Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

[triggerhappy]

US President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Committee said he was awarded it for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

The committee highlighted Mr Obama's efforts to strengthen international bodies and promote nuclear disarmament.

There were a record 205 nominations for this year's prize. Zimbabwe's prime minister and a Chinese dissident had been among the favourites.

The laureate - chosen by a five-member committee - wins a gold medal, a diploma and 10m Swedish kronor ($1.4m).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8298580.stm

Huh? The guy has barely done anything yet. I'm sure he will most likely achieve quite a bit during his term, but I think this is a little premature.

[hammertime]

My favourite opinion is "How can the President of a country that's actively involved in two wars be given a Nobel Peace Prize?"

[djtoast]

c'mon, he didn't start them himself!

[triggerhappy]

The BBC Have Your Say bit is going wild about it. I don't usually pay much attention to it, but this amused me:

"Obama has been given an award for visiting lots of countries and being a thoroughly likeable chap."

[pANDAS Radio]

"Does moving the American military squads fro Iraq to Afganistan wroth a Nobel prize??"

That's at the same level of literacy as you'll find on the Daily Mail website. I wonder what they're saying there.

[pANDAS Radio]

I know it will come in for a lot of criticism but as someone who has lived in the middle east for years I think it's deserved. He's been given a legacy of greed and war and that's not something that's easy to fight, but he has the passion to do it.

Rating: -4

What a joke the Noble peace prise has become.

Rating: +121

To the people who say he hasn't done anything yet. He did replace his predecessor, so this is thoroughly deserved!

Rating: -84

[triggerhappy]

I just had a quick scan through them there, some quite scary stuff.

When was the last time someone was given the prize purely in support of what they are doing, rather than in recognition of a concrete achievement? They mention it being a recognition of vision as well as achievements in the citation. It just seems a bit of a strange thing to do given that it was bound to create some controversy - especially since he is a currently serving president. His future moves could prove very embarrassing for the committee.

[pANDAS Radio]

I'm winning it next year because I'll announce my intention to clothe, house and feed everyone in the world. So here goes....

I intend to clothe, house and feed everyone in the world.

[hammertime]

c'mon, he didn't start them himself!

Point exactly. While I do think this is far too premature, some of the comments are just plain retarded.

[endless psych]

They did give Kissenger the Nobel Peace prize...

[XMachina]

I'm winning it next year because I'll announce my intention to clothe, house and feed everyone in the world. So here goes....

I intend to clothe, house and feed everyone in the world.

That trick didn't work for Sideshow Bob and it won't work for you.

“I'm presently incarcerated. Convicted of a crime I didn't even commit. Hah! "Attempted murder"? Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel prize for attempted chemistry? Do they?”

[triggerhappy]

They did give Kissenger the Nobel Peace prize...

True.

[SkaterMcgee]

Nobel Peace Prize doesnt mean anything anymore.