by Mark Silva
Rush Limbaugh was quick to note who those people on the Nobel Committee are who awarded President Barack Obama the Nobel Prize for Peace.
"Europeans'' -- and that wasn't a compliment.
"The difference in responses on both sides of the Atlantic to the Nobel Peace Prize for U.S. President Barack Obama could not have been more striking,'' writes Jörg Forbrig, a senior program officer with the German Marshall Fund.
"In the U.S., the prize winner briefly expressed how humbled he was, followed by a short, highly partisan debate, which was as much about the about award as about the awardee; then everyone's attention quickly moved on to other issues,'' he writes.
"In Europe, the public approval and interest was immediate, and overwhelming. The Nobel for Obama was the top story in all the news outlets for days, and rare was the public figure who did not feel compelled to congratulate or comment. All of Europe, it seemed, was in a flutter.
"So what does all this excitement tell us about the European side of the transatlantic relationship?'' the GMF analyst writes today. "First and foremost, this intense attention shows how much Europe remains captivated by the new U.S. president, regardless of his achievements after a mere nine months in office.
"For some "Obamadulators," the fact that he is not George W. Bush is enough in itself to merit the Nobel Prize,'' he writes. "Those with a more measured appreciation of the president's actions in office cite his speeches in Prague and Cairo, his respect for multilateral institutions, his willingness to reach out even to America's most intransigent opponents, his courage in tackling numerous global problems at the same time, and the dignity and sobriety of his style.
"But the reactions in Europe also illustrate a shift in the relationship that goes far beyond the personal. Obama's most significant (and least-observed) achievement is that he has fundamentally changed the attitude of many Europeans to the United States.
"For them, his election alone illustrates America's ability to re-invent itself, a capacity seemingly lacking in most European countries. Under Obama's leadership, support among Europeans for U.S. leadership in global affairs has grown from one-third to nearly 50 percent, according to a recent Transatlantic Trends survey
"But reactions to the award were by no means unanimously positive across Europe,'' the analyst notes. "In the East, reactions were much slower and often also more dismissive, from Lech Walesa's "Too soon!" or the "What For?" of the Slovak daily SME.
"This reflects a more general caution among Eastern Europeans toward Obama, aggravated perhaps by the impression that America is withdrawing from engagement in this part of Europe. And while the Western Europeans were faster to react and more enthusiastic (in keeping with approval ratings of well over 80%), the general tone in the debate remained very balanced between approval and criticism.
"For the more sober voices, the Nobel Prize is an encouragement and an expression of hope that Obama will be able to stay his course and succeed; some also expressed concern that the prize had been awarded too early, and would prove a burden. And for the skeptics -- they do exist -- the award is a reminder to the new U.S. president that he must begin to deliver on his many promises.
"All this possibly heralds a certain degree of realism slowly making its way into European opinion on Obama. Even the German media, where the Nobel for Obama was given the most space, could not help but warn of exaggerated expectations. Whether "Still a Dream" (Die Zeit), "Good Hope Award" (Süddeutsche Zeitung), or "Burden, rather than Honor" (Spiegel), there is a growing realization that Obama's full agenda, at home and abroad, will necessarily also bring disappointments, and disagreements.
"What this also means is that a window of opportunity may be closing for Obama in Europe. As the once-massive advance credit Obama had received by European publics wanes, policymakers here will find it harder to convince their publics of the need for unpopular decisions demanded by the U.S. president of his allies in Europe - as we know he will.
"Europeans have in fact been quick to point out all the pressing international issues on which Obama has yet to achieve tangible results: overcoming the global economic crisis and building a new international financial architecture, tackling the nuclear threats emanating from Iran and North Korea, the war in Afghanistan, climate change, Guantanamo, the Middle East conflict, Russia's renewed assertiveness.
"But the real question here - to paraphrase a famous quote - is not what Obama has done for the Nobel Peace Prize; it is what Europe can do for Obama to help him live up to this award.
