theDalai is his almost his equal. I say "almost" because, the Lama won his for bringing world attention to the plight of the Tibetan people. That's not quite as great an effort as the one Big Guy exerted to draw world attention to himself.
Oh. Now I got it:
He gets it because today is the first time the US bombs something not on our planet. That's prizeworthy.
Or perhaps the prize is a distraction from the fact that the US is now engaged in off-planet bombing.
Whatever. I'm still confused about the rationale behind this. Anyone got better ideas..?
From the BBC site
Instead the committee chose Mr Obama, who was inaugurated less than two weeks before the 1 February nomination deadline.
Therefore in less then two weeks, Obama had convinced the Nobel committee that he was deserving of the prize.
Since the Nobel peace committee awarded the prize to Arafat, this prize is so discredited, that being a recipient of it (apart from the money), is an insult then an honour.
Latest is that the original plan to award it to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were abandoned, due to the discovery that its top leader possibly has Jewish roots.
Still looking to make sense of this...
Mad Jad got to hurry now. If he manages to wipe Israel off the map before february he must be well the strongest candidate for next years peace prize. When israel is gone there will be peace in the middle east, right? That must count for something. Not even Arafat achieved that. Pardon my sarcasm.
He said "I do not deserve it".
Congratulations Mr "Prresident" this is possibly the first time EVER I have found something we can aggrree on.
BUT, I have found as an edit on another blog I visit, and you may find interesting;
EDIT: Turns out the deadline for nominations was February 11th, when his Presidency was just 11 days old...
WARNING THE BLOG SITE IS NOT PARTICULARLY ABIDING BY THE SAME "DECENCY/LANGUAGE RULES" AS GoV.
http://www.obsidian.me/
Furor Teutonicus --
I haven't a problem with what other blogs do wrt obscenity or civility guidelines.
We enforce the obscenity rule because some home-schooled children read our blog at the behest of their parents.
The civility rule is just to clear a space where rudeness isn't permitted free play.
Someone suggest I leave up B.S.'s obscenity as a kind of marker. I took his advice. After today, though, I will delete the comment. There's enough ugly in the world without letting it run rampant here.
These folks summed it up nicely.
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/*/index
The world really deserves better :(
Dymphna said...
Furor Teutonicus --
I haven't a problem with what other blogs do wrt obscenity or civility guidelines.
We enforce the obscenity rule because some home-schooled children read our blog at the behest of their parents.
And that is exactly why I gave the warning. It was not meant as a snipe against GoV.
I am totaly against censorship...or WAS. The air, and therefore the discussions around here, I feel benefit from the rule. Although I can assure you I can let RIP on other Bloggs.
I respect your rules, and have actualy come to like them here.
They mean I could reccomend the site to my Granny....although....My Granny was not exactly....hmm. ;-)
Glen W.
I too know a think about Christianity and you seem to not be able to recognize a metaphor when you see one nor do you have a good understanding of what those words meant in the original language. For example, in the original language of the two swords verse you mention, particulary the part that says, "it is enough", in the original language, that actually translates as "that is enough" suggesting that the Christ was putting an end to the thought of using physical force to spread his message. I would hope that you don't honestly belief that Christ was advocating physical violence against people.
Top Ten Reasons President Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize:
10- They couldn't find Osama Bin Laden's phone number.
9- They really wanted to give it to Micheal Moore but they were afraid he'd come over and eat Norway.
8- The Commitee has a thing for self-loathing Americans.
7- APRIL FOOL!
6- GW Bush liberated millions in Afghanistan and Irag. War mongering bastard!
5- Just kidding, we're really giving it to Ahmedinajad.
4- You don't wanna piss Michelle Obama off!
3- They would have looked damn stupid awarding it to his teleprompter, so the settled for the teleprompter's sock puppet.
2- ACORN's check cleared.
1- Now they can go ahead and rename it the "Nobel Neville Chamberlin Apeaser Prize" like they've always wanted.
I feel sorry for Al Gore. The poor fellow was just getting used to his status as the left's patron saint when the rug was pulled out from under him. Since he's taken AGW (Al Gore Warming) as far as it will go, it's time to take up a new cause. The best way to put himself in the running for the 2010 prize is to champion the new cause du jour, the plight of poor, oppressed Mohammedans in Eurabia.
that actually translates as "that is enough" suggesting that the Christ was putting an end to the thought of using physical force to spread his message. I would hope that you don't honestly belief that Christ was advocating physical violence against people.
Sounds like your Christ was a pacifist. He wouldn't be very happy with Obama who two days after taking office escalated drone attacks in northwest Pakistan and is now about to send more troops to Afghanistan. Not much of a peace maker.
Drone attacks is one of the most efficient tools we have. It has all but destroyed Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, for with all the dead leaders they can pile up, noone wants to step up to replace them.
THAT is peacemaking. It works.
Oh Norway what have you done?
The Nobel Peace Prize will now be known as the Ahmadinejad Peace Prize.
Fool,
While I am pleased to hear that you understand the original languages of scripture I will clearly state that yes, Christ was authorizing his disciples to use force (as in violence) against people (as in criminals). This is consistent with teaching in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). That is, unless you hold to some form of Marcionism?
Well I've checked the date,it's not April 1st,so what's the explanation? From a perspective outside the US, I'm puzzled as to what Obama has actually done to merit this award. Perhaps the Nobel commitee has already been affected by the decline in Norway's average IQ.
After Arafat, the Nobel peace prize had become a joke, a distinction of dishonour. The tragedy for Pres Obama is that, will he live up to his Nobel peace prize, or try to live it down
John Bolton speaks up.
Not surprising that he agrees with us :)
This bad for us, but it is bad for Obama, as all of us know he is already a joke.
He will end up more despised and derided than Carter...
Instead of writing a long comment I will provide a link to my recent blog that focuses on the importance of standing against the belief in consciousness that the Obama Nobel prize exemplifies.
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