"Suffice it to say that, as yet, not many answers to this question have been forthcoming from Europe. But Europe can, and should be, more forthcoming on the highly symbolical issue of Guantanamo. Obama will need additional resources - troops, police, political leverage, development expertise, and funds - in Afghanistan, and Europe should be able to provide these.
"A nuclear-free world may be a long shot - but Europeans (and not just the nuclear powers Britain and France) can provide diplomatic support, and decades of arms control negotiating experience. European ties with Russia could, if appropriately coordinated, aid Obama's outreach to the Kremlin. These and other actions on the part of Europe might give the president a fighting chance to succeed and justify his Nobel Peace Prize. In that sense, the award comes with a price tag,'' the analyst writes.
"For us Europeans as much as for Barack Obama.''
Comments
Well over half the people who walk the face of this earth come from among the three Abrahamic traditions or faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is no secret that there has been no love lost and little understanding between Islam, the fastest-growing of the three, and the other two.
Now, along came a newly installed civic leader, a President of the United States, generally recognized as the "leader of the free world." Since what is known as "the free world" is predominantly Christian, the new president can also claim to be the most significant leader on the world stage of that Abrahamic faith, Christianity. Among his earliest actions, the new United States President stunned the world by reaching out to Islam -- not from Washington, not by way of TV or the Internet -- no, he traveled to Egypt, put his body and his presidency on the line, and spoke to Islam as he would speak to us. "I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge a new beginning," he said, emphasizing that, "It is easier to start wars than to end them." And then, speaking from the epicenter of the Muslim world, to all the world, and to the essence of our humanity, he spoke this truth: "It is easier to blame others than to look inward, to see what is different about someone, than to find the things we share."
And who, for the love of God in three faiths, topped that this year? People who think that Obama was picked as the winner of this award back in Feb are wrong, stupid and probably Republican. The winner of the Nobel (Obama) was only picked just recently and announced last week.
The spittle covered right wing lunatic fringe have shown their true colors again (remember their reaction to US losing the Olympics?) and for that I am glad. The more they scream and slobber the farther and farther they move away from winning elections. Thankfully, they are a very small minority.
Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | October 13, 2009 2:01 PM
Most of the European press has reacted with a mixture of laughter and incredulity.
For example, the left-wing Guardian, in an analysis titled “Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize: Why Now?”, writes: “The reality is that the prize appears to have been awarded to Barack Obama for what he is not. For not being George W Bush. Elsewhere in the Guardian, an informal online opinion poll asks: “Did President Obama deserve the 2009 Nobel peace prize?” More than 70 percent of respondents say “no.”
The left-wing Independent says “This award is premature — and potentially very foolish.”
For reaction from Leftwing American press outlets: Air America correspondent Ana Marie Cox wrote on Twitter, "Apparently Nobel Prizes are now being awarded to anyone who is not George Bush." Jennifer Loven at the Associated Press wrote: "He Won, But For What?" Washington Post blogger Ezra Klein joked on Twitter: "Obama also awarded Nobel Prize in chemistry. 'He's just got great chemistry,' says Nobel committee." The Daily Beast's Peter Beinart wrote: "I like Barack Obama as much as the next liberal, but this is a farce." And Michael Russnow wrote on the Huffington Post that he too is an Obama supporter but, "Whatever Happened to Awarding for Deeds Actually Done?" Russnow likens the "extremely premature" award to "giving an Oscar to a young director for films we hope that he or she will produce."
I could add dozens of other examples. But I just wanted to make sure that a vote by 3 Norwegian Socialist politicians, to award a prize to a like-minded American politician, is given its true context.
Posted by: Bruce | October 13, 2009 2:14 PM
Don't worry Druggy Rush....
If they ever start offering a Nobel Prize for War, Theft and Thuggery, your beloved Repuglican party will win it every year, hands down.
Posted by: one of 56 million | October 13, 2009 2:15 PM
I think we need to create a Limbaugh War Prize and award it to individual who shall have done the most or the best work for Violence between nations, for the enlargement of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of Wars. Clearly the first winner would be George W. Bush for his great dedication to the institution of war around the workld. Every American would be proud to see a former President honored for his promotion of war and militarism and his rejection of the dangerous and evil notion of Peace.
Posted by: Finding Nemo | October 13, 2009 2:18 PM
The Outrage I feel towards the Right Wing whackjobs in this country is visceral...Do they not understand that this is about America...not just the President..? This is beyond them acting like spoiled children or sour grapes..
This is venal, vile and the Republican party needs to be called out for their unHoly alliance with our enemies (the Taliban, Iran etc) and the crazy right wing religious nuts and gun toters!!!!
Posted by: LoveBuzz | October 13, 2009 2:22 PM
Druggy Rush + Taliban + Iran = Todays Republican Party
Posted by: BigCheese | October 13, 2009 2:24 PM
I'm really concerned about Republicans and their hurt feelings after this. I'm concerned that their hurt "feelings" are going to end up being the incitement for the shooting of a doctor providing women's health care or that of a guard at the Holocaust museum.
But I guess, thank God none of that has happened yet.
Oh, wait...
Posted by: Lithium | October 13, 2009 2:29 PM
This was probably the best commentary on the many ways the Obama Nobel prize manifests itself. I do take an exception. The Obama Nobel bump obviously hasn't bridged the divide between the old West v East bias since this bias underlines his own analysis."For them, his election alone illustrates America's ability to re-invent itself, a capacity seemingly lacking in most European countries." I tend to think that the divide between European/American reaction stems from the ability of EUROPE to be able to reinvent itself throughout centuries. The politics in those countries, East or West, are therefore a lot more volatile even if they trend to a dogma. Americans are less likely to support change (see all Pres of the USA until election of black man.) Americans are less likely to support environmental/peace/kiss babies initaitves. OBAMA beats to their drum, they don't beat to his drum. That is why the author of these thoughts believes that there is a certain realism setting in, that there is a price to pay. They are looking for us meet their worldviews.
Posted by: interesting | October 13, 2009 2:37 PM
If it wasn't for these Democrats and their prizes, I'd be employed by now.
Posted by: unemployed lawyer | October 13, 2009 2:51 PM
Clearly someone should invent a Limbaugh War Prize because for all we know our sitting President who hasn't removed troops from two countries would get it, and the shimmy shimmy lemming left would eat it up just as much because it's an American President. Obviously, the lefty brain waves run only on one circuit. See it's all fun and games when it doesn't concern you, but should our sitting president god forbid flex that old time American conservative muscle, he'd receive a second Limbaugh Award without one lefty batting a lash. The lemmings will chant "people who make hard choices aren't well liked." If it wasn't for Bush, Obama wouldn't have anything to implement, nor would he have traction to further foreign relations, esp in the Cradle of Civilization .
Posted by: Nemo Found | October 13, 2009 3:05 PM
**********************************
The lemmings will chant "people who make hard choices aren't well liked." If it wasn't for Bush, Obama wouldn't have anything to implement, nor would he have traction to further foreign relations, esp in the Cradle of Civilization .
Posted by: Nemo Found | October 13, 2009 3:05 PM
*********************************
.
When Martin Luther King received the Peace Prize in 1964. The right wing denounced King as a rabble rouser who encouraged law breaking and stirred up discontent in the black community. They ridiculed the King award even more savagely than the Obama award.
The Nobel prizes are not necessarily life achievement awards. In 1964, most of King's signature achievements lay ahead of him. Just as in the science awards, the prize is often intended to encourage further progress after a scientific breakthrough is made.
If, goodness forbid, the next space shuttle blows up in flight, I wouldn't be surprised to see high fives at the Weekly Standard, the National Review, and the RNC seeing as how they already cheered when America lost the Olympics. Todays Wingnuts are thugs and goons of the highest order.
The low IQ clowns who make up whats left of the Repug base cheer American failure and denounce American success and then they wonder why they can't win elections anymore.
Teresa, you wouldn't have to change your post name so often if you were actually confident in any of the right wing garbage and race baiting that you post on here every day.
Posted by: Kathy | October 13, 2009 3:23 PM
*************************************
The low IQ clowns who make up whats left of the Repug base cheer American failure and denounce American success and then they wonder why they can't win elections anymore.
*************************************
Shelly,
If you had a brain you wouldn't have to post the same retort to every post that doesn't sit well with your fascist censorship. I know Rosa Parks wouldn't sit at the back of the bus, but maybe when the next stop comes up, you and your laptopie should shimmy to the back of the bus. Is it your intention to compare MLK to Obama, or are you just that inane? I know Obama wouldn't either. Ramble ramble, famous name, ramble ramble, rightwing nuts, ramble ramble, moots points that don't address anything other than the racism NOT found anywhere near my post. If it wasn't for Bush, Obama wouldn't have anything to implement, nor would he have traction to further foreign relations, esp in the Cradle of Civilization . The truth hurts.
Posted by: FlowerPower | October 13, 2009 4:20 PM
At least they could have given the peace prize to some lunatic from ALF or ELF or the KKK. There all the same. The right and the left both have people that they wish were not associated with them. But the context of this award given to the President, cheapens the award even further than when Al Gore received it. What has either of them actually done, besides provide kickbacks to their cronies, invent the internet and vote "present." All politicians are susceptible to corruption and should be under suspicion of it. Politics was their choice and they accepted a job that was meant to be a service to the people. They just get paid more than other public servants and in other ways. Like privileges, junkits, campaign contributions, and the now seemingly comical and satirical Nobel Peace Prize. The only question I have is did the 3 socialist give him the million dollars so he could pay for the expensive trips to other countries for him and his family to get health care should the death panels deny them care? Or is he going to use it to buy back his Senate seat when he is done bowing to the leaders of the world. And yes, YES, YES, I will cling to my guns and my religion. You will take them "from my cold dead hands!" Pennsylvania must be the dumbest sate in the union, he says something like that about you and you still vote for him. At least in California we can blame it on the north coast produce......
Posted by: Traver | October 13, 2009 4:25 PM
If you had a brain you wouldn't have to post the same retort to every post that doesn't sit well with your fascist censorship. I know Rosa Parks wouldn't sit at the back of the bus, but maybe when the next stop comes up, you and your laptopie should shimmy to the back of the bus. Is it your intention to compare MLK to Obama, or are you just that inane?
Posted by: FlowerPower | October 13, 2009 4:20 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
.
Teresa,
Your irrational Obama hatred says more about you than it does about us.
Waaaaaaaaaaah! Go cry somewhere else, you right wing cretin. And don't forget to change your post name, because nothing else can save your inane "arguments".
Posted by: Hans | October 13, 2009 4:32 PM
Or is he going to use it to buy back his Senate seat when he is done bowing to the leaders of the world. And yes, YES, YES, I will cling to my guns and my religion. You will take them "from my cold dead hands!" Pennsylvania must be the dumbest sate in the union, he says something like that about you and you still vote for him. At least in California we can blame it on the north coast produce......
Posted by: Traver | October 13, 2009 4:25 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
.
Like we really care what you radical right wing sociopaths think.
"Activist Who Staged Gun Interview At Obama Event Was Prominent Defender Of '90s Militia"
.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/ernest_hancock_viper_militia_gun_obama_event.php
Posted by: boomgoesthedynamite | October 13, 2009 5:01 PM
Your irrational Obama hatred says more about you than it does about us.
Posted by: Hans | October 13, 2009 4:32 PM
Shelly,
You're so smart to understand the error of your own ways. Good for you. When you pee do you pee for two, too? Typical lemming left sense of entitlement to talk for two, or maybe it's just Shelly's inability to get past her ego. Nothing is more pronounced than your hatred of anything other than yourself. Sorta makes me sad for "all of you."
Posted by: Kathy | October 13, 2009 5:06 PM
I didn't know what a Peace Prize was until Obama won it. The word Peace is enough for me, and this is Obama. The man would never hurt a fly. Works for me. Not so sure about the Nobel part, but I'll wing it. Where's My winged Little Pony.
Posted by: Typical Democrat | October 13, 2009 5:25 PM
Reasons Why Obama Deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, Oh let me count the ways.
Threats agains this life, his family, and racist comments that are levels never seen before.
Dealing with the Republican Party and their obstructionism.
Dealing wth the likes of Becks, Palins, and Limbaughs of the world.
Co-Existing with Fox Noise Channel.
Having to Clean Up George Bush's mess.
Having patience with the right wing loving corporate media.
Dealing with claims that he hates America. Limbaugh would claim that the award is more of an embarrassment then not getting the Olympics.
Posted by: Repugs are idiots | October 13, 2009 5:49 PM
The main reason Obama won...He saved the world from McCain/Palin.
America deserves the Peace Prize for electing Obama. He's not Bush and the war-mongering Republican party We finally got our act together to repudiate the most destructive group of people I've seen in my entire life. Hooray for us, hooray for the United States of America, and hooray for President Obama!
Posted by: former Republican | October 13, 2009 5:53 PM
HOw dare ObMama get that kNobel peice prize!
Gorge BUsh was bestes PreZnent evah and I knowz this cause Rush told ma sooo, and he an glen Beck are da smart ones cause thy are, ok?
Posted by: Bubba Alabama from Teabag, Texas | October 13, 2009 5:57 PM
Europeans love him? Fantastic! Well send him right over, you can keep him.
Posted by: Ozone | October 13, 2009 6:25 PM
Reasons why Obama deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Let me count the superficial ways. Threats on his life while being provided the world's top notch security. Racial attacks the vigilant and hyper sensitive media tore up to shreds instead of spread. Dealing with an opposing party in a two party system. Having people on hand to deal with the Palin's Limbaugh's and Glenn's for him. Breathing the same air Fox News breathes. Having to say he will clean up Bush's mess, and see it all fall into place without lifting a finger anyway. Having patience with the media his staff handles for him. Having people and the media deal with inaccurate claims for him. What is worse is that had Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize in time, Obama would have secured the Olympics.
Posted by: Democrats are idiots | October 13, 2009 6:43 PM
The problem for the addlebrained right wing Obama-rejectionists is that the president, as far as they are concerned, couldn't possibly do anything right, and thus is unworthy of any conceivable recognition. If Obama ended world hunger, they'd accuse him of promoting obesity. If he solved global warming, they'd complain it was getting chilly. If he got Mahmoud Abbas and Binyamin Netanyahu to join him around the campfire in a chorus of "Kumbaya," the rejectionists would claim that his singing was out of tune.
I love watching Wingnuts flail !
Posted by: Piper | October 13, 2009 6:58 PM
Europeans love him? Fantastic! Well send him right over, you can keep him.
Posted by: Ozone | October 13, 2009 6:25 PM
You people on the right just dont get it do you?! We need the European community to like us so they are more likely to HELP us when we need their help and they are more likely to support us as well in times of need. They hated Bush and his policies, hence their reluctance to help or support us. GET IT???!!
President Obama speaks of peace, he speaks to all people, and he's not a snarly war mongering 'You're either with us or against us' neocon. For this we should all be greatful!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | October 13, 2009 7:45 PM
Al Bore wins for producing the best comedy of 2006, An Inconvenient Spoof, and people are surprised that the liberal politics of BHO are glorified by the Nobel Committee? Please. It's no different than giving this country's newspaper editors voting authority. Symbolism Over Substance has always been the rallying cry of this country's libs.
For those keeping score at home of Little JohnEE's posts; let's see, carry the one, multiplied by the time he spends on the Swamp spewing nonsense, adding in his repertoire of falsified names, plus yet another one of his HILARIOUS, zany bubba Alabama's...= 11. Not a personal best but a quality effort, Rubber JohnEE.
Posted by: JohnEE Postalot | October 13, 2009 8:18 PM
Yeah, he and Al gore can drive an electric car into the ocean and hit a whale! And don't let them forget to take the queers with them!
I know all you bleeding hearts know where that came from.
I know boomgoesthedynamite doesn't care what i have to say, but that's because the left invests in the news media and the right invests in oil. Too bad Al Gore invented the internet and nobody cares what you put in print anymore. Well they might if they could read, but since it takes a village to raise a child, children can't depend on their parents to teach them how to read or take them to school. See Hillary gave stupid/worthless parents an excuse why their children can't read, and she spent tax dollars to fix poor parenting. Read of mice and men, that is how you fix stupid parents! then mayby enough children could read that some would care about liberal print media.
Posted by: Traver | October 13, 2009 8:29 PM
Piper: He's done it! Obama has reversed global warming! You were right.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/global_warming_ice_age/2008/04/24/90591.html
http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=5ceaedb7-802a-23ad-4bfe-9e32747616f9
Posted by: Give That Man a Grammy | October 13, 2009 9:27 PM
Prez Obama's Nobel was a reward for choosing hope over cynicism(Republican) in last November's election. It was for choosing the rule of law and international cooperation over unilateralism. It was a reward for choosing the prospects of peace over those of endless war. It was a reward for seeing a future where our ideas are stronger and more influential than the threat of nuclear weapons and mass destruction. It was for recognizing that our planet is in peril and that we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect it.
We, THE PEOPLE, won this award. The judges on the Nobel committee recognized Obama for our bold vision, for our courage, for our strength and for the possibility of what we can now accomplish having made this first decisive step.
Today we should hold our heads high. We showed the world what leadership is, and gave it a leader worthy of the title: The President of the United States of America!
This also shows that...people all over the world really really really hate Bush and the Republican party.
Posted by: Grumpy | October 13, 2009 9:42 PM
I guess we will get to see BO at the New York Athletic Club in December
http://sportscrack.blogspot.com/2008/02/barack-obama-strikes-heisman-pose.html
Posted by: Terry | October 13, 2009 9:52 PM
Yeah, he and Al gore can drive an electric car into the ocean and hit a whale! And don't let them forget to take the queers with them!I know all you bleeding hearts know where that came from.I know boomgoesthedynamite doesn't care what i have to say
Posted by: Traver | October 13, 2009 8:29 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
.
YAWN....more racism and bigotry from the chickenhawk right wing lunatic fringe.
Keep it up tough guy, I enjoy watching you wingnut rubes lose elections.
Posted by: Give the GOP the Nobel Prize for Stupidity | October 13, 2009 10:02 PM
"Europeans love him? Fantastic! Well send him right over, you can keep him."
Posted by: Ozone
Well, they certainly don't want "you." If there's one thing the Europeans possess disdain for, it's ignorance and so far--based on the tea-party footage they've seen--illiterate, bellicose Americans are the last people they want on their shores.
Posted by: Diane | October 13, 2009 10:23 PM
If this prize was awarded to the American people for the election results, it would have made some sense.
Instead they gave it to Obama for just winning the election.
Posted by: Manny | October 13, 2009 11:20 PM
Not all Europeans are quite so sanguine about this announcement:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100013074/obamas-won-the-nobel-peace-wtf/#
Posted by: Thoreau | October 14, 2009 9:59 AM
God would have given the Nobel Peace Prize to BO.
What did Herbert Hoover do to stop the Great Depression? What did George Bush do? Now the consensus in government was that if AIG went down the country would have a depression. So BO gave AIG 200 BILLION. He helped GM and Chrysler. He helped the banks. He helped Freddy etc. HE PLUGGED HOLES IN THE DIKE! WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT DEPRESSION! Anybody take notice of that? I think THAT should be the main reason why BO gets the Peace Prize. Because if we have a depression we could very well have WWIII.
The depression will probably still come. BUT, I prefer that some holes be plugged instead of standing around like the Republicans and Herbert Hoover! You've got to give BO some credit. He took ACTION! Better than no action at all. So we have a postponement. Better to have a postponement than a depression. Now if we only had a PROPHET!
Posted by: Harold Reimann | October 14, 2009 11:39 AM